Amy Chan

Main Session
The Presidential Preference Election

Session Description
Other states have caucuses or primaries, we have the Presidential Preference Election. Learn how Arizona decides which presidential candidate they prefer to be on the ticket. We will explain what a PPE is, how it works, relevant legal opinions, why it’s important and most importantly, who gets to vote.

Biography
Senate Democratic Leader Katie Hobbs appointed Amy B. Chan, a Republican, to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for a 5-year term expiring January 31, 2022.

Amy B. Chan was admitted to the State Bar in 1999. Initially she worked as an immigration attorney, helping people obtain immigration benefits through the administrative and immigration court process. In 2001 she began work as a legislative research analyst for the House Judiciary Committee. She was an Administrative Law Judge for the Corporation Commission from 2005-2006 and then returned to the legislature as Policy Advisor and Counsel to the Majority for the State Senate. In 2009 Secretary of State Ken Bennett appointed her State Election Director. She served in that capacity until 2013, when she left to spend more time with her growing family. She and her husband Keith have two sons and live in Phoenix.

Adrian Fontes

Main Session
The Primary Election

Session Description
Primaries, primaries, primaries! Candidates vie against other members of their party to gain your nomination to the general election ballot. Adrian Fontes, Maricopa County Recorder, will explain who the major players are in the primary, what it means for independent voters, and how the results shape the general election ballot.

Biography
Adrian Fontes is an Arizona native born and raised on the border in Nogales. His active duty service in the United States Marine Corps solidified his love of country and made him a strong advocate of the US Constitution. He took this passion back to finish his undergraduate degree with summa cum laude honors at Arizona State University, and then to the University of Denver where he received his Juris Doctorate. After law school, Mr. Fontes worked for the Denver DA’s Office prior to returning to Arizona to continue his prosecuting career with the Maricopa County Attorney and then the Arizona Attorney General. With the Arizona AG, he headed the Foreign Prosecution Unit in the Fraud and Public Corruption Section of that office. Mr. Fontes left government service for private practice where he made his way from working in local Justice Courts, through Superior Courts and eventually to several cases before the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Adrian Fontes lives in Phoenix with his wife Mona and their three daughters. He is an avid musician, college football fan and supporter of his community.

Adrian Fontes is a member of the National Association of Counties Telecommunications and Technology Policy Steering Committee and graduated in 2019 having met the requirements to achieve a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) designation. CERA is the elections profession’s highest designation.

Adrian Fontes serves as the 29th Recorder and is the first Latino to serve as a countywide elected official in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Sambo "Bo" Dul

Main Session
The General Election

Session Description
The Super Bowl of elections! The 2020 Presidential Election is expected to break turnout records. Will you join millions of voters across the country in casting a ballot for their presidential candidate?

Hear from Arizona’s State Election Director, Bo Dul, on what to expect in this momentous election, a breakdown of the electoral college, and how your voice can be heard.

Biography
Sambo (Bo) Dul joined the Secretary of State’s office as the State Elections Director in January 2019. Before that, she was a partner in the Political Law Group at Perkins Coie LLP, where she focused on election and voting rights litigation, international anti-corruption compliance and investigations, and immigrant and refugee rights pro bono work. Bo grew up in Tempe and received bachelor’s degrees in Economics, Political Science, and Spanish from Arizona State University. She received her Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University and Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law. After law and graduate school, she practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit before moving back home to Arizona six years ago. She and her husband, Ryan, have two little girls, Kora (4) and Lilah (1).

Ken Matta

Breakout Session
How Your Vote is Secured

Session Description
Clear up any confusion and concerns about the security of our elections. Ken Matta, Information Security Officer for the Arizona Secretary of State, will detail the steps Arizona is taking and what steps voters can take to safeguard their vote. Ken will share tips with voters on how to find trustworthy information, how to ensure their personal information is safe and up to date with election officials, and how to know their vote was counted.

Biography
Ken Matta serves as the Information Security Officer and election security lead for the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. He has over 16 years of election-related IT experience, ranging from logic and accuracy testing for election equipment statewide to assisting with the development of the statewide election security plan. Ken has been a state-certified election officer for 12 years. He is especially passionate about providing necessary resources and assistance to our Arizona counties relating to election security, working as a liaison between the counties and the Secretary of State.

Ken is the chairman of the Arizona Vote Count Verification Committee and a voting member of the Arizona Enterprise Security Program Advisory Council. He also works closely with our federal, military, and state partners such as the DHS, the FBI, the Arizona Counter-Terrorism Information Center and the Arizona Cybersecurity Taskforce to strengthen Arizona’s election security posture. When not defending democracy, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, working on and driving muscle cars, and riding motorcycles.

Kate Gallego

Opening Remarks

Session Description
City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will kick off the We the Voters: Our Impact on 2020 Conference by giving opening remarks. Mayor Gallego will welcome voters to the Phoenix Convention Center and set the tone for the exciting and informative day of voters preparing for the 2020 elections!

Biography
Mayor Kate Gallego has spent her career working to find solutions to complex problems. Prior to being elected as Mayor, she served for five years as the City Councilwoman for District 8, a large district covering much of South Phoenix. Her record of proven results includes leading the campaign to pass Phoenix's citywide transportation plan through 2050 and working to ensure equal pay for equal work.

  While on the council, Mayor Gallego helped make Phoenix a leader in job creation and worked with police and firefighters to improve public safety and make neighborhoods more secure.

In March 2019, Mayor Gallego became the second elected female Mayor in Phoenix history and the youngest big-city Mayor in the United States. Mayor Gallego is passionate about building a Phoenix that works for everyone, including her two-year-old son, Michael, and she led the effort to partner with AARP to make Phoenix a city where seniors can thrive. She believes everyone should have access to cutting edge medical care and has led on expanding Phoenix's biomedical campus. Mayor Gallego is working to grow the city's economy, create jobs, and stand up for the city's core values.

Prior to being elected Mayor to the city that she loves, Mayor Gallego worked on Strategic Planning and Economic Development for the utility company, Salt River Project. She worked to attract new companies and jobs to Phoenix. Mayor Gallego graduated from Harvard University and earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Allen Tempert

Breakout Session
Life of a Ballot

Session Description
Ever wonder where your ballot comes from, who decides what is printed on it and how it is counted? Mohave County Election Director Allen Tempert will talk about the steps election officials take in creating this precious piece of paper, how they are securely handled and how they are accurately counted.

Biography
Allen has held the position of Mohave County Elections Director since his arrival to Arizona in August 2002. Prior to his arrival in Kingman, Allen lived his whole life in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area where prior to his arrival in Mohave County he held the position of Director of Elections and Chief Registrar for Beaver County Pennsylvania for almost 5 years. Prior to administering elections in Pennsylvania, Allen worked for over 8 ½ years at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) located in the heart of Pittsburgh. While at CMU Allen worked in various department throughout the university concentrating in areas of budget administration at both the college department and central administration levels. While working full-time at CMU Allen received his Masters of Public Management degree from the same university. In addition to his Master’s degree Allen Also possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and an Advanced Certification in Accounting from Duquesne University. Both Universities are located in the greater Pittsburgh Area.

The most often asked question of Allen is what brought him all the way from Pennsylvania to the Southwest. Allen always answers that from the moment that he entered the career of elections administration, a career that he thoroughly enjoys, he knew that he had found his life’s calling. He says that since he spent his entire life in Southwest Pennsylvania that it was time to take a career that he loves and perform it in completely different environment allowing him the chance to explore other parts of this great country. He enjoys both the governmental structural challenge as well as the change in the physical environment.

The second most asked question of Allen is if he feels that he made the right move. Allen always answers that he never regrets the move for one moment and next to marrying his wife Mary Pat and having his two sons Alex and Zackary that it was the smartest thing that he ever did.

Christine Dyster

Breakout Session
The Voter to-do List

Session Description
Do you like checking things off of your list? Us too! Christine Dyster, Community Relations Team Lead, Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, will walk voters through the things they can do now to prepare for the 2020 elections.

Biography
Christine Dyster stared working for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office in January 2017 as a member of the Community Relations Team. As Community Relations Team Lead, she has worked to make basic voter information more accessible through tools like the Election Checklist and the Voter Registration Toolkit. In 2018, she got the opportunity to be embedded in the Election Department on special assignment for the November General Election. She has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Wheaton College, MA and a Masters of Public Policy from ASU. Christine is now the Public Information Officer for the Recorder’s Office.

Avery D. Oliver

Breakout Session
Clean Elections - Who We Are & What We Do

Session Description
For the people, by the people. Learn about the history of the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission (the host of this We The Vote conference), and how they help voters participate in the political process. Avery D. Oliver, Clean Elections Voter Education Specialist, will demonstrate important tools and resources made available by Clean Elections to voters, all to help them vote informed in 2020. It’s your one-stop, non-partisan, shop to help you #Vote2020!

Biography
Avery D. Oliver is the Voter Education Specialist for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Avery is responsible for educating the citizens of Arizona on the electoral process. Additionally, Avery creates educational materials for the public and works in conjunction with the web content manager to ensure that correct information is promulgated. Avery graduated with a Political Science degree from Arizona State University in 2018 while interning at The Secretary of States’ Office under Secretary Michele Reagan. Avery has a background in campaign management, is a published writer and is an Air Force Veteran.

Christina Estes-Werther

Breakout Session
Voting Down the Ballot Panel

Session Description
Presidential electors may be at the top of your ballot, but what's on the bottom can be equally important. From judges to propositions, from president to council member, this group of speakers will prepare you for all of your voting choices. Learn about all of the items that will appear on your ballot, from top to bottom!

Biography
Christina Estes-Werther is the General Counsel for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Prior to her hire in 2015, she was appointed by Secretary Bennett as the State Election Director in 2013. She has been a licensed attorney for over 10 years and has also worked as a Research Analyst at the State Senate and Deputy General Counsel for the Governor’s Office. She has been a Certified Election Officer since 2007, works as an election troubleshooter for Maricopa County, and conducts trainings to local governments on election issues, open meeting law, public records, and ethics. Christina graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Family Studies and Human Development and earned her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington. She enjoys singing, watching and reading science fiction, and spending time with her husband of 20 years and her shih-tzu Holly.

Eric Hammons

Breakout Session
Voting Down the Ballot Panel

Session Description
Presidential electors may be at the top of your ballot, but what's on the bottom can be equally important. From judges to propositions, from president to council member, this group of speakers will prepare you for all of your voting choices. Learn about all of the items that will appear on your ballot, from top to bottom!

Biography
Eric is a Principal at Point B Consulting with 25 years of experience specialized in improving business operations and implementing large business transformation initiatives.

Eric has led numerous projects that have enhanced organizational, team, and individual performance.

Eric’s Areas of Expertise Include:

• Process improvement using Lean methodology
• Organization development, change management, and business transformation
• Project management
• Organization design
• Stakeholder readiness and communication planning
• Training delivery and training development
• Team leadership and coaching
• Team building

Tara Hampton

Breakout Session
Voting Down the Ballot Panel

Session Description
Presidential electors may be at the top of your ballot, but what's on the bottom can be equally important. From judges to propositions, from president to council member, this group of speakers will prepare you for all of your voting choices. Learn about all of the items that will appear on your ballot, from top to bottom!

Biography
Tara Hampton was born in Ft. Huachuca, AZ and is the oldest daughter of a set of twins by Willie and Doris Hampton.  Her twin brother is Damon Hampton, who also works in the election field.  Tara’s introduction into public service started at an early age, when she saw her parents do their work as public servants for most of her childhood. Tara’s parents were positive role models and a strong influence in her life.  They showed her that service to your community and the people that live there is important.  With that in mind, Tara developed a foundation to honor the legacy of her parents by serving her community with passion, integrity and dedication.

Tara accepted the role of Clerk of the Board/Elections Director in Santa Cruz County in April 2019.  She has worked directly with cities, towns, school districts and special taxing districts as the primary point of contact in assisting the jurisdictions participation in elections facilitated by the Elections Department.  She has also spent time educating the public by providing Election Day training to over 700 poll workers.  Tara has worked with the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian party chairs and precinct committee persons.

Tara’s public servant activities include; former Vice Chairperson/Commissioner for the Housing Authority of the City of Eloy, Pinal County Elections early voting, receiving and provisional boards and Library Advisory board member for the City of Eloy.  She’s a member of the Election Officials of Arizona and an active member of the education committee.  Aside from her other talents, Tara is a certified grant writer and a certified Election Official of Arizona.

In her spare time Tara enjoys reading, astronomy, watching documentaries, researching history, and growing in her faith and spirituality.

Rey Valenzuela

Breakout Session
Voting 101

Session Description
Are you a first time voter in Arizona? Or maybe it’s just been a while? Get an introduction or refresher into the voting experience. Rey Valenzuela, Maricopa County Election Director, will tell the story of first time voters in Arizona. Rey will describe their journey from registering to vote to casting their ballot, how the election impacts their life and why their voice matters.

Biography
As the Director of Early Voting & Election Services, I support the management of several election processes and oversee the department heads to include those in candidate/campaign filing, tabulation and the political party & jurisdictional services divisions. Additionally, I direct the leads in the Early Voting department that presently service the 2.3 million registered voters; with almost 1.7 million of those voters on a Permanent Early Voting List. I love being part of the Recorder’s Office that champions a process that strives to allow voters to have their voice heard through the sound of their vote. I have been in the field of elections for over 30 years and for the past 13 have served as one of the two Representatives from Arizona on the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Standards Board. This year I was elected by the 110 Standard Board members to serve as the Vice Chair on the Executive Board. On a personal level, I consider my most rewarding venture to be my family - and my wife Sally, son Xavier and I are all “born and raised” Arizonans, which is as rare as unicorns.

William Robb

Breakout Session
Civics 101

Session Description
Why do we even have elections? If I vote for this candidate, what are they actually going to do in office? How does voting make a difference in my life? William Robb, educator, will take us back to the basics in this crash course on civics. Learn how the things that are important to voters (such as, library services, taxes, K-12 funding) translate into the ballot and who makes the decisions.

Biography
Billy Robb has been teaching history and government in Arizona for the past five years. He also hosts the Political Notebook podcast, a bi-weekly audio show discussing state, local, and national policy issues. A Phoenix native and graduate of Arizona State University, he started his career teaching psychology and coaching basketball in Southern California. He has a master's degree in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. He currently resides in Tempe with his wife, Wendy, and their dog, Copper.

Howard Blitz

Main Session
Panel Discussion: Political Party Perspectives

Session Description
Platforms, priorities & promises. Let’s chat with political gurus and glean some insight into what to expect from candidates & parties in 2020. This panel will help voters understand the goals and roles of the parties in Arizona elections.

Biography
Howard Blitz is a dynamic and success-oriented business and educational leader with over forty years experience and a proven record of accomplishments in owning a business and teaching.

Born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Howard attended the University of Arizona where he received both his Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration.

He has worked as an economic research assistant for the Bank of Hawaii and has taught Human Resources Management for Northern Arizona University. Howard also taught economics and political science, teaching classes in economics, American Politics, State and Local Politics, and the Arizona and United States Constitution for Arizona Western College. He currently is an adjunct professor at Arizona Western College teaching the Arizona and U.S. Constitution and a former adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix teaching classes in economics, finance, and the U.S. Constitution.

Howard is the founder and director of The Freedom Library in Yuma, Arizona. Since its creation over twenty years ago, The Freedom Library has promoted an understanding and acceptance of the Freedom Philosophy, inclusive of the concept of a free market, private property, and a limited government way of life, and the moral and intellectual principles which form the basis of a free society. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who complete The Freedom Library Education and Scholarship Program.

Howard is a retired State Farm Insurance agent of 38 years helping individuals with all of their insurance and financial needs. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 48 years and they have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Thomas M. Collins

Breakout Session
Independent Voters

Session Description
Did you know independent voters make up the second largest voting bloc in the state? With over 1 million registered voters, independents (no party affiliation), are a force to be reckoned with. Hear from Tom Collins, Clean Elections Executive Director & fellow independent voter, on the steps independents need to take to participate in the 2020 elections.

Biography
Thomas M. Collins is the Executive Director of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. As executive director he is responsible for day-to-day operations for the Commission, a five-member board that administrates and enforces Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Act, including voter and public education, public financing for statewide and legislative candidates who qualify, and campaign finance enforcement. Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Commission, Collins was an assistant attorney general for the Arizona Attorney General’s office, focused on election law, appeals, and attorney general opinions, including authoring or co-authoring several briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court in the matters of Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (voter registration) and Arizona Free Enterprise v. Bennett (public financing/matching funds).

Galen Paton

Breakout Session
Gen Z & GOTV

Session Description
Generation Z – Our next generation of voters. Let's talk about the power of the Gen Z vote, why it’s important for young adults to participate in the political process and their rising numbers.

Biography
Governor Doug Ducey appointed Galen D. Paton, a Republican, to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for a 5-year term expiring January 31, 2021. Commissioner Paton obtained his Master of Arts in Physical Education from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He has had a long and rewarding career coaching high school and college softball, volleyball and basketball teams in the southwest. In 2005, he led Sabino High School to the Arizona 4A State Championship and a No. 4 ranking in the country. The Arizona Coaches Association along with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association crowned Mr. Paton 2005 coach of the year.

Mr. Paton retired from coaching in 2010 and is a current member of the Realty Executives Tucson Elite group. He resides in Tucson with his wife.

Paul Carrese

Breakout Session
Working Across Perspectives

Session Description
Are you passionate about politics? Do you have issues that you care deeply about and want to support? That's great! As we head into 2020, we know a lot of folks are going to be voicing their opinion on what matters most to them. It's important to encourage civil discourse as we share our positions on the issues. Whether it's with a neighbor, at the dinner table, or on social media, learn a few tips to help foster respectful and civil dialogue.

Biography
Paul Carrese is the founding Director of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University. For nearly two decades he was a professor of political science at the United States Air Force Academy. He is author of The Cloaking of Power: Montesquieu, Blackstone, and the Rise of Judicial Activism, and co-editor of three other books – on George Washington, constitutionalism, and American grand strategy. His most recent book is Democracy in Moderation: Montesquieu, Tocqueville, and Sustainable Liberalism. He has held fellowships at Harvard University; the University of Delhi (as a Fulbright fellow); and the James Madison Program, Politics Department, Princeton University.

Leslie Hoffman

Breakout Session
Trivia: Test your Voting Knowledge!

Session Description
Do you love trivia? So do we! Join us while we make learning fun and test your election knowledge. You can join a team or participate solo, but one thing’s for sure, someone’s earning a badge of honor for their election knowledge! You may even walk away with some swag too!

Biography
Leslie Hoffman was appointed to serve as the Yavapai County Recorder by the Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2012 after 23 years in the Title Industry. In November 2012, Ms. Hoffman was elected to the office by the voters of Yavapai County and was re-elected in November, 2016. The Recorder’s office is responsible for recording documents and preserving them as permanent public records. The Recorder also oversees the County’s Voter Registration office, which is responsible for maintaining the voter rolls, early voting and the Permanent Early Voting List.

Ms. Hoffman is a member of the Arizona Association of County Recorders and is the current President; she’s a member of the Election Officials of Arizona, Election Center, serves as the 1st Vice President of the Arizona Association of Counties (AACo), is the Chairman for the Statewide Voter Registration Database Steering Committee, sets on the National Association of Counties (NACO) Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs and is on the Circle of Advisors for the National Vote at Home Institute and Coalition.

Leslie also holds a CERA certification (Certified Elections Registration Administrator) through the Election Center and Auburn University; this is a national elections administrator certification.

Jeremy Duda

Breakout Session
Money in Politics

Session Description
Ever wonder who pays for all those campaign ads on TV? What about those glossy mailers that arrive in your mailbox? Do you simply want to know who is supporting a particular candidate? Well, then, let’s show you the money! Jeremy will share simple tips with voters on how to learn who’s paying the bills in campaigns and provide a brief history of political spending in Arizona, and what to expect in 2020.

Biography
Associate Editor Jeremy Duda is a Phoenix native and began his career in journalism in 2003 after graduating from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Arizona Mirror, he worked at the Arizona Capitol Times, where he spent eight years covering the Governor's Office and two years as editor of the Yellow Sheet Report. Before that, he wrote for the Hobbs News-Sun of Hobbs, NM, and the Daily Herald of Provo, Utah. Jeremy is also the author of the history book “If This Be Treason: the American Rogues and Rebels Who Walked the Line Between Dissent and Betrayal.”

Garrett Archer

Breakout Session
Elections Projections

Session Description
Is Arizona turning purple? How important is our state in the presidential election? We're bringing in an expert to discuss Arizona's current political landscape, what the projections are for 2020 and highlight Arizona's new title as a swing state.

Biography
Garrett Archer brings a unique background in data analysis to ABC15.  Garrett was Senior Elections Analyst for the Arizona Secretary of State. He tweeted as The AZ Data Guru ( @Garrett Archer ) with Sesame Street’s “The Count” as his avatar. Garrett developed a large local and national following that sought his perspective on voter registration, turnout, demography, and horserace polls relevant to Arizona and the nation. He has also performed research and methodology work with Owens-Harkey Predictive Insights (OHPI);  as well as tech work for both the California and Arizona Republican parties.  Garrett’s a native of California and earned his BA in Political Science from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, California.

Speaker TBA

Breakout Session
The Media Perspective

Session Description
The media plays an important role in covering elections and communicating information to the public. From campaign coverage, to editorial board endorsements, to calling elections, the fourth estate is a direct line of election information to voters. Voters will hear from a respected journalist about 2020 election coverage.

Dr. Kelli Ward

Main Session
Panel Discussion: Political Party Perspectives

Session Description
Platforms, priorities & promises. Let’s chat with political gurus and glean some insight into what to expect from candidates & parties in 2020. This panel will help voters understand the goals and roles of the parties in Arizona elections.

Biography
Dr. Kelli Ward was elected the 23rd Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona (RPAZ) on January 26, 2019. She is a proud wife and mom, and the second woman to be elected chairman of the state party. Ward is a family physician, two-term state senator, and former candidate for the U.S. Senate. She is a strong proponent of smaller government, lower taxes, and individual liberty.

Felecia Rotellini

Main Session
Panel Discussion: Political Party Perspectives

Session Description
Platforms, priorities & promises. Let’s chat with political gurus and glean some insight into what to expect from candidates & parties in 2020. This panel will help voters understand the goals and roles of the parties in Arizona elections.

Biography
Felecia Rotellini is an attorney, politician, and serves as the current Chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party. Rotellini twice ran for attorney general in 2014 and 2010 and served as director of the Arizona Department of Banking under Governor Janet Napolitano. Felecia is devoted to turning Arizona blue in 2020.

Alec Shaffer

Breakout Session
Voting Down the Ballot Panel

Session Description
Presidential electors may be at the top of your ballot, but what's on the bottom can be equally important. From judges to propositions, from president to council member, this group of speakers will prepare you for all of your voting choices. Learn about all of the items that will appear on your ballot, from top to bottom!

Biography
Alec Shaffer currently serves as the Web Content Manager for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Alec provides consultative services, technical guidance and administrative expertise to executive staff, candidates and Arizona voters. In addition, Alec assists the administration, voter education and enforcement divisions with the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a variety of programs. Previously, Alec served as the Lead Lobbyist Specialist in the Election Services Division of the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. Prior to becoming the Lead Lobbyist Specialist, Alec interned at the Arizona State Senate for the 51st legislature. He was assigned to the Commerce, Energy & Military committee where he was able to witness firsthand the importance of Arizona's legislative process. Mr. Shaffer became a certified election officer in 2014 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University in May of 2013.

Lauren Gilger

Main Session
Panel Discussion: Political Party Perspectives

Session Description
Platforms, priorities & promises. Let’s chat with political gurus and glean some insight into what to expect from candidates & parties in 2020. This panel will help voters understand the goals and roles of the parties in Arizona elections.

Biography
Lauren Gilger is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized. She is dedicated to building community through storytelling and believes everyone has a story to tell.

Gilger worked as an investigative producer and reporter for ABC15 News in Phoenix after earning her master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2011, where she was named Outstanding Graduate Student.

She was the recipient of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2013 after her work forced one of the world’s largest automakers to recall more than 700,000 SUVs.

Her work has uncovered the systemic separation of immigrant families in the detention system, put pressure on the FDA to review a controversial form of birth control that has injured women worldwide, and exposed the backlog of untested rape kits in the country’s sixth-largest metro area.

In the Valley, Gilger has worked as a contributor for the Phoenix New Times and a clerk at the East Valley Tribune. Nationally, her work has appeared in the Washington Post and on ABC’s Nightline.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Fordham University, studying French, visual arts and American Catholic studies.

Journalism is in Gilger’s blood. She grew up in newsrooms as her mother worked at newspapers across the country.

Renaldo Fowler

Breakout Session
Voters with Disabilities

Session Description
Did you know that 1 in 5 people eligible to vote has a disability? It's important for voters to know what their voting rights are and the resources available to them so they can vote independently. From accessible voting equipment, to curbside voting to braille ballots, learn all the options available so you can pick the voting method that works best for you.

Biography
Renaldo is a Senior Staff Advocate with the Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) where he has been employed since 1984. Renaldo joined ACDL following his graduation from Arizona State University and has worked in the disability field for the past 36 years. Presently, he is working extensively with laws affecting students with disabilities within the educational system. He has been a voice in the state regarding racial discrimination in student discipline, as well as the disproportionality and overidentification of African Americans students in special education. Renaldo has successfully developed numerous trainings related to special education and positive behavior supports relating to restraint and seclusion in schools. Renaldo is also co-founder of the African American Conference on Disabilities (AACD). The AACD is the only comprehensive conference in the United States that addresses the intersection between race and disability. In January 2014, Renaldo was promoted to Coordinator of the Help America Vote Act, Protection and Advocacy Voting Assistance program (PAVA). The purpose of PAVA, is to ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.

Mi-Ai Parrish

Keynote Address

Session Description
The media plays an important role in covering elections and communicating information to the public. From campaign coverage, to editorial board endorsements, to calling elections, the fourth estate is a direct line of election information to voters.

Mi-Ai Parrish, our distinguished keynote speaker, will showcase how voters are impacted by the media in the political process. Please join us for this engaging discussion on the media perspective in the 2020 Elections!

Biography

Mi-Ai Parrish is the Sue Clark-Johnson Professor in Media Innovation and Leadership. She also is the CEO and President of MAP Strategies Group, based in Phoenix.

Previously, she was president and publisher of USA TODAY NETWORK Arizona, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She served as president and publisher of the Kansas City Star and kansascity.com for four years and president and publisher of Idaho's largest media company for five years prior to that. She was a journalist for 15 years, ranging from the Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Arizona Republic, (Minneapolis) Star-Tribune and Virginian-Pilot.

Parrish is the recipient of the 2017 Athena Businesswoman of the Year, 2017 Asian Corporate and Entrepreneur Leader Champion, 2016 PSA Behavioral Health Champion and winner of Best Opinion Writing for USA TODAY NETWORK.

She is an award-winning writer and international speaker. Her commentaries on the First Amendment and leadership have reached millions worldwide and been covered by international media. She serves as secretary of Greater Phoenix Leadership, vice-chairwoman of Banner Health Foundation and on numerous other boards.

Parrish was the first female publisher of the Kansas City Star, the first Korean-American publisher in mainstream media and the first minority to serve as publisher of The Arizona Republic.

Hayley Shanks

Breakout Session
Social Media & Politics

Session Description
Coming Soon!

Biography
Hayley Shanks is a Social Media Manager at RIESTER, a Phoenix-based advertising agency. She works on big picture social media strategy and day-to-day tactical execution for a diverse slate of clients, including the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. A Kansas City native, Hayley graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in journalism and Spanish.

Gina Roberts

Closing Session
Elections Q&A/Conference Wrap Up

Session Description
Coming Soon!

Biography
Gina Roberts is the Voter Education Director for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. She administers a robust public education program that strives to encourage participation in the political process from voters across the state. Gina is well versed in election policy and administration, and her experience includes administering elections for the City of Peoria and serving as the Elections Manager for the Secretary of State. Gina graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science and has been a certified election officer since 2009. Her work has been honored by the Arizona Capitol Times “Breakouts 2018” award and PRWeek “Best in Public Sector Campaigns” 2019 award. Gina is a 2019 Fellow of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy.

Thad Hall

Main Session
The General Election

Session Description
The Super Bowl of elections! The 2020 Presidential Election is expected to break turnout records. Will you join millions of voters across the country in casting a ballot for their presidential candidate?

Hear from Arizona’s State Election Director, Bo Dul, on what to expect in this momentous election, a breakdown of the electoral college, and how your voice can be heard.

Biography
Thad Hall is the Elections Director in Coconino County, Arizona.  He has worked in elections for over 18 years, including on the professional staff of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform, as a consultant to U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, and as Interim Director of Elections and Voter Registration in Richland County, South Carolina.  Thad has written several books and numerous articles on election administration, election management, election audits, and voting technology.  He has a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.