UCLA Extension Expert Insights

Barry Fadem is President of National Popular Vote and a member of the Board of Directors. Barry Fadem has visited 45 states on behalf of National Popular Vote. Barry Fadem is a partner in the law firm of Fadem & Associates in Lafayette, California. He specializes in all aspects of campaign and election law, and provides expert consultation in the area of initiatives and referendums. He is co-author of the book Every Vote Equal: A State-Based Plan for Electing the President by National Popular Vote with John R. Koza, Mark Grueskin, Michael S. Mandell, Robert Richie, and Joseph F. Zimmerman.

Shakari Byerly is a Partner and Principal Researcher at EVITARUS. Ms. Byerly designs and conducts public opinion research encompassing a broad range of issues, including candidate and ballot measure campaigns, American social and political values, and public attitudes toward transportation infrastructure and services, education, health care, natural resource conservation. With nearly 20 years of experience, Ms. Byerly has served as a pollster for dozens of electoral campaigns, cities, counties, local school districts, community college districts, special districts, public agencies, and non-profit organizations across the country, with concentrated expertise in California.

Robert Naylor, former CA Republican Legislative Leader, discusses the Republican Party in California. Robert Wesley Naylor is an American lawyer and politician. He is a former California State Assemblyman, who represented the San Francisco Bay Area's 20th Assembly District from 1978–1986, who was Assembly Republican Leader from 1982–1984 and California Republican Party Chair from 1987–1989. Source: Wikipedia

Conan Nolan, political reporter for over 30 years with NBC4 News, discusses political reporting and the media. Conan Nolan is a political reporter for NBC4 and anchor of 'News Conference,' the longest running political/public affairs program in Southern California television. Nolan covers state and local politics and is well-known for his interviews with top political leaders on 'News Conference,' which airs Sundays at 9 a.m.

Alex Padilla, CA Secretary of State, answers questions about the new voting system in Los Angeles, election security, registering voters, as well as preparations for the upcoming census. Padilla is a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member.

Guest Speaker: Kathay Feng, Common Cause National Redistricting Director Feng has led Common Cause’s work to challenge partisan and incumbent gerrymandering, through litigation, state-based organizing around ballot initiatives and legislation and creating new platforms for community-based redistricting. Instructor/Moderator: Robert Stern, JD, former President of the Center for Governmental Studies, a nonprofit research organization located in Los Angeles; former chair of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws; and former general counsel for the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Program Overview: California has moved up its primary date from June to March—on Super Tuesday, March 3. Now, California will get a slice of early-state action. In this course, we delve into the fast-approaching 2020 California March primary as well as the November 2020 election choices. We hear from a number of guest speakers: reporters, politicians, political analysts, and public interest representatives.

A discussion of what's on the ballot with particular emphasis on the California gubernatorial election, the U.S. House and Senate races and other competitive races throughout the country, the California ballot propositions, and the impact of the Trump Presidency on the House and Senate races. The November Election 2018 also looks at campaign financing, the initiative process and other reforms to our election system. The final class analyzes the November 6 election results and their meaning. Expert guest speakers also provide their insights. Guest speaker: Dan Schnur, former press secretary to McCain for President and Governor Pete Wilson; USC Annenberg professor, and expert in political strategy, campaign communication and government reform.

November 2017 - Derek Shearer, former US Ambassador to Finland and Professor at Occidental College, talks to audiences from UCLA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on international relations relating to the Trump Presidency. With UCLA Extension instructor Bob Stern Course Description: A discussion of President Donald Trump’s presidency so far, including his political philosophy, personnel appointments, press relations, foreign policy, and judicial nominations. We also look at ethical challenges, including conflicts-of-interest concerns. Expert guest speakers provide their insights. Please note that the Week 5 podcast will not be available due to the speaker's request.

October 2017 - Bill Boyarsky, former editor and columnist at the Los Angeles Times, talks to audiences from UCLA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on media issues as it relates to the Trump Presidency. With UCLA Extension instructor Bob Stern Course Description: A discussion of President Donald Trump’s presidency so far, including his political philosophy, personnel appointments, press relations, foreign policy, and judicial nominations. We also look at ethical challenges, including conflicts-of-interest concerns. Expert guest speakers provide their insights. Please note that the next podcast (Week 5) will not be available due to the speaker's request. Week 6 will be available.

October 2017 - Chris Carson, President of the League of Women Voters in the United States, talks to audiences from UCLA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on ethical and government reform issues relating to the Trump Presidency. With UCLA Extension instructor Bob Stern Course Description: A discussion of President Donald Trump’s presidency so far, including his political philosophy, personnel appointments, press relations, foreign policy, and judicial nominations. We also look at ethical challenges, including conflicts-of-interest concerns. Expert guest speakers provide their insights.

October 2017 - CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra talks to audiences from UCLA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on the state of California's response to the Trump Presidency. With UCLA Extension instructor Bob Stern Course Description: A discussion of President Donald Trump’s presidency so far, including his political philosophy, personnel appointments, press relations, foreign policy, and judicial nominations. We also look at ethical challenges, including conflicts-of-interest concerns. Expert guest speakers provide their insights.

September 2017 - Martin Kasindorf, former White House reporter, talks to audiences from UCLA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on his experience of being a White House reporter. With UCLA Extension instructor Bob Stern Course Description: A discussion of President Donald Trump’s presidency so far, including his political philosophy, personnel appointments, press relations, foreign policy, and judicial nominations. We also look at ethical challenges, including conflicts-of-interest concerns. Expert guest speakers provide their insights.

Daniel S. Feiman, MBA, CMC® is the Founder & Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting & training firm based in Redondo Beach, CA. He specializes in three areas: Strategy: Planning & Implementation; Finance: Modeling & Analysis; Process: Lean & Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Feiman is an internationally recognized seminar leader having worked with a roster of international firms: Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Credit Suisse, SEA (Supplier Excellence Alliance), TRW, Reliance (India), PEMEX (México), ARAMCO (Saudi Arabia), University of Manchester (UK), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates), Promigas (Colombia), and more. Mr. Feiman has over 18 years experience in all facets of the traditional & nontraditional banking industry. He has been awarded the CMC© designation by Institute of Management Consultants which is awarded to less than 1% of management consultants.

Daniel S. Feiman, MBA, CMC® is the Founder & Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting & training firm based in Redondo Beach, CA. He specializes in three areas: Strategy: Planning & Implementation; Finance: Modeling & Analysis; Process: Lean & Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Feiman is an internationally recognized seminar leader having worked with a roster of international firms: Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Credit Suisse, SEA (Supplier Excellence Alliance), TRW, Reliance (India), PEMEX (México), ARAMCO (Saudi Arabia), University of Manchester (UK), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates), Promigas (Colombia), and more. Mr. Feiman has over 18 years experience in all facets of the traditional & nontraditional banking industry. He has been awarded the CMC© designation by Institute of Management Consultants which is awarded to less than 1% of management consultants.

Daniel S. Feiman, MBA, CMC® is the Founder & Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting & training firm based in Redondo Beach, CA. He specializes in three areas: Strategy: Planning & Implementation; Finance: Modeling & Analysis; Process: Lean & Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Feiman is an internationally recognized seminar leader having worked with a roster of international firms: Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Credit Suisse, SEA (Supplier Excellence Alliance), TRW, Reliance (India), PEMEX (México), ARAMCO (Saudi Arabia), University of Manchester (UK), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates), Promigas (Colombia), and more. Mr. Feiman has over 18 years experience in all facets of the traditional & nontraditional banking industry. He has been awarded the CMC© designation by Institute of Management Consultants which is awarded to less than 1% of management consultants.

Denis Wolcott, APR, is president of The Wolcott Company, a full-service public relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Los Angeles. The Wolcott Company has provided winning strategies and crisis communication services for a range of companies, public agencies and organizations involved in higher education, real estate, technology, alternative energy, finance, water and more. Denis’ CorporateEco subsidiary provides sustainable-related consulting services. Prior to opening The Wolcott Company, Denis was a section manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Denis was a vice president and director of media relations for the Stoorza Communications public relations agency. Before entering public relations, he was an editor, assistant city editor and reporter at newspapers in the Midwest and Los Angeles. A member of PRSA’s Counselors Academy, Denis was co-chair of the 2009 PRSA International Conference, the 2008 chair of PRSA’s Western District and a past president of PRSA-LA.

Daniel S. Feiman, MBA, CMC® is the Founder & Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting & training firm based in Redondo Beach, CA. He specializes in three areas: Strategy: Planning & Implementation; Finance: Modeling & Analysis; Process: Lean & Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Feiman is an internationally recognized seminar leader having worked with a roster of international firms: Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Credit Suisse, SEA (Supplier Excellence Alliance), TRW, Reliance (India), PEMEX (México), ARAMCO (Saudi Arabia), University of Manchester (UK), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates), Promigas (Colombia), and more. Mr. Feiman has over 18 years experience in all facets of the traditional & nontraditional banking industry. He has been awarded the CMC© designation by Institute of Management Consultants which is awarded to less than 1% of management consultants.

Daniel S. Feiman, MBA, CMC® is the Founder & Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting & training firm based in Redondo Beach, CA. He specializes in three areas: Strategy: Planning & Implementation; Finance: Modeling & Analysis; Process: Lean & Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Feiman is an internationally recognized seminar leader having worked with a roster of international firms: Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Credit Suisse, SEA (Supplier Excellence Alliance), TRW, Reliance (India), PEMEX (México), ARAMCO (Saudi Arabia), University of Manchester (UK), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates), Promigas (Colombia), and more. Mr. Feiman has over 18 years experience in all facets of the traditional & nontraditional banking industry. He has been awarded the CMC© designation by Institute of Management Consultants which is awarded to less than 1% of management consultants.

Denis Wolcott, APR, is president of The Wolcott Company, a full-service public relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Los Angeles. The Wolcott Company has provided winning strategies and crisis communication services for a range of companies, public agencies and organizations involved in higher education, real estate, technology, alternative energy, finance, water and more. Denis’ CorporateEco subsidiary provides sustainable-related consulting services. Prior to opening The Wolcott Company, Denis was a section manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Denis was a vice president and director of media relations for the Stoorza Communications public relations agency. Before entering public relations, he was an editor, assistant city editor and reporter at newspapers in the Midwest and Los Angeles. A member of PRSA’s Counselors Academy, Denis was co-chair of the 2009 PRSA International Conference, the 2008 chair of PRSA’s Western District and a past president of PRSA-LA.

Denis Wolcott, APR, is president of The Wolcott Company, a full-service public relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Los Angeles. The Wolcott Company has provided winning strategies and crisis communication services for a range of companies, public agencies and organizations involved in higher education, real estate, technology, alternative energy, finance, water and more. Denis’ CorporateEco subsidiary provides sustainable-related consulting services. Prior to opening The Wolcott Company, Denis was a section manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Denis was a vice president and director of media relations for the Stoorza Communications public relations agency. Before entering public relations, he was an editor, assistant city editor and reporter at newspapers in the Midwest and Los Angeles. A member of PRSA’s Counselors Academy, Denis was co-chair of the 2009 PRSA International Conference, the 2008 chair of PRSA’s Western District and a past president of PRSA-LA.

Kim Adelman is a filmmaker who began her career as one of three producers of the 1996 independent feature Just Friends. Ms. Adelman then moved into short film, producing 19 shorts that played over 150 festivals and won over 30 awards. She has authored two film books, The Ultimate Filmmakers’ Guide to Short Films and The Ultimate Guide to Chick Flicks. and currently writes for indieWIRE, the leading news source on independent film.

Kim Adelman is a filmmaker who began her career as one of three producers of the 1996 independent feature Just Friends. Ms. Adelman then moved into short film, producing 19 shorts that played over 150 festivals and won over 30 awards. She has authored two film books, The Ultimate Filmmakers’ Guide to Short Films and The Ultimate Guide to Chick Flicks. and currently writes for indieWIRE, the leading news source on independent film.

Kim Adelman is a filmmaker who began her career as one of three producers of the 1996 independent feature Just Friends. Ms. Adelman then moved into short film, producing 19 shorts that played over 150 festivals and won over 30 awards. She has authored two film books, The Ultimate Filmmakers’ Guide to Short Films and The Ultimate Guide to Chick Flicks. and currently writes for indieWIRE, the leading news source on independent film.

Kim Adelman is a filmmaker who began her career as one of three producers of the 1996 independent feature Just Friends. Ms. Adelman then moved into short film, producing 19 shorts that played over 150 festivals and won over 30 awards. She has authored two film books, The Ultimate Filmmakers’ Guide to Short Films and The Ultimate Guide to Chick Flicks. and currently writes for indieWIRE, the leading news source on independent film.

Kim Adelman is a filmmaker who began her career as one of three producers of the 1996 independent feature Just Friends. Ms. Adelman then moved into short film, producing 19 shorts that played over 150 festivals and won over 30 awards. She has authored two film books, The Ultimate Filmmakers’ Guide to Short Films and The Ultimate Guide to Chick Flicks. and currently writes for indieWIRE, the leading news source on independent film.

CNBC named Nance Rosen, “America’s Job Coach.” Investor’s Business Daily featured her in its Managing for Success column. Over 420 media outlets cover Nance on Business Communication, Personal Branding, Marketing and Business Success. She’s a former marketing executive with The Coca-Cola Company, the number one most recognized brand in the world. The first woman director of marketing in the Fortune 500 technology sector, past president of the Medical Marketing Association and a successful serial entrepreneur, Nance is now CEO of NanceSpeaks! and ShoutBRAND, and the Executive Publisher at Pegasus Media World. In 2009, she produced a Wall Street Journal bestseller, BusinessWeek bestseller and again in 2012: the number one business etiquette book on Amazon. The author of Speak Up & Succeed and the Library of Success, Nance is a world-class speaker, an instructor at UCLA Extension, and a branding coach for success-minded clients.

CNBC named Nance Rosen, “America’s Job Coach.” Investor’s Business Daily featured her in its Managing for Success column. Over 420 media outlets cover Nance on Business Communication, Personal Branding, Marketing and Business Success. She’s a former marketing executive with The Coca-Cola Company, the number one most recognized brand in the world. The first woman director of marketing in the Fortune 500 technology sector, past president of the Medical Marketing Association and a successful serial entrepreneur, Nance is now CEO of NanceSpeaks! and ShoutBRAND, and the Executive Publisher at Pegasus Media World. In 2009, she produced a Wall Street Journal bestseller, BusinessWeek bestseller and again in 2012: the number one business etiquette book on Amazon. The author of Speak Up & Succeed and the Library of Success, Nance is a world-class speaker, an instructor at UCLA Extension, and a branding coach for success-minded clients.

CNBC named Nance Rosen, “America’s Job Coach.” Investor’s Business Daily featured her in its Managing for Success column. Over 420 media outlets cover Nance on Business Communication, Personal Branding, Marketing and Business Success. She’s a former marketing executive with The Coca-Cola Company, the number one most recognized brand in the world. The first woman director of marketing in the Fortune 500 technology sector, past president of the Medical Marketing Association and a successful serial entrepreneur, Nance is now CEO of NanceSpeaks! and ShoutBRAND, and the Executive Publisher at Pegasus Media World. In 2009, she produced a Wall Street Journal bestseller, BusinessWeek bestseller and again in 2012: the number one business etiquette book on Amazon. The author of Speak Up & Succeed and the Library of Success, Nance is a world-class speaker, an instructor at UCLA Extension, and a branding coach for success-minded clients. Nance was one of five experts chosen by Newsweek/Daily beast to judge their 2012 Digital Personality, Personal Brand of the Year. Her websites are NanceSpeaks.com, ShoutBRAND.com and NanceRosenBlog.com. Reach her at Nance@NanceRosen.com

Wilton Risenhoover has been involved in the startup community since 1996, when he founded his first startup, an online music radio station located in San Francisco, California. Since then, he's been involved in almost a dozen Internet startups. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of QuantSoft, a startup focusing on providing analytical tools for stock market investors. He has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kansas and an MBA (Finance, Entrepreneurship) from the UCLA School of Management.

Wilton Risenhoover has been involved in the startup community since 1996, when he founded his first startup, an online music radio station located in San Francisco, California. Since then, he's been involved in almost a dozen Internet startups. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of QuantSoft, a startup focusing on providing analytical tools for stock market investors. He has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kansas and an MBA (Finance, Entrepreneurship) from the UCLA School of Management.

Wilton Risenhoover has been involved in the startup community since 1996, when he founded his first startup, an online music radio station located in San Francisco, CA. Since then, he's been involved in almost a dozen Internet startups. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of QuantSoft, a startup focusing on providing analytical tools for stock market investors. He has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kansas and an MBA (Finance, Entrepreneurship) from the UCLA School of Management and an instructor at UCLA Extension.

Wilton Risenhoover has been involved in the startup community since 1996, when he founded his first startup, an online music radio station located in San Francisco, California. Since then, he's been involved in almost a dozen Internet startups. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of QuantSoft, a startup focusing on providing analytical tools for stock market investors. He has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kansas and an MBA (Finance, Entrepreneurship) from the UCLA School of Management and is an instructor at UCLA Extension

Denis Wolcott, APR, is president of The Wolcott Company, a full-service public relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Los Angeles. The Wolcott Company has provided winning strategies and crisis communication services for a range of companies, public agencies and organizations involved in higher education, real estate, technology, alternative energy, finance, water and more. Denis’ CorporateEco subsidiary provides sustainable-related consulting services. Prior to opening The Wolcott Company, Denis was a section manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Denis was a vice president and director of media relations for the Stoorza Communications public relations agency. Before entering public relations, he was an editor, assistant city editor and reporter at newspapers in the Midwest and Los Angeles. A member of PRSA’s Counselors Academy, Denis was co-chair of the 2009 PRSA International Conference, the 2008 chair of PRSA’s Western District and a past president of PRSA-LA.

Denis Wolcott, APR, is president of The Wolcott Company, a full-service public relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Los Angeles. The Wolcott Company has provided winning strategies and crisis communication services for a range of companies, public agencies and organizations involved in higher education, real estate, technology, alternative energy, finance, water and more. Denis’ CorporateEco subsidiary provides sustainable-related consulting services. Prior to opening The Wolcott Company, Denis was a section manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Denis was a vice president and director of media relations for the Stoorza Communications public relations agency. Before entering public relations, he was an editor, assistant city editor and reporter at newspapers in the Midwest and Los Angeles. A member of PRSA’s Counselors Academy, Denis was co-chair of the 2009 PRSA International Conference, the 2008 chair of PRSA’s Western District and a past president of PRSA-LA.