Visión y Compromiso, CA
Consultant, 2022 to present
Marj serves as a Policy Consultant for Visión y Compromiso, advocating for state and federal policies that support and advance the critical work of Promotoras (Latina Community Health Workers). As part of a dedicated team, Marj contributed to securing a $10 million investment in California nonprofits that train, fund, and empower Promotoras to strengthen community health and well-being.
New Left Accelerator
Board Member, 2023 to present
Marj serves on the Board of Directors for New Left Accelerator, an organization dedicated to empowering progressive organizations by providing strategic guidance, funding, and resources. Through this work, Marj helps advance bold, innovative initiatives that drive social change and strengthen progressive movements.
Women’s Foundation of California
Campaign Director, 2017 to 2019
Marj served as Campaign Director for the JustCARE campaign. justCARE: Campus Action for Reproductive Equity builds student power to lift barriers to abortion care on California University campuses. While campus health centers provide quality health care at low or no cost, no campus clinics in the state now provide abortion care, and many do not have an abortion provider close by. Once a student has made the decision to end a pregnancy, it can be hard to raise the money or find transportation. The State of California now requires public university student health centers to offer the abortion pill on college campuses, which is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy up to 10 weeks, and would improve the access to abortion in California.
Coalition for a Strong Nebraska, Omaha, NE
Director, 2015-2019
Led the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska, growing the coalition to a group of over 100 service provider and advocacy nonprofit organizations, and foundations, who promote investments in common-sense public policy solutions that create opportunities for a great start, good life, and better future for all Nebraskans. The Coalition focuses on poverty alleviation, fair employment, educational opportunities, access to public benefits, including supports for work, housing, and food.
Black Futures Lab, Oakland, CA
Consultant, 2020
Led the development of the year-long Black to the Future Public Policy Institute. The Institute is a national policy advocacy and leadership training fellowship that provides the tools needed to transform Black communities into constituencies that wield independent, Black political power.
Sherwood Foundation, Omaha, NE
Consultant, 2019-2020
Partnering with Category One, Marj consulted on their study called Building Effective Collective Policy Advocacy. The goal of this project was to conduct research regarding best practices and strategies for focusing and setting policy priorities for coalitions with nonprofit organization members. The study included interviews with leaders to understand effective processes for identifying policy priorities and working toward shared outcomes and a literature review of scholarly and mainstream sources to understand recommendations and tactics used by similar groups.
Women’s Fund of Omaha
Consultant, 2019-2020
Partnering with Category One, Marj consulted on their project called Reproductive Rights in Nebraska: The purpose of this project was to conduct a study focused on understanding reproductive rights in Nebraska, including the current landscape, the need for change, and the path to advancement. Results from the study can be used to guide actions, align stakeholders, and support future evaluation. The process was structured around a statewide research initiative utilizing data, literature, and feedback for over 100 individuals representing diverse perspectives across the state of Nebraska.
California Breast and Gynecological Cancer Treatment Task Force
Lead Consultant, 1999-2002
Marj served as lead consultant for the California Breast and Gynecological Cancer Treatment Task Force. This statewide collaboration among breast cancer, public health and women’s organizations created a state program that has grown to be a $2 billion California state program providing life-saving treatment to thousands of women each year.