ABOUT OUR AGENCY
López-Wagner Strategies is an equitable communications agency comprised of a multilingual team of visionaries, strategists and climate justice advocates. We work with mission-driven individuals, organizations and companies to develop – and execute – equitable and inclusive strategies, to enhance their communications abilities to strengthen the collective impact for social good.
The López-Wagner Strategies team is stacked with visionaries and strategists, language access and equitable communications experts ready to help you solve your challenges. Whether you seek leadership or communications coaching, DEI training and assessment, traditional communications, digital strategies, media relations or brand creation and development, inclusive grant design, or if you're looking to revamp and hit refresh on an existing program – together, let's work to effectively support your purpose for existing.
Meet Your Chief Strategist
Betsy López-Wagner is Principal and Chief Strategist at López-Wagner Strategies and serves as the Strategic Communications Partner for ALRAS Digital. She has worked alongside attorneys, lobbyists, and coalition partners to safeguard the health of communities, protect clean air and water, fight arctic drilling, and protect the ocean’s resources. She's co-devised strategies alongside grassroots activists to ensure their power is seen, heard, and felt from regional to national and international levels by developing a culture of storytelling that elevates authentic personal narratives to emotionally connect with audiences and inspire action. Betsy's committed to supporting the growth of an inclusive conservation movement to strengthen state, national and international -level priorities to protect our environment, democracy, and above all, people.
Betsy López-Wagner is Principal and Chief Strategist at López-Wagner Strategies and serves as the Strategic Communications Partner for ALRAS Digital. She has worked alongside attorneys, lobbyists, and coalition partners to safeguard the health of communities, protect clean air and water, fight arctic drilling, and protect the ocean’s resources. She's co-devised strategies alongside grassroots activists to ensure their power is seen, heard, and felt from regional to national and international levels by developing a culture of storytelling that elevates authentic personal narratives to emotionally connect with audiences and inspire action. Betsy's committed to supporting the growth of an inclusive conservation movement to strengthen state, national and international -level priorities to protect our environment, democracy, and above all, people.
Betsy’s expertise is in environmental, bilingual and equitable communications, media relations and campaigns, as well as inclusive grantmaking with a racial justice lens. She is a mentor, coach, trainer, storyteller and DEI practitioner.
Betsy is on the Board of Directors for The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She is an advisory group member for Heartwired to Love the Ocean, a project of Wonder: Strategies for Good and Goodwin Simon Strategic Research. She is also one of 15 members of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council (BAC). Betsy is actively involved in grassroots level organizing, community projects and supporting organizations working for social good. Her work is motivated by the community she was born and grew up in, a neighborhood outside of Chicago surrounded by industrial facilities. She is on the ComNet SF Leadership Team, a network of San Francisco-area communications professionals who believe in the power of smart communications to improve lives. Betsy is also a communications advisor to the Green New Deal Network.
During her tenure at David and Lucile Packard Foundation she led Ocean Communications on the most pressing issues in global ocean conservation. She advised and introduced opportunities to move over $2.5 million dollars to new grantees representing organizations led by people of color and women of color, and focused on ocean-climate journalism, and was one of three co-founders of the Foundation’s first affinity and employee resource groups. She served as Communications Director for LCV’s Chispa, an organizing program of the League of Conservation Voters, and was the first Bilingual Press Secretary (Spanish) at Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm. Prior to her work in the nonprofit sector, Betsy worked for media outlets in Illinois, California and was an award-winning journalist and freelance writer. Nearly two decades ago, her work in Public Affairs began at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Learn more about Betsy, here.
Betsy is on the Board of Directors for The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She is an advisory group member for Heartwired to Love the Ocean, a project of Wonder: Strategies for Good and Goodwin Simon Strategic Research. She is also one of 15 members of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council (BAC). Betsy is actively involved in grassroots level organizing, community projects and supporting organizations working for social good. Her work is motivated by the community she was born and grew up in, a neighborhood outside of Chicago surrounded by industrial facilities. She is on the ComNet SF Leadership Team, a network of San Francisco-area communications professionals who believe in the power of smart communications to improve lives. Betsy is also a communications advisor to the Green New Deal Network.
During her tenure at David and Lucile Packard Foundation she led Ocean Communications on the most pressing issues in global ocean conservation. She advised and introduced opportunities to move over $2.5 million dollars to new grantees representing organizations led by people of color and women of color, and focused on ocean-climate journalism, and was one of three co-founders of the Foundation’s first affinity and employee resource groups. She served as Communications Director for LCV’s Chispa, an organizing program of the League of Conservation Voters, and was the first Bilingual Press Secretary (Spanish) at Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm. Prior to her work in the nonprofit sector, Betsy worked for media outlets in Illinois, California and was an award-winning journalist and freelance writer. Nearly two decades ago, her work in Public Affairs began at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Learn more about Betsy, here.
Meet the LWS Team
Alfredo Ramirez is the Founder and President of ALRAS Digital and serves as the strategic digital partner and advisor for López-Wagner Strategies. A seasoned and quadrilingual digital strategist, Alfredo has experience running digital advocacy, fundraising, and thought leadership campaigns for nonprofits, political candidates, and Fortune 500 companies across a myriad of issues. Alfredo has previous previously worked with and for Change.org, the League of Conservation Voters, Hilary for Florida, and Rational 360.
Alfredo Ramirez is the Founder and President of ALRAS Digital and serves as the strategic digital partner and advisor for López-Wagner Strategies. A seasoned and quadrilingual digital strategist, Alfredo has experience running digital advocacy, fundraising, and thought leadership campaigns for nonprofits, political candidates, and Fortune 500 companies across a myriad of issues. Alfredo has previous previously worked with and for Change.org, the League of Conservation Voters, Hilary for Florida, and Rational 360.
Rebecca López is Finance Operations Manager for López-Wagner Strategies. Rebecca is a Mexican American artist living in Chicago, IL. The youngest daughter of an immigrant father and first generation Mexican American mother, she attended Columbia College Chicago, graduating with honors and a BFA in Fashion Design in 2012.
Working as both an artist and a retail manager and financial coordinator, she is well versed in what it takes to make a business run smoothly and the level of organization and attention it requires; from graphic design to finances she believes that a solid foundation is the first step to building a larger vision.
Working as both an artist and a retail manager and financial coordinator, she is well versed in what it takes to make a business run smoothly and the level of organization and attention it requires; from graphic design to finances she believes that a solid foundation is the first step to building a larger vision.
Gabriela Ruelas is the Lead Translation Specialist for López-Wagner Strategies. A self-proclaimed fan of the printed word in both English and Spanish, Gaby's career includes stints as a translator, copy editor, ESL instructor and journalist.
As a translation specialist, Gaby feels special pride in crafting messaging that is clear and reflective of the precise original tone and language used. Many years in the newsroom has made her especially aware of the importance of meeting tight deadlines without compromise. In the last nine years, she has concentrated her work in the translation of environmental topics, which has expanded her personal interest in the environmental movement and clean energies. Gaby is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico, with a degree in ESL and Spanish instruction.
As a translation specialist, Gaby feels special pride in crafting messaging that is clear and reflective of the precise original tone and language used. Many years in the newsroom has made her especially aware of the importance of meeting tight deadlines without compromise. In the last nine years, she has concentrated her work in the translation of environmental topics, which has expanded her personal interest in the environmental movement and clean energies. Gaby is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico, with a degree in ESL and Spanish instruction.
Alejandra Santaolalla serves as the Organizational Effectiveness Strategic Lead for López-Wagner Strategies. Alejandra is the Founder and President of Leadership for Social Justice and has worked for mission-driven organizations advocating for policies to protect the environment, women’s reproductive health rights, and increasing the number of women in elected office who support reproductive health choices for all.
In addition to facilitating a culture of learning that enables leaders and changemakers to build and run more effective organizations, Alejandra leverages organizational development strategies to center racial justice and equity within organizational culture, systems, and processes. Alejandra graduated from Trinity Washington University with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management.
In addition to facilitating a culture of learning that enables leaders and changemakers to build and run more effective organizations, Alejandra leverages organizational development strategies to center racial justice and equity within organizational culture, systems, and processes. Alejandra graduated from Trinity Washington University with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management.
Diana Ruiz is a Senior Strategist for López-Wagner Strategies. Diana is an experienced environmental campaigner and global strategist with 18 years of transforming corporate practices. Her campaigns address the political and economic systems that affect humans and the environment and incorporate race and labor as important dimensions in the fight against climate change.
She has worked to make change and hold corporations accountable in Indonesia, India, Peru, and Ecuador. This has included building strategic partnerships with a broad range of advocacy groups including community, labor, private and public sector stakeholders. The projects and campaigns she has led have focused on issues that draw from industrial chemical systems, mining, industrial agriculture to pesticide regulations, climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
She has worked to make change and hold corporations accountable in Indonesia, India, Peru, and Ecuador. This has included building strategic partnerships with a broad range of advocacy groups including community, labor, private and public sector stakeholders. The projects and campaigns she has led have focused on issues that draw from industrial chemical systems, mining, industrial agriculture to pesticide regulations, climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
Dalila Adofo serves as an Organizing Advocate for López-Wagner Strategies. Dalila was born and raised in East Palo Alto, California and started community organizing at the age of 12 when she joined Youth United for Community Action (YUCA). Dalila was active in the campaigns that closed the Romic hazardous waste plant in Palo Alto and in developing the community's plan for future use of that site. She is now a member of YUCA’s Board of Directors. She has worked with the California Fund for Youth Organizing (CFYO) and helped coordinate, strategize and advocate for the California Student and Youth Bill of Rights to be passed.
She is a San Francisco State University graduate, having majored in Chemistry with a minor in Geography (Environmental Studies). She served on the Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice Board of Directors for several years. She is a lead coordinator for the Bayview Hunters Point Community Air Monitoring Project and a coordinator for the Southeast Community Council Coordinator for Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates, working on various environmental and social justice issues within the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, CA, in addition to her project-based support of Lopez-Wagner Strategies.
She is a San Francisco State University graduate, having majored in Chemistry with a minor in Geography (Environmental Studies). She served on the Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice Board of Directors for several years. She is a lead coordinator for the Bayview Hunters Point Community Air Monitoring Project and a coordinator for the Southeast Community Council Coordinator for Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates, working on various environmental and social justice issues within the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, CA, in addition to her project-based support of Lopez-Wagner Strategies.
Stacy Cervantes is an Event Management Specialist Consultant for López-Wagner Strategies. Stacy has built a career in public relations and event management for over 15 years, seven of them in the Washington, D.C. area. She started her career in Houston, Texas building community and brand relations, then embarked on a 12-year journey in higher education event management and production that led her to D.C.
During her time in D.C., she pursued a specialized M.B.A. (M.T.A) in Sustainable Tourism and Event Management from The George Washington University and Social Marketing Certification through Hootsuite. Through her extensive travel of North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean she has a strong background in supporting events for all faiths and cultures.
In the last few years, she worked at a communications firm and nonprofit sharpening her online event production and virtual community-engagement skills.
During her time in D.C., she pursued a specialized M.B.A. (M.T.A) in Sustainable Tourism and Event Management from The George Washington University and Social Marketing Certification through Hootsuite. Through her extensive travel of North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean she has a strong background in supporting events for all faiths and cultures.
In the last few years, she worked at a communications firm and nonprofit sharpening her online event production and virtual community-engagement skills.
Agency Partners
ALRAS Digital is a digital strategy agency that partners with López-Wagner Strategies on key projects to drive home change. From digital advocacy that floods Congressional offices to targeted media that reaches those who matter, ALRAS Digital helps organizations find a winning message and strategy to achieve their goals.
