Monica E. Strauch
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Highly-motivated policy and advocacy professional with strong direct service, research and analysis, coalition management, and community building experience. Proven success in leading policy efforts around housing and homelessness, education, and economic justice. Seeking an opportunity to lead data and research-driven policy efforts to build a more equitable Bay Area.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Public Policy
United Way Bay Area (UWBA)
11.2022 - Current
- Research, analyze, and provide endorsement recommendations on local, state, and federal legislation related to housing, homelessness, and social supports for low-income individuals
- Serve as liaison between UWBA, UWBA Public Policy Committee, local and state policy coalitions, government officials and staffs, partner organizations, and various stakeholders
- Designed internal campaign plans to support future regional and statewide affordable housing ballot initiatives
- Support the development of housing justice coalitions in Marin, Napa, and Solano counties
- Led policy landscape analysis on community college students' access to basic needs support for a statewide higher education system
Coordinator, Public Affairs & Community Activation
United Way Of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA)
08.2021 - 11.2022
- Coordinated between coalition members, internal stakeholders, lobbyists, state and local elected offices to advance UWGLA’s housing, homelessness, education, and economic justice policy priorities
- Served on Steering, Organizing, Leadership Development, and Policy committees of the Our Future Los Angeles coalition – the coalition that led SB 679, a California state bill that established the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA)
- Tracked local and state meeting and hearing agendas, organized public comments and sign-on letters when UWGLA's policy agenda items were discussed
- Coordinated outreach and logistics for "Everyone In", UWGLA’s homelessness campaign workshop series, bringing community members into educational, engaging spaces to develop advocacy skills
- Supported strategy and fundraising meetings and organized for 'United to House LA', a 2022 ballot initiative
Coordinator, Individual Giving and Donor Services
United Way Of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA)
07.2019 - 08.2021
- Served as point of contact for all donors
- Answered questions about UWGLA's work and maintained all donor data
- Independently secured a $350,000 grant to fund UWGLA's Education and Community College Pathways work
- Independently organized internal fundraising department and external partners to volunteer for outreach on 'Yes on Measure J', a successful 2020 ballot initiative
AmeriCorps Team Leader and Student Success Coach
City Year
06.2017 - 06.2019
- Completed 3,400 hours of AmeriCorps Service through student mentorship and volunteer leadership
- Supported a 128% increase in student attendance, 77% increase in student GPA, and noticeable improvements in student disposition and behavioral markers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK05.2017
Skills
Policy research and analysis
Meeting facilitation
Project management
Public Speaking
Written and verbal communication
Coalition leadership
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Manager, Public Policy
United Way Bay Area (UWBA)
11.2022 - Current
Coordinator, Public Affairs & Community Activation
United Way Of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA)
08.2021 - 11.2022
Coordinator, Individual Giving and Donor Services
United Way Of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA)
07.2019 - 08.2021
AmeriCorps Team Leader and Student Success Coach
City Year
06.2017 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Oklahoma