The Outstanding SGV City Staff award recognizes a public employee whose day-to-day work moves a city forward. Donson Liu does that work for Pasadena from inside its transportation department.

Donson Liu is a lifelong resident of the San Gabriel Valley who has worked with the City of Pasadena Department of Transportation since 2018. As a transportation engineer whose own preferred way to get around town is by bicycle, he has helped advance the city's goal of becoming a place where people can move freely without a car.

His work focuses on bikeway planning and everyday traffic safety. He has contributed to projects such as the Union Street Protected Bikeway, the Cordova Street complete streets project, and citywide traffic calming efforts to realize safer neighborhood streets. He has also helped shape Pasadena's Slow Streets Neighborhood Protection Plan and presented local data on pedestrian and cyclist safety to inform city decision-making.

Today, Donson oversees the city's traffic investigations, the process of studying resident concerns, and the recommendation of fixes at specific locations. He also manages several upcoming capital projects focused on realizing safer streets for all road users. His steady, behind-the-scenes work helps turn safety goals into real changes that residents can see and feel in their own neighborhoods.

Join us in celebrating Donson Liu at this year's Noche de las Luminarias, ActiveSGV's annual awards ceremony and gala. It will be a warm evening of community and recognition for the people working toward a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. Every ticket also helps support ActiveSGV's work across mobility, climate, health and wellness, and parks and greening.

Spend the evening with us on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM at the Grapevine Arbor in San Gabriel. You can learn more about the event and reserve your tickets in advance. We would be so glad to see you there.