Skip to main content Skip to site navigation
Institute for Local Government
Menu Menu

About the Institute

Public Engagement Advisory Council

Overview

Public Engagement & Equity Advisory Council

ILG’s Public Engagement pilar seeks to imbed authentic, effective and inclusive public engagement practices that encourage greater public trust and confidence in local government, while also helping local jurisdictions achieve their goals. Our mission is to empower local government leaders, increase capacity, and build trust in their communities. Inclusive and equitable public engagement lies at the heart of our work. We are committed to enhancing outreach and public engagement opportunities for marginalized communities to meaningfully participate in the local government decision-making process and benefit from local programs. 

Our Public Engagement & Equity Advisory Council helps us stay proactive in understanding the challenge local governments face to engage and empower their communities and share ideas on best practices for engaging communities. 

Post

Ruben Abrica
Councilmember, City of East Palo Alto

Ruben Abrica is a Councilmember in the City of East Palo Alto and has served as Mayor several times over the years. He represents the City on the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, working on flood management, environmental protection and recreation in the creek’s watershed. He is a member of the Public Engagement and Equity Advisory Council of the Institute for Local Government, an affiliate nonprofit of the League of California Cities. Mr.

Post

Malka Kopell
Co-Founder and CEO, Civity

Malka Ranjana Kopell is Co-Founder and CEO of Civity (www.civity.org), a national organization focused on fostering relationships of respect and empathy across divides of race, class and culture.

Post

David Loya
Community Development Director, City of Arcata

David Loya is the City of Arcata Community Development Director. His work spans current planning, long-range urban planning and climate adaptation planning, housing policy and production, and economic development.

Post

Sarah Rubin
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, California Department of Conservation

Sarah Rubin is the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at the California  Department of Conservation. Prior to joining the Department in June 2018, she was the Public Engagement Program Director at the Institute for Local Government. Specializing in public engagement, she has extensive expertise working with local governments and stakeholder groups throughout California.

Post

Megan Scheid
Deputy City Manager, City of Roseville

Megan serves as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Roseville and has served on the City Manager’s Executive Team since 2010.

Post

Myel Thelen
Executive Director, California Women Lead

For over two decades, Myel Thelen has woven her passion for equity and community well-being into the fabric of her career. She is a seasoned professional with a passion for equity and community well-being. She most recently joined California Women Lead as the Executive Director. Prior to joining California Women Lead, she was a Senior Program Officer at The Center at Sierra Health Foundation where she oversaw COVID-19 related grant portfolios and fostered relationships with community partners and state agencies.

Post

Christine Viterelli
Grants Manager, City of Arvin

Christine Viterelli Grants Manager for the City of Arvin. She has worked at the City of Arvin since 2016 as the Grant Specialist helping the city attain millions of dollars in awards from federal, state, and other jurisdictional agencies.

Log in

Commands