Empowering Voices, Shaping Change
Proudly a Certified
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
- State of California Small Business (SB)
Who We Are
About Quintana-Saragosa Public Affairs
A strategic team of public affairs professionals, Quintana-Saragosa Public Affairs has more than 30 years of progressive responsibility in government relations, reputation management, and community organizing. Certified by the State of California, Quintana-Saragosa Public Affairs is a certified Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, and Small Business. Quintana-Saragosa fosters deep relationships throughout the state that can be activated across various issues. As former employees of the California Governor’s Office, California State Agencies, California State Legislature, local government, and organized Labor, we have an excellent grasp of the legislative and regulatory processes and the political acumen to navigate these institutions.
Quintana-Saragosa has built extensive coalitions throughout California, emphasizing the Central Valley and Orange County. As a bipartisan firm, we bring established relationships from both sides of the aisle, having worked for diverse groups such as SEIU, AFSCME, and the California Republican Party. We enjoy close relationships with partisan political organizations, organized labor, agricultural associations, ethnic advocacy groups, non-profits, trade associations, local chambers of commerce, and faith-based groups throughout the state.
Our Team
Brenda Quintana
Brenda Quintana has over 30 years of government, political, and public relations expertise in California. Brenda has built a career working with senior officials throughout California at the federal, state, and local levels. She is known as a grassroots organizing expert emphasizing the Latino community.
Brenda uses her experience and key contacts to create a plan tailored to her client’s needs. Before establishing Quintana-Saragosa Public Affairs, Brenda served as Senior Advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was his principal liaison to local government, labor, the Central Valley, and California’s Latino community.
Brenda joined the Schwarzenegger administration from the State Legislature after serving as Chief-of-Staff to two members and as a Principal Consultant to a third. She has been recognized for her ability to help Legislators retain marginal seats where their party’s registration was in the minority. In addition, Brenda has represented organized labor, having worked for SEIU, UDW, and AFCSME. As a labor representative, she cultivated her grassroots organizing skills and created community support networks she continues to partner with today.
With more than 30 years of experience, Brenda has worked as a staff and general consultant for Presidential, Gubernational, Legislative, and municipal candidates and statewide ballot initiatives. She successfully managed voter registration drives, 527 committees, and issue advocacy projects. Brenda’s diverse background, innate ability to create lasting relationships, and knowledge of California politics are the foundation of QSPA’s approach to client success.
Brenda serves on the Latin Business Association, Arts & Culture El Dorado, and Insure America boards. Growing up in one of California’s diverse Latino homes, Brenda was raised speaking both Spanish and English and readily serves clients in both languages. Brenda attended California State University-Fullerton, studying Political Science.
Brenda lives in Placerville with her husband and business partner, Michael, and their rescue dog, Alafair Mae.
Michael Saragosa
Michael is a public affairs professional with more than 25 years of experience in government and public relations. For the past 13 years, Michael and his wife, Brenda have owned and operated a small public affairs firm, Quintana Saragosa Public Affairs.
Before operating his own small business, Michael served in a variety of high-level positions within the Schwarzenegger Administration; Undersecretary at State and Consumer Services, Executive Director of the Employment Training Panel (ETP), Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and Chief Deputy Appointments Secretary. Michael has directed dozens of legislative and municipal campaigns and served as a senior advisor on several statewide elections. He also worked in the California State Legislature as an aide for several Legislators.
In addition to his experience working in government, Michael is an elected official and has served on the Placerville City Council since October 2018. Before his election to the City Council, Michael served on the City’s Planning Commission and the Historical Advisory Committee. His Council colleagues selected Michael to serve as Mayor in 2020. He also serves as Placerville’s representative to the Sacramento Council of Governments (SACOG) and previously served as a member of the El Dorado County Transportation Commission and Pioneer Community Energy.
Michael is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. Michael and his wife, Brenda moved to Placerville in 2005 after living in West Sacramento. They purchased a historic home in town and have enjoyed living in the beautiful foothills with their rescue dog, Alafair Mae.
Heather Lambert
Lambert joined QSPA in 2021, bringing 20 years of diverse experience in federal, state, and local government as well as extensive knowledge of the private sector after working for a Fortune 20 company for the last decade.
Lambert most recently served as Vice President of West Region Public Affairs for JPMorgan Chase. She oversaw public affairs, relationship development, crisis communication, corporate reputation, and event planning in California and Nevada. Lambert implemented a model for the executive ambassador program; executed local, state, and federal fly-ins; and was a crucial member in the campaign to develop and launch the Chase Center in the Bay Area.
Before joining JPMorgan Chase, Lambert worked in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration in various capacities, including External Affairs and Appointments. Additionally, she served the State of California in legislative, communication, and external affairs roles at the California State Lottery and the California Department of Insurance. Lambert joined the Schwarzenegger administration with extensive experience in coalition development and management honed over years of work on local and statewide campaigns. Early in her career, Lambert served for a now-ranking California member of US Congress, gaining valuable experience working on Capitol Hill.
Lambert thrives on volunteerism and helping others. While at JPMorgan Chase, she led all employee volunteer efforts in California and Nevada. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and active with the California Capital Chapter. Lambert lives in Sacramento.
Our Services
Public Affairs
Coalition Building & Management
Coalition Building & Management
Progressive responsibility in government and community organizing refers to a philosophy and approach that emphasizes the need for individuals, groups, and institutions to take on increasing levels of responsibility and participation in the decision-making and implementation processes of governance and community initiatives. This concept
Progressive responsibility in government and community organizing refers to a philosophy and approach that emphasizes the need for individuals, groups, and institutions to take on increasing levels of responsibility and participation in the decision-making and implementation processes of governance and community initiatives. This concept is rooted in the idea of empowerment, inclusivity, and the belief that active involvement leads to better outcomes for society as a whole.
Coalition Building & Management
Coalition Building & Management
Coalition Building & Management
Successful coalition building and management require patience, dedication, and a genuine commitment to working collaboratively toward a shared goal. It's also important to remain adaptable and open to feedback as the coalition evolves over time. We believe flexibility is key to long-term success. We maintain clear and consistent communica
Successful coalition building and management require patience, dedication, and a genuine commitment to working collaboratively toward a shared goal. It's also important to remain adaptable and open to feedback as the coalition evolves over time. We believe flexibility is key to long-term success. We maintain clear and consistent communication among coalition members and our program specialists. We focus on regular updates, meetings, and transparent discussions which are crucial for keeping everyone informed and engaged.
Reputation Management
Coalition Building & Management
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Effective reputation management can help build trust, credibility, and a positive image among your target audience. It is particularly important for businesses, public figures, and individuals who rely on their reputation to attract customers, partners, and opportunities.
It's worth noting that while reputation management can help shape pe
Effective reputation management can help build trust, credibility, and a positive image among your target audience. It is particularly important for businesses, public figures, and individuals who rely on their reputation to attract customers, partners, and opportunities.
It's worth noting that while reputation management can help shape perceptions, it cannot completely control how people perceive you or your business. Authenticity, ethical behavior, and consistent actions are fundamental to maintaining a positive reputation over the long term.
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Strategic management and crisis management are both crucial aspects of organizational management. Strategic management focuses on long-term success, while crisis management ensures an organization's ability to respond effectively to unexpected challenges and disruptions. Integrating these concepts helps organizations create a holistic app
Strategic management and crisis management are both crucial aspects of organizational management. Strategic management focuses on long-term success, while crisis management ensures an organization's ability to respond effectively to unexpected challenges and disruptions. Integrating these concepts helps organizations create a holistic approach to managing uncertainty and achieving sustainable growth.
Land Use
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Contract Procurement
Effective land use planning involves considering population growth, economic development, environmental sustainability, and community needs. Sustainable land use practices aim to balance human activities with the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems, ensuring that land is utilized to benefit current and future generations. At
Effective land use planning involves considering population growth, economic development, environmental sustainability, and community needs. Sustainable land use practices aim to balance human activities with the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems, ensuring that land is utilized to benefit current and future generations. At Quintana-Saragosa, we are practitioners involved in developing and advocating policies for sustainable development practices, affordable housing, and responsible growth.
Contract Procurement
Strategic & Crisis Communication
Contract Procurement
It's important to note that contract procurement can vary depending on the organization, industry, and the specific goods or services being procured. Legal and regulatory considerations may also significantly influence the procurement process. At Quintana-Saragosa, we guide and support our clients through the process and evaluate every contract for improvement and ongoing protection.
Government Relations
Government Relations
Government Relations
We aim to influence and shape public policy, legislation, regulations, and decisions in a way that aligns with the interests and objectives of our clients. At Quintana-Saragosa, we operate with integrity with focus on transparency. We follow these established guidelines and regulations to maintain the integrity of the democratic process and trust of our customers.
Issue Advocacy
Government Relations
Government Relations
Effective issue advocacy requires clear messaging, strategic planning, and the ability to engage and mobilize supporters. It often aims to create a sense of urgency and importance surrounding the issue to drive action and influence decision-makers. Successful issue advocacy can lead to changes in public perception, policy reform, and social progress.
Translation Services
Government Relations
Translation Services
Professional translation services are offered in multiple languages, including Spanish, by our expert in-house translator. We provide translation services for documents, presentations, and digital content, tailored to meet your specific needs.
Current and Former Clients
