Speakers at the 2025 Convening

Elected in November 2014, Betty Yee is the former California State Controller, only the 10th woman elected to statewide office in California’s history. As Chief Fiscal Officer of the world’s then-fifth largest economy, Betty, among other responsibilities, served as a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) boards, whose combined portfolio reached $800 billion. She led the work at both pension funds that culminated in the funds’ net zero pledges. Over her eight years as Controller, she and her audit team uncovered $7.5 billion in unallowed spending.

Betty served on dozens of boards, commissions, and financing authorities affecting policies ranging from land management, affordable housing, and alternative transportation to crime victim compensation and health and educational facilities.

With close to four decades of experience in public service specializing in state and local finance and tax policy, Betty earned a BA in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a MPA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ceres, a national sustainability organization, and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.

After her service as State Controller, Betty served as a Fellow with the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for the Political Future where she led a discussion and study group on the relationship of good governance and the health of our democracy.

Betty is a declared candidate for Governor.

Professor Jodi Balma started her career as a professor of political science at Fullerton College in 2000, specializing in American politics and California state and local government. Her goal is to help students learn how to think about politics and community problems with an emphasis on critical thinking and analysis.

She is actively involved in the League of Women Voters and frequently hosts local candidate forums throughout North Orange County each election cycle. Balma is a regular on-the-record analyst for newspaper and radio media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Voice of OC, KNX 1070, KPCC, and NPR. and hosts a podcast on North Orange County politics titled “A Slice of Orange.”

Over the years, Dr. Gandhi has witnessed many women navigate the complex and often challenging symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Motivated by a desire to offer more comprehensive and effective care, she pursued advanced training and is now a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP).

Dr. Gandhi is deeply passionate about empowering women through education, helping them make confident, well-informed choices about their hormonal and midlife health. She is known for her warm bedside manner and her thoughtful, individualized approach—one that blends a holistic approach with evidence-based medicine. Her mission is to help women not just survive, but truly thrive through midlife and beyond.

Darcy Totten serves as the Executive Director at the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She has over 20 years of experience in crisis communications, journalism, public policy, and external affairs.

Darcy has built nationally recognized efforts while at the Commission including authoring the Commission’s award-winning original research report, the California Women’s Economic Blueprint for Pandemic Recovery and the award-winning #womenareessential campaign highlighting the role of women as essential workers in California’s economy. She is an expert in social impact strategies, issue advocacy, crisis communications and gender focused public policy. She is passionate about coalition building and working with intersectional and inclusive teams that prioritize historically marginalized communities.

Darcy holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College in studio art and visual communication and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Sacramento with her wife Jasper and too many cats.

Gabriella Blanchard is the Vice President of Producer Recruitment at Marsh McLennan Agency and a dedicated Board Member at Human Options, an organization committed to ending relationship violence. As both an advocate and educator, Gabriella draws on her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence to inspire and empower women of all ages. She shares her story with courage and authenticity, encouraging others to use their voices, embrace resilience, and realize their fullest potential.

With a passion for women’s health and well-being, Gabriella is committed to fostering spaces where women can thrive personally and professionally. Her mission is to break the silence around abuse, champion self-worth, and equip others with the tools to live with strength, purpose, and hope.