Dina Aryan-Zahlan serves as Deputy Executive Director of Development for the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest container port. Appointed to the Port’s leadership team in September 2023, Aryan-Zahlan oversees more than 450 employees in the Construction, Construction and Maintenance, Engineering and Internal Audit divisions.

Aryan-Zahlan most recently served as Chief Harbor Engineer, and oversaw the day-to-day activities of the Engineering Division and was responsible for the planning and design of a wide variety of port infrastructure and facilities that support the diverse operations of the port complex. Aryan-Zahlan spearheaded several critical port development projects, from an infrastructure program for Port Electrification and Zero-Emission for Port facilities and terminals to Public Access Investment for neighboring harbor communities.

For the past two decades, Aryan-Zahlan has oversaw the planning, development and design of infrastructure and facilities, including wharves, terminals, rail, roadways, waterfront development including the Port’s Transportation Program, Terminal Development Program and LA Waterfront Program.

Aryan-Zahlan obtained her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and Executive Master of Leadership degree from the University of Southern California. She is a registered civil engineer in the State of California, certified Project Management Professional® and Senior Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP). She is an active member of WTS-LA, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Public Works Association (APWA) and Project Management Institute (PMI).

Aryan-Zahlan was named WTS-LA Woman of the Year (2022). The award recognizes a female leader in the transportation field who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, and directly contributed to the advancement of women and minorities through programs or opportunities in the transportation field.

Aryan-Zahlan has been recently appointed to the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Engineering at California State University, Long Beach.