About Us
A community focused, Latina and women-owned firm.
We are a reputable LA-based public affairs firm with a rich history, a vast network, and a track record of proven success.
Our History
De Aztlan Group is an independent, full-service public affairs consulting firm based in Los Angeles. We provide government and community affairs strategy and advocacy guided by expertise and ethical responsibility to a variety of private sector clients.
De Aztlan Group achieves sustainable solutions across various industries utilizing individualized, high-impact strategies that leverage decades of experience, an extensive network of relationships, and a deep understanding of the Los Angeles and Greater Southern California communities. We understand how things get done in California and provide forward-thinking solutions to achieve clients’ goals.
De Aztlan Group started in 2011 and is the successor firm to Guerra & Associates, which was founded in 1992.
We Provide Businesses With Solutions That Help Them To
Move Forward With Their Projects
Have Winning
Strategies
Develop Successful Relationships With Their Community
We build successful company-community relationships through effective communication, engagement, and trust.
Value Statement
At De Aztlan, our core value is to empower communities and drive positive change through evidence-informed and value-driven approaches. We are committed to fostering justice and equality, utilizing our expertise in Governmental Affairs, Politics, and Strategic Communications. With a focus on project management and community relations, we support clients from various sectors, including commercial development, renewable energy, information technology, and education.
Our goal is to plan, communicate, and execute strategies that ensure the success of projects on behalf of our clients. We deeply understand the importance of building strong relationships with community organizations, government representatives, and stakeholders to navigate the intricate political landscape. By staying familiar with policies, procedures, and relevant networks, we are able to effectively produce project deliverables that address the unique needs of each community.
We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions, driving social progress, and creating lasting change. Join us in our mission to inspire and empower communities as we work towards a more just and equitable future.
What We Value
- The pursuit of equality for all women
- Environmental justice
- Justice for all indigenous peoples
- The dignity of immigrants
- Safeguarding labor rights
- Justice and rights for all members of the LGBTQIA+ Community
- Accessible, affordable, and stable housing for all
- Safe, effective, and equitable public health
- Equal right to vote
Our Core Efforts
- All commercial developmentshould pursue robust engagement with affected communities, in alignment with the above values.
- Quality education should be equally accessible to all students, in alignment with the above values.
- Development of renewable energy should be prioritized, in alignment with the above values, to safeguard the health of our environment.
- All functions of our representative democracy, including but not limited to elections operations and redistricting, should be exercised in alignment with the above values.
- Development of information technology and cyber security should connect and strengthen institutions, in alignment with the above values.
We Are De Aztlan Group
Lali U. De Aztlan
Lali De Aztlan is the Managing Partner for De Aztlan Group and was previously Senior Vice President of Business Development for Guerra & Associates, the predecessor firm of De Aztlan Group.
Ms. De Aztlan has managed and consulted on projects ranging from real-estate development, renewable energy, technology, and infrastructure. Before consulting with Guerra & Associates, Ms. De Aztlan had experience in high tech as a Project Manager and as a Registered Representative in the banking industry where she held several securities licenses. As a result of her firm grasp on the political process and her regional network of civic leadership, Ms. De Aztlan has consulted on political and capital campaigns.
Ms. De Aztlan received a B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA),where she majored in Economics. She also holds a master’s degree from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC), with a concentration in Finance and General Management. Her extensive community involvement includes volunteering with AmeriCorps, American Diabetes Association – Desert Chapter, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, Co-Founder of Democratic Women of the Desert, Friends of Broadway, and Pico Union Project.
Fernando J. Guerra, Ph.D
Fernando J. Guerra, Ph.D., has been a leader in in public affairs consulting for over 25 years. His understanding of the political, economic, social, and cultural environment of Los Angeles is unmatched in the consulting space, and his decades of strategic success has made him one of the region’s most sought-after advisors. As founder and managing partner he led Guerra & Associates to phenomenal growth and a go to firm for work with municipalities, and other government entities in Southern California.
Numerous Fortune 100 companies and some of the most iconic companies in California have enlisted Dr. Guerra to strategize and guide them through the labyrinth of government. After selling Guerra & Associates, he joined De Aztlan Group as a Senior Strategic Advisor.
As a tenured full professor in two academic departments and the Director for the prestigious Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Dr. Guerra is considered one of the top experts on Los Angeles politics, public policy, and civic discourse. The Los Angeles Times named him one of the 25 most thoughtful individuals in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Business Journal named him to its LA500 list of the mostinfluential people in the Los Angeles region. At LMU, Dr. Guerra is principal investigator of the largest general social survey in the Los Angeles region and publishes academic work on state and local politics, urban and ethnic politics.
Dr. Guerra has served on numerous state, regional and local commissions and advisory boards. He has served under three governors and three mayors of California. He was president of the Electoral Reform Commission, appointed by former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, which led to a referendum to move the election dates for the City of Los Angeles and LAUSD, substantially increasing voter turnout. Dr. Guerra also serves as an expert for local, national and international media, where has been quoted in over 1,500 unique stories in print, radio, and television over his career. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and his B.A. from the University of Southern California (USC).
Maya U. De Aztlan
Amalia (Maya) De Aztlan leads the community relations outreach efforts for De Aztlan Group in Riverside County. Her experience in community organizing stretches back to her work as one of the main plaintiffs on behalf of Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and the United Farm Workers (UFW), playing an instrumental role in improving the lives of countless farm workers. Her early years in the UFW let to a solid foundation of work in mobilizing support in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Her expertise is in managing coalitions, consensus building, and collaborative teamwork. Ms. De Aztlan has developed and maintained strong relationships in all levels of government and community organizations in Southern California. Ms. De Aztlan has been a life-long advocate for underserved communities and has focused her life’s work on high-impact initiatives. In addition, she has been a constant high-level advisor to countless political campaigns at the local, state, and federal level throughout Southern California.
Ms. De Aztlan’s organizational skills have also been highlighted as the founder and leader of numerous non-profits such as the Coachella Valley Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and the Riverside County District Attorney Crime Prevention Foundation. Ms. De Aztlan has also served on the many boards including American Diabetes Association Desert Chapter, Migrant National Health Task Force, Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee of the Desert, and Democratic Women of the Desert, among others.
Ms. De Aztlan has also been asked to be a spokesperson and leader for her community serving as national Democratic Party convention delegate in 1996, 2000, and 2004, community television and radio talk-show host, and as an educational advisor. Ms. De Aztlan received her B.A. from San Diego State University (SDSU) where she also completed graduate work in education.
Lydia Lopez Wolfe
Lydia Lopez Wolfe is an Associate Account Manager for De Aztlan Group. Ms. Lopez Wolfe’s experience in development, project management, event planning, and grassroots organizing has contributed to her depth of knowledge as an advocate. Her commitment to community involvement is reflected by her leadership roles in various organizations and groups including the Learning Rights Law Center, the Center for Service and Action, the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., and Resilience at LMU. Through these organizations, she has developed a deep understanding of a range of subjects including educational accessibility and equity, environmental justice, responsible development, and immigration reform.
As a result of her leadership success, Ms. Lopez Wolfe has been the recipient of prestigious awards such as Sr. Peg Dolan, R.S.H.M. Award, the Fr. Alfred Kilp, S.J. Award, and the Sr. Raymunde Mckay, R.S.H.M. Award from LMU for service and leadership. Ms. Lopez Wolfe graduated with a degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.
Let's Work Together
Step 1: Schedule a Meeting
We prioritize open communication and collaboration. Schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and goals.
Step 2: Review a Proposal
After the meeting, we provide a detailed proposal for your review, outlining our strategy and approach.
Step 3: Decide on Next Steps Together
We work closely with you to determine the best course of action, ensuring that the next steps align with your objectives.
Step 4: Implement Strategy
Once the plan is finalized, we put our expertise to work and execute the agreed-upon strategy to achieve success and growth.
