Maite Junco, now Senior Vice Chancellor at CUNY, reflects on her years as a reporter, on campaigns, and as a government staffer — from the New York Daily News to the Clinton ’92 presidential campaign to advising Letitia James’ historic campaign for New York Attorney General. She dives into what it takes to lead, navigate crises, and build a career in public service.

Melissa Morales, founder and president of Somos Votantes and Somos PAC – built the largest independent Latino voter engagement operation in the country after starting her career in campaigns and organizing. On the episode, she shares her journey from small-town Kansas to leading a $33 million voter mobilization effort, discusses the Democratic Party's challenges with Latino voters, and reflects on what authentic organizing looks like in today's political landscape.

Somos Votantes

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This STAFFER guest – Shuwanza Goff, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Empire Consulting Group – recently served in the Biden White House, where she was the first Black woman to lead any administration's legislative team. On the episode, she talks about breaking barriers, managing historic bipartisan negotiations, and so much more. Listen now.

Anne Filipic – CEO of Share Our Strength – has more than 20 years of experience at the highest levels of government, campaigns, and advocacy. She has worked on House and Senate campaigns, at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the White House (twice), the DNC, and served as CEO of Enroll America, the organization tasked with signing up millions of Americans for health care under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more about Anne’s journey, her ongoing commitment to public service, Share our Strength’s mission to combat hunger and poverty, and much more on this episode.

As the state’s chief legal officer, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is at the forefront of addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges. Hear what he has to say about the role of his department in meeting this moment, why people looking for new opportunities should consider joining the CA DOJ, and what inspires him to keep fighting for social justice for all.

In light of all that has been happening to government employees over the last six weeks, we are releasing a special edition of STAFFER to recognize the invaluable work staffers do for our communities. Indiscriminate, poorly reasoned firings threaten more than the people directly affected – they threaten the functioning and fabric of our democracy. Listen to the full episode now.

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STAFFER guest Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, has been on Washingtonian Magazine’s list of 500 Most Influential People for three years running. Prior to founding his own firm, Bruce served as counsel at the NRCC, General Counsel and Policy Director for the House Republican Conference, Policy Counsel at Cisco, and Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Carlos Monje has worked in government for some of the biggest names in DC, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Pete Buttigieg, over the course of his nearly 25-year career. In this episode, he shares stories about his experience working in the Senate, on presidential campaigns, at the White House and Department of Transportation, and now leading JP Morgan’s Policy Center.

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