With rapid changes and funding instability at the federal level, California’s leadership has never been more critical. Coordination among local, regional, and statewide leaders is urgently needed to ensure the sustainability of our state’s pioneering climate investments and the advancement of community-driven energy, climate, and land-use policies.
Policy Bridge will bring together diverse leaders to:
- Bridge the Local–State Policy Divide
Connect local leaders with state legislators, consultants, and agency directors to foster stronger communication and collaboration.
- Amplify Community Voice in Policymaking
Elevate the insights of local organizations and elected officials as essential partners with on-the-ground knowledge.
- Strengthen Local Policy Engagement Capacity
Provide education, tools, and strategies to build sustainable advocacy frameworks across regions and jurisdictions.
- Drive Actionable Policy Outcomes
Shape recommendations that address local needs, reduce barriers, and improve state–local coordination. - Launch an Ongoing Advocacy Ecosystem
Build durable coalitions and develop a policy playbook to support sustained and effective local engagement in state decision-making.
Who Should Attend
The Policy Bridge is an invite-only event for:
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- Local elected officials
- Legislators
- Legislators’ staff
- Local Government staff
- Regional government representatives
- Nonprofit and community advocates
- State agency staff
- Others!
Agenda
The conference will take place on Monday, February 9, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento, California. Lunch will be provided.
The below agenda is tentative and subject to change at any time. Speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Pre-Event Coffee Hour
10:00 – 10:45 am
Welcome
- Bernadette Austin
Legislative Update
- Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate, Nielsen Merksamer
- Steve Hansen, Managing Partner, Lighthouse Public Affairs
What do we know about place-based priorities?
- Angie Hacker, CEO and Principal Consultant, Prosper Sustainably
10:45 – 11:30 am
Fireside Chat: Policy Pathways to Affordable Decarbonized Reliable Energy
- Das Williams, Director of Legislative and External Affairs, Central Coast Community Energy
- Alelia Parenteau, Sustainability and Resilience Department Director, City of Santa Barbara
- Arlis Reynolds, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Future Energy Enterprises and Councilwoman, City of Costa Mesa
- Casey Dailey, Director of Energy & Environmental Programs, Western Riverside Council of Governments
11:30 – 11:45 am
Break
11:45 – 12:30 pm
Fireside Chat: Creative, Sustainable Funding Solutions
- Mary Collins, Consultant, Climate Forward Strategies
- Jessie Buendia, Chief Impact Officer, Coalition for Green Capital
- State Senator Christopher Cabaldon
- State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin
- State Senator Ben Allen
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch with Keynote speaker
- Welcome by Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty
- State Senator Catherine Blakespear
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Policy Innovations
2:15 – 2:45 pm
Roundtable Discussion 1
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Break
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Roundtable Discussion 2
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Moving forward on place-based progress through policy: Roundtable report out and discussion
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Happy Hour!
Registration
Registration is Open!
The fee for this event is $75 per person. If you are interested in attending, please click here.
Sponsorship
The CivicWell Policy Bridge is an invite-only event for state and local leaders. Event sponsorship includes complimentary registration for attendees. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, view the Sponsorship Brochure and contact info@civicwell.org for information.
For More Information
For questions about registration and logistics, please contact:
Heather Killion
(916) 448-1198 x303
hkillion@civicwell.org
Thank you to our Sponsors!
