Maggie Sleeper

Chief of Staff
(619) 764-1883

Maggie.Sleeper@sdcounty.ca.gov

Maggie Sleeper brings almost two decades of political, policy and industry experience to the job of Chief of Staff for Supervisor Joel Anderson. Previously, Maggie served as a Municipal Infrastructure Advisor for San Diego Gas & Electric, where she partnered with local governments to coordinate major infrastructure projects. She was the recipient of an SDG&E Spotlight Award for her work facilitating a series of Wildfire Safety Workshops with local governments and community leaders. Prior to her role at SDG&E, Maggie served as Director of Policy to San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman, where she worked on reforms to encourage housing production and improve outcomes for the City’s homelessness response system. For 10 years, Maggie served as a staff member, Legislative Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff for California Assemblymember, then State Senator Joel Anderson, and Assemblymember Linda Halderman. During this time, she shepherded successful legislation to crack down on human trafficking in massage establishments, to provide funding to school districts for reducing school bus emissions, to prevent incarcerated physicians from writing prescriptions, and to provide transitional services to exonerated inmates. She also managed the legislative efforts to rename a portion of I-15 near MCAS Miramar the “Tuskegee Airmen Highway,” as well as historic designations for Highway 94 and Highway 67 in the San Diego backcountry. Maggie graduated from University of California, San Diego with a BA in Political Science and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She is an Alumna of the San Diego County Water Authority “Citizens Water Academy,” LeSar Development Consultants Housing Policy Leadership Academy, and holds a certificate in Advanced Public Engagement for Local Government from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. She, her husband, and six-year-old son reside in the Spring Valley community of San Diego County.

Heather Koszka

Director of Operations
(619) 531-5932 (desk)

Heather.Koszka@sdcounty.ca.gov

Heather Koszka is an experienced and enthusiastic public servant with a passion for making public policy accessible to the people. A Northern California native, Heather found her aptitude for public service while working in the California State Legislature in Sacramento. For over a decade, Heather connected San Diego constituents with their state government while working for multiple state legislators, including Senator Joel Anderson. Heather quickly became known for her exceptional scheduling and professional skills throughout the Capitol, where she was asked to host bipartisan trainings for several legislative offices. Heather’s work has received state and national attention, including recognition from the Robert M. Hertzberg Capitol Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Some of her greatest accomplishments include organizing highly attended community events and growing Senator Anderson’s Capitol Internship program to over 180 interns, later earning her a position as Capitol Office Director for Senator Brian Jones.

Heather rejoined Team Anderson in 2021 and is eager to serve San Diego County constituents, now at a local government level. She is thrilled to finally be living in the San Diego area and plans to explore all the beautiful things our area has to offer.

Eliran Hershko
Special Projects Manager
(858) 289-9221
Eliran.Hershko@sdcounty.ca.gov

Eliran is proud to be a product of Senator Anderson’s internship program and is on a mission to provide as many interns with as many opportunities as possible. Eliran has worn many hats over his professional career, from filling a vacant staff role in the state legislature to being an educator for an international non-profit and a marketing director for a small business. Eliran attended Moorpark Community College before transferring to UC – San Diego to study Political Science with a focus in Public Policy. He is an outdoors enthusiast who loves board sports and basketball, you may run into him at the Pacific Highlands pump track on the weekends or passionately supporting his favorite team the Los Angeles Lakers.

If you are interested in an internship with Supervisor Anderson’s office, please contact Eliran.

Ibrahim Ahmed, MPA

Policy Advisor

(619) 957-8912

Ibrahim.Ahmed@sdcounty.ca.gov

Ibrahim obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at San Diego State University and shortly after, his master’s in Public Policy and Administration. His professional expertise lies in both policy and community development and is an alumnus of the San Diego Leadership Alliance fellowship. He previously served as a staffer at the San Diego City Council where he closely worked with constituents to solve issues and advised the Council President on policy matters.

Ibrahim handles the policy areas of Homelessness, Refugee and Immigrant Affairs, Equity and Racial Justice, Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards, Arts and Culture, and Libraries for Supervisor Anderson.

Matthew Phy

Policy Advisor

(619) 957-8834

Matthew.Phy@sdcounty.ca.gov

Matthew is a southern California native bringing over a decade of political and policy experience to District 2. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with Minors in Communication and Media Analysis. In June 2023, Matthew was admitted and awarded a scholarship to the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law, a Top 20 Law School in the country, to pursue his Master of Studies in Law (MSL) graduate degree. Matthew was also recognized in 2023 as a “Top 40 under 40” honoree by San Diego Metro Magazine. Matthew’s significant policy experience includes several statewide and local campaigns, where he served as a top advisor. Prior to joining Supervisor Anderson’s office, Matthew was Deputy District Director and Senior Policy Advisor to former California State Senate Minority Leader and State Senator Patricia C. Bates. In this role, he collaborated with city, state, county, and federal offices, resolved constituent cases, and assisted in crafting legislation that positively impacted local communities. Matthew is a foodie and loves exploring new, local restaurants with friends. He’s also a proud uncle with three nieces and two nephews: Braelyn, David, Kinsley, Grace, and Caleb.

Matthew handles the policy areas of the Public Safety Group and Public Works as well as managing Supervisor Anderson’s internship program at the County Administration Center (CAC). 

Michelle Surakhanova

Internship Coordinator

(619) 441-4327

Michelle.Surakhanova@sdcounty.ca.gov

Michelle earned her Bachelor's degree in Economics from California State University, Northridge, wherein recognition of her academic achievements, she received a Certificate of Distinction award. She is earning her master's degree in management information systems with a focus in business analytics from San Diego State University. Michelle is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the nation's largest leadership honors society. Before joining Team Anderson, Michelle worked in management and later as a legal assistant for a highly prestigious family law firm in Los Angeles. As a Legislative Assistant, Michelle manages the internship department and is responsible for documenting all constituent correspondence and casework. Her top priority is to provide exceptional service and support to San Diego County constituents and assist Team Andersons' mission to provide economic prosperity throughout our district. Michelle plays the piano, she enjoys hiking, figure skating, reading, analytics and watching documentaries.