On the third episode of the Upswell Podcast – themed broadly around public policy and advocacy – we talk with two changemakers who work to encourage that every member of their communities has a voice in our shared democracy.

You’ll hear from Lacy Dawson, Table Director of Michigan Voice, a nonpartisan collaboration that works to engage people of color, single women, youth, and low-income individuals in creating a more accessible, inclusive, and representative government.

You’ll also hear from Elise Buik, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. She’s passionate about changing how policymakers think about poverty, and influencing their actions to permanently break the cycle of poverty for Los Angeles County residents.

They may operate on different coasts, but Elise and Lacy are both striving for the same goal – ensuring that the voices of the underrepresented are heard, and that the challenges facing the most vulnerable are met.