Our Commitment
Leadership Counsel fundamentally shifts the dynamics that have created the stark inequality that impacts California’s low income, rural regions. Based in the San Joaquin and Eastern Coachella Valleys, we work alongside the most impacted communities to advocate for sound policy and eradicate injustice to secure equal access to opportunity regardless of wealth, race, income, and place.
Through community organizing, research, legal representation, and policy advocacy, we impact land use and transportation planning, shift public investment priorities, guide environmental policy, and promote the provision of basic infrastructure and services.
Support community strength and co-powerment.
We pursue the development of healthy and sustainable communities by supporting residents to take ownership of their advocacy ability and by leveraging the strength of other organizations to build strong, lasting, and mutually supportive organizations.
Increase access to decision-making.
We ensure the inclusion of and respect for historically excluded communities and co-power our allies to engage in decision making processes.
Respect, elevate, and protect the interests of historically excluded communities.
We raise awareness of needs and opportunities for investment in and protection of historically neglected communities and to ensure inclusion of rural, low income communities in key discussions, policies, and programs.
Meet Our Team
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Policy AdvocateAndrea, who grew up in Bakersfield, CA, is a Policy Advocate based in Fresno. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in Society and Environment with an emphasis on US Environmental Policy and Management. She has experience working with youth and researching the intersection between labor and the environment. At Leadership Counsel, Andrea works alongside communities in Madera County to advance community needs and priorities such as septic to sewer conversion, reduced pesticide application, and access to affordable housing.
Outreach AssociateAnthonio, who is originally from Bakersfield, is an Outreach Associate for Kern and Tulare Counties. He has a robust history supporting unhoused families, supporting landlord relationships for families and individuals in low income housing, as well as crisis intervention and customer service. At Leadership Counsel, Anthonio supports community outreach and engagement in the southern San Joaquin Valley on a variety of environmental justice issues and ensures outreach materials and methods are linguistically and culturally appropriate.
Outreach AssociateAshley Marie is an Outreach Associate based in our Merced office. She received her BA in political science and philosophy from the University of California, Merced. She has experience working with youth and students, advocating for resources to support those who were unhoused or incarcerated. At Leadership Counsel, Ashley Marie supports community outreach and engagement in Merced and Madera Counties on multiple issues including access to parks, safe and affordable drinking water and adequate wastewater services, equitable transportation, improved air quality, and climate resilience.
Directing AttorneyAshley hails from San Anselmo, California. She received her J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.A. in Economics and Religion from Swarthmore College. During and after law school, Ashley worked in Peru on matters related to human rights law litigation, women’s rights, and rural development. Prior to joining LCJA, Ashley worked as a staff attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.’s Community Equity Initiative, where she worked to secure improved investment and equitable land use and planning practices in disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley. At Leadership Counsel, Ashley works to keep decision-makers accountable through her advocacy to ensure access to basic services and infrastructure, affordable housing, and a healthy and safe living environment for all residents.
Communications ManagerConnor is a communications manager based in Fresno. He received a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Humboldt State University. Connor has extensive experience in television, print, social media, newsletters, and interviews, particularly relating to policy developments from the local to international level. At Leadership Counsel, Connor leads the communications work on issues such as access to safe and affordable drinking water and access to fair, decent, affordable housing.
Legal AdvocateElana is a Legal Advocate based in our Fresno office. She received a BA with a major in political science and a minor in women’s and gender studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and received her JD from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. A former intern with Leadership Counsel, she currently works with communities in the San Joaquin and Eastern Coachella Valleys to ensure access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water and adequate wastewater services, advocating at the local, regional, and state levels.
Regional Policy ManagerEmma is a Regional Policy Manager focusing on Tulare and Kern Counties. With a BA major in Sociology and minor in Spanish from UC Merced, as well as a Master of Public Policy from California Polytechnic State University, her background is in social justice programming, public and behavioral health, with a focus on environmental substance abuse prevention in Kern County. At Leadership Counsel, Emma works alongside communities throughout Tulare and Kern Counties to advocate for equity in public participation, community mobilization, and community planning.
Regional Policy ManagerIvanka is a Regional Policy Manager, based out of the Fresno office. She grew up in beautiful Northern California, and after finishing her undergraduate studies in the Bay Area, she settled down with her family in Fresno. With an bachelor's degree in Spanish and Government from St. Mary's College of California, and an extensive history of community organizing and policy advocacy around health equity, Ivanka continues to work on holistic approaches to health and racial equity focusing on the City and County of Fresno.
Staff AttorneyJamie Katz is a Staff Attorney in our Fresno office. They received a BA from Kenyon College in literature with a minor in philosophy, and received a JD from UC Davis. Prior to joining Leadership Counsel, Jamie was a staff attorney at a legal aid organization, representing clients on a number of issues. They also have experience in community organizing on environmental justice issues in New Orleans and are particularly interested in food justice and sustainable agriculture.
Equal Justice Works Fellow Sponsored by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPJasmine is an Equal Justice Works Fellow Sponsored by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP based in our Fresno office. She received a BS from the University of Utah with a major in psychology and minor in human development and family studies, and completed her JD from UCLA School of Law. At Leadership Counsel, Jasmine works to ensure enforcement of California local and state agencies’ duty to affirmatively further fair housing alongside rural low-income communities of color in the San Joaquin Valley.
Executive Administrative AssistantJayme is the Executive Administrative Assistant based in the Fresno office. She is from Madera and has a BA in Psychology and Business Administration from from California State University, Fresno. Jayme has years of experience working in various fields, honing her expertise on administrative support and ensuring equitable access to opportunity.
Communications ManagerJill Hindenach is a communications manager based in Fresno. She is from Michigan and attended Albion College, majoring in English with a creative writing emphasis and journalism minor. Jill has robust experience in developing creative content for nonprofits, working on issues such as public policy, health care, conservation, and scientific education. She brings a passion for advocacy on social and environmental justice issues through a lens of strategic communications on social and earned media, relationship building, and other campaigns.
Policy Coordinator - HousingJovana is a Policy Coordinator - Housing based out of the Fresno office. She works with communities throughout the SJV and ECV on a variety of housing issues such as access to affordable housing, siting, and fair housing practices. Jovana graduated from CSU Long Beach, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in English Literature. She also has a master's degree from Claremont Graduate University in Public Policy. Jovana has experience working with immigrant communities on issues such as equal access to opportunity and is solutions-driven.
Director of OperationsKaylon Hammond is the Director of Operations. She attended Southwestern University, receiving a B.A. with a double-major in mathematics and religion. She went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Chicago Divinity School, before earning her J.D. at Emory University. Prior to joining Leadership Counsel, Kaylon’s efforts focused on homeless advocacy and housing rights. Her work at Leadership Counsel involves overseeing internal operations, and coordinating community outreach efforts, in order to ensure equity in existing communities in the San Joaquin and Eastern Coachella Valleys.
Policy AdvocateKrystal Otworth is a Policy Advocate in the Eastern Coachella Valley. She holds a BS in Marine Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as a Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in Advanced Policy Practice, from the University of Texas at Austin. Her background is in community-led development to promote equitable communities, as well as advancing public policy to build healthy, thriving, and inclusive communities. At Leadership Counsel, Krystal works alongside communities throughout the ECV on projects and policy advocacy related to climate resilience, air quality, energy, and transportation.
Community Engagement SpecialistLeslie Martinez, a former Policy Advocate with Leadership Counsel, is now a Community Engagement Specialist based in the Fresno office. From a small town in Tulare County, she is familiar with the issues facing rural SJV communities. Leslie graduated from UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy. She leads community organizing throughout our service region, and her state advocacy portfolio centers around community engagement and transparency.
Policy AdvocateLupita is a Policy Advocate based in the Eastern Coachella Valley. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in History and a minor in Education. Her family having lived in the ECV for decades, Lupita is familiar with the issues faced by residents in the region. Her experience in immigration rights, community outreach and education, anti-oppression tactics, communications, and teaching are being built upon in her work alongside residents of the ECV to support climate resilience programs and projects, affordable and fair housing, and access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Regional Policy ManagerMadeline is a Regional Policy Manager for Madera and Merced Counties. She received her BA in Spanish and Sociology, with a minor in Latin American Studies, from Whitworth University. Her previous experience includes outreach and litigation support surrounding farmworker rights in the Southeastern United States. Before joining Leadership Counsel, Madeline spent the past several years working in the Southeast, supporting farmworkers in their fight to improve working conditions in the fields.Back To Top
Policy AdvocateMariana is a Policy Advocate in Fresno County. From a small town in Fresno County, she is familiar with rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Global Studies and Spanish, and has an MA from the University of San Francisco in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Mariana has experience in elevating community priorities and holding electeds accountable to their constituents, especially to disadvantaged communities.
Regional Policy ManagerMariela is a Regional Policy Manager based in the ECV office. With a BS in Sustainability Studies from UC Riverside, as well as a Masters of Public Policy from UC Riverside, her background in environmental justice includes policy and research with a focus on climate and energy justice. At Leadership Counsel, Mariela works alongside communities to elevate climate resilience and policy solutions across the Eastern Coachella Valley at the local, regional, and state levels.
Directing AttorneyBorn in Chico but raised in Boise, Idaho, Michael is a directing attorney based in the Sacramento office. He attended Boise State University, where he received a B.A. in philosophy, and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he received a J.D. with great distinction. Before joining the LCJA team, Michael worked at a private law firm in Fresno where he practiced insurance coverage litigation. He works to find solutions to water issues affecting California’s most vulnerable communities, along with the myriad of environmental justice issues plaguing low-income communities of color in California.
Policy AdvocateNatalie is a Policy Advocate, based out of the Fresno office. She received her Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University in Educational Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies. She has years of experience in environmental stewardship and climate resilience in disadvantaged communities in California. At Leadership Counsel, Natalie works with communities in and near the City of Fresno on issues such as industrial siting, air quality, transportation justice, and affordable housing.
Policy Coordinator - Water ProgramsNataly is a Policy Coordinator - Water Programs based in the Coachella office. She was born in Mexicali and raised in Oxnard, CA. She has a BA from University of California, Santa Cruz, in Latin American and Latina/o Studies, as well as an MA in Anthropology fromCalifornia State University - Los Angeles. She is currently studying Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, expecting to receive her Ph.D. in 2022. She is particularly interested in how issues of water injustice, water rights, and water governance impact people of color, low-income people, and farmworker communities in California.
University of California President’s Public Service Law FellowNicola is a University of California President’s Public Service Law Fellow based in our Fresno office. She received a BS from the University of Florida with a major in Environmental Engineering Sciences and completed her JD from UCLA School of Law. At Leadership Counsel, Nicola researches recently established federal programs and advocates for implementation that benefits communities with whom we work.
Office Manager and Legal AssistantOlivia Faz is Leadership Counsel's office manager. Olivia grew up in the small agricultural town of King City located in Monterey County, California. She has received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno, and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Fresno City College. She previously worked as a Legal Secretary/Administrative Assistant with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.'s Community Equity Initiative. Olivia has over 25 years of experience working in legal and office administration in both the private and government sectors.
Policy Coordinator - Climate ProgramsOlivia, originally from the Bay Area, is a Policy Coordinator - Climate Programs. She received her BA in Global Environmental Change & Sustainability from Johns Hopkins University and went on to receive an MA in International Policy with a concentration in Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment from Stanford University. At Leadership Counsel, Olivia leads climate resilience efforts, ensuring decision-makers are held accountable to their constituents and advancing policies on matters such as investment, sustainability, access to basic services and infrastructure, climate resiliency, and generally a healthy and safe living environment for all.
Senior Administrative AssociatePaola Perez Curiel is the Senior Administrative Associate based in the Fresno office. Paola was born in Mexico and raised in Fresno. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Leadership Counsel, Paola finished her studies abroad in Spain. Due to her immigrant background, Paola has devoted her time to working with low-income, system-impacted communities of color, and hopes to continue this work in the future.
Staff AttorneyPerry Elerts is a Staff Attorney in our Coachella office. He received a BA from Notre Dame de Namur University with a double major in Interdisciplinary Issues of Social Justice and Psychology, and received a JD with a concentration in environmental law from UC Hastings. Prior to joining Leadership Counsel, Perry was a visiting associate professor at George Washington University Law School focusing on environmental law and policy. He also has experience in sustainable agriculture, the Clean Air Act, pesticide law, climate change, and energy justice.
Co-Founder and Co-Executive DirectorPhoebe, a native Californian, attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her B.A. She then spent time in Guatemala, working to address human rights violations, and went on to complete her J.D. at the University of California, Los Angeles. Phoebe joined CRLA, Inc. following law school and worked at the organization’s Delano office prior to launching the Community Equity Initiative, a program designed to address critical infrastructure and service deficits in low income, unincorporated communities in California. In 2013, Phoebe co-founded Leadership Counsel with Veronica Garibay. Phoebe is based in Sacramento and leads Leadership Counsel’s state-level policy work.
Policy AdvocateSandra is a Policy Advocate based in the Bakersfield office. She grew up in Tulare County, and went to CSU Stanislaus in the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley, majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. She further delved into environmental justice issues faced by San Joaquin Valley communities, ensuring residents had access to local resources, including eviction prevention resources, during the pandemic. Sandra builds upon her work to advance a healthy and just California by leading community outreach and policy advocacy in Kern County.
Co-Founder and Co-Executive DirectorVeronica Garibay immigrated from Michoacan, Mexico, at a young age with her family. She grew up in the small farmworker city of Parlier in Fresno County. As a first-generation college student, Veronica attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology, and Law and Society. Upon graduation, Veronica joined the California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.’s Community Equity Initiative as the program’s first Community Worker. Veronica earned a Master of Public Administration from Fresno State. As co-founder and co-director of Leadership Counsel, Veronica leads the team in advocating for sound policy to ensure equal access to opportunity for all Californians.
Policy AdvocateZaray, originally from Bakersfield, is a Policy Advocate in Merced County. With a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics from UC Merced, she has extensive experience in community outreach and engagement on food security, affordable housing, access to legal aid, and educational equity. At Leadership Counsel, Zaray leads community outreach and engagement in Merced County on issues such as access to adequate wastewater services, community spaces, affordable housing, active transportation, air quality improvement, and many other topics.