DEI hands, image by New AfricaThe California Institute of Regenerative Medicine has strong requirements for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. But there is clinker in the CIRM effort – secrecy.
Marketing campaign brand advertisement business strategyAB 868 would seem to be just the kind of proposal the California Clean Money Campaign would support. But on June 19, 2023, Lange wrote to Wilson, telling her that his organization was opposing the bill unless amended because it called for campaign committees to report their online political ads to the FPPC.
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly99. Krista Pfefferkorn
It might take a minute to find a Capitol staffer with more institutional knowledge than Krista Pfefferkorn. She debuted on the list last year, ostensibly in recognition of the tremendous challenges associated with being chief of staff to a member like Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco. Wiener seems almost allergic to
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly92. Susannah Delano
The California Senate is assured of being majority female after this November, and the entire Legislature is on target to be so no later than 2028. If and when that happens, Susannah Delano will be one of the main reasons why. Delano is the executive director of Close the Gap, which recruits
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly63. Erin Niemela
A savvy capitol veteran, lobbyist Erin Niemela has been in deep this year in negotiations over a bevy of contentious bills involving Ticketmaster. Her women-owned firm – in conjunction with business partner Emily Pappas – Niemela, Pappas and Associates, is larger than many may realize; it billed nearly $6.4 million through the
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly97. Susan Jensen
Susan Jensen’s career has skyrocketed alongside that of her employer, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, aka CNIGA, the nonprofit that represents California’s gaming tribes. In 1998, when Jensen became CNIGA’s first full-time staff person, Indian gaming was still a burgeoning force in the Golden State. Today, with Jensen now serving as
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly100. Becca Prowda
As chief protocol officer in the Newsom administration, Becca Prowda has the unique job of coordinating with the California Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit that collects donations from businesses and private individuals to pay for the governor’s travel and other expenses, so it doesn’t cost taxpayers. She also coordinates with visiting dignitaries from
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly82. Margie Estrada
Margie Estrada is the legislature’s expert on the law. In fact, the chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee has reached such rarefied air that she has been referred to as “the Kip Lipper of legal issues in the Capitol.” You don’t get any more influential than that – at least not
Seeking a home, image by Ralf GeitheThe Newsom administration has put a lot of faith in its own Housing First strategies, which prioritizes permanent housing solutions, to address the problem. But not everyone is as enamored of the program as is the governor.
Allison Lim, photo by Scott DuncanLim describes herself as a problem solver, a decision maker, and as someone who enjoys being intellectually challenged. She evaluates her career based on whether these attributes are encouraged and whether her opinions are respected. That, Allison said, is how she ended up working with Assemblymember Lee.