Building & Leveraging Relationships with Policymakers

This session aims to enhance Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) by building upon their current experience and expertise to confidently establish robust relationships with policymakers. Through active discussion and collaborative brainstorming, participants will gain confidence with how to effectively present their "asks" and strategically leverage these connections, specifically in a manner that directly results in sustained support for their vital efforts within the community.

Facilitator: Hilary Bass

Hilary Bass is a dynamic public sector leader with a proven track record in driving results through innovative public safety initiatives 1 and strategic collaboration. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Bay Area Initiatives for the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), a non-profit dedicated to reducing gun violence nationwide. In this pivotal role, Hilary partners with public and private sector leaders to improve efforts to reduce violence and juvenile incarceration.

Prior to NICJR, Hilary spent 19 years leading the development and daily oversight of the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League (DSAL), growing it into a 70-person organization. This experience honed her deep expertise in operations, program development, and fundraising, alongside a knack for building positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

An Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame Emerging Leader (2019) awardee with a degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from Boston University, Hilary’s past work within the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office included creating a hyper-local food system for economic development and food security, establishing a free athletics department for low-income youth, and securing resources for community development initiatives like 16 neighborhood murals.

Known for her work in creative placemaking and community engagement, Hilary is dedicated to fostering positive societal change and long-term public safety. She secured over $50 million in funding for impactful community-based projects, profoundly shaping outcomes in public safety, public health, economic, and community development.

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