Email: co-chairs@clcaf.org
State Government Affairs Manager at PepsiCo

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Stephanie Estrada is the State Government Affairs Manager at PepsiCo, a global food and beverage company, where she manages state public policy and legislative advocacy. Before joining PepsiCo, she worked as a contract lobbyist at Cruz Strategies, a Latino-owned lobbying firm in Sacramento. In this role, she diligently monitored issues critical to clients while keeping them well-informed about California’s ever-changing political landscape.

Prior to Cruz Strategies, Stephanie served as a Community Representative and Press Aide for the administration of Mayor Todd Gloria. She spearheaded San Diego’s inaugural High School Voter Registration Challenge, significantly boosting youth voter registration citywide. Additionally, Stephanie acted as Mayor Todd Gloria’s bilingual spokesperson, simplifying complex policy information for Spanish viewers and listeners.

Stephanie earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution, with a minor in Spanish, from San Diego State University. She is a proud first-generation Latina college graduate from Richmond, CA, where her family operates a small business. In her free time, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops, going on runs, and visiting her family's hometown in Michoacán, México.

Email: co-chairs@clcaf.org
Office of Senator María Elena Durazo (SD-26)

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Cynthia Yépez (she/her/ella) serves as a Policy Analyst in the office of Senator Durazo (SD-26). In this capacity, she covers the following areas: judiciary, immigration, public safety/justice reform, insurance, governmental organization, and the Latino Caucus.

Previously, she served as a Legislative Assistant in the office of Assemblymember Alvarez (AD-80), where she staffed education (K-12/higher education), budget - education finance, the State Allocation Board, health, binational affairs, and the Latino Caucus. Before assuming this role, Cynthia began her public service career as a Senate Fellow in the office of Senator Rubio (SD-22) through the esteemed Capital Senate Fellowship.

Cynthia is a proud first-generation Latina and transfer college graduate whose journey is deeply rooted in community and public service. The daughter of immigrant parents from Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, she was born and raised in the City of Bellflower, where she witnessed firsthand both the resilience and the challenges faced by low-socioeconomic communities, experiences that molded and grounded her commitment to serving and uplifting her community.

She earned her Graduate Certificate in Applied Government and Policy from Sacramento State, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Public Service with a minor in Chican@ Studies from UC Davis, and an Associate Degree for Transfer in Political Science from Cerritos College.

Beyond work, Cynthia enjoys connecting with her family, thrifting, exploring new coffee or boba spots, and photography.

secretary@clcaf.org
Office of Assemblymember Jackson (AD-60)

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Britney Ortiz is a Legislative Assistant for Assemblymember Corey Jackson, working on a range of policy issues including K-12 and higher education. Previously, she worked at the California Cradle-to-Career Data System as an analyst, carrying out duties to support California’s first-of-its-kind statewide longitudinal data system. Before this role, Britney was an Executive Fellow through the Capital Fellows Program where she served on the communications team at the High-Speed Rail Authority.

Britney is a proud first-generation college graduate who received her BA in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from San Jose State University. Her passion for public service stems from growing up low-income and being the first in her family to graduate high school and attain a college degree. Throughout Britney’s early professional career, she has worked to uplift youth, serving on several boards dedicated to supporting California State University (CSU) interns in the Legislature and uplifting high school students through scholarships in her hometown of Livermore, CA.

In her free time, Britney likes to spend time with friends, do hot pilates, go on runs, and hang out with her mini long-haired dachshund, Buster.

treasurer@clcaf.org
Office of Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes (SD-29)

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Valerie Rodriguez is a Legislative Aide in the Office of Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes (SD-29). In her role, she analyzes key policy issues such as education and higher education, local government, and women’s rights, amongst others. 

A proud first-generation Latina from El Monte, California, Valerie was raised by a hard-working immigrant family from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Growing up in an underserved community, she developed a deep passion for advocacy, striving to uplift her community and amplify the voices of those often underrepresented in the policymaking process. 

Her path into public policy was shaped by transformative experiences, including the Sacramento Semester Program and the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) College Leadership Program. She began her academic journey at Rio Hondo Community College as a student-athlete before transferring to California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Soon after graduating, Valerie began her career at the Campaign for College Opportunity, focusing on higher education policy. Her work centered on dismantling barriers to college access, ensuring that students from underserved backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their academic and career goals regardless of their socioeconomic upbringing. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Sacramento’s vibrant food and drink scene and walking her dog, Remy. 

communications@clcaf.org

Office of Assemblymember Quirk-Silva (AD-67)

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Alejandro Fisher is a proud first-generation Panamanian-American from Sacramento. A 2023 graduate of Sacramento State University, he worked as a Senate Fellow in Senator Josh Becker's office representing Senate District 13, while also serving as the Interns and Fellows Representative for the CLCAF, an organization that has played a pivotal role in his professional development since 2019. Now he works as a Legislative Assistant for Asm.Quirk-Silva.

His commitment to community service is demonstrated through his diverse leadership experiences, including serving as a Board Member for Youth Forward Nonprofit Organization and working as a Homebase Peer Mentor at American River Community College. Alejandro's legislative experience includes an internship with Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, where he gained valuable insight into the policymaking process.

A former participant in the CLCAF Brown Issues Policy Bootcamp, Alejandro has consistently shown his dedication to youth empowerment and public service. His athletic achievements include being part of Sacramento State's D1AA Rugby National Championship team in 2022. While pursuing his professional goals, he has also worked as a bartender at Mas Taco, developing strong interpersonal skills and connections. Outside of his professional pursuits, Alejandro is passionate about music production, channeling his creativity into composing and producing original tracks. 

With seven years of involvement in CLCAF, he remains committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation of Capitol Staffers, particularly those from diverse, intersectional backgrounds. His mission focuses on creating and communicating opportunities and resources for CLCAF members to thrive in public service.

membership@clcaf.org

Director of Government Relations, University of California Student Association 

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Vincent Rasso (he/him/his) is the Membership Director for CLCAF and works as the Director of Government Relations for the University of California Student Association (UCSA). In his professional role, he manages the state and federal policy agenda for over 230,000 UC students across the state. As Membership Director, Vincent brings nearly five years of experience in student & youth engagement and program management, supporting CLCAF over the past year as a host for the Policy Fellowship and a guest speaker for the Brown Issues Policy Bootcamp, both of which he now oversees. He formerly led statewide student affairs and system policy engagement at the Campaign for College Opportunity, is a first generation graduate from the University of California, Riverside, and was an an elected statewide officer for UCSA during the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to a multitude of emerging crises while bridging students into policy advocacy. Vincent was born in Riverside and raised in the Inland Empire, where he has championed regional community engagement efforts across multiple affiliations and was even awarded 30 Under 30 by Senator Eloise Gomez-Reyes. 

policy@clcaf.org
Office of Senator Caroline Menjivar (SD - 20)

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Clarissa Dominguez is a Legislative Aide in the Office of Senator Caroline Menjivar (SD - 20).

In this capacity, she handles various policy areas, including environmental quality, natural resources, and judiciary. Prior to this role, Clarissa served as a Legislative Assistant and Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow in the Office of Assemlymember Miguel Santiago.

Clarissa grew up in Los Angeles, CA and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Latinx Studies from Williams College in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her puppy, Gizmo, and practicing yoga.

events@clcaf.org
Policy Associate at the Resource Recovery Coalition of California (RRCC)

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Alexis (Lexi) Villanueva is a Policy Associate at the Resource Recovery Coalition of California (RRCC), where she monitors legislative and regulatory issues impacting California’s recycling, composting, and waste-reduction industries. In this capacity, she diligently tracks policy developments critical to coalition members and keeps stakeholders informed about California’s ever-changing political and regulatory landscape.

Driven by the power of connection and community impact, Alexis grew up in West Sacramento surrounded by civic engagement and public service. Her passion for public affairs was shaped by deep family roots in Sacramento, including her late great-grandfather, Francisco Godina, an affiliate of the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF). These influences led her to earn a B.A. in Political Science from California State University San Marcos.

Alexis brings a diverse professional background spanning political fundraising, finance, and strategic communications, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on policy development, budgeting, and organizational operations. She is passionate about fostering growth and efficiency within organizations through thoughtful policy analysis, strategic planning, and meaningful partnerships.

Outside of her professional work, Alexis enjoys exploring local coffee shops, attending Pilates classes with amigas, walking with her dog Canelo, and spending time with family.

liaison@clcaf.org
Manager of Government Affairs at the California Charter Schools Association

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Leticia Michelle Reyes is the Manager of Government Affairs at the California Charter Schools Association, where she serves on the Government Affairs team. In this role, she monitors and analyzes legislation, supports legislative advocacy efforts, and assists CCSA members with legislative and policy issues.

She brings prior experience in legislative advocacy and policy analysis from Cruz Strategies, where she began her professional career as a CLCAF Fellow. Leticia has also served as a communications intern for the Students for Barbara Lee campaign, where she supported campaign communications and outreach efforts.

Raised in Coalinga, California, Leticia is proud to represent her Central Valley roots. She is the daughter of two hardworking immigrants, an upbringing that shaped her commitment to public service, immigrant advocacy, and education equity. Leticia is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, Leticia enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, exploring new restaurants, and reading.

Internship@clcaf.org
Office of Assemblymember Gabriel (AD-46)

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Juan Carlos Becerra Jr., known by his childhood nickname Kyle, is the proud son of Mexican immigrant workers. He was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and is the current Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow for Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, his hometown’s Member. 

Kyle proudly attended Los Angeles Pierce College and eventually transferred to Stanford University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with Honors. He then moved to China to attend Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Scholar, where he earned a Master of Management Science in Global Affairs. 

Kyle credits the Mexican immigrant work ethic instilled in him by his parents as being the reason why he has been able to overcome much adversity throughout his life and be where he is today. In this role with CLCAF, he intends to give his all to giving back and helping the next generation follow their dreams and pursue careers in spaces like the State Legislature, to honor the sacrifices that his parents and millions of immigrant workers make every day.