LFC Faculty

Jason Barraza brings political acumen, firsthand experience with political
organizations in Arizona, and a strong legal background to Veridus. Since
joining the firm in 2009, in addition to lobbying, Jason assists in the
development of political advocacy plans that include political campaigns,
polling, and community outreach.

Prior to joining Veridus, Jason spent multiple stints assisting the
coordinated campaign of the Arizona Democratic Party during the 2002, 2006
and 2008 campaign cycles. Jason also worked security, logistics and similar
roles as part of each Democratic National Convention between 2000 and 2016
(2000 Los Angeles, 2004 Boston, 2008 Denver, 2012 Charlotte, 2016
Philadelphia). He graduated with a bachelor's from the University of
Southern California (2001), and a law degree from the James E. Rogers
College of Law at the University of Arizona (2006).

In his service to the community, Jason was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey
to the Maricopa County Trial Court Appointments Commission in 2017, and
finished his service in 2020. He is also currently a member of the City of
Phoenix's North Mountain Village Planning Committee, and is currently a
member of the Board of Directors of Leading For Change, having previously
served as the Board Chairman. In 2017 Jason was the President of Los
Abogados, the Arizona Hispanic Bar Association.

Jaclyn Boyes is Sr. Regional Vice President, West for Per Scholas, a national non-profit advancing economic equity through technology education. She is passionate about connecting people to passion and purpose. Her career in the nonprofit, business, and education sectors include workforce development, program management, and fundraising roles. Jaclyn also served on the executive board in her legislative district and as a volunteer for political grassroots organizations.

Jaclyn is a graduate of the Leading For Change Leaders Fellowship, Flinn Brown Fellowship, and the Arizona State University American Express Non-Profit Leadership program. Jaclyn earned her B.A. in Business from Gonzaga University and her M.A. in Adult Education and Training from University of Phoenix. She holds certifications in diversity and inclusion facilitation, nonprofit management, and career coaching. Jaclyn was a Phoenix Business Journal Top 40 under 40 award recipient for her work serving the community, specifically with unhoused veterans.

Julie has served with LFC since its inception. The Past-President of Arizona Education Association-Retired, she is a current member of the NEA Board of Directors. She represents 4 million educators across the U.S. She taught in the Arizona public education school system for over 20 years. She's an expert trainer on organizational change, leadership development, consensus building and collaboration for organizations and businesses. She cofounded the Arizona Retirement Security Coalition and sits on several progressive coalitions in our state. In 2021 Julie started Fair Districts Arizona, a nonprofit where she coached applicants for the 2021 Independent Redistricting Commission through their application process, and interviews. Julie also serves LFC on staff overseeing marketing and training development.

Michelle Steinberg has been a member of the LFC Faculty team for five+ years. Her almost 30 years in non-profit management and public policy includes having served as the Public Policy Director for Planned Parenthood Arizona, Executive Director of Kids Voting, and Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Ms. Steinberg serves as the Treasurer of the LFC Board of Directors and provides consulting on social justice activism.

Kweli Kitwana is the founder and owner of Movement Insight, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations improve their effectiveness, expand their reach, and maximize resources through a customized and strategic approach. Current and past clients include (not limited to):
Urban Habitat, Oakland, CA, as Political Leadership Fellowship Advisor; Midwest Academy, Chicago, Il, Lead Adjunct Trainer; HTA Consulting, Berkeley, CA; City of Richmond Community Needs Assessment Project Lead; City of Gastonia, NC, DEI Consultant; Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County Oakland, Policy and Advocacy Lead; Maryland Hunger Action, Baltimore, MD, Advisor and Lead Strategist; Youth Spirit Artworks, Berkeley, CA, Lead Trainer; CA State University, Sacramento, CA, CA Dept. of Public Health Adjunct Faculty.

Prior to the start of Movement Insight, Kweli served in a number of leadership positions. These include serving as the Associate Director for the Midwest Academy; Talent Director of the “Women are Watching” campaign for the Planned Parenthood Federation Action Fund; Vice President of Political Programs at the Progressive Majority; Deputy Director of the Center for Progressive Leadership; and National Field Director for U.S. Action.

Kweli grew up in Chicago, and started her career as a community organizer and local campaign worker early. She has a BA in Sociology from DePaul University as well as an Associates of Fine Art/Studio Art from Maryland College School of Art and Design. She has worked with numerous grassroots organizations throughout her career. She currently lives in Berkeley; CA where she stays tapped into local organizing in her own neighborhood and city.

Kweli has been a member of the LFC Advisory Council for eight years, where she volunteers her time to assist LFC in the honing of their program curricula.