Lee, Traci
Traci Lee leads state and local government affairs at OpenAI, where she leads the company’s engagement with governors, state legislators, and local leaders across the United States. She works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, public policy, and economic development, helping shape forward-looking strategies on AI literacy, workforce development, youth safety, and responsible innovation. Her work focuses on advancing practical, durable policy frameworks that support innovation, strengthen public trust, and expand economic opportunity.
Prior to joining OpenAI, Traci worked in technology and policy roles spanning digital identity, cybersecurity, and inclusive mobility initiatives, advising on and navigating complex regulatory environments across sectors. She began her career as a criminal prosecutor in the Bay Area, where she prosecuted serious and violent crime.
Traci is a former board member of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
Khalid, Rabiah
Rabiah Khalid is a government affairs and community engagement leader with over a decade of experience advancing public policy, publicprivate partnerships, and economic development across California. She currently serves as a Government and Community Affairs Manager at Comcast NBCUniversal, leading public policy strategy, community engagement, and digital opportunity initiatives throughout the Bay Area. Rabiah oversees strategic partnerships with civic leaders, chambers of commerce, and communitybased organizations, aligning business priorities with meaningful community impact.
Her career spans healthcare, utilities, nonprofit advocacy, and local government, with a consistent focus on advancing access to resources and learning. Rabiah began her professional journey in nonprofit advocacy and local government, where she designed and led youth civic leadership programs, patient and consumer councils, and health initiatives that expanded access to resources and strengthened community voice. Her work has consistently focused on bridging opportunity gaps and fostering sustainable economic growth through collaboration. Prior to Comcast, she oversaw community relations at Kaiser Permanente, where she managed regional grantmaking, and executive communications. Earlier in her career at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), she managed highprofile municipal partnerships and regulatory and public affairs efforts.
She earned her Associate of Arts degree from De Anza College and Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley for Development Studies. Rabiah currently serves as a Board Member of the Asian Pacific American Community Center, and a Member Representative of the San Francisco Asian Pacific Islander Council.
Raised in San Jose and deeply engaged in Asian Pacific Islander advocacy since the age of 18, Rabiah remains committed to advancing inclusive policies and leadership. She resides in the East Bay and enjoys outdoor adventures and bringing people together through shared meals and community.
Black, Brandon
Brandon M. Black is an accomplished political and government affairs strategist representing Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) across Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba counties. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to bridging connections between people and government, helping tackle the most pressing challenges facing the community.
In addition to his role at PG&E, Brandon also dedicates time as a board member for The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Paratransit Inc, The Yuba/Sutter Economic Development Corporation, The American River Parkway Advisory Committee, and various others boards and committees serving the region.
Before joining PG&E, Brandon led successful political campaigns across California, directed the Sacramento Metro Chamber's policy team during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborated with city officials at the League of California Cities on vital streets and roads projects, and managed constituent affairs at Sacramento City Hall for then-Councilwoman Angelique Ashby.
A Sacramento native, Brandon embraces everything the area has to offer - from outstanding dining and scenic outdoor spaces to a vibrant, diverse community enriched by people whose unique backgrounds weave together the tapestry of the region. In his free time, Brandon enjoys connecting with family and friends, hitting the golf course for a round, or diving into a new show or documentary.
Bhatnagar, Neeraj
Neeraj Bhatnagar has recently joined PepsiCo as Director for the PepsiCo U.S. State & Local Government Affairs team. Neeraj is primarily focused on engaging with state and local legislators in California, and also supports the West team across states on local government affairs strategy. A seasoned public policy and government relations leader with over 15 years of experience shaping technology, public safety, and national security policy at local, state, and federal levels. He started his career in government staffing for Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald in the House of Representatives; and then working under two Los Angeles mayoral administrations, starting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and continuing with Mayor Eric Garcetti. Neeraj transitioned to the private sector with Amazon, where he led state and local initiatives for the Devices and Services organization, including Amazon’s artificial intelligence public policy program. Neeraj is based in Southern California.
