CPEHN Welcomes New Staff
Over the last few months, CPEHN has added new staff in both our Oakland and Sacramento offices! We are so happy to have them join our CPEHN team! Help us welcome them to CPEHN!
Jillian Rice, Communications Manager, joined CPEHN with years of progressive experience in strategic communications, marketing, public policy, and grassroots organizing. Her experience and background have positioned her to take on projects targeting diverse audiences, challenges, and goals. Jillian has led communications campaigns in both the private and public sectors – carrying policy ideas from development to implementation across multiple levels of government.
Previously, Jillian worked on health care delivery system reform projects at a mission-driven health policy consulting firm. She provided policy, communications, outreach, and project management support for clients as they aimed to expand access to and improve the quality of health care programs. Jillian produced a variety of creative collateral and digital content. She also supported the firm’s internal communications and marketing efforts. Prior to consulting, Jillian served as a Communications Director for the California State Assembly in the Central Valley. Jillian holds a B.A. in political science from California State University Bakersfield.
Emily Patterson, Executive Assistant, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science. Before joining CPEHN, she worked on the policy team for a local California campaign and tutored students in political science. Emily’s experience includes domestic policy, digital media communications, production management, and program support.
Ricardo Sainz-Ayon, Legislative Associate, graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a B.A. in Politics and Latin American & Latino Studies. Ricardo’s professional expertise has made him skillful in state and federal legislative affairs. Prior to CPEHN, Ricardo aided prominent Members of Congress, including former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Mark Takano, examining the pharmaceutical impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and championing adequate healthcare for our nation’s veterans.
Born in San Bernardino, CA, Ricardo is eager to combine his passion for health equity and community engagement to achieve prosperity for overlooked communities. He is a keen advocate for a holistic approach to public health and enjoys forging programs and events in order to promote these issues. Ricardo enjoys preparing migrants for the naturalization process and using technology to hone in on their English skills. With CPEHN, Ricardo hopes to further advocate for communities of color throughout California and ensure they always have a seat at the table.
Rachel Katz, Director of Finance and Administration, specializes in building the strength and effectiveness of organizations, especially in times of growth. In this role she oversees finance, human resources, technology, office operations, and grants administration.
Prior to joining CPEHN, Rachel has provided nonprofit management at a variety of organizations over the last twenty years including the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Global Student Embassy, The Mosaic Project, and as a founding member of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage. She has a BA in Feminist Studies from Stanford University and MS in Biology from Truman State University.
Michelle Parra, Intern, is a Sociology Doctoral student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University. At SF State, Michelle worked at the César E Chávez Research Institute, where she worked on several policy driven research projects analyzing the disparities communities of color face. During her undergraduate studies, Michelle worked as a bilingual rape crisis advocate, to address the needs of women who experience gendered violence. Her personal experiences as a working-class Latina with a single mother have greatly influenced her academic trajectory. In the future, Michelle hopes to become a faculty member at a public institution, producing research that analyzes the inequalities women of color navigate.