Open to opportunities

Ben Walton

@benwalton

Message

Strategic advocacy leader advancing public policy through organizing, coalition building, and legislative strategy.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead advocacy that connects policy strategy to real organizing—building coalitions, training leaders, and driving legislative outcomes through direct engagement, grassroots and digital action, and high-impact outreach.

I’m a strategic advocacy leader with 8+ years of experience driving public policy, community engagement, and campaign development that mobilized thousands of supporters and secured legislative commitments. I bring expertise in digital/in-person organizing, legislative strategy, coalition building, and direct advocacy—turning civic priorities into measurable momentum through lawmakers and community partners.

In my current role as Civic Engagement Specialist, Public Policy & Outreach at Michigan Center for Civic Education, I direct government relations and advocacy strategy to expand PK-16+ civic education programs statewide. I lead the Advocacy Academy training for grassroots advocacy and policy engagement, track state and federal legislation affecting civic education, and partner with program teams to integrate real-time policy context into professional development. I’ve also built a civic engagement & data app for the MI Secretary of State and Dept. of Ed, and previously at Oxfam America I built national advocacy infrastructure—training emerging leaders across 20+ states, managing 50+ legislative staffer relationships, and leading delegations that resulted in 30+ legislative commitments.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Civic Engagement Specialist

Current

Michigan Center for Civic Education

Dec 2025 - Present (6 months)

Directed government relations and advocacy strategy to expand statewide reach of PK-16+ civic education programs by building relationships with legislators, district superintendents, and university partners. Led Advocacy Academy training, tracked relevant state and federal legislation, and planned legislative outreach events; also built a civic engagement and data app for the Michigan Secretary of State and the Department of Education.

Government Relations Advocacy Strategy Legislative Analysis Grassroots Advocacy Stakeholder Management Policy Research Program Training & Facilitation Event Planning Civic Education Civic Data Applications

Organizing Advisor

Oxfam America

Jun 2023 - Aug 2025 (2 years 2 months)

Built national advocacy infrastructure and trained emerging leaders across 20+ states in climate and economic justice organizing, strengthening political impact. Managed relationships with 50+ legislative staffers and partners, led 30+ congressional commitments, and mobilized 15,000+ digital and in-person actions through coordinated pressure campaigns.

Community Organizing Political Advocacy PAC Engagement Strategies Coalition Building Stakeholder Management Strategic Planning Government Relations Legislative Outreach Digital Action Mobilization

Youth Organizing Director

DNC/MDP

Dec 2021 - Feb 2023 (1 year 2 months)

Planned and implemented a comprehensive youth program strategy, driving the highest youth midterm voter turnout in Michigan through campus mobilization. Authored 2 Michigan Organizing Boot Camps (450+ students trained), increased youth turnout by 15%, and led statewide program operations spanning 250+ events while growing student organization membership to 2,000+ with a 90% attendance increase.

Youth Program Strategy Voter Mobilization Campus Organizing Leadership Development Training & Coaching Program Management Partnership Development Event Leadership Political Campaign Strategy

Field Assistant

Michigan Education Association

Feb 2021 - Jan 2022 (11 months)

Managed member databases and coordinated communications to keep 100s of members updated and engaged. Developed and delivered training for 50+ new members and supported union strategic initiatives to improve participation and contract negotiations.

Strategic Planning Negotiation Support Stakeholder Collaboration Member database management Communications coordination Training program delivery Strategic initiative support Membership engagement

National Program Director

The People

Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)

Established 12-member board & 100-slot volunteer board; streamlined finances, enhanced efficiency & strategy. Led advocacy campaigns. Designed Volunteer Leadership Ladder. Expanded media presence via hosting of The People Podcast. Built partnerships with nonprofits, for-profits, lawmakers in MI, NH, NC, AZ, WA. Managed website and social media. planned DC national conference with 120 participants.