# Sonya Harris

> Sonya Harris is the Sacramento-based founder and CEO of Sage Strategies LLC. Her California government career included appointments, external affairs, business and consumer relations, and leadership of Census 2020 outreach. Her work also includes Korean American community events and leadership board service.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Sage Strategies LLC
- **Organizations:** Sage Strategies LLC, California Women Lead, Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project, American Leadership Forum Mountain Valley, California Complete Count - Census 2020 Office, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Office of Governor Jerry Brown, California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, California Exposition and State Fair, Strong Reader Partnership (former executive director)
- **Known for:** NAAPPPA 40 Under 40 honoree, 2018, listed on her LinkedIn profile., Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader of the Year, May 2022., Featured in Sacramento Magazine’s Stronger Than Ever women’s profile series, published December 15, 2022.

## Career timeline

- **2006-2010** — Served in the lieutenant governor’s office, including as administrative assistant, fiscal analyst and capitol director.
- **2011-2013** — Deputy appointments secretary in Governor Jerry Brown’s office.
- **2013-2015** — Director of external affairs at the California Exposition and State Fair.
- **2015-2019** — Deputy secretary for business and consumer relations at the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; this range appears in the Census Office biography.
- **2019** — Deputy cabinet secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom, followed by appointment as Census 2020 chief of staff in October.
- **2020** — Led a Census Office team responsible for a $187 million budget, 150 contracted partners and a 13-language campaign.
- **2021** — Founded Sage Strategies LLC; business filing dated June 2.
- **2024** — Organized a Sacramento Kimchi Day event; Sage partnered in the reception hosted by Senator Dave Min.
- **2026** — Listed as California Women Lead board treasurer and a member of American Leadership Forum Mountain Valley Class XXXIII.

## Achievements

- NAAPPPA 40 Under 40 honoree, 2018, listed on her LinkedIn profile.
- Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader of the Year, May 2022.
- Featured in Sacramento Magazine’s Stronger Than Ever women’s profile series, published December 15, 2022.
- Led the Census 2020 office’s 35-member gubernatorial-appointee team.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Included in American Leadership Forum Mountain Valley’s Class XXXIII for May 2026-April 2027.
- **2026-04** — Appeared at the April 7 Senate education budget oversight hearing as Strong Reader Partnership’s former executive director and Sage CEO; senators questioned services, invoices and documentation, and Harris described the engagement and said some billing questions required checking records.
- **2026-03** — Named alongside Sandra Levy on the March 17 CalABLE board agenda for an information item about Sage Strategies.

## Links

- Website: https://www.sage-strat.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-harris-5544b06/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sonya-harris
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22