Speakers
Lori Shellenberger
Voting Rights & Redistricting Consultant, Lori Shellenberger
Lori Shellenberger is a voting rights, election reform, and redistricting expert who consults with state and national organizations to build a more inclusive democracy. She has supported Common Cause’s work to end partisan and prison gerrymandering, and ensure the success and expansion of independent redistricting commissions; served as advisor to the Brennan Center for Justice, where she led integrated legal and policy campaigns to reduce barriers to participation and ensure every vote was counted in the November 2020 election; and helped Demos build and lead a national table working to end wrongful purges of eligible voters. She is a former Director of the ACLU of California’s Voting Rights Project and a graduate of New York University School of Law.
Rosalind Gold
Chief Public Policy Officer, NALEO Educational Fund
Rosalind Gold is Chief Public Policy Officer with the NALEO Educational Fund, where she has worked for 35 years on policy analysis and research for the organization’s Latino civic engagement efforts. Ms. Gold coordinates the research for NALEO Educational Fund’s publications, including its Directory of Latino Elected Officials and Latino Voter Profiles.
Ms. Gold has extensive expertise in the areas of naturalization, voting rights, redistricting and the Census. She has delivered testimony before and served on many public and private committees and commissions, including the California State HAVA Plan Advisory Committee, and the City of Los Angeles Municipal Elections Reform Commission. She also currently serves on California Secretary of State’s Motor Voter Task Force, and the Board of OpenSecrets. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and B.A. from Pomona College in Claremont, California.
Ms. Gold has extensive expertise in the areas of naturalization, voting rights, redistricting and the Census. She has delivered testimony before and served on many public and private committees and commissions, including the California State HAVA Plan Advisory Committee, and the City of Los Angeles Municipal Elections Reform Commission. She also currently serves on California Secretary of State’s Motor Voter Task Force, and the Board of OpenSecrets. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and B.A. from Pomona College in Claremont, California.
Aaron Robertson
Director of Political Voice, Catalyst California
Aaron Robertson is the Director of Political Voice at Catalyst California. He is responsible for partnering with community-based organizations to advance democracy reforms to reduce barriers for low-income people of color to participate in policy decision-making processes and increase government responsiveness to their needs. Aaron brings a commitment and more than a decade of experience supporting systemic change efforts to create greater racial equity through community power-building and civic engagement.
Before joining Catalyst California, Aaron was the Managing Director of Policy and Civic Engagement at Seattle Foundation where he led policy and programmatic strategies to create a more just democracy in the State of Washington. His work has spanned many issue areas, including designing one of the Nation’s first COVID-19 response funds, guiding the philanthropic response to Washington State’s effort to ensure a fair and accurate census count, and leading public-private partnerships supporting community-led advocacy efforts to address the social determinants of health.
Before joining Catalyst California, Aaron was the Managing Director of Policy and Civic Engagement at Seattle Foundation where he led policy and programmatic strategies to create a more just democracy in the State of Washington. His work has spanned many issue areas, including designing one of the Nation’s first COVID-19 response funds, guiding the philanthropic response to Washington State’s effort to ensure a fair and accurate census count, and leading public-private partnerships supporting community-led advocacy efforts to address the social determinants of health.
James Woodson SCG Member
Co-Founder & Executive Director, California Black Power Network
James Woodson is the Executive Director of the California Black Power Network, a growing ecosystem of Black-led and Black-serving community based organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism. Previously, James served as the Redistricting Lead and Policy Director of the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub, a coalition of over 30 Black-led and Black-serving organizations across the state focused on maximizing participation in the census and redistricting process among hard to count Black communities. He also served as Policy and Strategic Projects Manager at California Calls Education Fund where he managed work around the 2020 census, redistricting, and the Voters Choice Act (VCA). He is a former member of the California Secretary of State’s VCA Task Force and the Voters Choice Los Angeles Steering Committee. James began at California Calls as an Organizing Coordinator in 2016, where he worked on the African American Civic Engagement Project, coordinating civic engagement programs and providing support and assistance to the founding cohort.
Before moving to California, James served as the Director of Programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, NJ and in a variety of capacities within the Democratic National Committee, the NJ Democratic State Committee, Obama For America, and the NJ Health Care for America Now campaign. James is a licensed attorney in the states of New Jersey and New York and a proud alum of Rutgers Law School. He served as co-Counsel for the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission in 2011 and 2012. In addition, James was the Founding Director of the Friendship Development Corporation, where he led the effort to create an outreach center that provides food, clothing, and other services to thousands of low-income families in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
Before moving to California, James served as the Director of Programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, NJ and in a variety of capacities within the Democratic National Committee, the NJ Democratic State Committee, Obama For America, and the NJ Health Care for America Now campaign. James is a licensed attorney in the states of New Jersey and New York and a proud alum of Rutgers Law School. He served as co-Counsel for the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission in 2011 and 2012. In addition, James was the Founding Director of the Friendship Development Corporation, where he led the effort to create an outreach center that provides food, clothing, and other services to thousands of low-income families in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
Jonathan Mehta Stein
Executive Director, California Common Cause
A civil rights attorney and long-time democracy reform advocate, Jonathan became the Executive Director of California Common Cause on May 1, 2020, after 10 years on the California Common Cause Board of Directors and four years as Board Chair. Jonathan previously spent four years as the head of the Voting Rights & Census Program at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, where he worked to increase access to California’s democracy for historically disenfranchised communities, including immigrant and limited-English speaking voters, communities of color, low-income communities, and people with disabilities. His work at AAAJ-ALC included California’s passage of the strongest state-level law in the nation ensuring language access in voting, multiple appellate litigation wins that expanded access to democracy for communities of color, five poll monitoring programs including the nation’s largest in November 2016, and several community organizing campaigns that won better election systems at the local level for historically disenfranchised communities.
Jonathan previously worked as a voting rights staff attorney for the ACLU of California, served as a commissioner and chair of the City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and hosted a web video series, produced by UC Berkeley, called “In the Arena.” While receiving his MPP and JD from UC Berkeley, Jonathan served as the Student Regent on the University of California’s Board of Regents, where he fought for access, diversity, and affordability and advocated for the interests of the 230,000 students of the UC system. Prior to graduate school, Jonathan spent four years at Mother Jones magazine as a researcher, assistant editor, blogger, and campaign correspondent during the 2008 presidential elections.
Jonathan previously worked as a voting rights staff attorney for the ACLU of California, served as a commissioner and chair of the City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and hosted a web video series, produced by UC Berkeley, called “In the Arena.” While receiving his MPP and JD from UC Berkeley, Jonathan served as the Student Regent on the University of California’s Board of Regents, where he fought for access, diversity, and affordability and advocated for the interests of the 230,000 students of the UC system. Prior to graduate school, Jonathan spent four years at Mother Jones magazine as a researcher, assistant editor, blogger, and campaign correspondent during the 2008 presidential elections.
Rahmo Abdi
Director of Campaigns and Organizing, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
As the Director of Campaigns and Organizing, Rahmo works with the leadership team to ensure PANA accomplishes its organizational priorities. She trains and meets regularly with PANA’s organizers providing direct community support.
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Rahmo came to the United States as a refugee and personally understands the many difficulties of adjusting to life in a new country while preserving your cultural heritage. Wanting to help others overcome those challenges, Rahmo began working with young women from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and founded the International Refugee Girls Association. Her work there focused on keeping first generation immigrants connected with their native cultures, as well as stressing the importance of education, financial literacy, self-esteem, and sexual health issues in a new environment.
Prior to joining PANA, Rahmo was the Executive Director of Somali Youth United, where she worked to ensure young people acquire the critical skills necessary for success in today’s fast-paced, global society. One of her particular passions is promoting access and exposure to S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) for women and girls throughout the African diaspora. In addition, Rahmo has been a strong advocate for increased access to healthcare in the Somali and East African community. Rahmo’s history of community service has led to numerous accolades and awards, including “Young Woman of the Year” from the Refugee Women’s Network, “Unsung Hero” during Black History Month where she was featured on FOX 5 San Diego, and Bank of America’s “Local Hero” award.
A long-time resident of City Heights, Rahmo and her husband Abdisalam Farah have six children – four girls and two boys.
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Rahmo came to the United States as a refugee and personally understands the many difficulties of adjusting to life in a new country while preserving your cultural heritage. Wanting to help others overcome those challenges, Rahmo began working with young women from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and founded the International Refugee Girls Association. Her work there focused on keeping first generation immigrants connected with their native cultures, as well as stressing the importance of education, financial literacy, self-esteem, and sexual health issues in a new environment.
Prior to joining PANA, Rahmo was the Executive Director of Somali Youth United, where she worked to ensure young people acquire the critical skills necessary for success in today’s fast-paced, global society. One of her particular passions is promoting access and exposure to S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) for women and girls throughout the African diaspora. In addition, Rahmo has been a strong advocate for increased access to healthcare in the Somali and East African community. Rahmo’s history of community service has led to numerous accolades and awards, including “Young Woman of the Year” from the Refugee Women’s Network, “Unsung Hero” during Black History Month where she was featured on FOX 5 San Diego, and Bank of America’s “Local Hero” award.
A long-time resident of City Heights, Rahmo and her husband Abdisalam Farah have six children – four girls and two boys.
Deanna Kitamura
Program Manager & Senior Staff Attorney, Voting Rights, Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
Deanna Kitamura is a Senior Staff Attorney with the Voting Rights Program. Her work focuses on protecting the vote and expanding access to the polls for AAPI voters. Before joining Advancing Justice-ALC, Deanna was a Senior Staff Attorney at Partnership for Working Families where she provided legal support to grassroot organizations. For nearly a decade before that, Deanna worked at Advancing Justice-Los Angeles – first as the Statewide Redistricting Manager and later as Senior Staff Attorney and Voting Rights Project Director. She has filed lawsuits resulting in cities converting from at-large to district elections and has co-authored various reports, including Voices of Democracy: The State of Language Access in California’s November 2016 Elections. Deanna has worked on legislation involving California’s automatic voter registration process, the administration of vote centers, and language access improvements for voters. She has served on several local and state election-related committees and is a member of the California Secretary of State’s Language Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Pablo Rodriguez
Executive Director, Communities for a New California
Pablo Rodriguez is the founding Executive Director of Communities for a New California Education Fund, and directs 14 full-time staff, over 40 part-time year-round canvassers who implement ongoing non-partisan voter engagement efforts via CNC's Sacramento, Merced, Fresno, Hanford and Coachella Valley offices. Since 2011, CNC Education Fund's Civic Engagement programs have engaged over 600,000 voters through phone banking and door-to-door canvassing. The implementation of CNC's integrated leadership development and mass voter engagement strategy spans seventeen counties in the San Joaquin Valley, Coachella Valley and Sierra Foothills. Prior to CNC, Pablo served as a Public Policy Consultant and Communications Director at a Sacramento political strategy and research firm. His responsibilities included the development and implementation of Federal political strategy, issue research, communications and national field programs with an emphasis on voters of color.
Catherine Hazelton
Principal Consultant, Hazelton Strategies
Catherine Hazelton founded Hazelton Strategies in 2016 and serves as Principal Consultant. She supports foundations and nonprofits with program development, strategic planning, launching new initiatives, facilitation, and interim management services. Catherine works on a wide range of policy issues, with extensive experience advancing democracy reforms and advising philanthropic award programs. In 2022, she was honored to receive California Common Cause’s “Democracy Hero” award.
From 2009-2016, Catherine was a Senior Program Officer at the James Irvine Foundation, where she helped design and lead several key initiatives, including the Future of California Elections, the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, and an effort to deepen public engagement in redistricting processes. Before joining Irvine, Catherine was Associate Director of the nonprofit Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and spent five years leading legislative and district strategies for two California legislators. Catherine has worked on numerous political campaigns, including Hillary Clinton’s presidential bids. She earned a master’s degree in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in history at Scripps College. She also attended Pasadena City College where she engaged hundreds of students in grassroots advocacy.
From 2009-2016, Catherine was a Senior Program Officer at the James Irvine Foundation, where she helped design and lead several key initiatives, including the Future of California Elections, the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, and an effort to deepen public engagement in redistricting processes. Before joining Irvine, Catherine was Associate Director of the nonprofit Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and spent five years leading legislative and district strategies for two California legislators. Catherine has worked on numerous political campaigns, including Hillary Clinton’s presidential bids. She earned a master’s degree in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in history at Scripps College. She also attended Pasadena City College where she engaged hundreds of students in grassroots advocacy.
Amy Dominguez-Arms
Lead Consultant, Philanthropy California Fair Representation Fund
Amy Dominguez-Arms supports foundations and nonprofits in strategic planning, program design, field and nonprofit capacity building, assessment, and grants portfolio oversight – with a focus on initiatives to achieve an inclusive democracy, social justice, and racial equity. Amy served as lead consultant to Philanthropy California’s Fair Representation Fund and as a senior advisor to the national Fair Representation in Redistricting Initiative. Other current and past clients include: Census Equity Initiative, College Futures Foundation, Democracy Fund, Ford Foundation, Haas Jr. Fund, Hewlett Foundation, Packard Foundation, Pro-Democracy Campaign, and Southern Poverty Law Center.
Previously, Amy served as Vice President for Programs for The James Irvine Foundation, where she oversaw a $75 million grantmaking portfolio focused democracy, youth and arts issues; earlier she served as the foundation’s California Democracy Program Director. Prior to those roles, Amy was Vice President of Children Now, a nonprofit children’s research and advocacy organization.
Amy serves as Board Vice Chair of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and Board Vice Chair of the Outdoor Foundation. Amy earned her MPA at Harvard’s Kennedy School and her BA in International Relations and Spanish at Stanford University.
Previously, Amy served as Vice President for Programs for The James Irvine Foundation, where she oversaw a $75 million grantmaking portfolio focused democracy, youth and arts issues; earlier she served as the foundation’s California Democracy Program Director. Prior to those roles, Amy was Vice President of Children Now, a nonprofit children’s research and advocacy organization.
Amy serves as Board Vice Chair of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and Board Vice Chair of the Outdoor Foundation. Amy earned her MPA at Harvard’s Kennedy School and her BA in International Relations and Spanish at Stanford University.
Richard Thomason SCG Member
Policy Director, Blue Shield of California Foundation
Richard Thomason serves as director of policy at Blue Shield of California Foundation, where he leads the development of initiatives that leverage public policy to achieve the Foundation’s mission. Mr. Thomason joined the Foundation in 2009 as a program officer, and has led the Foundation’s efforts to make California the healthiest state, expand health coverage, improve access to care for vulnerable populations, and strengthen safety net healthcare systems. Prior to joining the Foundation, Mr. Thomason was the policy director for SEIU - United Healthcare Workers West, where he was deeply involved in the full range of healthcare reform and healthcare system issues facing SEIU and its membership. Previously, Mr. Thomason spent eight years as professional staff to the California Assembly in roles related to health and fiscal policy. In addition to his work in the California legislature, Mr. Thomason has also worked as a community relations representative for Kaiser Permanente and as legislative staff to U.S. Senator Bill Bradley.
Mr. Thomason has been a member of numerous boards and commissions, including the Alameda Alliance for Health Board of Governors, the California Health Care Coalition, the Berkeley Community Health Commission, and the Alameda County Public Health Advisory Commission. Mr. Thomason has a Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in domestic policy from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College.
Mr. Thomason has been a member of numerous boards and commissions, including the Alameda Alliance for Health Board of Governors, the California Health Care Coalition, the Berkeley Community Health Commission, and the Alameda County Public Health Advisory Commission. Mr. Thomason has a Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in domestic policy from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College.
Tara Westman SCG Member
Senior Program Manager, The California Endowment
Tara Westman is a Senior Program Manager with The California Endowment, a health foundation established in 1996 with the mission of expanding access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and promoting fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment supports the power of people who have been the targets of exclusion, stigma and discrimination to change the rules at the local, regional and state levels, so that everyone is valued and has access to the resources and opportunities essential for health and well-being.
Tara serves as a member of the Endowment’s South region and statewide Health program teams. These teams align grantmaking to provide ongoing and consistent support to an ecosystem of partners who are reshaping the power terrain in California while leading transformational institutional change that invests in and champions racial and social equity. The goal for health is that Californians will reside in communities with an equity-focused health system accountable for achieving well-being and health for all. Before this, Tara served as a member of the South Region Healthy Communities team, the foundation’s 2020 Census workgroup, and as co-chair of the California Census 2020 Funders Initiative. Tara is a graduate of the UCLA School of Public Health. She has been fortunate to put this training into practice through her philanthropic work for the past 20+ years.
Tara serves as a member of the Endowment’s South region and statewide Health program teams. These teams align grantmaking to provide ongoing and consistent support to an ecosystem of partners who are reshaping the power terrain in California while leading transformational institutional change that invests in and champions racial and social equity. The goal for health is that Californians will reside in communities with an equity-focused health system accountable for achieving well-being and health for all. Before this, Tara served as a member of the South Region Healthy Communities team, the foundation’s 2020 Census workgroup, and as co-chair of the California Census 2020 Funders Initiative. Tara is a graduate of the UCLA School of Public Health. She has been fortunate to put this training into practice through her philanthropic work for the past 20+ years.