Richard J. Riordan is the mayor of the City of Los Angeles. As mayor, Riordan has created several programs, including the Mayor's Alliance for a Safer Los Angeles, designed to enhance public safety; L.A.'s Business Team, dedicated to attracting and retaining businesses locally; and the City Volunteer Bureau, created to increase community service within the city. Riordan is a founding member of KIDS, FIRST! and LEARN, organizations interested in reforming public school education, and led efforts to create the Community Development Bank, which invests in economic development in underserved areas. Previous to serving as mayor, Riordan was a principal of the law firm Riordan & McKinzie and was also an entrepreneur, working with growth companies in all stages of development.

Riordan's bachelor's degree is from Princeton University, and his law degree is from the University of Michigan.