Emily Francis
After graduating from Colorado College with a major in Political Science, I spent my career as a public school teacher in history and government, coaching Mock Trial and developing the county Social Studies curricula. Because of these experiences helping high school students participate in our democracy for their first time, I am committed to strengthening community through communication and outreach about the democratic process.
While living in Durham, NC I worked with the startup brewery Fullsteam as an events coordinator and farm liaison to gather local, seasonal ingredients for brewing. That experience taught me the importance of community and the role small business can play in revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering connections among people.
In 2013, my family moved to San Luis Obispo for my husband to join the faculty here at Cal Poly, and I connected to the community through volunteering-most memorably, with Glean SLO as a neighborhood harvest leader. I also walked nearly every inch of San Luis Obispo as a dog walker and enjoyed the amazing open space. I spent the last five years teaching in local public schools, serving as department chair, and as an elected union representative for my colleagues.
I currently serve on the city Planning Commission while working on my master's thesis in American History, focusing on the political history of the green belt of open space that encircles our city.
Through my experiences as a public educator, I realize that connecting people to the democratic experience encourages investment in the community and the change that people want to see in their neighborhoods. I want to work to make San Luis Obispo more sustainable, just and compassionate while continuing our focus on smart economic growth and an expansion of community services.
Meet The Team
Jean Davidson, PhD
Campaign Manager
Jean is a SLO native - graduate of CL Smith, Laguna and SLOHS class of 2001! She received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis and doctorate in molecular biology from UNC Chapel Hill. Jean is currently an assistant professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly SLO where she studies genomics and bioinformatics. She is also the CEO of a film production and distribution business based in SLO. Jean's three small children and a sweet old dog keep life busy, but she finds time for fun with trail running, mountain biking, and surfing.
Laura Slaughter, RN, MSN
Campaign Advisor
Upon finishing her undergrad in neurophysiology at University of California, San Diego, laura moved to San Luis Obispo twenty years ago to attend Cuesta College’s registered nursing program. She fell in love, both with a handsome fellow named Clint and the city of San Luis Obispo, and stayed put.
Professionally she’s driven lights and sirens the roads of SLO county as an EMT, bandaged up and helped care for SLO community members as a long time Emergency Department nurse, and currently works as a campus clinic nurse with the bright and delightful students of Cal Poly and is a full time student at Sonoma State University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program.
She loves adventuring and camping with her husband and two sons, Locke and Orion, mountain biking with her girlfriends, poorly guitar-serenading her puppy Willow, and getting involved in organizations that improve her community.
Trent Johnson, MPH
Campaign Treasurer
Trent is a California native, father of three children and graduate of UC Davis, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. By day, Trent is a public health researcher at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in the Stanford University School of Medicine, co-chair of the San Luis Obispo Tobacco Control Coalition, and part-time student at Cuesta Community College. By night & on weekends, Trent enjoys mountain biking in MDO, Cuesta Ridge and Irish Hills, sailing in Morro Bay, and catching the occasional wave.
Paloma Francis
Outdoor Adventure Coordinator
Paloma joined our family from Denkai Rescue in Cortez, Colorado after the loss of our two beloved elderly pups. She brings us lots of love, a lot less sleep, and plenty of pressure to make us exercise. She is love.
Clinton Francis, PhD
Fan Club Advisor
Clint grew up in small town Colorado and knows the importance of building a strong and resilient community. He received his undergraduate degree from Pacific University in Oregon, and a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from CU Boulder. He is currently an associate professor at Cal Poly where he studies ecology. He has a daughter in third grade and spends weekends mountain biking and surfing in SLO county.
Amy West
Campaign Advisor
