Sue Kohl is President of the Pacific Palisades Community Council and a local realtor serving as Assistant Manager at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. A top producer since 1989, she’s recognized as one of the best Realtors in Pacific Palisades, and has been effectively representing both sellers and buyers in sales and purchases of single-family homes and condominiums. Sue lost her own home in the January 2025 Palisades Fire. She's now navigating the rebuilding process firsthand while helping her community recover. Sue brings both personal experience and professional insight into what it takes to rebuild LA after the fires.

Leo Marmol, FAIA, is the Founder of the architect-led design-build practice Marmol Radziner, established in 1989 with Ron Radziner, FAIA. With a guiding hand in every project from concept to completion, Leo works closely with studio directors and construction teams to ensure seamless design execution. A passionate advocate for architectural preservation, he frequently lectures on architecture and historic restoration and has led tours showcasing Southern California’s mid-century Modernist treasures. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Architecture and a minor in Philosophy, Leo was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2007 and inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2009.

Kimberlina Whettam is a seasoned real estate development leader with a proven track record guiding projects from concept through completion. She specializes in due diligence research, entitlement management, public hearings, and development permits, leveraging her strong government and industry relationships to secure timely, cost-effective approvals. Previously, she served as Chief Planning & Environmental Deputy for Los Angeles City Councilmember Jack Weiss, where she launched the city’s Green Building Incentive Program and secured community support for the Van Nuys Airport Masterplan. Kimberlina’s company, Kimberlina Whettam & Associates (KW&A), is managing several projects in the fire zones.

Salvador Carbajal is the founder of S-AC Design Group and S-AC Builders, leading every stage from concept to construction. Since launching his firm in 2020, he has completed over 200 architectural projects and 40 construction builds, specializing in custom single-family homes, multifamily residences, and ADUs. Beginning his career with one of the nation’s top general contractors, Salvador managed high-rise developments from the ground up—experience that shaped his seamless design–build approach. Through S-AC Design Group, he crafts spaces with a strong design–lifestyle connection, while S-AC Builders ensures flawless execution in-house. His mission is simple: create high-quality, meaningful spaces that bring visions to life.

Jan talks with top Pasadena agent Teresa Fuller, who brings deep market knowledge and personal experience as a fire survivor. They explore how Altadena’s real estate market is evolving post-fire, from pricing shifts and buyer trends to the role of design and community in rebuilding LA.

In this first episode of Rebuilding LA After the Fires, host Jan Brzeski lays the groundwork for the series, sharing what inspired him to start the podcast and what’s at stake as LA begins to recover from wildfires that destroyed over 10,000 structures. You’ll hear what to expect from future episodes—and why trying to get a view to the big picture is so important to the future of LA.