Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today announced the addition of four new employees to boost the organization’s federal, state, and communications programs. Dylan Hoffman is joining as Executive Director for California and the Southwest, Ebbie Yazdani as Federal Policy Director, Nancy Gabaldon as Director of Digital Content, and Shalaka Joshi as State Policy Coordinator.
“TechNet continues to experience unprecedented growth and these additional team members will help us be even more effective in our advocacy and communications at the federal and state levels in 2022 and beyond,” said TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore. “We’re thrilled Dylan, Ebbie, Nancy, and Shalaka are joining our amazing team. Their experiences and perspectives will help us advance policies that grow our economy, create jobs, and increase American competitiveness.”
Hoffman will oversee TechNet’s advocacy and political activities in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. He will be based in Sacramento. Hoffman joins TechNet from the Internet Association, where he served as Director of California Government Affairs. Prior to that, he worked in various roles in the California State Assembly, including as Legislative Director for Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. A native of New Mexico, Dylan holds a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law and Bachelor degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of New Mexico.
In his new role, Yazdani will help drive TechNet’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Yazdani has spent seven years working in Congress, most recently as the legislative director for Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). In this position, he led a legislative team to execute the Congresswoman’s legislative strategy. He also advised the Congresswoman on a broad policy portfolio including data privacy, energy, and tech policy. Yazdani holds a Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina, where he was student body president.
Gabaldon will help advance TechNet’s communications strategy and expand its digital profile. Gabaldon joins TechNet from the National Guard Association of the United States, where she served as digital communications manager. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University.
As State Policy Coordinator, Joshi will play a key role in TechNet’s 50-state advocacy program by supporting the organization’s six regional Executive Directors on a broad range of activities. Joshi comes to TechNet from the New York State Insurance Fund where she was an Excelsior Service Fellow focused on data governance, digital transformation, and data management. Joshi holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to the new hires, TechNet has also added Crossroads Strategies and Subject Matter as consultants.