California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 8.14.2026

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Aug 14, 2026

Governor Newsom announces appointments 8.14.2026

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Yael Sheinfeld, of San Francisco, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Communications at the California Business and Consumer Services Agency. Sheinfeld has been Deputy Communications Director for the Office of United States Senator Elizabeth Warren in the United States Senate since 2026 where she was Press Secretary from 2024 to 2026. She held multiple positions at Accountable.US from 2023 to 2024 including Communications Director in 2024, and National Press Secretary from 2023 to 2024. Sheinfeld was Interim Communications Director at the Democratic Party of Illinois in 2022. She was Illinois Press Secretary for the Democratic Governors Association in 2022. Sheinfeld was Press Secretary and Digital Director for the Office of United States Congresswoman Lori Trahan in the United States Congress from 2021 to 2022. She was Communications Director for Jake Auchincloss for Congress in 2020. Sheinfeld earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $165,000. Sheinfeld is a Democrat.

Kimberly Tenggardjaja, of Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat. Tenggardjaja has been Biodiversity Coordinator at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2019. She held multiple positions at the White House Council on Environmental Quality from 2021 to 2025, including Director for Nature Conservation and Deputy Director for Nature Conservation. Tenggardjaja was an Environmental Scientist at the Water Resources Control Board from 2015 to 2019. She was a California Sea Grant State Fellow at the State Water Resources Control Board from 2015 to 2015. Tenggardjaja earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Arts degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $145,188. Tenggardjaja is registered without party preference.

Kathleen Kelly Janus, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Janus has been Principal for Philanthropy and Social Innovation at J Capital since 2026. She has been Lecturer at Stanford University since 2012. Janus was Senior Advisor at Freedman Consulting, LLC from 2023 to 2026. She was Senior Advisor on Social Innovation at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2022. Janus was an Author at Social Startup Success from 2017 to 2019. She was a Pro Bono Manager at Covington and Burling from 2009 to 2013. Janus was a Clinical Lecturer at Stanford Law School International Human Rights Clinic from 2007 to 2011. She was an Associate at Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner from 2003 to 2007. Janus earned a Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Janus is a Democrat.

Chaunise "Chaun" Powell, of Tracy, has been appointed to the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Powell has been an Education and Health Consultant at New Era Pedagogics since 2023. She was Senior Chief of Student Services at the Alameda County Office of Education from 2023 to 2026. Powell was Executive Director of Youth Health and Wellness at the Santa Clara County Office of Education from 2021 to 2023. She was Director of Student Services at East Side Union High School District from 2020 to 2021. Powell held multiple positions at San Jose Unified School District from 2016 to 2020, including Manager of Interventions and Restorative Practices, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Counselor. She was a Social Worker III at the San Mateo County Health and Human Services Agency from 2013 to 2016. Powell was a School Social Worker at the Alameda County Office of Education from 2013 to 2014. She is member of California Disrupting Disparities Core Advisory Committee, San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Advisory Board, City of Tracy Parks and Community Services Commission, Palo Alto University School Social Work Community Advisory Council, and San Jose State University Healthy Development Community Clinic. Powell earned a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and a Master of Social Work degree from California State University, East Bay, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Denver. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Powell is a Democrat.

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Shannon Cheffet-Walsh, of San Diego, has been appointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board. Cheffet-Walsh has been Physician in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine & Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego Community Care Clinic, Rancho Bernardo since 2024. She was Physician and Medical Director in Internal Medicine in the Lifewellness Institute at the San Diego Sports Medicine & Family Health Center from 2013 to 2023. Cheffet-Walsh was Physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Family Health Centers of San Diego from 2011 to 2013. She was Physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at San Diego Internal Medicine Associates from 2009 to 2011. She was Chief Medical Officer and Physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Mountain Health & Community Services, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. Cheffet-Walsh is member of the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California, Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California Membership Committee, Osteopathic Board of California Medical Expert, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, The Obesity Society, Obesity Action Coalition, and The San Diego Obesity Society. She earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Cheffett-Walsh is a Democrat.

Oliver Emerson Jr., of Winchester, has been appointed to the Physician Assistant Board. Emerson has been Chief Development Officer at Oliver Emerson Development LLC since 2019. He was Construction Manager at Associated Bank from 2017 to 2019. Emerson held multiple positions at Oliver Emerson Development LLC from 2003 to 2019, including Managing Director, Vice President, Senior Associate, and Development Analyst. He was Construction Project Manager at Family Dollar from 2002 to 2010. Emerson is member of the City of Hemet Mobile Home Rent Review Commission. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Emerson is a Democrat.

La Tosha Walden, of Lodi, has been appointed to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Walden held multiple positions in the Housing and Homelessness Services Division at Stanislaus County Community Services Agency from 2020 to 2026, including Assistant Director and Manager IV. She held multiple positions at the City of Stockton from 2015 to 2020, including Assistant Manager in the Public Works, Solid Waste, and Recycling Division and Manager in the Office of Violence Prevention. Walden held multiple positions at the San Joaquin County Probation Department from 2002 to 2015, including Supervisor in Juvenile Probation, Supervisor in the Adult High Risk Domestic Violence Unit, Probation Officer III in the Adult Assessment Unit, Probation Officer III in the Training and Background Unit, Probation Officer in After Care Camp, and Probation Officer in Custody Intake. Walden held multiple positions at the San Joquin County Sheriff's Office 1997 to 2002, including Correctional Classification Officer in the Gang Unit, Correctional Training Officer, and Correctional Officer. She earned a Master in Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from National University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Walden is a Democrat.

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