WORKER EQUITY INITIATIVE RESOURCES
Steering Committee Members
A steering committee of worker centers, nonprofit training providers, and labor unions provide strategic guidance and community expertise to the initiative. Steering committee members engage in joint learning and research and to develop strategic recommendations that will be shared with the LWDA and other stakeholders on how to transform the publicly funded workforce development system in this new COVID-19 context.
A steering committee of worker centers, nonprofit training providers, and labor unions provide strategic guidance and community expertise to the initiative. Steering committee members engage in joint learning and research and to develop strategic recommendations that will be shared with the LWDA and other stakeholders on how to transform the publicly funded workforce development system in this new COVID-19 context.
Janel Bailey
Co-Executive Director
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center
5350 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90043
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center is building a world where Black workers thrive in an equitable economy that sustains and builds vibrant families and communities. The mission of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center is to increase access to quality jobs, reduce employment discrimination, and improve industries that employ Black workers through action and unionization.
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center develops organized power and authentic grassroots leadership among Black workers (unionized, non-union, immigrant, formerly incarcerated and the unemployed) and among the extended community, to reverse the disproportionate levels of unemployment and underemployment in the Los Angeles Black community. The center seeks peace and prosperity for all of Los Angeles by developing policies and corporate practices that perpetuate equity in the labor market and end inferior jobs in the Black Community.
Workforce Training: The Ready 2 Work program aims to advocate for equitable access and retention for Black workers to be employed in quality careers, free of discrimination with opportunities for leadership by promoting equitable policies and meaningful direct placements. Ready 2 Work is about a three-month process that includes an orientation- which introduces participants to the program expectations, the vision, and goals of the LA BWC. The Targeted Local Hire Program is the City of Los Angeles seeks to connect all Angelenos to employment opportunities, including those who may face barriers to employment. This program is an effort to help under-served and under-employed populations find an alternative pathway to rewarding Civil Service careers with the City of Los Angeles.
Background: Janel was born and raised in Chicago. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Gender & Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois and has ten years of community organizing experience.
Co-Executive Director
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center
5350 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90043
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center is building a world where Black workers thrive in an equitable economy that sustains and builds vibrant families and communities. The mission of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center is to increase access to quality jobs, reduce employment discrimination, and improve industries that employ Black workers through action and unionization.
The Los Angeles Black Worker Center develops organized power and authentic grassroots leadership among Black workers (unionized, non-union, immigrant, formerly incarcerated and the unemployed) and among the extended community, to reverse the disproportionate levels of unemployment and underemployment in the Los Angeles Black community. The center seeks peace and prosperity for all of Los Angeles by developing policies and corporate practices that perpetuate equity in the labor market and end inferior jobs in the Black Community.
Workforce Training: The Ready 2 Work program aims to advocate for equitable access and retention for Black workers to be employed in quality careers, free of discrimination with opportunities for leadership by promoting equitable policies and meaningful direct placements. Ready 2 Work is about a three-month process that includes an orientation- which introduces participants to the program expectations, the vision, and goals of the LA BWC. The Targeted Local Hire Program is the City of Los Angeles seeks to connect all Angelenos to employment opportunities, including those who may face barriers to employment. This program is an effort to help under-served and under-employed populations find an alternative pathway to rewarding Civil Service careers with the City of Los Angeles.
Background: Janel was born and raised in Chicago. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Gender & Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois and has ten years of community organizing experience.
John Brauer
Executive Director
California Labor Federation Workforce And Economic Development Program
600 Grand Avenue #410
Oakland, CA 94610
The California Labor Federation is dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of working people and their families for the betterment of California’s communities. The purpose of the Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Program is to serve as an intermediary and a resource for unions in responding to economic and labor-market change. As such, WED serves as labor’s resource in California for building effective workforce and economic development systems that create high wage jobs, economic opportunity, new partnerships, and stronger communities.
Background: John serves as a Governor’s appointee to the State Workforce Investment Board, the executive committee of the EDGE Coalition, and as a board member of TradesWomen, Inc.
Prior to his last 2 1/2 years as WED Director, John served for 11 years as the Executive Director of The Workforce Collaborative (TWC), a nonprofit in Oakland providing workforce development services to low-income East Bay residents. The Workforce Collaborative participated with labor unions, employers, community colleges, adult education programs and other community-based organizations in sector initiatives in the construction trades, and transportation and logistics.
For six years, he chaired the local hire committee of the Port of Oakland's Maritime and Aviation Project Labor Agreement (MAPLA), and served on the steering committee of Revive Oakland advocating for the passage of a community jobs agreement as part of the development of the former Oakland Army Base.
John was also a member of the steering committee of the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports – Oakland advocating for environmental and worker justice at the Port of Oakland.
John earned his bachelor of science in Political Science and Government at University of California: Berkeley. He also earned his master’s in Public Administration at Cal State Hayward.
Executive Director
California Labor Federation Workforce And Economic Development Program
600 Grand Avenue #410
Oakland, CA 94610
The California Labor Federation is dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of working people and their families for the betterment of California’s communities. The purpose of the Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Program is to serve as an intermediary and a resource for unions in responding to economic and labor-market change. As such, WED serves as labor’s resource in California for building effective workforce and economic development systems that create high wage jobs, economic opportunity, new partnerships, and stronger communities.
Background: John serves as a Governor’s appointee to the State Workforce Investment Board, the executive committee of the EDGE Coalition, and as a board member of TradesWomen, Inc.
Prior to his last 2 1/2 years as WED Director, John served for 11 years as the Executive Director of The Workforce Collaborative (TWC), a nonprofit in Oakland providing workforce development services to low-income East Bay residents. The Workforce Collaborative participated with labor unions, employers, community colleges, adult education programs and other community-based organizations in sector initiatives in the construction trades, and transportation and logistics.
For six years, he chaired the local hire committee of the Port of Oakland's Maritime and Aviation Project Labor Agreement (MAPLA), and served on the steering committee of Revive Oakland advocating for the passage of a community jobs agreement as part of the development of the former Oakland Army Base.
John was also a member of the steering committee of the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports – Oakland advocating for environmental and worker justice at the Port of Oakland.
John earned his bachelor of science in Political Science and Government at University of California: Berkeley. He also earned his master’s in Public Administration at Cal State Hayward.
Lisa Countryman-Quiroz
Executive Director
Jewish Vocational Service
225 Bush Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94104
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) transforms lives by helping people build in-demand skills and deepen their networks to find good jobs and achieve self-sufficiency. JVS is a mission-driven organization focused on innovation and strong, effective partnerships. With 40+ years of experience, JVS knows how to help people find good, living wage jobs. JVS is unique in providing workforce programs for young people and adults, and doing so across multiple industry sectors. Over the last 10 years JVS has built out Career Pathway programs in partnership with Bay Area employers to connect people to in-demand skills, paid work experience and robust job search skills. Looking to the future, JVS is doubling down on digital literacy and core digital skills to ensure job seekers have access to the skills needed for the next economy.
Workforce Training: JVS programs focus on high-growth industries that offer career path jobs, such as healthcare, technology, and trades. JVS job seekers succeed because they have the right mix of skills – for the job search and for the job.
Background: Under Lisa’s leadership at JVS, she has led the way to expand new apprenticeship programs to help close the skills gap with key employer partners. Her strategic initiatives have increased our footprint in the tech space to break down barriers for underrepresented communities to access free tech training, and has expanded our impact regionally through the development of new programming and partnerships in the South and East Bay. In 2018, Lisa was appointed a Commissioner on the State of California’s Inter-agency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, under the Department of Industrial Relations. She also sits on UCSF’s Anchor Institution Workforce Subcommittee, is part of the National Skills Coalition’s California Policy Academy, and is a member of the Equity at Work Council at Rework the Bay.
Lisa has over 10 years of experience developing successful strategic partnerships, securing critical growth support to strengthen program quality and expand program access, and working closely with program teams to develop programs that achieve significant social impact. Prior to JVS, Lisa worked at St. Anthony Foundation in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco securing grants to support the organization’s Free Medical Clinic Operations. Lisa received her master’s degree in Comparative Literature from SUNY Buffalo and her bachelor’s degree in German and Classics from Loyola University Chicago.
Executive Director
Jewish Vocational Service
225 Bush Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94104
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) transforms lives by helping people build in-demand skills and deepen their networks to find good jobs and achieve self-sufficiency. JVS is a mission-driven organization focused on innovation and strong, effective partnerships. With 40+ years of experience, JVS knows how to help people find good, living wage jobs. JVS is unique in providing workforce programs for young people and adults, and doing so across multiple industry sectors. Over the last 10 years JVS has built out Career Pathway programs in partnership with Bay Area employers to connect people to in-demand skills, paid work experience and robust job search skills. Looking to the future, JVS is doubling down on digital literacy and core digital skills to ensure job seekers have access to the skills needed for the next economy.
Workforce Training: JVS programs focus on high-growth industries that offer career path jobs, such as healthcare, technology, and trades. JVS job seekers succeed because they have the right mix of skills – for the job search and for the job.
Background: Under Lisa’s leadership at JVS, she has led the way to expand new apprenticeship programs to help close the skills gap with key employer partners. Her strategic initiatives have increased our footprint in the tech space to break down barriers for underrepresented communities to access free tech training, and has expanded our impact regionally through the development of new programming and partnerships in the South and East Bay. In 2018, Lisa was appointed a Commissioner on the State of California’s Inter-agency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, under the Department of Industrial Relations. She also sits on UCSF’s Anchor Institution Workforce Subcommittee, is part of the National Skills Coalition’s California Policy Academy, and is a member of the Equity at Work Council at Rework the Bay.
Lisa has over 10 years of experience developing successful strategic partnerships, securing critical growth support to strengthen program quality and expand program access, and working closely with program teams to develop programs that achieve significant social impact. Prior to JVS, Lisa worked at St. Anthony Foundation in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco securing grants to support the organization’s Free Medical Clinic Operations. Lisa received her master’s degree in Comparative Literature from SUNY Buffalo and her bachelor’s degree in German and Classics from Loyola University Chicago.
Rebecca Hanson
Executive Director
SEIU UHW-WEST &
Joint Employer Education Fund/
Shirley Ware Education Center
360 22nd St Ste 200
Oakland, CA 94612
The SEIU UHW-West & Joint Employer Education Fund (the Education Fund), is a multi-employer benefit trust established in 2004 by SEIU-UHW, Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health for the education and training of union represented employees. Since 2004, the Education Fund has grown to include 16 hospitals and health systems and 100,000 eligible union members. They are committed to equity and inclusion through expanding opportunities for career advancement to develop a diverse talent pipeline that reflects our communities’ needs.
The Shirley Ware Education Center (SWEC) has been providing education and training to community members and health care workers since its formation in 1998 by SEIU-UHW West with initial funding from the City of Oakland. SWEC integrates its work with the SEIU-UHW West & Joint Employer Education Fund. From its inception through to today, SWEC raises grants from public and private foundation sources to further this purpose.
Background: Rebecca’s experience includes founding and leading the innovative nonprofit startup, Good Health for California, Labor leadership as a Senior Organizer for pension strategies at SEIU and Strategic Research roles in Healthcare, Workforce and Economic Development with the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago.
Rebecca is from Berkeley, California. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Smith College, an M.A. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois, and a Graduate Fellowship with the Institute for Government and Public Affairs.
Executive Director
SEIU UHW-WEST &
Joint Employer Education Fund/
Shirley Ware Education Center
360 22nd St Ste 200
Oakland, CA 94612
The SEIU UHW-West & Joint Employer Education Fund (the Education Fund), is a multi-employer benefit trust established in 2004 by SEIU-UHW, Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health for the education and training of union represented employees. Since 2004, the Education Fund has grown to include 16 hospitals and health systems and 100,000 eligible union members. They are committed to equity and inclusion through expanding opportunities for career advancement to develop a diverse talent pipeline that reflects our communities’ needs.
The Shirley Ware Education Center (SWEC) has been providing education and training to community members and health care workers since its formation in 1998 by SEIU-UHW West with initial funding from the City of Oakland. SWEC integrates its work with the SEIU-UHW West & Joint Employer Education Fund. From its inception through to today, SWEC raises grants from public and private foundation sources to further this purpose.
Background: Rebecca’s experience includes founding and leading the innovative nonprofit startup, Good Health for California, Labor leadership as a Senior Organizer for pension strategies at SEIU and Strategic Research roles in Healthcare, Workforce and Economic Development with the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago.
Rebecca is from Berkeley, California. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Smith College, an M.A. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois, and a Graduate Fellowship with the Institute for Government and Public Affairs.
Sheheryar Kaoosji
Executive Director
Warehouse Worker Resource Center
521 N Euclid Ave,
Ontario, CA 91762
Warehouse Worker Resource Center (WWRC) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization founded in 2011 dedicated to improving working conditions in the warehouse industry in Southern California. They focus on education, advocacy and action to change poor working conditions in the largest hub of warehousing in the country.
WWRC organizes nonunion logistics workers across Southern California to take direct action in their workplaces for better conditions. WWRC also assists workers dealing with issues of health and safety, wage theft and workers’ compensation when injured. They also serve as a community center for workers, family members and supporters interested in knowing their rights, joining with other workers to share experiences and learn from each other, and building a movement for workers’ rights in the Inland Empire and throughout Southern, CA.
The WWRC works on local and statewide policy, and campaigns for justice in the supply chains of major retailers. They also operate the Ontario Justice HUB, a shared space of eight organizations in Downtown Ontario that also provides a space for organizing and education among communities of color and workers in the Inland Empire.
Background: Sheheryar is from San Francisco, California. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from UCLA and a BA from Santa Cruz.
Executive Director
Warehouse Worker Resource Center
521 N Euclid Ave,
Ontario, CA 91762
Warehouse Worker Resource Center (WWRC) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization founded in 2011 dedicated to improving working conditions in the warehouse industry in Southern California. They focus on education, advocacy and action to change poor working conditions in the largest hub of warehousing in the country.
WWRC organizes nonunion logistics workers across Southern California to take direct action in their workplaces for better conditions. WWRC also assists workers dealing with issues of health and safety, wage theft and workers’ compensation when injured. They also serve as a community center for workers, family members and supporters interested in knowing their rights, joining with other workers to share experiences and learn from each other, and building a movement for workers’ rights in the Inland Empire and throughout Southern, CA.
The WWRC works on local and statewide policy, and campaigns for justice in the supply chains of major retailers. They also operate the Ontario Justice HUB, a shared space of eight organizations in Downtown Ontario that also provides a space for organizing and education among communities of color and workers in the Inland Empire.
Background: Sheheryar is from San Francisco, California. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from UCLA and a BA from Santa Cruz.
Laura Medina
Chief Operations Officer
Building Skills Partnership
828 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Building Skills Partnership (BSP) was founded with the vision of creating an equitable playing field for California’s working families to succeed in their careers and educational endeavors. Born out of the Justice for Janitors movement that helped hundreds of immigrant janitors achieve a more just way of living and working, BSP partnered with responsible businesses and employers to pilot its first workplace training, which focused on Vocational English language acquisition. These efforts evolved to officially incorporating as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2007.
Since then, BSP has expanded to seven major cities across California and broadened its programming to fully address the unique barriers immigrant janitors and their children face in realizing the benefits of social, civic and economic integration.
Today, BSP represents a unique partnership between over 90 janitorial employers, over 60 commercial building owners, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles (BOMA-GLA), the Service Employees International Union–United Service Workers West (SEIUUSWW), and the broader community. With collaboration and a holistic approach to programming, BSP continues to strive to create an equitable future for working families to build a better life.
Workforce Training: Infectious Disease Certification Program, Advance Vocational ESL, Green Janitor Educational Program, Vocational Training, Digital Literacy and Blended Learning, and Floorcare Technician Training
Background: Laura has been with BSP since its inception and was its first AmeriCorps VISTA. Since then, she has led statewide staff in the development and implementation of BSP's comprehensive service and training model for property workers and their families. Through Laura's leadership, she has played an integral role in the success of Building Skills Partnership's programming through a labor management collaborative that includes labor, industry and worker voice. Prior to working with BSP, Laura was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to France and attended Smith College in Massachusetts.
Chief Operations Officer
Building Skills Partnership
828 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Building Skills Partnership (BSP) was founded with the vision of creating an equitable playing field for California’s working families to succeed in their careers and educational endeavors. Born out of the Justice for Janitors movement that helped hundreds of immigrant janitors achieve a more just way of living and working, BSP partnered with responsible businesses and employers to pilot its first workplace training, which focused on Vocational English language acquisition. These efforts evolved to officially incorporating as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2007.
Since then, BSP has expanded to seven major cities across California and broadened its programming to fully address the unique barriers immigrant janitors and their children face in realizing the benefits of social, civic and economic integration.
Today, BSP represents a unique partnership between over 90 janitorial employers, over 60 commercial building owners, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles (BOMA-GLA), the Service Employees International Union–United Service Workers West (SEIUUSWW), and the broader community. With collaboration and a holistic approach to programming, BSP continues to strive to create an equitable future for working families to build a better life.
Workforce Training: Infectious Disease Certification Program, Advance Vocational ESL, Green Janitor Educational Program, Vocational Training, Digital Literacy and Blended Learning, and Floorcare Technician Training
Background: Laura has been with BSP since its inception and was its first AmeriCorps VISTA. Since then, she has led statewide staff in the development and implementation of BSP's comprehensive service and training model for property workers and their families. Through Laura's leadership, she has played an integral role in the success of Building Skills Partnership's programming through a labor management collaborative that includes labor, industry and worker voice. Prior to working with BSP, Laura was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to France and attended Smith College in Massachusetts.
Sam Lewis
Executive Director
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
1320 E. 7th Street, Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90021
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration in California. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people
ARC began as an annual camping trip bringing together a few formerly incarcerated young people with positive mentors to offer encouragement, guidance, and resources. Today, ARC has grown into a support and advocacy network of more than 1,500 members, and hundreds of volunteer mentors and allies, committed to helping one another through reentry and advocating for a fairer criminal justice system.
Second Chance Union Training Program: The initiative is a first-of-its-kind, high-quality training program for formerly incarcerated workers that incorporates both technical education, soft skills development, and supportive services. Following two weeks of soft skills workshops, participants enroll in a pre-apprenticeship training course offered by Southwest College using the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), developed by the North American Building Trades Union and designed to meet union standards.The 12-week program places participants directly into paid union apprenticeships in the Building and Construction Trades following graduation.
Career Readiness Program: ARC’s Career Readiness Program provides members with professional development workshops and connects them to employment opportunities. Members who participate in this program receive 20 hours of training across four days, learning skills for obtaining a job and succeeding in the workplace. ARC provides soft skills training, resume writing workshops, and mock interviews, and helps members to identify personal strengths, interests, and long-term goals. Upon completion of the program, members are connected to job opportunities with employer partners.
Background: A former life prisoner himself, Sam understands the various challenges that the reentry population may face. He began transforming himself while incarcerated through various rehabilitative programs and higher education courses. Despite being denied parole 8 times, Sam never gave up and upon release in 2012, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Indiana Institute of Technology graduating Magna Cum Laude. Sam served on the Los Angeles Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Employment Equity. His passion as an advocate pushes him to continuously seek improvement for himself as he encourages others to live non-violent lives.
Executive Director
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
1320 E. 7th Street, Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90021
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration in California. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people
ARC began as an annual camping trip bringing together a few formerly incarcerated young people with positive mentors to offer encouragement, guidance, and resources. Today, ARC has grown into a support and advocacy network of more than 1,500 members, and hundreds of volunteer mentors and allies, committed to helping one another through reentry and advocating for a fairer criminal justice system.
Second Chance Union Training Program: The initiative is a first-of-its-kind, high-quality training program for formerly incarcerated workers that incorporates both technical education, soft skills development, and supportive services. Following two weeks of soft skills workshops, participants enroll in a pre-apprenticeship training course offered by Southwest College using the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), developed by the North American Building Trades Union and designed to meet union standards.The 12-week program places participants directly into paid union apprenticeships in the Building and Construction Trades following graduation.
Career Readiness Program: ARC’s Career Readiness Program provides members with professional development workshops and connects them to employment opportunities. Members who participate in this program receive 20 hours of training across four days, learning skills for obtaining a job and succeeding in the workplace. ARC provides soft skills training, resume writing workshops, and mock interviews, and helps members to identify personal strengths, interests, and long-term goals. Upon completion of the program, members are connected to job opportunities with employer partners.
Background: A former life prisoner himself, Sam understands the various challenges that the reentry population may face. He began transforming himself while incarcerated through various rehabilitative programs and higher education courses. Despite being denied parole 8 times, Sam never gave up and upon release in 2012, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Indiana Institute of Technology graduating Magna Cum Laude. Sam served on the Los Angeles Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Employment Equity. His passion as an advocate pushes him to continuously seek improvement for himself as he encourages others to live non-violent lives.
Cesar Lara
Director of Programs and Policy at MILPA & Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council
339 Melody Ln
Salinas, CA 93901
Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement (MILPA) is a mission-driven, formerly incarcerated cadre committed to supporting next-generation infrastructure and leadership within community, organizations, institutions, and systems. The word MILPA is derived from the UTO-AZTECAN Nahuatl language word milli that when translated means "field." MILPA’s purpose is to cultivate change makers for the next seven generations by improving the health and well-being of the most impacted communities. They provide innovative, culturally relevant approaches that support resident civic engagement and support work to end mass incarceration.
MILPA’s work is based on an agricultural philosophy of Las Tres Hermanas, which was and is based on work, cultural tradition, and community. They use healing-informed, relationship-centered approaches to incubate next generation leadership and infrastructure while striving for racial and social justice. They work with local, state, and national institutions through trainings, technical assistance, and the establishment of best practices.
Background: Cesar Lara is the Director of Programs and Policy at MILPA Collective, along with being the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council.
Director of Programs and Policy at MILPA & Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council
339 Melody Ln
Salinas, CA 93901
Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement (MILPA) is a mission-driven, formerly incarcerated cadre committed to supporting next-generation infrastructure and leadership within community, organizations, institutions, and systems. The word MILPA is derived from the UTO-AZTECAN Nahuatl language word milli that when translated means "field." MILPA’s purpose is to cultivate change makers for the next seven generations by improving the health and well-being of the most impacted communities. They provide innovative, culturally relevant approaches that support resident civic engagement and support work to end mass incarceration.
MILPA’s work is based on an agricultural philosophy of Las Tres Hermanas, which was and is based on work, cultural tradition, and community. They use healing-informed, relationship-centered approaches to incubate next generation leadership and infrastructure while striving for racial and social justice. They work with local, state, and national institutions through trainings, technical assistance, and the establishment of best practices.
Background: Cesar Lara is the Director of Programs and Policy at MILPA Collective, along with being the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council.
Arcenio J. López
Executive Director
Mixteco Indigena Community
Organizing Project (MICOP)
135 Magnolia Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030
The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) unites indigenous leaders and allies to strengthen the Mixtec and indigenous migrant community in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, estimated at 50,000 people. Most are strawberry farmworkers, and many speak primarily their indigenous language. MICOP’s majority-indigenous staff builds community leadership and self-sufficiency through education and training programs, community organizing, language interpretation, health outreach, humanitarian support, and cultural promotion. We organize the community to advocate for shared concerns.
MICOP reaches approximately 12,000 individuals each year. MICOP is also the founder and home of Radio Indigena, out of Oxnard, CA, a radio station with programming in indigenous languages such as Mixteco, Zapoteco and Purepecha.
Background: Arcenio is a Mixteco native from the village of San Francisco Higos, in Oaxaca, Mexico. He grew up speaking Mixteco and Spanish. When he arrived in Oxnard in 2003, Arcenio worked as a farmworker in the strawberry fields. In 2006, he was hired as MICOP’s first Community Organizer. In 2014, Arcenio became the first indigenous Executive Director for the organization. Under his leadership, MICOP has grown and flourished in size, scope and reach; from adult literacy classes to indigenous youth organizing to a community radio station. He enrolled at Cal Lutheran University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2019.
Executive Director
Mixteco Indigena Community
Organizing Project (MICOP)
135 Magnolia Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030
The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) unites indigenous leaders and allies to strengthen the Mixtec and indigenous migrant community in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, estimated at 50,000 people. Most are strawberry farmworkers, and many speak primarily their indigenous language. MICOP’s majority-indigenous staff builds community leadership and self-sufficiency through education and training programs, community organizing, language interpretation, health outreach, humanitarian support, and cultural promotion. We organize the community to advocate for shared concerns.
MICOP reaches approximately 12,000 individuals each year. MICOP is also the founder and home of Radio Indigena, out of Oxnard, CA, a radio station with programming in indigenous languages such as Mixteco, Zapoteco and Purepecha.
Background: Arcenio is a Mixteco native from the village of San Francisco Higos, in Oaxaca, Mexico. He grew up speaking Mixteco and Spanish. When he arrived in Oxnard in 2003, Arcenio worked as a farmworker in the strawberry fields. In 2006, he was hired as MICOP’s first Community Organizer. In 2014, Arcenio became the first indigenous Executive Director for the organization. Under his leadership, MICOP has grown and flourished in size, scope and reach; from adult literacy classes to indigenous youth organizing to a community radio station. He enrolled at Cal Lutheran University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2019.
Simon Lopez
VP Workforce & Career Development
Goodwill of Southern California
342 N. San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Since 1916, Goodwill Southern California’s mission has been to Transform Lives Through the Power of Work. They serve individuals with disabilities and disadvantages by providing education, training, work experience and job placement services.We treat everyone with respect, compassion and inclusion, honoring their contributions and differences. Goodwill Southern California pursues a vision of excellence and continuous improvement to better the lives of those we serve. They conduct their business with integrity, accountability and concern for the environment. They serve, empower and advocate for their clients and each other.
Healthcare Academy–Certified Nurse Assistant Training Program: The Healthcare Academy helps people begin their career in the healthcare industry by providing them with clinical training as a Certified Nurse Assistant. After an individual successfully completes the training program, these graduates receive employment support for up to five years to assist them in accessing career ladder opportunities.
Security Officer Training Program: The Security Officer Training Program includes employment preparedness training, as well as, security officer training approved through the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Upon program completion, graduates earn their California BSIS 40-Hour Guard Card. Graduates also provided the opportunity to interview with employers from the security industry.
Background: Simon Lopez is Vice President, Workforce & Career Development, at Goodwill/Southern California, where he is responsible for leading the organization’s workforce development efforts and ensuring measurable impact on over 50,000 jobseekers each year, including individuals with disabilities, youth, veterans, and other jobseekers with barriers to employment. Mr. Lopez brings extensive experience in diverse workforce strategies and in working with other community leaders, public agencies, elected officials, and employers to create meaningful career mobility opportunities for workers.
VP Workforce & Career Development
Goodwill of Southern California
342 N. San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Since 1916, Goodwill Southern California’s mission has been to Transform Lives Through the Power of Work. They serve individuals with disabilities and disadvantages by providing education, training, work experience and job placement services.We treat everyone with respect, compassion and inclusion, honoring their contributions and differences. Goodwill Southern California pursues a vision of excellence and continuous improvement to better the lives of those we serve. They conduct their business with integrity, accountability and concern for the environment. They serve, empower and advocate for their clients and each other.
Healthcare Academy–Certified Nurse Assistant Training Program: The Healthcare Academy helps people begin their career in the healthcare industry by providing them with clinical training as a Certified Nurse Assistant. After an individual successfully completes the training program, these graduates receive employment support for up to five years to assist them in accessing career ladder opportunities.
Security Officer Training Program: The Security Officer Training Program includes employment preparedness training, as well as, security officer training approved through the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Upon program completion, graduates earn their California BSIS 40-Hour Guard Card. Graduates also provided the opportunity to interview with employers from the security industry.
Background: Simon Lopez is Vice President, Workforce & Career Development, at Goodwill/Southern California, where he is responsible for leading the organization’s workforce development efforts and ensuring measurable impact on over 50,000 jobseekers each year, including individuals with disabilities, youth, veterans, and other jobseekers with barriers to employment. Mr. Lopez brings extensive experience in diverse workforce strategies and in working with other community leaders, public agencies, elected officials, and employers to create meaningful career mobility opportunities for workers.
Pedro Ramirez
President
Central Valley Worker Center
3485 W. Shaw Ave. Ste 103
Fresno, CA 93711
The Central Valley Worker Center aims to educate and empower workers through direct outreach at the workplace and communities. The mission of the Central Valley Workers Center is to promote economic justice through strategic support for worker organizing, community education and engagement. They seek to maximize the capacity of labor and community organizations to advance policies to support quality job creation, ensure community health, promote shared prosperity, and increase justice for working people, including immigrant workers.
Background: Pedro is passionate about community involvement and dedicated to giving a voice to underrepresented communities. He has worked with labor organizations, elected officials and community groups to champion pro-immigrant policies such as the California Dream Act, the Federal Dream Act, and access to affordable quality education. Prior to joining the California Labor Federation, he had positions in labor, nonprofit, and served as a staff member to several elected leaders. Pedro was a former board member for Valley Forward, Central Valley Worker Center, and the ACLU-NC all organizations focused on community organizing, labor rights, and immigrant rights
Pedro is a graduate of Cal State Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in Urban Planning from Cal State Long Beach. He grew up in the agriculture rich California Central Valley.
President
Central Valley Worker Center
3485 W. Shaw Ave. Ste 103
Fresno, CA 93711
The Central Valley Worker Center aims to educate and empower workers through direct outreach at the workplace and communities. The mission of the Central Valley Workers Center is to promote economic justice through strategic support for worker organizing, community education and engagement. They seek to maximize the capacity of labor and community organizations to advance policies to support quality job creation, ensure community health, promote shared prosperity, and increase justice for working people, including immigrant workers.
Background: Pedro is passionate about community involvement and dedicated to giving a voice to underrepresented communities. He has worked with labor organizations, elected officials and community groups to champion pro-immigrant policies such as the California Dream Act, the Federal Dream Act, and access to affordable quality education. Prior to joining the California Labor Federation, he had positions in labor, nonprofit, and served as a staff member to several elected leaders. Pedro was a former board member for Valley Forward, Central Valley Worker Center, and the ACLU-NC all organizations focused on community organizing, labor rights, and immigrant rights
Pedro is a graduate of Cal State Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in Urban Planning from Cal State Long Beach. He grew up in the agriculture rich California Central Valley.
Rebecca Rolfe
Executive Director
SF LGBT Center
1800 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
The SF LGBT Center (The Center) mission is to connect our diverse community to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve our vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBTQ people and our allies. The Center hosts over 200 programs and welcomes more than 9,000 individuals each month, in addition to providing affordable office space. They are the only non-profit in San Francisco serving all members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The Center works to strengthen our community by fostering greater opportunities for people to thrive, offering aid in organizing for our future, celebrating our history and culture, and ultimately building resources to create a legacy for future generations. The Center is sought out as a collaborative leader and partner, leveraging the work of community-based organizations through active engagement with over 70 local organizations.
The Center sees employment as a basic right for LGBTQ individuals in order for them to increase financial health and build assets over time. To this end, the Center offers a range of services, events, and workshops tailored to support participants’ job searches, to offer networking opportunities with potential employers and to connect to further training opportunities. The Center operates the Transgender Employment Program (TEP), the first program of its kind in the country that helps create inclusive workplaces and jobs for trans and gender non-conforming people.
Background: Rebecca Rolfe is a community activist who has worked on issues of social justice for over twenty-eight years. She is passionately committed to creating an environment where inequities based on gender, race, economic status, and sexual orientation are addressed effectively. She credits her commitment to community activism to her mother, who taught her the importance of commitment to community, a strong sense of justice, and the individual’s power to make a difference.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Rebecca served as the Center’s Deputy Director for four years. Prior to her arrival at the Center, she worked at San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) for over sixteen years, starting as a hotline counselor and ending with an eight-year term as Executive Director. Rebecca is active locally and statewide working to create public policy, programs, and coalitions that address issues of violence against women. She served on the Board of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault for eleven years, seven of them as Co-Chair of the Board.
Executive Director
SF LGBT Center
1800 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
The SF LGBT Center (The Center) mission is to connect our diverse community to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve our vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBTQ people and our allies. The Center hosts over 200 programs and welcomes more than 9,000 individuals each month, in addition to providing affordable office space. They are the only non-profit in San Francisco serving all members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The Center works to strengthen our community by fostering greater opportunities for people to thrive, offering aid in organizing for our future, celebrating our history and culture, and ultimately building resources to create a legacy for future generations. The Center is sought out as a collaborative leader and partner, leveraging the work of community-based organizations through active engagement with over 70 local organizations.
The Center sees employment as a basic right for LGBTQ individuals in order for them to increase financial health and build assets over time. To this end, the Center offers a range of services, events, and workshops tailored to support participants’ job searches, to offer networking opportunities with potential employers and to connect to further training opportunities. The Center operates the Transgender Employment Program (TEP), the first program of its kind in the country that helps create inclusive workplaces and jobs for trans and gender non-conforming people.
Background: Rebecca Rolfe is a community activist who has worked on issues of social justice for over twenty-eight years. She is passionately committed to creating an environment where inequities based on gender, race, economic status, and sexual orientation are addressed effectively. She credits her commitment to community activism to her mother, who taught her the importance of commitment to community, a strong sense of justice, and the individual’s power to make a difference.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Rebecca served as the Center’s Deputy Director for four years. Prior to her arrival at the Center, she worked at San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) for over sixteen years, starting as a hotline counselor and ending with an eight-year term as Executive Director. Rebecca is active locally and statewide working to create public policy, programs, and coalitions that address issues of violence against women. She served on the Board of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault for eleven years, seven of them as Co-Chair of the Board.
Aqui Soriano-Versoza
Executive Director
Pilipino Workers Center
153 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) aims to secure the dignity and safety of the Pilipinx community in Southern California and build labor leaders in the domestic worker industry. Founded in 1997, PWC is a non-profit 501(c)3 that organizes the low-wage Pilipinx community in Southern California to demand better living and working conditions.
PWC provides support for human trafficking survivors, wage theft Enforcement, worker organizing, policy advocacy, immigration services, affordable housing, workforce training, education on workers’ rights, free tax preparation, and a cooperative for homecare workers. Although most of their work is centered in Los Angeles and San Diego, they assist clients across the country.
Workforce Training: PWC offers free/donation-based one-day trainings for home careworkers. All participants who complete their training receive two certificates: one entry level and one annual level. No one is ever turned away if they are not able to pay. These trainings are government-mandated certifications that are required under the California Consumer Protection Act 2016.
Background: Aqui has served as Executive Director of PWC for 20 years and has been working in the Pilipino community for 24 years, both here in Los Angeles and in the Philippines. She has been at the head of PWC as it has been a part of the growing statewide and national movement of domestic workers. She studied her BA in Asian American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Aqui was a recipient of the Frederick Douglass 200 Abolitionist award and is also serving on the Board of Mission Asset Fund and as the current Board President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
Executive Director
Pilipino Workers Center
153 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) aims to secure the dignity and safety of the Pilipinx community in Southern California and build labor leaders in the domestic worker industry. Founded in 1997, PWC is a non-profit 501(c)3 that organizes the low-wage Pilipinx community in Southern California to demand better living and working conditions.
PWC provides support for human trafficking survivors, wage theft Enforcement, worker organizing, policy advocacy, immigration services, affordable housing, workforce training, education on workers’ rights, free tax preparation, and a cooperative for homecare workers. Although most of their work is centered in Los Angeles and San Diego, they assist clients across the country.
Workforce Training: PWC offers free/donation-based one-day trainings for home careworkers. All participants who complete their training receive two certificates: one entry level and one annual level. No one is ever turned away if they are not able to pay. These trainings are government-mandated certifications that are required under the California Consumer Protection Act 2016.
Background: Aqui has served as Executive Director of PWC for 20 years and has been working in the Pilipino community for 24 years, both here in Los Angeles and in the Philippines. She has been at the head of PWC as it has been a part of the growing statewide and national movement of domestic workers. She studied her BA in Asian American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Aqui was a recipient of the Frederick Douglass 200 Abolitionist award and is also serving on the Board of Mission Asset Fund and as the current Board President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
Peter Callstrom
President & CEO (Chief Employment Officer)
San Diego Workforce Partnership
19246 Lightwave Ave #210
San Diego, CA 92123
The San Diego Workforce Partnership funds and delivers programs that empower job seekers to meet the current and future workforce needs of employers in San Diego County. The Workforce Partnership is the local Workforce Development Board, designated by the City and County of San Diego. The Partnership orients its work around the five strategic pillars of job quality, 2 Generation Solutions, Outcomes-Focused Funding, Inclusive Business Growth and Population Specific Interventions.
Together with community partners, the Workforce Partnership provides targeted employment services designed to help eligible adult job seekers identify, or regain, a career that will set them on a path to economic mobility.
Background: Peter has led nonprofit organizations in the San Diego region for 30+ years including services to people with disabilities, the homeless, and under-represented job seekers. He joined the SDWP as CEO in 2012. With a diverse budget from multiple sources and investors (public, private sector and philanthropy), the SDWP funds, oversees and delivers workforce programs to empower job seekers to meet the needs of regional employers. With an emphasis on underserved populations and people with barriers to employment, but available to all job seekers, the SDWP and its funded partners services reach 100,000+ job seekers annually. The SDWP launched an Income Share Agreement (ISA) fund in 2018 – an innovative student financing model to create post-secondary pathways – the first and only workforce ISA in the country. SDWP funds and supports the participants through their coursework and help with placement.
SDWP directly administers youth programs that reach thousands of youth with robust work readiness and job placement services. Leading the effort to address the crisis of disconnected/opportunity youth, the SDWP has created a broad-based initiative (OpportunitySD.org, ongoing work groups, extensive research). The SDWP conducts in-depth labor market research, releasing numerous studies in order to understand the needs and trends in our economy. In 2020, SDWP launched ‘MyNextMove’ – an online experience to inform and inspire students, teachers and job seekers and the ‘Launch Pad’ in collaboration with Cajon Valley School District – a middle school transformed into an innovative career pathways experience and community career center, integrating the RIASEC assessment framework and SDWP labor market educational materials. Recipient of the “WIOA Trailblazer” award in 2018 (of 550 workforce boards around the country) by the National Association of Workforce Boards, the SDWP is a nationally recognized leader.
President & CEO (Chief Employment Officer)
San Diego Workforce Partnership
19246 Lightwave Ave #210
San Diego, CA 92123
The San Diego Workforce Partnership funds and delivers programs that empower job seekers to meet the current and future workforce needs of employers in San Diego County. The Workforce Partnership is the local Workforce Development Board, designated by the City and County of San Diego. The Partnership orients its work around the five strategic pillars of job quality, 2 Generation Solutions, Outcomes-Focused Funding, Inclusive Business Growth and Population Specific Interventions.
Together with community partners, the Workforce Partnership provides targeted employment services designed to help eligible adult job seekers identify, or regain, a career that will set them on a path to economic mobility.
Background: Peter has led nonprofit organizations in the San Diego region for 30+ years including services to people with disabilities, the homeless, and under-represented job seekers. He joined the SDWP as CEO in 2012. With a diverse budget from multiple sources and investors (public, private sector and philanthropy), the SDWP funds, oversees and delivers workforce programs to empower job seekers to meet the needs of regional employers. With an emphasis on underserved populations and people with barriers to employment, but available to all job seekers, the SDWP and its funded partners services reach 100,000+ job seekers annually. The SDWP launched an Income Share Agreement (ISA) fund in 2018 – an innovative student financing model to create post-secondary pathways – the first and only workforce ISA in the country. SDWP funds and supports the participants through their coursework and help with placement.
SDWP directly administers youth programs that reach thousands of youth with robust work readiness and job placement services. Leading the effort to address the crisis of disconnected/opportunity youth, the SDWP has created a broad-based initiative (OpportunitySD.org, ongoing work groups, extensive research). The SDWP conducts in-depth labor market research, releasing numerous studies in order to understand the needs and trends in our economy. In 2020, SDWP launched ‘MyNextMove’ – an online experience to inform and inspire students, teachers and job seekers and the ‘Launch Pad’ in collaboration with Cajon Valley School District – a middle school transformed into an innovative career pathways experience and community career center, integrating the RIASEC assessment framework and SDWP labor market educational materials. Recipient of the “WIOA Trailblazer” award in 2018 (of 550 workforce boards around the country) by the National Association of Workforce Boards, the SDWP is a nationally recognized leader.
Project and Facilitation Team
The Worker Equity Initiative is led by the UCLA Labor Center in partnership with the National Skills Coalition. Together they are coordinating initiative efforts with guidance and engagement from the steering committee. Team members meet regularly and are organized into sub-groups that support steering committee efforts. The two primary groups are dedicated to coordinating the steering committee and stakeholder engagement and responding to research needs using a research justice approach.
The Worker Equity Initiative is led by the UCLA Labor Center in partnership with the National Skills Coalition. Together they are coordinating initiative efforts with guidance and engagement from the steering committee. Team members meet regularly and are organized into sub-groups that support steering committee efforts. The two primary groups are dedicated to coordinating the steering committee and stakeholder engagement and responding to research needs using a research justice approach.
Theresa “Terri” Feeley
Founder and Principal
Workforce Success
WEI Role: Workforce Development Consultant
Email: t[email protected]
Terri is nationally recognized for the development and implementation of workforce development and financial capability initiatives meeting the needs of jobseekers, workers, and employers. As an independent consultant for 12 years, Terri supports nonprofits, foundations, municipalities, and employers in building the skills, careers, and economic success of workers. She brings to her work a commitment to the application of evidence-based practices and the engagement of diverse partners. Recent clients include REDF, the San Francisco International Airport, The James Irvine Foundation, and Tipping Point Community.
Previously, Terri led SFWorks, a nonprofit workforce intermediary that was affiliated with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. She chaired the boards of The National Skills Coalition and The Youth Leadership Institute.
Terri has a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University and is credentialed as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the Society for Human Resource Management and the Human Resources Certification Institute. She is also an experienced facilitator.
Founder and Principal
Workforce Success
WEI Role: Workforce Development Consultant
Email: t[email protected]
Terri is nationally recognized for the development and implementation of workforce development and financial capability initiatives meeting the needs of jobseekers, workers, and employers. As an independent consultant for 12 years, Terri supports nonprofits, foundations, municipalities, and employers in building the skills, careers, and economic success of workers. She brings to her work a commitment to the application of evidence-based practices and the engagement of diverse partners. Recent clients include REDF, the San Francisco International Airport, The James Irvine Foundation, and Tipping Point Community.
Previously, Terri led SFWorks, a nonprofit workforce intermediary that was affiliated with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. She chaired the boards of The National Skills Coalition and The Youth Leadership Institute.
Terri has a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University and is credentialed as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the Society for Human Resource Management and the Human Resources Certification Institute. She is also an experienced facilitator.
Ana Luz Gonzalez-Vasquez
Project Manager
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role(s): WEI Co-Principal Investigator, Research Lead
Email: [email protected]
Ana Luz is a Project Manager (Sr. Public Administration Analyst) at the UCLA Labor Center. Dr. Gonzalez-Vasquez is currently evaluating High Road Training Partnerships for the California Workforce Development Board. She has over a decade of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research projects focused on low-wage workers, informal labor markets, and worker centers. Her dissertation examines the impact of day labor hiring sites on the labor market outcomes and civic engagement of day laborers. In 2010, Ana Luz co-authored a ground-breaking report on the prevalence of workplace violations among low-wage workers in Los Angeles.
Ana Luz has also conducted applied research trainings at universities, conferences, and community organizations and developed classroom and workshop curricula. She has taught research methods to students in the Labor and Workplace Studies Minor, including three quarters in the Social Movements in Los Angeles class, the Labor Summer Research Internship Program, and an undergraduate research seminar.
Prior to joining the Labor Center, Ana Luz was the Project Coordinator of the UCI Community and Labor Project. At UCI, she conducted a wage theft study on low-wage workers in Orange County and was a lecturer at the Law School. She co-taught two graduate courses, composed of students from the School of Social Ecology and the Law School. Ana Luz has also conducted research on aging and economic security for the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center.
Recently, Ana Luz co-edited a book, Nonviolence and Social Movements, with Rev. James M. Lawson Jr. and Kent Wong, published by the UCLA Labor Center. In May 2018, she co-authored the first comprehensive study on transportation network companies in Los Angeles.
Ana Luz earned a dual B.A. in Economics and Social Science with a specialization in Public and Community Service and a minor in Spanish from UCI. She earned her Master’s and Ph.D. in Urban Planning from UCLA.
India Heckstall
California Policy Analyst
National Skills Coalition
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
India is a policy analyst on the State Strategies team where she supports the development and advancement of workforce, postsecondary and human services policies, particularly in California. She conducts quantitative and qualitative research in support of policy analysis and development, assists state and local leaders in understanding, adopting, and implementing policies. She joined the National Skills Coalition in 2020.
Prior to joining NSC, India Heckstall served as Policy & Government Relations, Program Associate at Higher Learning Advocates where she assisted in crafting the federal policy agenda, conducted research and monitored relevant federal legislation on postsecondary education, workforce, and supportive services, and served as project manager for the organization.
India has previously interned with the policy research team at the Institute for Higher Education Policy and served as an intern to North Carolina Congressman G.K. Butterfield. Beyond her work, India has previously served as co-chair of the Education Taskforce for Women in Government Relations. India earned a master’s degree in public policy from American University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Campbell University. She is based in Washington, DC.
California Policy Analyst
National Skills Coalition
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
India is a policy analyst on the State Strategies team where she supports the development and advancement of workforce, postsecondary and human services policies, particularly in California. She conducts quantitative and qualitative research in support of policy analysis and development, assists state and local leaders in understanding, adopting, and implementing policies. She joined the National Skills Coalition in 2020.
Prior to joining NSC, India Heckstall served as Policy & Government Relations, Program Associate at Higher Learning Advocates where she assisted in crafting the federal policy agenda, conducted research and monitored relevant federal legislation on postsecondary education, workforce, and supportive services, and served as project manager for the organization.
India has previously interned with the policy research team at the Institute for Higher Education Policy and served as an intern to North Carolina Congressman G.K. Butterfield. Beyond her work, India has previously served as co-chair of the Education Taskforce for Women in Government Relations. India earned a master’s degree in public policy from American University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Campbell University. She is based in Washington, DC.
Betty Hung
Project Coordinator
UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
WEI Role(s): WEI Co-Principal Investigator, Steering Committee & Community Engagement
Email: [email protected]
For over 20 years, Betty has been a social justice advocate with significant experience in multiracial, values-based coalition and alliance building. She has played an integral role in several workers rights, racial justice, immigrant rights, and education equity campaigns, including: the creation of the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board’s Task Force on Underrepresented Populations; winning $22 million dollars in additional annual income for Los Angeles taxi workers; enacting landmark state legislation allocating $240 million to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the K-to-University of California graduation pipeline; establishing protections for undocumented immigrant students in K-12 schools throughout California; defeating proposed legislation that would have required the equivalent of English-only business signs in a predominantly immigrant municipality; reauthorizing the Car Wash Worker Law; and passing state legislation to address racial profiling by law enforcement.
With a commitment to implementing legal strategies that support grassroots leadership and organizing, Betty also served on the legal team that litigated the El Monte Thai and Latino garment worker case and the legal team supporting the leadership of Dream Team LA in the successful campaign to win Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Betty serves on the boards of: CLEAN Car Wash Worker Center, Economic Roundtable, LA Black Worker Center, and National Lawyers Guild-LA. Betty is a faculty member in UCLA’s Labor Studies major where she teaches social justice lawyering and is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Project Coordinator
UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
WEI Role(s): WEI Co-Principal Investigator, Steering Committee & Community Engagement
Email: [email protected]
For over 20 years, Betty has been a social justice advocate with significant experience in multiracial, values-based coalition and alliance building. She has played an integral role in several workers rights, racial justice, immigrant rights, and education equity campaigns, including: the creation of the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board’s Task Force on Underrepresented Populations; winning $22 million dollars in additional annual income for Los Angeles taxi workers; enacting landmark state legislation allocating $240 million to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the K-to-University of California graduation pipeline; establishing protections for undocumented immigrant students in K-12 schools throughout California; defeating proposed legislation that would have required the equivalent of English-only business signs in a predominantly immigrant municipality; reauthorizing the Car Wash Worker Law; and passing state legislation to address racial profiling by law enforcement.
With a commitment to implementing legal strategies that support grassroots leadership and organizing, Betty also served on the legal team that litigated the El Monte Thai and Latino garment worker case and the legal team supporting the leadership of Dream Team LA in the successful campaign to win Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Betty serves on the boards of: CLEAN Car Wash Worker Center, Economic Roundtable, LA Black Worker Center, and National Lawyers Guild-LA. Betty is a faculty member in UCLA’s Labor Studies major where she teaches social justice lawyering and is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Luz Hernandez
Rework Fund Manager
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Administration
Email: [email protected]
Luz is the ReWork Fund Manager. She graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a double major in Gender and Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies. Luz was born in Los Angeles and is of Zapotec descent. Outside of work, she is involved with different community organizations that work with indigenous communities.
Rework Fund Manager
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Administration
Email: [email protected]
Luz is the ReWork Fund Manager. She graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a double major in Gender and Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies. Luz was born in Los Angeles and is of Zapotec descent. Outside of work, she is involved with different community organizations that work with indigenous communities.
Melissa Johnson
Managing Director, State Strategies
National Skills Coalition
WEI Roles: NSC Co-Principal Investigator, Research
Melissa Johnson is the Managing Director of State Strategies at National Skills Coalition, where she leads the organization’s efforts to advance workforce policy solutions at the state level. Melissa oversees the development of NSC’s state policy agenda and works with the organization’s network of state coalitions and partners to provide strategic guidance for policy development, advocacy, advancement, and implementation.
Melissa’s publications, policy expertise, and engagement with local community organizations, workforce boards, business leaders, and workforce advocates have helped educate state policymakers and shaped state workforce policy solutions that continue to make a meaningful impact for workers, businesses, and communities.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in 2017, Melissa was a Senior Policy Analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute where she led the organization’s research on several issues, including gender economic equality, affordable child care and workforce development. Earlier in her career, she worked in policy analysis and legal roles for the Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia and in the private sector as a management consultant.
She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, as well as an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Melissa is based in Atlanta and Washington, DC.
Managing Director, State Strategies
National Skills Coalition
WEI Roles: NSC Co-Principal Investigator, Research
Melissa Johnson is the Managing Director of State Strategies at National Skills Coalition, where she leads the organization’s efforts to advance workforce policy solutions at the state level. Melissa oversees the development of NSC’s state policy agenda and works with the organization’s network of state coalitions and partners to provide strategic guidance for policy development, advocacy, advancement, and implementation.
Melissa’s publications, policy expertise, and engagement with local community organizations, workforce boards, business leaders, and workforce advocates have helped educate state policymakers and shaped state workforce policy solutions that continue to make a meaningful impact for workers, businesses, and communities.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in 2017, Melissa was a Senior Policy Analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute where she led the organization’s research on several issues, including gender economic equality, affordable child care and workforce development. Earlier in her career, she worked in policy analysis and legal roles for the Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia and in the private sector as a management consultant.
She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, as well as an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Melissa is based in Atlanta and Washington, DC.
Kate Kinder
State Strategies Director (West)
National Skills Coalition
WEI Role: NSC Lead
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036
Email: [email protected]
Kate Kinder is the State Strategies Director, Western States, where she leads efforts to develop broad based coalitions in Western states to advocate for workforce development and higher education policies and practices that advance an inclusive economy and elevate the voices of students, workers, and employers.
Kate brings more than 15 years of workforce development and community college leadership, where she has led local, state, and national initiatives that advance career and education equity, such as career pathways, SNAP E & T, benefit access, corrections education, work-based learning, two-gen projects, integrated education and training, and collaborative workforce development grants. Most recently, she served as the dean of Career Pathways and Skills Training at Portland Community College where she led the development and expansion of the nationally-recognized Community College STEP (SNAP 50/50) Consortia amongst all 17 Oregon community colleges, in collaboration with Oregon’s Department of Human Services (ODHS). Kate also spearheaded and led Oregon’s Pathways to Opportunity and SkillSPAN coalitions to close opportunity gaps and increase economic mobility through developing policy and programs that connect individuals to the benefits and supportive services they need to access skills training, complete college credentials, and move into careers.
In recent years, her work has focused on building coalitions amongst community colleges, human service agencies, employers, community-based organizations, and workforce partners to advance racial equity and rural opportunity by transforming policy, partnerships, and programs. She has provided strategic guidance, helped develop policy agendas, and provided technical assistance to numerous local, state and national entities to replicate and scale effective models that center the needs of adult learners, workers, and those most marginalized.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
State Strategies Director (West)
National Skills Coalition
WEI Role: NSC Lead
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036
Email: [email protected]
Kate Kinder is the State Strategies Director, Western States, where she leads efforts to develop broad based coalitions in Western states to advocate for workforce development and higher education policies and practices that advance an inclusive economy and elevate the voices of students, workers, and employers.
Kate brings more than 15 years of workforce development and community college leadership, where she has led local, state, and national initiatives that advance career and education equity, such as career pathways, SNAP E & T, benefit access, corrections education, work-based learning, two-gen projects, integrated education and training, and collaborative workforce development grants. Most recently, she served as the dean of Career Pathways and Skills Training at Portland Community College where she led the development and expansion of the nationally-recognized Community College STEP (SNAP 50/50) Consortia amongst all 17 Oregon community colleges, in collaboration with Oregon’s Department of Human Services (ODHS). Kate also spearheaded and led Oregon’s Pathways to Opportunity and SkillSPAN coalitions to close opportunity gaps and increase economic mobility through developing policy and programs that connect individuals to the benefits and supportive services they need to access skills training, complete college credentials, and move into careers.
In recent years, her work has focused on building coalitions amongst community colleges, human service agencies, employers, community-based organizations, and workforce partners to advance racial equity and rural opportunity by transforming policy, partnerships, and programs. She has provided strategic guidance, helped develop policy agendas, and provided technical assistance to numerous local, state and national entities to replicate and scale effective models that center the needs of adult learners, workers, and those most marginalized.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
Kevin Lee
Research Assistant
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
Kevin is a PhD candidate in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Drawing from a range of disciplines and methodologies, he is broadly interested in the role of state-society relations in equitable economic development at the local and transnational scales. Kevin is currently pursuing two parallel sets of research projects. His first set of projects centers on the role of institutional and organizational context in shaping local workforce development pathways for jobseekers facing multiple barriers to employment (especially the homeless, the formerly incarcerated and undocumented immigrants in the informal economy). His second set of projects, which forms the basis of his dissertation work, centers on the political influence of Pacific Islander-led organizations in the United States and New Zealand––especially how they mediate the political engagement of Pacific Islander migrants in the economic development of their homelands.
He is a Student Research Affiliate with MIT CoLab, member of the Scholars Strategy Network, and actively collaborates with community-based organizations in both LA and across the Pacific (especially in Hawai'i and Guåhan). Past and current collaborators include the UCLA Labor Center, Hawai'i Pacific University, California Immigrant Policy Center and Faith Action Hawai'i. Prior to MIT, Kevin worked as a food policy advocate, an undocumented youth organizer, a program assistant at a local mosque––among others.
He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and the Study of Religion from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an interdisciplinary M.A. from the University of Chicago.
Research Assistant
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
Kevin is a PhD candidate in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Drawing from a range of disciplines and methodologies, he is broadly interested in the role of state-society relations in equitable economic development at the local and transnational scales. Kevin is currently pursuing two parallel sets of research projects. His first set of projects centers on the role of institutional and organizational context in shaping local workforce development pathways for jobseekers facing multiple barriers to employment (especially the homeless, the formerly incarcerated and undocumented immigrants in the informal economy). His second set of projects, which forms the basis of his dissertation work, centers on the political influence of Pacific Islander-led organizations in the United States and New Zealand––especially how they mediate the political engagement of Pacific Islander migrants in the economic development of their homelands.
He is a Student Research Affiliate with MIT CoLab, member of the Scholars Strategy Network, and actively collaborates with community-based organizations in both LA and across the Pacific (especially in Hawai'i and Guåhan). Past and current collaborators include the UCLA Labor Center, Hawai'i Pacific University, California Immigrant Policy Center and Faith Action Hawai'i. Prior to MIT, Kevin worked as a food policy advocate, an undocumented youth organizer, a program assistant at a local mosque––among others.
He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and the Study of Religion from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an interdisciplinary M.A. from the University of Chicago.
Magaly N. López
Senior Research Analyst
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
Magaly N. López’s work focuses on using research and evaluation to improve the socio-economic mobility and power of communities of color. At the Labor Center, she supports projects reimagining California’s workforce development system so that, by design, it elevates workers of color and the industry standards in low wage work. Magaly is helping to expand the workforce development team’s vision and capacity through her expertise on High Road Training Partnerships, a framework central to creating equitable solutions to future of work challenges, and by developing an evaluation framework rooted in racial equity to assess workforce development programs to adequately serve workers of color.
Magaly’s expertise stems from designing research and evaluation tools and procedures, executing quality data collection and analysis, and reporting that surfaces meaningful learnings from underrepresented voices and informs future strategy. Formerly a data analyst at the USC Program on Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) and the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (CSII), Magaly’s work focused on immigrant integration and social-movement building. She has also conducted research on hometown associations and economic development policy in Mexico, day laborer workforce development in the U.S., construction work in New Orleans post-Katrina, and undocumented children in mixed-status households in New Mexico. She strives for her work to be participatory, culturally responsible, and centered on racial equity values.
Raised running a family-founded hometown association, Magaly has since continued to find ways to serve her community: she founded a leadership development and higher education prep program in her hometown, Salinas, and is currently the Director of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Southern California Alumni Chapter. Magaly holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and Spanish from UCLA.
Senior Research Analyst
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Research
Email: [email protected]
Magaly N. López’s work focuses on using research and evaluation to improve the socio-economic mobility and power of communities of color. At the Labor Center, she supports projects reimagining California’s workforce development system so that, by design, it elevates workers of color and the industry standards in low wage work. Magaly is helping to expand the workforce development team’s vision and capacity through her expertise on High Road Training Partnerships, a framework central to creating equitable solutions to future of work challenges, and by developing an evaluation framework rooted in racial equity to assess workforce development programs to adequately serve workers of color.
Magaly’s expertise stems from designing research and evaluation tools and procedures, executing quality data collection and analysis, and reporting that surfaces meaningful learnings from underrepresented voices and informs future strategy. Formerly a data analyst at the USC Program on Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) and the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (CSII), Magaly’s work focused on immigrant integration and social-movement building. She has also conducted research on hometown associations and economic development policy in Mexico, day laborer workforce development in the U.S., construction work in New Orleans post-Katrina, and undocumented children in mixed-status households in New Mexico. She strives for her work to be participatory, culturally responsible, and centered on racial equity values.
Raised running a family-founded hometown association, Magaly has since continued to find ways to serve her community: she founded a leadership development and higher education prep program in her hometown, Salinas, and is currently the Director of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Southern California Alumni Chapter. Magaly holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and Spanish from UCLA.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Project Director
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Steering Committee & Community Engagement
Email: [email protected]
Lola Smallwood Cuevas’s work focuses on exploring the role of unions, empowering African American workers in Los Angeles, and strengthening the position of the black working class. She founded the Los Angeles Black Worker Center (BWC), a project of the UCLA Labor Center and the first worker center in California focused on solving the black job crisis. The BWC aims to build power among black workers to create greater access to quality jobs, address employment discrimination, and transform industries that employ black workers. The BWC grew out of Lola’s work coordinating the UCLA African American Leadership School (AALS). Begun in 2002, the AALS focused on developing the next generation of workplace leaders through popular education.
Before joining the Labor Center, Lola worked as political and community coordinator for the SEIU Local 1877 Security Organizing Campaign. She has a background in journalism, working as a daily beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, Long Beach Press Telegram, and the Oakland Tribune, where she was introduced to organizing as a member of the East Bay Newspaper Guild. In addition to conducting worker research, training, and education, Lola is co-editor of the UCLA Labor Center publication Women’s Work: Los Angeles Homecare Workers Revitalize the Labor Movement (2009) and co-author of “Common Cause,” a chapter on LA’s black community and labor in the UCLA Bunche Center publication Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities (NY University Press, 2010).
Project Director
UCLA Labor Center
WEI Role: Steering Committee & Community Engagement
Email: [email protected]
Lola Smallwood Cuevas’s work focuses on exploring the role of unions, empowering African American workers in Los Angeles, and strengthening the position of the black working class. She founded the Los Angeles Black Worker Center (BWC), a project of the UCLA Labor Center and the first worker center in California focused on solving the black job crisis. The BWC aims to build power among black workers to create greater access to quality jobs, address employment discrimination, and transform industries that employ black workers. The BWC grew out of Lola’s work coordinating the UCLA African American Leadership School (AALS). Begun in 2002, the AALS focused on developing the next generation of workplace leaders through popular education.
Before joining the Labor Center, Lola worked as political and community coordinator for the SEIU Local 1877 Security Organizing Campaign. She has a background in journalism, working as a daily beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, Long Beach Press Telegram, and the Oakland Tribune, where she was introduced to organizing as a member of the East Bay Newspaper Guild. In addition to conducting worker research, training, and education, Lola is co-editor of the UCLA Labor Center publication Women’s Work: Los Angeles Homecare Workers Revitalize the Labor Movement (2009) and co-author of “Common Cause,” a chapter on LA’s black community and labor in the UCLA Bunche Center publication Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities (NY University Press, 2010).
Elizabeth Sungmin Sunwoo
Consultant
Elizabeth Sungmin Sunwoo Consulting
WEI Role: Steering Committee Co-Facilitator
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth is a certified coach in Coaching for Transformation and consultant with over 22 years of experience working on issues of racial justice, immigrant rights, workers rights, community empowerment, systems change, and collaborative building with organizations such as the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Community Development Technologies, Power California, Dignity in Schools Campaign California (DSC CA), TCE’s Building Healthy Communities South L.A, James Irvine Foundations Worker Voice and Influence Initiative, and the Orange County Civic Engagement Table. She started her career as a community and labor organizer using personal transformation to uplift key city and workers rights policies.
Under the Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing Network (MIWON) and Change to Win labor federation, she played a central role in coordinating local and national campaigns that were designed to support low-wage workers in leading the movement for just immigration reform – including the major public marches attended by over 1 million people that took place before and during 2006. She has been integrating her coaching and consulting work with mind-body-spirit practice through breath, Tai Ji and meditation. She and other organizers in Los Angeles founded a group called Kids 4 Freedom & Justice in 2017 for kids of color ages 8-12 to practice liberation and social justice activism that centers kids relationships with each other.
Liz has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and East Asian studies from the University of Southern California and a Master’s Degree in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Liz and her husband are the proud parents of two strong young daughters, Audre (8 years old) and Violet (6 years old).
Consultant
Elizabeth Sungmin Sunwoo Consulting
WEI Role: Steering Committee Co-Facilitator
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth is a certified coach in Coaching for Transformation and consultant with over 22 years of experience working on issues of racial justice, immigrant rights, workers rights, community empowerment, systems change, and collaborative building with organizations such as the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Community Development Technologies, Power California, Dignity in Schools Campaign California (DSC CA), TCE’s Building Healthy Communities South L.A, James Irvine Foundations Worker Voice and Influence Initiative, and the Orange County Civic Engagement Table. She started her career as a community and labor organizer using personal transformation to uplift key city and workers rights policies.
Under the Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing Network (MIWON) and Change to Win labor federation, she played a central role in coordinating local and national campaigns that were designed to support low-wage workers in leading the movement for just immigration reform – including the major public marches attended by over 1 million people that took place before and during 2006. She has been integrating her coaching and consulting work with mind-body-spirit practice through breath, Tai Ji and meditation. She and other organizers in Los Angeles founded a group called Kids 4 Freedom & Justice in 2017 for kids of color ages 8-12 to practice liberation and social justice activism that centers kids relationships with each other.
Liz has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and East Asian studies from the University of Southern California and a Master’s Degree in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Liz and her husband are the proud parents of two strong young daughters, Audre (8 years old) and Violet (6 years old).
Chrysta Wilson
President and Senior Consultant
Wilson and Associates Consulting
WEI Role: Steering Committee Co-Facilitator, Designer
Email: [email protected]
Chrysta Wilson has spent the last 22 years supporting efforts that advance equity and justice in communities across the United States. This work is a calling: it was born from the stories her parents told her about their growing up during legalized segregation in “Jim Crow” North Carolina. It was born from her own navigation of covert and overt racism and classism that she experienced in her childhood growing up in the same region. Ultimately, she is committed to supporting people, organizations, and institutions in their transformations so they are better positioned to accomplish their vision connected to equity, liberation, and justice.
She deeply understands that social change and social justice cannot be achieved without naming how the belief of White Supremacy has shaped the systems and institutions within the United States that have created the disparities that the entire Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Public Sector is organized to address.
Chrysta has served as a coach, evaluator, community builder, strategist, storyteller and facilitator to help those committed to changing the world do so more effectively. She loves helping others plan for results, design strategies, evaluate their impact, tell their stories, and ultimately co-create the world we want to live in. Chrysta loves helping people connect to their purpose, maximize their impact, minimize burnout, and find joy and hope along the road toward justice. Through coaching she creates supportive and reflective spaces where humanity is nurtured, imagination is sparked, dreams are born, and recipes for individual and organizational transformation are developed.
Chrysta has a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in organizational and community development, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy, both from the University of Southern California. She is also an International Coach Federation (ICF) Certified Professional Coach holding an Associate Certified Coach Credential. She is a published author, avid cook and baker, and scuba diver temporarily out of the ocean.
President and Senior Consultant
Wilson and Associates Consulting
WEI Role: Steering Committee Co-Facilitator, Designer
Email: [email protected]
Chrysta Wilson has spent the last 22 years supporting efforts that advance equity and justice in communities across the United States. This work is a calling: it was born from the stories her parents told her about their growing up during legalized segregation in “Jim Crow” North Carolina. It was born from her own navigation of covert and overt racism and classism that she experienced in her childhood growing up in the same region. Ultimately, she is committed to supporting people, organizations, and institutions in their transformations so they are better positioned to accomplish their vision connected to equity, liberation, and justice.
She deeply understands that social change and social justice cannot be achieved without naming how the belief of White Supremacy has shaped the systems and institutions within the United States that have created the disparities that the entire Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Public Sector is organized to address.
Chrysta has served as a coach, evaluator, community builder, strategist, storyteller and facilitator to help those committed to changing the world do so more effectively. She loves helping others plan for results, design strategies, evaluate their impact, tell their stories, and ultimately co-create the world we want to live in. Chrysta loves helping people connect to their purpose, maximize their impact, minimize burnout, and find joy and hope along the road toward justice. Through coaching she creates supportive and reflective spaces where humanity is nurtured, imagination is sparked, dreams are born, and recipes for individual and organizational transformation are developed.
Chrysta has a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in organizational and community development, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy, both from the University of Southern California. She is also an International Coach Federation (ICF) Certified Professional Coach holding an Associate Certified Coach Credential. She is a published author, avid cook and baker, and scuba diver temporarily out of the ocean.
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