Advancing Democracy and Civil Liberties Amidst National Backlash

Sylvia (she/her) joined CCRF as Executive Director in 2024 after participating as a Coalition member for nearly 10 years and having served 6 years on the Executive Advisory Committee. She is a seasoned leader and a champion for reproductive health, rights and justice, with more than a decade of experience in coalition building.

Sylvia has successfully led efforts to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care in California, and her work resulted in the enactment of public policies that have served as models in other states. During her tenure as Director of Government + Community Affairs at Essential Access Health, Sylvia shaped and advanced the organization’s state policy platform and developed patient education and consumer awareness initiatives. She also oversaw the Women + Health Care Reform Coalitions in Sacramento County and the Bay Area. Additionally, she served on the steering committee for the End the Epidemics coalition, which convenes 75 California partners to bring an end to STIs, HIV, viral hepatitis and overdose. Prior to joining Essential Access, Sylvia was a Policy Analyst at AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles, where she advocated for the health and wellness of patients and their families and communities. A native of Los Angeles, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Latin American Studies from UCLA and attended the University of San Francisco Public Affairs graduate program.

Marisol is responsible for leading program development and curriculum for the Solís Policy Institute (SPI)-State, SPI-Local, and Funders Policy Institute as well as Women Foundation California’s overall policy advocacy strategy. She is a Solís Policy Insitute alum and believes all people have the right to thrive, including a living wage, health care, education, and affordable housing. A first generation Mexican/Xicana-identified, intersectional feminist, Marisol was the Associate Director and founding member of the California Latinas for Reproductive Justice’s (CLRJ). For the last 12 years, she served on the board of California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, most recently as its President. Marisol graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Marisol is a travel enthusiast and enjoys her loyal companion, a playful dog named Frida.

Ola Osifo Osaze (any pronoun) is a formerly undocumented trans migrant of Edo and Yoruba descent who was born in Nigeria and is now based in NYC. A past grantee and fellow now serving as the Cultivation Strategist, Ola is excited to lead TJFP’s fundraising and resource organizing strategies in partnership with the Fund’s incredible staff and supporter community.

Ola has amassed decades of organizing, movement building, and fundraising experience within, and on behalf of, LGBTQ+ BIPOC  and migrant communities. Ola was the founding director of the Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project and co-founded the Black Migrant Power Fund. As a resource organizer and fundraiser, Ola is most invested in co-creating and/or sustaining movement-led initiatives which utilize a Black, Queer and Trans liberatory lens.

Among other things, Ola is also a writer, perpetual traveler, foodie, afrobeat enthusiast, and dog parent. 

Yuan (she/they) is a transgender, non-binary Chinese-American organizer, & the Executive Director of Lavender Phoenix (formerly known as APIENC). After starting at Lavender Phoenix as a Summer Organizer apprentice, Yuan served as Lavender Phoenix’s Trans Justice Community Organizer, and became Lavender Phoenix’s Executive Director in December, 2021. Their role involves supporting Lavender Phoenix’s staff team, sustaining abundant resources for our organizing, & rooting Lavender Phoenix’s long-term culture and strategy in our evergreen values. Her community at Lavender Phoenix has taught her what interdependence looks like in practice, and reminds her everyday to lead with care and vulnerability.