2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS 

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 
 
PRESIDENT​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Deepen Gagneja 

“As a founding board member and current Vice President, I’ve been in-it since day one to organize the queer 
capitol community and preside over our great progress. 
 
It’s vital that we acknowledge the intersectionality of the LGBTQ community and fight for non-binary/trans/POC 
that often don’t get a seat at the table. In just one year our leadership has done just that—and delivered 
tangible success. 
 
We’ve created a monthly networking mixer that serves as a safe space for LGBTQ people to connect, partnered 
with pro Tem Atkins and Rules Chair Cooley to promote cultural sensitivity and gender neutrality, created a 
LGBTQ resume bank to facilitate hiring, conducted a survey on LGBTQ staff concerns & formed solutions, 
spearheaded the Rainbow Mentors Program, and so much more. My mission is to ensure that we build upon 
our hard work. 
 
I want to create skill-development seminars for early- and mid-career professionals, a stronger mentorship 
program, and a queer youth leadership program so those who want to enter public policy are equipped with the 
skills to do so. 
 
I respectfully ask for your vote for President. We are in this movement together; let’s bring everyone to the table 
and lead with passion and inclusivity.” 

VICE PRESIDENT​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Alina Hernandez 

“Fast forward 20 years from now, I’ll probably be off in a faraway land reminiscing about that time in 2019 I took 
a crazy leap to run for Vice President of the Capitol LGBTQ Staff Association, and it was AMAZING! At least that is 
what I am tossing out into the universe at this moment. I mention often, I surround myself with people who 
offer positive energy to fuel my passion to do good things, and my one goal of every day - wake up proud of who 
I was yesterday. 
 
To me leadership is not about taking control, it is about elevating those around you to stand on their own 
platform and become leaders themselves. From the inception of the Association I have been invested in its 
success and I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to its future success in another capacity. As the 
current CA Legislative LGBT Caucus Consultant and an active member of the Association, I’m committed to being 
an accessible progressive leader to the LGBTQ community, building awareness, advocating for equal human 
rights, creating safe spaces, and elevating our future leaders. You have my WORD.” 

TREASURER​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Brandon Bjerke 

“Helping to establish the Capitol LGBTQ Association with the first board two years ago was tremendously 
rewarding and encouraging. As we work to bring the LGBTQ capitol community together, I will continue to bring 
 

to the board my insights as an attorney, ensuring that the board understands and respects the legal and ethical 
boundaries which will allow us to provide our members with valued programs. In serving another year as 
Treasurer I offer the Association stability, an understanding of our legal and financial requirements as a 
501(c)(3), and a measured optimism. While the Association is still new and finding its financial footing, I believe 
we have the momentum and a passionate network of professionals to provide the networking, mentorship, and 
intern programs other Capitol staff association have developed over much longer tenures. These programs are 
what will recruit, retain, and advance LGBTQ staff in the Capitol Community and I would be honored to help 
continue to make those goals a reality for our community.” 
 
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Erica Porter 

“As a founding and current board member of the association, I would like to continue my tenure on the Board 
as the Operations Director.  
 
I am very active in the Sacramento community and currently volunteer twice a month at the Sacramento 
Lavender Library, and every week at the no-kill animal shelter, Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary. 
 
I would like to see us enhance our current programs, like the mentorship program, do more community work 
and outreach, and hold Capitol briefings on LGBTQ issues. In my role as the Community Outreach Director, I 
have facilitated a presentation on suicide awareness, our marches in the Sacramento Pride Parade, a supply 
drive for the Sacramento LGBT Center, a volunteer group for QProm in 2018, and brought up the gendered 
dress code to the Senate, which was finally changed this year.  
I believe my excellent writing and proofreading skills will be an asset to the Association if I were to take on the 
role of Operations Director. I would also like to continue serving on the Events Committee, which was started 
last year. 
 
I believe in making the Capitol an inclusive in welcoming environment for all. I hope to have your support for 
Operations Director.” 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR​ (2 CANDIDATES) 

William Muetzenberg 

“Being Membership Director is important to me because, having been a part of the Association for nearly a year 
and a half—from attending one of the first mixers at Empress Tavern to working with the Events Committee for 
the 2nd Annual Staff Appreciation Honors—I have become a dedicated and active member. I believe that with 
my experience as a legislative assistant—both at Equality California and Lighthouse Public Affairs, planning 
multiple Advocacy Days and tracking legislation for multiple progressive clients—my organizational skills will 
ensure that we: maintain accurate counts of membership, alert members of when their membership expire, 
update newsletter subscriptions for members, and work with the External Affairs Director and Events 
Committee to host multiple events to recruit new members into our fold. As our Association grows, we must 
strive to be inclusive and work to include all interested individuals into our fold—from our LGBTQ peers to our 
allied brothers and sisters. And I will strive to make sure that, as Membership Director, I expand on that 
inclusivity to make sure our members feel important and valued and eager to grow our Association.” 

Amy Gilson 

“I have been an active member of the Capitol LGBTQ Association since coming to the Capitol as a science fellow, 
and now, as a legislative aide. In the past year, I have sold raffle tickets at the Sacramento Kings’ Equality Night, 
joined the fundraising committee, and served a mean cocktail at last year’s Staff Appreciation Night. Now, I am 
running for Membership Director. I bring significant leadership experience to this role, including two years 
 

directing a 100+ person professional development organization for early career scientists. As Membership 
Director, my priorities will be 

● Streamlining donations​ by adding membership dues options above the standard dollar amount, for 
example, adding options for a $200 lifetime membership and a $500 business/organization 
membership.  
● Inclusive recruiting​, drawing on connections in departments, third house, local LGBTQ organizations, 
and universities so members can network across diverse career trajectories.  
● Expanding the mentorship program​, co-launched by the Membership Director, bringing my 
experience on both sides of the mentoring equation.  
● Annual general membership meetings​ to ensure members are heard and the Board has 
opportunities to clearly communicate its plans and accomplishments. 

I am eager to work with you to keep our community strong. Thank you for considering my candidacy.” 

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Nicole Restmeyer 

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to run to reprise my role as Communications Director for the second year! 
It’s been a privilege serving as current Communications Director, past Operations Director, and founding board 
member since we formed the organization in summer 2017. 
 
I plan to bring continued energy and commitment to the role of Communications Director if I am re-elected. 
We’ve had a great year filled with fun events like the Pride Month Career Panel and Staff Appreciation Night, for 
which I’ve designed graphics and other marketing materials. We’ve also been able to do some high-impact work 
to help make the California State Capitol a more inclusive workplace, reflected in our press releases.  
 
Over the past year, we’ve added new functions to our website -- including the embedding of our bylaws, an 
embedded community events calendar (thanks Erica!), and the new Resume Binder (thanks Brandon!). If 
re-elected, I hope to integrate more and better features into our website, and continue expanding our social 
media reach (we already have 500+ likes on Facebook, and some of our posts have reached over 1,500 people!). 
 
Please reach out if you have any questions -- thank you for your consideration!” 

EVENTS DIRECTOR​ (2 CANDIDATES) 

Marissa Kraynak 

“Throughout life I have always held a strong belief in representation. I believe that decisions are best 
made with diverse voices and experiences and that an organization like the LGBTQ Capitol Association is 
a strong force to elevate and represent LGBTQ professionals. The chance to take on a leadership role 
and help facilitate the growth of such an important organization is why I want to serve on the board. I 
am running for the Events Director position because I have experience planning events and I would 
genuinely enjoy the opportunity to expand the visibility of the association within and beyond the 
Capitol. Previously, I have been successful in planning, promoting and executing a variety of social, 
professional, and fundraising events within my community. I am a very detail oriented individual and I 
would be excited to work with the CA Legislative LGBT Caucus and in the community. Being relatively 
new to both the Capitol and Sacramento, I am very motivated to become more involved in the LGBTQ 
community and to do my part to help such an important organization grow. I am eager for the chance 
to share my ideas, perspectives, and skills to continue the success of this organization.” 

 
 

Elle Chen 

“I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be running for Events Director of the Capitol LGBTQ Association. As Fellows & 
Intern Liaison, I supported the association through several accomplishments including securing gender-neutral 
dress codes for the Senate & Assembly Floor, organizing a Staff Appreciation Night, and hosting a professional 
development panel.  
 
I’m proud of what our association has achieved; however, I’m excited to continue pushing the envelope. I 
continue to center my advocacy around access for queer people of color, transgender, and nonbinary 
individuals – those who often do not have a seat at the table. As Events Director, I want to ensure every unsung 
hero in the capitol community is celebrated for their accomplishments. I want to partner with organizations in 
Sacramento and facilitate cultural competency trainings in the building. Overall, I am running to ensure every 
queer & gender nonconforming individual feels seen, validated, and celebrated.” 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIRECTOR​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Chantal Griffin 

“Last year, I started attending the Capitol LGBTQ Association Mixer without a clear idea of how I would be 
involved in policy. As a first-generation college student from a non-traditional background, I had little 
understanding of what steps it would take to find a policy position. Through the Associations Mentor program, I 
was able to improve my resume and land a position as a policy analyst for the Housing and Homelessness 
Bureau. My goal as a Community Outreach Director is to get more queer folx who have faced barriers accessing 
legislative positions—whether because they didn’t know how, couldn’t afford to intern for free, or didn’t feel like 
they belonged at the Capitol—in the door. I want to see more outreach done to QTPOC students and to queer 
folx who have been advocating for their communities but don’t know how to turn those skills into jobs.   
 
Through my work with the Gender Health Center, Sac Ladyfest, and Sacramento Take Back the Night, I have 
deep connections with the queer community all over Sacramento and Northern California. Additionally, my 
experience with community and labor organizing gives me the skills needed to outreach to our community.” 

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Chris Miller 

“My name is Chris Miller and I am the Press Assistant at the California Secretary of State. I am running for 
External Affairs Director because I know the importance of expanding our network and the impact that can have 
on the Association’s future. 
 
As External Affairs Director, I will work to uphold the Association’s bylaws by identifying mentors and expanding 
the Association’s relationship with the broader Capitol community. As I strengthen and diversify our connections 
to stakeholders and lobbyists, I will also strive to support every member by organizing networking events to 
further their professional development. 
 
Through my experience networking in Washington, D.C., I secured an internship at the Secretary of State’s 
office. Networking was my foot in the door – it was my hard work and dedication that led to my position as a 
full-time staffer, qualities I hope to utilize for the Association as External Affairs Director. 
 
This year marks a milestone in government representation for the LGBTQ community. As the LGBTQ staffers and 
allies of the largest state in the country, we have an obligation to continue to set an example. I look forward to 
seeing the Association grow and would be honored to earn your vote.” 

 
 

INTERN/FELLOWS LIAISON​ (1 CANDIDATE) 

Severiano ‘Seve’ Christian 

“My name is Severiano Christian and I am running for the position of Interns/Fellows Liaison within the Capitol 
LGBT Staff Association because I am obsessively captivated by the potential of helping LGTBQ+-identified staff of 
the Capitol, along with all people, find and establish a sense of community.  
 
Like many others, I’ve become cognizant of the ways in which my well-being as an nonbinary, queer, person of 
color can be affected by both policy and accurate representation. Serving currently as an Assembly Fellow, I find 
it to be an incredible honor to have the ability to bring my experiences to the analysis of legislative issues.  
 
Having previously worked program coordinator for an LGBT Resource Center on Chico State’s campus, focusing 
primarily on event-planning and policy work centering trans and gender nonconforming communities, I find 
myself to be uniquely qualified to represent an organization. 
 
I am confident in my ability to serve as a liaison between incoming interns and fellows and envision the LGBT 
Staff Association to expand in terms of membership and subsequent diversification. In this role, I plan to make 
myself as accessible as possible and to incorporate an ethic of love within all that I do.” 
 
 
 
 
Candidate order was determined by the California Secretary of State’s randomized alphabet drawing for 2019 general 
law city elections. The full drawing results can be found here: 
 
https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2018-news-releases-and-advisories/secretary-stat
e-padilla-announces-results-randomized-alphabet-drawing-march-5-2019-general-law-city-elections/