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 California, as well as in seven other states. His proudest accomplishments include flipping a seat Republicans held for the last 40 years, and electing outspoken progressives to 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. He grew up in Claremont and still lives just miles from his childhood home. In his spare time, Jack enjoys watching basketball, 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 California, as well as in seven other states. His proudest accomplishments include flipping a seat Republicans held for the last 40 years, and electing outspoken progressives to 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. He grew up in Claremont and still lives just miles from his childhood home. In his spare time, Jack enjoys watching basketball, 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
California Democratic Party, California; Kentucky Democratic Party, Kentucky; National Democratic Training Committee, Washington D.C.; Senate Democratic Caucus, California; CALVoter, California; California Young Democrats, California; Democratic Party of Orange County, California; Midwest Victory PAC, Iowa; End Police Brutality PAC, California; Contemporary Policy Institute, California; OCCORD 501(c)(4), California; Flip the West, California; California Teachers Association, California; Association of Placentia-Linda Educators, California; Build the Bench PAC, California; Gallaudet University, Washington D.C.
Federal Campaigns
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez for Congress, New Mexico; Nicole Parra for Congress, California; Andy Thorburn for Congress, California; Andrew Learned for Congress, Florida; Bobby Bliatout for Congress, California; Diane Mitsch Bush for Congress, Colorado; Raul Ruiz for Congress, California; Tracy Van Houten for Congress, California; Kylie Taitano for Congress, California; Lourin Hubbard for Congress, California; Gary Wegman for Congress, Pennsylvania; Chris Preece for Congress, Kentucky; Colin Byrd for Senate, Maryland
State, County and Local Campaigns
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; Jose Sigala for Assembly, California; Drew Phelps 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; Lori Frugoli for Marin County DA, California; Kim Nguyen for Orange County Supervisor, California; Olga Diaz for San Diego County Supervisor, California; Andy Thorburn for Orange County Board of Education, California; Adrienne Gladson for Orange Mayor, California; Chris Ricci for Modesto 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; Tiger Cosmos for Orange Unified School Board, California; 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.