In her legal work, Connie has led multi-racial coalitions of lawyers ...

In her legal work, Connie has led multi-racial coalitions of lawyers and clients to win more than $10 billion in damages and policy changes, through traditional class action civil rights cases redressing police misconduct, race and sex discrimination and unfair public policy in transportation, probation and public housing. She filed a landmark case on behalf of low-income bus riders that resulted in a mandate that more than 2 billion dollars be spent to improve the bus system.
Together with Co-Directors Molly Munger and Steve English, Connie launched a coalition lawsuit, Godinez v. Davis, that won approximately $1 billion for new school construction in Los Angeles and other urban areas - money previously slated for less crowded, more affluent suburban school districts. With these funds the Los Angeles Unified School District began its nationally recognized program to build over 66 new schools since 2001. After the court in Godinez required California to develop a new system for funding schools construction, Advancement Project was instrumental in assessing the need for adequate schools to serve all children in California and in crafting and shepherding three school construction bond initiatives that raised $25 billion for new and renovated facilities throughout the state, including $5 billion earmarked to relieve overcrowding in urban schools. This funding enabled California to build or renovate over 1 million school spaces since 2000. Connie then chaired the Independent Prop. BB Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee that monitored and evaluated how Los Angeles Unified School District used its allocation of school construction funds.
At the invitation of LAPD Chief William Bratton, Connie investigated the biggest police corruption scandal in Los Angeles history and obtained the commitment of the Chief to reform LAPD's training and incentives system through an internal commission that she co-chairs. Connie also conducted a landmark 18-month assessment of the City of Los Angeles' anti-gang programs and drew the blueprint to reduce gang violence through a regional, multi-jurisdictional comprehensive strategy to right the balance between suppression and prevention.
Prior to co-founding Advancement Project, Connie was Co-Director of the Los Angeles office of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, an associate at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster; and a clerk to the Honorable Damon J. Keith, judge of the United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Connie is a graduate of Harvard College and the New York University School of Law. In 2006, Los Angeles Times West Magazine named Connie one of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California, and California Law Business twice been named her one of the top 10 most influential lawyers in California. Connie serves on the boards of the Public Policy Institute of California and public radio station KPCC.

Molly Munger is a co-founder and director of Advancement Project. Molly brings an extensive background of legal expertise to the Advancement Project, including twenty years as a federal prosecutor and business litigator. Munger served with Advancement Project Co-Director Connie Rice as Western Regional Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 1994 to 1998. Between ...

Molly Munger is a co-founder and director of Advancement Project. Molly brings an extensive background of legal expertise to the Advancement Project, including twenty years as a federal prosecutor and business litigator. Munger served with Advancement Project Co-Director Connie Rice as Western Regional Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 1994 to 1998. Between 1974 and 1994, she served as an assistant United States Attorney, a partner in the all-women litigation firm Baird, Munger & Meyers, and a partner in the Los Angeles office of New York-based Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.
Together with Co-Directors Connie Rice and Steve English, Molly launched a coalition lawsuit, Godinez v. Davis, that won approximately $1 billion for new school construction in Los Angeles and other urban areas - money previously slated for less crowded, more affluent suburban school districts. With these funds the Los Angeles Unified School District began its nationally recognized program to build over 66 new schools since 2001. After the court in Godinez required California to develop a new system for funding school construction, Advancement Project was instrumental in assessing the need for adequate schools to serve all children in California and in crafting and shepherding three school construction bond initiatives that raised $25 billion for new and renovated facilities throughout the state, including $5 billion earmarked to relieve overcrowding in urban schools. This funding enabled California to build or renovate over 1 million school spaces since 2000.
Molly has been deeply involved in efforts to expand and improve early childhood education for several years; her work was critical to the development of thousands of preschool spaces that serve low income children in Los Angeles County, and California's Preschool Challenge, her report on statewide preschool space shortfalls spurred the creation of the Speaker's Task Force on School Facilities.
Molly serves as a Commissioner with First 5 California, and also serves on the boards of The James Irvine Foundation, Children Now, Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, and Westridge School for Girls.Molly received the Women Lawyers of Los Angeles Ernestine Stahlhut Award in 1996 and, with Co-Director Steve English, the ACLU of Southern California's Equal Justice Advocacy Award in 2002. Molly is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Together with Co-Directors Connie Rice and Molly Munger, Steve launched a coalition lawsuit, Godinez v. Davis, that won ...

Together with Co-Directors Connie Rice and Molly Munger, Steve launched a coalition lawsuit, Godinez v. Davis, that won approximately $1 billion for new school construction in Los Angeles and other urban areas - money previously slated for less crowded, more affluent suburban school districts. With these funds the Los Angeles Unified School District began its nationally recognized program to build over 66 new schools since 2001. After the court in Godinez required California to develop a new system for funding schools construction, Advancement Project was instrumental in assessing the need for adequate schools to serve all children in California and in crafting and shepherding three school construction bond initiatives that raised $25 billion for new and renovated facilities throughout the state, including $5 billion earmarked to relieve overcrowding in urban schools. This funding enabled California to build or renovate over 1 million school spaces since 2000. Steve led Advancement Project's work in crafting the bonds, advising on the implementing regulations and monitoring the state's progress in constructing schools.
A committed advocate for legal services for the poor, Steve has served as board president of three major service providers- Public Counsel, the Inner City Law Center, and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Steve also has served as President of the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation, and chaired the Litigation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He received the California State Bar President's Pro Bono Award in 1994 and, with Co-Director Molly Munger, the ACLU of Southern California's Equal Justice Advocate award in 2002. Steve is an honors graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School.

John Kim currently serves as the Co-Director of the Advancement Project LA and the Director of the Healthy City Project. John works closely with the other Co-Directors on the development of new policy research/advocacy initiatives, partnership building, and strategic organizational development efforts. John also oversees ...

John Kim currently serves as the Co-Director of the Advancement Project LA and the Director of the Healthy City Project. John works closely with the other Co-Directors on the development of new policy research/advocacy initiatives, partnership building, and strategic organizational development efforts. John also oversees all administrative, personnel, and fundraising components of the agency. At the same time, John is the founding director of the Healthy City Project which is an all-in-one service referral and public policy research website. Healthy City is widely regarded as one of the most important new tools for LA's public sector and has been acclaimed as a national model for data-driven policy planning resources. Through his work on Healthy City, John has provided direct policy and research support to local elected officials, philanthropic entities, and countless community-based organizations throughout the region.
John has long focused on social justice and community development issues in both Oakland and Los Angeles. He started his career as a youth organizer, where he helped to mediate racial tensions among students of color and organize a successful campaign to offer Ethnic Studies in all Oakland Public High Schools. Later on, he became the Executive Director of the Korean Community Center of the East Bay, where he significantly expanded the agency's financial base and programmatic capacity through the development of new programs in the areas of domestic abuse, community development and community technology. John's work in the Bay Area has been recognized by KQED/Channel 9 as the 2001 Local Hero of the Year Award and by Oakland's Mayor Jerry Brown with the proclamation of a "John K. Kim Day" in the City of Oakland.

Scott Dow brings an extensive background in legislative and practical teacher, school, school district, and education policy experience to the Advancement Project. Before coming to AP, she was a legislative advocate and worked in candidate and initiative campaigns for the California Teachers Association. Sharon served on California First Lady Sharon Davis' California Creativity Forum, a blue ribbon committee ...

Scott Dow brings an extensive background in legislative and practical teacher, school, school district, and education policy experience to the Advancement Project. Before coming to AP, she was a legislative advocate and worked in candidate and initiative campaigns for the California Teachers Association. Sharon served on California First Lady Sharon Davis' California Creativity Forum, a blue ribbon committee established to promote the arts in K-12 education. She also served as a CTA Training and Bargaining Specialist in Los Angeles County for over 50 CTA urban teacher associations, conducting training, negotiations, and consulting work in the areas of school finance and school district budget analysis, school reform, teacher professional issues, teacher compensation, organizing, and negotiations. For many years Sharon was an instructor at CTA's School Finance and Negotiations Institute and also served as CTA professional staff in the Anaheim and West Los Angeles areas. Sharon was a teacher of History, Foreign Language, Reading, and Art in the public schools of Klamath Falls, Oregon and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Oregon Education Association. She holds BS and MS degrees from Southern Oregon University.

Susan Lee has over 14 years of experience in non-profit management, strategic planning, fundraising, facility development, staff training & development and community engagement as well as research and expertise in immigration history and law. Her work in San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, has primarily focused on empowering and serving low income immigrant communities of color. Most recently, as ...

Susan Lee has over 14 years of experience in non-profit management, strategic planning, fundraising, facility development, staff training & development and community engagement as well as research and expertise in immigration history and law. Her work in San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, has primarily focused on empowering and serving low income immigrant communities of color. Most recently, as the Director of Children & Family Services at Koreatown Youth & Community Center, she successfully oversaw the implementation of a $5 million dollar Early Childhood Initiative resulting in two new facilities providing high quality child care for 105 infants, toddlers and preschool aged children. She brings program expertise in early childhood education & development, youth development, school readiness and success for K-12 students, outpatient mental health, and violence prevention.
Susan holds a BS in Economics from University of California Berkeley as well as a JD from Boalt Hall, School of Law, UC Berkeley and is currently on leave from the Ph.D. program in Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. In addition to being a member of the California State Bar, Susan has more than 6 years of experience teaching undergraduate courses in Asian American history and community issues at UC Berkeley, and has published on issues of immigration, citizenship and immigrant rights. Her scholarship has been recognized through numerous fellowships and awards, including the Jurisprudence Award from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1995. She is active in supporting other community based organizations and schools and is currently the Chair of the Larchmont Charter School Board of Directors, a start-up charter elementary school. Susan lives in Los Angeles with her husband Bobby, daughter Zoe and son Francis.

Kim Pattillo Brownson is a civil rights lawyer with litigation and advocacy experience in education and constitutional law. Kim currently oversees the day-to-day management of Advancement Project's Education team, and focuses on early education, school facilities and overcrowding, and school finance. Prior to joining the Advancement Project, Kim was an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of...

Kim Pattillo Brownson is a civil rights lawyer with litigation and advocacy experience in education and constitutional law. Kim currently oversees the day-to-day management of Advancement Project's Education team, and focuses on early education, school facilities and overcrowding, and school finance. Prior to joining the Advancement Project, Kim was an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, where she focused upon ensuring that the State of California provided school children with the basic necessities of a decent education. She also worked as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Kim began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Dolores Sloviter on the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Honorable Louis H. Pollak in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Kim holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College. Prior to law school, Kim worked at the Boston Consulting Group, where she provided financial and strategic planning services to Fortune 500 companies. Kim lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Omar, and her rapidly growing toddler, Simone.

Charles Watson has over 37 years of experience in the nonprofit field with fifteen of those years in Executive Leadership. For the past 14 years he has also been actively engaged in technical assistance, training and consultation as Senior Vice-President of The Oertel Group. He did his undergraduate work in Community Psychology at the University of Southern Colorado and holds an MBA in Organizational ...

Charles Watson has over 37 years of experience in the nonprofit field with fifteen of those years in Executive Leadership. For the past 14 years he has also been actively engaged in technical assistance, training and consultation as Senior Vice-President of The Oertel Group. He did his undergraduate work in Community Psychology at the University of Southern Colorado and holds an MBA in Organizational Development from National University. Since his entry in the field, he has overseen residential care, child abuse prevention, adoptions, counseling, domestic violence, in-home therapy, drug diversion, family crisis and youth services programs in a variety of positions. He is the past President and CEO of Interface Children Family Services of Ventura County. He also teaches Nonprofit Management at Cal State University at Northridge. Mr. Watson currently serves as a Commissioner with First 5 Ventura and the Director of the Community Commission for Ventura County. He also serves on the California Association of Nonprofits Board of Directors, the Tri-Counties Anti-Defamation League Board of Advisors and as the Treasurer for the CAN Insurance Services Board of Directors. Previously he was an active member of the Workforce Investment Board, Policy Academy for Ventura County, American Humanics Board, Multi-Agency Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, State Domestic Violence Advisory Group, State Department of Health Services Data and Evaluation Committee, State Department of Social Services (OCAP) Prevention Council, VC Tobacco Settlement Evaluation and Allocation Oversight Committee and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Chuck as gained recognition for establishing the first 2-1-1 system in California. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for excellence in Community Service and citizenship and recognized by Temple Beth Torah with the "Gesher" Award. He lives in Ventura with his wife of 25 years, Sara and his two teenage children - Daniel and Rachel.

Khydeeja Alam is a Legislative Advocate with the Advancement Project. She is an avid advocate for many children's issues, including access to quality school facilities, quality childcare and preschool access. She attended University of California, Berkeley, where she received her Bachelor's in Sociology; she was on the Dean's Honor List. During her time at Cal, Khydeeja was a scholar intern at the University of ...

Khydeeja Alam is a Legislative Advocate with the Advancement Project. She is an avid advocate for many children's issues, including access to quality school facilities, quality childcare and preschool access. She attended University of California, Berkeley, where she received her Bachelor's in Sociology; she was on the Dean's Honor List. During her time at Cal, Khydeeja was a scholar intern at the University of California Center in Sacramento (UCCS) and worked at Birdsall & Associates, an advocacy firm dedicated to education policy. Prior to the Advancement Project, Khydeeja worked for Assembly Member Anna Caballero as her district representative, where she was an effective liaison between the citizens, state government and community leaders.

Taisha attended Whittier College where she focused on in Religious Studies, Gender and Literature with a focus in post structuralism within biblical studies. She continued on to graduate school in New Jersey where she received her Master's Degree in Theological Studies with a focus on cultural studies. While in graduate school Taisha worked for United Way, a local and national organization ...

Taisha attended Whittier College where she focused on in Religious Studies, Gender and Literature with a focus in post structuralism within biblical studies. She continued on to graduate school in New Jersey where she received her Master's Degree in Theological Studies with a focus on cultural studies. While in graduate school Taisha worked for United Way, a local and national organization which seeks to support and strengthen communities by focusing on three core issues: Income, Education and Health. As a graduate student, Taisha was a member of TERRA (Transforming Ecological and Religious Resources into Action), Latin@ Caucus, and was the Orientation Coordinator for the Class of 2008. She is a member of academic honor societies, a recipient of community leadership scholarships, has performed in three productions of the Vagina Monologues and continues to be a community volunteer.

Inger joined AP in June 2009 to develop and manage a new program to increase transparency, accountability and equity in government finance. The new program results from AP's history of successes in using fiscal analysis to create systemic changes - in the fields of education and gang violence. Our allies in the private and public sectors voice frustration at the lack of access to fiscal ...

Inger joined AP in June 2009 to develop and manage a new program to increase transparency, accountability and equity in government finance. The new program results from AP's history of successes in using fiscal analysis to create systemic changes - in the fields of education and gang violence. Our allies in the private and public sectors voice frustration at the lack of access to fiscal decision-making processes and financial data and information. The new program will produce a user-friendly website to serve as a centralized source for government finance data and information, beginning with the L.A. region and will also offer analytical and advocacy tools. Inger joined AP after receiving her M.A. in Economics at Claremont Graduate University. Prior to her graduate studies, she was Senior Program Officer at the Women's Foundation of California where she managed their efforts in economic development and justice.

Janice Burns holds an M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA and a B.A. in Sociology and Black Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a student, she chaired the UCSB Student Commission on Racial Equality, sat on various Academic Senate and other student committees, and received a Dean of Social Sciences Research Award to research post-1965 housing development in Watts. She has several ...

Janice Burns holds an M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA and a B.A. in Sociology and Black Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a student, she chaired the UCSB Student Commission on Racial Equality, sat on various Academic Senate and other student committees, and received a Dean of Social Sciences Research Award to research post-1965 housing development in Watts. She has several years of volunteer and work experience in the youth development field having worked for the Children, Youth, and Family Collaborative, the Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement, and the UCLA Academic Advancement Program. She has conducted planning research for Beyond Shelter, Inc. and, prior to coming to Healthy City, conducted housing research and legislative analysis for the City of Long Beach.

Tahirah joined the Advancement Project after working with New Schools - Better Neighborhoods (NSBN), a civic advocacy organization dedicated to improving Los Angeles' urban school districts. At NSBN Tahirah was involved in mixed-use, school facility planning throughout LA County. Tahirah has an interest in bringing a sustainability perspective to address the urban planning challenges of creating ...

Tahirah joined the Advancement Project after working with New Schools - Better Neighborhoods (NSBN), a civic advocacy organization dedicated to improving Los Angeles' urban school districts. At NSBN Tahirah was involved in mixed-use, school facility planning throughout LA County. Tahirah has an interest in bringing a sustainability perspective to address the urban planning challenges of creating social equity, economic vitality and environmental justice for Los Angeles' underserved populations. Tahirah received a Master of Planning degree with a concentration in Social and Community Development as a Dean's Merit Scholar from the University of Southern California. She received a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Tahirah is also a board member of the Southern California Planning Congress, where she helps to prepare quarterly forums for planning professionals and students to discuss current events.

Before joining the Urban Peace team at The Advancement Project, James Huettig worked within the Civil Liberties program at Political Research Associates in Somerville, Massachusetts. There he provided research and editorial support for projects that examined post-9/11 law enforcement policy and strategy. Additionally, James aided in reviewing current studies and reports on urban violence and the criminal justice ...

Before joining the Urban Peace team at The Advancement Project, James Huettig worked within the Civil Liberties program at Political Research Associates in Somerville, Massachusetts. There he provided research and editorial support for projects that examined post-9/11 law enforcement policy and strategy. Additionally, James aided in reviewing current studies and reports on urban violence and the criminal justice system through IssueLab, an online library for non-profit research. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and International Studies from Northwestern University. He has also conducted multiple research projects on racial/ethnic issues, for which he has served as a guest lecturer for undergraduate courses and has presented at numerous conferences around the country.

Caitlin Kosec holds a Masters of Public Policy degree from Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in Education Policy and Nonprofit Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Mary Washington. Prior to joining the Advancement Project, Caitlin served as the Scholarship Director for the Carson Scholars Fund, where she implemented a national scholarship ...

Caitlin Kosec holds a Masters of Public Policy degree from Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in Education Policy and Nonprofit Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Mary Washington. Prior to joining the Advancement Project, Caitlin served as the Scholarship Director for the Carson Scholars Fund, where she implemented a national scholarship program for academically talented students. She has also served as a policy analyst and early childhood program evaluator for John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State College. Caitlin is originally from Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Erica Lawless graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Before joining the Advancement Project, she worked for the Disability Support Services Office at LMU, assisting students with physical, psychological, learning disabilities, and ADD/ADHD. As a student, Erica served as an active member of Isang Bansa (the Filipino and Filipino-American student organization) ...

Erica Lawless graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Before joining the Advancement Project, she worked for the Disability Support Services Office at LMU, assisting students with physical, psychological, learning disabilities, and ADD/ADHD. As a student, Erica served as an active member of Isang Bansa (the Filipino and Filipino-American student organization), helping to promote cultural awareness and diversity through campus involvement, community outreach, and cultural dance performances. Erica has also volunteered for the Pasadena Humane Society, as well as the Teen Outreach Program at Haven House Emergency Woman's Shelter and participated in workshops on teen dating violence and healthy relationships.

Kathleen Manis received her Master's of Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley. Before joining The Advancement Project's education team, Kathleen worked as a research analyst for K to College, a Bay Area education nonprofit committed to equal access ...

Kathleen Manis received her Master's of Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley. Before joining The Advancement Project's education team, Kathleen worked as a research analyst for K to College, a Bay Area education nonprofit committed to equal access to educational opportunity for low-income students, and continues to serve on their board of directors. While in graduate school, Kathleen worked for an international child welfare nonprofit in a policy research capacity, focusing on early childhood issues in orphanages in the developing world. Kathleen is committed to effective education and child welfare policy initiatives and reform.

As Senior Policy Analyst, Ms. Marshall works in a variety of research, coordination, and advocacy roles to manage issues around violence reduction and urban policy. Jamecca came to the Advancement Project from Team SAFE-T: A California Partnership for Safety and Preparedness where, as director of programs and development, she managed organization grants and donors and guided policy direction ...

As Senior Policy Analyst, Ms. Marshall works in a variety of research, coordination, and advocacy roles to manage issues around violence reduction and urban policy. Jamecca came to the Advancement Project from Team SAFE-T: A California Partnership for Safety and Preparedness where, as director of programs and development, she managed organization grants and donors and guided policy direction, school outreach and grassroots efforts to improve school safety and emergency readiness in California. From 2004-2006, Jamecca worked at the Alliance for Education as a Policy Analyst focusing on middle grade education reform. Jamecca received her AB in American Studies with Specialization in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University and Masters of Public Policy and History from The George Washington University. Jamecca is also a graduate of the Stanford in Washington Public Policy program and in 2004?2005 was fellow at the American Historical Society's National History Center. She is active in the community serving as an advisor and volunteer for several local organizations related to education, local history preservation, and mentoring.

Deidra McMorris brings a rich history of over 15 years in nonprofit support and fundraising to The Advancement Project. Before joining the AP team, Deidra worked for the Advisory Board of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Arts Magnet) supporting the Board of Directors as Office Manager/Executive Assistant. In this capacity she helped to launch and achieve a major ...

Deidra McMorris brings a rich history of over 15 years in nonprofit support and fundraising to The Advancement Project. Before joining the AP team, Deidra worked for the Advisory Board of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Arts Magnet) supporting the Board of Directors as Office Manager/Executive Assistant. In this capacity she helped to launch and achieve a major capital campaign to build and renovate the school in the Dallas Arts District. Previously, Deidra worked in the Los Angeles area with various national social service organizations to educate and encourage the community to participate in healthy lifestyles.

Maribel Meza received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Political Science concentrating in American Politics and two minors in Public Policy and Chicana/o Studies. Prior to joining the Urban Peace team with Advancement Project, she worked for UCLA BruinCorps, a community service project and for EdBoost Education as a SOURCE advisor. She has also participated ...

Maribel Meza received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Political Science concentrating in American Politics and two minors in Public Policy and Chicana/o Studies. Prior to joining the Urban Peace team with Advancement Project, she worked for UCLA BruinCorps, a community service project and for EdBoost Education as a SOURCE advisor. She has also participated in a number of internships at the city, state, and federal levels. While interning at the Washington Office on Latin America she worked with two gang experts that guided her research on the issue of youth gangs. Maribel is interested in helping youth and local leaders address the issues that push many kids and teens into a life of gangs. She also plans to obtain a masters in Public Policy.

Dagmar Paul earned her Master of Criminal Justice degree, with a concentration in Domestic Violence, from the University of Colorado Denver, for which she was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate by the School of Public Affairs. She received her undergraduate degree in Criminology (Sociology minor) from the University of Florida, and loves to cheer for the Gators. Before joining Advancement Project's ...

Dagmar Paul earned her Master of Criminal Justice degree, with a concentration in Domestic Violence, from the University of Colorado Denver, for which she was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate by the School of Public Affairs. She received her undergraduate degree in Criminology (Sociology minor) from the University of Florida, and loves to cheer for the Gators. Before joining Advancement Project's Healthy City Project, Dagmar worked as a teaching and research assistant at both Universities, where she discovered her passion for research and data analysis. Her past research has focused on campus safety issues, victimization, and law enforcement attitudes on domestic violence, and has been published in criminological journals. Dagmar also worked as a deputy court clerk in Oklahoma, where she served as the primary archives and protective order clerk and was the clerk's office representative on Garfield county's Domestic Violence Task Force. As a military spouse, Dagmar is motivated to make a positive impact on every community she becomes a member of in the course of that often-nomadic lifestyle. Dagmar is excited to seize this opportunity to make an impact in Los Angeles and the State of California by being a part of the Healthy City team.

Caroline Rivas joins Healthy City after serving as Policy Director for Expansion and Quality of Healthcare Coverage at Community Health Councils (CHC) in Los Angeles. Caroline has led national, state, and local coalitions to develop and implement creative initiatives to increase access to health insurance for children and adults. While at CHC, she advocated for systemic change to maximize and expand healthcare ...

Caroline Rivas joins Healthy City after serving as Policy Director for Expansion and Quality of Healthcare Coverage at Community Health Councils (CHC) in Los Angeles. Caroline has led national, state, and local coalitions to develop and implement creative initiatives to increase access to health insurance for children and adults. While at CHC, she advocated for systemic change to maximize and expand healthcare coverage and improve the quality of care provided to children and families. Caroline's previous work experience includes, Children's Institute International and Big Sisters of Los Angeles. Caroline holds a Master of Social Work from Boston University with a specialization in Human Service Management.

Christine Schweidler is the Senior Research Manager at the Healthy City Project, where she oversees project-based qualitative and quantitative research design and analysis. Some of her research projects include analysis of multicultural health disparities in California, community-based health and hazard assessment in the City of Los Angeles, childhood obesity prevention programming in Los Angeles ...

Christine Schweidler is the Senior Research Manager at the Healthy City Project, where she oversees project-based qualitative and quantitative research design and analysis. Some of her research projects include analysis of multicultural health disparities in California, community-based health and hazard assessment in the City of Los Angeles, childhood obesity prevention programming in Los Angeles County, Census 2010 complete count initiatives statewide. She has also published on access to knowledge from a human rights perspective. Christine comes to the Advancement Project (and Los Angeles!) after years of research, public health practice, and teaching, most recently in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During her time in Vietnam, she worked on community-based HIV programming; assisted in the development of rural health programs for women and children; and taught undergraduate courses in Health, Medicine, & Society at the School of International Studies. Prior to that she worked as part of a team of University of California, Berkeley researchers in rural Ecuador, conducting spatial analysis of diarrheal disease and its relationship 'development', environmental change. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate, holds an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania; and received her B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Eric Smith graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. While a student, he interned for three summers at New York City's affordable housing agency, HPD. While there, he completed a factor analysis of neighborhood characteristics that are relevant to housing policy. He also designed and built a database that allowed the agency to respond more quickly to requests for letters ...

Eric Smith graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. While a student, he interned for three summers at New York City's affordable housing agency, HPD. While there, he completed a factor analysis of neighborhood characteristics that are relevant to housing policy. He also designed and built a database that allowed the agency to respond more quickly to requests for letters of loan satisfaction. Eric plans to obtain a Ph.D. in sociology.

Shannon Ulrickson has recently completed the work for her Master's degree in Religion at Claremont School of Theology, with a focus on the arts. Prior to her graduate studies, Shannon worked in finance for a production company. Shannon has also previously served as a Program Director for the Alliance for the Care of Abused Children, where she connected community volunteers with Children's Social Workers ...

Shannon Ulrickson has recently completed the work for her Master's degree in Religion at Claremont School of Theology, with a focus on the arts. Prior to her graduate studies, Shannon worked in finance for a production company. Shannon has also previously served as a Program Director for the Alliance for the Care of Abused Children, where she connected community volunteers with Children's Social Workers in order to provide support for foster youth in Los Angeles County. Shannon received her undergraduate degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, and is excited to return to this diverse and vibrant community.