Since 2008, Raquel Simental has served as the Public Affairs Director for the Sacramento/Sierra Foothill Region at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and brings almost 10 years of political campaign, media, and public affairs experience to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. Raquel has served as Senior Account Executive for two political campaign firms in Sacramento. In her capacity, she assisted with campaign strategy and targeting, as well as coordinated direct mail, field and media operations. She has also coordinated the production of direct mail media for several state Democratic Caucuses nationwide. In 2009, Raquel launched ROQ Strategies, a campaign strategy and communications firm, which specializes in electing progressive women, especially women of color, into local office. Raquel grew up in Oakland, California. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations from the UC Davis and a Masters of Pubic Administration and certificate in Political Management from the University of Southern California.