Strategies’ first new office of 2020 was opened under the leadership of Senior Vice President, Sid Voorakkara. With expertise in communications and messaging, business development, government affairs and advocacy strategy, Sid serves non-profits and private businesses looking for creative collaboration to address their unique challenges. This includes creating a resource website for California’s small-medium businesses looking to navigate options during the COVID-19 pandemic – www.covid19biztools.com.

Most recently, Sid served as Deputy Director for External Affairs at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. There, he was responsible for promoting California business investment resources with businesses, economic development stakeholders, local communities, and trade associations. Prior to his state service, Sid was a Program Manager at The California Endowment. He worked closely with non-profits, foundations, and workforce investment boards to build pathways into high-wage, high-growth jobs for Californians.

In his early career, Sid served as the Field Director at the United Nations Foundation when the SARS coronavirus erupted. He helped the UN Foundation serve as a conduit between the World Health Organization and reporters in the United States by coordinating national and local media conference calls with the WHO’s Director of Communicable Diseases.

Sid currently serves as Chair of the San Diego City Ethics Commission and on the San Diego Community College Trustees Advisory Council. He is a past Trustee of the San Diego Museum of Man and a past Chair of the San Diego City College Foundation Board of Directors.

While Sid studied at NYU, his heart is in the West. He is inspired by the culture of innovation that leads everything from technology and science to economic, environmental and social justice.