City Level – NewDEAL

Xay Khamsyvoravong

Rachel Walsh — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:55 +0000

Xay Khamsyvoravong

City Councilmember | Newport, RI

Xaykham Rexford Khamsyvoravong, Esq., known as “Xay” (pronounced “sigh”) is an experienced civic leader and trusted expert on state and local finances. Xay has spent his career helping communities address challenges ranging from funding infrastructure to improving public education. He is currently serving as the Mayor of Newport, Rhode Island.

Attracting over 3.5 million visitors per year and serving as the home to nationally important institutions like the US Naval War College, Newport’s future depends on its ability to put residents first as it addresses major challenges facing the City. As Mayor, Xay has championed policies to improve housing, infrastructure, education, and economic development. In his first term, Xay worked to crackdown on illegal short-term rentals, adopt a modern Master Transportation Plan, provide a winter warming center for the unhoused, increase after-school programming, and restructure government with a focus on resiliency and sustainability.

Rachael Heisler

Rachel Walsh — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:24 +0000

Rachael Heisler

City Controller | Pittsburgh, PA

Rachael Heisler was elected Controller for the City of Pittsburgh in 2023; she is the first woman and youngest person to serve in this city-wide position. From 2021 through 2023, she served as Deputy Controller under then-Controller Michael Lamb. An expert in sustainable public finance, she spent seven years as a senior advisor at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the country’s leading federal fiscal watchdog group, running the organization’s external affairs efforts. She served on the staff of Congressman Jason Altmire for six years, and she worked on the inaugural campaign of U.S. Senator Bob Casey.

Controller Heisler is on the board of the Northside Food Pantry Advisors, the Allegheny YMCA, Cafe Momentum PGH, and Pittsburgh’s Jewish Family and Community Services. She serves as a Pennsylvania representative with the United States Navy’s Community Ambassador Program, is a 2022-23 Wechsler Fellow with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and the chair of the City of Pittsburgh’s 22nd Ward Democratic Committee.

She lives in Pittsburgh’s Central Northside neighborhood. Heisler has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree from Penn State University.

Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson

Rachel Walsh — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:23 +0000

Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson

City Councilmember | Santa Cruz, CA

Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson is committed to community well-being and works towards this in her professional, elected and volunteer roles. Shebreh was first elected to Santa Cruz City Council in November of 2020 and reelected for a four year term in March of 2024. Shebreh’s has focused her city council work on youth well-being, addressing the challenges around homelessness, increasing affordable and workforce housing, enhancing economic vitality, environmental stewardship, climate response, and improved transportation systems. As a pro-growth leader, Shebreh has worked on housing development in the community. Shebreh formed a council sub-committee dedicated to actively revising our local Housing Element to include forward thinking policies that promote all levels of housing. One of the key initiatives Shebreh championed includes the introduction of ministerial approval for housing projects, particularly those designated as 100% affordable. In her nearly four years of service on the City Council, Shebreh takes pride in my unwavering support for housing projects, consistently voting ‘yes’ on all proposals to advance our community’s housing needs. Shebreh’s philosophy on housing is that to uphold our community’s core values of equity, diversity, and well-being, we must embrace housing diversity at all affordability levels and types.

Shebreh has also focused on a vibrant and safe downtown. She has focused on policies and initiatives such as permanent outdoor dining, downtown ambassadors’ program, activation of alley-ways, and ensuring a vibrant and clean downtown for both locals and visitors. Shebreh has supported filling empty storefronts with high-opportunity industries and implementing administrative streamlining for first-time business owners. Currently, Shebreh is leading a policy effort to address negligent property owners that negatively impact safety and experience of community members and visitors.

Shebreh is also commitment to environmental sustainability. When coastal erosion occurred during the 2023 California storms, Shebreh worked with the city teams to restore coastal safety and develop a long-term coastal resiliency plan. Shebreh also serves on the public transportation board, the Metro, and served as Board chair in 2023. Shebreh has also been focusing improved bike safety including safe routes to schools.

Shebreh has demonstrated her commitment to the community and the community has responded with the relreection to her second term by attaining over 70% of the votes.

Shebreh received her B.A. in Psychology and French/Francophonie Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and a Masters in Social Work from San Jose State University. She is a mother of two boys, is married and lives in Santa Cruz California. Shebreh is a native of Iran and has lived in Santa Cruz, CA for over 20 years.

Kesha Hodge Washington

Rachel Walsh — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:14 +0000

Kesha Hodge Washington

City Councilmember | Phoenix, AZ

Kesha Hodge Washington was sworn in as District 8 Councilwoman on April 17, 2023, she is the first African-American woman to be elected to the Phoenix City Council. Councilwoman Hodge Washington serves on the Audit Committee, the Economic Development and Housing and Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittees, and her top priorities in the district are homelessness, affordable and attainable housing, and economic development.

Within months of joining Council, Councilwoman Hodge Washington stepped up to co-chair the general obligation bond outreach campaign and worked diligently to ensure its successful passage, becoming the first bond package passed in over twenty years. With her leadership, the bond received overwhelming support to secure $500M investment for various city projects ranging from public safety and infrastructure/new and renovated facilities to economic development and sustainability measures.

On Council, Councilwoman Hodge Washington remains a vocal advocate for housing protection and combatting the devasting, long-lasting impacts that flow from an eviction and homelessness. Among other measures, she leads in calling for protective initiatives, such as right to counsel programs, that bring balance and fairness to the eviction process. Councilwoman Hodge Washington also values inclusivity and transparency in all aspects of government. She ensured those principles were extended to the City’s Civilian Review Board and successfully championed for the inclusion of ethical standards and procedural safeguards to ensure equal access for information, further fostering a more accountable and just system.

Tom Beckius

Andrea Cruz — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:01 +0000

Tom Beckius

Councilmember | Lincoln, NE

Tom Beckius serves as an at-large city councilmember in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since 2009, Tom has served the city through volunteer and elected governance on numerous boards, including the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission, Lincoln City Libraries, Community Health Endowment of Lincoln and Lincoln Commission on Human Rights. His work with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group in the field of attraction and retention of young professionals was adopted statewide by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in 2017.

In addition to city service, Tom owns and operates several businesses in real estate and construction. Tom earned a BA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a Bohnett Leaders Fellow, having studied at Harvard’s Kennedy School in 2022. Tom currently serves on the Board of Counselors for University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Community Advisory Council for Lincoln Public Schools.

Brian Knudsen

Rachel Walsh — Wed, 03 May 2023 01:00:17 +0000

Brian Knudsen

City Councilmember | Las Vegas, NV

Brian Knudsen was elected to represent Ward 1 in June 2019, enabling him to continue to pursue his passion for public service. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2005, Councilman Knudsen has built programs and services for people and populations in Las Vegas and continues to serve the community as a member of the City Council. Brian was named Mayor Pro Tem on Dec. 21, 2022.

Mayor Pro Tem Knudsen currently serves on many boards and committees directly impacting the growth and infrastructure of Las Vegas. Brian chairs the Recommending Committee and he serves as a proud member of the Regional Transit Authority, Southern Nevada Health District, Southern Nevada Community Health Center, Springs Preserve, National League of Cities Large City Council and LGBTQ Council, Network Adequacy Advisory Council, Commission on Nuclear Projects and Regional Flood Control District.

For nearly a decade, Mayor Pro Tem Brian worked in the city of Las Vegas on initiatives that shaped the downtown core, redefined the educational landscape, and rethought how city services are provided to Las Vegas residents. As a Councilmember, Brian now focuses his energy on: transforming the landscape of the Las Vegas Medical District to bring world-class healthcare to the Las Vegas Valley, working with key community leaders to overhaul the crisis management system in our community which are aimed at increasing safety across the board, and improving overall outcomes for Ward 1.

Mayor Pro Tem Knudsen has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Utah in health education and mass communications. He also has a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California.

Brian is happily married and he and his husband have adopted two children. Mayor Pro Tem Knudsen believes that his children, and all Las Vegans, deserve leadership committed to making Las Vegas an even better place to live, work and play. He plans to continue to build a community that ensures equal opportunity, has great schools, provides strong public safety, preserves our neighborhoods and strives to be world class in all we do.

Colin Parent

Andrea Cruz — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:52:43 +0000

Colin Parent

Former City Councilmember | La Mesa, CA

Colin Parent was elected to the La Mesa City Council in November 2016.

Currently, Colin works as the Executive Director and General Counsel at the nonprofit Circulate San Diego. He is responsible for advocating for affordable transit, safe walkable neighborhoods, and effective land use policy.

Colin served on the Jerry Brown for Governor 2010 campaign, and was appointed by Governor Brown as the Director of External Affairs for the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Prior to working for Governor Brown, Colin practiced law for three years as a commercial litigator at the San Diego office of the international law firm of DLA Piper US LLP. During 2013 and 2014, Colin served as the Director of Policy at the San Diego Housing Commission.

Colin is a serial social entrepreneur in San Diego. He co-founded the San Diego Leadership Alliance, an organization that trains young San Diegans to be equipped for civic leadership. As a board member of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego, he chaired the first ever coalition to grade the environmental records of elected officials in the City of San Diego.

Colin grew up in East County San Diego and is a graduate of Valhalla High School, U.C. San Diego, and NYU Law School. He enjoys spending time with his Kindle, and taking pictures of his food.

Nantasha Williams

Andrea Cruz — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 23:45:49 +0000

Nantasha Williams

Councilmember | New York, NY

Nantasha is a community leader, social justice advocate, and political organizer committed to affecting real change in her community. Creating new economic opportunities, youth development, housing, and protecting our seniors are her top priorities. It is her mission to serve the residents of her hometown, Southeast Queens, New York, and continue its rich legacy into the future.

Nantasha founded the New York City Black Women’s Political Club, an avenue to build political power for Black women across New York City in 2019. In recognition of her exceptional work and allegiance to her community, Nantasha was honored as one of Albany’s Top 40 under 40 by City & State. But Nantasha’s champion spirit for human rights, women’s rights, and racial equality extends beyond the borders of her home state. She helped lead operations and organizing efforts for one of the largest demonstrations in American history, the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. Nantasha has also organized other demonstrations across the country, leading the charge for protesters demanding representation and implementation of legislative policies for women’s rights and racial justice. Previous to being elected to the City Council, Nantasha served as the Project Manager for Minority Women Business Enterprise Compliance, and helped initiate community outreach efforts for the JFK Redevelopment Program.

Ashley Vanorny

Andrea Cruz — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 23:41:05 +0000

Ashley Vanorny

Councilmember | Cedar Rapids, IA

Councilmember Ashley Vanorny became the second youngest Councilmember to serve Iowa’s second largest city, Cedar Rapids in 2017. Currently is serving in her second term and serves on the Development Committee, Public Safety and Youth Services Committee, Safe, Equitable, and Thriving (S.E.T.) Grant Committee, Area Ambulance Board of Directors, and is a Corridor Municipal Policy Organization member. She is very active in the Iowa League of Cities, having completed the Municipal Leadership Academy and received her Certified Elected Municipal Official designation in 2020. In 2022, Councilmember Vanorny was elected as the first woman from Cedar Rapids, first woman in 12 years and one of the youngest ever to become President-elect for the Iowa League of Cities Executive Board.

Ms. Vanorny graduated from Kirkwood Community College (2012) with an A.S., having studied Criminal Justice. From the University of Iowa she earned a B.S. in Psychology (2014) with an emphasis on Neuroscience and a B.A. in Political Science (2014) with an emphasis in International Relations and American Institutions. She completed her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Des Moines University in 2021 and currently serves professionally in Healthcare Administration.

Councilmember Vanorny is a very active volunteer and currently serves on the Linn County Foster Care Review Board, the Linn County League of Women Voters Board, and as an Education Vice President Advisor to Rho Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta. Councilmember Vanorny is a 2018 cohort of the New Leaders Council-Des Moines Chapter, is in the Young Elected Officials Network serving as a Regional Director, and is an alum of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (North Macedonia, 2022). Councilmember Vanorny serves on the Community and Economic Development Committee and as a Race, Equity, and Leadership (R.E.A.L) Council Member with the National League of Cities. In 2020 she was recognized as 35 Under 35 by the Young Elected Officials Network, and was recognized by the Corridor Business Journal as Forty Under 40.

James Gore

join.us — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 21:24:48 +0000

James Gore

Supervisor | Sonoma County, CA

Serving his home county in Northern California for the last seven years, James has shown steadfast and innovative leadership through an unprecedented barrage of fires, floods, droughts, and more. He has become a well-known champion of resiliency by engaging and empowering residents through recovery and rebuilding in the wake of wildfires. James led efforts to secure historic regional, state, and federal funding for emergency preparedness and infrastructure investments. He’s also a key local and state leader on housing, homelessness, and behavioral health.

During the pandemic, James led the California State Association of Counties as President through the multitude of statewide prevention and response actions. Locally, he spearheaded the creation of Sonoma County’s Office of Equity to take on the disparate impacts of COVID on underserved communities.