Raúl leads the Haas, Jr. Fund’s development and launch of strategies for achieving the Haas, Jr. Fund’s goal of building a fairer and more representative democracy in California.
Raúl joined the Haas, Jr. Fund in early 2021. Over the past decade, he has helped lead democracy reform efforts for the Brennan Center for Justice in Sacramento and the Voting Rights Project of the ACLU of California. In these positions, he played a leadership role in advancing legislation, litigation and advocacy on issues from ensuring broader, easier access to voter registration to the successful implementation of the Voters Choice Act reforms enacted by the state in 2016.
“Raúl comes to the Haas, Jr. Fund with a powerful understanding of the many levers it takes to open up core democratic systems,” said Robert Joseph, vice president of programs with the Haas, Jr. Fund. “He is a proven coalition builder and a great fit for the Fund’s ambitions as we strive to increase civic participation and representation for all of California’s diverse communities.”
A native California, Macías started his career as a long-term care advocate and a consumer health advocate. He subsequently served as a researcher with the California Budget & Policy Center, with a focus on state policy and how it affects working families. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.