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Monica Ruelas Mares is a South Sacramento native passionate about equity, social justice, and the power of community to influence policy. As Associate Director of Funding the Next Generation, she coordinates advocacy programs and statewide networks, facilitates trainings, and supports coalitions in building winning strategies for local campaigns across California.

Before joining FNG, Monica was Manager of Local Children’s Policy at Youth Forward and coordinator of Sac Kids First, where she helped lead the campaign for Measure L—Sacramento’s first-ever Children’s Fund. In 2023, she was appointed to the Fund’s Planning and Oversight Commission and elected as its inaugural Chair, helping lead the development of the fund’s first five-year strategic investment plan, approved unanimously by both the commission and City Council.

In 2025, Monica was named one of the Top 20 Latino Changemakers by the Sacramento Bee. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a graduate of UCLA with a BA in Geography. Outside of work, she enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams, spending time with family, and connecting with her community of girlfriends.