Lys Mendez (she/her), Program Director

Lys Mendez is a California program director with Sunstone Strategies, bringing extensive experience working across the state on environmental justice, policy advocacy and communications efforts that highlight community-driven stories. 

Lys has worked as a communications strategist for clients across tech, academia, grassroots advocacy and transportation issues. She led communications for the California Air Resources Board, worked for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and for the County of Riverside. Lys started her career in communications as a newspaper reporter. 

Lys has a master in regional and urban planning degree from UCLA and did her undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz. She lives in Los Angeles.