Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Shawnda Westly

85. Shawnda Westly

Shawnda Westly is President of Westly Consulting and is currently serving as the Political Strategist for Smart Justice California and the California Professional Firefighters. She also serves as an appointee to the State Personnel Board and is a former member of the CalPERS Board. Westly has worked effectively with Smart Justice California to boost legislative and constitutional candidates who support progressive criminal justice policies – traditionally a tough sell in the otherwise liberal Golden State. Her return to the California Professional Firefighters political team stems from a long-term relationship dating back to her very first job in Sacramento in 1999. Westly is the former Senior Strategist and Executive Director of the California Democratic Party under Party Chair John Burton from 2009 to 2017. She is known for her strategic mind and ability to forge coalitions and has worked in progressive and union politics for more than 25 years. She lives in Sacramento with her 9 year old, Max. In addition to her professional life, she fiercely advocates for patient safety in her volunteer time.

Updated Aug. 9, 2022