ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ

Imagine your job is to communicate with some 40 million people, in a state that has the fourth largest economy in the world and an outspoken governor who is a known figure outside of the Golden State’s borders.

Meet Izzy Gardon, ’16, the man leading the team doing just that—communicating with the masses that call California home—as the Director of Communications for Governor Gavin Newsom.

You could say that Gardon really cut his communication chops while an undergraduate at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ studying political science and public affairs while holding down a whole host of jobs—working 40+ hours a week while a full-time student—to help pay for school. Whether it was when he was a Resident Assistant, where he met and started dating the love of his life, Kelby Lind, ’16, or as a Night Hawk driver, Gardon got firsthand experience of what it takes to juggle multiple roles successfully, gleaning lessons that he has drawn on throughout his professional career.  “That balancing act taught me endurance, resilience and the ability to keep showing up,” he says.

He also got a taste of what it’s like working in the communications field through roles in SU’s Marketing Communications and Alumni Relations offices, where he displayed a deft touch as a naturally born communicator. “Those experiences gave me a work ethic and a perspective I still carry today—hard work matters,” says Gardon.

Born into a middle-class family in Sacramento, Calif., and without the money to pay for college, Gardon knew he had to hustle if he wanted to attend the school that he first became aware of as a candidate for the full-ride Sullivan Scholarship. Although he didn’t get selected for the Sullivan it turned out to be a blessing, he says, as it introduced him to all that makes ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ so unique.

“It’s a community grounded in Jesuit values—care for the whole person, service and leadership—that I immediately felt connected to,” he says.

Growing up in California’s state capital, where many go into government work, Gardon seemed predestined to follow down this path, further amplified by his civically minded mother, providing a front-row seat to city politics and the impact of public policy.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Gardon started out his educational journey at SU in communications but that shifted his sophomore year when he decided to major in political science and public affairs.

“I sought a degree in political science because I wanted intellectual grounding, a better understanding of the theories, institutions and history that shape how power works,” Gardon explains. “Public affairs gave me the applied toolkit—policy analysis, program design and community engagement. I don’t quote Thomas Hobbes every day, or ever, but having that theoretical foundation, paired with hands-on practice, has made me a sharper, more effective public servant.”

His path that would ultimately lead him to where he is today can be traced to his senior year at SU when he applied for the Capital Fellows Program, a year-long program that brings together people from all backgrounds to serve in California state government. Gardon was selected and placed in then Governor Jerry Brown’s press office, an assignment he says, “changed my life and opened unimaginable doors.”

In working for Gov. Brown he found a boss and an environment that aligned with his values and a throughline that, once again, connected back to his SU education.

“Gov. Brown, a former Jesuit seminarian, carried Jesuit principles into his style of leadership … Concepts like cura personalis—care for the whole person—weren’t just words on a page, they were ideas I had seen practiced daily on campus.

“And his belief in finding meaning and purpose in all things resonated with the way I was taught to approach my faith and service. That mirrored so much of what I had learned at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, where Jesuit values complemented my Jewish beliefs,” he continues. “Service, leadership, the importance of stepping up when no one else will. Those were not abstract ideas.”

A career in public service was also a deeply personal choice for Gardon, whose family relied on government assistance including food stamps and WIC when he was younger, programs that helped lift his family out of poverty. This experience stayed with him as a young adult, illustrating that government—programs and public policy—can help change lives, what he describes as “the difference between despair and opportunity.” And as someone who lived this firsthand, he saw his work in government as a way to ensure families like his get the same chances and opportunities.

Following his time with Gov. Brown Gardon pivoted into a role away from public service, working as a digital director and consultant, including serving on political campaigns and handling communications for various California candidates such as Attorney General Xavier Becerra and his predecessor, Attorney General Rob Bonta. He was also part of the team running statewide initiatives, including the successful “No on Prop 20,” which stopped an effort to roll back criminal justice reforms.

Missing public service, Gardon took a job for California’s Department of Justice, working as the lead speechwriter for Attorney General Bonta, helping to heighten the voice of the state’s top law enforcement official. During his time there he wrote more than 350 speeches and remarks, including the AG’s inauguration speech. Similar to his other roles Gardon was guided by his own values and a belief in the work of the Attorney General, someone Gardon says was motivated by the mantra of doing the most good for the most people.

“The Department of Justice isn’t just about enforcing the law—it’s about protecting the vulnerable, fighting for the forgotten and standing up against injustice,” says Gardon. “To put words behind that mission, to help articulate why it matters, was a privilege I’ll always cherish.”

Since joining Gov. Newsom’s office as Director of Communications in 2023, Gardon and the team he supervises must stay on point and prepare for whatever comes their way and be able to cut through the noise to get communications out to the masses—whether it’s via a more traditional news release or a short video on TikTok. And while Gardon starts his day as many communicators might—catching up on emails, checking national and international headlines, scanning social media, things he does before he is in the office—he says no two days are alike.

There are some tasks that occur daily, like making and fielding calls, planning meetings and events and preparing remarks, to the less frequent—but no less important—items like urgent press inquiries and “some insane crisis I couldn’t predict,” says Gardon. The reality of his job is to expect the unexpected. There could be a wildfire that breaks out, a consequential court ruling or something coming from the president about California that requires a response. The key is to be nimble and calm, especially considering Gardon’s days can be upended rather quickly.

Through it all, Gardon is doing his dream job, something he couldn’t imagine he’d be in at this stage in his professional life.

“At 31, I find myself in a role I once imagined as a capstone, something I might reach at the end of my career. To be here now is both surreal and liberating. Surreal, because this opportunity to serve the Governor—to serve Californians—is such a gift,” he says. “Liberating, because I don’t feel pressure anymore. I’ve already had the honor of doing the job I always wanted. I’ll happily work at Starbucks after this, as long as it means I can pay my bills and spend more time with Kelby.”

In a job that can be synonymous with stress, Gardon manages it through healthy outlets like riding his Peloton, walking his dog and cooking, which he finds very therapeutic and something he really got into while as an RA living in Murphy Apartments and having a place with his first kitchen. He also leans on his supportive partner, whose support means the world to him. “If we got through some gnarly finals together over a decade ago at SU, surely we can get through this!”

What also helps Gardon stay balanced is knowing that he is in a position that has an expiration date. Gov. Newsom’s term ends in January 2027, which is when Gardon’s service will also conclude. Though this might cause some to fret over the unknown and fears of navigating an ever-changing job market, Gardon takes a glass half-full perspective, calling it “freeing.”

“It lets me focus fully on the work now … without obsessing about what comes next, other than hopefully more uninterrupted weekends,” he says.

And while his job is high-profile and for some may seem full of excitement, that’s all secondary to what keeps Gardon motivated and committed to giving his all, day in and day out.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about headlines or tweets. It’s about knowing that the work we do can make someone’s life a little easier, safer and healthier. It’s about ensuring a working mom can afford her insulin, about changing a kid’s life with universal pre-K. It’s about raising the minimum wage, lifting another family out of extreme poverty,” says Gardon. “That’s what we’re doing and that’s what keeps me going.”