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 Weekly89. Francisco Silva
After almost two decades as general counsel and senior vice president of the California Medical Association, Francisco Silva began a new adventure in March 2022 as the president and CEO of the California Primary Care Association. CPCA represents more than 1,276 nonprofit community health centers that serve millions of people, which makes
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly72. Sue Parker
Breaking barriers isn’t new to Sue Parker, the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. In 2020, she became the first woman to ever hold that position in California, and previous to that she was the first female to be the Assistant Chief Clerk. Before that, she was the Assembly’s first female Reading Clerk.
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly72. Danny Curtin
Danny Curtin heads the California Conference of Carpenters, which has emerged as key player in the state’s ongoing debates over housing. Curtin and crew have staked out nuanced positions that have put them at odds with their labor comrades the State Building and Construction Trades Council. But that suits Curtin just fine;
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 Weekly97. Marie Liu
It says a lot when someone who should know calls you “the Kip Lipper” of what you do, but that’s exactly how a lot of people see Marie Liu. For more than two decades, Liu was a policy consultant to leadership in both chambers, most recently as the top environmental policy advisor
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly90. Ashley Zavala
Ashley Zavala debuted on this list last year when we dubbed her the “Oh, sh*t” reporter in the Capitol Press Corps. She earned that moniker based on the reaction she gets when lawmakers see her coming their way. And perhaps rightly so, because Zavala is not there to play nice. She regularly
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly48. Melanie Moreno
As staff director of the Senate Health Committee, Melanie Moreno has a hand in pretty much any health bill that lands in the Senate. Health care is always a huge issue in the Legislature, and lawmakers have long relied on her attention to the little details to get bills right. That sway
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly69. BearStar Strategies
One of the conundrums we run into every year is how to determine which one, two or three folks from a powerhouse organization to put on this list (also known as the Aaron Read & Associates Dilemma). Such is the case with Bearstar Strategies, which features three of the most powerful and