Meet Alex! Alex brings a remarkably rich combination of experience and tremendous energy and enthusiasm to his new role as ED of CCFN. This new name also introduces Children’s Campaign Fund’s sister organization, Children’s Campaign Fund Action. Our new network brings enhanced capacity in advocacy, education and electioneering to deepen our influence to promote state policies that facilitate a thriving present and future for every child and their family with an emphatic commitment to those impacted by racism and poverty.
Alex began his career with organizing and legislative advocacy. As a student experiencing homelessness, he served on the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and successfully wrote and lobbied for passage of a bill allowing his peers to use their school’s shower facilities. After this, he worked as an Organizing Director for NextGen America, where he helped flip one of the most competitive congressional districts in 2018, CA-10. From 2018-2021, Alex was the Managing Director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) Action Fund, where he ran the largest BIPOC voter engagement program in Colorado in the 2020 cycle and helped elect more Latinx city councilmembers into Denver City Council than in any point in the city’s history. Doing this was important to Alex, since, as a DACA recipient, he recognizes that building electoral power is critical in pushing our elected officials to pass pro-immigrant policy. Alex continued his commitment towards BIPOC voter engagement during his time at Strategies 360, where he provided electoral, fundraising, and organizing guidance to various progressive organizations and emerging 501(c)(4)s.
Most recently, Alex served as the New Mexico State Director for America Votes. In this role, he oversaw the state’s C4 and independent expenditure table tasked with 3 key election objectives, all met. These included flipping one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country, NM-2, and helping re-elect the only Latina Governor in the U.S., Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Alex is excited to begin this new journey with CCFN and build long-term political power for children, youth, and families.
Meet Kelly! Kelly Edens joined CCFN as the Deputy Director in June 2023, bringing her experience in political advocacy and her passion for social justice to the team. As the Deputy Director, Kelly handles operations, grassroots fundraising, electoral work, and program administration for the Children’s Campaign Fund Network.
Born and raised in Seattle, Kelly developed a fascination for state-level political work as a Senate Page in the Washington State Legislature. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts from Carroll College in History and Political Science, spending time in the Montana State Legislature. After college, she volunteered with Mercy Volunteer Corps at a community center in Savannah, GA, assisting with GED classes, SNAP renewals, low-cost eyeglass clinics, and a small food pantry.
Her time in Savannah showed her that advocacy at the state level is the most effective way to enact change. With a renewed sense of mission, she moved to Austin, Texas, to work for Texas Watch, a 501(c)(4) leading state-wide consumer advocacy organization, where she was the Director of Organizing and the Development and Operations Director. Missing the mountains and excellent coffee, she is delighted to return to the Northwest and serve the children in her home state. She resides in Spokane, WA, with her husband and dog (Willie Nelson).
We look forward to working with you to build political power for children, youth, and families!
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