Alice Montes- Christopher (She/Her/Ella), Immediate Past President/ Advisor
Alice is a Government Relations Advocate for SEIU UHW where she leads on immigration initiatives, workforce, and healthcare and labor policy affecting healthcare workers across California. She was formerly a Senior Legislative Aide for California State Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, where she staffed Health, Education, Public Safety, Agriculture, Water, and the Utilities and Energy committees.
Alice received a Bachelors from the University of California Davis in Political Science-Public Service and a Masters from Pepperdine Caruso Law School in Legal Studies and Dispute Resolution.
She joined Fem Dems in 2018 and has since served as Community Service Committee chair, Finance Director, Membership Director, Vice President, President for Fem Dems and now the advisor. She is also the President of Hermanas Unidas inc Alumni Association, Vice President of the Latinx Young Dems, and Vice Chair of the Natomas Community Planning Advisory Committee.
In her down time she enjoys volunteering, traveling, spending time with her pitbull and husband, and cooking/baking.
Contact Alice at Alice@femdems.org
Erika Valle (She/Her), President
Erika is a Sacramento native and UC Davis alumna, and she serves as a State Legislative Analyst for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, overseeing legislative activities related to air quality and environmental policy.
Previously, she was a Legislative Aide in the State Assembly, staffing major legislation and mentoring interns and fellows. She also served three years as Policy Director for the Sacramento County Young Democrats, and on the Fem Dems board as both Communications Director and Media Relations Director. She chaired the Policy and Legislation Committee for the California Young Democrats and currently serve as their National Committee Person.
Contact Erika at Erika@femdems.org
Melissa Sagun (She/Her), Vice President
In her day job, Melissa is a Senior Legislative Assistant working in the California State Legislature. Prior her current job, she did advocacy and consulting work for nonprofits and philanthropy groups, and also was a Capital Assembly Fellow.
Melissa has been involved on a number of boards, serving currently as the Legislative Director Filipino American Democratic Caucus and previously as President of the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association. She was also involved with the Feminist Democrats of Sacramento and the Sacramento Filipino Political Action Committee back in 2022. Melissa graduated from UCR in 2020 earning a BA in Political Science and minor in Public Policy.
Contact Melissa at Melissa@femdems.org
Veronica Boulos (She/Her),
Communications Director
Veronica Boulos immigrated from Egypt when she was 4 years old, which is a large part of her Identity that greatly inspires her involvement. She received her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Sac State where she founded the Arab Student Union and Planned Parenthood Generation Action. She was elected twice to the Associated Students Board, and founded the SWANA Center!
Veronica has interned in the CA Legislature and House of Representatives and is the current chair the CYD Womxn’s Caucus.
She is driven every single day by her community, passion, and values, which she brings into every aspect of her work.
Contact Veronica at Veronica@femdems.org
Elizabeth Meza (She/Her),
Secretary
Elizabeth identifies as a Latina and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She takes great pride in her Mexican and Guatemalan heritage and is deeply passionate about uplifting vulnerable communities through systems change and meaningful community engagement.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at Sacramento State, where she hopes to expand her knowledge on affordable healthcare, immigration, and higher education policy.
Originally from Boyle Heights, a community in East Los Angeles, her lived experiences have shaped the issues she cares most about. She now calls Sacramento home, where she lives with my partner, best friend, and mini goldendoodle, Benito.
Contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth@femdems.org
Jasleen Bains (She/Her),
Pipeline Programming Director
Jasleen Bains is a program manager at Capitol Impact, where she focuses on workforce development and education initiatives that make talent pipelines more equitable and accessible across the Sacramento region.
A UC Berkeley Sociology graduate, she has always been drawn to understanding why systems fail people and how to fix them. The daughter of Sikh immigrants and one of four sisters, Jasleen was raised by women who never let being women be a limitation.
She currently serves as Vice Chair of the CYD Womxn's Caucus, where she connects and mentors the next generation of women leaders statewide.
Contact Jasleen at Jasleen@femdems.org
Karina Paredes (She/Her), Political Affairs Director
As Policy Advocate for the Higher Education Team at Public Advocates, Karina works closely with college student leaders and student groups across the state of California to hear and elevate their concerns. She is also responsible for identifying policy issue areas of import to students that align with Public Advocates’ higher education policy advocacy and develop and advance student-centered advocacy campaigns around those issues.
Throughout her undergraduate career at the University of California, Berkeley, she focused on elevating and supporting students by being involved in student government, progressive student-led coalitions, and women empowerment spaces. Karina graduated with a BA in Legal Studies and Social Welfare and a minor in Education.
Growing up in the Central Coast as a low income first-generation student, she understands the barriers that students of color face and is passionate about supporting students because she firmly believes higher education is a key that all should have available to use.
Contact Karina at Karina@femdems.org
Talia D’Amato (she/her, they/them), Media Relations Director
Born and raised (mostly) in Los Angeles, Talia moved to Northern California in 2016 to pursue their B.A. in Political Science - Public Service with minors in Human Rights and French. They have four years of experience working in law and public policy spaces, and are currently a Committee Assistant in the California State Senate.
Talia has been an active FemDems member for almost three years. They love poetry, music, being outside no matter the weather, and supporting their friends and community members.
Contact Talia at Talia@femdems.org
Alison Kostusak (She/Her),
Finance Director
Alison is currently a Policy Analyst for Senator Pérez where she covers Health and Energy issues. Previously she was with Senator Eggman as a Legislative Aide.
Outside of her 9 to 5, she’s on the Sacramento Semester Program Alumni Association Board and the CLARA Board. Alison has a deep commitment to mentorship and giving back to her community. In her spare time she enjoys time with her dog, traveling, and running.
Contact Alison at Alison@femdems.org
Kaitlyn Raygoza (She/Her),
Treasurer
Kaitlyn graduated from CSU Sacramento where she double majored in Political Science and History.
She grew up in Modesto, CA with her mother and three siblings where her passion for public service and community engagement began.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family/friends and reading.
Contact Kaitlyn at Kaitlyn@femdems.org
Emelia Martinez (She/Her), Member Services and Outreach Director
Emelia Martinez works in communications at a housing non-profit in Sacramento. Previously, she spent six years focusing on higher education affordability at Rise, leading advocacy and communications campaigns across California, Michigan, New Mexico, Georgia, and Wisconsin. Her work contributed to the passage of the New Mexico Scholarship Act, Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Frontline Workers Program, and California’s tuition-free community college expansion.
She also spent a year in digital communications and print for California Latinas for Reproductive Justice.
Outside of work, Emelia enjoys tree planting, reading, and exploring the chemistry behind skincare
Contact Emelia at Emelia@femdems.org