On the Board:

Utkarsh Mehta

Secretary

Utkarsh Mehta's commitment to public policy and advocacy started in 2020 - the year the ideals of what America meant to the world were tested. His interest started with a goal to open a lobbying firm in Washington D.C. and continue to work with various groups and broker deals with the government. With that goal in mind, Mehta started to work for Right to Health Action - a youth-led progressive advocacy group. The non-profit negotiated with the World Bank, the State Department, and the United Nations to provide excess vaccines to the rest of the world. Mehta led congressional briefings in the states of Washington and Oregon - working directly with the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee (Senator Patty Murray of Washington). The non-profit was able to secure free vaccines to under-resourced countries. Mehta and his team from the great states of Washington and Oregon lobbied for various healthcare bills. Mehta also personally spearheaded efforts to form coalitions with other groups including IndiaCOVIDSOS.

During his time at Washington State University, Mehta also joined the local Climate Citizens’ Lobby to press questions to congressional candidates about their climate policies. Mehta attended virtual conferences and advocacy workshops hosted by the Climate Citizens’ Lobby. Mehta later transferred from Washington State University to California State University - Sacramento to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

After transferring, Mehta became a research intern under Rebuilding Alliance in the Bay Area. Mehta researched policy measures as well as specific issues such as demolition and eviction orders and human rights cases in the Middle East region. He worked directly with the Executive Director to brainstorm strategies for various advocacy campaigns and fundraising campaigns. He also managed external communications with stakeholders in the non-profit community and represented the non-profit at conferences and coalition-led lobbying campaigns.

Due to the aftermath of the US departure in Afghanistan, many Afghan Allies were left behind and Mehta worked with Civic Works to raise cases in the State Department with the help of Congress and Congressional liaisons. He has conducted research and lobbied to make changes in the Special Immigrant Visa process - an essential US visa providing entry to the US to our Afghan Allies to be evacuated out of the country. Due to these grassroots efforts, it is informed that the State Department eliminated a step in the SIV process to reduce the wait time. Casework with a Congressional Office helped one refugee leave Afghanistan safely and resettle in Virginia. Additionally, as a Lobbying Intern for The Advance Group, Mehta consulted with clients to understand project needs, identify solutions and strategies, and provide them with reasonable whitepapers and summary reports within the deadline. He also developed campaigns, promotional and outreach materials as well as presented PowerPoints, spreadsheets, and proposals for clients including labor unions. Mehta helped establish ongoing relationships with unions, community leaders, elected officials, and potential clientele in New York City’s local politics and is an active participant in discussions about policy issues and best practices.

Currently, Mehta assists Rep. Ami Bera's (D-CA-06) Office in providing administrative support and streamlining communications with constituents by logging voicemails, answering phone calls and emails, and attending to in-person foot traffic. Understanding constituents’ needs and issues, finding and providing information from relevant federal agencies, and connecting them with relevant caseworkers is the focus. Mehta also serves as a regional organizer for SEIU Local 2579 and on the board of the non-profit, Rebuilding Alliance.