Speakers

Featured Speakers

Oz Laniado

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Oz Laniado

Speaker

Oz Laniado is a dedicated and dynamic professional, currently serving as the Executive Director of StandWithUs for the Southwest region. With an impressive background, Oz brings a wealth of experience and leadership to The Kindness Initiative.
Oz is the co-founder of a successful real estate company and the co-founder of Shongolulu, a mission-driven fashion brand that supports animal conservation. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social causes are evident in his diverse endeavors.
Prior to his current roles, Oz served as the Executive Director of FIDF in the Southwest for over five years. His leadership experience also includes positions on the Board of Directors of a NASDAQ company and serving as the Regional Director of the Israeli American Council in San Diego.
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Oz’s passion for Israel and his community is extraordinary. His dedication to fostering positive change and building strong, supportive communities aligns perfectly with the mission of The Kindness Initiative.

Urson Russell

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Urson Russell

Speaker

Urson Russell is not a politician—he’s a problem-solver, a business leader, and a lifelong Southern Californian who knows what makes this state extraordinary. Now, he’s running for State Assembly to bring that same energy, accountability, and results-driven leadership to Sacramento.
For 30 years, Urson has built and led businesses in operations, logistics, production, sales, training, and team management. He co-founded a company that pioneered high-tech lithium golf car fleets, helped launch a wearable camera company and today, makes products to help eliminate single-use plastics.
Urson believes that elections are the most fundamental part of keeping a healthy government and that our communities and daily life are most affected by “who” is in local office. He has led a movement for people across California to learn more about our elections and how we return to a common sense solution that puts communities first over Sacramento.
Urson is a fanatic for common sense, equal justice, and accountability. He believes good government is achievable and is committed to teaching citizens how to accomplish that together. He stands firmly with parents, demanding informed consent and institutional accountability. Schools, healthcare, and the government must assist families and never override them.
Urson leads by example. He’s ready to cut through the noise, fix what’s broken, and deliver real results for this generation and the next.
Urson Russell is an accomplished business leader and lifelong Southern Californian, recognized for his practical approach and commitment to excellence. As a candidate for State Assembly, he aims to bring proven leadership, accountability, and results-oriented strategies to Sacramento.
With three decades of experience in operations, logistics, production, sales, training, and team management, Urson has co-founded innovative companies, including those specializing in lithium golf car fleets and wearable camera technology. He currently develops products focused on reducing single-use plastics.
Urson advocates for transparent and effective elections, emphasizing the importance of local representation in government. He has led statewide initiatives to educate communities about the electoral process and promote solutions that prioritize local needs.
Dedicated to common sense, equal justice, and accountability, Urson supports informed consent and institutional responsibility, particularly in education and healthcare. He believes that government should empower families, not override them.
Leading by example, Urson Russell is committed to addressing challenges directly and delivering meaningful results for current and future generations.

Sheriff Chad Bianco

Candidate for Governor of California

Sheriff Chad Bianco

Candidate for Governor of California

Sheriff Chad Bianco is a proven leader whose life has been dedicated to service. For more than
three decades, he has protected California families and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the
men and women who keep our communities safe. Rising from academy honors to lead one of
America’s largest sheriff’s departments, Chad earned a reputation for clear-eyed
decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and results—stabilizing budgets, rebuilding partnerships
with local agencies, and strengthening staffing while navigating crises from civil unrest to natural
disasters.
Chad is committed to a safer, stronger California for the next generation. He believes every child
should grow up in a community where streets are safe, schools are excellent, and families can
afford to build a future. That’s why he has championed common-sense public safety,
accountability in government, and policies that support small businesses and working families.
On the campaign trail, he and his wife, Denise, have traveled the length of our state—listening
to parents, first responders, farmers, and job creators—bringing their concerns into a plan
focused on practical solutions rather than politics.
Rooted in faith, family, and service, Chad is running for Governor to restore the promise of
California: real opportunity, responsible leadership, and respect for the people who call this
place home. His commitment is to Californians who deserve a government worthy of their hard
work and a state that works for them.

Sonja Shaw

State Superintendent

Sonja Shaw

State Superintendent

Sonja Shaw never planned to run for office. A Chino native who overcame a challenging childhood, she was content as a soccer mom, cheering on her two daughters from the sidelines. But when California sidelined parents during debates over closures and mandates, she could no longer remain a spectator. Sonja’s resilience and faith drove her to fight on behalf of our children and families.
Starting out by attending local school board meetings to advocate for her daughters, Sonja’s fight for our children grew into a movement. Elected Chino Valley Unified School Board President in 2022, she championed parental rights, winning landmark battles against Sacramento’s extreme policies.
Backed by countless parents, she proved families, not politicians, should steer education. Now running for California State Superintendent in 2026, Sonja aims to fix a system where only 46.7% of students read at grade level, transforming schools into launchpads for dreams. A wife and mom guided by faith, she’s committed to fighting for every child’s future.

Upcoming Speakers

Sonja Shaw

Speaker

Sonja Shaw

Speaker

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Kate Sanchez

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Kate Sanchez

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Mari Barke

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Mari Barke

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