Janis Nielsen
Employment History
HR Dowden & Associates- Associate
January 2001 to present
·Help coordinate public affairs efforts for the
Healthy Families program on behalf of the California
Association of Health Plans.
·Outreach to school districts, legislators, and
community-based organizations throughout the state to
develop strategies and pilot programs to enroll children
in low cost insurance programs.
NO on Proposition 38 -- Statewide Coalition
Director
June 2000- November 2000
·Coalition Director for a statewide campaign that
defeated the Draper Voucher Initiative.
·Secured endorsements to build a statewide coalition
and developed member involvement materials.
·Oversaw the coalition team and worked with field
staff to mobilize a statewide grassroots network.
YES on Proposition 26 -- Statewide Coalition
Director
July 1999- March 2000
·Coalition Director for a statewide campaign to
reduce the requirement to pass local schools
bonds from a 2/3 vote to a simple majority. Campaign
liason for ethnic outreach activities.
·Recruited a diverse coalition of over 500 state and
local organizations.
·Helped develop and maintain a statewide Speakers
Bureau.
·Developed campaign materials including brochures, newsletters, fact sheets, Q & A's and Op-ed pieces.
Revell Communications -- Senior Account
Executive
October 1996 - September 1999
·Provided public relations support on behalf of the
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency.
·Coordinated with local elected officials and local, state and federal government agencies to deliver local public information programs on water issues. Wrote flyers, Q &A's and brochures.
Opportunity PAC -- Executive Director
March 1995-December 1996
·Directed a public employee political action
committee including the California Teachers Association,
California Federation of Teachers, California Faculty
Association, Service Employees International Union and
California State Employees Association. PAC disbanded in
1996.
·Coordinated PAC activities, planned conferences and
tracked candidate contributions.
California Budget Project -- Program Director
March 1994 - March 1995
·Helped secure a one-year planning grant to create
an organization engaged in state fiscal analysis.
·Developed and delivered training programs to
facilitate public understanding of state budget
issues.
·Provided advocacy training to non-profit groups
engaged in grass roots lobbying efforts.
Sacramento City Unified School DistrictSpecial
Education Teacher
1974-1980
·Diagnosed and taught emotionally handicapped and
learning disabled students with severe
language and cognitive disorders. Developed and delivered
parent-education programs.
University of California, Los AngelesDepartment
of Psychology Staff Research Associate
1971-1974
·Researched personality development, gender identity
problems, and child-rearing in communal lifestyles.
Developed, administered and analyzed personality
tests.
Volunteer and Community
Experience
League of Women Voters of California -- Publications
Writer and Cable Television Interviewer
1996-1999
·Wrote ballot initiative analyses for pre-election
PROS & CONS publications .
·Researched and wrote background information for
statewide League Speakers Bureaus.
·Served as a panelist and interviewer for the
statewide California Channel and local candidate
forums.
League of Women Voters of Sacramento -- Action
Director, Social Policy Director, Vice President
1988-1996
·Developed and implemented local League programs and
advocacy efforts.
·Testified before local government bodies.
·Communicated to the membership through updates and
internal newsletter articles.
Sacramento County Children's Commission
Commissioner
1991-1995
·Appointed by the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors to advise on fiscal and public policy issues
regarding children in Sacramento County.
·Member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the
Legislative Committee.
League of Women Voters of California Statewide
Campaign Chair of No on Proposition 165
June- November 1992
·Executive committee and coalition chair for an
initiative addressing welfare reform and increased
gubernatorial powers.
·Served as campaign spokesperson and contact for
print and electronic media.
·Wrote and presented testimony to a legislative
oversight committee.
League of Women Voters of CaliforniaChild-Care
Legislation Director
1992-1994
·Reviewed bills and recommended positions on
legislation regarding child care.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -Sociology, University of California,
Los Angeles, 1971. Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude.
Master of Arts - Education. Degree with honors.
California State University, Northridge. 1974.
Credentials
Early Childhood Teaching Credential
Learning Handicapped Specialist Teaching Credential