PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senator Melissa Hurtado, California State Senate

Director of Communications

Create and executing strategic communications campaigns to articulate the Senator’s legislative, budget and district priorities to the general public. Responsible for media and public relations strategies, including preparing press materials and responding to media requests. Create newsletters, town halls, manage website and social media. Key accomplishments include:

·      Created successful newsletters on SD-14 specific resources related to COVID. 

·      Pitched, drafted and placed strategic Op-eds. 

·      Successfully targeted reporters to pitch stories relevant to legislation. 

·      Organized and moderated telephone town hall with 3,000+ participants. 

·      Wrote scripts and filmed video messages for key district partners. 

·      Recorded and operationalized over 100,000 robocalls relating to COVID.

·      Led SD-14 mail program.  

County Behavioral Health Directors Association

Director, Communications and External Affairs

Develop and implement legislative and communications strategies and proposals in Medi-Cal mental health policy and politics to influence outcomes. Represent 60-member county trade association in legislative policy and budget committee hearings and public meetings. Responsible for directing media relations, publications, legislation, advocacy materials and externally facing assets.

Key accomplishments include:

  • Created and lead successful sponsored legislation.

  • Creation of CBHDA legislative scorecard.

  • Led creative team in rebranding of website and external materials.

  • Creation of CBHDA conference sponsorship program with over $90,000 in sales.

  • Organized CBHDA behavioral health Capitol staff briefings.

  • Developed a proactive, data/insights driven communications strategy program.

Partnership HealthPlan of California

Director, Governmental Affairs, Legal, Grievance, Public Affairs and Compliance

Member of executive team and managed contract lobbyists, responsible for the Board of Commissioners Legislative Sub-Committee and developed strategy for legislative interventions. Responsible for and managed a team of over 60 staff accountable for Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, Grievances, Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Digital Design, and Legal Affairs with an annual budget of over $3 million.

Key accomplishments include:

  • Created and led the Partnership HealthPlan Board Subcommittee on Legislation.

  • Led the team implementing compliance related to the 8-county ACA expansion and

  • Led the team implementing compliance related to the 8-county ACA expansion and CMS “Final Rule.” 

  • Formed an internal legal department including hiring of legal staff and outside counsel, creation of policies and procedures.

  • Built and operationalized process to address legal inquiries including subpoenas and Public Records Act requests.

  • Represented Partnership HealthPlan during federal and state legislative hearings in unison with supervised contract lobbyists.

  • Represented the plan during times of media crises in the press and with elected officials.

California State Assembly

Most recently served as Legislative Director with areas of specialty in the Affordable Care Act, aging and long-term care, Medi-Cal, human services, mental health, substance use, labor and revenue and taxation. Directed multiple legislative packages while staffing Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health and Human Services.

Served as a principal consultant for the Select Committee on Disabilities and organized hearings across the state, prepared talking points and research papers on a variety of issues impacting people with aging, autism, developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders.

Key positions held:

  • Legislative Director, Assemblymember Cristina Garcia

  • Senior Consultant, Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro

  • Consultant, Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities

  • Senior Legislative Aide, Assemblymember Dave Jones

  • Legislative Aide, Assemblymemeber Mary Hayashi