Legislative Assistant to California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer
FOR the past three years, Filipina American Najia Rosales has been a valuable legislative assistant in the office of the State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer. Among her many duties include the following: providing analysis for the Health Benefits Committee Board materials for the California Employees’ Public Retirement System (CalPERS); research, analyze, and report on federal and state health legislation and issues affecting CalPERS, including health information technology and health information exchange; attend any health related discussion and forums on behalf of the Treasurer; and work with stakeholders and health care providers in conjunction with CalPERS Board items and issues.
Najia also analyzes and researches California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors materials and attends board meetings. She supports the Chief Deputy and Deputy Treasurers on special projects: creating PowerPoint presentations at various conferences and meetings; preparing graphs/diagrams for Senate and Assembly Committee hearings; arranging meeting materials on various issues; and researching and coordinating projects for the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). She is the Chair and co-chair for the California Emergency FoodLink; a key campaigner for the California State Employees Charitable Campaign; and co-coordinator for the annual National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Najia was born in the Philippines on March 7, 1971 and immigrated to US with her parents and siblings on Dec. 22, 1973. She graduated from Tokay High School in Lodi, CA in 1991. She’s the 3rd child (of 4 children) of Melvyn M. Rosales and Dailinda Alvarez Rosales.
“I graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1996 with a degree in politics. I’ve always been interested in politics since high school since I served as their Senior Assembly and Speaker. I have volunteered for campaigns, most notably, former gubernatorial candidate and Treasurer Phil Angelides,” Najia told Asian Journal.
Shortly after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, she was assigned as an intern at the office of then Vice Governor Davis and became the first intern hired on a permanent basis.
In 1997, Najia worked as an administrative aide in the office of the Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis. She also worked as an administrative and then special assistant to then Assembly Majority Leader and Speaker Antonio R. Villaraigosa from 1998-2000. From 2000-2002, Najia was special assistant to then State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. In 2003, she was special assistant to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and from 2004-2005, she was a public affairs analyst of State Controller Steve Westly. Rosales then worked in the executive office of State Treasurer Phil Angelides from 2005-2006 before moving on to the office of the State Treasurer.
“During my various positions, I have met with former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and met Al Gore. I even went to the White House in 2002 for the national teacher of the year celebrating California teacher Chauncey Veatch,” said Najia.
“My hobbies include knitting, sewing, watching movies, and hula dancing. I’ve been dancing hula for 29 years; my current halau is Te Mau Tamari’i A Tiare under Kum Hula (instructor) Marlo Caramat. I’m a member of Adventure Christian Church in Roseville CA. I am married (no kids yet) to Ron Riusaki for 12 years and we currently sponsor children around the world through Compassion International,” Najia shared.
Asked about her future plans, Najia simply said, “With a new Governor-elect in California, who knows where my path leads me.”
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