Meet San Francisco’s new mayor, Daniel Lurie: he’s an heir to the Levi’s denim fortune, a committed philanthropist, mental-health advocate and symbol of a new hope for the city

On January 8, philanthropist, entrepreneur and social innovator Daniel Lurie was sworn in as San Francisco’s new mayor, bringing with him a fresh perspective on and commitment to tackling the city’s biggest challenges.

With a strong background in philanthropy and non-profit organisations, 47-year-old Lurie is no stranger to addressing issues such as homelessness, housing affordability and economic inequality.

His election win marks a significant shift in the city’s leadership style, but exactly who is the man planning to transform San Francisco?

An encounter with his kids prompted his mayoral run

Lurie, who has spoken publicly of “hope” being “alive and well” in San Francisco, decided to run for mayor for his two children after an incident in which they encountered a mentally distressed person naked, outdoors. “My kids just looked at me with those eyes … like, this is not okay,” Lurie told the Los Angeles Times. “It was at that moment I said to myself, ‘There’s more work to be done.’”

As a philanthropist and entrepreneur, Lurie is in a position to address urgent problems, including homelessness, affordable housing and public safety in the city, per The New York Times. He beat incumbent London Breed, the first African-American female mayor in San Francisco’s history, as well as former interim mayor Mark Farrell, to the job.

He’s an heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune

Lurie has garnered attention not just for his political platform but also for his connection to the Levi Strauss fortune. His mother, Miriam “Mimi” Hass, married Peter Haas – great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss & Co. founder Levi Strauss – after her divorce from Lurie’s father. Lurie later became an heir to the clothing fortune.