Ryan Hurd, Executive Director (email) Ryan oversees the SDCDP’s general management, political programs, planning, resource development, and systems and data. He previously was a consultant for local and state political campaigns, conducted public health advocacy programs, and was an editor and writer for community-based newspapers. Originally from Seattle, he moved to San Diego after concentrating in comparative literature at Brown University. He has served on the San Diego County Substance Abuse Summit Steering Committee, the Public Policy Advisory Board of the San Diego LGBT Community Center, the Citizens' Review Board on Police Practices for the City of San Diego, and the Rules Committee of the California Democratic Party.
Andrea Duran Aydoğan, Director of Operations (email) Andrea supervises and develops the Party’s day-to-day programs, from voter contact and campaign support to mentoring student volunteers through our Political Organizing Academy. Her responsibilities include training, finance, data management, and event coordination. She has has worked in a variety of fields, from higher education to civil society, with experience in international advocacy, research, and training. She is a graduate of San Diego State University with Bachelor's in Marketing and has a Master's degree in Political Science from Linköping University in Sweden. She has lived in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Turkey; speaks five languages; and loves to interact with a variety of cultures.
Maral Babai, Campaign Services Coordinator (email) Maral focuses on our candidate development pipeline, from recruiting to training and technical assistance, and also administers the chartering of our dozens of Democratic Clubs and membership on our governing body, the Central Committee. She has worked in fundraising, communications, field, and management for Democratic state legislative and congressional candidates in New York, Connecticut, Indiana, and Virginia. Born and raised in Palm Springs, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, where she majored in International Studies and Art History. She completed her Masters in Visual Arts Administration at NYU, where she focused on nonprofit organizations, policy, and the intersection of arts and organizing.
Dan Shook-Castillo, Engagement Coordinator (email) Dan heads up communications, community outreach, and executive support for the Chair and several of the SDCDP's standing committees. He’s also the lead staff contact for the Grassroots Organizing Team. A San Diego native with a background in advocacy, education, and nonprofit mental health administration, he graduated from Grossmont College and UCSD with undergraduate degrees in philosophy and psychology. Dan is passionate about educating and empowering at-risk and vulnerable communities in making informed decisions.
