Update on Propositions and Labor Laws Impacting Women Business Owners

Sponsor: Bank of America

Presenters: Lori Kammerer, Government Relations with Kammerer & Co. Inc, and Robin Allen, Director of Advocacy for NAWBO-CA

After much discussion and debate, many new laws were passed in California this year, taking effect soon and changing the landscape for women business owners. Join our two state legislation experts to get the latest on the new laws focusing on safety in the workplace, sick leave, worker classification, employment practice, unemployment insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and the ramifications of the recent California Propositions. We will also talk about what legislation NAWBO-CA is expecting in 2021.

Lori C. Kammerer

Lori C. Kammerer is nationally recognized as a leading authority on policy issues affecting California businesses of all sizes, including start-up, micro and small businesses, and corporations that have a significant presence in our state.

For over 28 years and through the past seven Governors’ Administrations, she has advanced the interests of businesses with the legislature and the state’s top regulatory officials.

Most notably, Kammerer was the Lobbyist on Senate Bill 826 (Jackson), sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners California (NAWBO CA), and signed by Governor Brown on September 30, 2018.  SB 826 requires that all publicly-traded corporations headquartered in California, including those with principal offices in California, add a seat for a woman on their Board of Directors.

Kammerer is also recognized for her successful coalition building, marketing, fund-raising and grassroots membership development techniques. Her extensive experience in enhancing the visibility of issue campaigns for associations and political candidates have led to successful wins. Additionally, she develops, directs and implements grassroots and advocacy programs for insured and self-insured small and large employers, including public sector employers who represent cities, counties and schools.

Kammerer represented the business community as Executive Director of the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation from 1987 to 2002. In 2002, she founded Kammerer & Company, Inc., a full-service government relations and advocacy firm, and serves as its principal Legislative Advocate for businesses and trade associations.

Ms. Kammerer has consulted for several political campaign management firms, including Woodward & McDowell, Townsend & Company, and Ray McNally & Associates on statewide initiatives and local campaigns. She worked with the Maryland-based fund-raising firm of Odell, Roper & Associates during the 1984 presidential campaign, while serving as a member of the Presidential Advance Team in Washington, D.C. She launched a public relations campaign for the Sacramento Business Council during its formative years, bringing nationally known political and entrepreneurial figures to address the Council’s business executives in Sacramento.

Kammerer serves as an advisory to several Boards and Commissions and Task Forces, including the California Commission on Health & Safety & Workers’ Compensation, the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau and the California State Council of Laborers. Additionally, she is a member of the Sutter Club and member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Sacramento Valley Chapter.  Ms. Kammerer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Communications from Pepperdine University, where she was graduation class speaker. Ms. Kammerer is a volunteer public relations consultant to various philanthropic organizations.

Robin Allen

Robin Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of Watchman Investigations and Consulting. (www.watchmaninvestigations.com). She is a private investigator and justice system consultant whose career has spanned more than twenty years in the field. She works as a national consultant in various jurisdictions.

She investigates fraud, conducts background investigations, and collaborates with stakeholders to provide customized training programs. She conducts assessments and implements plans to address risks and needs in professional, personal, and community settings. She specializes in insurance fraud, construction fraud and criminal investigations. Watchman Investigations and Consulting provides assistance to firms to mitigate financial loss. Additionally, she moderates discussion between community groups specializing in facilitating dialogue between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

Mrs. Allen has affiliations with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI), and is the Director of Advocacy for the National Association of Women Business Owners – California. Additionally, she sits on the Board for NAWBO – Inland Empire and San Francisco Bay Area.

She has a Master of Public Administration Degree from California State University, Northridge and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University Of California, Los Angeles.