Meet the team
ZACHARY YEATES
For the last decade, Zachary has worked on campaigns across California, including Congressional and legislative campaigns in Sacramento, Central Valley and LA. He has led local initiative efforts, managed field campaigns in Mayors races in both San Francisco and Sacramento. He has also served as the Congressional Liaison for a statewide public employee union and as the Director of Civic Engagement for the Mayor of Sacramento, leading education efforts around the new Voters Choice Act voting model in California.
RENE MACLEAY SANTIAGO
René has spent the previous ten years working in campaigns and government in Sacramento and in the field across four different states. He served as a gubernatorial appointee, including in the Governor’s Appointments Unit and on the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. In 2020 he organized in Iowa and Illinois for Elizabeth Warren and led a field team in Milwaukee, WI for Biden. In 2022 Rene was responsible for Grindstone’s teams in Sacramento and the Bay Area, including races for State Assembly, State Senate and District Attorney.
RYAN VAN BRUMMELEN
Ryan joined Grindstone in 2023 after receiving his MSc in International Public Management and Public Policy from Erasmus University Rotterdam. He brings experience working in international NGOs, public affairs, and member associations both abroad and in the United States. As Operations Director, Ryan oversees recruiting, hiring, and onboarding during primary and general election cycles, supports external communications, and manages the internship program. Additionally, Ryan has led both paid and volunteer field teams supporting statewide ballot initiatives, supervisor races, and gubernatorial campaigns.
AMARANTA VILLALON
Amaranta brings years of experience leading political organizing programs across multiple election cycles, managing both paid staff and volunteer teams, and building powerful engagement infrastructure within Latino communities. Most recently, as the Latino Engagement Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, she helped secure a pivotal victory by just 187 votes.
Before stepping into electoral politics, Amaranta spent over eight years in the nonprofit sector, managing mental health and reproductive health programs that served low-income and underserved communities. Her career reflects a deep commitment to equity, community empowerment, and results-driven organizing.
EMMANUEL AVILA
Emmanuel brings a decade of on-the-ground campaign experience to Grindstone Campaigns. He spent the 2020 cycle working leadership roles on presidential campaigns, including the Iowa caucuses, Illinois primary, and Wisconsin for the general election. Experienced in coalition building and outreach to diverse populations, he has a proven track record of managing large field operations. In 2022 Emmanuel was responsible for Grindstone’s teams in the Central Valley including Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield, managing Congressional, State Assembly and State Senate races.
LEILA KHADER
Leila had key roles in legislative campaigns in the 2016 and 2018 cycles and managed Grindstone's efforts on over 30 races in the 2020 primaries and general election. In addition to field and live-call experience, Ms. Khader has experience as a staff director, responsible for recruiting and retaining talent as well as managing operations.
ANTHONY BARSKI
Anthony has a decade of experience in the political theater, working on campaigns and ballot initiatives across several states. He has managed large-scale field operations, simultaneously overseen multiple regional teams, and led voter outreach efforts for municipal races, issue campaigns, and national organizations. Anthony's work includes directing and scaling fast-moving field programs, training staff, and coordinating operations in diverse political environments.
Before joining Grindstone, Anthony held leadership roles on multiple statewide initiative efforts, city council campaigns and a presidential race, developing extensive experience in voter contact, staff management, and community engagement. He holds a B.A.&Sc. in Sociology and Political Science and is based in Sacramento, continuing to support campaigns with strategic field planning and operational leadership.
Grindstone Collaborators
