On May 22, youth leaders from the YMCA Youth & Government program traveled to the NJ State House to advocate for restoration of funding in FY26 for Water Safety and Youth & Government programs. The YMCA Youth & Government is a YMCA program that promotes civic engagement in New Jersey youth. The NJ YMCA State Alliance hosted the visit to the State Capitol building.
The morning began with an “Effective Advocacy Panel” moderated by ABS SVP Libby Vinson.
Panelists
Dyese Davis
For over a decade, Dyese Davis has been a transformative leader, crafting impactful policies and championing social justice initiatives that uplift communities. Inspired by the belief that equitable access to resources and opportunities can transform lives, she has dedicated herself to creating meaningful and lasting change in New Jersey.
While earning her Criminal Justice degree at Rutgers University, Davis began her legislative journey as an intern with the 11th Legislative District Office. Her sharp political instincts and unwavering commitment to public service fueled her rapid ascent, progressing from intern to Events Coordinator, then Constituent Services Director, and ultimately Deputy Chief of Staff. In August 2020, she was named Chief of Staff to Senator Vin Gopal, a role she expanded in January 2024 to lead the entire LD11 Delegation. Davis has also lent her expertise as a consultant for the 2022 Apportionment Commission and as a senior consultant for the District 11 Legislative race and the Monmouth County Democrats.
As Chief of Staff to State Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, Davis continues to craft policies that address critical issues and improve the lives of New Jersey residents. Her work reflects a deep desire to bridge gaps, foster equity, and inspire future generations to make a difference.
In July 2024, Davis was elected Monmouth County Chairwoman, becoming the first Black woman to hold the role. This historic achievement underscores her commitment to breaking barriers and amplifying underrepresented voices.
Beyond her legislative career, Davis’s leadership extends to numerous community roles. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Brookdale Community College, is Vice-Chair of the Neptune Township Planning Board and the Affordable Housing Alliance, and chairs Brookdale’s Governance Committee. A fellow of the New Leaders Council and a recipient of a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, Davis combines her expertise with an unwavering mission to empower and serve.
Elissa Frank
Elissa Frank is Vice President of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, serving as the point person on all employer and labor law issues. This past February, Frank was selected to also lead selected to lead the Focus NJ Center for Economic Research & Workforce Solutions, an independent nonprofit that conducts timely nonpartisan research economic and workforce issues.
Before joining NJBIA’s Government Affairs team in 2023, Frank worked as the New Jersey state director of the Humane Society of the United States. Frank has also worked as an associate and law clerk at Kates Nussman Ellis Farhi & Earle from 2019 through 2021 and prior to that was director of legislative affairs for former Assemblyman Reed Gusciora.
Frank, a resident of Cherry Hill, is a 2021 graduate of Rutgers Law School in Newark, where she also was the editor-in-chief of the Rutgers Law Record.
Sabeen Masih
Sabeen Masih has vast experience in legislative analyses and public affairs on a local, county, and statewide level, with experience in advocacy and government spanning throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
As Senior Vice President of Capital Impact Group, Sabeen monitors clients’ legislative priorities while providing strategic guidance on the political nuances surrounding those issues. She also works on business development and procurement for a range of issues and works closely with several State Departments and Agencies in New Jersey, providing clients with her expertise on navigating the multifaceted state regulatory affairs processes in New Jersey. Sabeen’s main policy areas of expertise include healthcare, alcohol and cannabis regulatory issues and licensure procurement, and energy.
Previously, Sabeen worked for Philadelphia Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. on budgetary and local policy issues and his state campaigns as a speech writer, and media and fundraising advisor. In New Jersey Sabeen held positions at the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Legislative Affairs Unit, where she focused on legislative and healthcare policy.
Sabeen is passionate about supporting the next generation of thought leaders and policymakers and serves as a Mentor for the Rider Women’s Leadership Council at Rider University, Rutgers’ Road to Government, Policy, and Service (RTGPS) program, and the Rutgers’ Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Sabeen also co-founded the growing Asian Women of Trenton Networking Group and is a member of the Bipartisan Coalition for Women’s Appointments (BCWA), serves on the Mercer County Young Democrats Advisory Board, and was recently appointed by Governor Murphy to the NJ Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission. As an advocate for women in NJ, Sabeen was afforded the opportunity to serve as a member of Senate Majority Leader Weinberg’s Working Group on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in NJ Politics, to help bring women’s voices and experiences to light in hopes of changing the political climate for women throughout the state. Sabeen also serves as a board member for the Women’s Political Caucus of NJ, an organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in politics.
Sabeen earned her Dual BA in History and Political Science and minor in Spanish from Drexel University, and a Masters of Public Policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and was awarded a competitive government fellowship through the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She has also been named to ROI NJ’s Top Women in Business 2022 and ROI’s Influencers People of Color List 2021, Senator Weinberg’s Women’s Power List 2017-2021, Insider NJ’s Top 100 Millennial Power List 2020-2021, and Insider NJ’s Top 100 Policymakers List 2021.
Jeffrey Wood
Jeffrey Wood is a seasoned public affairs professional with a robust background in legislative strategy, government relations, and policy advocacy. He currently serves as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the New Jersey General Assembly for Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn, where he leads the district office, crafts policy solutions, and manages constituent and stakeholder engagement.
Jeffrey previously served as Public Affairs Coordinator and Executive Director of NJDPAC at the New Jersey Dental Association, where he lobbied for healthcare policy, spearheaded advocacy initiatives, and led political fundraising efforts. His experience also includes legislative and regulatory affairs work with the Insurance Council of New Jersey, and early service in the U.S. Senate for Senator Pat Toomey, where he supported constituent services and federal agency casework.
Libby Vinson (moderator)
Libby Vinson has more than two decades of experience leading government and public affairs campaigns at the state and national levels with a particular focus on healthcare and human services.
Recently, Libby led the effort to partner legislative leaders and disability advocates to establish New Jersey’s Legislative Disability Caucus, making New Jersey one of just a handful of states to have a formal forum within the Legislature for people with disabilities and their families to be heard. She now collaborates closely with lawmakers and disability advocates to manage the caucus and advance its policy agenda. This innovative approach to advocacy is a hallmark of Libby’s work, where she has consistently led broad coalitions to secure budget funding and achieve legislative victories across multiple policy campaigns.
Libby got her start in government and public affairs working for nearly a decade for the New Jersey Business & Industry, the nation’s largest statewide employer association. She coordinated the association’s lobbying efforts in education, workforce development, small business, and federal business issues. For many years, Libby also directed the association’s grassroots activities, serving as executive director of a network of 18 local employer groups.
Libby is very active in local politics and community initiatives and is a graduate of the Christine Todd Whitman Series, a leadership program for women in New Jersey. She serves on the Board of the Millhill Family Development Center in Trenton and previously served on the Mercer County Community College Board of Trustees.
Libby is an honors graduate of Lehigh University and earned her master’s degree in politics and public affairs from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.