Our Leadership

Sean Forbes has a Master's Degree in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach. He lives and works in Long Beach, California as a private investigator. He is also a published author of several books, a journalist, and a producer of several short films.

Ash is a longtime resident of California's Eastern Sierra and a dedicated public servant with over 13 years of experience in fire service and community leadership. Currently serving as a captain and public information officer with his local fire department, he brings a deep commitment to public safety, transparency, and rural resilience.

A lifelong advocate for sustainable, community-driven solutions, Ash has championed the causes of rural equity, localized governance, and civic empowerment—values that defined his 2024 run for Inyo County Supervisor. His earlier career in the music industry as a tour manager sharpened his skills in organization, communication, and crisis management—tools he now applies to public service with clarity and purpose. In addition to his local service, Ash runs a PPE and rescue equipment donation program, collecting surplus gear from California fire departments and delivering it to Ukrainian first responders on the front lines of crisis.

Bill was born and raised in New Hampshire and came to California a decade ago. He is currently a stay-at-home dad as well as a non-profit instructor of chess to children and volunteers with various political organizations and campaigns. He spent his 20's in the field of radio and now hosts the Free the Bear and Last Exit on the Left podcasts on California independence.

A fourth-generation Californian with a bachelor's degree in International Relations from UC Davis. Registered member of the CNP since 2018, but a lifelong supporter of an independent California. David has previously assisted with the Loebs campaign, the CNP website, and most recently coordinated the CNP contingent at SF Pride.

Aria was born & raised in The Valley and spends her free time exploring everything LA County has to offer. With a background in the Entertainment Industry, she is a strong advocate for supporting local unions and keeping film work in Hollywood. Previously in a corporate DEIB leadership committee role, Aria prioritizes underrepresented group's rights through inclusive policy initiatives. She is dedicated to an independent, autonomous, California to secure individual freedoms & better serve each community's unique needs.

Lyra is a Math and Science teacher of 20 years, novelist, environmental chemistry researcher, and a minister of the Universal Life Church. She was born in Los Angeles, a third-generation California native of Italian and Polish descent. She currently lives in the suburbs north of LA, raising two daughters and three cats. Having previously been registered as independent, she became a member of the CNP immediately upon discovering the potential for future secession, after the demonstration of unadulterated fraud that was the 2016 election.

Theo is an attorney who lives in Sacramento and practices law across California. He served as the Party's first Chairperson up until July 2019. He helped found the CNP out of a desire to create a party focused on building an ever stronger and more independent California – not serving the interests of billionaire donors. Theo is committed to building an organization that can serve, empower, and represent all of California's many and diverse communities.

Raul Alberto Contreras was born and raised in Washington D.C. During his high school years he worked for the Peace Corps. He attended Northern Michigan University, where he studied filmmaking and was a student teacher for the Film Department. In 1992 he graduated with a BFA in Filmmaking. Upon graduation, Raul worked in numerous film related positions throughout Michigan.

In the late 90's he Produced and co-wrote the unreleased feature film "Happy Hour." After completion of the film, Raul moved to Los Angeles where he worked and production designed low budget feature films. When not working in the indie film market, Raul was working as a cook for Marie Callender's where he designed their entire vegetarian/vegan menu. In 2009 while he was art directing a television show for the History Channel he fell off of a ladder, severely breaking his ankle and crippling himself.

While being laid up for over a year Raul wrote and illustrated his first novel, a darkly humorous modern adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." The book was well received and is in Oxford University's permanent Lewis Carroll collection. In 2011 he became a Union Set Dresser for IATSE Local 44. Currently, he is working with the organization Zello Services to help fire victims of Los Angeles.

A world-touring musician, author, and blogger whose work bridges culture, politics, and grassroots activism. Shankar served as Vice President of the California Freedom Coalition (501(c)(4)) and Executive Director of Independent California (501(c)(3)), where he worked closely with organizers and community leaders across the state. Shankar personally knows and collaborates with the diverse member groups that make up the CalExit movement, reflecting years of deep, on-the-ground involvement.

A California patriot first and foremost, Shankar has been a prominent Southern California activist since 2016, working alongside most major progressive and independence-focused groups in the region. He is also the voice behind Activism in Action, co-hosting Red Star Report on KPFK 96.1 fm Southern California with Hal B. Lohr, where he brings sharp analysis and unapologetic commentary to the airwaves.

Since 2020, Shankar has accurately predicted the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, the rise of organized white supremacy, and the national crisis unfolding under the current Trump administration. Like many Californians, he is committed to defending the state from the political onslaught of Trumpism and the growing Christofascist movement within the Republican Party and the American rightwing.

Brennen Duck is a US Coast Guard Veteran with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Humboldt State University. He also completed one year of law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he is a lifelong California resident and currently lives in Pacifica with his wife, Ariana. In addition to his educational background, he works in private security in San Francisco.

Charles grew up in Southern California and earned his B.S. in Information and Computer Science from UC Irvine. Later he earned his M.S. from Georgia Tech in Artificial Intelligence. He has held a variety of leadership and executive positions in technology companies throughout his career. He joined the CNP after realizing the only happy future for California lies in independence. Charles resides in Sonoma County.

Maya Ram is a resident of Alameda County, right in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is one of the main engines that drives California's economy. She has a background in nursing, health informatics, and regulatory compliance. Having seen the disintegration of the United States of America's healthcare system in real time, Maya has learnt that the USA has been in a slow motion collapse for a long time. Not just of its healthcare system (or lack thereof), but also its economy, its infrastructure, its world standing, and even the character of the American people as a whole has collapsed. And she wants nothing to do with it anymore. This is not the same country her parents arrived to from India in the 1980s. Maya has felt compelled to join the CNP because she does not want California to waste away with the rest of the Union and lose its standing as a economic and cultural powerhouse in the world.