ANASTASIA FOSTER
Santa Monica,CA
Summary
Trusted advisor with 11+ years of experience in Government Affairs, Campaigns and Community Affairs, tackling equity priorities and political challenges. Deep knowledge of government functions and processes. Create and shepherd legislation at all levels in California with coalition and stakeholder engagement. Manage key relationships with current government and community officials and their staff. Expert communication skills and the ability to translate public policy matters into both internal and external community initiatives. Critical thinker with the ability to develop trust-based relationships and influence stakeholder groups. Experienced Project Manager with the ability to lead teams, always with an equity lens and a true appreciation of lived experience.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Government Relations
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
10.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented a strategic government relations program to advance our goals in workforce development, economic development and public/private partnerships.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders in LA City Council, the Mayor's office, state legislators, budget staff, committee staff, the Governor's office, CPUC, CEC, CARB, GO-Biz and federal offices to influence policy decisions,
- Managed our contract lobbyists, making sure they understand our priorities, and strategizing with them to achieve funding and legislative results.
- Increased awareness of organizational priorities among policymakers by consistently engaging in educational outreach efforts and fly-ins to Sacramento and DC.
- Ran & bills as a Co-sponsor, bringing together coalitions to advocate at every committee until it was signed by the Governor.
- Advocated for funding opportunities and incentives that support clean technology innovation, workforce development and pilot deployment initiatives.
- Organized stakeholder events and forums to facilitate dialogue on regulatory issues impacting the cleantech sector.
- Organized high-level meetings between organizational leaders and government officials to foster dialogue.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to develop unified positions on key policy issues affecting the organization.
- Served as a trusted resource for policymakers seeking information or insight on industry-specific topics.
Political Campaign Advisor
Adam Schiff for US Senate
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Secured endorsements statewide in all 58 counties by engaging elected officials at every level of California government and maintaining those relationships.
- Coordinated strategic planning of campaign objectives,
- Planned & executed large scale events, coordinating with Capitol Police & the staff of elected officials.
- Drafted backgrounder memos for the candidate and staffed the Congressman on his US Senate campaign.
Vice Chair Credentials Committee
California Democratic Party
01.2019 - Current
- Appointed by the CADEM Chair to help lead and coordinate State Democratic Party processes for proxies and registrations for delegates to insure accurate voting counts for party endorsements, rules and platform changes.
Trustee
Santa Monica College
11.2024 - Current
- Guide our community college in vision, budgeting and oversight of senior staff, including the President-Superintendent.
- Serve on the Legislative Committee of the State Community College League to guide legislative objectives that serve the students, faculty and staff.
Elected Commissioner
Santa Monica Rent Control Board
02.2016 - 11.2024
- Twice-elected to a public office overseeing 27,000 units of housing, 25 staff with 3 bargaining units and a $5.5M budget, serving 94,000 constituents who are 70% renters.
- Served in both quasi-judicial & legislative capacities. Development & execution of ballot measures, community affairs strategies, public policy issues, initiatives & outreach. Liaise directly with City Council, State Legislature, lobbyists & stakeholders. Negotiate union labor contracts, hired a new Executive Director & General Counsel. Provided guidance for our lobbyist & the creation of & the writing of legislation including AB1620 in 2023. Wrote & successfully shepherded Measures RC & EM in 2022.
- Oversaw development and implementation of policy platforms aligned with the values and goals of strong tenant protections.
Developer & Founder
Rock Island Village
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Developed, constructed & operated a 70-bed assisted living & memory care community. Led it through Covid. 45 staff, 45,000sf of construction.
- Oversaw the feasibility, financing, construction & business creation of a residential medical community. Performed all leadership functions, including marketing, insurance, benefits & vendor contracts in collaboration with a leadership team that is intact 6+ years after opening. Led the most vulnerable of businesses through Covid-19 with crisis management skills, compassionate leadership & flexibility. Conducted all ownership functions with an eye to diversity, equity & inclusion. Building site required environmental remediation process in conjunction with a Brownfield Grant application.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education & History
University of Missouri
St Louis, MOStudy Abroad - Political Science
Skills
- Strategic Planning, Visioning & Execution,
- Team Development, Leadership Development,
- Working with government staff & elected officials,
- Policy expertise in: Economic Development, Housing Issues, Environment, Equity, Transportation, Energy, Education, Healthcare, Zoning, Eldercare, Workplace Safety, Workforce Development, Campaigns, Land Acquisition, Entertainment Industry,
Affiliations
- Executive Board, Meals on Wheels West
- Steering Committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS)
- General Advisory Board, Santa Monica College
- Measure SMC Steering Committee, Santa Monica College
- Member, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights
- Member, Santa Monica Democratic Club
- Member, SAG-AFTRA since 2001
Certification
Santa Monica Office of Sustainability Program, Small Space Urban Permaculture Certificate, SMC Social Media Certificate, Secondary & Elementary Teaching/Substitute Credential
Timeline
Trustee
Santa Monica College
11.2024 - Current
Government Relations
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
10.2024 - Current
Political Campaign Advisor
Adam Schiff for US Senate
07.2023 - 06.2024
Vice Chair Credentials Committee
California Democratic Party
01.2019 - Current
Elected Commissioner
Santa Monica Rent Control Board
02.2016 - 11.2024
Developer & Founder
Rock Island Village
01.2016 - 01.2022
Study Abroad - Political Science
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education & History
University of Missouri
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Hollywood career in news anchoring, narration, voice-over, writing, producing, corporate hosting, stage hosting and multiple instructional series with a pro home VO studio. CBS, NBC, HBO, TRAVEL, DISCOVERY NETWORKS, E! NEWS