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7:30am EST
Breakfast
Thursday December 12, 2024 7:30am - 9:00am EST
7:30am EST
8:00am EST
8:00am EST
9:00am EST
Election Reflections and Charting A Path Forward Together
Thursday December 12, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Speakers MM
National Director, Working Families Power
Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange (SiX)
Hon. Jessie Ulibarri is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. As a queer person of color, as a parent, and as someone who grew up in a trailer park, Jessie viscerally understands the demands the progressive movement makes of our elected officials for radical, transformative change. As a...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange
Neha Patel is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. Growing up in the Midwest (Indiana/Michigan) as the child of immigrants, she believes fiercely in the American Dream—where opportunity exists only if we fight for it on behalf of all of us. This foundational belief led Neha to a lifelong...
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Executive Director, BISC
Chris has been BISC’s Executive Director since June 2018, bringing two decades of experience in advocacy, creating collaborative spaces, and movement building. She has devoted her career to social justice and ensuring our democracy works for “We the People.” She is the first...
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State Senator, Georgia-41
Kim Jackson serves as Senator for Georgia State Senate District 41, representing portions of DeKalb County. Kim works every day to build a safer, fairer, and more prosperous Georgia, and bring the diverse voices of her district to the Capitol: immigrants, refugees, and people living...
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State Representative, Iowa-1
J.D. Scholten was born in Iowa and raised in Sioux City. He attended Morningside College, where he played baseball for his father who was the Head Coach. J.D. transferred for his Senior year to the University of Nebraska where he led the Cornhuskers in earned run average on the College...
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State Senator, Arizona-10
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton is an Arizonan having spent her early childhood years on Navajo Tribal Lands. She is married to Derek Hamilton, a middle school teacher in TUSD. Twenty-three years of marriage has blessed them with three children. After completing her Masters of Divinity at...
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10:30am EST
Beyond Borders: What We Can Learn about Using the Human Rights Framework in Policy from the Global Reproductive Rights Movement
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
State Assemblymember, New York-84
Born and raised in the South Bronx, Amanda Septimo has a long, rich history of service to the community. Over the years Amanda has worked with local community organizations, in the labor movement, and in government to advance an agenda of inclusive, sustainable, and responsible growth...
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SiX Staff Session Lead, State Innovation Exchange
As the Senior Policy Associate of Reproductive Rights, Laura provides strategic support to over 600 state legislators in the SiX RFLC network on reproductive rights and justice. Previously, she served as Director of Policy for Planned Parenthood in Florida, where she successfully...
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State Representative, North Carolina-36
Executive Director, Women’s Equality Center (WEC)
Paula Ávila-Guillen is a Green Wave movement leader, international human rights lawyer, and Executive Director at the Women's Equality Center (WEC). She has helped lead the fight to decriminalize abortion in her home country of Colombia, and has supported the efforts that led to...
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Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Reproductive Rights
Pilar Herrero is a Senior Staff Attorney in the US Human Rights unit at the Center for Reproductive Rights. She uses international human rights law to hold the US accountable for reproductive rights violations and to strengthen domestic policy advocacy and litigation.
10:30am EST
Building an Economy for the Many, not the Few: Busting Corporate Monopolies and Empowering Workers
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
Director of State and Local Policy, American Economic Liberties Project
State Representative, Florida-42
Senior Advisor, American Economic Liberties Project (AELP)
Zephyr Teachout is a Professor at Law at Fordham Law School where she focuses on the intersection of corporate power and political power. She teaches corporations, election law, antitrust, and prosecuting white collar crime. Her most recent book, Break 'em Up (2020), makes a case...
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Antimonopoly Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
Justin Stofferahn is the Antimonopoly Director for the Minnesota Farmers Union, where he leads the organization’s work to advocate for state and federal reforms that will reduce concentrated corporate power in Minnesota. He is also the co-author of the weekly newsletter You're Probably...
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Representative for Legislative District 24, Arizona House of Representatives
Analise Ortiz currently represents West Phoenix and South Glendale in the Arizona House of Representatives Legislative District 24. Ortiz is a native Arizonan, a former journalist and civil rights activist. Elected in 2022, Ortiz has become a rising star freshman legislator. She doubled...
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10:30am EST
Elected and Unsafe: Navigating Threats and Abuse in Public Life
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
State Delegate, Virginia General Assembly
Irene is a longtime community organizer turned legislator. The daughter of immigrants, she became the first Korean-American woman to serve in the Virginia General Assembly when she was first elected in 2021. Irene serves on four committees: Communications Technology and Innovation...
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State Representative, Georgia-58
Park Cannon serves District 58, which encompasses 20 neighborhoods within in-town Atlanta. Her legislative efforts focus on reproductive justice issues such as access to quality health care, housing & education. Rep. Cannon seeks to stop the erosion of affordability for basic needs...
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State Representative, GA
Representative Ruwa Romman worked at Deloitte Consulting assisting stakeholders by advising, implementing, and developing improved strategies to address policy challenges at the local, state, and federal level. In 2020, Ruwa leveraged her platform to inform thousands of Georgians...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange
Neha Patel is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. Growing up in the Midwest (Indiana/Michigan) as the child of immigrants, she believes fiercely in the American Dream—where opportunity exists only if we fight for it on behalf of all of us. This foundational belief led Neha to a lifelong...
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Co-Founder and Executive Director, Women's Democracy Lab
Mũthoni is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director of the Women's Democracy Lab (WDL), where she leads innovative efforts to address key challenges faced by elected Indigenous women and women of color at the state and local levels. Additionally, Muthoni is the Founder and Principal...
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State Representative, Tennessee-51
Representative Aftyn Behn, LMSW represents Nashville as the youngest woman in the House. She's formerly the Campaign Director for RuralOrganizing.org, overseeing the organization's electoral strategy and execution and shaping the political and policy landscape impacting small towns...
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10:30am EST
Governing While Black - North Star: Finding Your Purpose and Staying Grounded
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
Michigan State Director, SiX
Tom Lenard is the Michigan State Director for SiX and serves as the lead SiX staff for the Progressive Governance Academy. Prior to joining SiX, Tom served for years as Senior Advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich of Flint, Michigan. As such, he worked to help respond...
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Progressive Governance Academy
Kara brings 20 years of training design, facilitation, organizational development, coaching and project management experience to the movement. Over her career, Kara has advised and managed highly contested campaigns, served as a Congressional liaison, navigated teams through complex...
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10:30am EST
Power and Greed: How Agriculture Policy Has Shaped America and How State Legislators Can Drive Change
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
State Representative, Illinois-6
Sonya Marie Harper has been a community activist on the South Side since she was 16 years old. Her passions include promoting community, economic development and civic engagement in an effort to create more peaceful and prosperous neighborhoods. Harper spent over a decade working...
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SiX Staff Session Lead
Kendra serves as the Director of Agriculture and Food Systems at SiX. Kendra oversees SiX’s rural, sustainable agriculture and food systems work. She works with national staff at SiX as well as in-state and national partners to promote progressive agriculture policies and legislation...
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State Representative, Iowa-30
Dr. Megan Srinivas, the youngest woman of color elected to state-level office in Iowa, serves in the state House of Representatives (HD-30). She is an infectious disease physician and translational health policy researcher who focuses on delivering care to rural and low-resource settings...
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10:30am EST
We Know What We Need: Centering Community Solutions in Maternal Health Care Policy and Infrastructure
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
Executive Director, Center for Maternal Health Equity
Dr. Hernandez-Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Founding and Executive Director of the Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). She earned her Master of Public Health from Emory University and her...
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Executive Director, Southern Birth Justice Network
Jamarah Amani is a Black, femme and queer community midwife. Jamarah is the architect of the Black Midwives Model of Care and the Birth Justice Bill of Rights. She is also the founder of Black Midwives Day, a nationally-recognized holiday.Jamarah is the Executive Director of Southern...
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State Senator, Massachusetts-2nd Suffolk
Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda serves the 2nd Suffolk District in Boston, MA.Senator Miranda currently serves as the Chairwoman for the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development, and serves as...
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State Senator, Tennessee-33
London P. Lamar is a dynamic leader and strategist committed to social justice and community empowerment. As State Senator for Tennessee’s District 33 and Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, she is the youngest African American and woman elected to the Tennessee Senate, where...
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Director of Research, Reproductive Rights, SiX
Fran’s eighteen year career in reproductive rights and health spans the fields of public health, policy, and advocacy. Since 2019, Fran has worked to create unique spaces and opportunities for the state legislators in SiX's Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council to connect with...
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Senior Advisor, Maternal Health and Rights, Center for Reproductive Rights
Breana Lipscomb is the Senior Advisor of Maternal Health and Rights for the Center for Reproductive Rights. She has nearly 20 years of public health experience, and in her current role, she uses a human rights framework to develop advocacy strategies to advance maternal health equity...
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10:30am EST
What Now? Regrouping After the Election
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
State Representative, Georgia-108
Dr. Jasmine Clark is a Georgia native and mother of two. She has a BS and PhD is Microbiology, and currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. After running on a platform of bringing a science voice to the GA General Assembly, Jasmine Clark...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange (SiX)
Hon. Jessie Ulibarri is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. As a queer person of color, as a parent, and as someone who grew up in a trailer park, Jessie viscerally understands the demands the progressive movement makes of our elected officials for radical, transformative change. As a...
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Executive Director, Local Progress & Local Progress Impact Lab
Ivan Luevanos-Elms is the Executive Director of Local Progress and the Local Progress Impact Lab. Ivan is applying his nearly 15 years of experience in municipal government, electoral campaigns and grassroots organizing to helping the more than 1500 elected officials across the country...
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President, Demos
Taifa Smith Butler (she/her) is the President of Demos, a movement-oriented think tank committed to racial justice. Through research, litigation, strategic communications, and deep partnerships with grassroots organizations across the country, Demos builds power with and for Black...
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Co-Executive Director, Partners for Dignity and Rights (P4DR)
Kesi is the Co-Executive Director at Partners for Dignity and Rights (P4DR) where he works in partnership with community organizations organizing to secure and expand social and economic rights and building power towards a more just and equitable future for all. He was previously...
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10:30am EST
The Medicine of Grief: A Reflective and Healing Workshop for Non-Black People of Color
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
Tereza Iñiguez-Flores is a renowned holistic life and wellness coach with over 35 years of experience in Meso-American Curanderismo. A dedicated healer and teacher, she empowers individuals, couples, and families to overcome ancestral, childhood, and present trauma. By blending ancient...
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Healing Justice Facilitator
Opulence Abundance is a speaker, conflict navigator, and healing professional. As a queer intersex person of color born and raised in the Carolinas, Opulence learned how to diffuse conflict and build community at a young age. In 2014 Opulence moved to California and in 2016 they graduated...
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12:00pm EST
Film Screening: Elected and Unsafe
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Speakers
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Women's Democracy Lab
Mũthoni is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director of the Women's Democracy Lab (WDL), where she leads innovative efforts to address key challenges faced by elected Indigenous women and women of color at the state and local levels. Additionally, Muthoni is the Founder and Principal...
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12:00pm EST
12:00pm EST
Huddle Room
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
12:00pm EST
Power of Progressive Caucuses
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Speakers 
Colorado State Director, State InnovationExchange
Maggie Gómez has dedicated nearly two decades to grassroots community organizing with women and communities of color to build deep power for collective action and policy wins. Prior to SiX, Maggie has led grassroots organizing and policy efforts for paid sick leave, paid family medical...
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12:00pm EST
Purple States Project
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Speakers
Michigan State Director, SiX
Tom Lenard is the Michigan State Director for SiX and serves as the lead SiX staff for the Progressive Governance Academy. Prior to joining SiX, Tom served for years as Senior Advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich of Flint, Michigan. As such, he worked to help respond...
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12:00pm EST
Running a Black Maternal Health Caucus in Your State
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Speakers 
State Delegate, VA
Elected in 2021, Delegate Candi Mundon King represents Prince William and Stafford Counties in the Virginia General Assembly.
State Representative, Pennsylvania-164
Rep. Gina H. Curry has dedicated her career to serving her community and advocating for social justice and equitable opportunities. Elected in a November 2021 special election to represent the 164th Legislative District in Delaware County. Holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees...
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State Representative, Pennsylvania-24
La’Tasha D. Mayes (she/her) was elected to the Pennsylvania House in 2022, representing District 24. Originally from West Philadelphia, she moved to Pittsburgh in 1999 for college and has been a community leader for over 20 years. Mayes holds a B.S. in business administration from...
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State Representative, Ohio-22
Rep. Juanita O. Brent is a third term State Representative in Ohio. Serving as ranking member of House Agriculture committee, Rep. Brent has introduced policy that focus on soil health, hair discrimination, black maternal health and equity in policy decisions.
State Senator, Minnesota-56, and SiX/SiX Action Board
Currently, Erin serves as a Minnesota State Senator and as a Special Projects Advisor at Gender Justice. When she was elected in November 2022, she became one of the first three Black women to be elected to the Minnesota Senate. She is also the first out lesbian in the Minnesota Senate...
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12:00pm EST
Lunch
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
1:15pm EST
Bridging Divides: Strategies for Advancing Progressive Agendas Together with Rural Communities
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers
State Representative, Iowa-1
J.D. Scholten was born in Iowa and raised in Sioux City. He attended Morningside College, where he played baseball for his father who was the Head Coach. J.D. transferred for his Senior year to the University of Nebraska where he led the Cornhuskers in earned run average on the College...
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Deputy Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Liz Rupel is the Deputy Director for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. She began her journey with the Alliance as a Farmers Market intern in 2016 and has since developed her community organizing skills, deep commitment to the mission, and drive for change. Liz believes that making...
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State Representative, Minnesota-58A
Representative Kristi Pursell was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and graduated from Saint Olaf College with a bachelor's degree in English and environmental studies. She also received a graduate certificate in environmental education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.Rep. Pursell...
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State Representative, Ohio-22
Rep. Juanita O. Brent is a third term State Representative in Ohio. Serving as ranking member of House Agriculture committee, Rep. Brent has introduced policy that focus on soil health, hair discrimination, black maternal health and equity in policy decisions.
SiX Staff Session Lead
Kendra serves as the Director of Agriculture and Food Systems at SiX. Kendra oversees SiX’s rural, sustainable agriculture and food systems work. She works with national staff at SiX as well as in-state and national partners to promote progressive agriculture policies and legislation...
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State Senator, Mississippi-27
Hillman T. Frazier is a progressive legislator who has served in both the House and Senate. He currently serves as chair of the Interstate and Federal Cooperation Committee and subcommittee chair of the Appropriations Committee for Community Colleges in the Mississippi Senate. He...
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1:15pm EST
Care as Public Good: Building a Care Economy that Empowers Working Families
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers 
Vice President, A Better Balance
Jared Make serves as Vice President at A Better Balance (ABB), where he works alongside advocates and coalitions around the country to write and pass laws guaranteeing paid sick time and paid family and medical leave. With his colleagues at ABB, Jared has helped to draft laws that...
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Vice President, Economic Security Project
Through organizing, leadership on racial and gender justice, and a commitment to connecting on-the-ground perspective to policy, Harish I. Patel moves big ideas forward that have the power to transform our economy. Previously Harish founded and served as the director of Economic Security...
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Senior Research and Campaign Coordinator, Private Equity Stakeholder Project
Azani Creeks is a Senior Research and Campaign Coordinator at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, where she focuses on private equity's impacts on workers. Prior to joining PESP, Azani worked in the strategic research departments of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and...
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State Senator, Maryland-40
Senator Antonio Hayes was first elected to the Maryland Senate in 2019; he served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015-2019.Senator Hayes has held several key leadership roles, including Senate Majority Whip and Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He currently...
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State Representative, Georgia-67
Lydia Glaize, a former educator and esteemed community leader, serves as the House Representative for Georgia's 67th District. Her dedication to education, community outreach, and sustainable solutions has made her a key figure in youth, education, and senior issues. As the Education...
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1:15pm EST
Collaborative Governance: Building People Power Beyond Elections
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers
Colorado State Director, State InnovationExchange
Maggie Gómez has dedicated nearly two decades to grassroots community organizing with women and communities of color to build deep power for collective action and policy wins. Prior to SiX, Maggie has led grassroots organizing and policy efforts for paid sick leave, paid family medical...
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Director of Legislation, American Pride Rises
Jordyn Bussey is the Director of Legislation for Deliver the American Dream, the c4 arm of the American Pride Rises Network. In this role, Jordyn develops and implements the organization's strategy to engage on DEI-related legislation in the states and support legislators and allies...
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Deputy Organizing Director, Local Progress
Francesca Menes is the Deputy Organizing Director at Local Progress, a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda. Francesca is a political educator, legislative and policy strategist, entrepreneur and former television host committed to creating...
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State Senator, Pennsylvania-4
Art is a determined fighter for all people and has won many battles, committed to making Pennsylvania a place where everyone can live with dignity. He has secured $100 million in annual funding for affordable housing, $14 million for mobile, school, and community health clinics to...
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1:15pm EST
Criminalization of the Body and the Surveillance State
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers 
Criminal Defense Lead, Sissy Farenthold Reproductive Justice Defense Project
Cristina I. Ramirez is the criminal defense lead of the Sissy Farenthold Reproductive Justice Defense Project at the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at Texas Law. Prior to this role, Cristina served as a public defender in the Travis County Public Defender’s Office...
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Senior Policy Counsel, Reproductive Rights, SiX
Rosann Mariappuram, J.D. M.A. (she/her) is a lawyer and advocate who has been part of the movements for reproductive health, rights and justice for over a decade. She is the former executive director of Jane’s Due Process, a nonprofit that fights for young people’s bodily autonomy...
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Legal Director, Pregnancy Justice
Karen Thompson is the Legal Director of Pregnancy Justice where she leads a team of attorneys in defending women and all those with the capacity to become pregnant from being criminalized because of their pregnancies or pregnancy outcomes. Karen oversees the strategic litigation and...
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Co-Executive Director, If/When/How
Denise Tomasini-Joshi is an advocate whose work has touched upon issues of mental health, health policy, criminal legal reform, women’s rights, economic development, and marginalized populations. She is a former Chief of Staff at the Innocence Project, and previously held a series...
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1:15pm EST
Fund Our Futures: Tax & Budgets that Work for Working Families
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers 
Campaigns Director, State Revenue Alliance
Jeron Mariani (he/him/his) works as the Campaigns Director at the State Revenue Alliance. Jeron is a lifelong organizer committed to the power of the people to advocate, agitate, and affect change - a value passed on from his father who served in the Minnesota State House for over...
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Chief of Staff, SEIU Florida Public Services Union
Afifa Khaliq is the chief of staff of the SEIU Florida Public Services Union. She is a strategic thinker, communicator, collaborator and program developer who provides social development solutions. Afifa has worked on racial injustices, women empowerment, challenging the socio-economic...
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State Representative, Pennsylvania-200
Rabble-rousing 4-term Philly state lawmaker, reppin’ the bluest legislative district in the most pivotal battleground state in the nation!
Director of State Fiscal Policy Research, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
Whitney Tucker is Director of State Fiscal Policy Research on the State Fiscal Policy team at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, leading an expert team of analysts in shaping policy debate through issue research and technical support to state-level advocates.Prior to joining...
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Legislative Director, State Revenue Alliance
Erika Wozniak (she/her) is the Legislative Director at the State Revenue Alliance. In 2023, she served as a political adviser on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign and transition team, and prior to that served as Chief of Staff to a Chicago City Council member.Erika started her career...
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Senator-Elect, WA State Senate
Noel Frame (she/her) has represented the people of the 36th Legislative District since January 2016, first as their State Representative and now as State Senator.Noel is an award-winning legislator, having been honored more than 15 times for her work advocating for youth involved...
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1:15pm EST
How You Lead, How Others Lead, and How You Can Work Together Better
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers
Michigan State Director, SiX
Tom Lenard is the Michigan State Director for SiX and serves as the lead SiX staff for the Progressive Governance Academy. Prior to joining SiX, Tom served for years as Senior Advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich of Flint, Michigan. As such, he worked to help respond...
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State Representative, Florida-42
1:15pm EST
Reimagining the Peoples’ House: Modernizing Our State Legislatures
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers SF
State Senator, Colorado-25
Senator Faith Winter started her political career inspiring people into action, including training thousands of women to run for office at The White House Project and fighting for environmental justice.In 2007 she was elected to the Westminster City Council where she was a leader...
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Director of Special Projects
Executive Director, Democracy 2076
Aditi Juneja is the Executive Director of Democracy 2076, an organization founded in 2023 working long-term to change our Constitution, political culture, and political parties. She was most recently Chief of Staff at the Movement Voter Project and previously spent 4 years at Protect...
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Delegate, 5th Virginia House District
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is the Delegate for the 5th Virginia House District, located in Alexandria.Elizabeth is the fifth member of the House of Delegates to give birth while in office (in 405 years), and she is committed to supporting children and families. She has championed early...
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Chief Program Officer, Vote Mama Foundation
Sarah is a political social worker who has spent her career engaging young adults and womxn in government and politics. Sarah has started Youth Advisory Boards for 4 Congressmembers, mobilizing over 500 students. At Vote Mama Foundation, she spearheads the organization’s work on...
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1:15pm EST
Reflect, Renew, Revitalize: A Healing Journey for LGBTQIA+ People Surviving Uncertain Times
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers 
Evolve is a dynamic speaker, DEI strategist, and entrepreneur who empowers individuals and organizations to embrace inclusivity and drive transformative change. With 8+ years as a DEI manager at the University of California San Francisco, Evolve brings a wealth of experience in pioneering...
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Healing Justice Facilitator
Opulence Abundance is a speaker, conflict navigator, and healing professional. As a queer intersex person of color born and raised in the Carolinas, Opulence learned how to diffuse conflict and build community at a young age. In 2014 Opulence moved to California and in 2016 they graduated...
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2:45pm EST
Collaborative Governance: The “Software” Necessary to Accomplish Your Goals
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers
Michigan State Director, SiX
Tom Lenard is the Michigan State Director for SiX and serves as the lead SiX staff for the Progressive Governance Academy. Prior to joining SiX, Tom served for years as Senior Advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich of Flint, Michigan. As such, he worked to help respond...
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State Representative, North Carolina-36
2:45pm EST
Creating An Irresistible Future for Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice: Looking to 2025
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers
Director of Research, Reproductive Rights, SiX
Fran’s eighteen year career in reproductive rights and health spans the fields of public health, policy, and advocacy. Since 2019, Fran has worked to create unique spaces and opportunities for the state legislators in SiX's Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council to connect with...
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Senior Policy Counsel, Reproductive Rights, SiX
Rosann Mariappuram, J.D. M.A. (she/her) is a lawyer and advocate who has been part of the movements for reproductive health, rights and justice for over a decade. She is the former executive director of Jane’s Due Process, a nonprofit that fights for young people’s bodily autonomy...
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2:45pm EST
Defending Democracy Against Abusive Preemptions & Restoring Local Power
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers LG
Policy and Legal Director, Local Progress
LiJia Gong is the Policy and Legal director at Local Progress. She leads the development of Local Progress’s policy, legal, and research capacity to support members, and drives the development and growth of national program areas. LiJia is an attorney with more than 15 years of...
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State Campaign Consultant, Local Solutions Support Center
Senior Research Analyst, National Education Association (NEA)
For more than 20 years, Susan Nogan has followed and mapped the adversaries of public education and organized labor. As a research analyst for the National Education Association, she provides expert advice and guidance regarding their strategies and tactics, to support preparation...
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Associate Director, Economic Security Project
Shafeka holds a birdseye view of guaranteed income work across the nation from implementing pilots to policy development. As a community organizer, she has led campaigns ranging from closing a Fair Labor Standards Act loophole that allowed disabled employees to be paid subminimum...
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2:45pm EST
Depolarizing Care for Trans Youth
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers
Michigan State Director, SiX
Tom Lenard is the Michigan State Director for SiX and serves as the lead SiX staff for the Progressive Governance Academy. Prior to joining SiX, Tom served for years as Senior Advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich of Flint, Michigan. As such, he worked to help respond...
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ObGyn and Complex Family Planning Specialist, Co-Founder Raven Lab Repro
Jennifer Villavicencio, MD, MPP is a Cuban American who was born in Miami, FL. She is the daughter of an immigrant and a nurse. She received her Bachelor's in Neuroscience from the University of Miami and her medical education at the University of Central Florida. She graduated from...
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Director of Policy Research, Movement Advancement Project (MAP)
Logan S. Casey (he/him) is queer, transgender man and a proud Midwesterner. He strongly believes in the power of community and the possibility of a better world. In his sixth year with the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), he is now MAP’s Director of Policy Research. Before his...
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Trans Health Coordinator, Feminist Health Center of Atlanta
10-year Army Veteran with service to community the last 24 years. Focus specifically on BIPOC Trans Men, Trans Masculine and TGNC communities. Advocacy is grounded in Reproductive Justice, Gender Affirming Care, HIV/STI Prevention and counseling, SSP/Harm Reduction, Trans Liberation...
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Executive Director, Whitman-Walker Institute
Dr. Kellan Baker is the Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Institute, which fosters healthier communities and advances health equity for all through person-centered health science research, innovative clinical trials, and evidence-based policy solutions. The Institute is affiliated...
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2:45pm EST
The Future of AI: Taking on Big Tech in the Workplace & Ballot Box
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
Senior Communications Strategist, Kairos Fellowship
Jelani is a Black, queer, organizer from the South dedicated to building power for their communities online and offline. Jelani enjoys long reads through Twitter and taking any chance to drag Big Tech CEOs. Jelani’s organizing interest is at the intersection of racial justice and...
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Director, Economic Security California
Teri Olle is the Director of Economic Security California, an affiliate of Economic Security Project, which works to build an economy where everyone has the freedom and stability to thrive. Teri drives Economic Security California's campaigns to expand direct cash payments, such as...
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Director of State and Local Policy, American Economic Liberties Project
Senior Policy Counsel for Workers’ Rights and Technology, Center for Democracy & Technology
Matt Scherer is Senior Policy Counsel for Workers’ Rights and Technology at the Center for Democracy & Technology. He studies how emerging technologies affect workers in the workplace and labor market, including the impacts of emerging digital surveillance and management technologies...
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Director of Research and Policy, Surveillance Resistance Lab
Cynthia Conti-Cook is a legal and policy strategist working at the intersection of technology and justice movements. She is currently the Director of Research and Policy at the Surveillance Resistance Lab. Previously, she advised the Ford Foundation’s Gender, Racial, and Ethnic...
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2:45pm EST
The Story We Tell Matters: How to Craft an Irresistible Narrative
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
Communications and Digital Media Coordinator, Amplify Georgia Collaborative
Crystal Monds (she/they) is a BlaQueer Southern-born healing practitioner and visual artist whose cultural ties to Creole and Deep South identities inform her work to better serve, center, and nurture gender-marginalized folks in her community. This background is where Crystal’s...
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Amplify Georgia Collaborative
State Representative, Florida-42
2:45pm EST
What’s in the Toolshed: Tactics for Legislators to Champion Agricultural & Rural Communities
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
State Representative, North Carolina-2
Rep. B. Ray Jeffers is a farmer and former county commissioner. He was just re-elected to a second term as a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 2nd district, including all of Person County, as well as part of Durham County. Jeffers previously...
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State Representative, Pennsylvania-200
Rabble-rousing 4-term Philly state lawmaker, reppin’ the bluest legislative district in the most pivotal battleground state in the nation!
Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr. Tim Boring was appointed by Governor Whitmer on March 27, 2023. He previously served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.Boring's family operates a six generation farm in Stockbridge,
Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president
and...
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State Senator, North Carolina
As a native North Carolinian, UNC alum, and local elected official, Natalie has spent a lifetime learning about the strengths and challenges of North Carolina. She has committed her life to public service. She is the NC State Senator for District 20, which encompasses Durham and Chatham...
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2:45pm EST
Black Love & Empowerment: A Healer of Anti-Blackness
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers
Evolve is a dynamic speaker, DEI strategist, and entrepreneur who empowers individuals and organizations to embrace inclusivity and drive transformative change. With 8+ years as a DEI manager at the University of California San Francisco, Evolve brings a wealth of experience in pioneering...
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Healing Justice Facilitator
Larrisha Coney, M.S., P.P.S.C, is the founder of wellness brand WITH LOV3, LC. Larrisha’s mission is to contribute to the wellbeing of the collective. In her work, she supports Black & POC, LGBQT+, first generation, marginalized youth and families navigate educational settings while...
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4:15pm EST
Leading in an Authoritarian Moment: Global Models for Resistance in the State House
Thursday December 12, 2024 4:15pm - 5:30pm EST
Speakers 
State Representative, Tennessee-52
Rep. Justin Jones is the youngest Democratic lawmaker in the state of Tennessee and proudly represents House District 52. He was expelled in April 2023 advocating for common sense gun laws and democracy, but was restored to his seat just three days later. He also serves as the Policy...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange (SiX)
Hon. Jessie Ulibarri is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. As a queer person of color, as a parent, and as someone who grew up in a trailer park, Jessie viscerally understands the demands the progressive movement makes of our elected officials for radical, transformative change. As a...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange
Neha Patel is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. Growing up in the Midwest (Indiana/Michigan) as the child of immigrants, she believes fiercely in the American Dream—where opportunity exists only if we fight for it on behalf of all of us. This foundational belief led Neha to a lifelong...
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Community Organizer
Keyanna Jones Moore is a Political and Social Justice Activist and Community Organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. She currently works as a Chapter Organizer with Sierra Club Georgia Chapter, where she emphasizes the need for Black People to understand how the environment impacts their...
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Executive Director, Women’s Equality Center (WEC)
Paula Ávila-Guillen is a Green Wave movement leader, international human rights lawyer, and Executive Director at the Women's Equality Center (WEC). She has helped lead the fight to decriminalize abortion in her home country of Colombia, and has supported the efforts that led to...
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Founder, GINIW Collective
Tara Houska is a mother, a land defender, a sundancer, an attorney and founder of Giniw Collective. She is committed to building a better world while protecting what remains of the sacred.
Former Colorado State Representative and SiX/SiX Action Board Member
Joe is an indigenous Coloradan. He was the first in his family to go to college. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1993. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Denver College of Law.In November 2012, Joe was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives...
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Founder, SACRED
Pushkar Sharma is the founder of SACRED (the South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy), an action research and advocacy organization focused on advancing democracy and countering supremacist movements within the South Asian American community in Illinois. Prior to founding...
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6:30pm EST
SiX is Turning 10! Celebrating Our Collective Power
Thursday December 12, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm EST
Speakers
Former Colorado State Representative and SiX/SiX Action Board Member
Joe is an indigenous Coloradan. He was the first in his family to go to college. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1993. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Denver College of Law.In November 2012, Joe was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives...
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State Senator, Minnesota-56, and SiX/SiX Action Board
Currently, Erin serves as a Minnesota State Senator and as a Special Projects Advisor at Gender Justice. When she was elected in November 2022, she became one of the first three Black women to be elected to the Minnesota Senate. She is also the first out lesbian in the Minnesota Senate...
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Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange (SiX)
Hon. Jessie Ulibarri is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. As a queer person of color, as a parent, and as someone who grew up in a trailer park, Jessie viscerally understands the demands the progressive movement makes of our elected officials for radical, transformative change. As a...
Read More →
Co-Executive Director, State Innovation Exchange
Neha Patel is SiX’s Co-Executive Director. Growing up in the Midwest (Indiana/Michigan) as the child of immigrants, she believes fiercely in the American Dream—where opportunity exists only if we fight for it on behalf of all of us. This foundational belief led Neha to a lifelong...
Read More →
