Events

Sonja Shaw is running for California State Superintendent. Sonja Shaw was elected to the Board of Education in November 2022. Born and raised in Chino, Sonja was educated in Chino Valley schools, and graduated from Ayala High School. Sonja is a mom of two Chino Valley students, and lives in Chino with her husband, Chris, and two fur family members, Jaxx and Kooper. Before serving on the school Board, she owned and operated two small community businesses: training women in fitness and health and running a professional photography business. She also previously held a California Real Estate License. Additionally, Sonja leads a community-based Bible study. She was motivated to run for school board to give parents a seat at the education table. Sonja served as President of the Board of Education in 2023 and 2024 and will continue her presidency in 2025. She represents the District as city of Chino liaison, and as a representative to the Baldy View Regional Occupational Program Commission.

Hayley Wade Marting is an experienced political staffer with a demonstrated history of working in public service. After years of working in the public and private sectors, she found her passion: political communication. She has a knack for turning complex political issues into digestible messaging. Hayley founded WINNXT, your political communication experts, and exactly what you need to win your next race. WINNXT is a cutting-edge, straight-to-business firm that does not believe in the fluff– because neither will your voters. It is simple: in today’s fast-paced political landscape, communication can make or break a campaign. Luckily, WINNXT knows how to bring your political communication from your biggest stress to your biggest asset. Hayley also volunteers with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Read Across America. She is also heavily involved in local politics in San Diego County. Additionally, Hayley serves as a UCSB Alumni Ambassador and received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In her free time, she can be found at the beach with her dog, picking up a good book, or conquering yet another DIY home project.

We’re joined by Sara Catalan, President and CEO of the Orange County Taxpayers Association. With ballots dropping on October 7th, this episode is a must-listen! Sara breaks down each state proposition on your ballot, offering detailed insights and recommendations from a taxpayer and business owner’s perspective. Don’t miss this chance to get informed before you cast your vote—knowledge is power!

Antonella Castro is a practicing lawyer specializing in real estate transactions, financing, construction, and general business transactions. Antonella graduated Cum Laude/Order of the Coif from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. She has been named as a Southern California Super Lawyers’ Rising Star 2018-2020. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Crime, Law, and Society, and Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine, where she was a member of the NCAA Division I women’s tennis team and Delta Delta Delta Sorority. After earning her law degree, Antonella began her professional practice as a real estate associate at the top global firm of Paul Hastings, where she had a robust practice representing borrowers, lenders, private equity groups, developers, technology and social media companies, institutional investors, landlords and tenants in large-scale real estate transactions. Currently, Antonella works as an outside counsel, providing legal advice to several corporations, including private equity funds, social media giants, construction and development departments, telecommunication companies, and aquatic and sporting companies. Antonella is a passionate volunteer and philanthropist. In Orange County, she is actively engaged with several local nonprofits and civic organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Orange County United Way, member of its Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee. She previously served as the Leadership Chair for the United for Student Success initiative from 2020-2025. She is the current Chair of the Newport Beach Foundation, an organization whose mission is to ignite the next generation of Newport Beach civic, philanthropic and business leaders, Antonella is responsible for launching a scholarship for graduating high school seniors and runs the Distinguished Citizen Program which has graduated approximately 400 Newport Beach residents. A large number of these graduates go on to serve the City either on a board, committee, commission or foundation. Antonella, joined the Newport Beach Public Library Board of Trustees in 2023, and is serving her second term as Vice Chair. Additionally, Antonella is a member of National Charity League Juniors where she serves as Vice President of Philanthropy, and she recently joined the Friends of Oasis as an Advocate Board member. Antonella resides in Newport Beach, California, with her husband, Bradley Schumacher, and three young children.