Philanthropy

Area Experts

• Paul Hernandez Chief Strategy Officer
  Paul Hernandez Chief Strategy Officer

  Paul is best known as a communications and public affairs strategist. He has over 20 years of experience working to engage and influence policymakers and other decision-makers on key issues ranging from health care to racial equity to homelessness to early childhood education.

  From strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, campaign management to message development, Paul has acted as a consigliere to several prominent funders throughout the country.

  He has been a senior consultant to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in its efforts to improve the health, living conditions and economic security for children and families living in New Mexico, and to improving public schools in Michigan. He acted as a lead communications strategist for a collaborative of the nation’s most prominent foundations, Executives’ Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color, including coordination with President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. He partnered with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to plan a campaign to engage California’s gubernatorial candidates to support early childhood development. And was a longtime senior policy advisor to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in its efforts to support the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California.

  He has also served as a trusted advisor to public and nonprofit sector organizations such as the Advancement Project, Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, and Oakland Unified School District.

  Prior to joining Fenton, Paul spent more than eight years with The California Endowment, the state’s largest private health foundation. He led efforts to build alliances and generate support for the foundation’s health priorities and was a key strategist in crafting and implementing a multi-million-dollar campaign to advance statewide health reform in 2007.

  He is also a veteran of local government and politics, having served as a legislative deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, where he acted as the Supervisor’s chief advisor on law enforcement, public safety and transportation issues.

  Outside of the office, Paul serves on the Boards of the Liberty Hill Foundation and Community Health Councils and is a proud alumnus of U.C. Berkeley and Coro Southern California. And he can also point you to the best restaurants and cocktail bars in Los Angeles.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Julio Esperias Account Director
  Julio Esperias Account Director

  Julio Esperias is a seasoned professional with an impressive 18-year background in political and advocacy nonprofit sectors. With his extensive experience in leading communications strategies for political candidates, foundations, non-profits, and ballot measure campaigns, he has become a well-respected figure in the industry. Some of his notable roles include leading communications strategies at Community Coalition, a preeminent social justice organization in South Los Angeles, founded by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, directing voter engagement tactics for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the intense 2020 Presidential Election cycle and leading media relations for the California Community Colleges.

  Julio's expertise in communications was honed during his time at two regional award-winning PR agencies, where he oversaw strategic communications for a diverse and prestigious client base, including the California Endowment, California Housing Finance Agency, California Real-ID, and the Santa Clara Open Space Authority. He has also led public and community relations outreach for government entities including, METRO, and the Los Angeles Community Colleges.

  Apart from his professional career, Julio is also an active member of the political community. He serves as a committee member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Delegate Member to the California Democratic Party (CADEM), Founding President of the South Central Los Angeles Democrats, and a Democratic National Convention Delegate. His work in democratic party politics has been acknowledged by many, receiving the 2022 Democrat of the Year Award, and he has become a sought-after political expert. He has served as strategist for Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s campaign for U.S. Senate, Mayor Karen Bass, and amongst others.

  Julio is a proud alumnus of the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he obtained a B.A. in legal studies. He is also a proud father of three amazing children - Matteo, Valentina, and Alessandra. His passion for sports is well-known, and he is a big supporter of teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Los Angeles Football Club, Rams, Kings, and Real Madrid!

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Alex Chen Associate Vice President
  Alex Chen Associate Vice President

  Alex is an Associate Vice President at Fenton. He joined the Fenton team in 2016 from the environmental advocacy nonprofit Greenbelt Alliance, where he managed marketing and communications. Greenbelt Alliance was a past client of Fenton’s, and while there, Alex saw firsthand the lasting impact our work can have on an organization, even years later.

  Since starting at Fenton, he has serviced clients in environment, sustainability, community development, social justice, education, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. Alex uses his experience in advocacy, digital marketing and PR to help organizations that work on progressive issues but are short on capacity or expertise.

  Born and raised in the Bay Area, Alex grew up in South Bay, graduated from UC Berkeley and now lives in San Francisco with his television and Playstation 4. When not working, he spends most of his waking hours in search of the Bay Area’s best fried chicken and Korean BBQ.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Celeste Rojas Account Executive
  Celeste Rojas Account Executive

  Celeste Rojas is an Account Executive, where she utilizes her digital advocacy and nonprofit
  experience to aid in creative campaigns that progress social impact. She supports the account teams in many ways to deliver strategies that create lasting change with clients.

  Celeste was determined to pursue a career where she is mobilizing a future that addresses the needs of those institutionally excluded. Her prior experience with Southern California Education Network, a media hub for education access, and UC Berkeley Law School’s Human Rights Center led to her position at Fenton. Her passion to advance a more equitable world comes from growing up in South Los Angeles surrounded by her Indigenous Oaxaqueño community. Celeste graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A in Global Studies.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Chris Compton Senior Writer
  Chris Compton Senior Writer

  Chris Compton serves as Senior Writer at Fenton, where he uses his experience with nonprofits and philanthropy to create stories that spark empathy, engagement and action on a wide range of progressive issues. He drives narrative strategies and crafts written content that helps clients effect lasting, positive change.

  Chris strives to connect to the head and the heart, telling diverse stories that create common ground. He comes to Fenton from the California College Guidance Initiative, where he helped advocate for equity-focused education policies and provide data-driven college and career tools to students. Before that, he spent nearly a decade with the California Community Foundation, where he worked to engage donors and move the needle on affordable housing, immigration, healthcare and education in Los Angeles.

  • Client Service Operations
  • Corporate Social Good
  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• David Garcia Account Executive
  David Garcia Account Executive

  David Garcia is an Account Executive at Fenton, where he utilizes his previous administrative experience and organization skills to assist stakeholders and account teams, while they implement strategies to make lasting changes with clients. David supports the organization at every level, aiding in the execution of these strategies that move the needle on issues he is passionate about.

  David’s goal has always been to provide the best holistic organizational support to promote effective operations. His prior experience with the City of Los Angeles and Hannibal Industries, the largest steel manufacturing company in the west, led to his position at Fenton.

  Outside the office, David spends his time with a myriad of passions, from community journalism, pursuing an AA in Architecture, dancing to Hip-Hop and being an avid community voice for environmental justice within his community. Originally from the Golden State, David graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing Communications. He’s happy to trade his books for good movie recommendations.

  • Advertising
  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Emily Smith Account Director
  Emily Smith Account Director

  Emily Smith is an Account Director at Fenton, where she leverages her strategic communications skills to advance clients’ social change goals.

  Emily is passionate about ensuring all communities’ rights are upheld and respected through thoughtful advocacy. Her prior experience at the communications firm Finsbury Glover Hering led her to Fenton.

  Emily graduated cum laude from Princeton University, with a degree in politics and a minor in American studies, and she earned a master’s degree in human rights at University College London.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Isabel Morales Senior Account Executive
  Isabel Morales Senior Account Executive

  Isabel Morales is a Senior Account Executive at Fenton, where she brings her previous global human rights experience and progressive communications skills to implement strategies that make lasting change with clients that range from ecological restoration to immigrant and refugee rights. Isabel supports the account teams in many ways, particularly in the realms of digital and earned media, as well as coalition building, to move the needle on the issues she cares about most.

  Isabel’s work has always been to use storytelling to create meaningful change. Her prior experience as a PR Associate at Public Good PR, a progressive environmental communications firm, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) led her to Fenton.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Jania Palacios Azami Vice President
  Jania Palacios Azami Vice President

  Jania Palacios Azami is a Vice President at Fenton, specializing in marketing and branding, multicultural media relations and nonprofit communications. With more than 17 years of strategic communications experience to promote and advocate for key policy issues impacting California, she has provided support to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers and elected officials, among many others.

  Jania previously served as Director of Communications for California Forward, a statewide nonprofit organization leading a movement to ensure the economy and government work for everyone. She led the organization’s cohesive communications efforts and secured extensive news coverage on policy issues critical to Californians’ prosperity, including economic mobility, broadband access, housing, wildfire preparation and regional, inclusive economic development.

  Following its’ formation, Jania played a critical role in establishing First 5 California as a leader in early childhood development among the Latino community. She has conducted public education campaigns to promote the benefits of DACA and other policies to help immigrants.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Kayla Butler Account Executive
  Kayla Butler Account Executive

  Kayla Butler is an Account Executive at Fenton, where she utilizes her previous political advocacy and communications experience at a public affairs firm, political research firm and communications advocacy firm to implement thoughtful strategies that make lasting change with clients.

  Kayla has dynamic professional experience ranging from political campaigns to exploratory research and public affairs. Prior to joining Fenton, she worked at JCI Worldwide, a public affairs firm where she managed several accounts and key advocacy and coalition and engagement projects, also managing a team of associates to ensure that clients’ varying needs are met. She was central to a dynamic statewide effort to educate Californians on the importance of energy stewardship and energy efficiency along with a statewide grant program to help disadvantaged and at risk communities prepare for brown-outs and cutbacks of power.

  Kayla graduated from American University with a degree in CLEG (Communications, Law, Economics and Government) and a minor in justice and law.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Marly Valiente Senior Account Executive
  Marly Valiente Senior Account Executive

  Marly Valiente is an Account Executive in Fenton’s New York office. Driven by a passion for social justice, Marly uses communication strategy, writing and storytelling to make lasting change with clients in education, transportation and healthcare equity. At Fenton, she supports clients such as the Center for Popular Democracy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Facing History and Ourselves, and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).

  Marly joined Fenton in 2020 as a Social Change Fellow, working with the earned media team to secure national and local stories. Prior to joining Fenton, Marly was a Brand Marketing Intern at M Booth Agency and a Public Relations Intern at Litzky Public Relations and Southard Communications. Marly graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a degree in strategic communications and a minor in psychology.

  Marly is a New Jersey native and in her free time, she enjoys reading, meditating, painting, heading “down the shore” by day and exploring NYC at night with her friends.

  • Philanthropy
  • Racial Justice & DEI
• Stacey Arévalo Account Director
  Stacey Arévalo Account Director

  Stacey Arévalo is an Account Director at Fenton, where she utilizes her previous legal experience and journalism skills to implement bilingual communication strategies that make lasting change. Stacey supports the account teams in many ways to execute strategies all over the United States, but primarily in California.

  Stacey has a demonstrated commitment to advancing and empowering the Latinx community in the United States. Her prior experience with CARECEN, the Central American Resource Center in Los Angeles, CA, led to her position at Fenton. Stacey graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge with a double degree in journalism and Central American studies and a minor in Spanish-language journalism.

  • Advertising
  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Ujala Sehgal Vice President
  Ujala Sehgal Vice President

  Ujala is an award-winning communications expert with nearly 15 years of experience and a proven track record of social change. An attorney and former journalist, Ujala’s unique background informs her expertise in integrated communications strategies, training and capacity building, messaging, media relations, counsel and campaigns.

  As a vice president at Fenton, Ujala’s clients have included Stop AAPI Hate, Center for Popular Democracy, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Fight Back Table and RAICES, among other leading nonprofits and foundations. She received PR Week’s Best in Nonprofit 2022 Award for her leadership on Stop AAPI Hate. A believer in empowering organizations of all sizes to maximize their impact, she also helps lead and design Fenton’s training and capacity building programming.

  Prior to joining Fenton, Ujala served as the communications director for a number of human rights organizations, including ACLU New York, the Knight First Amendment Institute, and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. At ACLU New York, Ujala led the organization’s public response to Trump’s instatement of the “Muslim ban,” and co-authored “State of Injustice” (on the right to public defense) and “Dignity for All?” (on discrimination against transgender youth).

  With significant expertise across a range of issue areas, Ujala has led or participated in high-profile strategies that successfully advocated for ensuring reproductive rights, reducing solitary confinement, protecting labor rights, providing access to education and legal rights for immigrant youth, increasing educational equity, challenging discrimination against LGBTQ teenagers, redrawing voting districts, defending free speech, reforming discriminatory policing, and shining a spotlight on technological advances that infringe on privacy.

  Ujala graduated with high honors from Carnegie Mellon University and from the University of Michigan Law School with awards in critical race theory and legal practice. After practicing regulatory law at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in New York City, she worked as a journalist for several outlets including The Atlantic and Insider.

  • Government
  • Philanthropy
• Desiree Dozier Vice President
  Desiree Dozier Vice President

  Desiree Dozier is a Vice President at Fenton, where she draws upon her 10 years of diverse agency experience across corporate and consumer public relations, CSR, and diversity, equity & inclusion to build and implement custom communications strategies that further clients’ missions. Desiree leverages her skills in media relations, messaging, and purpose-driven storytelling to leave a lasting impact and drive meaningful awareness for the issues that matter most to her and her clients.

  After developing the first-ever DEI program for her former corporate client, Desiree has been motivated toward a career in social change. Her prior experience building the Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative in partnership with the Interior Design Society, which focuses on fostering inclusion in the design community, led to her position at Fenton.

  Desiree spends her free time traveling, cooking, and enjoying long walks with her Pomeranian, Periwinkle. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Desiree began her career in the publishing industry, where she honed her writing skills and learned the ins and outs of media, before transitioning to the electrifying world of public relations. Desiree graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in communication from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

  • Advertising
  • Government
  • Philanthropy