Team

Josh Wood, partner at I Street Public Affairs, brings to the firm an exceptional track record in executive leadership, campaign management, legislative advocacy, and strategic communications. His leadership and strategic insight are foundational to his role, where he leverages extensive experience in navigating complex policy reforms and economic growth initiatives in high-stakes environments. As a proven leader in the field, Wood’s contributions to I Street Public Affairs highlight his ability to deliver results.

In addition to his pivotal role at I Street Public Affairs, Josh serves as the CEO of the Sacramento Region Business Association, a not-for-profit association dedicated to fostering regional economic development. His efforts have been central to building broad-based, bipartisan regional coalitions that have significantly contributed to major economic development and regulatory reforms. His executive acumen is further demonstrated at Wood Public Affairs, where he has led high-profile public campaigns, including the landmark development projects of the Golden 1 Center for the Sacramento Kings and the Wilton Rancheria Tribe’s Sky River Casino. Moreover, as the CEO of the Sacramento Region Business Association, Wood oversees a pro-business climate across multiple trade associations, spanning industries from building and restaurants to technology, manufacturing, and banking. His inclusion in the “Top 40 under 40” by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2013, along with active participation on several boards, including the editorial board for Comstock’s Magazine and the boards of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, Lionakis, and Sonder Solutions, cements his status as a leader committed to economic and community development.

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Kelly Calkin is one of the leading public affairs and political consulting experts in California. From managing high-budget ballot initiatives to creating public affairs narratives that drive change. Kelly delivers see-around-corners strategic thinking, superb program management, and a “no surprises” client engagement philosophy. His credentials include senior political roles for PG&E, the Personal Insurance Federation, and the California Professional Firefighters; ballot box victories that range from the 70% sweep for Prop. 52 to dozens of campaign wins, and, most recently, the truly startling reauthorization of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

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Charanjeet “Charlie” Kaur Tiwana-Purewal’s journey through the real estate and development sector is distinguished by her leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to community and development projects. Charlie has made her mark by leading project developments, sales, and financing, and playing a pivotal role in strategic planning and operations. Her tenure was marked by strong leadership, innovative strategies, and community outreach, including spearheading charity events and youth programs.

Now, Charlie brings her wealth of experience and visionary leadership to I Street Public Affairs, where she aims to leverage her extensive background in strategic development, community engagement, and executive management to drive new initiatives. With a proven track record in advancing complex projects and fostering collaboration, she is poised to further her impact in the sector, contributing her skills to navigate and shape the ever-evolving landscape of real estate development. Charlie’s journey is a testament to her dynamic capability to lead, innovate, and inspire, making her a valuable asset to the clients she serves.

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Want to know what it takes to get the California Legislature’s moderate Democrats to hear and understand your issues? Spend a day with Chris. As the go-to consultant for this powerful bloc of pro-business legislators, he’s always there with the needed information and insight. He manages spectacularly effective political campaigns that have made this influential caucus a force to be reckoned with and plays a difference-making role in everything from local and statewide elections to serving as a Biden appointee to the DNC.

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Working with David gives you access to all the insights, strategic expertise, and creativity that comes from a storied political consulting career. He’s the guru behind the rise of the state’s pro-business legislative Democrats. The force behind Prop. 14, the open primary that changed everything. And led more than 160 campaigns, with an unequalled 85% win rate. The reason so many Fortune 500 CEOs and elected leaders have him on their phone favorites list: For them, losing is never an option.

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As someone who’s chaired a multibillion-dollar California infrastructure project, been chief political and communications officer for a Fortune 500 energy utility, served as a regional elected official representing 350,000 constituents, and was, no kidding, a NASA guy, Dan offers you unparalleled crossover expertise in strategy, creative messaging, and substantive policymaking. Dan is nationally recognized for his turnaround successes in energy and transportation, and, as chair of Carbon Free California, was a major force in the reauthorization of Diablo Canyon.

If the legendary California politician’s observation that “money is the mother’s milk of politics,” it’s also true that modern California realities demand absolutely error-free financial management and reporting compliance. Enter Kelly McCutcheon, I Street Public Affairs’ financial officer, with responsibility for a client roster that extends from very high budget statewide campaigns to monthly consulting engagements, as well as regular office billing and payment operations. 

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What happens when a former editor who was part of two LA Times Pulitzer Prizes, designs and executes a strategic public relations program? Answer: It gets coverage, wins editorial support, and delivers the right message at exactly the right time. All a reflection of the singular media understanding Bob’s brought to roles that only begin with serving as Gov. Jerry Brown’s high-speed rail chief of communications, chair of the SoCal PBS Board of Trustees, and adjunct professor of communications at UC Berkeley.

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Even beyond her deep strategic and program management skills, you’ll find Annie has twin superpowers in message development and public engagement programs that win hearts, minds, and votes. With more than 15 years of program leadership on projects involving environmental policy, infrastructure, affordable housing, and health care, she’s a stellar coalition organizer and motivator. Example: the major alliance she built to pass the statewide ban on flavored tobacco products targeting California’s youth.

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One of the main forces behind I Street Public Affairs’ stellar direct mail track record, Debbie’s management expertise in design, data targeting, printing, and mail house operations means you can confidently expect flawless delivery under the tightest deadlines. In the 2022 election cycle alone, she ran herd on 100 separate mail drops with speaks-for-themselves results for victorious Assemblymembers Papan, Bains, Zbur, Gipson, Quirk-Silva, Senator Ashby, and Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper.

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The wearer of many hats, Dani serves as I Street Public Affairs’ office manager, executive assistant to Kelly Calkin and Chris Tapio, quality control expert, and nerve center. A professional with more than a decade of experience, Dani is a critical point person in ensuring smooth and effective communication, vendor performance, and timely service that meets and exceeds our client’s expectations.

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For the past 25 years, Nellie has been synonymous with the seamless communications, proactive thinking, and expectations-exceeding delivery that define I Street Public Affairs’ approach to service. Even beyond her role as executive assistant to David Townsend and Amanda Blackwood, her skill as a professional quality control expert and proofreader has been critical cycle-after-cycle in the firm’s ability to excel in maximum pressure conditions with zero errors. 

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Orlana Van Zandt, serving as the executive assistant to Josh Wood at I Street Public Affairs, is an invaluable asset, renowned for her exceptional abilities in event execution, client management, problem-solving, and strategic skills. Since partnering with Joshua in 2012, Orlana has played a crucial role in the seamless execution of projects, demonstrating her ability to navigate challenges with a comprehensive outlook. Her efforts in streamlining communications and processes have significantly boosted efficiency and propelled the success of both I Street Public Affairs and Sacramento Region Business Association. Orlana’s professional dedication, strategic thinking, and capability to manage multiple responsibilities effortlessly highlight her as a key contributor to the organization’s achievements and a testament to her status as a major-league problem-solver.

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