Candice Cho

Managing Director of Governors Safeguarding Democracy  

Candice brings more than 15 years of experience advising federal, state, and local government leaders on complex policy challenges and democratic governance. Before joining GovAct, Candice was Managing Director of Policy and Counsel at AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition of 50+ community-based organizations in Los Angeles, where she translated data, research, and community voice into actionable public policy. She led policy strategy for Stop AAPI Hate, the nation’s leading center tracking racism against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Candice recently served as Vice President of the Human Relations Commission, a mayor-appointed advisory board to the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the New York City Law Department, advising the mayor’s office and city agencies on legal and policy matters. She was also Chief of Staff to a New York City Charter Revision Commission appointed by the mayor, whose proposals to strengthen democratic participation were approved by voters. She began her career as a legislative staffer for U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin in Washington, DC. Candice holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, and Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College. She is admitted to practice law in California and New York.