06/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/17/2025 19:00
The City of Malibu has appointed Yolanda Bundy as Director of the newly established Community Development Department (CDD). A nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery, wildfire rebuilding and sustainable development, Bundy brings nearly 20 years of public sector experience to the role.
Before this appointment, Bundy served as Director of Malibu's Environmental Sustainability Department/Building Official, and has led the Woolsey, Franklin and Palisades Fire rebuilds, coordinating fire debris removal, and implementing the policy changes and code amendments made by the City Council to expedite the rebuild process. She established the Malibu Rebuild Center following the Palisades Fire.
"Malibu has a special place in my heart, and I care deeply about this community, its people, and its environment," Bundy said. "It's an honor to lead this new Department and continue to support this community I love. I'm committed to helping Malibu rebuild stronger, safer and with the integrity and resilience that define this City."
Bundy's appointment follows the Malibu City Council's November 25, 2024, decision to consolidate the Environmental Sustainability and Planning Departments into one streamlined Community Development Department. The restructuring, based on the 2023 Development Services Report conducted by consultant Baker Tilly, is designed to increase efficiency, improve service delivery, and create a more streamlined development process for Malibu.
The new Department brings together six critical divisions - Planning, Long-Range Planning, Building Safety, Code Enforcement, Environmental Programs, and Administration - under one roof, creating a centralized resource for permitting, development and environmental compliance.
"With the City still recovering from recent wildfires, this Department will play a vital role in making our rebuild process faster, smarter, and more coordinated," said Mayor Marianne Riggins. "Yolanda's leadership, technical expertise, compassion, and deep understanding of our community make her the exceptional person to lead this effort."
Bundy holds a master's degree in Structural Engineering and is a state-licensed Registered Professional Engineer (Civil) in California. Her technical expertise is further supported by numerous certifications, including Certified Building Official (CBO), Certified Fire Code Official (CFCO), Cal OES Safety Assessment Program Coordinator, and several others issued by the International Code Council (ICC).
Bundy's work has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Code Council Code Official of the Year, California Building Officials Building Department of the Year, Safer City Building Official of the Year from the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California, the California Clean Water Environmental Award and the Award of Excellence in Resilience and Sustainability from the American Planning Association California Chapter for her leadership in Malibu's rebuild efforts following the Woolsey, Franklin, and Palisades Fires. In 2019, she received the Best Practice Excellence in Recovery award from the American Planning Association Central Coast Chapter for her leadership in the City of Ventura's Thomas Fire recovery.