Isel Cuapio
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Communications leader with a proven record of driving impactful narrative change campaigns in Indian Country.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director of Communications and Storytell
IllumiNative
Los Angeles , CA
07.2024 - Current
- Devised strategy for quarterly social media calendar.
- Gathered and monitored national press and social media for information impacting Native communities.
- Assist in managing the performance and development of the Storytelling and Communications team, including setting goals, conducting evaluations, and offering professional development guidance.
- Provide regular updates to the Director on team achievements, challenges, and ideas to enhance efficiency and impact.
- Manage online rapid response operations and preparations.
- Collaborated with vendors to develop integrated ad programs aligning departmental strategies.
Digital Organizer
Keep LA Housed Coalition
Los Angeles, CA
07.2023 - 07.2025
- Managed social media platforms and social media strategy.
- Produced graphics, long and short-form videos, 1-pager briefs for internal and external communications.
- Draft and finalize public comment toolkits for city and county meetings, draft letters of demands to city leaders, draft press and media advisories, and coordinate speakers for press conferences.
- Produce graphics, long-form, and short-form video. Draft and finalize public comment toolkits for city and county meetings, and create other outbound communications for the coalition.
Digital Organizer
Native Power Political Action Committee
Los Angeles , CA
01.2025 - 06.2025
- Managed and trained 10 canvassers in collaboration with the Working Families Party to run phone and text programs for the 2020 election cycle.
- Hosted volunteer phone and text banks sessions for Get Out The Vote efforts in Indian Country.
- Led training sessions for internal staff and coalition partners on how to effectively use digital tools for online organizing.
- Managed budgeting and reporting on a daily basis for our legal team to ensure C4 compliance.
Communications Manager
California Native Vote Project
Los Angeles, CA
01.2020 - 06.2024
- Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy.
- Adapt to changes in the social justice landscape through timely communications.
- Lead content development across work areas, including graphics, reports, websites, and other communication vehicles.
- Manage media relations, including training based on media interviews, writing press releases, gaining earned media, serving as a spokesperson for the organization, and managing press contacts.
- Manage, monitor, and analyze all communication channels, including email campaigns, the website, social media, text messaging, platforms, and other tools.
Program Associate
Chrissie M. Castro & Associates
Los Angeles, CA
05.2020 - 07.2022
- Coordinated and oversaw the successful completion of 10 projects for different clients, ensuring that all deliverables were met within the specified timeline.
- Organized and executed three statewide digital online campaigns focused on policy change for Native American communities, resulting in a growth of our subscriber list from 2,000 to 35,000.
- Successfully led a statewide report project in collaboration with Catalyst California and the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH).
- Coordinated travel, scheduling, meeting requests, and calendar of the CEO.
Segment Producer and Writer
First Nations Experience Television Network (PBS)
San Bernardino, CA
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Produced captivating multimedia content featuring American Indian and Alaska Native communities across California.
- Researched topics for segments and developed related content.
- Secured funding and investment for projects through pitches and presentations, leading to a $50,000 grant from Ethnic Media Services.
On Air Talent and Producer
91.9 KVCR (NPR Affiliate Station)
San Bernardino, CA
06.2016 - 12.2019
- Conducted in-depth research and interviews to develop informative on-air segments for the afternoon news magazine, All Things Considered.
- Established partnerships with community leaders and elected officials to secure media coverage.
- Recorded audio of various programs and live broadcasts.
- Made promotional appearances at public or private events to represent radio station.
- Researched and studied background information to prepare for programs or interviews.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA06-2017
Skills
- Narrative Change Campaigns
- Infographics & Asset Development
- Press Releases, Media Advisories
- Data & Research
- Grant Writing and Fundraising
- Phone and Text Bank Tools
- Action Network and other CRMs
- Content calendar scheduling platforms
- Project Management Platforms Asana, Monday, Slack, Trello
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe
- Team Management
- Project Budgeting
Affiliations
Board of Directors
Social Movement Technologies Foundation a 501c3 non-profit
Certification
- Recipient of Digital Campaigning Certificate Program (DCCP) 2021
- Ads Apprenticeship Fellow Social Movement Technologies
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Digital Organizer
Native Power Political Action Committee
01.2025 - 06.2025
Associate Director of Communications and Storytell
IllumiNative
07.2024 - Current
Digital Organizer
Keep LA Housed Coalition
07.2023 - 07.2025
Program Associate
Chrissie M. Castro & Associates
05.2020 - 07.2022
Communications Manager
California Native Vote Project
01.2020 - 06.2024
Segment Producer and Writer
First Nations Experience Television Network (PBS)
01.2019 - 12.2019
On Air Talent and Producer
91.9 KVCR (NPR Affiliate Station)
06.2016 - 12.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Riverside
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