Julissa has over 15 years of public policy, public affairs, government relations, and fundraising, including several non-profit and private sector organizations such as the Center for Justice and Accountability, Amnesty International USA, and Jungle Communications. Currently, she is the Director of Member mobilization, directing the California Association of REALTORS® advocacy efforts across the state, including a statewide ballot measure to close tax loopholes for the wealthy. Also, she administers a statewide affordable housing trust fund and political fundraising. She has developed operations and capacity building for the organization and continued growth.

Before joining the California Association of REALTORS®, she was the Statewide Advocacy Manager for the American Lung Association in California, where she worked on tobacco control and air quality issues throughout California. Including managing a ballot measure to add a new tobacco tax to benefit various programs, including cancer research expansion.

Julissa previously directed outreach efforts for Interethnica, working on several state projects, including Energy Upgrade California, High-Speed Railway, San Francisco General Elections, and Clean Power San Francisco. In addition, she served as campaign director for MomsRising, where she advocated for family-friendly policies like the Affordable Care Act and equal pay legislation.

She also serves as Vice President for Latinas Lead CA, the only statewide political action committee dedicated to electing Latinas to office. Through this work, she has advanced Latinas to leadership positions throughout the state. She has been a vocal advocate and mentor for Latinas.

Julissa received her Bachelor’s in Chicano/a Studies with a minor in History from California State University Northridge.