Anna Bakalis, Senior Director
Campaigns and Narrative (she/her)

With over a decade of experience leading member-driven communications strategies, Anna began her career as a journalist before joining SEIU Local 1021 in 2011, where she led media strategy for contract fights and strike campaigns across Northern California.

In 2015, she became Communications Director at United Teachers Los Angeles, helping reshape the department to reflect the bold organizing of LA educators and driving the public messaging behind their landmark 2019 strike. In 2023, Anna joined the Popular Comms Institute. There, she worked with unions and social justice organizations nationwide to train worker-leaders in communications strategy and help shift public discourse in the face of rising authoritarianism.

In 2025, she helped launch the communications strategy for the Federal Unionists Network. She holds a Master’s in Strategic Communication from American University and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from San Jose State University. She comes from a proud union family of steelworkers, stagehands, and teachers.