Connect with ACSA’s advocacy team.
Senior Director of Policy and Governmental Relations
Iván Carrillo is a longtime advocate for public schools with deep expertise in shaping education policy. He began his legislative career in 2009 and spent seven years in the State Legislature, championing policies and securing funding to support students and educators across California. Iván joined ACSA in 2016 as a Legislative Advocate, and since 2022, has led the organization’s policy and advocacy work.
Legislative Advocate
Serette Kaminski joined ACSA in 2021. Serette has worked on education policy since 2011 and brings a wide range of state, national, and international expertise from both the labor and management perspective. Her ACSA issue areas include educator recruitment and retention, charter schools, juvenile justice, adult education, career and technical education, and health.
Legislative Advocate
Diana Vu joined ACSA in 2020. Diana has worked in both the Assembly and Senate in a variety of positions, including policy consultant and legislative director. She has a broad range of experience with California government having represented many parts of the state, including the Central Valley, the Bay Area, the Central Coast, and Southern California.
Legislative Advocate
As a principal consultant for the Senate Education Committee (March 2022 to December 2024), Kordell provided strategic policy guidance to legislative members and staff. He conducted in-depth analyses of proposed legislation, offering recommendations to enhance policy impact in areas such as school health, safety, curriculum, and technology. He also managed key legislative initiatives, including the Student Advisory Board on Education and the Joint Assembly and Senate hearings on interscholastic policy.
Legislative Advocate
Dorothy Johnson joined the Association of California School Administrators in 2021 bringing over a decade of experience advocating for statewide associations serving California’s local public agencies. Immediately before ACSA, Dorothy served as a gubernatorial appointee to the State’s 2020 Census Office, first as legislative director and then as policy advisor. Dorothy has honed expertise in a diverse array of issues, with emphasis on local government, that include governance, administration, employee relations, revenue and taxation, elections, public works, public safety, and state mandates.
Political Affairs Coordinator
Kristy Gilmore has been with the Association of California School Administrators since April 2019, starting as a Legislative Assistant. She was promoted to Legislative Associate in 2021 and currently serves as the Political Affairs Coordinator in ACSA’s Governmental Relations department. In her role, Kristy works closely with Senior Director Iván Carrillo on political initiatives, helping to advance ACSA’s mission and ensure its voice is heard in the legislative process.
Legislative Associate
Jose Vargas joined ACSA in December of 2024. Prior to ACSA, Jose spent six years working for United Ways of California on a variety of issues. There he led the drafting of the California Community Schools Partnership Act (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021), building on the legacy of the Healthy Start Program. Before his time at United Way, Jose briefly worked in the Senate, working on public safety and judiciary issues.
Legislative Assistant
Kimberly Johnson joined ACSA’s Governmental Relations team in March 2025 as an Administrative Assistant. In her role, she assists with the department’s legislative advocacy and policy work. Kimberly provides support for Senior Director, Iván Carrillo, as well as logistical and administrative support for the team’s day-to-day operations. She also serves as the Staff Support for the Early Education Council.