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Benjamin Cadranel is a distinguished philanthropy and development executive with extensive experience in higher education advancement, public-private partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. As the Founder and Principal of Advocacy Chiefs, LLC, Benjamin specializes in strategic consulting for grants and government relations, with particular expertise in driving system change through impactful public-private partnerships and philanthropic initiatives. 

With a proven track record of securing transformative funding, Benjamin has successfully obtained over $6 million in workforce equity foundation grants in the past two years alone. His notable achievements include winning a $1.2 million James Irvine Foundation grant for an innovative immigrant entrepreneurship program and securing a $500,000 workforce equity initiative for the City of Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network. 

Benjamin's leadership extends to the nonprofit sector, where he currently serves as Board Chair for the Yolo County Library Foundation and Board Treasurer for Yolo CASA, overseeing a $1M annual operating budget and advancing DEI initiatives through programmatic strategy. 

In addition to his development expertise, Benjamin is a licensed attorney with extensive experience in corporate governance, funding strategies, and regulatory compliance. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for real estate investment and management company, where he oversaw operations for a $100M portfolio. 

Benjamin holds a Master of Accounting & Financial Management, a Juris Doctor with Distinction from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from UC Davis. He is fluent in French and has extensive personal and professional experience abroad in both France and Belgium. 

Based in Woodland, California, Benjamin continues to drive innovative funding solutions and strategic partnerships that challenge the status quo and create meaningful impact for educational institutions, nonprofits, and underserved communities.

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Nik Edmondson is a performance psychology expert and youth development innovator with over 14 years of experience designing technology-enabled programs that promote physical activity, mental performance, and holistic well-being. As a strategic advisor to Advocacy Chiefs, Nik brings exceptional expertise in grant-funded program development, partnership cultivation with major national organizations, and scalable youth-focused initiatives—capabilities that enhance the firm's capacity to design and implement transformative community programs.

As CEO and Founder of Now Performance since 2020, Nik has focused on solving critical challenges in youth physical activity through research-driven mobile applications. He has collaborated with GENYOUth (NFL Flag-In-School program) for national programming implementation and created partnerships with major brands including Foot Locker and Nike. Additionally, Nik consulted researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS (World Health Organization) on digital health technologies, architecting solutions to meet their research needs.

Previously, as COO and Co-Founder of INR Co (2015-2020), Nik developed a unique technology-based program for youth sports that engaged over 20,000 youth participants. He built a gamification engine integrating wearable technology and backend software, led partnership processes with Boys and Girls Club National, MLB, NFL, Little Leagues, school districts, and Chevrolet, and wrote, received, and executed grant-funded programs that grew the company to projected $1M annual recurring revenue.

Through Edmondson Performance (2011-2024), Nik established a performance psychology program serving elite athletes, coaches, and professionals. He brought five products to market including four books and a digital media platform, and created a national marketing partnership with AABC reaching over 500,000 players and coaches.

Nik holds a Master of Arts in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California Lutheran University.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Nik provides strategic guidance on youth development programming, performance optimization strategies, and technology-enabled program design—helping clients create scalable, evidence-based initiatives that drive measurable community impact.

Dimitrous Chattman is a visionary community engagement and strategic outreach leader with over 15 years of experience driving culturally responsive partnerships, fundraising innovation, and equity-centered program development. As Strategic Outreach Director at Advocacy Chiefs, Dimitrous brings exceptional expertise in stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and philanthropic strategy—essential capabilities for advancing the firm's mission of securing transformative funding and fostering sustainable community partnerships.

Currently serving as Assistant Director of California Recruitment at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Dimitrous has overseen statewide initiatives building academic pipelines for first-generation and underrepresented populations since 2018. Under his leadership, Cal Poly expanded to over 500 high school partnerships across California, awarded 36 scholarships, and engaged more than 300 students through mentorship and culturally relevant programming—demonstrating his ability to scale equity-focused initiatives with measurable outcomes.

From 2010 to 2021, Dimitrous served as Fundraising Consultant with Madden Charities in partnership with NFL legends John Madden and Steve Mariucci. He generated over $10 million in charitable revenue, maintained 85 percent sponsor retention, and directed campaigns where more than 80 percent of funds supported direct community investment. His ability to launch ambassador programs, produce high-profile events, and secure national sponsors through creative strategy makes him invaluable for Advocacy Chiefs' philanthropic development work.

Dimitrous' diverse experience includes serving as Business Development Manager with the North San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Regional Business Development Manager at Schutt Sports (increasing market share from one to five percent in under three years), and Sales and Fundraising Executive with the Oakland Raiders, where he organized over 50 nonprofit collaborations in underserved East Oakland communities.

Dimitrous earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication (2008) and Master of Arts in Sport Management (2010) from San Jose State University. He is completing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of California, Davis. Dimitrous has completed his dissertation from UC Davis and has been conferred his doctorate.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Dimitrous leads community engagement strategy, stakeholder coordination, and partnership development—helping clients build the coalitions and relationships essential for successful grant acquisition and sustainable program implementation.

Eve Graziadei is an adaptable strategist and equity-focused program coordinator specializing in data-driven project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic operations. As Operations and Program Coordination lead at Advocacy Chiefs, Eve brings exceptional organizational skills and analytical precision essential for managing complex grant proposals, coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, and ensuring seamless project execution.

A summa cum laude graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Eve earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Organizations, equipping her with an analytical framework to approach organizational challenges and drive mission-aligned outcomes. Her academic background in organizational sociology informs her systematic approach to program design, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

At Cal Poly Admissions, Eve played a pivotal role managing high-impact mentorship and DEI initiatives serving over 300 underrepresented students across five consecutive cohorts. She oversaw a $37,000 annual budget, fostering growth in admissions and yield rates through data-informed strategies and culturally relevant programming. Eve supported recruitment and onboarding of DEI Ambassadors, managed CRM and data systems, and contributed to grant proposals, program evaluations, and digital materials for statewide outreach efforts—experience directly applicable to Advocacy Chiefs' grant development and client management work.

As Executive Director of Speaker Operations for TEDxSanLuisObispo, Eve led operations for a 170+ attendee conference, achieving a 92% attendance rate that surpassed industry averages by 15%. She managed speaker coordination, scheduling, and event logistics while overseeing a team to ensure seamless execution and brand alignment—demonstrating her capacity for high-stakes project management.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Eve provides strategic and operational support across all service lines. Her contributions include executive administrative assistance, project tracking, grant proposal coordination, client communication, and partnership management. She translates complex insights into actionable strategies that maximize partnership outcomes and ensure client deliverables meet the highest standards.

Eve's work is grounded in collaborative leadership, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable engagement. She approaches every project with adaptability, precision, and intention—integrating evidence-based insights and scalable systems to foster meaningful progress and measurable impact for Advocacy Chiefs' clients.

Nancy Pacheco-Cadranel is a community engagement professional and grant development specialist with over eight years of experience in program management, outreach coordination, and stakeholder collaboration. As a strategic advisor to Advocacy Chiefs, Nancy brings proven expertise in grant writing, community-based program design, and culturally responsive service delivery—essential capabilities for advancing equitable outcomes in workforce development, education, and community resilience initiatives.

Currently serving as Outreach Specialist II and Yolo Reads Program Coordinator at Yolo County Library, Nancy manages comprehensive adult and family literacy programs across Yolo County. Her responsibilities include volunteer management, curriculum development, literacy assessments, program implementation, and grant management. She has successfully written and been awarded multiple grants, including funding from the California Library Literacy Services, California Library Association LSTA, Dollar General, First 5 Yolo, and Save the Children—demonstrating her ability to secure diverse funding streams for community-focused programs.

Nancy holds significant leadership positions in the library community, currently serving as Vice President of the Northern California Literacy Coalition, where she collaborates with literacy coordinators across the region to strengthen services. She is also actively involved with the California Library Association's Youth Services and Literacy Special Interest Groups, and helped organize the first-ever CLA Youth Services conference in 2024.

Her commitment to vulnerable populations extends to her volunteer work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), where she collaborates with the Woodland Court System, Child Protective System, foster homes, schools, and service providers to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care—work she has maintained since 2014.

Nancy holds a Master's in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University (2024) and a Master's in Sociology with emphasis in Community Engagement and Social Change from California State University, Long Beach (2015), with a dissertation on Community Collaborations. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education from UC Davis (2010).

At Advocacy Chiefs, Nancy provides grant development support, program evaluation expertise, and community engagement strategy—particularly for initiatives serving underserved populations and advancing educational equity.

Katrina Rosseini is a cybersecurity strategist and emerging technology expert with specialized expertise in critical infrastructure protection, AI, quantum computing, and venture capital advisory. As a strategic advisor to Advocacy Chiefs, Katrina brings sophisticated technical knowledge and business development acumen essential for clients pursuing federal SBIR/STTR funding, navigating cybersecurity compliance requirements, and positioning emerging technologies for government and commercial markets.

Appointed Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Cyber Reserve (CR-ISAC) by Major General Vic Macias, Katrina advances the organization's mission of safeguarding critical infrastructure including water, food, hospitals, energy, transportation, and logistics. Her doctoral research at The George Washington University (defense expected July 2025) developed an intelligent, context-aware behavioral adaptation methodology addressing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems—research directly applicable to federal procurement opportunities and grant applications.

During her doctorate program, Katrina co-founded a cybersecurity company specializing in securing IoT devices at the chipset level, winning George Washington University's 2025 New Venture Competition. She has led successful pre-seed fundraising efforts and, as Managing Director of KRR Ventures, advises venture capital firms, capital markets, and emerging tech startups on cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing, and resilience technologies—facilitating over $80 million in deal flows throughout her career.

Katrina served 14 years on the Board of Directors at St. Rose Hospital, where she secured $16 million in strategic funding and led the institution through M&A. Previously appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the California Performance Review, she also spent years in wealth management at Morgan Stanley and UBS, managing over $1 billion in assets.

A Fast Company Executive Board Member and Head of Healthcare and Innovation at Ascendant Group, Katrina completed Oxford's Saïd Business School Blockchain Strategy Program with a healthcare-focused use case. She advises California Policy Solutions on cybersecurity and emerging technology policy.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Katrina provides strategic guidance on federal SBIR/STTR applications, cybersecurity compliance, critical infrastructure funding opportunities, and emerging technology positioning—helping clients access federal research dollars and navigate complex technical procurement processes.

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Caliph Assagai is a strategic policy advisor with over 15 years of experience in legislative advocacy, government relations, and social justice policy development. As Senior Consultant with California Policy Solutions and strategic advisor to Advocacy Chiefs, Caliph brings deep expertise in navigating California's legislative landscape across criminal justice reform, mental health, environmental justice, transportation, and sustainable development.

Currently managing all legislative strategy and advocacy services at California Policy Solutions, Caliph's work spans legislative relationship building, policy analysis, testimony preparation, and coalition development. His extensive network across the California Legislature and proven ability to advance policy priorities make him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking to influence policy outcomes or navigate regulatory challenges.

As founder and President of Public Interest Advocacy, Inc. (2014-2017), Caliph established a boutique lobbying firm representing progressive nonprofit organizations before the California Legislature and administrative agencies, including NAMI California, the California Public Defenders Association, Children's Defense Fund - California, and The California Endowment.

Previously, Caliph served as Legislation and Public Policy Director at NAMI California, directing statewide policy initiatives and managing outreach to 67 affiliates and 19,000 members. His federal policy expertise was developed as State-Federal Relations Fellow with the California Institute for Federal Policy Research in Washington, D.C., where he provided legislative analyses for the California Congressional Delegation.

His legislative experience includes serving as Legislative Aide in the Office of California State Assemblymember Nancy Skinner and in the Office of California State Senator Leland Y. Yee, where he successfully shepherded multiple pieces of legislation through the process.

A graduate of UCLA School of Law (2012) with specializations in Public Interest Law and Policy and Critical Race Studies, Caliph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Davis.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Caliph provides strategic counsel on government relations, legislative strategy, and policy navigation—helping clients achieve their mission-driven objectives.

Jesse Samberg is a nationally recognized public sector transformation leader with over 30 years of experience modernizing transportation systems, implementing large-scale technology solutions, and driving operational excellence. As a strategic advisor to Advocacy Chiefs, Jesse brings unparalleled expertise in federal infrastructure funding, workforce development strategy, and organizational transformation—critical capabilities for helping clients navigate the historic investment opportunities created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Currently serving as Independent Adviser with The Jesse Samberg Co., Jesse works with public and private sector organizations to improve transportation delivery and accessibility while reducing costs through thoughtful analysis and engaging leadership. His focus on workforce innovation—particularly recruiting and retaining young, disadvantaged, and women job seekers in transportation—aligns directly with Advocacy Chiefs' commitment to equity-centered solutions.

Jesse's distinguished career includes serving as Senior Adviser for Transportation Modernization and Innovation at Accenture (2019-2025), where he provided leadership across ERP/EAM implementation, tolling systems, workforce development, and digital transformation. Previously, as Director of Public Sector Shared Services at IBM (2016-2019), he served as Fellow with the Center for The Business of Government, providing thought leadership on shared services and helping federal agencies implement cost-effective benefit delivery models.

His transformative work at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spans over two decades, including creating a standalone shared service center that saved $25 million annually, negotiating energy contracts saving over $500 million per year, and serving as CFO of the MTA Card Company during its groundbreaking $500 million MetroCard implementation.

Jesse is a public sector entrepreneur, financial strategist, and coalition builder who navigates complex organizations to drive meaningful change. He is deeply committed to Justice40 initiatives and helping small, underfunded community organizations access federal grant funding.

At Advocacy Chiefs, Jesse provides strategic guidance on federal infrastructure funding, workforce development innovation, organizational transformation, and large-scale technology implementation—helping clients capture unprecedented investment opportunities while advancing equity and community benefit.