Amit Thakkar is CA FWD’s Vice President of Public Policy & Research. He leads the organization’s evidence-based policy agenda to promote issues vital to ensuring the California Dream is accessible to everyone. From housing and climate resiliency, to workforce development and broadband expansion, Amit works with state leaders and CA FWD’s partners to strategically advance policy priorities that expand equitable opportunities for all Californians.

Prior to joining CA FWD, Amit was a political consultant focused on coalition building, large scale advocacy and political campaigns for a wide breadth of organizations and candidates. His policy expertise includes community development, environmental protection, green tech, LGBTQ rights, financial regulation, housing and education policy.

In 2016, Amit founded the civic tech company, LawMaker, the first civilian lobbying platform that empowered Americans to crowdsource and advocate for new laws from the grassroots up.

Amit has extensive experience in the leadership of socially responsible companies/organizations and the cultivation of strategic partnerships to advance the public good. He also speaks regularly at colleges and universities around the country about civic engagement and the power of youth activism and political involvement.

A native Californian, Amit started his career as a lobbyist and campaign strategist for Cerrell Associates and was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs. He holds an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Pomona College.