Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Sheila DeBlonk

Sacramento,CA

Summary

Dynamic political strategist and creative consultant with a proven track record at Capitol Campaigns, successfully leading over 140 campaigns and generating over $2 billion in local school bonds. Expertise in fundraising and community organizing, coupled with strong team leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, drives impactful results in diverse political landscapes.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner / Creative Consultant / Political Strategist

CAPITOL CAMPAIGNS & CAPITOL EVENTS
Sacramento, USA
01.1999 - Current
  • Company Overview: Co-founded a progressive, full-service consulting firm based in Sacramento that was involved at every level of government, community organizing, and issue advocacy.
  • Served as creative consultant and political strategist for over 140 campaigns including candidates for state and local office, tax measures, issue measures and over 2 billion dollars' worth of successful local school bonds.
  • Fundraised for political campaigns and non-profit organizations and organized everything from legislation action days to large scale community festivals.
  • Additionally, I have conducted complex seminars and created dynamic instructional materials to educate the public, office holders, and governmental agencies on a variety of topics.
  • Clients were a mix of candidates, nonprofit organizations, local governments, unions, and business associations.
  • Co-founded a progressive, full-service consulting firm based in Sacramento that was involved at every level of government, community organizing, and issue advocacy.
  • Campaign Consulting: Recruited and trained talented teams of campaign managers, graphic artists, and fundraisers.
  • Produced comprehensive campaign strategies and timelines.
  • Wrote and designed targeted direct mail pieces for campaigns and independent expenditure groups.
  • Facilitated successful volunteer and paid grassroot campaigns.
  • Community and Volunteer Organizing: Established large grassroot volunteer programs for campaigns and community advocacy.
  • Identified and developed community leaders to promote and support volunteer efforts.
  • Influenced and expanded inclusiveness by encouraging diverse residents, faith-based organizations, local businesses, unions, and city officials to participate with community outreach events and activities.
  • Facilitated the creation of community-based leadership boards and committees across the Sacramento region.
  • Governmental Advocacy: Developed and implemented communication strategies that included newsletters, media outreach, and town hall meetings for local governments to positively connect with the community and neighborhood leaders.
  • Fostered reliable connections between diverse organizations.
  • Expanded community attendance at hearings and direct testimony.
  • Fundraising: Fundraising consultant for dozens of candidates, initiatives, and non-profits.
  • Developed and maintained an extensive in-house fundraising data management system.
  • Created fundraising plans and worked with community and business coalitions to optimize fundraising outcomes.
  • Supervise and assist paid and volunteer fundraising staff.
  • Event Management: Managed and marketed large community festivals, charity banquets, and non-profit sporting events.
  • Mobilized volunteers, local municipalities, and local business to participate in event logistics.

Political Structure and Development / Fundraising Director

CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Authored and presented candidate development programs which included a detailed candidate training course.
  • Provided candidate evaluations and individualized consulting.
  • Orchestrated the implementation of a statewide, regional PAC program.
  • Launched a major donor retention program to solidify long term donations and generate new funding sources.
  • Worked with school board members and community leaders to cultivate locally run, volunteer support structures.

Project Coordinator/ Marketing Advisor

TRANSPORTATION CALIFORNIA
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Managed all administrative activities for a statewide association.
  • Safeguarded the passage of the Road Repair and Accountability Act through a recall election.
  • Provided political guidance and strategic marketing proposals.
  • Mobilized advocacy days at the State Capitol.
  • Fostered and increased membership participation through consistent correspondence.
  • Provided ongoing data analysis, composed grant submissions, and developed association budgets.
  • Wrote press releases and facilitated media events.
  • Modernized graphics and marketing materials.

Executive Assistant

CIVICWELL
01.2021 - 01.2024
  • Executive Assistant to the Policy Director.
  • Proofreading, formatting, and submitting Support/Opposition letters.
  • Managing the Policy Director's calendar, scheduling meetings and appointments, preparing correspondence, and handling travel arrangements.
  • Preparing policy analysis materials for meetings and presentations.
  • Taking care of expenses and reimbursements.
  • Created templates for Bill tracking and analysis.

Education

B.A. - Communications

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA
01.1992

Skills

  • Political strategy and campaign planning
  • Fundraising and budget management
  • Community organizing and volunteer coordination
  • Data analysis and program optimization
  • Media outreach and communications
  • Public speaking and presentation skills
  • Team leadership and supervision
  • Stakeholder engagement and relationship building
  • Policy writing and development
  • Event management and execution
  • Training management and staff oversight
  • Analytical skills and problem-solving strategies
  • Cross-functional team collaboration
  • Organizational structuring and adaptability

Timeline

Executive Assistant

CIVICWELL
01.2021 - 01.2024

Project Coordinator/ Marketing Advisor

TRANSPORTATION CALIFORNIA
01.2017 - 01.2019

Political Structure and Development / Fundraising Director

CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
01.2015 - 01.2016

Owner / Creative Consultant / Political Strategist

CAPITOL CAMPAIGNS & CAPITOL EVENTS
01.1999 - Current

B.A. - Communications

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

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