Saturday, June 28
2:00pm - 2:45pm
From Representation to Power: How Humanists Can Build a Political Movement
If we want a future that reflects humanist values—equity, reason, compassion—not only do we need brave people in office, we need a movement. This session explores how humanists can build real political power.
You'll hear from elected officials and organizers on the front lines—people who are connecting with secular leaders, mobilizing communities, and advancing policies that protect our rights and push back against white Christian Nationalism.
Whether your area has openly secular elected officials or none at all, there are meaningful ways to engage. You’ll leave with strategies to help build lasting infrastructure, grow our influence, and transform shared values into collective action.
Speakers
Sarah Levin
Sarah Levin is the founder of Secular Strategies, a consulting firm that is pioneering the mobilization of secularist voters and empowering policymakers, lawmakers, and change-makers to be effective champions of secularism in the United States.
Stephanie Vigil
Stephanie Vigil is an American politician who is a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 16th district, which is located in Colorado Springs and includes most or parts of Cragmor, Knob Hill, Old North End Historic District, Patty Jewett and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She was elected in 2022 and assumed office in January 2023. She was defeated for re-election in 2024 by Republican Rebecca Keltie by just 3 votes out of 40,000+ cast, the closest state legislature election of 2024.
Wil Jeudy, M.D.
Wil Jeudy, M.D. (he/him/his) is a board-certified Family Medicine doctor who practices urgent care full time in the Houston, TX area. Though a relative newcomer to the secular community, he jumped right into activism, and became both the Secretary of Houston Oasis, and a Texas Assistant State Director for American Atheists in December of 2018. Wil has been featured as a guest on “The Thinking Atheist” podcast, and on the “Fifth Tuesday Series” radio program on 89.3 WRFG in Atlanta.
With those platforms, Wil is surely becoming a voice of activism in Houston, and is actively trying to “get stuff done” while unifying the secular groups in his area.
Karina Quintanilla
Karina Quintanilla has been a Coachella Valley resident since 1984 and has lived in Palm Desert since 2002. After graduating from Cathedral City High School in 1997, she attended University of California, Riverside where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
In 2012 Karina completed the coursework for a credential program to teach Spanish. She is currently in pursuit of a Master’s in Public Administration.
When Karina returned to Palm Desert, she reflected on the impact of education and the educational attainment rates for the region. She made a personal commitment to find a way to make a difference. Her career in education spanned universities, vocational schools, nonprofit and for profit institutions, in both the public and private sectors.
These diverse experiences developed her ability to connect with individuals and advocate for their needs so they can reach their goals. She still maintains contact with former advisees who, in addition to being great people, succeed in their fields as doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, medical assistants, and other essential workers.
While at CSU San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus (CSUSB-PDC), Karina developed a tutoring program to reduce the time required to transfer from College of the Desert to CSUSB-PDC and was awarded $240,000 from the Cal-Wellness Foundation to fund professional tutors at two local high schools.
In 2015, Karina was selected by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) for their Leadership Institute where she honed community engagement and leadership skills. Through HOPE, Karina and her fellow participants lobbied State Senators in Sacramento to pass Senate Bill 4, Health For All, bringing accessible healthcare to all Californians, as well as Senate Bill 15, which redirected unused funds for Cal-Grant Scholarships.
Karina’s passion for translating came from being her family’s translator since the age of five. She became aware of the impact of culturally competent translations and how her linguistic abilities could serve others. Karina put them to use in translating documents and two books. Local author and publisher Vicki Mills credited Karina as co-author of the Spanish version of her book Any Body Can Enjoy Computers. The book was an opportunity to help bring computer literacy to Spanish speaking adults in a digital age.
In 2005, Karina was hired as Career Guidance Specialist at her alma mater, Cathedral City High School, where she was Co-Coordinator of the Scholarship Program. She was a founding member of the HEAL Health Academy Advisory Board. In 2013 she returned as a long term substitute Earth Science teacher. She was also a four year member of the Band Booster for the Cathedral City High School Royal Regiment, serving as a board member, chaperone and live translator during meetings.
A blood donor since 1996 and registered bone marrow donor since 2000, Karina has donated over eleven gallons in the Coachella Valley in whole blood, platelets and plasma. She is an organ donor, believing that everyone should have an opportunity to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.
Of all the accomplishments Karina has achieved in her career and time in the Coachella Valley, she is most proud of her family. Her teenage daughters inspire her, give her purpose and aspire to leave tomorrow a better place than the present. Karina’s values were shaped by her family as they grew up in Thousand Palms.