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.