About Us
Founder and CEO
Amy Costa
Amy Costa, Founder and CEO of Full Moon Strategies is a distinguished leader with a rare blend of expertise in public policy, budgeting, and strategic advocacy. With extensive experience in both state and local government, Amy has held pivotal roles at the highest levels, earning her a unique reputation in the lobbying community. Her career includes serving in senior positions for a California Governor and within Legislative leadership, where she gained deep insight into policy-making and the budget process. Amy's ability to navigate these complexities, coupled with her deep knowledge of public budgeting and finance, makes her an invaluable strategist for clients seeking impactful solutions.
Her expertise extends far beyond state government. As Deputy County Administrator for Alameda County, Amy managed large-scale public programs and critical services for one of California’s largest counties. She also held a leadership position at a Fortune 500 company, broadening her perspective and equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of private sector operations. This rare combination of public and private sector experience allows Amy to craft innovative strategies that seamlessly bridge these two worlds.
Amy is a firm believer in proactive approaches, transforming government from a bottleneck into a partner for progress. Her mastery of California’s intricate budget processes and her mantra of "Follow the Money" guide her in aligning public policies with sustainable funding to create meaningful, lasting change.
With over 20 years of experience, Amy’s journey began as a college intern. In 2021, she founded Full Moon Strategies to address complex public policy challenges for mission-driven organizations. Amy founded Full Moon Strategies on a simple yet powerful principle: to do good things with good people. This ethos has shaped her professional journey and continues to guide the team she has built. As a proud third-generation Californian, Amy’s connection to the state runs deep. Her work is dedicated to uplifting communities and creating opportunities for all, reflecting her unwavering commitment to strengthening California.
Amy’s public service extends beyond her professional responsibilities. She plays an active role on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, where she previously served as President, advancing the mission of providing accessible, high-quality education to millions of students. She is also a member of the Leadership California Board, where she supports the development of women leaders across the state. These roles highlight her enduring passion for education, leadership, and equity.
Outside of her professional achievements, Amy is a proud mother of three and an alumna of Saint Mary’s College of California. Her blend of expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication continues to leave a powerful and positive impact on the communities she serves.
Lobbyist
Ellon Brittingham
Ellon's professional journey began at Saint Mary’s College of California, where her dedication and hard work earned her Summa Cum Laude honors. This solid foundation propelled her into the dynamic world of digital media and marked the start of her career at Full Moon Strategies.
Ellon’s earliest roles before Full Moon Strategies spanned the digital media gamut from live sports filming, video production, social media management, content creation, to website and graphic design. She then took her digital media experience to the next level supporting corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company in utilities, supply chain, and infrastructure sectors.
Translating complex information into beautiful, digestible visual formats is one of the ways Ellon brings our client stories to life with policymakers. As a lobbyist, Ellon helps lead our lobby days, works with clients to ensure bill tracking suits their needs, and provides clear, compelling communication to policymakers. Ellon familiarizes herself with the details of our client’s business to ensure statutory language reflects and excels their needs.
Ellon took a chance to join Full Moon Strategies shortly after the business was established. Ellon's upbringing on a ranch has instilled in her the values of hard work, understanding small businesses, and a profound sense of community–the same values held by Full Moon Strategies. These principles not only shape her professional ethos but also add a personal touch to her interactions. Ellon is approachable, thoughtful, and genuine—a combination that makes her an integral part of the Full Moon Strategies team. A Central Valley native, Ellon enjoys new experiences including exploring new places to quench her wanderlust for adventure and meeting new people. She believes in exercising the right side of her brain as much as her strategic mind, embodying the belief that creativity and logic can, and indeed must, coexist.
Lobbyist
Jael Dantas
Jael Dantas is a dedicated advocate with a strong background in public policy, government relations, and political strategy. His career began in Brazil, where he worked in paradiplomacy, fostering international partnerships between local governments and global institutions. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for how policy decisions at every level can shape communities and improve lives.
After relocating to Sacramento, Jael transitioned into legislative work, building a solid foundation in strategic policy development, coalition-building, and advocacy. He began as a Legislative Advocate and later advanced to Assistant Political Director at United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930). In these roles, he led efforts to improve conditions for more than 200,000 In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and childcare providers. Through collaboration and persistence, he helped advance labor protections and strengthen worker representation.
From 2023 to early 2025, Jael led UDW’s political operations, overseeing the union’s electoral strategy across local, state, and federal races. Under his leadership, UDW achieved a 96% success rate in endorsed candidate victories, driven by coalition-based campaigning and deep grassroots engagement.
Collaboration is central to Jael’s approach. He values the relationships he’s built with policymakers, community leaders, and grassroots advocates, recognizing that meaningful progress comes through shared commitment and sustained action. Whether leading electoral campaigns, navigating budget, or advancing legislative priorities, he remains focused on ensuring policy decisions reflect the voices and needs of the communities they’re meant to serve.
Originally from Brazil, Jael brings a global perspective to his work. He believes that effective policy begins with listening, and that lasting change is achieved through persistence, partnership, and purpose.