Policy & Communities is a New Jersey–based consulting practice that empowers nonprofits, coalitions, community groups, and mission-driven organizations to advance policy change rooted in equity and justice. We believe that the strongest policies emerge from community-driven policy, where those directly impacted shape the solutions, strategies, and narratives. Our work bridges the gap between people and policymaking by providing accessible advocacy tools, strategic support, and analysis that help organizations transform ideas into meaningful outcomes.
About the Founder
Policy & Communities was founded by Calandria Ortiz-Resende, a policy professional, advocate, and licensed social worker with extensive experience in legislative strategy, coalition building, budget advocacy, and community-centered policy development.
Calandria currently serves as a Policy Analyst at the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, where she advances democracy-focused reforms, including voting rights, fair redistricting, Census planning, and government transparency.
Previously, she was the Policy Director at the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, where she led statewide legislative and budget advocacy, advanced survivor-centered policies, and represented the coalition before the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and federal partners.
Calandria is active on the Board of Fair Share Housing Center, the Board of the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ Action Fund, and the Latino Action Network Steering Committee. She collaborates with coalitions across the state on housing, economic justice, and democratic participation.
She holds an MSW in Management & Policy and a BA in Sociology from Rutgers University, a BBA from INTEC in the Dominican Republic, and is licensed as a social worker in New Jersey.
