Calvin Hedrick
Interim Director of Organizing
Mountain Maidu
Calvin Hedrick is Mountain Maidu. Calvin is the Lead Organizer for CNVP in Sacramento. He has over 22 years of experience working with American Indian communities in California.
Calvin earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Native American Studies from Humboldt State University (Now CalPoly Humboldt) and attended Graduate school at UCLA. He is a Maidu dancer and is knowledgeable in Native culture. Calvin lives with his wife Virginia and three sons (ages 21, 12, 10) and two nieces (ages 5 and 7) in Carmichael, CA.
Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein
Director of Communications
Chickasaw
Erik, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has worked as both a journalist, most recently for the Los Angeles Times, where he was Senior Video Director, and as a documentary producer for ESPN, VH1, Food Network, Biography, and other networks. The UC Berkeley graduate has also held editorial leadership roles at publications such as Spin, Los Angeles Reader, and Orange Coast. His short story, “Fried Chicken,” was featured in the anthology “Another City” (City Lights, 2001). He has written about his Chickasaw ancestors and is interested in developing the story into a book or film.
Aurelia Mora
Development Manager
Chicana
As a second-generation Chicana in Los Angeles, Aurelia has been witness to and felt the impacts of gentrification and the criminalization and systemic oppression of BIPOC communities. Prior to her work with Liberty Hill, Aurelia primarily worked within higher education as a transfer student advocate and peer coordinator at UC Berkeley where she earned her BA in Ethnic Studies. She most recently earned her Master in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Transportation Policy and Planning from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Through planning and social sciences lenses, Aurelia is dedicated to centering the histories and voices of BIPOC communities. Aurelia seeks to center her work around being responsive and relevant to the needs and interests of the communities she serves.
Lance Hilderbrand
Strategic Initiatives Project Manager
Colville Confederated Tribes
Lance (he/they) is a two-spirit member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Lance’s upbringing within his reservation community in eastern Washington has shaped his perspective and dedication to advancing indigenous sovereignty. After earning his BA in Political Science from Stanford University, he has been based in Los Angeles, where he has dedicated himself to providing data analytics and creative strategy for various social movement projects and progressive political campaigns. Outside of work, Lance is an avid learner of his great-grandmother’s language, Okanagan Salish, and finds joy in his journey of cultural revitalization and celebration.
Shannon Rivers
Indigenous Education Now Coalition Manager
Akimel O’otham
Is a member of the Akimel O’otham (River People) Nation. Shannon was born and raised on the Gila River Indian Community located in the southern state of Arizona. He is an Indigenous Peoples human rights activist. Shannon served as a delegate and participant at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for nearly a decade, and from 2008 – 2010 Shannon served as Co-chair for the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus at the UN. Currently, Shannon is a Native American spiritual leader and cultural advisor to the Indigenous inmate population in the state, federal, tribal, and private prisons in Arizona and California, and serves as Co-Chair for the Underserved Cultural Committee (UsCC) for the Dept. of Mental Health Los Angeles. Shannon received his BS from Northern Arizona University and his MA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Shannon comes to the CNVP team to lead and manage the Indigenous Education Now coalition.
Tencha Chavez
Outreach Manager
Navajo-Diné
Tencha Chavez is Navajo-Diné of the Eastern Navajo Agency in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Her maternal clans are: Halt’sooi Diné é (Meadow People) and Tsinajinnii (Black Streak Forest) and she is Mexican (Nakaii) from her father’s side. She grew up in Los Angeles County (Tovangaar) but has ties back home on the Little Water Chapter Reservation. She recently graduated from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) with a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on Public Policy. She aspires to help make political changes in the White House with Native representation and advocacy.
One of her life’s purposes is to help her people heal and overcome past traumas and break free from generational curses, including those of her own family and Nation. Her journey has been one of resilience and transformation. She proudly identifies as an addict in recovery, walking the Red Road with unwavering determination. Overcoming addiction was not just a personal victory but a spiritual awakening that allowed Tencha to rediscover her purpose. She is passionate about serving our Native American community by creating systemic change that will help break the cycles of addictions, generational, and historical traumas. Her vision is one of hope, resilience, and a future where Native people can thrive, free from the burdens of indivisibility and hopelessness.
Liam Walsh is a UC Santa Cruz alumni who serves as the statewide outreach manager for the California Native Vote Project team. Liam grew up in Portland and moved as a teenager to the Valley Center area near the Rincon Reservation, where his family lives.
Liam spends most of his free time surfing, skiing, and playing guitar for his dog. Liam found his passion for social justice work while working with ACORN at UC Santa Cruz. As the statewide outreach manager Liam works in the areas of Covid programs, census work, and voter engagement work surrounding elections.
Elizabeth Garcia provides support with administrative, operational, and to the organization in general. She received her B.A in Sociology with the option in Social Welfare and Social Justice from California State University, Northridge. She believes in the importance of access to higher education for all students. She enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and spending time with her dog, Luna.
Renee Perez
Outreach Coordinator
Chicana & Indigenous Mexican
Renee Perez is Chicana and Indigenous Mexican. Renee was born and raised in San Fernando California. She began working with California Native Vote Project in 2022 as a part time canvasser and later joined the team full time as the Outreach Coordinator.She has been involved in Community engagement and outreach for the last 20 years. She has worked for several organizations in LA County, working with Unhoused, youth, incarcerated individuals, those in rehabilitation, the LGBTQIA community and more through community and health education. Renee has had a passion for social justice work since high school — she has had the desire to serve and give back to her community. She is grateful that she is now collaborating and empowering Native communities in CA through her leadership and experience. She is a widow and mother of her three boys who she adores. When she is not out in the community building relationships, she celebrates with the community as a lead vocalist in a latin, R&B band — which she has been a part of for over 30 years.
Josephine Argomaniz
Adminstrative Assistant
Josephine provides administrative support to our Executive and Operations team. After providing care for her family and home for 8 years she was excited to begin her journey with CNVP and unite with an organization who is passionate and committed to social justice and policy change.
