California State Senator Ben Allen was first elected in 2014 to represent the 26th Senate District covering the Westside, Hollywood, and coastal South Bay communities of Los Angeles County. Ben has thrown himself into the important work of state government, focusing on wise decision-making and pushing for reforms that address systemic inadequacies in our state. He has authored important laws in a variety of areas, from environmental protection to electoral reform. As a legislative leader in environmental protection efforts and member of the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy, Senator Allen continues to pursue ambitious policies that address the plastics pollution crisis including SB 343 in 2021, which NSAC co-sponsored, regarding the “truth in labeling” for what is recyclable, which was the precursor to passing SB 54, the most ambitious circular economy bill in the nation.

Heidi Sanborn is the Founding Director of the National Stewardship Action Council, a 501c4 non-profit that advocates for a circular and equitable economy. Heidi has been a leader in reducing waste at the source and promoting producer responsibility and a true circular economy for over 32 years. Her extensive knowledge of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)/circular economy policies around the world led to her being a key voice at the SB 54 negotiating table. Heidi is invited to speak all over the world on EPR policies.

Tina Andolina is the Senior Policy Advisor for California State Senator Ben Allen. She advises the Senator on policy issues related to the environment, natural resources, water, energy and climate change. Andolina previously was the Legislative Director for the Department of Pesticide Regulation, a policy consultant for State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), and was an advocate and lobbyist for several environmental nonprofit organizations working both in Sacramento and DC. Tina led the stakeholder negotiations for four years until SB 54 was signed into law and was instrumental in it’s passage.

Charles Helget is the California Director of Government Affairs for Republic Services. He has represented Republic Services Inc. and their various predecessor companies for more than 20 years. He has been actively engaged in waste sector public policy development and implementation at a local, state legislative and state regulatory level. He has served as an Army Officer and legislative staff director, political and policy consultant and lobbyist. He formed the government affairs firm, Sector Strategies in January 1991. As the firm’s President, Charles, has extensive experience, in California and the Western States, organizing government affairs strategies for public organizations and private corporations and representing their interests before legislative bodies, state agencies and local governments. As a senior legislative chief of staff, corporate government affairs manager, and consultant, he has built an extensive network of public officials and community leaders throughout California, the Western States, and Washington, DC.

Adam Regele joined the California Chamber of Commerce in April 2018 as a policy advocate specializing in environmental policy, housing and land use, and product regulation issues. He was named a senior policy advocate in April 2021 in recognition of his efforts on behalf of members. Adam represented the Chamber’s nearly 40,000 business members during the SB 54 negotiations.

Derek Dolfie is a Legislative Representative for the League of California Cities who covers environmental quality issues. Recently, Derek has focused on how cities can better prepare for and recover from disasters and the issues cities face around solid waste and recycling. Derek has worked at the League since 2016 and previously covered transportation, communications, and public works and public safety issues. Derek represented the League’s member cities at the SB 54 negotiating table and advocated for the shifting of waste management from local jurisdictions to producers, and the protection and enhancement of their existing infrastructure.

John Kennedy serves as a Policy Advocate for the Rural County Representatives of California where his portfolio includes lobbying the Legislature on solid and hazardous waste, energy, the California Environmental Quality Act, and other issues. Mr. Kennedy has also engaged extensively with CalRecycle, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the California Public Utilities Commission. Prior to joining RCRC, Kennedy served as Chief Consultant for the California State Assembly Republican Caucus Office of Policy and Budget. John represented the rural counties of California during the SB 54 negotiations which have very specific and unique needs.

Anja Brandon, Ph.D. is the U.S. Plastics Policy Analyst at Ocean Conservancy working to advance plastic policy solutions at the state and federal level. She brings a passion for science and conservation and an eagerness to work on science-based policy to the Trash Free Seas (TFS) Team. Anja was formally a AGU/AAAS Congressional Science Fellow and served in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley as the lead policy advisor on issues including plastics, oceans, and water, where she helped with the reintroduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.

VP of External Affairs for The Recycling Partnership, Dylan leads the policy and public affairs team, directing advocacy efforts for the organization at the local, state, and federal levels. While at The Partnership, Dylan has worked with all of the teams across the organization, serving as a spokesperson and stakeholder representative in numerous settings to communicate, collaborate, and find consensus on complex issues. Prior to joining The Partnership, Dylan worked for Resource Recycling for a decade. Dylan was at the SB 54 negotiating table and helped facilitate difficult discussions while providing his extensive expertise.