IRENE MONTANTES

Organized and detail-oriented with 12+ years of experience in Social Justice work, Management and Leadership positions in law firms, political organizations, and nonprofits. This includes over 3 years focused on legal litigation for victims of sexual abuse. Cultivated and maintained relationships with various communities. Implemented a variety of new programs for non-profit organizations, fundraising efforts and established working groups with various organizations for political campaigns. Highly knowledgeable of the systemic racism, systemic poverty, environmental justice, Indigenous Rights, economic equality, gender inequality and current gender identity injustices.

• Board Member of Urban Partners Los Angeles ('UPLA'), with over nine years serving on the board. Coordinates Fundraising for Urban Partners LA, a non profit organization, successfully helped gather thousands of Groceries for underprivileged families. And established a new program, currently responsible for all functions of running the program.
• Sat on the Advisory Board of Best Start - Alliance United, a coalition organization of 50+ nonprofits sharing resources and maintaining relationships with organizations across Los Angeles County. Additionally, the coalition organizes community healing events for impacted community members of racial injustice and poverty stricken.
• News reporter for KPFK Pacifica Radio 90.7 FM. Since 2017 - 2022 drafted Los Angeles County news reports on social justice movements across California, including Native American movements and struggles of Indigenous Peoples on reservations. Co-hosted twice a week, reading headlines on-air for the evening news.
• Co-Founder and Director for Community Outreach of political organizations such as Rev LA, Divest LA and Public Bank LA. Dedicated to bringing Los Angeles communities involved in political movements through community education, progressive policy changes, outreach and empowerment.
• Founder of Los Angeles Baby Cooperative. A grassroots initiative to bring communities together and to fundraise for infant necessities for low-income migrant communities who are poverty stricken.
• California Coordinating Committee member of the National Poor People's Campaign. Five years experience organizing for the campaign establishing structure for regional committees and conducting meetings regarding logistics for upcoming events and assignments. From Alaska to Arkansas, the Bronx to the border, the campaign confronts the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. The campaign is working to shift the moral narrative, impact policies and elections at every level of government, and build lasting power for poor and impacted people.
• Speaker at The Vanguard meeting for Thinkers and visionaries on Social media and its impact on persuading people, in October 2015.
• Completed Friends of the Family program, to improve sense of community and interpersonal connectedness; increased resilience; and competence; improved social and emotional competence; increased economic well being; and strengthened and expanded community-based networks.
• Steering Committee Member for the Global Women's Strike/LA and The Global Women's Strike.
• Member, Social Justice Committee and Steering Board for the National Justice Party (Raising awareness on social, economic & environmental justice).
• Member of the National Diaper Bank Network.