We’re an energized team that brings forth a wide range of skills to help our community. We love what we do, and we do it with passion. We look forward to working with you! Join us!
JOSH MICHTOM
Councilman (WFP)
Josh Michtom was elected to the Hartford City Council in November, 2019. Josh is an Assistant Public Defender at the Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender and a proud member of AFSCME Local 381. He is also one of the co-founders of the Hartford Deportation Defense Group (along with many activists). He was recognized in 2017 by the South Side Neighborhood Institute for his work raising money to acquire and repair musical instruments to Hartford Public Schools and in 2018 for volunteer work with families displaced by Hurricane Maria, which included translation, advocacy, and moving furniture. He has worked with Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez to organize and conduct community conversations on public safety and civil rights issues around Hartford, and his writing on legal and community matters has appeared in the Hartford Courant, Slate.com, and the New York Times. He lives in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood.
Email me: Joshua.Michtom@hartford.gov
RENATO MUGUERZA CALLE
Executive Assistant to Councilman Michtom
Renato Muguerza Calle is a community organizer and Executive Assistant to Council Members Hercules and Michtom. He has spent many years fighting for immigrant rights and economic justice as an organizer for CT Students for a Dream, the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance and Connecticut Working Families. He has spoken on panels, facilitated conferences and has a degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut, but his proudest achievement has been recruiting and mentoring many of the young leaders that make up the immigrant rights movement in Connecticut today.
Email me: Renato.MuguerzaCalle@hartford.gov
WILDALIZ BERMUDEZ (WIZ)
Former City Councilwoman (WFP)
First elected to the Hartford City Council in November of 2015, Bermudez served 2 terms and formed our WFP team by encouraging Josh and Tiana to join her in serving the city. She has fought around a variety of issues ranging from police accountability, housing, resources for immigrant communities, and refugee protections. In 2019 Trinity College honored her as one of “50 for the Next 50” and in 2018, she was named one of CT Magazine’s “40 Under 40” for her work in the community. She is a graduate of the Hartford Public School system with a Trinity undergrad and a Masters in Environmental Science from Puerto Rico. She now lives in New Haven with her husband and baby, but continues to provide her wisdom and leadership experience to our team when needed.
Tiana Hercules
Former City Councilwoman (WFP)
Tiana Hercules is a Hartford resident and proud mother to three children ages 16, 14 and 4. Tiana is a licensed criminal defense lawyer and has practiced in the areas of immigration, family law, and civil litigation. Before joining The Sills Law Firm, Tiana was a dedicated member of the Public Defender’s office. Notably, she helped lead an anti-gun violence initiative in Hartford. When she is not with her family or serving her community, Tiana can be found working out at the YMCA or enjoying a meal at one of Hartford’s many great restaurants. She lives in Asylum Hill with her children. Councilwoman Hercules’ term ended in 2023, but she remains engaged with the Hartford community and the WFP team.
Email me: Tiana.Hercules@Hartford.gov
Justin Chan
Legal Research Intern
Justin Chan is a sophomore at Trinity College here in Hartford. He’s aiming for a double major in Chemistry and Economics. He has always been interested in how economics shapes communities, understanding every decision and headline has real impacts on real people. Justin looks forward to connecting with the community, listening to as many stories as possible.
Email me: a4vwa.hk@gmail.com