Welcome to our first edition of “Meet the Policy Team” here at the Equity in Education Center. Each week, we’ll feature one of the key people helping move EEC’s equity agenda forward. Our team is made up of an amazing group of folks, all of whom bring a different frame to the work and are committed to improving the lives and experiences of Washington’s students and their families and caregivers.
Each year, as the legislative session approaches, our team comes together to discuss and analyze the most pressing equity issues facing our kids and assess where we will likely have the most impact. From there, we generate a legislative agenda and assign staff to mobilize the community, communicate with decision makers, and sometimes share their own lived expertise with the issue at hand. We also work closely with coalitions of community members and like-minded organizations to help elevate the voices of students and families in the legislative space.
What excites/interests you in legislative and policy work?
What excites me most about legislative and policy work is the power of community-driven change. Advocacy isn’t just about policies on paper—it’s about amplifying the voices of families, educators, and community members to shape systems that truly support them. Having experienced firsthand the barriers that language, economic status, and inequitable policies create, I am deeply committed to ensuring that those most impacted are at the center of decision-making. Whether it’s fighting for early learning funding, protections for dual language learners, or housing stability, I believe in the strength of collective action to create meaningful, lasting change. Seeing families, advocates, and policymakers come together to push for policies that reflect real community needs is what drives me. It’s empowering to be part of a movement that addresses immediate challenges and builds a more just and equitable foundation for future generations.
How did you get your start in legislative/policy work?
My work with immigrant communities during the COVID-19 pandemic shaped my start in legislative and policy work. As families faced job losses, food insecurity, and a lack of access to government relief programs, I saw firsthand how policy decisions left many behind—especially undocumented and mixed-status families. During this time, I worked closely with community members to help them navigate the Washington Immigrant Relief Fund (WIRF) application, ensuring they could access financial support despite the systemic barriers. Through this work, I witnessed the immediate struggles families faced and the power of collective advocacy. Seeing the impact of policies—both the ones that excluded our communities and the ones we fought for—pushed me to become more involved in legislative efforts to ensure immigrant families were not overlooked in future relief and social programs.
My passion for advocacy is deeply personal. Growing up in an immigrant household, I experienced the challenges that come with language barriers, economic instability, and navigating systems not designed for us. My parents worked tirelessly while facing policies that failed to recognize their contributions and needs. These experiences shaped my commitment to ensuring families like mine don’t have to struggle in silence. I know that when communities come together, real change happens. That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to policy work—so that families can access the resources and opportunities they deserve regardless of their status or background.
What have you learned?
Through my work in legislative and policy advocacy, I have learned that change happens when communities come together to make their voices heard. One of the most important lessons has been understanding the power of storytelling—how sharing lived experiences can shift perspectives, influence policy decisions, and bring about systemic change. I’ve seen firsthand how policies that seem distant or bureaucratic have real, tangible effects on families and that advocacy isn’t just about policy language—it’s about people’s lives.
I’ve also learned that navigating policy work requires persistence and a deep understanding of the systems at play. Policy change is often slow, filled with barriers, and influenced by those who hold power. But I’ve seen that we can make a difference when communities organize, when we show up to testify, engage in coalition work, and hold policymakers accountable. Working with immigrant families during COVID-19 reinforced that policies are only as effective as their accessibility. If families don’t know about resources or face obstacles in applying, then the policy isn’t truly serving them. That’s why advocacy must go beyond policy creation to focus on implementation, outreach, and ensuring that systems are equitable at every level.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that I belong in these spaces. For so long, policy work felt out of reach—something led by people with political backgrounds or institutional power. But I now understand that lived experience is expertise. My perspective, story, and community’s needs matter in shaping policies that work for everyone. This realization fuels my commitment to advocating for early learning, immigrant rights, and economic justice.
Is there a particular bill or set of bills/issues you are working on this session?
This legislative session, I am focused on advocating for HB 1217, which would cap annual rent increases and provide much-needed housing stability for families. Housing insecurity is one of the most significant barriers to early learning success, as families facing skyrocketing rents are often forced to move, disrupting children’s education and community support systems. Alongside housing protections, my priorities include increasing state investments in childcare access and workforce support, expanding healthcare access for immigrants—particularly in maternal health and doula services—and strengthening food security programs for young children and families. These issues are deeply interconnected, and my advocacy is centered on ensuring that policies reflect the needs of those most impacted, particularly immigrant and low-income families who continue to face systemic barriers.
What advice do you have for advocates/community members about how to make change in their communities?
“Change happens when we organize, speak up, and push for policies that reflect the realities of the people most impacted.”
My advice for advocates and community members looking to make change is to start with their own lived experiences and the needs of their communities—those stories and firsthand perspectives are powerful tools for advocacy. Change happens when we organize, speak up, and push for policies that reflect the realities of the people most impacted. Whether attending local meetings, testifying at legislative hearings, or simply conversing with neighbors about shared struggles, every action contributes to a more significant movement.
Building relationships is key—connect with organizations, coalitions, and policymakers who align with your values and can help amplify your efforts. Policy work can feel overwhelming, but no one has to do it alone. Find allies, learn how to navigate the systems in place, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or demand accountability from leaders.
Most importantly, persistence is everything. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and challenges will be along the way, but every small step matters. Even if a policy doesn’t pass immediately, raising awareness, mobilizing support, and staying engaged creates the foundation for future success. Community power is real; when people come together with a shared vision, they can make a lasting impact.