Ever since I began my journey in public service as a teenager, I have been deeply committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through community advocacy across all levels of government. Over time—and especially through my Gardner Fellowship—I’ve come to understand that grassroots organizing and advocacy can take many different forms. Throughout my life, I’ve consistently been involved in community-based efforts, always drawn to the power of organizing from the ground up.
During my Gardner Fellowship, my primary goal was to understand how public policy is implemented in practice and how those policies directly impact communities. I am currently serving my placement with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the Office of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe. Working in local politics can be challenging, particularly when confronting the tangible effects of federal policies such as cuts to essential programs like Medi-Cal and SNAP, or ICE raids that deeply harm our community members. These are the very programs our county is tasked with distributing and protecting. This placement has been an eye-opening and humbling experience that has contributed significantly to my personal growth as a leader.
Among the many activities and events I’ve participated in, one of the most impactful was witnessing the transformation of a board letter into adopted policy. My most memorable board meeting took place on December 10th, when Supervisor Montgomery Steppe introduced a board letter in response to the public outcry over numerous deaths in San Diego County jails, an issue that has resulted in the county paying millions in legal settlements. The letter successfully expanded the authority of the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB), a move that not only strengthened oversight but also helped families in their healing process by holding institutions accountable for preventable in-custody deaths.
As part of this effort, I supported the drafting of the board letter by conducting in-depth research into CLERB’s bylaws, performing comparative analysis of similar oversight bodies in other counties, and reviewing over 70 past recommendations issued to the Sheriff’s Department. I read and summarized hundreds of pages of legal briefings and case documents related to more than ten individuals who died while in custody and synthesized my findings into a policy memorandum to inform future decisions.
The John Gardner Fellowship has provided me with invaluable professional experiences in the months following graduation, offering a front-row seat to public service and policy work. I am deeply thankful to the Institute of Governmental Studies for equipping me with the tools to pursue a career in public service, and I remain committed to amplifying underrepresented voices.
My fellowship placement offered valuable insight into policy work within an elected official’s office and how state and federal decisions impact local communities. While the experience came with challenges, it strengthened my resilience, self-advocacy, and teamwork. I’m especially grateful for the mentorship within my office, which played a key role in my growth as a public servant.