In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Jo Giles, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha, about what happens after voters approve a ballot measure. Jo reflects on Nebraska’s successful 2024 paid sick leave initiative, the legislative changes that later reduced its reach, and the campaign to protect voter approved policies through Respect Nebraska Voters. She discusses the legal challenge that kept the measure off the 2026 ballot, the role of coalitions and impacted communities, and why implementation is a critical part of direct democracy. Jo also shares lessons for organizers working to defend voter power and build long term movements rooted in community.

To learn more about Jo Giles and Women’s Fund of Omaha, visit: https://www.omahawomensfund.org/
To learn more about the ‘Respect Nebraska Voters’ ballot initiative, visit: https://respectnevoters.org/

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Sarah Flowers, partner at 76 Words, about how ballot measure campaigns build media strategies that reach and persuade voters. Sarah explains how paid and earned media should work together, why campaigns need to understand their vote goals and persuadable audiences, and how research can guide messaging without replacing human judgment. They also discuss authentic storytelling, supporting campaign messengers, responding to misinformation, using AI and digital tools, assessing ads in real time, and current anti-trans ballot measure campaigns.

To learn more about Sarah Flowers and 76 Words visit: https://76words.com/
To learn more about BISC’s Voter Attitudes + Engagement Research, visit: https://ballot.org/research/

• Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠⁠

• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠⁠

• BISC Official Website:⁠⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠⁠

• BISC on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠⁠

• BISC on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Jeremy Al-Haj, co-founder and executive director of the Missouri Workers’ Center, about Missouri’s “Year of No” and what defensive campaigns can teach organizers about building lasting power. Jeremy traces his path into organizing, explains how ballot measures have become a critical tool for working-class Missourians, and discusses recent fights over direct democracy, taxes, reproductive rights, and redistricting. The conversation explores how long-term relationships, durable coalitions, and organizing across local and state campaigns can turn defensive victories into the foundation for a future “Year of Yes."

Learn more about the Missouri Workers Center and its work building a multiracial movement of working people across Missouri: https://moworkers.org/

Learn more about BISC and the ballot measures to watch in this year’s election on our Ballot Measure Hub:
https://ballot.org/ballot-hub/

• Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠

• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠

• BISC Official Website:⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠

• BISC on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠

• BISC on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Krithika Harish, Senior Program Officer for Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, about philanthropy’s role in building lasting movements. Krithika shares her path from civic engagement and international development to advocacy and institutional funding, then explains how transparency, and long-term relationships shape strong funder-grantee partnerships. They examine the role of ballot measures in advancing reproductive freedom, why early and sustained investment matters across the full life cycle of a campaign, how the funding landscape has shifted since the 2024 election, and why funders must reflect on the power they hold in shaping movements."

• Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields

• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian

• BISC Official Website: https://ballot.org/

• BISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/

• BISC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Andy Marra of Advocates for Trans Equality and Jaelynn Scott of Lavender Rights Project about coordinated ballot measure and legislative attacks targeting transgender people. Andy and Jaelynn connect today’s fights to lessons from the marriage equality movement, discuss the importance of centering trans leadership, and examine what effective coalition work requires. They also explore cross-movement solidarity, storytelling rooted in freedom, sustained investment in movement infrastructure, and the need to build lasting political power while responding to immediate threats.

Learn more about Advocates for Trans Equality and the work they're doing to advance equality, safety, and justice for transgender people across the country.
Learn more about The Lavender Project and their work building Black trans political power and leadership.
Leticia Martinez on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticia-martinez-1b7a6b10⁠

Jess Grennan on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagrennan⁠

Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠

Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠

BISC Official Website:⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠

BISC on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠

BISC on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Caroline Sanchez-Avakian and Chris Melody Fields Figueredo speak with Leticia Martinez, partner at Mission Control, and Jess Grennan, founder of Simple Majority, about the role consultants play in ballot measure campaigns and movement work. Leticia and Jess discuss what makes consultant partnerships effective, where trust can break down, and why transparency, legal counsel, compliance, research, and early collaboration matter. They also examine the tension between campaign messaging and long-term movement goals, the importance of knowing when to lead or push back, and how campaigns can build lasting organizational capacity, skills, relationships, and infrastructure beyond Election Day.

Learn more about Mission Control and the work they're doing to support movement organizations and campaigns.

Learn more about Simple Majority and their work helping progressive organizations build stronger strategy, messaging, and organizational capacity.

Leticia Martinez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticia-martinez-1b7a6b10

Jess Grennan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagrennan

Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields

Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian

BISC Official Website: https://ballot.org/

BISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/

BISC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In the season two opener of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez Avakian speak with Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation, about the state of American democracy and what it takes to build lasting power. Kelley reflects on her family history, the fragility of civil rights, and why local organizing matters—from school boards to block parties. They discuss interconnected attacks on LGBTQ+ people and other communities, the need to move beyond defense, the role of storytelling and listening, and how organizers can stay focused amid constant crisis. Kelley also shares why joy, belonging, and community are essential to sustaining movements and creating a more inclusive democracy.

To learn more about Kelley’s work - go to Human Rights Campaign One Year Into Trump Administration & LGBTQ+ Messaging Playbook for the Midterms
BISC’s new Substack - Direct Democracy Dispatch
BISC Report: Attacks on the Ballot Measure Process

In the season finale of Direct Democracy Diaries, hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian sit down with Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party. Maurice shares how his Caribbean immigrant upbringing and lifelong organizing work shape his political vision.

Together, they explore the role of ballot measures in building movements, the 2025 election outcomes, and the critical need to fight not only against fascism but for dignity, affordability, and power for working people. This episode offers a call to action to build authentic, connected, and community-rooted political power.

If you’re interested in the work that Maurice Mitchell and the Working Families Party are doing, you can learn more at:

http://workingfamilies.org/

BISC on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy⁠⁠⁠⁠

BISC on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center/⁠⁠⁠⁠

BISC on YouTube:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ballotinitiativestrategycenter