Johanna S. Schiavoni--Partner, Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP
Johanna S. Schiavoni is the Co-Director of the Board of the San Diego Leadership Alliance. Schiavoni has been involved with SDLA’s benchmark program, the New Leaders Council Institute, since 2010, and is a former Chair of the Institute in San Diego. In her day job as an attorney, Schiavoni is a partner with Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP, a boutique San Diego law firm, where she specializes in appellate litigation and strategic counseling in high stakes litigation matters.
She also is committed to working on pro bono matters to provide legal services to indigent parties, for which she has been recognized by the San Diego County Bar Association and the State Bar of California.
Schiavoni also has been recognized as an outstanding young leader in San Diego’s civic and business life, and is committed to bettering our community through her service on many boards and organizations, and particularly, through the leadership development work of SDLA.
Breanna Zwart--Budget and Finance Committee Consultant, City of San Diego, Councilmember Tony Young
Breanna Zwart has a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She is currently working for the City of San Diego as the Budget and Finance Committee Consultant. Breanna has a diverse background in political science, drama, and education.
Vivian M
oreno--Broker Buyer, Industrial Metal Supply
Born and raised in San Diego, Vivian Moreno attended and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at UCSD in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations.
Vivian is a Broker Buyer at Industrial Metal Supply a top leading Metal distribution facility that provides alloy needs for the South Western region of the U.S. She is a certified Internal Auditor for the International Organization for Standardization.
Devoted to her community Ms. Moreno is currently an Assistant Director for Hermanitas, a one-on-one non-profit Latina mentorship program of MANA de San Diego. Vivian also has been mentoring a young lady from San Diego County (15 yrs old) for the past three years in the program. She was awarded 2009 MANA Member of the Year. Vivian was also one of the pull of nominated individuals for best Individual Volunteer Efforts in the 1st Annual Classy Award by Stay Classy San Diego. She is also an active member of the San Diego Young Democrats. Vivian was a volunteer for Council President Benjamin Hueso in his campaign for city councilmember in district 8.
In her leisure time, Vivian finds pleasure in reading, traveling, and giving back to her community. She is very found of the unknown and has a deep appreciation for diversity. Vivian is a passionate sports enthusiast who enjoys running, practices yoga and always cheers for her San Diego Chargers and Padres.
Elizabeth Taylor--Attorney, Brown & Winters
Elizabeth Taylor is an environmental attorney with the firm Brown & Winters where she represents California public entities as well as environmental non-profit organizations. She manages the firm’s pro bono legal program and specializes in coastal resources and Clean Water Act cases. Elizabeth began her legal career as a fellow with the United States Marine Mammal Commission where she worked on domestic and international marine policy issues. Prior to law school she worked as a marine biologist for various NGOs in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Australia. Elizabeth graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. She received her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School, with a certificate in environmental and natural resources law. Elizabeth currently chairs the Encinitas Environmental Advisory Commission.
Alex Hunsucker--Senior Product Manager, Eventful.com
Alex Hunsucker is a Senior Product Manager at Eventful.com. He has worked at Eventful since 2006 developing Internet products, building strategic business relationships and leading a technical team in the event and social media space. In early 2007, he launched Eventful Politics, a unique social media platform enabling voters to discover, share, and create grassroots political events. The end result enabled millions of voters to engage directly with candidates and influence their campaign schedules.
Since the election, Alex has focusing on user engagement and discovery in the event and live entertainment space, most recently developing Eventful Movies. He continues to work at the intersection of politics and technology, consulting for various campaigns and organizations, as well as giving presentations and participating on related panels.
Previously, Alex worked on several state and local political races in Virginia before moving to San Diego in 2006. He holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, and attended the Graduate Program in International Studies at Old Dominion University.
Erin Donahue--Legislative Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties
Erin Donahue is the Legislative Coordinator for Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties. Erin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with a minor in Middle East Politics from University California-Irvine. To complete her degree she spent a year abroad in Ireland attending University College Dublin studying political science. Upon graduation, Erin moved to Washington, D.C and worked for Republican Youth Majority, a non-profit grassroots organization that supports pro-choice Republicans.
In 2007, Erin moved to San Diego to join Planned Parenthood as their first ever Republicans For Choice Coordinator. Erin is passionate about protecting reproductive rights and hopes one day to run for elected office.
Currently, Erin serves on the Board of the San Diego Chapter of California Women Lead (formerly CEWAR) and on the Board of the Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Carlos Mejia--Political Organizer, AFSCME Council 36 –Local 127
Carlos Mejia is the Political Organizer for AFSCME Council 36 –Local 127, the public employees Union that represents the blue-collar workers of the City of San Diego. Prior to working at AFSCME, Carlos served as an intern at the Bi-National Center for Human Rights in Tijuana, Mexico, investigating and recording human rights violations in the Tijuana Border Region. He is a graduate of San Diego State University, with a dual degree in Political Science & International Security and Conflict Resolution. Carlos is also a State delegate to the California Democratic Party as well as an alternate for the Democratic Party’s 78th Assembly District.
He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of operations for the San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee, an organization committed to preserving the legacy, principles, and values of Cesar E Chavez through education and civic activism. Carlos is also a co-chair of Fiesta Del Sol a free two-day street festival celebrating the history, diverse cultures, and engagement of the people of San Diego. It is an event focused on creating positive change by empowering our communities. As a co-chair of Fiesta Del Sol, Carlos is a member of the executive board of Justice Overcoming Boundaries, an organization whose mission it is to invest in the development of community leaders so that they may address issues that affect them, their families and their communities.
Carlos is also a proud Brother of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity inc. at San Diego State University. He lives in the College Area neighborhood of San Diego.
Tyler Hewes--Executive Director, Orchestra Nova San Diego
Tyler Richards Hewes is the Executive Director of Orchestra Nova San Diego (formerly the San Diego Chamber Orchestra). Mr. Hewes received his bachelors' degree at Eastern Connecticut State University in Theatre, before moving to San Diego in 2002. Mr. Hewes has worked at multiple arts organizations in San Diego including the La Jolla Playhouse, North Cost Repertory Theatre and OnStage Playhouse. From 2003 to 2008 Mr. Hewes was the Production Manager for Mainly Mozart and helped produced their annual Mainly Mozart Festival. Mr. Hewes is dedicated to the progressive movement and its ideals.
Udoka Nwanna, Esq.--Associate, Andrews Lagasse Branch & Bell LLP
Udoka Nwanna received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University and her Juris Doctor degree from California Western, with a concentration in Criminal Prosecution and Defense Practice. After her first year of law school, Ms. Nwanna served as a summer law clerk to the late Honorable Napoleon A. Jones, Jr., United States District Court, Southern District of California. After her second year, she served as a summer law clerk for the Department of the Navy, Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Nwanna practices employment law and professional liability defense as an associate at Andrews Lagasse Branch & Bell, LLP. Ms. Nwanna joined their practice after working as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego. Prior to her work as a prosecutor, Ms. Nwanna was an associate at national law firm focusing her practice on federal class action securities fraud litigation. Before becoming an associate, Ms. Nwanna served as a law clerk to the Honorable John H. Houston, United States District Court, Southern District of California.
Ms. Nwanna is admitted to the California Bar and to practice before all United States District Courts in California. She is also an active member of the San Diego County Bar Association and serves on the boards of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, the Lawyers Club of San Diego, and the California Western School of Law Alumni Board. Ms. Nwanna spends her free time as volunteer at Rady Children’s Hospital.
Midori Wong--Attorney, Latham & Watkins LLP
Midori Wong works for The Treadstone Companies, a national real estate development and advisory group specializing in the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing. She previously served as Chief of Staff to the 2010 Redistricting Commission of the City of San Diego and as a regional planner for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). An alumna of the University of California - San Diego, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Urban Studies and Planning and Environmental Studies minor. Affiliations include LEAD San Diego, the Junior League of San Diego, and the Urban Land Institute San Diego/Tijuana Chapter. In 2011, she was also named one of Patch.com's "30 Under 30" leaders for San Diego county.
Alex Southard