Staff

To contact any organizer or for press inquiries, please email info@planaction.org or call 775-348-7557. 

Laura Martin

Executive Director
Las Vegas

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    Laura is the Executive Director of PLAN Action. Laura started organizing and coalition building in college during the invasion of Iraq. She moved from her hometown of Colorado Springs to Las Vegas to work with SEIU on electing a president committed to health care for all. Next, Laura joined Americans for Democratic Action to organize low-income communities of color around kitchen table issues. Eventually joining PLAN in 2011 – first as a volunteer, then organizer and communications director – Laura’s leadership is on display in her current role as Executive Director. She is the first woman, and first Black person to lead PLAN and PLAN Action in the organization history. Additionally, Laura serves on the Western States Center board, as well as the board for Earthworks and People’s Action, and a graduate of Emerge Nevada. Just recently, Laura was chosen as a 2021-22 National Leading from the Inside Out Yearlong Fellow by the Rockwood Leadership Institute. Each year, Rockwood selects nationally recognized leaders to participate in transformative yearlong fellowships. These prestigious executive fellowships have emerged as one of the nation’s leading learning laboratories for experienced social change leaders.

Erika Castro

Organizing Director
Las Vegas

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    Erika started volunteering with PLAN and PLAN Action to help fight for immigration reform. She became a staff member in 2015 as a mining justice organizer. She recently took over the immigrant rights organizing responsibilities and leads the Nevada Immigrant Coalition. Erika is a graduate from the College of Southern Nevada and currently attends the University of Nevada Las Vegas to obtain her Bachelors in Social Work. When she isn’t fighting for all the things that put People and Planet First, you can find her having brunch with friends or on a hike enjoying the outdoors.

Christine Saunders

Policy Director
Reno

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    Christine joined PLAN Action in 2018 after having moved from Portland, OR. There she worked to organize the Fair Shot for All Coalition’s successful legislative campaigns including statewide paid sick days, an increase in the minimum wage, reproductive health equity, ban the box, and healthcare coverage for all undocumented children. Christine also has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver and spent time advocating on behalf of policies that support working women while a student. She has had a passion for economic, racial, and gender justice since her first rallies and lobby visits in Oregon at age sixteen. When not working Christine can be found spending time with her partner and pet rabbits.

Hector Fong Jr

Communications and Digital Strategy Director
Las Vegas

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    Hector joined PLAN Action following the 2020 general election as the Communications Manager. Hector is a first generation Mexican-American, born and raised in East Las Vegas, the son of a casino worker and construction laborer. Hector began his advocacy in high school against the systemic inequalities in education for low-income and immigrant students. Immigration is an issue that hits close to home for Hector, and had led him to begin working with Make the Road Nevada in 2019. There he was able to work on campaigns that ensured immigrant and working class voices were being represented and uplifted. Hector is a College of Southern Nevada graduate and is currently seeking his Bachelor’s at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, majoring in Political Science.

Cassie Charles

Campaigns Director
Las Vegas

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    Cassie Charles started organizing in 2015 with Planned Parenthood in Las Vegas advocating for comprehensive sex ed in Clark County Schools. While advocating for Reproductive Rights is the foundation of her organizing, campaigns are her jam! She quickly fell in love with the fast paced environment of electoral campaigns on the 2016 presidential election and hasn’t looked back since. Outside of work she likes to spend time with her dog, cats and partner watching new shows on netflix.

Danielle Fitzgerald

Field Manager
Las Vegas

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    Danielle (you can call her Fitz!) started organizing with NextGen NV in 2018, registering and educating young Nevadans on elections. A native of Las Vegas, she’s always been passionate about progressive issues and advocating for a better quality of life for working & low income people. After taking a break from campaigns & working for a local non profit in 2021, Danielle is stoked to return to political organizing life as the Field Manager for PLAN Action and help Nevada progressives win office in the 2022 midterm elections. Outside of work, Fitz is a dating reality tv connoisseur, loves to be in the kitchen, and is trying to visit as many national parks as she can.

David Lopez-Wade

Data Manager
Las Vegas