Christopher Sanchez, Founder and Principal of the Mesa Verde Group, brings over a decades’ worth of political and policy experience. Prior to establishing the Mesa Verde Group Christopher was a Legislative Assistant for Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva and Assemblymember Patty Lopez where he staffed an array of policy issues and legislation that directly impacted low-income communities.

After the 2016 election Christopher transitioned to become a policy advocate for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), California’s largest grassroots immigrant rights organization, to protect and defend immigrant communities from attacks by the incoming presidential administration. While at CHIRLA Christopher coordinated activities within the Sacramento region and managed the organization’s state policy portfolio which allowed him to be part of dynamic coalitions to pass significant budgetary investments for immigrant communities and historic legislation.

In 2021 at the height of the pandemic Christopher transitioned to the Western Center on Law and Poverty where he managed the organization’s public benefits and access to justice policy portfolio and issues related to food insecurity and nutrition at the federal and state level. During this time Christopher was instrumental in expanding the reach social service programs had that were designed to assist those experiencing poverty.

During his time as an advocate Christopher has led grassroots legislative campaigns that centered community voices and their participation including the passage of landmark legislation such as the Garment Worker Protection Act (SB 62 - Durazo), Fair Access to Credit Act (AB 539 - Limon), and the Enhancing Safety of Sidewalk Food Vending (SB 972 - Gonzalez), legislation that led to the full legalization and decriminalization of street food vendors.

As a Chicano from the town he lives in Fullerton, CA, he understands the importance of creating pathways for future generations who are from politically disenfranchised communities which is why he has serves as a mentor in formal programs such as the Fullerton College Puente Program and through the California Latino Capitol Association Foundation.

Today Christopher serves on the board of directors for the Garment Worker Center of Los Angeles and on the steering committee for Californians for Economic Justice and is a past member of the Latino Coalition for a Health California’s ¡Adelante, California! Community Advisory Board and the California Student Commission’s Undocumented Student Affordability Work Group.