A graduate of the University of Virginia's School of Architecture, Claire's career has covered a broad spectrum of the design, development, and planning fields. Claire has spent the last five plus years with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning where she most recently oversaw the development of the 2010 Bicycle Plan. During her tenure at the City Claire has spearheaded the City's Green Building Ordinance, participated in the development of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, developed the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP) and is currently preparing to launch an update to the City’s Mobility Element.

Prior to joining the City Claire was at Livable Places, a non-profit development corporation, where she developed a 58 unit affordable home ownership project on a one and a half acre site across from a light rail station in Long Beach, CA. In addition to these recent achievements Claire began her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic and subsequently worked as a community organizer in the Boston area before heading to Los Angeles where she designed and decorated motion picture sets for fifteen years. Claire has served on the boards of the Westside Urban Forum and the local chapter of the US Green Building Council, and was an early advocate for the Exposition Light Rail Line. Claire lives in Los Angeles with her husband and teenage daughter. In her spare time Claire is an avid urban walker, hiker, bicyclist, transit rider and painter.