Alisha Agard
Fellowship Coordinator
Alisha (She/Her) first fell in love with politics as a Bus Fellow in 2013. She took her skills back to Whitman and spent the remainder of her time organizing for racial equity on campus. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Alisha worked as the Fellowship Organizer in summer of 2015, got on board as our Campus Coordinator in 2016, and now works to run our signature leadership development program as the Fellowship Coordinator. When she’s not spending time making sure young people have the skills to organize their communities, you can find Alisha in South Seattle catching up on reality TV, sitting at the lake, or singing and dancing to her favorite tunes. Contact Alisha for questions about all things Fellowship.
Chris Esh
Program Director
Chris (He/Him/His) got his first real taste of campaign life in 2012 running voter registration drives and GOTV efforts supporting President Obama in battleground states across the country. Since then, he’s moved back to his home state of Washington to help run field programs and raise money for progressive campaigns and candidates, most recently with Governor Jay Inslee’s reelection campaign, before hopping on the Bus in early 2017 as the Program Director. Outside the Bus, you can find Chris rooting for the M’s, out getting lost in the woods, and fetching compliments on behalf of his pup, Jimmy Jazz. Contact Chris regarding political strategy, partnerships, and issue endorsements.
Cinthia Illan-Vazquez
Fellowship Organizer
Cinthia (She/Her) is a Fellowship alum from class of 2015. She most recently serve as a Legislative Aid for Representative Laurie Jinkins, and has now returned to help lead our Summer 2017 Fellowship Class! Contact Cinthia about opportunities to present to the Fellows.
Emilio Garza
Executive Director
Emilio (He/Him/His) got his start at the Bus as a 2012 Summer Fellow. Since then, he’s been a full-time Bus staff member on the programming side, successfully helped elect Seattle’s youngest City Councilmember Rob Johnson as Campaign Manager, and also served as CM Johnson’s Legislative Assistant on issues concerning labor and the economy, public safety and police accountability, and all things transportation. Now, Emilio is back at the Bus serving as resident “fall guy” (read: Executive Director). In his free time he enjoys rooting for the Mariners and Seahawks, advocating for smart urban planning, land use, and transportation investments, and staying active in the local hip hop community. Contact Emilio for all things “fall guy” related, like media requests, new partnerships and strategic direction.
Lily Clifton
Field & Outreach Coordinator
Lily (She/Her) began her journey in public service and civic engagement as a member of the Seattle Youth Commission in 2006. During her time in Boston, MA, Lily worked on state and federal grassroots campaigns, in particular the Massachusetts Dignity 2012 campaign. After completing a BA in Political Science at Boston College, Lily returned to Seattle and worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA to coordinate civil legal needs for homeless youth and young adults. Lily spends her free time enjoying the Pacific Northwest, baking delicious treats, and exploring the fantastic food offerings all over Seattle. Contact Lily regarding high school and campus outreach, volunteer opportunities, and field events.
Michael Padilla
Development Coordinator
Michael (He/Him/His) returned to the Bus as our Development Coordinator in 2015, having been a summer Fellow back in 2013. After graduating from the Fellowship, he continued working to raise the living wage in Seatac, organized around food justice issues in South King County, and is currently serving as a commissioner on the Seattle Board of Parks Commissioners. In his free time you can find Michael working on music with the legendary fellows class of 2013 band “Cat Storm”! Contact Michael if you’d like to learn more about our awesome monthly membership program (aka Friends with Benefits).
Sean Jacobson
Field Organizer
Sean (He/Him/His) originally got his start in politics in 2014, when he worked on Congressman Rick Larsen’s re-election bid while still attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he majored in in modern American history and political science. Since then, Sean has worked on various local, state, and federal grassroots field campaigns, including organizing for stronger environmental protections through the promotion of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, and advocating for a progressive income tax in the city of Seattle. When he’s not running around out in the field, Sean loves to enjoy the natural beauty of Washington State, cheering on his Seattle sports teams, and playing his guitar in his spare time. Contact Sean about upcoming field events and campus and high school outreach, focused in east King County.
Sophia Hoffacker
Field Coordinator
Sophia (She/Her) first developed of a love of politics and social movements as a highschooler in Washington, D.C. She majored in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont, where she was an avid student organizer working on fossil fuel divestment, migrant farmworker solidarity movements, and campus sustainability, before hopping on the Bus in 2017 as the Field Coordinator. Sophia is super passionate about local politics, drinking tea, bike commuting, the Youth Agenda, and her miniature poodle. Contact Sophia about anything and everything related to the Bus’ campus and community work.
Vote Bot
Official Mascot
Vote Bot is a sophisticated democracy robot sent back in time to change the future for one lucky state. And that lucky winner just so happens to be our very own Evergreen State, Washington. They came to us to break down barriers to voting and take names. Vote Bot comes from a place where voter registration is automatic for all eligible voters, turnout for the most local of elections is always 100%, where there’s a voting drop box in every home, and a young person heading out to get civically involved on every street!
Vote Bot isn’t only the hero we have, but the one we deserve. Helping us engage young people in politics and building the next generation of young leaders in Washington is hard wired into Vote Bot, and with them on board the Bus we’ll keep winning year after year!
