Please make sure you are registered before checking in!

Speakers:

• Denise Davis, UCR Governmental and Community Relations
• Rachel Strausman, UCR School of Public Policy Dean’s Chief Ambassador
• Abby Choy, ASUCR President
• Cynthia Hernandez, Women's Resource Center Program Coordinator

Speakers:

• Sonya Brooks, UC Student Regent-Designate, UCLA

Moderator: 

• Dr. Susan Hackwood, Professor Emerita and Former Dean, Bourns College of Engineering at UCR

Panelists:

• Dr. Tepring Piquado, Executive Director, National Science Policy Network
• Dr. Jenna Roper, Bioengineer and Former Chair of UCR’s Science to Policy Student Cabinet

UCR’s Science 2 Policy Program has a mission of mobilizing UC Riverside’s civic-minded scientists to address society’s most pressing challenges through proactive science advice, practical training, and direct participation in policymaking processes. This panel brings together 3 extraordinary women PhD leaders, spanning early, mid, and late career, bringing their knowledge of science to the world of policy in various ways. 

Read California State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh's bio.

Read Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gomez Reyes' bio.

Moderator: 

• Deanna Hendrick, Foundation Marketing & Communications Manager, IEHP Foundation

Panelists:

• Sky Allen, Executive Director, IE United
• Sabrina Gonzalez, Executive Director, Inland Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California
• Jessika Pollard, Policy and Pipeline Manager, Lift to Rise

Nonprofits play a vital role in public policy and advocacy, often serving as reliable and trusted resources for communities and policymakers.

A panel of nonprofit leaders from across the region and throughout various stages of their careers will share how they serve as committed advocates for their communities while lifting issues and providing solutions to policymakers and influencers in local, regional, state, and federal governments.  

Moderator: 

• Elizabeth Romero, Assistant Vice Chancellor, UCR’s Office of Governmental and Community Relations

Panelists: 

• Kathy Eiler, UCR Senior Director of Federal Relations
• Carina Cabrera, Inland Empire Deputy Regional Director, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
• Erin Edwards, Executive Director, Blue Zones Riverside

Read Dr. Liz Przybylski's bio.

Have lunch, network, and listen to an amazing DJ set by Dr. LP! During this time block, we will be serving boba and XCITE will be offering free professional headshots.

Mentors:

• Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs, Riverside County Board of Education Area 3 Trustee
• Estephani Camarillo, District Representative, 31st Senate District
• Maria Brunner, District Representative for the Office of Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gómez Reyes (50th District)
• Anais Franco, Field Representative for Assemblymember James C. Ramos in the 45th Assembly District
• Graciela Moran, Associate Director of Policy & Community Engagement, Inland Empire Community Foundation
• Andrea Shorter, Consultant, Social Impact & Political Strategies

Sessions:

1. UCR Women’s Resource Center & Planned Parenthood: Reproductive Justice 101 (HUB 355)

   Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest is excited to host a breakout session focused on the history and pillars of Reproductive Justice organizing. At a time when abortion access and reproductive rights are under attack like never before, it is imperative for us to know the steps we can take to protect our access to healthcare. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the Reproductive Justice “RJ” movement and how to confidently apply the RJ framework to their own advocacy efforts. This breakout session will also be engaging and interactive with time for activities and questions! 

2. IGNITE Your Political Power (HUB 367)

   Are you ready to IGNITE your political power? Since 2010, IGNITE has trained more than 35,000 high school, college, and young professional women across the country to discover and flex their power as advocates, policy makers, community organizers, campaign staffers, and candidates. In this interactive workshop, attendees will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to step into political leadership, advocate for issues they care about, and inspire others to engage in the political process.

   Panelists:

   Christine Hernandez, Senior Director of Programs at IGNITE

   Jocelyn Yow, Advocacy Director, IGNITE & Councilmember, City of Eastvale

3. TODEC (HUB 379)

   TODEC Legal Center is a lifeline for immigrants and their families in California's Inland Empire and Coachella Valley. This breakout session will focus on California-based benefits for vulnerable populations including food access, Medi-Cal, and more. These benefits are a need that students continue to uplift. 

    

Moderator:

• Denise Davis, UCR Assistant Director of Advocacy and Institutional Relations

Read Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson's bio.

Moderator:

• Julian Cuevas, California State Director, PolicyLink

Panelists: 

• Elizabeth Alcantar Loza, California Coordinator for Local Progress
• Briana Mullen, Executive Director at the Education Justice Academy 

Panelists:

• Jacque Casillas, Corona City Council Member
• Fauzia Rizvi, Western Municipal Water District Board Director
• Clarissa Cervantes, Riverside City Council Member 
• Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs, Riverside County Board of Education Member

Celebrate the end to an amazing conference with a networking reception at UCR's Alumni and Visitor Center, featuring a DJ set by KUCR!