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viva mogi

Director, Strategic Programs and Policy Development

Viva Mogi is a former preschool teacher turned politico and lobbyist with a deep understanding of urban public education and election systems.

She pursued a Master of Public Affairs at the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy and a BA in Child and Adolescent Development at San Francisco State University.

Viva has held various key positions in organizations, including serving as Director of Strategic Programs and Policy Development at Long Beach Unified School District and President of the Elections Commission at City and County of San Francisco.

Her diverse experiences range from being the Interim Chief Development Officer at SPARK* SF Public School to the National Field Director at APIAVote, showcasing her versatility in education, policy, and civic engagement.

With a background in designing policies and programs, Viva Mogi is committed to creating equitable education policies that address systemic issues and empower students for success.

Highlights

May 31 · linkedin

CHEERS to AANHPI Heritage Month! Saved this to the last day & worth it!

Years ago, I wouldn’t find things I use daily be Asian American made. Today, I can’t go a day without AANHPI made products because they are all necessities.

• Freshly ground coffee beans from Black Light Coffee my fave is “when Harry met Coffee” 😉) in my Umi Goods coffee cup.

• Best toothpaste & floss (floss is seriously a MUST buy) with awesome flavors by Cocofloss

• Never thought I’d love bar soap until I found Ondo Body. I love doing these daily tasks bc it’s quality made by our community.

&& mostly my guiding light — books — are filled with Asian American authors… my favorite read this month — the red helicopter by James Rhee — change with kindness & a little bit of math. A former investment banker & math teacher who lead an incredible team, lifted them in the most beautiful way to rebuilt a plus-size black women clothing company from possible liquidation to a sustainable business through kindness. In a world where it seems like kindness and integrity lacks in many places, I learned so much about continuing to lean into the wisdom our families & community have taught us — kindness, community, and grace even when it seems like it’s not a priority to others or in capitalism. There were so many beautiful stories shared even in how finance works— relatable stories behind assets and liabilities. I don’t like to hide behind jargon and big terms when leading & so inspiring to listen how someone led that way. It gave me a lot of hope & also encouragement to see an AAPI man lead in this way. We can do can do great things.

Each of their stories how they got here are rooted in so much family love and the freedom our families fought for. & today their products are staples in my life. We are doing great things, y’all.

I love our community. CHEERS 🥂

#AANHPI #AANHPIheritagemonth #community

Mar 22 · linkedin

Yesterday was Mayor Willie Brown’s 90th Birthday! Albeit brief, I am glad I got to chat with him on the phone to wish him a happy birthday!! He told me the number of celebrations he still had throughout the week :) He is someone I never expected to meet & get to know so it has been such an honor to say he is someone who always picks up my calls is something I am still shocked by.

While so many stories to share, one of the greatest lessons he taught me is to value myself. At that time, being a young woman of color in politics was extremely challenging and while some on the outside would applaud me for my courage & wit, there were many days I was dismissed, undermined, challenged, and bullied and I felt beaten down. He would meet with me every time I felt I hit a roadblock — met with me until I gained clarity. He never tried to solve my problems but simply listened. Sometimes I wish he’d give me the solutions to my problems but he didn’t. He met with me until I saw myself how he viewed me. A person who was smart, approachable, and a leader who will find solutions to complex problems.

This photo is of us together less than a week before I left my home of 18 years to move back down to Southern California. He continued to make time for me. The time and hours he spent, while never said to me directly, felt like a message that I am always worthy of his or anyone’s time. I can now see why ‘quality of time’ is a love language — I know with my heart, he will always be in my corner rooting for me.

He has taught me many lessons but mostly grateful for him for letting me see myself, value myself, and no grand gestures needed to show someone they are worthy. Just be in their corner. To many more great years to him!

viva mogi
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Location

Long Beach, California, United States