We cater to nonprofits, labor organizations, and Democratic political campaigns, providing them with tailored advocacy solutions.
About
El Faro Consulting is a full-spectrum advocacy firm with a mission to guide nonprofits, government entities, and labor organizations toward a brighter future.
We cater to nonprofits, labor organizations, and Democratic political campaigns, providing them with tailored advocacy solutions.
Our team has a combined 32-year history in Democratic politics and policy, making us seasoned experts in the field. With strong relationships in the southwest, Rocky Mountain region, and inside the beltway, we offer unparalleled, dynamic service. Strategic partnerships with The Strategy Division and Silver State Government Relations further enhance our capabilities.
El Faro Consulting provides a comprehensive range of services, including political, communications, and media expertise under one roof, streamlining advocacy efforts for our clients.
Marco Rauda
Founder and CEO
Marco Rauda is the Chief Executive and Founder of El Faro Consulting, a full-spectrum political consulting, government relations and communications firm serving electoral campaigns, nonprofit organizations, companies and government agencies in the Southwest United States.
Rauda launched the startup in July 2022 following his tenure as Director of Policy and Strategic Relationships for the 36th Nevada Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Prior to taking that position, Rauda served as the Southwest Region Political Coordinator for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, where he coordinated campaigns with other unions to win political, electoral and legislative changes throughout the Southwest.
His experience includes political and policy work on behalf of immigration, civic engagement, and environmental organizations. At El Faro, Rauda works directly with clients to achieve their objectives with hands-on guidance, up-to-date technology, and relationships that have taken decades to mature.
Rauda, who moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1995, is known for speaking with equal authority to his family, friends and neighbors in Nevada’s Hispanic community, to union and business leadership, to political leadership of both parties, and to nonprofit organizations representing diverse policy objectives and constituencies.
Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Rauda immigrated to Southern California in 1988. He first demonstrated his skill in working with people on policy issues as a canvasser for the Nevada State Democratic Party during the 2006 mid-term election, and then as an organizer for Western caucuses for the party in 2007.
In his free time, Rauda enjoys visiting, hiking and camping in beautiful and mountainous rural Nevada.
Mike Willoughby
Strategic Advisor and COO
Michael Willoughby is the Chief Operations Officer and Strategic Advisor at El Faro Consulting, a full-spectrum political consulting, government relations, and communications firm. With over 17 years of professional experience in politics, Michael brings a wealth of expertise in communications and media strategies to empower organizations and candidates to achieve their goals.
Prior to joining El Faro Consulting, Michael served as the Technical Director at Battle Born Progress and Institute for a Progressive Nevada from 2016 to 2022. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in creating impactful online advertising for issue campaigns and nonprofits. Notable highlights include his contributions to the 2010 Nevada Governor’s race, the 2018 Lieutenant Governor’s race, and the 2020 Presidential race. As a regular contributor on Politics Now on KTNV and the creator of the long-running podcast Out In Front, Michael has established himself as a respected voice in political communications.
Michael’s passion for political activism and community organizing runs deep, shaped by his mixed heritage of Latino, Indigenous, Middle-Eastern, and Eastern European descent. With family ties in the region dating back to the 1400s, he draws inspiration from his family’s involvement in New Mexico politics and their leadership in the local printers’ union. This sense of civic responsibility and dedication to public service has guided Michael’s career.
Born in New Mexico and raised in Wyoming, Michael has called the Mountain West and Southwest home throughout his life. He made Nevada his permanent residence in 2003. Over the years, Michael has accumulated an impressive track record, starting with his first campaign involvement during the 1992 Presidential race and continuing with his role as an Obama Delegate in 2008. He served as the Deputy Director of New Media for Rory Reid in 2010 and worked as a Business Analyst and IT Director for United Aqua Group from 2012 to 2015.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family and pursuing his creative passions. He finds solace in playing the guitar, producing music, and showcasing his talent in photography and videography. As an FAA-licensed drone pilot, he combines his love for technology and art to capture breathtaking visuals.
Mo Denis
Partner
Senator Moises (Mo) Denis represented Nevada’s Second Senate District, covering the east side of the Las Vegas Valley, including downtown Las Vegas and downtown North Las Vegas. With a distinguished 12-year tenure in the Nevada Senate and three terms in the Nevada Assembly, Mo made history as the first Latino to serve as Senate Majority Leader and Senate President Pro Tempore. He chaired the Nevada Senate Education Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the Legislative Commission, and the Interim Finance Committee. Throughout his legislative career, Mo was instrumental in passing significant legislation in education, healthcare, environmental issues, and motor vehicles.
Currently, Mo serves on the Advisory Board of North Vista Hospital and is the Vice President of Membership for the Las Vegas Area Council of Boy Scouts. He is also a member of the Southwest Regional Advisory Board for HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors), an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. His past leadership roles include president of the Nevada PTA, president of the Las Vegas/Clark County Library Board, and chair of the Nevada Commission on Educational Technology. Mo has also held numerous other positions on local and national non-profit boards and served in leadership and teaching capacities in his church.
Mo, a Brooklyn, NY native and son of Cuban immigrants, moved to Las Vegas as a young child. A product of the Clark County School District, he graduated from Rancho High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Brigham Young University. Professionally, Mo has over 25 years of experience in computer technology within the banking, software, and governmental sectors. Recently, he transitioned to a career in community relations with Teachers Health Trust.
Married to his sweetheart Susan for 41 years, Mo is a proud father of five and grandfather of seven. His wife, Susan, is a first-grade teacher, and their son and daughter work for the Clark County School District as a middle school social studies teacher and a teacher assistant, respectively.
Mo’s commitment to service extends to his faith, family, and community. He has appeared as a guest on numerous international, national, and local TV news broadcasts discussing political, immigration, educational, non-profit, and Hispanic issues. His appearances include CNN, MSNBC, Univision, Telemundo, the NY Times, Politico, and the LA Times. Mo has also been a speaker, panelist, and moderator at various conferences and podcasts, such as the National Conference of State Legislators, the National Hispanic Council of State Legislators, the National Parent Teacher Association, the American Library Association, and the South by Southwest Education Conference.
Mo’s dedication has earned him numerous awards for his contributions to education, the environment, legislation, non-profits, and community service, including Eagle Scout, Latin Chamber of Commerce Hispanic of the Year, PTA Lifetime Membership Award, and the Clark County School District Parent Advocate.
Diana Gale
Associate
With 20 years of experience in politics, Diana Gale has built a distinguished career specializing in field operations, voter outreach, and fundraising. Diana’s expertise was honed at the Democratic Legislative Caucus, where she worked closely with State Assembly and State Senate candidates, playing a crucial role in their campaign successes.
Diana served as the District Director for Senator Mo Denis for over 12 years, including his tenure as Senate Majority Leader and Senate President Pro Tem. During this period, she successfully fundraised millions of dollars, managed donor databases, and organized impactful fundraising events. Diana’s coordination of volunteer activities and field operations ensured efficient and effective voter outreach. She also assisted in the development and implementation of campaign strategies, contributing significantly to their success.
In her role, Diana managed several candidates’ quarterly and yearly financial reporting and yearly ethics reporting, ensuring compliance and transparency. A key milestone in her career was assisting in the establishment of the Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus in 2007.
Outside of her professional life, Diana enjoys spending time with her husband, 12-year-old son, and puppy. She loves to travel, especially to destinations with warm weather, beach breezes, and sunshine. Passionate about working with children, Diana dedicates her free time to assisting elementary students struggling with reading and math.
As Featured In
Our Success Stories
Over the years, we have helped numerous organizations influence policy decisions in their favor. From securing government funding for innovative projects to influencing regulatory changes, our success stories speak for themselves.
SB341
SB341 is a major victory for Green Our Planet. El Faro worked with legislators to ensure the passage of Senate bill 341, which secured $3 million dollars to Green Our Planet in addition to funding other nonprofits. This funding was critical to help the organization expand its initiatives to create more sustainable communities across Nevada and beyond.
AB525
AB525 was a groundbreaking bill that enabled El Faro to secure $1.2 million in funding for the United Way of Southern Nevada. This provided much-needed support to local charities and organizations in the Las Vegas area. Thanks to AB525, El Faro was able to make a significant impact on the community by giving back and supporting those in need.
SB389
SB389 was an incredible legislative victory for survivors of human trafficking. The bill provided $1 million in funding to aid victims of this heinous crime and help them heal. This groundbreaking legislation has already improved the lives of many survivors and provided much needed assistance to those affected by trafficking. SB389 is a trailblazing piece of legislation that will continue to provide crucial resources for those who have experienced the trauma of human trafficking.
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