Jack Yao, Founder/Principal |
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Jack Yao is a veteran Democratic strategist, fundraiser and trainer. Jack has managed the campaigns of Democrats in highly-targeted seats across the country, has trained hundreds of staff and candidates, and serves as a contributor to publications such as Advancing Philanthropy and The Major Gifts Report. He was named a 40 under 40 AAPI Politico in the country by NAAPPPA (National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs), and received the President's Service Award under the Obama Administration.
Jack founded Sustainable Change Strategies LLC in 2018 after seeing first-hand the need for individualized support for political campaigns around the country, particularly down-ballot. SC Strategies specializes in providing individualized consulting that will maximize the potential of your campaign.
In his career, Jack has led teams that have raised over $40 million in total. As the Principal Consultant and Founder of SC Strategies, he has helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot all across the country. His proudest accomplishments include flipping a seat Republicans held for the last 40 years, helping pass the largest bond ever for our community college students ($5.3 billion to repair aging infrastructure at all Los Angeles community colleges), and electing outspoken progressives to Congress and state legislatures across the country. Jack has also developed and led both staff and candidate trainings for organizations such as the National Democratic Training Committee, California Young Democrats, the Kentucky Democratic Party, and various county parties.
Prior to his career in politics, Jack started his career wearing a variety of hats, co-founding a local media company in his hometown of Claremont, later working as the Team Content Director of Celtics Nation as well as in Hollywood publicity at the longstanding firm Marleah Leslie & Associates. He started his fundraising career at American University and Gallaudet University, later serving as the Director of Development at It Takes Two, Inc., a non-profit focused on providing support for single-parent students and families in the DMV area.
Jack studied Political Studies at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. In his spare time, Jack enjoys watching the Warriors and Dodgers, coaching youth sports, and sharpening up his skills in the kitchen.
Jack founded Sustainable Change Strategies LLC in 2018 after seeing first-hand the need for individualized support for political campaigns around the country, particularly down-ballot. SC Strategies specializes in providing individualized consulting that will maximize the potential of your campaign.
In his career, Jack has led teams that have raised over $40 million in total. As the Principal Consultant and Founder of SC Strategies, he has helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot all across the country. His proudest accomplishments include flipping a seat Republicans held for the last 40 years, helping pass the largest bond ever for our community college students ($5.3 billion to repair aging infrastructure at all Los Angeles community colleges), and electing outspoken progressives to Congress and state legislatures across the country. Jack has also developed and led both staff and candidate trainings for organizations such as the National Democratic Training Committee, California Young Democrats, the Kentucky Democratic Party, and various county parties.
Prior to his career in politics, Jack started his career wearing a variety of hats, co-founding a local media company in his hometown of Claremont, later working as the Team Content Director of Celtics Nation as well as in Hollywood publicity at the longstanding firm Marleah Leslie & Associates. He started his fundraising career at American University and Gallaudet University, later serving as the Director of Development at It Takes Two, Inc., a non-profit focused on providing support for single-parent students and families in the DMV area.
Jack studied Political Studies at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. In his spare time, Jack enjoys watching the Warriors and Dodgers, coaching youth sports, and sharpening up his skills in the kitchen.
Tom Dallas, Consultant
Tom joined SC Strategies in early 2021, where he helps the team's clients maximize their fundraising potential and reach their operational goals.
In the 2020 cycle, Tom served as the Campaign Manager on SC Strategies’ clients Bobby Bliatout for Congress and later Drew Phelps for Assembly, helping them raise a total of over $1.3 million. Previously, Tom worked as a consultant for Overland Strategies, and as Campaign Manager and Field Director for targeted campaigns across California.
Tom is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento and is an avid fan of the movies.
In the 2020 cycle, Tom served as the Campaign Manager on SC Strategies’ clients Bobby Bliatout for Congress and later Drew Phelps for Assembly, helping them raise a total of over $1.3 million. Previously, Tom worked as a consultant for Overland Strategies, and as Campaign Manager and Field Director for targeted campaigns across California.
Tom is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento and is an avid fan of the movies.
Sierra Klein-Kassab, Consultant
Sierra serves as a Consultant for SC Strategies, helping our clients optimize their campaign fundraising and voter outreach.
Prior to SC Strategies, Sierra served on the Finance team for Gretchen Driskell's 2020 campaign for Congress, helping her raise over $1.65 million. She has also worked with former Michigan State Rep. Kristy Pagan, helping elect Democrats across the state of Michigan.
Sierra is a graduate of the National Democratic Training Committee's Staff Academy, and received her BA from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she still resides.
Prior to SC Strategies, Sierra served on the Finance team for Gretchen Driskell's 2020 campaign for Congress, helping her raise over $1.65 million. She has also worked with former Michigan State Rep. Kristy Pagan, helping elect Democrats across the state of Michigan.
Sierra is a graduate of the National Democratic Training Committee's Staff Academy, and received her BA from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she still resides.
Maya Lozinsky, Senior Fellow
Maya joined SC Strategies as a Fellow in the spring of 2022. She serves as a graphic designer and copywriter on multiple SC Strategies projects.
Maya started her interest in politics by knocking doors and organizing voters in purple Bucks County, PA prior to the 2020 general election. She also works as a Writing Tutor at Scripps College, and has interned for the International Institute of New England.
Maya is a rising senior at Scripps College in Claremont, CA.
Maya started her interest in politics by knocking doors and organizing voters in purple Bucks County, PA prior to the 2020 general election. She also works as a Writing Tutor at Scripps College, and has interned for the International Institute of New England.
Maya is a rising senior at Scripps College in Claremont, CA.
Caroline Welch, Fellow
Caroline joined SC Strategies as a Fellow in the summer of 2022.
In the 2020 cycle, Caroline started her work in politics as a Lead Field Organizer for the California Democratic Party in Contra Costa County. After November, she worked in the field for Jon Ossoff's historical run-off election for US Senator in Georgia. Caroline also serves as a Senior Intern for CA Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
Caroline is studying at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, where she also plays NCAA lacrosse.
In the 2020 cycle, Caroline started her work in politics as a Lead Field Organizer for the California Democratic Party in Contra Costa County. After November, she worked in the field for Jon Ossoff's historical run-off election for US Senator in Georgia. Caroline also serves as a Senior Intern for CA Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
Caroline is studying at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, where she also plays NCAA lacrosse.
Here is a partial list of campaigns and organizations our team has worked on, either as a senior-level staffer or in a consulting capacity:
Organizations
National Democratic Training Committee, Washington D.C.
California Democratic Party, California
Kentucky Democratic Party, Kentucky
Senate Democratic Caucus, California
CALVoter, California
California Young Democrats, California
California Teachers Association, California
American Federation of Teacher Local 1521. California
Association of Placentia-Linda Educators, California
Democratic Party of Orange County, California
Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, California
Midwest Victory PAC, Iowa
End Police Brutality PAC, California
Contemporary Policy Institute, California
OCCORD 501(c)(4), California
Flip the West, California
Build the Bench PAC, California
Federal Campaigns
Cori Bush for Congress, Missouri (IE)
Jill Tokuda for Congress, Hawai’i
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez for Congress, New Mexico
Diane Mitsch Bush for Congress, Colorado
Jay Chen for Congress, California (IE)
Asif Mahmood for Congress, California (IE)
Andy Thorburn for Congress, California
Andrew Learned for Congress, Florida
Bobby Bliatout for Congress, California
Nicole Parra for Congress, California
Lourin Hubbard for Congress, California
Gary Wegman for Congress, Pennsylvania
Kylie Taitano for Congress, California
Chris Preece for Congress, Kentucky
Colin Byrd for Senate, Maryland
State, County and Local Campaigns
Measure LA, California (IE) ($5.3 billion bond approved by voters)
Proposition 1, California (IE) (Enshrined the right to abortion in CA constitution)
CICA 19-11, Florida (Marijuana Legalization and Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Sales Initiative)
Yvonne Yiu for State Controller, California
Ted Lieu for State Senate, California
Cathleen Galgiani for State Senate, California
Michael Rubio of State Senate, California
Lou Correa for State Senate, California
Leticia Perez for State Senate, California
Luis Chavez for State Senate, California
Corey Jackson for State Assembly, California
Tasha Boerner Horvath for Assembly, California
Andrew Learned for State House, Florida
Jess Self for Assembly, California
Fauzia Rizvi for Assembly, California
Drew Phelps for Assembly, California
Jose Sigala for Assembly, California
Christina Fugazi for Assembly, California
Sarah Davis for Assembly, California
Lourdes Everett for Assembly, California
Los Angeles Unified School Board Member Monica Garcia, California (officeholder account)
Lori Frugoli for Marin County DA, California
Kim Nguyen for Orange County Supervisor, California
Olga Diaz for San Diego County Supervisor, California
Gracie Torres for Riverside County Supervisor, California
Andy Thorburn for Orange County Board of Education, California
Ulises Cabrera for Moreno Valley Mayor, California
Ashleigh Aitken for Anaheim Mayor, California (IE)
Beckie Gomez for Tustin Mayor, California (IE)
Adrienne Gladson for Orange Mayor, California
Chris Ricci for Modesto City Council, California
James Michael Bowers for Lincoln City Council, Nebraska
James Cho for Fullerton City Council, California
Noha Elbaz for Clovis City Council, California
Mark Vargas for San Antonio City Council, Texas
Stephanie Oddo for Laguna Niguel City Council, California
George Moyer for Long Beach Prosecutor, California
Kelsey Iino for Los Angeles Community College District Board, California (IE)
Sara Hernandez for Los Angeles Community College District Board, California (IE)
Steve Veres for Los Angeles Community College District Board, California (IE)
Gabriel Buelna for Los Angeles Community College District Board, California (IE)
Tiger Cosmos for Orange Unified School Board, California
Carrie Buck for Placentia-Linda Unified School Board, California (IE)
Karin Freeman for Placentia-Linda Unified School Board, California (IE)
LaShe Rodriguez for Placentia-Linda Unified School Board, California (IE)
Misty Janssen for Placentia-Linda Unified School Board, California (IE)
Eric Padgett for Placentia-Linda Unified School Board, California (IE)
David Crockett for Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee, California
Kevin Hayakawa for Walnut Valley Water Board, California
Ray Brown for Superior Court Judge, California; and more.