Damon Woods

Director, Policy and Advocacy

Damon Woods is Director of Policy and Advocacy at Social Good Solutions and the Black Equity Collective, bringing over two decades of leadership in public policy, diplomacy, and equity-centered strategy. A former U.S. diplomat and seasoned advisor, he has led policy development and advocacy across government, nonprofit, and private sectors, advancing initiatives in economic equity, health,
education, and justice. He specializes in translating economic, social, and civic-political equity priorities into actionable policy frameworks, building cross-sector coalitions, and navigating complex political environments. His work focuses on advancing policies that support the Black community, with an emphasis on justice, institutional accountability, and sustainable systems change at the local, national, and global levels.

Mae Gates

Mae Gates is a seasoned organizer, fundraiser, consultant, and former Chief of Staff in the California State Senate. She has served in various staff and campaign positions for CA State Senator Sydney Kamlager (D-30) and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-54). A native to Wisconsin and Mississippi, Mae moved to Los Angeles to pursue her studies at USC.

After supporting the work and candidacy of two progressive champions, Mae entered the non-profit sector. Mae served as the Government Relations Manager at Chrysalis, a premiere 501(c)(3) offering workforce development and job placement for underrepresented, unhoused, and reentering Angelenos. Mae supported the organization in maintaining over $7 million in government funding, focusing on procurement contracts and grant management. Mae left her position at Chrysalis to begin consulting full-time at her firm, MGA Consulting. Mae continued to work in the political consulting space, managing various statewide and local campaigns and building a political fundraising portfolio.

In her former role as Chief of Staff to Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-28), Mae oversaw the district and capitol offices with a team of over 10 legislative staffers. Mae is the youngest Chief of Staff in the history of the California legislature and was one of only two Black female Chiefs of Staff in the California State Senate.

In 2024, Mae made her return back to philanthropy. She now serves as the Director of Philanthropy at Social Good Solutions, a Black woman owned and operated consulting firm with a client base in philanthropic institutions, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and institutions of higher education. Mae leads the fund development for the Black Equity Collective, a philanthropic fiscal intermediary organization for Black-led and Black-empowering organizations across southern California. In this role, Mae identifies and cultivates new corporate partnership opportunities, manages relationships with institutional and individual funders, and secures six and seven figure gifts. Mae’s role is focused on fund development of BEC to ensure institutional permanence.

Mae is a prominent leader and organizer in the food justice and racial justice movements. She is an active member of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles where she organizes for police accountability and an end to all state sanctioned violence. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first Black sorority. She has completed several certifications and professional development programs such as the United Leaders Project, Leadership California, Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellowship, and is a certified Chief of Staff with membership to the Chief of Staff Association. Mae was elected as the President of the Black Women’s Democratic Club in 2022 and is a member of various democratic clubs and civic organizations across LA County.

Mae is passionate about supporting progressive and people-centered organizations, and creating cooperative relationships between government, philanthropy, civic organizations, labor organizations, and direct service providers.