Los Angeles Mission names three executives to its leadership team

The Los Angeles Mission has added Dr. Anthony Felix, Mina Garcia and Ken Craft to its executive leadership team as it expands operational, program and spiritual leadership on Skid Row. The appointments are meant to strengthen services for people experiencing homelessness, including women at the Anne Douglas Center and broader recovery and support programs.

Why it matters: - The Los Angeles Mission is expanding its executive bench as homelessness remains a persistent crisis on Skid Row. - The new leadership team is designed to strengthen operations, program delivery and spiritual care across the organization. - The appointments come as the Mission looks to improve access to shelter, recovery services and long-term support for people experiencing homelessness.

What happened: - The Los Angeles Mission announced three executive appointments on Oct. 21, 2026. - Dr. Anthony Felix was named Chief Operations and Administration Officer. - Mina Garcia was named Executive Director of the Anne Douglas Center and Chief Program Officer. - Ken Craft was named Senior Pastor. - The Mission said the three will help lead its operational infrastructure, program services and spiritual care on Skid Row.

The details: - Dr. Felix will oversee the Mission’s core business, administrative and operations functions. - Dr. Felix will serve as a strategic partner to CEO Dennis Oleesky and President Rowan Vansleve. - Garcia will oversee all programs, including housing, trauma-informed care and long-term support services. - As executive director of the Anne Douglas Center, Garcia will lead the Mission’s program for women experiencing homelessness. - The Anne Douglas Center offers a 13-month recovery program followed by a transition program with job placement, transitional housing and family reunification support. - Craft will lead spiritual care and faith-based programming across the organization. - Craft also serves as CEO and founder of Hope the Mission, a separate Los Angeles-based homeless services organization. - Hope the Mission and the Los Angeles Mission have formed a strategic alliance called Hope United. - The Mission serves approximately 370,000 meals each year. - The Mission operates 292 beds across its campus. - The Mission also serves dozens of people in recovery and transition programs.

Between the lines: - The leadership changes deepen the Mission’s ties to Hope the Mission, which already works with the organization through Hope United. - The appointments suggest the Los Angeles Mission is trying to pair operational scale with program specialization and faith-based identity. - Felix brings more than a decade of executive experience in public administration and homeless services. - Felix holds a doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne. - Felix said he plans to focus in his first six months on organizational capacity to manage public funding, staff development and partnerships throughout Skid Row. - Garcia brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. - Garcia most recently served as Senior Director of Program Services at Hope the Mission. - Garcia was appointed by Mayor Karen Bass to the Latino/a Homelessness Advisory Group. - Garcia said she will focus on program flow, community partnerships, referral pathways and removing barriers to improve outcomes. - Craft founded Hope the Mission in 2009 and remains its CEO. - Craft said he wants to deepen discipleship and spiritual-development programs while broadening church and community engagement.

What's next: - Dr. Felix said his early priorities include building capacity to manage public funding and strengthening staff development. - Garcia said she will evaluate how people move through programs and expand access to mental health services. - Craft said he will evaluate recovery and workforce-development pathways during his first six months. - The Los Angeles Mission said it will continue working to stabilize people and connect them to long-term solutions on Skid Row.

The bottom line: - The Los Angeles Mission is using a leadership overhaul to sharpen its operations, broaden its program reach and reinforce its faith-centered approach to homelessness services.