Who We Are
Austin J Webster, President & Founder
Austin leverages over two decades of state and federal advocacy and communications experience to help his clients achieve their regulatory goals and influence legislative decision-making. He has policy expertise in higher education, agriculture and natural resources, climate issues, trade, the state budget, and the federal appropriations process. Austin also utilizes his time serving in communications for a state agency and as the lead spokesman for a statewide nonprofit to craft successful messages for political and marketing campaigns.
Austin founded W Strategies in 2020 with the mission of supporting organizations committed to positive social change in their communities.
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Sosan Madanat, Esq., Vice President
Sosan is a passionate legislative advocate with over a decade of experience in public policy and state legislation. Driven by her dedication to service and community, Sosan has effectively advocated for clients on an extensive array of issues, including the finance and development of affordable housing, access to high-quality healthcare, animal and environmental welfare, consumer protections, and economic and social justice.
Sosan is a member of the McGeorge School of Law Alumni Board of Directors and the Capital Advisory Committee. She also serves on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for the Los Rios Community College District.
Evan Hawkins, CAE, Association Executive
Evan brings his extensive expertise in advocacy, governance, and volunteer engagement to W Strategies as Association Executive. In this capacity, he partners with clients to address their most pressing association management, organizational development, PAC management, and leadership development needs. Drawing on over 15 years of experience, Evan provides strategic solutions that help associations and nonprofits overcome complex challenges and deliver greater value to their members and stakeholders.
Evan joins W Strategies after serving as Executive Director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, where he provided over a decade of leadership to the board and committees while expanding the organization's membership, improving governance processes, and delivering unprecedented advocacy success. He has held various leadership roles within the Democratic Party and currently serves on the American Society of Association Executive's Advocacy Council.
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Alexis Sjol, Special Assistant
Alexis is an experienced personal assistant with over a decade of expertise in the event management, wedding coordination, and interior design industries in Northern California. She has dedicated her career to supporting professionals in these fields, driven by a lifelong passion for creative endeavors. Alexis leverages her background in events and hospitality to manage advocacy days, receptions, conferences, and other events that are critical to client success while fostering collaboration within the firm.
In addition to her role with W Strategies, Alexis recently launched Second Set Co, a boutique personal assistant service that supports creatives and small businesses throughout California.
Karen Stout, Legislative Advocate
Karen is a sixth-generation Californian with a passion for community service and creating good public policy. She brings this passion to her work with clients across a diverse array of policy areas, including reproductive justice, health, human services, water, agriculture, affordable housing, and homeownership.
In her role as Legislative Advocate, Karen brings her expertise in navigating complicated policy areas to creating productive solutions for clients, organizing advocacy days for membership associations and other nonprofits, and leading the firm’s research and legislative tracking.
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Let’s discuss how W Strategies can support your mission and goals.