Capitol Academy
The Capitol Academy is an intensive and intimate three-day leadership development program to support and train local elected and appointed officials to run for higher office. The Capitol Academy is designed to provide participants with insight into the inner workings of the State Capitol’s network. Participants have an opportunity to learn from senior political and policy experts.
Program Overview
The Capitol Academy is hosted in person in Sacramento
Program covers costs of travel, lodging, and most meals for participants
Up to 12 applicants will be selected to participate in the 2027 Capitol Academy
Apply here for the Capitol Academy’s 13th Cohort—August 2027
Capitol Academy Alumni in Office
We are incredibly proud of the 130+ Alumni that serve in elected and appointed roles across the State of California. Each day, they dedicated themselves to public service and advancing the needs of our communities. Below are some of our Alumni that currently serve in statewide office:
Dr. Darshana Patel
Class of 2023
Assemblymember,
76th District
Aisha Wahab
Class of 2021
Vice Chair, API Legislative Caucus
Al Muratsuchi
Class of 2008
Assemblymember,
66th District
Dr. Steven Choi
Class of 2007
State Senator,
37th District
Mike Fong
Class of 2015
Chair, API Legislative Caucus
Dr. Jasmeet Bains
Class of 2015
Assemblymember,
35th District
Jessica Caloza
Class of 2023
Assemblymember,
52nd District
Stephanie Nguyen
Class of 2017
Vice Chair, API Legislative Caucus
Ash Kalra
Class of 2019
Assemblymember,
25th District
Robert Bonta
Class of 2008
Attorney General of California
2025 Capitol Academy
Cohort 13
Our 2025 Capitol Academy was dynamic and inspiring as ever!
Our cohort was all visionary leaders that have hundreds of years of combined experience serving the public across the state of California—we can’t wait to see where their journey takes them.
Paul Seo
Mayor Pro Tem
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Chyanne Chen
Supervisor
San Francisco City and
County Board of Supervisors
John Morada
Councilmember
City of Dublin
Arnel Dino
Chair of Planning Commission
City of Fullerton
Hanley Chan
Commissioner
San Francisco Veterans Affair
Mark E. Pulido
Councilmember
City of Cerritos
Jackie Thu-Huong Wong
Trustee
Washington Unified School District
Andrew Chou
Councilmember
City of Diamond Bar
Sion Roy
Trustee
Santa Monica College Board
Xouhoa Bowen
Vice Mayor
City of San Leandro
Featured Program Speakers
We are grateful for the incredible support we receive from the Capitol community, helping us pull back the curtain on what it’s like to serve in the Legislature, the dynamic of the Capitol community and deepening relationships that will last a lifetime.
| Day 1 Legislative Orientation |
Day 2 Campaign Operations |
Day 3 Deeping Connections |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Chan Chair CA API Legislative Caucus Institute Assemblymen Alex Lee (AD24) Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (AD10) Mona Pasquil Rogers Past President & Advisory Board Member CA API Legislative Caucus Institute John Tang Secretary CA API Legislative Caucus Institute Maeley Tom Founding President CA API Legislative Caucus Institute Senator Aisha Wahab (SD10) |
Leilani Aguinaldo Director Governmental Relations School Services of California Inc Appointments Secretary Morgan Carvajal Danielle Cendejas The Strategy Group Cabinet Secretary Nani Coloretti Ronak Daylami Policy Advocate California Chamber of Commerce Mary June Diaz Government & Legislative Affairs Professional Kaiser Permanente Alia Griffing Political and Legislative Director California AFSCME Zoe Johnson Director of State Government Relations California Life Sciences Alissa Ko HealthNet Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (AD76) Bill Wong Political Strategist & Author Bill Wong LLC Zachary Yeates Principal Grindstone Campaigns |
Diana Crofts-Pelayo Deputy Director of Communications Governor Gavin Newsom Alia Griffing Political and Legislative Director California AFSCME Bryan King Political Director California Senate Democrats Kevin Liao Consultant Front Runner Strategies Angie Manetti Vice President of Public Affairs Campbell & Associates Alicia Priego Policy Director BHFS |
