BizFed’s Advocacy Academy gave me practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to navigate policymaking and speak up for my community. It’s an empowering program for anyone ready to make their voice heard. I also made some great connections for my business in the cohort that will not only help me but help my clients and business community.

The Advocacy Academy has impacted me in countless meaningful ways. It has equipped me with the tools, confidence, and strategic insight to grow as a leader and entrepreneur. Through engaging sessions and invaluable mentorship, I’ve developed a stronger voice, clearer vision, and powerful network. I’m incredibly excited to continue expanding my connections and applying what I’ve learned to build a successful future in entrepreneurship.

Prior to joining the 2025 BizFed Advocacy Cohort provided a sense of support from the business community I’ve never experienced. It is heartwarming to know I have 100% support moving forward!  Thank you for this opportunity and to all of the magnificent staff and board members.

WOW! What a fantastic program! I am so honored and proud to be part of the first cohort of graduates of the BizFed Advocacy Academy! I am really excited to have been a part of it, and am very grateful for the opportunity.  The program was rigorous to complete, but not unrealistic. The information provided is a Master Class in advocacy, and I am downloading and saving all of the modules for future reference. For those of us who learned advocacy by trial and error, or by mentorship from others, this is a great set of reference material to keep.

The BizFed Advocacy Academy gave me a better understanding of capital sources, opportunities, and programs that are available for small to mid-size businesses. BizFed Academy exposed me to their many initiatives that build coalitions, partnerships, and support throughout the business community, and how I may contribute to the greater good of Los Angeles stakeholders, residents, and professional business—by using my voice, resources, and contacts. Before COVID, I had plans to move out of Los Angeles. I was disenchanted with many things. COVID delayed my plans. In 2023, I actually bought property in Miami and moved. As a Realtor who owns property here in LA, I would travel to LA every two or three months to work with my real estate clients who bought and sold property. It got to a point where I finally moved back in February 2025. Having worked at the Century City Chamber of Commerce many years ago, I have a solid network of business colleagues and acquaintances. The connections I have made through BizFed, and being a participant of the program, has reinvigorated my love for Los Angeles. The information that I have gleaned re-instilled my interest and desire to support the City of Angels. Truly, I want to be part of the solution and the greater good. As a Realtor, no matter what is going on in the market, I always have clients who want to buy, sell, invest, or at very least, lease property. The BizFed Advocacy program has reignited my passion and love for Los Angeles and its future. I met and also became reacquainted with individuals whose enthusiasm and love for LA mirrors my own. I appreciate the efforts of BizFed and how they provide education and a forum for collaboration for business professionals—both small, mid-size, and MNC—that can lead to fruitful opportunities and partnerships. I love the dedication, diligence, and enthusiasm of the whole BizFed team to support us participants and educate us.

The Advocacy Academy helped me to develop a more effective strategy by learning to identify the goal, the stakeholders to work with, and the tools for communication and outreach. It helped me to identify resources including financing, certifications, and other resources. The press release preparation, the proposal of new bills for the legislature, and identifying effective methods of communication helped a lot. I am currently drafting a proposed bill because of what I learned. As a person involved informally as an advocate on legislation impacting my business, I used to just come up with some thoughts and make a presentation before council and county meetings without developing a strategy. Now, I will be more thoughtful about the topics that I will include, which I learned from BizFed, in order to be a more effective communicator.I helped to stop two harmful bills that were affecting my community. My leadership skills and civic participation have improved immensely over the past several weeks.

The Advocacy Academy helped strategic partnerships be incorporated in all our work. We can be small, but mighty with the right team. I learned conversation tips on formatting my initiative and presenting it to stakeholders and legislators. I Improved thinking more globally about topics and unconventional areas that are impacted or could support me. As a Catalyst Grant awardee, we will include the advocacy framework in our efforts to bring a more robust and inclusive solution to the grant objective. It will maximize and optimize our intent. I’ve been part of a lot of business programs over the years, but this one filled in a missing piece I didn’t even realize I needed. It completely shifted how I think about building support—not just for my business, but for the impact I want to make in my community. The intention behind the capstone project really stood out. It gave me tools I can use every day, and more importantly, a new way of thinking about my role in economic development. I’m truly grateful for the insight and exposure this experience provided. Looking at both sides of an issue, looking for alignment in issues, looking for opportunities in issues.

The Advocacy Academy helped in identifying key partners and the most effective ways of communication to receive support from governmental, private, and grassroots entities. I have met several community-based potential partners and made lasting connections. It also equipped me with the tools to advance growth internally and provide others with guidance and insight into best practices as it relates to advocacy and policy. I’ve been utilizing data to address issues and identify possible solutions effectively. Marketing, advocacy, public speaking, social media strategy. I applied marketing and messaging knowledge to the campaign for our 15th anniversary. It has inspired me to embrace entrepreneurship as I grow professionally and has given me confidence as a leader in business. I’m more confident in speaking, better at developing advocacy strategies and having an understanding of the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration.

The Advocacy Academy has empowered me to turn advocacy from an afterthought into a core business strategy, shifting my mindset from passive observer to proactive changemaker, and providing the tools, network, and confidence to make a real difference in my industry and community. The personal growth and networking and the understanding and format of being in an advocacy program helps things grow. I have lined up the steps to move forward and got access to the right people to coach and mentor and give feedback. I have gained skills in networking, creating programs to scale, public speaking, and policy mobilizing. I’m much more engaged and paying attention to policy and local groups. The networking and the people—being around people who are taking on the challenges.

The Advocacy Academy gave me the confidence and clarity to approach advocacy work strategically. From coalition building to engaging elected officials, crafting powerful communications, and mobilizing communities—it helped me see how all the pieces fit together. It didn’t just strengthen my skills, it shifted my mindset. I now approach advocacy with greater intention, strategy, and a stronger belief in my ability to make an impact. The program has supported a junior/mid-level employee to develop additional public affairs skills and expand her professional network.  Skills like networking tips and skills for writing testimonials at City Council meetings, networking tips to feel confident (breathing exercises, prompts, etc.); how to structure an effective testimonial. Along with confidence with interacting with clients and carrying myself in networking events.

The Advocacy Academy helped impact our non-profit in strategies outside the box we didn’t feel could happen so soon. It has shown us the need to reach out to our State Officials and collaborate with them to advocate for more state funding opportunities. Word of mouth and assistance on ideas have been valuable. The Sacramento trip helped us see how far One Step Away could go with legislation. We are thinking more about unconventional partners. Legislation, letter writing, and coalitions are all becoming part of our approach. There are advocacy opportunities within so many businesses and communities. Meeting with City Housing and thinking about legislation coalitions for our program and others alike has been a key takeaway. We are talking to develop support for stakeholders and working on a mobilization strategy to secure partners for passing a bill.

The Advocacy Academy has reminded me that you constantly need to be relationship building and advocating for causes you believe in—not waiting for something to happen to you, but being proactive and preparing yourself and your business for what may come down in the future. I had a good relationship with our previous council person, but she termed out. I have not done as much relationship building with our new council person or her staff. This program has reminded me that I should reach out and begin building that now, as opposed to waiting until I need something from them. So far, it hasn’t led to direct outcomes, but there are opportunities down the road. It’s also made me think more about unconventional partners and the importance of building relationships across different sectors. Reaching out to the council to establish better relationships has become a priority. I haven’t developed many new relationships yet, but I am starting to develop some. I feel more confident and have a greater ability to see things from a legislative lens.

I’ve been part of a lot of business programs over the years, but this one filled in a missing piece I didn’t even realize I needed. It completely shifted how I think about building support—not just for my business, but for the impact I want to make in my community. The intention behind the capstone project really stood out. It gave me tools I can use every day, and more importantly, a new way of thinking about my role in economic development. I’m truly grateful for the insight and exposure this experience provided.

I’ve become more confident leading in civic spaces—knowing how to navigate policy, speak with intention, and connect the dots between small business needs and government decisions. I’ve also sharpened my ability to think bigger picture while staying rooted in community impact.

Through the Advocacy Academy, I gained valuable connections and learning of advocacy tools. Meeting new people to connect with other people I know has expanded my network and potential impact. I learned how to research for tools to help my business to benefit others when I am ready to grow. Learning how to build concise letters and speaking in front of groups, as well as how to make advocacy speeches concise, has been extremely helpful. I speak on issues at my Culver City council meetings and write letters, and this course helped me to make my participation more efficient and effective. I’m appreciative of the information learned. I even convinced 2 City Council members to vote against an initiative that should have had more research before approval—unfortunately, the council majority overruled them. My increased civic participation in LA County has been supported by insights into media and PR.

The Advocacy Academy program has given me new ideas on securing capital. I am currently on my business life 2.0, having recently shifted my focus from a product-driven model to community outreach and development. I am deeply committed to community engagement and liaison, as it lends a voice to those voices not normally heard. How best to position their voices to prioritize their needs while embracing projects that are good for their communities is central to my mission. Adding my voice to the business community advocating for a quick permitting process, lower taxes, less regulation for new business is important to me. I look forward to working with BIZFED on my quest for excellence. The connections will help open new doors for my business. Media blitz, building coalitions and diversity, engaging public officials, looking and speaking confidently, adding my voice are tools I am ready to use. I have reached out to the LA County Board of Supervisors and will engage more in civic matters. I am more ready as a leader, more prepared, open to seeing new opportunities. Advocacy and Public Policy are now a part of my focus as I continue to grow and lead.

My mindset and advocacy journey has been impacted the most through my experience with the Advocacy Academy. It has made me make sure my non-profit’s journey is intentional, maintains and sustains itself. Advocacy and networking have played a key role in helping me identify the correct partners to gain access to the appropriate resources needed for my non-profit. I have launched my non-profit, and I’m crafting my pitch, strategic partnerships, and collaboration to further its mission. Contacts for future endeavors have been established, and I’m more focused on identifying what my advocacy role is. Redefining my purpose for advocacy has brought clarity, especially in creating my program and shaping public policy. Developing a Bill and being able to articulate the needs of my proposal to strategic partners has been a transformative part of this process. Being able to understand the process and the power in your presentation makes a difference.

I cannot sing enough praises for BizFed’s Advocacy Academy. As a small, non-profit trade association, we received a grant to participate in this vital program. While we’ve had a Federal lobbying effort, the KOMBUCHA Act, in process for several years, the Advocacy Academy stretched our imagination to identify additional approaches we can take to promote, protect and educate the masses about our phenomenal fermented tea.

The presentations were helpful in breaking down the lobbying process and the skilled facilitators were able to help each attendee refine their diverse ideas into dynamic campaigns to raise awareness. They also helped us identify potential allies who could spread our message further as it aligns with their values. And it was an immense pleasure to network and support the entire cohort via brainstorming sessions and mock presentations to hone our messages.

Democracy is a participation sport and BizFed’s Advocacy Academy made it fun to team up and tackle new issues together!

Thank you BizFed for your support, generous grant and wildly successful Advocacy Academy for Kombucha Brewers International.

I can confidently say that my journey with the BizFed Advocacy Academy program has been nothing short of transformative. The opportunity to embark on this educational journey, equipped me with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to become a more effective advocate in my community.

The program’s curriculum not only deepened my understanding of advocacy strategies but also provided invaluable insights into the intricate workings of policymaking. Through interactive roleplay, expert-led discussions, and real-world case studies, I gained practical skills that have empowered me to navigate the complex landscape of policy advocacy with clarity and purpose.

But beyond the academy, the true impact of the Advocacy Academy lies in its ability to amplify the voices of individuals like myself, enabling us to champion meaningful change in our communities. By equipping us with the tools to effectively engage with policymakers and stakeholders, the program fosters a culture of civic empowerment where our voices are not just heard but respected and acted upon.

Expanding and enhancing the Advocacy Academy program has the potential to catalyze a ripple effect of positive change, empowering even more aspiring advocates to make a tangible difference in their communities. By highlighting the real-world impact of this transformative program, we can inspire others to join the movement towards building a more just, equitable, and prosperous society for all.