Accomplishments

Participants with the SDLA have used the skills, relationships, and opportunities they have received to advance their own careers and a progressive agenda. Below are some compelling examples of the SDLA network in action:

2018

Elections & Appointments

Honors & Recognition

  • Malieka Johnson (2016) was inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

  • Johanna Schiavoni (Former Co-President) was honored with the Community Service Award by the Lawyers Club of San Diego.
  • Mehry Mohseni (2016) was honored with C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award by the Lawyers Club of San Diego.

  • Malieka Johnson (2016) was named one of the 2018 Incisal Edge Magazine “40 Under 40” by Benco Dental.
  • Nathanel Fairman (2016) was honored as the recipient of the Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee’s Larry Itilong Community Bridge Award.

Career Advancements

  • Ansermio Jake Estrada (2017) was hired as the Communications Manager for San Diego City Councilmember Chris Ward.

  • Ashley Rodriguez (2016) was hired as the donor engagement manager for Inewsource.

Speaking, Publications & Press

2017

Elections & Appointments

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) declared her candidacy for San Diego City Council District 8 for the 2018 election cycle.
  • Tyler Hewes (2010) was appointed to San Diego's Commission for Arts and Culture after receiving a nomination from Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer.

  • James Halliday (2016) was appointed to the City of San Diego's Citizens Advisory Board on Police Community Relations.

  • Matt Strabone (SDLA Board Member) was selected to join the Pacific Council on International Policy.

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was elected to the Board of Directors for the Borderview YMCA.

  • Zaheen Chowdhury (2017) was elected to the Sherman Heights Community Center board.

  • Matt Yagyagan (2014) was elected President and Mark Leo (2013) was elected Vice President of the AAPI Democratic Club San Diego.
  • Timothy Caudill (2015) was elected President for the Veterans Democratic Club of San Diego County.
  • Emily Howe (2017) was selected to serve as Co-Chair of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's Asian American Adoptee Network.
  • Wilda Wong (2016) was elected to the Friends of Balboa Park Board of Directors.

Honors & Recognition

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was awarded the Chair’s Award from the San Diego County Democratic Party at the 37th Annual Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt Dinner.

  • Josh Coyne (2017) received the 2017 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego LGBT Pride.

  • Geneviéve L. Jones-Wright (2017) was recognized as a Woman Leader in the Seventy-Ninth District in the field of Government from the California State Assembly by Assemblymember, Dr. Shirley N. Weber.

  • Rafael Hurtado (2017) received the "Outstanding Service by a New Lawyer" award from the San Diego Bar Association.

  • Tammy Lin (2012) received the "A Different Kind of Lawyer" award from the Notre Dame Club of San Diego in recognition for her work in immigration in the nonprofit and private sector. 
  • Barb Moreno (2013) and her team received the PR News' 2017 Nonprofit Award for Best Blog in recognition of the San Diego Convention Center's blog "The Convention Center Connection."
  • Barb Moreno (2013) was honored at the YWCA of San Diego County's In the Company of Women luncheon.

Career Advancements

  • Roberto Alcantar (2012) was hired as the Senior Policy Strategist on Immigrant Rights for the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
  • Jessica Kort (2012) was hired as the Philanthropy Manager of the Leichtag Foundation.
  • Colin Parent (SDLA Co-Founder) was hired as Interim Executive Director of Circulate San Diego.
  • Carolina Martinez (2013) was promoted to the Associate Director for Policy at the Environmental Health Coalition.
  • Maya Rosas (2017) was hired as Advocacy Manager of Circulate San Diego.
  • Timothy Caudill (2015) was hired as a workplace organizer for SEIU Local 221.
  • Sandy Naranjo (2013) was hired as the Policy Advocate at the Environmental Health Coalition.
  • Katherine Altobello-Czescik (2017) was hired as the Assistant Environmental Specialist with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
  • Sarah Borger (2015) was hired as the Program Director for the Sexual Violence Center.
  • Sandy Naranjo (2013), Luis Osuna (2014), and James Halliday (2016) were selected to participate in the Center for Policy Initiatives’ Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute.

 Speaking, Publications & Press

  • Geneviéve L. Jones-Wright (2017) moderated a panel called "Mass Incarceration Machine" for the San Diego Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association.

2016

Elections & Appointments

  • Colin Parent (SDLA Co-Founder) was elected to La Mesa City Council.

  • Roberto Alcantar  (2012) was elected to the Southwestern College Governing Board.

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was elected to the Central Committee of the San Diego County Democratic Party.

  • Chevelle Newell-Tate (2015) was elected 79th Assembly District Delegate and appointed Secretary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club.

  • Nate Fairman (2016) became the business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 465.

  • Matt Strabone (SDLA Board Member) was appointed to the City of San Diego Parking Advisory Board.

  • James Halliday (2016) became the chair of the San Diego Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy steering committee.

  • Chevelle Newell-Tate (2015) was appointed Secretary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club.
  • Timothy Caudill (2015) was elected as interim president for the Veterans Democratic Club of San Diego County.

  • Marco Briones (2014) managed a successful campaign for Mara Elliott for San Diego City Attorney.

  • Hilary Nemchik (2015) managed a successful campaign for Barbara Bry for City Council.

Honors & Recognition

  • Rebekah Hook-Held (2013) was honored by Councilmember Todd Gloria for her work in Council District Three.

  • Colin Parent (SDLA Co-Founder) was named to the San Diego Transcript’s 40 Under 40.

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was a finalist for San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year and was awarded the President’s Award from MANA de San Diego.

  • Sarah Borger (2015) was nominated as a “Woman of Impact” at the University of San Diego.

Career Advancements

  • Trinh Le (2012) was promoted to Leadership Development Director at The Center on Policy Initiatives. 

  • Dave Beza (2015) promoted to Award Analyst at the University of California Berkeley, Contracts & Grants Accounting.

  • Chevelle Newell-Tate (2015) was hired as Field Representative, Office of Senator Toni G. Atkins at California State Senate.

  • Kristen Aster (2015) was hired as Policy and Advocacy Officer for the International Rescue Committee.

  • Davin Widgerow  (2015) was hired as Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego.

  • Keiara Auzenne (2015) was hired as diversity coordinator for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Speaking, Publications & Press

 

2015

Elections & Appointments

  • Sarah Saez  (2014) declared her candidacy for San Diego City Council District 9 for the 2016 election cycle.

  • Luis Osuna (2014) was elected as the San Diego La Raza Lawyers’ President.

  • Elizabeth Taylor (2010) was elected as President of the Board of Directors at San Diego Coastkeeper.

  • Davin Widgerow (2015) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Community Forest Advisory Board after receiving a nomination by Councilmember David Alvarez.

  • Matt Yagyagan (2014) became the new president of the AAPI Democratic Club San Diego.

  • Hilary Nemchik (2015) was appointed as an Officer for Run Women Run.

Honors & Recognition

Career Advancements

  • Dave Beza (2015) was promoted to Fund Manager at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Lab.

Speaking, Publications & Press

 


2014

Elections & Appointments

  • Jessica Nare (2013) and Charles Gillig (2013) were appointed to the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission.

  • Ali Tarzi (2013) was appointed to the City-County Reinvestment Taskforce.

  • Mark Leo (2013) and Roberto Alcantar (2012) were appointed to the City of San Diego International Affairs Board.

  • Gena Tru­itt (2013) was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Cal­i­for­nia Vet­er­ans Board.

  • Jeff Graves (2014) was elected to the Board of Directors of the Lambda Archives.

Honors & Recognition

Career Advancements

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) served as Volunteer Coordinator for Alvarez for Mayor.

  • Stephen Heverly (2011) served as Communications Director for David Alvarez for Mayor.

  • Rebekah Hook-Held (2013) was hired as the Director of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

Speaking, Publications & Press



2013

Elections & Appointments

  • Sarah Boot (2010) declared her candidacy for San Diego City Council District 2 for the 2014 election cycle.

  • Consuelo Martinez (2012) declared her candidacy for Escondido City Council for the 2014 election cycle, in the City’s first Latino-majority district.

  • Johanna Schiavoni (2010) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Balboa Park Committee.

  • Emily Wier (2014) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Sustainable Energy Advisory Board.

  • Doug White (2011) joined the trustee board of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was appointed to the board of MANA San Diego.

  • Norma Rodriguez (2011) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture.

  • Matt Ellis (2011) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Funds Commission in 2011 and then to the City of San Diego’s Sustainable Energy Advisory Committee.

  • Tammy Lin (2012) was elected Chair of San Diego Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association for 2013-2014.

Honors & Recognition

Career Advancements

  • Breanna Zwart (2010) was hired to work for Google’s public affairs team.

  • Midori Wong (2010) was hired as a special assistant to San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten.

  • Jessica Lawrence (2013) was hired by San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria as his budget consultant and adviser on homelessness issues.

  • Johanna Schiavoni (2010) opened her own law firm specializing in appellate litigation.

  • Colin Parent (SDLA Co-Founder) was hired as the Director of Policy for the San Diego Housing Commission.

  • Rhiannon Jones (2010) was hired as the Executive Director of Engage San Diego.

  • Allison Don (2012) was hired as a District Representative for State Senator Marty Block.

  • Katelyn Hailey (2012) was hired as a District Representative for State Senator Marty Block.

  • Brittany Applestein Syz (2011) was hired as VP of Operations and General Counsel at Oberon Fuels, Inc., a clean energy start up.

Speaking, Publications & Press

 

2012

Elections & Appointments

  • Doug White (2011) joined the board of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

  • Aaron Friberg (2010) and Will Moore (SDLA Board Member) were appointed to the City of San Diego’s Consolidated Plan Advisory Board.

  • Amy Denhart (SDLA Board Member) was appointed to the City of San Diego’s Board of Parks and Recreation.

  • Johanna Schiavoni (2010) was elected president of the Lawyers Club, San Diego’s feminist bar association.

  • Rebecca Kanter (2011) joined the board of San Diego Wildcoast and was later selected as their Board Chair.

  • Jared Quient (2010) was appointed to the board of CleanTech San Diego.

  • John Greenwell (2012) and Barb Moreno (2013) joined the leadership team of Gay for Good San Diego.

  • Omar López (2011) was elected to the First Vice-Chair position on the Board of Directors of the Chicano Federation. Lopez was also elected to a three-year term as CCIME Advisor within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.  Subsequently, Omar was elected by CCIME Advisors as Alternate Chair of the Commission on Education.

Honors & Recognition

Career Advancements

  • Roberto Alcantar (2012) was hired as Campaign Manager for Marty Block for State Senate, and subsequently as a District Representative for Senator Block.

  • Consuelo Martinez (2012) was hired as an organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of the San Diego and Imperial Counties.

  • Katelyn Hailey (2012) was hired as a District Representative for State Senator Christine Kehoe.

  • Stephen Heverly (2011) was hired as an Account Executive by JO Communications, a firm owned by his SLDA mentor Jamie Ortiz.

  • Kath Rogers (2011) served as Program Manager for the Yes on Prop 35 ballot initiative to combat human trafficking.

Speaking, Publications & Press

  • SDLA was featured with a San Diego CityBeat cover story: “The New Left.”



2011

Elections & Appointments

  • Geshalem Perez (2011) and Amanda Allen (2011) joined the board of the San Diego Foundation for Change. Geshalem Perez was elected to serve as its board chair.

  • Sarah Boot (2010) was elected president of the Lawyers Club, San Diego’s feminist bar association.

  • Midori Wong (2010) served as the Chief of Staff for the City of San Diego’s Citizen’s Redistricting Commission

Honors & Recognition

Career Advancements

  • Katherine Field (2010) was promoted to District Director for Senator Dianne Feinstein for the San Diego and Imperial Counties region.

  • Johanna Schiavoni (2010) joined the law firm of Jacobs Schlesinger & Sheppard LLP as a partner.

  • Denise Serrano (2011) was hired as the Director of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.



2010

Elections & Appointments

  • Jason Everitt (2010) ran for Escondido City Council.

  • Colin Parent (SDLA Co-Founder) was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve in his administration in Sacramento.

  • Elizabeth Taylor (2010) and Jared Quient (2010) joined the board of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego.

Career Advancements

  • Breanna Zwart (2010) was hired as a Special Assistant to US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

  • Vivian Moreno (2010) was hired as a District Representative by San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez.
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Alex Southard
Small Business Engagement Specialist, City of San Diego Economic Development Department

Alex Southard serves as the Small Business Engagement Specialist in the Economic Development Department at the City of San Diego. Driven by...

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