Meet our Team
Leadership
Elissa serves as Strategic Advisor to CPD, with responsibilities related to internal infrastructure and organization-wide systems to support excellent organizational functioning.
Elissa has more than two decades of experience working at the nexus of policy, organizing, and operations. Her previous experience includes serving as the Deputy Director of Advocacy and Policy at the ACLU where she managed a team of policy counsels and political strategists. Among her other previous roles, she was the Director of Operations at the Working Families Party, where she built organizational infrastructure and supervised the administrative department. She served as CPD's Chief Operating Officer for two years prior to taking on the role of Senior Advisor.
Elissa clerked on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and was a Skadden Fellow. She graduated first in her class from Brooklyn Law School.
Elissa serves as Strategic Advisor to CPD, with responsibilities related to internal infrastructure and organization-wide systems to support excellent organizational functioning.
Elissa has more than two decades of experience working at the nexus of policy, organizing, and operations. Her previous experience includes serving as the Deputy Director of Advocacy and Policy at the ACLU where she managed a team of policy counsels and political strategists. Among her other previous roles, she was the Director of Operations at the Working Families Party, where she built organizational infrastructure and supervised the administrative department. She served as CPD's Chief Operating Officer for two years prior to taking on the role of Senior Advisor.
Elissa clerked on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and was a Skadden Fellow. She graduated first in her class from Brooklyn Law School.
Oona leads the Base-Building team at CPD, which supports our partners in becoming stronger and more effective, and engages them in building our network together. She came to CPD after serving for 2 years as the Associate Director of New York City Organizing at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform. In that role, she worked with AISR's New York City team and partner organizations throughout the city to support parent and student organizing efforts to advance school reform. Prior to working to AISR, Oona served for fifteen years as Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, an organization which she co-founded and which is one of the most respected and effective organizing groups in the country. Make the Road New York is a core partner of CPD. Oona’s work at MRNY included participating in the design, creation and ongoing support of two small public schools, building vital student and parent organizing programs within the organization, and playing an important role in the founding of citywide and national youth organizing coalitions to advance school reform.
Oona was a long-time board member and former Board Chair of the North Star Fund, a progressive NYC-based foundation and has been the recipient of several fellowships and awards including the Reebok Human Rights Award, and the Brick Award. She is a graduate of Yale University and New York University Law School.
Oona leads the Base-Building team at CPD, which supports our partners in becoming stronger and more effective, and engages them in building our network together. She came to CPD after serving for 2 years as the Associate Director of New York City Organizing at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform. In that role, she worked with AISR's New York City team and partner organizations throughout the city to support parent and student organizing efforts to advance school reform. Prior to working to AISR, Oona served for fifteen years as Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, an organization which she co-founded and which is one of the most respected and effective organizing groups in the country. Make the Road New York is a core partner of CPD. Oona’s work at MRNY included participating in the design, creation and ongoing support of two small public schools, building vital student and parent organizing programs within the organization, and playing an important role in the founding of citywide and national youth organizing coalitions to advance school reform.
Oona was a long-time board member and former Board Chair of the North Star Fund, a progressive NYC-based foundation and has been the recipient of several fellowships and awards including the Reebok Human Rights Award, and the Brick Award. She is a graduate of Yale University and New York University Law School.
Jennifer Epps-Addison serves as the President and Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action's network of 49 partner organizations in 33 states. As President, Jennifer leads CPD’s racial justice campaigns, and works closely with its network of local affiliates.
Jennifer boasts over 15 years of community organizing experience, advancing systems-change campaigns for economic and racial justice. Prior to joining CPD, Epps-Addison was the Chief Program Officer for the Liberty Hill Foundation, a social justice foundation in Los Angeles that funds grassroots community organizing campaigns for social change. A native of Milwaukee, WI, Epps-Addison helped coordinate the Fight for $15 campaign as the Executive Director of Wisconsin Jobs Now.
Epps-Addison is the recipient of the 2013 Edna Award from the Berger-Marks Foundation, which honors an outstanding young woman each year for her leadership in fueling social change. In the same year, she was named an 'Activist to Watch' by Bill Moyers. She earned her BA in Political Science and Women's Studies and her JD from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to her return to organizing, Jennifer was a trial attorney in the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office.
Epps-Addison, a leader who has deep experience building power in communities from the ground up, joins the Center for Popular Democracy at a time when local community voices matter more than ever in creating a nation-wide movement to fight for dignity and opportunity for all people. She brings with her a commitment to supporting and growing black-led organizations, strengthening investments in power-building efforts in communities of color, and deepening organizing strategies that build power with the white working class by addressing racism head-on and building authentic alliances based on shared interests and shared values.
Jennifer Epps-Addison serves as the President and Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action's network of 49 partner organizations in 33 states. As President, Jennifer leads CPD’s racial justice campaigns, and works closely with its network of local affiliates.
Jennifer boasts over 15 years of community organizing experience, advancing systems-change campaigns for economic and racial justice. Prior to joining CPD, Epps-Addison was the Chief Program Officer for the Liberty Hill Foundation, a social justice foundation in Los Angeles that funds grassroots community organizing campaigns for social change. A native of Milwaukee, WI, Epps-Addison helped coordinate the Fight for $15 campaign as the Executive Director of Wisconsin Jobs Now.
Epps-Addison is the recipient of the 2013 Edna Award from the Berger-Marks Foundation, which honors an outstanding young woman each year for her leadership in fueling social change. In the same year, she was named an 'Activist to Watch' by Bill Moyers. She earned her BA in Political Science and Women's Studies and her JD from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to her return to organizing, Jennifer was a trial attorney in the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office.
Epps-Addison, a leader who has deep experience building power in communities from the ground up, joins the Center for Popular Democracy at a time when local community voices matter more than ever in creating a nation-wide movement to fight for dignity and opportunity for all people. She brings with her a commitment to supporting and growing black-led organizations, strengthening investments in power-building efforts in communities of color, and deepening organizing strategies that build power with the white working class by addressing racism head-on and building authentic alliances based on shared interests and shared values.
Jenny serves as CPD’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the organization’s finance, human resources, legal compliance, and operations functions, while working to build and strengthen CPD’s infrastructure and systems. She brings with her a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and fiscal stewardship.
Jenny comes to CPD after 16 years as the Chief of Development & Finance at CASA, the mid-Atlantic region’s largest Latino and immigrant advocacy organization, where she was responsible for overseeing the growth of CASA’s infrastructure in areas of fundraising and financial management. While at CASA, Jenny helped grow the organization from a budget of $2.5M to over $12M, expanding CASA’s footprint to three states - Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. During her tenure at CASA she helped launch and grow two additional sister organizations (a 501c4 and PAC), and she also led the organization through two major capital campaigns of $14M each. She has also been a panelist and trainer on fundraising and nonprofit financial management at various conferences and panels.
Jenny holds a BA from Northwestern University and a Masters of Public Management from University of Maryland.
Jenny serves as CPD’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the organization’s finance, human resources, legal compliance, and operations functions, while working to build and strengthen CPD’s infrastructure and systems. She brings with her a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and fiscal stewardship.
Jenny comes to CPD after 16 years as the Chief of Development & Finance at CASA, the mid-Atlantic region’s largest Latino and immigrant advocacy organization, where she was responsible for overseeing the growth of CASA’s infrastructure in areas of fundraising and financial management. While at CASA, Jenny helped grow the organization from a budget of $2.5M to over $12M, expanding CASA’s footprint to three states - Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. During her tenure at CASA she helped launch and grow two additional sister organizations (a 501c4 and PAC), and she also led the organization through two major capital campaigns of $14M each. She has also been a panelist and trainer on fundraising and nonprofit financial management at various conferences and panels.
Jenny holds a BA from Northwestern University and a Masters of Public Management from University of Maryland.
Andrew came to CPD after 15 years building Make the Road New York into the leading democratically-run, immigrant-led community organization in New York State. Since co-founding Make the Road in 1997, Andrew helped grow the organization from a small, volunteer-run effort to an $8 million organization with over 11,000 members, 100 staff, and four community-based centers in New York City and Long Island. Andrew helped oversee all aspects of Make the Road’s work, including the organizing, legal services, adult literacy, workforce development, operations and finance departments.
Andrew has worked with the Latino Workers’ Center, the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, the Center for Urban Community Services, the Government Benefits Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, and MFY Legal Services Mental Health Law Project. Andrew has been awarded the Union Square Award of the Fund for the City of New York, the Cornerstone Award of the Jewish Funds for Justice, and the Community Health Leaders Award of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for his work at MRNY. Andrew was a Skadden Public Interest Fellow, a Senior Fellow at the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy and a Wasserstein Fellow at Harvard Law School. He has worked as an adjunct professor in New York University School of Law’s Clinical Program, NYU’s Wagner School for Public Service and the New School for Social Research, and serves on the Board of Directors of Make the Road New York, and the Make the Road Action Fund. Andrew is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia College and a cum laude graduate of the New York University School of Law.
Andrew came to CPD after 15 years building Make the Road New York into the leading democratically-run, immigrant-led community organization in New York State. Since co-founding Make the Road in 1997, Andrew helped grow the organization from a small, volunteer-run effort to an $8 million organization with over 11,000 members, 100 staff, and four community-based centers in New York City and Long Island. Andrew helped oversee all aspects of Make the Road’s work, including the organizing, legal services, adult literacy, workforce development, operations and finance departments.
Andrew has worked with the Latino Workers’ Center, the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, the Center for Urban Community Services, the Government Benefits Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, and MFY Legal Services Mental Health Law Project. Andrew has been awarded the Union Square Award of the Fund for the City of New York, the Cornerstone Award of the Jewish Funds for Justice, and the Community Health Leaders Award of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for his work at MRNY. Andrew was a Skadden Public Interest Fellow, a Senior Fellow at the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy and a Wasserstein Fellow at Harvard Law School. He has worked as an adjunct professor in New York University School of Law’s Clinical Program, NYU’s Wagner School for Public Service and the New School for Social Research, and serves on the Board of Directors of Make the Road New York, and the Make the Road Action Fund. Andrew is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia College and a cum laude graduate of the New York University School of Law.
Angelique is the Development Director for CPD/A. She is responsible for the organization’s development strategy and success, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that the strategy is in line with CPD’s institutional priorities and plans for growth.
With a deep commitment to social movements and a firm understanding of the role of racial capitalism in our society, she aspires to build power and solidarity between diverse communities and develop transformational partnerships with donors by grounding fundraising in race, equity, and social justice. She brings over a decade of experience in fundraising, development, and nonprofit management, most recently serving as Senior Development Director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance/Care In Action where she doubled the size of the development team, strengthened the fundraising infrastructure, and expanded individual and institutional philanthropic partnerships, which resulted in a 50% increase to the c3 budget and the doubling of the c4 budget in a critical election year.
Angelique holds BAs from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Sociology and Global Studies, with an emphasis on Socioeconomics and Politics. She graduated with an MA in International Relations and Organizations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Angelique is the Development Director for CPD/A. She is responsible for the organization’s development strategy and success, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that the strategy is in line with CPD’s institutional priorities and plans for growth.
With a deep commitment to social movements and a firm understanding of the role of racial capitalism in our society, she aspires to build power and solidarity between diverse communities and develop transformational partnerships with donors by grounding fundraising in race, equity, and social justice. She brings over a decade of experience in fundraising, development, and nonprofit management, most recently serving as Senior Development Director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance/Care In Action where she doubled the size of the development team, strengthened the fundraising infrastructure, and expanded individual and institutional philanthropic partnerships, which resulted in a 50% increase to the c3 budget and the doubling of the c4 budget in a critical election year.
Angelique holds BAs from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Sociology and Global Studies, with an emphasis on Socioeconomics and Politics. She graduated with an MA in International Relations and Organizations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Latrina Kelly-James serves as CPD’s Chief of Equity & Racial Justice, driving our internal equity practices, and internal and external voice around racial justice.
Latrina comes to CPD with 15 years experience building and advocating for marginalized communities. With equity at the center, she has provided strategic leadership and capacity building to forge collaborative community and institutional partnerships, utilize data and community voice to drive policies to reduce harm, reallocate resources to communities, and support community access to and sustainability of funding. Most recently, Latrina served as a Director of Training and Capacity Building with Equal Justice USA creating racial equity for Black and Brown survivors of violence through building community organizations’ capacity to access federal and other sources of funding to advance their healing, driving $4 million to Black and Brown-led community groups in 15 cities working to reduce violence, and leading a project to facilitate conversations between communities and police, centering historical trauma of the policing system and the need for community-led responses to harm.
She is former Director of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition and formerly served as the Deputy Director and interim Executive Director for Junta for Progressive Action in New Haven, CT, where she led coalition-building and advocacy strategies around ending federal Secure Communities, and pushed against racial profiling in local police departments . Latrina is also a past Fellow with the Justice Policy Network, a Washington DC-based policy leadership program, volunteers with North Carolina’s Center for Community Transitions where she mentors women returning from incarceration, and is a former Community Equity Consultant for Root Cause, a Boston-based strategic consulting firm.
Latrina brings a commitment to driving equity from spaces of liberation; building and centering the power of voices of Black and Brown communities; and liberation as an organizational practice.
Latrina Kelly-James serves as CPD’s Chief of Equity & Racial Justice, driving our internal equity practices, and internal and external voice around racial justice.
Latrina comes to CPD with 15 years experience building and advocating for marginalized communities. With equity at the center, she has provided strategic leadership and capacity building to forge collaborative community and institutional partnerships, utilize data and community voice to drive policies to reduce harm, reallocate resources to communities, and support community access to and sustainability of funding. Most recently, Latrina served as a Director of Training and Capacity Building with Equal Justice USA creating racial equity for Black and Brown survivors of violence through building community organizations’ capacity to access federal and other sources of funding to advance their healing, driving $4 million to Black and Brown-led community groups in 15 cities working to reduce violence, and leading a project to facilitate conversations between communities and police, centering historical trauma of the policing system and the need for community-led responses to harm.
She is former Director of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition and formerly served as the Deputy Director and interim Executive Director for Junta for Progressive Action in New Haven, CT, where she led coalition-building and advocacy strategies around ending federal Secure Communities, and pushed against racial profiling in local police departments . Latrina is also a past Fellow with the Justice Policy Network, a Washington DC-based policy leadership program, volunteers with North Carolina’s Center for Community Transitions where she mentors women returning from incarceration, and is a former Community Equity Consultant for Root Cause, a Boston-based strategic consulting firm.
Latrina brings a commitment to driving equity from spaces of liberation; building and centering the power of voices of Black and Brown communities; and liberation as an organizational practice.
Steve serves as Senior Advisor to CPD, with responsibility for a number of projects designed to build CPD's capacity. In addition, he is coordinating the network's "fight-back" campaign against the policies and program of the Trump administration. Steve also serves on CPD's Senior Management Team.
Steve brings an enormous range of experience, skills, and insights to CPD as a decades-long veteran of community organizing. Most recently, Steve ran the Fight for a Fair Economy (FFE) program at Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a $30 million annual investment in community organizing. While at SEIU he also helped support the Fight for 15 campaign to organize fast food workers. Before joining SEIU, Steve was a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he helped CAP develop its work on community organizing.
Steve's most significant experience was at ACORN, where he worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles, including as National Executive Director. Steve graduated from Harvard and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Steve serves as Senior Advisor to CPD, with responsibility for a number of projects designed to build CPD's capacity. In addition, he is coordinating the network's "fight-back" campaign against the policies and program of the Trump administration. Steve also serves on CPD's Senior Management Team.
Steve brings an enormous range of experience, skills, and insights to CPD as a decades-long veteran of community organizing. Most recently, Steve ran the Fight for a Fair Economy (FFE) program at Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a $30 million annual investment in community organizing. While at SEIU he also helped support the Fight for 15 campaign to organize fast food workers. Before joining SEIU, Steve was a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he helped CAP develop its work on community organizing.
Steve's most significant experience was at ACORN, where he worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles, including as National Executive Director. Steve graduated from Harvard and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Staff
Monica partners with and provides direct support to Black and Brown youth organizations in CPD’s affiliate network working to win police-free schools campaigns to shift resources away from policing and towards critical student needs and the building of a liberatory education system at the local, state and federal level. She also supports the collective engagement of our youth organizing affiliates in federal advocacy campaigns to demilitarize and decriminalize schools and communities of color across the country.
Monica first began organizing in the early 2000’s, helping lead her first campaigns for immigrant and education justice as a high school student and youth leader at Padres & Jovenes Unidos (PJU) in Colorado. With an emphasis on political education and transformative organizing rooted in the Southwest’s Chicanx movements for self-determination, she quickly flourished as a leader and became Lead Organizer, then Organizing Director and most recently Co-Executive Director. Over the years, Monica helped organize immigrant justice campaigns that secured local wins like sanctuary school and city policies, state victories like in-state tuition for undocumented students, driver’s licences for all, CO’s Rapid Response Network and the eventual DACA program at the national level. Most recently, as organizing director, she led PJU’s work to dismantle the school to prison pipeline in Denver and Colorado.
Monica's own training and experience led her to become passionate about the leadership development of Black and Brown youth as well the sustainability of organizing models aimed at building and maintaining long-term political power - a passion and expertise she now brings to CPD. Monica holds a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Denver.
Monica partners with and provides direct support to Black and Brown youth organizations in CPD’s affiliate network working to win police-free schools campaigns to shift resources away from policing and towards critical student needs and the building of a liberatory education system at the local, state and federal level. She also supports the collective engagement of our youth organizing affiliates in federal advocacy campaigns to demilitarize and decriminalize schools and communities of color across the country.
Monica first began organizing in the early 2000’s, helping lead her first campaigns for immigrant and education justice as a high school student and youth leader at Padres & Jovenes Unidos (PJU) in Colorado. With an emphasis on political education and transformative organizing rooted in the Southwest’s Chicanx movements for self-determination, she quickly flourished as a leader and became Lead Organizer, then Organizing Director and most recently Co-Executive Director. Over the years, Monica helped organize immigrant justice campaigns that secured local wins like sanctuary school and city policies, state victories like in-state tuition for undocumented students, driver’s licences for all, CO’s Rapid Response Network and the eventual DACA program at the national level. Most recently, as organizing director, she led PJU’s work to dismantle the school to prison pipeline in Denver and Colorado.
Monica's own training and experience led her to become passionate about the leadership development of Black and Brown youth as well the sustainability of organizing models aimed at building and maintaining long-term political power - a passion and expertise she now brings to CPD. Monica holds a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Denver.
As Executive Assistant, Carolina is the logistic and administrative lead for the COO, Jenny Freedman, as well as the Editorial Assistant for our online Journal, The Forge. Her past professional experience includes management at a startup, media archival work, and Spanish translation and interpretation. Carolina holds a degree in History from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a certificate in Legal and Medical Translation and Interpretation from Hunter College. Outside of work, she is a passionate environmentalist and an active member of her community. Carolina currently lives in Brooklyn with her two wonderful kids.
As Executive Assistant, Carolina is the logistic and administrative lead for the COO, Jenny Freedman, as well as the Editorial Assistant for our online Journal, The Forge. Her past professional experience includes management at a startup, media archival work, and Spanish translation and interpretation. Carolina holds a degree in History from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a certificate in Legal and Medical Translation and Interpretation from Hunter College. Outside of work, she is a passionate environmentalist and an active member of her community. Carolina currently lives in Brooklyn with her two wonderful kids.
Tifrah Akhtar is a Digital Organizer at CPD/A fighting for medicare-for-all and healthcare justice. As a member of the Innovations Team, Tifrah thinks of creative ways to drive online outreach into offline action-taking.
Tifrah found her passion for organizing at a young age beginning in anti-war efforts in her home community of Dearborn+Detroit and later in university efforts for boycott, divestment and sanctions against the occupation of Palestine. Prior to CPD/A Tifrah was a Youth Organizer with The Sunrise Movement fighting for a Green New Deal through local movement and electoral work in Philadelphia.
Outside of organizing Tifrah is a painter, an avid hiker (proudest accomplishment thus far has been a 6k summit) and a very, very proud dog mom.
Tifrah attended Movement School for organizing, has been trained in justice, equity and anti-oppression forms of organizing & communication, and works daily to continue unlearning colonial structures. Tifrah holds a BA in communication and broadcasting from Oakland University.
Tifrah Akhtar is a Digital Organizer at CPD/A fighting for medicare-for-all and healthcare justice. As a member of the Innovations Team, Tifrah thinks of creative ways to drive online outreach into offline action-taking.
Tifrah found her passion for organizing at a young age beginning in anti-war efforts in her home community of Dearborn+Detroit and later in university efforts for boycott, divestment and sanctions against the occupation of Palestine. Prior to CPD/A Tifrah was a Youth Organizer with The Sunrise Movement fighting for a Green New Deal through local movement and electoral work in Philadelphia.
Outside of organizing Tifrah is a painter, an avid hiker (proudest accomplishment thus far has been a 6k summit) and a very, very proud dog mom.
Tifrah attended Movement School for organizing, has been trained in justice, equity and anti-oppression forms of organizing & communication, and works daily to continue unlearning colonial structures. Tifrah holds a BA in communication and broadcasting from Oakland University.
Marinieves Alba is the Training Design Director for the Center for Popular Democracy. She is responsible for training program development and evaluation, curriculum design, and the cultivation of learning communities which support and grow the Center for Popular Democracy’s national network. In her role, she will work as part of CPD’s Training Initiative to ensure successful design, implementation, and evaluation of all educational programming.
Marinieves is an educator, activist, cultural worker, and writer born and raised in New York City. She has worked in the international NGO and non-profit sector for two decades, specializing in issues related to racial and cultural equity in the arts, education, and social justice more broadly. She joins CPD after eleven years in the field of community schools, where she led, learned, and trained alongside local, national, and international teams of community school practitioners, researchers, and partners in government, NGOs, and community-led organizations dedicated to advancing community schools and education justice. In her role as a Community School Director, Marinieves served as a trainer, writer, and media producer for the National Center for Community Schools.
Marinieves is an advocate for holistic approaches to youth and community development and social justice organizing, and incorporates restorative practices, mindfulness, and non-violent communication (NVC) into her work as a community leader, coach, and consultant. She holds degrees from Wesleyan University and New York University-Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and graduate certificates from Fordham University and the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP).
Marinieves Alba is the Training Design Director for the Center for Popular Democracy. She is responsible for training program development and evaluation, curriculum design, and the cultivation of learning communities which support and grow the Center for Popular Democracy’s national network. In her role, she will work as part of CPD’s Training Initiative to ensure successful design, implementation, and evaluation of all educational programming.
Marinieves is an educator, activist, cultural worker, and writer born and raised in New York City. She has worked in the international NGO and non-profit sector for two decades, specializing in issues related to racial and cultural equity in the arts, education, and social justice more broadly. She joins CPD after eleven years in the field of community schools, where she led, learned, and trained alongside local, national, and international teams of community school practitioners, researchers, and partners in government, NGOs, and community-led organizations dedicated to advancing community schools and education justice. In her role as a Community School Director, Marinieves served as a trainer, writer, and media producer for the National Center for Community Schools.
Marinieves is an advocate for holistic approaches to youth and community development and social justice organizing, and incorporates restorative practices, mindfulness, and non-violent communication (NVC) into her work as a community leader, coach, and consultant. She holds degrees from Wesleyan University and New York University-Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and graduate certificates from Fordham University and the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP).
Brian Angel is an NYC native and one of the National Organizing Program Managers on the Canvass for Power team. Brian helps oversee the development and progression of some of the canvass teams within the CPD network. Previously, Brian was the Canvass Director for Vocal-NY’s Canvass team from 2017-2019 fighting against The War on Drugs, Mass Incarceration and The Overdose Crisis. He also worked with the Canvass for Power team at CPD to further develop his skills as well as implement new ideas into the program. In that time, Brian has done everything from helping plan a gala to being on a panel in Denver, CO to speak to 50 women of color from grassroot organizations about the importance of their organizations being independently sustainable and how a canvass can help do that. In Brian's previous work and education is mainly in graphic design and marketing, but he's always been involved with the community as an artist and musician. Brian enjoys this work because its a more tangible way for him to see what kind of positive change he can make in our communities.
Brian Angel is an NYC native and one of the National Organizing Program Managers on the Canvass for Power team. Brian helps oversee the development and progression of some of the canvass teams within the CPD network. Previously, Brian was the Canvass Director for Vocal-NY’s Canvass team from 2017-2019 fighting against The War on Drugs, Mass Incarceration and The Overdose Crisis. He also worked with the Canvass for Power team at CPD to further develop his skills as well as implement new ideas into the program. In that time, Brian has done everything from helping plan a gala to being on a panel in Denver, CO to speak to 50 women of color from grassroot organizations about the importance of their organizations being independently sustainable and how a canvass can help do that. In Brian's previous work and education is mainly in graphic design and marketing, but he's always been involved with the community as an artist and musician. Brian enjoys this work because its a more tangible way for him to see what kind of positive change he can make in our communities.
Natalia Aristizabal Betancur came to the United States when she was twelve from Medellin, Colombia. Natalia is the Director for Immigrant Justice at the Center for Popular Democracy. Before that she was the Co-Director of Organizing at Make the Road New York where she led one of the most dynamic organizing projects in the country working with immigrant and Trans Gender Non-Conforming and queer community members. Before that, she was organizing immigrant youth to fight for access to higher education for undocumented students, Immigration Reform and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Additionally, she has lead the Arts & Media programming, developed curriculum and led canvassing efforts to register and activate non-partisan voters. Natalia holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Media Communication Studies from Queens College City University of New York.
Natalia Aristizabal Betancur came to the United States when she was twelve from Medellin, Colombia. Natalia is the Director for Immigrant Justice at the Center for Popular Democracy. Before that she was the Co-Director of Organizing at Make the Road New York where she led one of the most dynamic organizing projects in the country working with immigrant and Trans Gender Non-Conforming and queer community members. Before that, she was organizing immigrant youth to fight for access to higher education for undocumented students, Immigration Reform and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Additionally, she has lead the Arts & Media programming, developed curriculum and led canvassing efforts to register and activate non-partisan voters. Natalia holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Media Communication Studies from Queens College City University of New York.
Phil is part of CPD's Finance department specializing in expense management and financial system administration. He came to CPD from the Atlanta Botanical Garden where he worked with their finance team to support ABG's mission of developing and maintaining a world-class plant collection for display, education, research, and global conservation. Prior to that, he worked in the private sector in the sub-prime loan industry which fueled his desire to switch over to the non-profit world. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business and is currently working towards his CPA license.
Phil is part of CPD's Finance department specializing in expense management and financial system administration. He came to CPD from the Atlanta Botanical Garden where he worked with their finance team to support ABG's mission of developing and maintaining a world-class plant collection for display, education, research, and global conservation. Prior to that, he worked in the private sector in the sub-prime loan industry which fueled his desire to switch over to the non-profit world. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business and is currently working towards his CPA license.
Ady Barkan was the founding director of two major projects at the Center for Popular Democracy: Local Progress and the Fed Up campaign. Local Progress is the network of over 700 progressive local elected elected officials across the country dedicated to shared prosperity, equal justice under law, sustainable and livable cities, and good government that serves the public interest. Local Progress provides its membership with policy and governance best practices, space to build solidarity, and the opportunity to partner across cities as part of a national progressive movement.
Fed Up is a national campaign for full employment and a reformed Federal Reserve. By bringing the voices and perspectives of low and moderate-income Black and Brown Americans into debates about the Fed’s policies and governance, Fed Up has transformed the national conversation about the Federal Reserve and our economy and meaningfully improved its policies and governance.
Ady is now focused on strengthening America’s health care system and inspiring millions of Americans to take back our democracy from the racists and kleptocrats.
Before joining CPD, Ady was a law clerk to the Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin in the Southern District of New York, who found the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk program to be unconstitutional. Prior to that, Ady worked at Make the Road New York, where he represented low-wage workers seeking to recover unpaid wages, engage in collective action, and obtain safe and dignified working conditions. He helped design and draft policy proposals to enhance the quality of low-wage jobs in New York City including the right to paid sick days, regulation of major retailers, and unionization of the car wash industry. He graduated from Yale Law School and Columbia College.
Ady Barkan was the founding director of two major projects at the Center for Popular Democracy: Local Progress and the Fed Up campaign. Local Progress is the network of over 700 progressive local elected elected officials across the country dedicated to shared prosperity, equal justice under law, sustainable and livable cities, and good government that serves the public interest. Local Progress provides its membership with policy and governance best practices, space to build solidarity, and the opportunity to partner across cities as part of a national progressive movement.
Fed Up is a national campaign for full employment and a reformed Federal Reserve. By bringing the voices and perspectives of low and moderate-income Black and Brown Americans into debates about the Fed’s policies and governance, Fed Up has transformed the national conversation about the Federal Reserve and our economy and meaningfully improved its policies and governance.
Ady is now focused on strengthening America’s health care system and inspiring millions of Americans to take back our democracy from the racists and kleptocrats.
Before joining CPD, Ady was a law clerk to the Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin in the Southern District of New York, who found the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk program to be unconstitutional. Prior to that, Ady worked at Make the Road New York, where he represented low-wage workers seeking to recover unpaid wages, engage in collective action, and obtain safe and dignified working conditions. He helped design and draft policy proposals to enhance the quality of low-wage jobs in New York City including the right to paid sick days, regulation of major retailers, and unionization of the car wash industry. He graduated from Yale Law School and Columbia College.
Greg directs CPD's Sustainability Initiative, our effort to build financially independent community organizations through comprehensive small donor and dues-paying membership field programs. He and the Sustainability team are working with partners to develop advanced canvass programs that will build mass membership and generate independent, lasting revenue for our partners over the next 5 years. Prior to CPD, Greg was one of the founding staff members of New York Communities for Change in 2010, serving as their Deputy Director and supervising their Canvass, Political Field, Digital, and Data Operations. Greg also served as the Statewide Canvass Director for New York ACORN for 5 years. He has a BA in Political Science from St. Joseph’s College.
Greg directs CPD's Sustainability Initiative, our effort to build financially independent community organizations through comprehensive small donor and dues-paying membership field programs. He and the Sustainability team are working with partners to develop advanced canvass programs that will build mass membership and generate independent, lasting revenue for our partners over the next 5 years. Prior to CPD, Greg was one of the founding staff members of New York Communities for Change in 2010, serving as their Deputy Director and supervising their Canvass, Political Field, Digital, and Data Operations. Greg also served as the Statewide Canvass Director for New York ACORN for 5 years. He has a BA in Political Science from St. Joseph’s College.
Isabel joins CPD's Human Resources team as the Systems Manager. In this role, Isabel manages CPD's payroll process and the administration of various benefits. She, with other members of the HR team, will also work on reporting and compliance for various states where CPD/A staff live and work.
Prior to joining Human Resources, Isabel was part of CPD's Operations Team, providing office and logistics support to CPD's Brooklyn office and the organization.
Isabel joins CPD's Human Resources team as the Systems Manager. In this role, Isabel manages CPD's payroll process and the administration of various benefits. She, with other members of the HR team, will also work on reporting and compliance for various states where CPD/A staff live and work.
Prior to joining Human Resources, Isabel was part of CPD's Operations Team, providing office and logistics support to CPD's Brooklyn office and the organization.
Leah is Director of CPD's HR Department and has 20 years non-profit and public sector HR and finance experience, including the Institute for Policy Studies, The Management Center, the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and 6 years with TakeAction Minnesota, a CPD affiliate. Leah is an active member of the Board of re:Power.
Leah is Director of CPD's HR Department and has 20 years non-profit and public sector HR and finance experience, including the Institute for Policy Studies, The Management Center, the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and 6 years with TakeAction Minnesota, a CPD affiliate. Leah is an active member of the Board of re:Power.
Mathias works as a
National Organizing Program Manager within our Sustainability Initiatives. His focus is to help canvass directors improve the quality of their canvass operations, making sure the team is properly trained and that directors are achieving the goals that have been set for them by CPD's various partner organizations. Mathias has been working on Contract for the past 7 Months, assisting affiliates such as VOCAL-NY, Working Washington and LUCHA.
Mathias works as a
National Organizing Program Manager within our Sustainability Initiatives. His focus is to help canvass directors improve the quality of their canvass operations, making sure the team is properly trained and that directors are achieving the goals that have been set for them by CPD's various partner organizations. Mathias has been working on Contract for the past 7 Months, assisting affiliates such as VOCAL-NY, Working Washington and LUCHA.
Emmanuel (he/him/el) is a seasoned campaign strategist and organizer whose strategic insights and organizing with leading local, state and national progressive organizations over the decades has contributed to material gains for working class Black and Brown people across the country.
As CPD’s State Campaigns Director, Emmanuel advances state-level policy campaigns across the organization’s priority areas, with a focus on democracy and economic justice issues. In this role, Emmanuel adds staff and resources capacity to CPD affiliates across the country and coordinates internally to leverage CPD’s research, legal and communication capacities towards state-level policy campaigns that advance racial justice and build power for and with Black and Brown communities.
Before joining CPD, he was the Associate Director of Campaigns at Demos, where he managed a team of campaigners, helped to strategize impactful wins in the democracy, climate and economic justice spaces and supported Black and Brown-led movement leaders and organizations. Prior to that he served as Legislative Director at NY Working Families where led on campaigns for. Previously, he organized with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition; and the Latin American Integration Center (now Make The Road NY). He started organizing with New York ACORN, canvassing for progressive candidates and building a citywide tenants association.
He was a 2017 Rockwood Democracy Fellow. A first-generation college graduate, Emmanuel earned his B.A. in political science and history at Union College in NY. Formerly undocumented, he was born in Colombia, raised in Oceanhill Brooklyn, NY and currently lives in Washington, DC.
Emmanuel (he/him/el) is a seasoned campaign strategist and organizer whose strategic insights and organizing with leading local, state and national progressive organizations over the decades has contributed to material gains for working class Black and Brown people across the country.
As CPD’s State Campaigns Director, Emmanuel advances state-level policy campaigns across the organization’s priority areas, with a focus on democracy and economic justice issues. In this role, Emmanuel adds staff and resources capacity to CPD affiliates across the country and coordinates internally to leverage CPD’s research, legal and communication capacities towards state-level policy campaigns that advance racial justice and build power for and with Black and Brown communities.
Before joining CPD, he was the Associate Director of Campaigns at Demos, where he managed a team of campaigners, helped to strategize impactful wins in the democracy, climate and economic justice spaces and supported Black and Brown-led movement leaders and organizations. Prior to that he served as Legislative Director at NY Working Families where led on campaigns for. Previously, he organized with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition; and the Latin American Integration Center (now Make The Road NY). He started organizing with New York ACORN, canvassing for progressive candidates and building a citywide tenants association.
He was a 2017 Rockwood Democracy Fellow. A first-generation college graduate, Emmanuel earned his B.A. in political science and history at Union College in NY. Formerly undocumented, he was born in Colombia, raised in Oceanhill Brooklyn, NY and currently lives in Washington, DC.
Maria Castro manages CPD/A’s Member Leadership Program. Maria develops the member leader pipeline to move our membership to become Base Builders and Movement Leaders. She does this by leading the work on orientation for new members and the political education for our member leadership. In addition to the development of CPD/A’s membership, she aids local affiliates in the development of their membership and organizing programs.
María Castro is a Phoenix-based organizer and trainer. She is most recently organized with Puente Human Rights Movement and People United for Justice, the organizations that successfully unseated the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County through the #BaztaArpaio Campaign. María got her start as a community activist when AZ’s SB1070 was signed into law and has continued organizing in the southwest United States for the past 10 years. In this time she’s worked with organizations like the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, United We Dream, Momentum Training Institute, and Indigenous People Power Project. María is committed to the liberation of all people: migrant, queer, black, Muslim, incarcerated, poor, and women.
Maria Castro manages CPD/A’s Member Leadership Program. Maria develops the member leader pipeline to move our membership to become Base Builders and Movement Leaders. She does this by leading the work on orientation for new members and the political education for our member leadership. In addition to the development of CPD/A’s membership, she aids local affiliates in the development of their membership and organizing programs.
María Castro is a Phoenix-based organizer and trainer. She is most recently organized with Puente Human Rights Movement and People United for Justice, the organizations that successfully unseated the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County through the #BaztaArpaio Campaign. María got her start as a community activist when AZ’s SB1070 was signed into law and has continued organizing in the southwest United States for the past 10 years. In this time she’s worked with organizations like the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, United We Dream, Momentum Training Institute, and Indigenous People Power Project. María is committed to the liberation of all people: migrant, queer, black, Muslim, incarcerated, poor, and women.
Joelle works with staff across CPD to develop, write, and edit grant proposals and reports and draft content for fundraising requests and communications to funders.
Prior to joining CPD, Joelle spent a decade in various positions at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her roles included Managing Editor of Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations, Director of Messaging, member of the “Race, Equity, and Belonging” team, and Development Coordinator. She co-edited the book Essential Teachings on Love by Richard Rohr, published in 2018. Joelle received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Andrews University in Michigan and taught in a one-room school in Montana before moving to New Mexico.
Joelle’s roots are in the high desert of the Four Corners. She is a member of New Mexico’s SURJ and Resource Generation chapters and SouthWest Organizing Project. She volunteers with Albuquerque’s mutual aid efforts and mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters. In her free time she putters in the garden and hikes in the Sandia Mountains or along the Rio Grande with her husband and dog.
Joelle works with staff across CPD to develop, write, and edit grant proposals and reports and draft content for fundraising requests and communications to funders.
Prior to joining CPD, Joelle spent a decade in various positions at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her roles included Managing Editor of Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations, Director of Messaging, member of the “Race, Equity, and Belonging” team, and Development Coordinator. She co-edited the book Essential Teachings on Love by Richard Rohr, published in 2018. Joelle received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Andrews University in Michigan and taught in a one-room school in Montana before moving to New Mexico.
Joelle’s roots are in the high desert of the Four Corners. She is a member of New Mexico’s SURJ and Resource Generation chapters and SouthWest Organizing Project. She volunteers with Albuquerque’s mutual aid efforts and mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters. In her free time she putters in the garden and hikes in the Sandia Mountains or along the Rio Grande with her husband and dog.
Serving as the Operations Associate in the Brooklyn office, Pam helps to maintain and support CPD/A's technology infrastructure in addition to providing overall administration support for staff and the organization. She came to CPD after serving two consecutive AmeriCorps VISTA terms with New York City's Office of the Mayor, where she focused on assisting nonprofits in building and improving their volunteer programs and later on focused on supporting a cohort of VISTA members throughout their service year. These experiences helped solidify her appreciation for organization and systems. Pam holds a BS in Environmental Studies from SUNY University at Buffalo and enjoys practicing yoga.
Serving as the Operations Associate in the Brooklyn office, Pam helps to maintain and support CPD/A's technology infrastructure in addition to providing overall administration support for staff and the organization. She came to CPD after serving two consecutive AmeriCorps VISTA terms with New York City's Office of the Mayor, where she focused on assisting nonprofits in building and improving their volunteer programs and later on focused on supporting a cohort of VISTA members throughout their service year. These experiences helped solidify her appreciation for organization and systems. Pam holds a BS in Environmental Studies from SUNY University at Buffalo and enjoys practicing yoga.
Betamia (Beh-tAh-mia or Beta) Coronel is the Senior National Organizer for Climate Justice at CPD who works closely with CPD affiliates to develop climate justice base building programs, grassroots leadership and winning state and local climate justice policies. Betamia also works with CPD affiliates to collaborate in designing a cohesive national strategy and organizing affiliates to advance federal and national priorities. Betamia began as a housing organizer in North Brooklyn at the height of rezoning, organizing tenants and co-ops to protect affordable housing and prevent displacement due to rapid gentrification. She spent a few years working at Fordham University’s Center for Service and Justice training hundreds of young people to become anti-racist organizers working with local partners across NYC. Betamia comes to CPD from 350.org where she worked with the divestment team eventually leading iconic divestment campaigns such as the Divest NY. In 2018, the DivestNY coalition successfully campaigned to divest $5 billion dollars of the NYC public pension system from the fossil fuel industry. She is also a co-founder and board member of the Sunrise Movement, a national organization organizing young people to fight for a just and livable future.
Betamia is also a mother, healer, and avid space nerd. She currently lives in Springfield Gardens, Queens with her Partner, Michael and toddler, Elio. She holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and MA in International Political Economy and Global Environmental Resource Economics from Fordham University.
Betamia (Beh-tAh-mia or Beta) Coronel is the Senior National Organizer for Climate Justice at CPD who works closely with CPD affiliates to develop climate justice base building programs, grassroots leadership and winning state and local climate justice policies. Betamia also works with CPD affiliates to collaborate in designing a cohesive national strategy and organizing affiliates to advance federal and national priorities. Betamia began as a housing organizer in North Brooklyn at the height of rezoning, organizing tenants and co-ops to protect affordable housing and prevent displacement due to rapid gentrification. She spent a few years working at Fordham University’s Center for Service and Justice training hundreds of young people to become anti-racist organizers working with local partners across NYC. Betamia comes to CPD from 350.org where she worked with the divestment team eventually leading iconic divestment campaigns such as the Divest NY. In 2018, the DivestNY coalition successfully campaigned to divest $5 billion dollars of the NYC public pension system from the fossil fuel industry. She is also a co-founder and board member of the Sunrise Movement, a national organization organizing young people to fight for a just and livable future.
Betamia is also a mother, healer, and avid space nerd. She currently lives in Springfield Gardens, Queens with her Partner, Michael and toddler, Elio. She holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and MA in International Political Economy and Global Environmental Resource Economics from Fordham University.
Maggie conducts research that advances immigrant justice, Wall Street accountability, and worker's rights campaigns. Prior to CPD, she worked at Amnesty International USA and the Open Society Foundations. Maggie has a background in community-based participatory research and spent several years doing qualitative and quantitative field research on a study addressing health disparities faced by low-income families. Her published research has been cited by numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR, Forbes, Time, USA Today, Reuters, the Atlantic’s City Lab, and the Pacific Standard Magazine.
Maggie came to CPD with fifteen years of organizing experience and has worked on low-wage and farmworker rights, gender and racial justice, and labor organizing campaigns. In 2012, Maggie completed Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Art of Leadership for Women in Racial Justice and Human Rights. Maggie holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MA in International Affairs with a Human Rights concentration from The New School. She also studied at Soochow University in China after receiving the National Critical Language Fellowship through the U.S. State Department and Council for American Overseas Research.
Maggie conducts research that advances immigrant justice, Wall Street accountability, and worker's rights campaigns. Prior to CPD, she worked at Amnesty International USA and the Open Society Foundations. Maggie has a background in community-based participatory research and spent several years doing qualitative and quantitative field research on a study addressing health disparities faced by low-income families. Her published research has been cited by numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR, Forbes, Time, USA Today, Reuters, the Atlantic’s City Lab, and the Pacific Standard Magazine.
Maggie came to CPD with fifteen years of organizing experience and has worked on low-wage and farmworker rights, gender and racial justice, and labor organizing campaigns. In 2012, Maggie completed Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Art of Leadership for Women in Racial Justice and Human Rights. Maggie holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MA in International Affairs with a Human Rights concentration from The New School. She also studied at Soochow University in China after receiving the National Critical Language Fellowship through the U.S. State Department and Council for American Overseas Research.
Claire leads the finance department at CPD, with direct responsibility for cash management, budgeting, day-to-day financial management, and overseeing the audit and tax preparation process.
Claire has over 15 years of nonprofit financial management experience, most recently at WITNESS, a global human rights organization co-founded by the musician and activist, Peter Gabriel. Claire previously led the financial management of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, which funds grassroots education reform, and at Eyebeam, a New York City-based art and technology organization.
Claire has a BA in Art History from the University of Maryland and has served as an officer on boards of several not-for-profits, as well as the Not-for-Profit Committee of the Financial Women’s Association. She currently serves on the board of the Magnum Foundation and has been actively engaged in social investing and shareholder reform since 2004.
Claire leads the finance department at CPD, with direct responsibility for cash management, budgeting, day-to-day financial management, and overseeing the audit and tax preparation process.
Claire has over 15 years of nonprofit financial management experience, most recently at WITNESS, a global human rights organization co-founded by the musician and activist, Peter Gabriel. Claire previously led the financial management of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, which funds grassroots education reform, and at Eyebeam, a New York City-based art and technology organization.
Claire has a BA in Art History from the University of Maryland and has served as an officer on boards of several not-for-profits, as well as the Not-for-Profit Committee of the Financial Women’s Association. She currently serves on the board of the Magnum Foundation and has been actively engaged in social investing and shareholder reform since 2004.
Rachel supports CPD’s campaigns to enact and enforce strong workplace protections. She is a nationally recognized expert on the design and implementation of Fair Workweek policies to promote stable, predictable schedules and opportunities for full-time employment. In addition to supporting CPD partners and allies across the country to advocate for Fair Workweek legislation, Rachel leads CPD's wage theft prevention work to improve compliance with a broad array of wage & hour, health and safety, and paid leave protections, and supports CPD's work to envision new forms of worker organization and collective action.
Before joining CPD, Rachel litigated cases involving labor and employment, elections, state and local governments, and environmental protection at Strumwasser & Woocher, a public interest law firm. She represented the California Department of Insurance in a landmark enforcement action against a health insurance company for violations of consumer and provider protection laws. Rachel previously clerked for Hon. Marsha S. Berzon on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and before law school, organized hospital workers with the Service Employees International Union. Rachel is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Yale College, and lives in Los Angeles.
Rachel supports CPD’s campaigns to enact and enforce strong workplace protections. She is a nationally recognized expert on the design and implementation of Fair Workweek policies to promote stable, predictable schedules and opportunities for full-time employment. In addition to supporting CPD partners and allies across the country to advocate for Fair Workweek legislation, Rachel leads CPD's wage theft prevention work to improve compliance with a broad array of wage & hour, health and safety, and paid leave protections, and supports CPD's work to envision new forms of worker organization and collective action.
Before joining CPD, Rachel litigated cases involving labor and employment, elections, state and local governments, and environmental protection at Strumwasser & Woocher, a public interest law firm. She represented the California Department of Insurance in a landmark enforcement action against a health insurance company for violations of consumer and provider protection laws. Rachel previously clerked for Hon. Marsha S. Berzon on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and before law school, organized hospital workers with the Service Employees International Union. Rachel is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Yale College, and lives in Los Angeles.
Estrella Diaz (she/her) helps drive CPD's organizing initiative with CPD-affiliated grassroots community organizations in multiple states. Estrella works closely with affiliate organizers to continue strengthening our collective base building efforts and grow our movements. Estrella organized in the state of Massachusetts with Neighbor to Neighbor- MA for 8 years before coming to CPD. Starting as a member leader. She then went to become a chapter organizer in Lynn, MA and after 3 years became the political director of the organization where she was responsible for developing strategic and targeted field plans for all chapters. Estrella’s journey in organizing makes her passionate about building strong people’s organizations.
Estrella was born in the Dominican Republic and arrived in Massachusetts, where she still lives.
Estrella Diaz (she/her) helps drive CPD's organizing initiative with CPD-affiliated grassroots community organizations in multiple states. Estrella works closely with affiliate organizers to continue strengthening our collective base building efforts and grow our movements. Estrella organized in the state of Massachusetts with Neighbor to Neighbor- MA for 8 years before coming to CPD. Starting as a member leader. She then went to become a chapter organizer in Lynn, MA and after 3 years became the political director of the organization where she was responsible for developing strategic and targeted field plans for all chapters. Estrella’s journey in organizing makes her passionate about building strong people’s organizations.
Estrella was born in the Dominican Republic and arrived in Massachusetts, where she still lives.
Francisco works to amplify worker voices and power within the workplace and improve workplace protections. He supports affiliate organizing for reforms to unemployment insurance, Fair Workweek legislation, paid leave policies, and the fight against forced arbitration.
Prior to joining CPD, he organized for anti-racist organizational reforms while a student at Princeton University’s School for Public and International Affairs. Before graduate school, Francisco worked as a content researcher for TED Conferences LLC. At the same time, he organized for New York City Democratic Socialists of America, working to amplify their capacity in the aftermath of the 2016 General Election. In 2015 and 2016, he worked for the Bernie Sanders campaign, first as a Field Organizer in New Hampshire and then as a National Latino Outreach Strategist, spearheading Latinx field operations. He also spent time in South Africa and Mozambique, researching the development of welfare state programs in the Global South.
He holds a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, where he focused on Economics and Public Policy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University. You can follow him on Twitter @fdiezb.
Francisco works to amplify worker voices and power within the workplace and improve workplace protections. He supports affiliate organizing for reforms to unemployment insurance, Fair Workweek legislation, paid leave policies, and the fight against forced arbitration.
Prior to joining CPD, he organized for anti-racist organizational reforms while a student at Princeton University’s School for Public and International Affairs. Before graduate school, Francisco worked as a content researcher for TED Conferences LLC. At the same time, he organized for New York City Democratic Socialists of America, working to amplify their capacity in the aftermath of the 2016 General Election. In 2015 and 2016, he worked for the Bernie Sanders campaign, first as a Field Organizer in New Hampshire and then as a National Latino Outreach Strategist, spearheading Latinx field operations. He also spent time in South Africa and Mozambique, researching the development of welfare state programs in the Global South.
He holds a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, where he focused on Economics and Public Policy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University. You can follow him on Twitter @fdiezb.
Steve serves as Director of Organizing for CPD/A. In this role, he leads CPD/A’s programs to build grassroots power at the scale and depth required to win transformative societal change.
Steve brings nearly 20 years of experience in community organizing to this work. After engagement in campus and anti-war organizing, Steve was trained in community organizing at ACORN where he led organizing drives in Washington, DC and where he drove campaigns and organized Hurricane Katrina survivors as director of ACORN’s offices in Dallas/Ft. Worth.
At CPD/A and CPD/A’s predecessor organization, the Leadership Center for the Common Good, Steve has served as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Director of Partnerships. In these roles, Steve led key work in CPD/A’s early days to cohere and support CPD/A’s network of community organizing groups. This included work to help organize CPD/A’s first major national gathering of community leaders, the People’s Convention. He also provided foundational organizational development support to key grassroots organizations throughout the country and helped advance CPD/A’s State Power Project, a $20 million initiative to strengthen and expand community organizing infrastructure in strategic states. Steve also launched CPD/A’s climate justice work, driving first-time climate funding and support to a set of community organizations that are now leaders on efforts to address the climate crisis. Throughout Steve’s time at CPD/A he has also led major direct action protests, serving as the lead organizer of a 3,000 person march and series of direct action protests at CPD/A’s first national convention, coordinating the organizing of a 10,000 person march in Philadelphia days after the Trump inauguration, and, in front of the White House in 2017, co-leading a major rally, march, and the first network-wide CPD/A action with civil disobedience arrests. In response to Hurricane María, Steve also co-founded, helped lead, and helped raise over $7 million for the María Fund, a Puerto Rican-run immediate relief and long-term fund that supports frontline grassroots initiatives that organize for change in Puerto Rico.
Steve is a meditation practitioner, loves the outdoors, and has traveled on five continents. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
Steve serves as Director of Organizing for CPD/A. In this role, he leads CPD/A’s programs to build grassroots power at the scale and depth required to win transformative societal change.
Steve brings nearly 20 years of experience in community organizing to this work. After engagement in campus and anti-war organizing, Steve was trained in community organizing at ACORN where he led organizing drives in Washington, DC and where he drove campaigns and organized Hurricane Katrina survivors as director of ACORN’s offices in Dallas/Ft. Worth.
At CPD/A and CPD/A’s predecessor organization, the Leadership Center for the Common Good, Steve has served as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Director of Partnerships. In these roles, Steve led key work in CPD/A’s early days to cohere and support CPD/A’s network of community organizing groups. This included work to help organize CPD/A’s first major national gathering of community leaders, the People’s Convention. He also provided foundational organizational development support to key grassroots organizations throughout the country and helped advance CPD/A’s State Power Project, a $20 million initiative to strengthen and expand community organizing infrastructure in strategic states. Steve also launched CPD/A’s climate justice work, driving first-time climate funding and support to a set of community organizations that are now leaders on efforts to address the climate crisis. Throughout Steve’s time at CPD/A he has also led major direct action protests, serving as the lead organizer of a 3,000 person march and series of direct action protests at CPD/A’s first national convention, coordinating the organizing of a 10,000 person march in Philadelphia days after the Trump inauguration, and, in front of the White House in 2017, co-leading a major rally, march, and the first network-wide CPD/A action with civil disobedience arrests. In response to Hurricane María, Steve also co-founded, helped lead, and helped raise over $7 million for the María Fund, a Puerto Rican-run immediate relief and long-term fund that supports frontline grassroots initiatives that organize for change in Puerto Rico.
Steve is a meditation practitioner, loves the outdoors, and has traveled on five continents. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
Benjamin is the Fed Up Director, an economic justice campaign fighting for full employment, rising wages, and a more accountable Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve is our country’s most powerful economic policy institution, setting the rules that often shape who wins and who loses in our economy. The Fed Up campaign brings these issues to light and the voices and interests working people directly into the fight.
Prior to joining CPD in December, 2019, Benjamin spent ten years as the executive director of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD), one of NYC’s key affordable housing policy and advocacy organization, where he led work improving affordable housing finance, defending the Community Reinvestment Act, strengthening tenant protections, exposing the impact of financialization on our city’s affordable housing stock. Before that Benjamin created and led ANHD’s organizing training institute, directed the community organizing department at the Fifth Avenue Committee in Brooklyn, and was a tenant organizer on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Benjamin has served on numerous boards, including the Community Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and holds a BA from Vassar College.
Benjamin is the Fed Up Director, an economic justice campaign fighting for full employment, rising wages, and a more accountable Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve is our country’s most powerful economic policy institution, setting the rules that often shape who wins and who loses in our economy. The Fed Up campaign brings these issues to light and the voices and interests working people directly into the fight.
Prior to joining CPD in December, 2019, Benjamin spent ten years as the executive director of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD), one of NYC’s key affordable housing policy and advocacy organization, where he led work improving affordable housing finance, defending the Community Reinvestment Act, strengthening tenant protections, exposing the impact of financialization on our city’s affordable housing stock. Before that Benjamin created and led ANHD’s organizing training institute, directed the community organizing department at the Fifth Avenue Committee in Brooklyn, and was a tenant organizer on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Benjamin has served on numerous boards, including the Community Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and holds a BA from Vassar College.
Nafisa is the executive assistant to Jennifer Epps-Addison. She provides strategic planning as well as administrative and logistical support for Jennifer to advance the productivity and the efficiency of CPD.
In addition to her duties as an executive assistant, Nafisa is an active blogger and researcher, with solid background in journalism. Prior to joining CPD, Nafisa worked as an editor and reporter for Libya Herald Newspaper. She also has experience working with NGOs in the United States and North Africa. As a marketer, journalist, and executive assistant, she is part researcher, part psychologist, part listener, part analyst, and part storyteller. She wears multiple hats, depending on the task. She also pursue a passion for theological learning, peacebuilding, and women empowerment across the world.
Nafisa is a former Libyan exile and a Fulbright scholar with a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago. During the Arab Uprising, Nafisa volunteered to work as anonymous correspondent in Libya, sending stirring reports about the humanitarian crisis in 2011 to international media. She was also featured in an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN and contributed to online magazines such as Guernica, Pulse, and Huffington Post. Nafisa currently lives and works in New York City.
Nafisa is the executive assistant to Jennifer Epps-Addison. She provides strategic planning as well as administrative and logistical support for Jennifer to advance the productivity and the efficiency of CPD.
In addition to her duties as an executive assistant, Nafisa is an active blogger and researcher, with solid background in journalism. Prior to joining CPD, Nafisa worked as an editor and reporter for Libya Herald Newspaper. She also has experience working with NGOs in the United States and North Africa. As a marketer, journalist, and executive assistant, she is part researcher, part psychologist, part listener, part analyst, and part storyteller. She wears multiple hats, depending on the task. She also pursue a passion for theological learning, peacebuilding, and women empowerment across the world.
Nafisa is a former Libyan exile and a Fulbright scholar with a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago. During the Arab Uprising, Nafisa volunteered to work as anonymous correspondent in Libya, sending stirring reports about the humanitarian crisis in 2011 to international media. She was also featured in an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN and contributed to online magazines such as Guernica, Pulse, and Huffington Post. Nafisa currently lives and works in New York City.
Dianne is oversees a section of CPD's core campaign work on Education, Housing, Health and Climate issues, and supports CPD's Immigration campaigns and team. She works with the Opportunity campaigns team to develop strategy, coordinate national efforts, and develop partnerships to build broad support on these issues.
She began her career in policy advocacy and strategic campaigns as the Director of Young Workers United in San Francisco, organizing young and immigrant workers in the city’s restaurant industry. She later worked on national policy issues as the coordinator of the National Worker Center Network at Interfaith Worker Justice. In her work, she provided technical assistance and capacity-building support to local and statewide organizations who advocated for low-wage and immigrant workers. With the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Dianne coordinated a national multi-stakeholder coalition for Caring Across Generations to develop state and federal policy solutions in a growing home healthcare industry. Most recently, Dianne served as Deputy Director of Member Programs and Participation at SEIU 775 in Washington state, where she directed all internal organizing and built member leadership within the organization.
Growing up the child of Mexican immigrant parents in East Los Angeles —surrounded by a strong legacy of Chicano community organizing— Dianne found her passion for organizing early. With more than 15 years of organizing, leadership development and popular education experience, she’s been dedicated to building an intersectional and inclusive movement and shifting the balance of power to create real positive change for poor people of color in this country. She’s a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley in Ethnic Studies. She spends her free time reading graphic novels and cooking for her friends.
Dianne is oversees a section of CPD's core campaign work on Education, Housing, Health and Climate issues, and supports CPD's Immigration campaigns and team. She works with the Opportunity campaigns team to develop strategy, coordinate national efforts, and develop partnerships to build broad support on these issues.
She began her career in policy advocacy and strategic campaigns as the Director of Young Workers United in San Francisco, organizing young and immigrant workers in the city’s restaurant industry. She later worked on national policy issues as the coordinator of the National Worker Center Network at Interfaith Worker Justice. In her work, she provided technical assistance and capacity-building support to local and statewide organizations who advocated for low-wage and immigrant workers. With the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Dianne coordinated a national multi-stakeholder coalition for Caring Across Generations to develop state and federal policy solutions in a growing home healthcare industry. Most recently, Dianne served as Deputy Director of Member Programs and Participation at SEIU 775 in Washington state, where she directed all internal organizing and built member leadership within the organization.
Growing up the child of Mexican immigrant parents in East Los Angeles —surrounded by a strong legacy of Chicano community organizing— Dianne found her passion for organizing early. With more than 15 years of organizing, leadership development and popular education experience, she’s been dedicated to building an intersectional and inclusive movement and shifting the balance of power to create real positive change for poor people of color in this country. She’s a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley in Ethnic Studies. She spends her free time reading graphic novels and cooking for her friends.
Originally from California, Kristina Flores resides on the east coast working remotely with CPD as the National Operations Lead for the Organizing at Scale Program primarily providing support and operations oversight for CPD's Canvass for Power Team. Kristina has nearly a decade of environmental non-profit experience with expertise in person-to-person fundraising, research and national campaigning.
Most recently she worked with Stand.earth to develop and lead its campaign to decrease climate emissions from the fashion industry. Prior to her time with Stand, Kristina worked across several departments at Greenpeace USA including fundraising and campaigns.
Originally from California, Kristina Flores resides on the east coast working remotely with CPD as the National Operations Lead for the Organizing at Scale Program primarily providing support and operations oversight for CPD's Canvass for Power Team. Kristina has nearly a decade of environmental non-profit experience with expertise in person-to-person fundraising, research and national campaigning.
Most recently she worked with Stand.earth to develop and lead its campaign to decrease climate emissions from the fashion industry. Prior to her time with Stand, Kristina worked across several departments at Greenpeace USA including fundraising and campaigns.
Jennifer directs CPD's Mobilization and Advocacy program, working closely with the Innovations program. Jennifer is responsible for federal healthcare, tax policy and advocacy. At the same time she is developing new ways to mobilize our affiliates in federal campaigns, while experimenting with innovative methods for building new and broader constituencies who can join our campaigns, including building CPD's Opioid Network.
Jennifer joins CPD after serving for 10 years as a co-founder and Executive Director of CPD affiliate, VOCAL-NY. She was the director of Health GAP, a global AIDS advocacy organization, expanding the organization to 3 countries on 2 continents. Jennifer was the first US based and focused human rights activist selected for Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates Training Fellowship, a recipient of the Union Square Award, Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award and New York City Council Hero Award and received a NYC Council proclamation in 2016 for her leadership on LGBT issues. She was named one of the most promising AIDS activists in 2001 by Poz Magazine and most was highlighted as one of the leading 25 LGBT AIDS Activists in 25 years by HIV Plus Magazine in 2009.
Jennifer serves on the board of directors for Met Council on Housing (MCREF), Health GAP and the North Star Fund. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Political Science from Marist College and a M.S. from the New School for Social Research.
Jennifer directs CPD's Mobilization and Advocacy program, working closely with the Innovations program. Jennifer is responsible for federal healthcare, tax policy and advocacy. At the same time she is developing new ways to mobilize our affiliates in federal campaigns, while experimenting with innovative methods for building new and broader constituencies who can join our campaigns, including building CPD's Opioid Network.
Jennifer joins CPD after serving for 10 years as a co-founder and Executive Director of CPD affiliate, VOCAL-NY. She was the director of Health GAP, a global AIDS advocacy organization, expanding the organization to 3 countries on 2 continents. Jennifer was the first US based and focused human rights activist selected for Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates Training Fellowship, a recipient of the Union Square Award, Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award and New York City Council Hero Award and received a NYC Council proclamation in 2016 for her leadership on LGBT issues. She was named one of the most promising AIDS activists in 2001 by Poz Magazine and most was highlighted as one of the leading 25 LGBT AIDS Activists in 25 years by HIV Plus Magazine in 2009.
Jennifer serves on the board of directors for Met Council on Housing (MCREF), Health GAP and the North Star Fund. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Political Science from Marist College and a M.S. from the New School for Social Research.
Katie will lead CPD's Housing Justice campaigns in partnership with local affiliates and to build a strong national housing justice movement. She came to CPD from Tenants & Neighbors, a New York City based grassroots housing justice organization that did tenant organizing and city, state, and federal policy and legislative campaigns. She was at Tenants & Neighbors for 11 years and most recently was the Executive Director. She has been an organizer for over 15 years, working on housing, labor, interfaith, LGBTQ, and economic justice campaigns. She is actively involved in Jews for Racial and Economic Justice in New York. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Global Studies.
Katie will lead CPD's Housing Justice campaigns in partnership with local affiliates and to build a strong national housing justice movement. She came to CPD from Tenants & Neighbors, a New York City based grassroots housing justice organization that did tenant organizing and city, state, and federal policy and legislative campaigns. She was at Tenants & Neighbors for 11 years and most recently was the Executive Director. She has been an organizer for over 15 years, working on housing, labor, interfaith, LGBTQ, and economic justice campaigns. She is actively involved in Jews for Racial and Economic Justice in New York. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Global Studies.
Jesus Gonzalez is an organizer, strategist, and Puerto Rican activist. He is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native who formerly served as the Co-Executive Director of Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), an organization that focuses on the fight for “real affordable housing” in NYC. Jesus is one of the founding members of Make the Road New York where he began as a Youth Organizer, and later served as the Political Director. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the New York State Assembly, and was endorsed by the New York Times, El Diario la Prensa, and the New York Daily News. That campaign helped to propel civic engagement initiatives for several prominent grassroots organizations in NYC. He later managed the political department at a labor union to provide community and political support for car wash workers who sought to unionize, and also played a leading role in citywide coalitions on police accountability, youth organizing, and housing rights. Jesus currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Center for Popular Democracy.
Jesus Gonzalez is an organizer, strategist, and Puerto Rican activist. He is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native who formerly served as the Co-Executive Director of Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), an organization that focuses on the fight for “real affordable housing” in NYC. Jesus is one of the founding members of Make the Road New York where he began as a Youth Organizer, and later served as the Political Director. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the New York State Assembly, and was endorsed by the New York Times, El Diario la Prensa, and the New York Daily News. That campaign helped to propel civic engagement initiatives for several prominent grassroots organizations in NYC. He later managed the political department at a labor union to provide community and political support for car wash workers who sought to unionize, and also played a leading role in citywide coalitions on police accountability, youth organizing, and housing rights. Jesus currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Center for Popular Democracy.
Emily Gordon leads the strategic research work across all of CPD’s campaigns and program areas. Immediately prior to coming to CPD, Emily was the Research Director at the California Federation of Teachers, representing 120,000 educators in 135 local unions across California. Emily has over 15 years of experience providing strategic research and campaign support to labor unions and nonprofit organizations. She has developed and led research and campaign strategy for new organizing campaigns, policy and electoral campaigns, and contract campaigns in both the public and private sector.
In addition to her experience in healthcare and education unions, Emily has worked in the nonprofit sector doing research and policy analysis on topics including community development, workforce development, and the creation of equitable green jobs. Emily has a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and American History from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Master of Science in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and Political Science in London. She currently serves on the board of the California Budget and Policy Center and lives in Oakland, CA.
Emily Gordon leads the strategic research work across all of CPD’s campaigns and program areas. Immediately prior to coming to CPD, Emily was the Research Director at the California Federation of Teachers, representing 120,000 educators in 135 local unions across California. Emily has over 15 years of experience providing strategic research and campaign support to labor unions and nonprofit organizations. She has developed and led research and campaign strategy for new organizing campaigns, policy and electoral campaigns, and contract campaigns in both the public and private sector.
In addition to her experience in healthcare and education unions, Emily has worked in the nonprofit sector doing research and policy analysis on topics including community development, workforce development, and the creation of equitable green jobs. Emily has a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and American History from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Master of Science in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and Political Science in London. She currently serves on the board of the California Budget and Policy Center and lives in Oakland, CA.
Tina is a co-founder of the Center for Popular Democracy, and currently serves as the Managing Director of CPD’s retreat center, Bailey Farms. As Managing Director, Tina is anchoring a major redevelopment of Bailey Farms, including a $6 million upgrade to the property, to build it to be a vibrant space where social justice activists and community organizers gather to reflect, plan and find sanctuary. Prior to assuming the Bailey Farms role full time in 2019, Tina built and rapidly scaled up all aspects of CPD's infrastructure since its founding in 2012, as its first Director of Operations, HR, & Finance.
Before CPD, Tina worked for nine years at the International Education Resource Network (iEARN-USA), where she held various positions, including Co-Executive Director. In her time there, she designed and implemented pioneer public diplomacy initiatives through the State Department, developed for North American students and their peers throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia following 9/11. In this capacity, she provided intensive training and technical assistance to establish and sustain operations in over 40 countries. Tina is a graduate of New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and Rutgers University.
Tina is a co-founder of the Center for Popular Democracy, and currently serves as the Managing Director of CPD’s retreat center, Bailey Farms. As Managing Director, Tina is anchoring a major redevelopment of Bailey Farms, including a $6 million upgrade to the property, to build it to be a vibrant space where social justice activists and community organizers gather to reflect, plan and find sanctuary. Prior to assuming the Bailey Farms role full time in 2019, Tina built and rapidly scaled up all aspects of CPD's infrastructure since its founding in 2012, as its first Director of Operations, HR, & Finance.
Before CPD, Tina worked for nine years at the International Education Resource Network (iEARN-USA), where she held various positions, including Co-Executive Director. In her time there, she designed and implemented pioneer public diplomacy initiatives through the State Department, developed for North American students and their peers throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia following 9/11. In this capacity, she provided intensive training and technical assistance to establish and sustain operations in over 40 countries. Tina is a graduate of New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and Rutgers University.
Kate produces research to support a broad range of CPD’s economic and racial justice campaigns. She came to CPD from the New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, where she coordinated programmatic and policy initiatives to build wealth in low-income communities and to hold financial institutions accountable to New Yorkers and their families. Prior to her work in the city, Kate worked with one of CPD's network members, Make the Road New York, where she helped to connect under and unemployed immigrant New Yorkers to quality training programs and sustainable jobs. She also coordinated Make the Road’s Citizenship Education Program to help members pass the exam to obtain U.S. citizenship. Kate holds a BA from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MPA from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.
Kate produces research to support a broad range of CPD’s economic and racial justice campaigns. She came to CPD from the New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, where she coordinated programmatic and policy initiatives to build wealth in low-income communities and to hold financial institutions accountable to New Yorkers and their families. Prior to her work in the city, Kate worked with one of CPD's network members, Make the Road New York, where she helped to connect under and unemployed immigrant New Yorkers to quality training programs and sustainable jobs. She also coordinated Make the Road’s Citizenship Education Program to help members pass the exam to obtain U.S. citizenship. Kate holds a BA from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MPA from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.
Colin Hicks manages CPD/A's political team including overseeing political strategy, donor relations, and program management. Based in Oakland, CA, Colin immediately comes to CPD/A from freelance consulting with resistance organizations like Indivisible - where he helped craft their electoral strategy in Virginia and Alabama in 2017 - and working on justice issues around cannabis legalization.
Colin Hicks manages CPD/A's political team including overseeing political strategy, donor relations, and program management. Based in Oakland, CA, Colin immediately comes to CPD/A from freelance consulting with resistance organizations like Indivisible - where he helped craft their electoral strategy in Virginia and Alabama in 2017 - and working on justice issues around cannabis legalization.
Dmitri is leading our education justice strategy. He works with our partner organizations and coalitions to organize for a high quality, equitable and accessible public education system in the United States.
Before joining CPD, he was the founding executive director of the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) in South Africa. The EELC is the sister organization to and primary litigation partner of the youth-led social movement, Equal Education (EE). Both organizations build nation-wide campaigns to improve South Africa’s public education system, harness youth leadership and advance the constitutional right to basic education. Prior to his position at the EELC he was Equal Education’s parliamentary liaison officer, researcher and media spokesperson. He was also a founding member of the Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and a PILnet (Public Interest Law Network) International Human Rights Law Fellow.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Western Cape.
Dmitri is leading our education justice strategy. He works with our partner organizations and coalitions to organize for a high quality, equitable and accessible public education system in the United States.
Before joining CPD, he was the founding executive director of the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) in South Africa. The EELC is the sister organization to and primary litigation partner of the youth-led social movement, Equal Education (EE). Both organizations build nation-wide campaigns to improve South Africa’s public education system, harness youth leadership and advance the constitutional right to basic education. Prior to his position at the EELC he was Equal Education’s parliamentary liaison officer, researcher and media spokesperson. He was also a founding member of the Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and a PILnet (Public Interest Law Network) International Human Rights Law Fellow.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Western Cape.
Vinay Krishnan is the National Field Organizer at CPD/A. As a member of the Innovations Team, Vinay helps lead campaigns on the Opioid Epidemic, Medicare for All, and Drug Pricing and helps organize our large scale efforts in D.C. to protect our Democracy.
Vinay Krishnan is the National Field Organizer at CPD/A. As a member of the Innovations Team, Vinay helps lead campaigns on the Opioid Epidemic, Medicare for All, and Drug Pricing and helps organize our large scale efforts in D.C. to protect our Democracy.
Katherine Lemus is the affiliate associate of the base building team for the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). In her role, she coordinates communications, builds relationships, and facilitates joint action across CPD’s partner network to build strength and capacity driving ambitious grassroots campaigns. Prior to this, Katherine served as the field assistant at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, supporting the strategic field engagement of campaigns for judicial nominations, immigration, and policing. In addition, she brings experience from direct services nonprofits serving youth, the elderly community, and the immigrant community. Her passion and commitment to social justice was sparked in her local community of South Central, Los Angeles where she saw needs in advocacy to address injustices that marginalized groups, primarily people of color, face. Katherine earned her Bachelors in International Studies and Social Policy and Public Service from the University of California, Irvine.
Katherine Lemus is the affiliate associate of the base building team for the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). In her role, she coordinates communications, builds relationships, and facilitates joint action across CPD’s partner network to build strength and capacity driving ambitious grassroots campaigns. Prior to this, Katherine served as the field assistant at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, supporting the strategic field engagement of campaigns for judicial nominations, immigration, and policing. In addition, she brings experience from direct services nonprofits serving youth, the elderly community, and the immigrant community. Her passion and commitment to social justice was sparked in her local community of South Central, Los Angeles where she saw needs in advocacy to address injustices that marginalized groups, primarily people of color, face. Katherine earned her Bachelors in International Studies and Social Policy and Public Service from the University of California, Irvine.
Julio is the Interim Campaign Manager. In this role, he helps support partners in the United States build campaigns that organize the growing Puerto Rican community to advocate for a just recovery for the island and create policies that support the community in the US, while holding corporate players accountable for the actions the have taken on the island.
Julio received his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor at the University of Puerto Rico. He later received his LLM on International and Comparative Law at Tulane Law School and received training in arbitration and conflict resolution at Humboldt University in Berlin. After law school, he served as a law clerk for the Orleans Public Defenders and as a project officer for the New Orleans Independent Police Monitor to create a mediation program between citizens and the police. In 2012, he moved to Connecticut where he became a union organizer with SEIU NE 1199.
In Connecticut, Julio the founding organizer of Make the Road CT and helped the organization go from monthly meetings to a thriving organizing hub with 9 active campaigns and a growing membership base with regular weekly meetings where 30-40 members eat, share and plan the next steps of their campaigns. During this time, Julio also became involved in the Hedge Clipper Puerto Rico campaign that has held accountable corporate players that have hurt Puerto Rico and has pushed pension funds to divest billions of dollars from these companies.
Julio is the Interim Campaign Manager. In this role, he helps support partners in the United States build campaigns that organize the growing Puerto Rican community to advocate for a just recovery for the island and create policies that support the community in the US, while holding corporate players accountable for the actions the have taken on the island.
Julio received his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor at the University of Puerto Rico. He later received his LLM on International and Comparative Law at Tulane Law School and received training in arbitration and conflict resolution at Humboldt University in Berlin. After law school, he served as a law clerk for the Orleans Public Defenders and as a project officer for the New Orleans Independent Police Monitor to create a mediation program between citizens and the police. In 2012, he moved to Connecticut where he became a union organizer with SEIU NE 1199.
In Connecticut, Julio the founding organizer of Make the Road CT and helped the organization go from monthly meetings to a thriving organizing hub with 9 active campaigns and a growing membership base with regular weekly meetings where 30-40 members eat, share and plan the next steps of their campaigns. During this time, Julio also became involved in the Hedge Clipper Puerto Rico campaign that has held accountable corporate players that have hurt Puerto Rico and has pushed pension funds to divest billions of dollars from these companies.
Vonne supports CPD partners working on education justice campaigns. They provide organizing and campaign-building support to CPD's affiliates and allies.
Vonne comes to CPD after helping to build Californians for Justice's youth led education equity work for over 15 years. They bring an expansive amount of experience leading grassroots organizing as well as youth & staff development. As a youth leader, Lead Organizer and Director of Organizing Vonne gained experience winning education justice campaigns around college access, tackling the school-to-prison pipeline and the implementation of restorative justice practices. They coordinated 4 regions across the state of California in surpassing Base Building and Youth Leadership & Development goals, they helped build a statewide network of over 70 youth led organizations, and secured significant investments & policy wins focused on school culture and climate. With deep rooted values in transforming the material conditions for Black, Brown, Immigrant, LGBTQ and all marginalized communities, Vonne is committed to working across coalitions and partnerships to achieve education equity.
While spending 11 years in Fresno's conservative climate, California Vonne co-founded and led several grassroots action spaces including a Black Lives Matter affiliate and a Queer Trans People of Color Healing Circle. They hold a B.A. in Sociology from CSU Fresno and is a graduate from Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity's (BOLD) Directors and Lead Organizers 2016 cohort.
Vonne supports CPD partners working on education justice campaigns. They provide organizing and campaign-building support to CPD's affiliates and allies.
Vonne comes to CPD after helping to build Californians for Justice's youth led education equity work for over 15 years. They bring an expansive amount of experience leading grassroots organizing as well as youth & staff development. As a youth leader, Lead Organizer and Director of Organizing Vonne gained experience winning education justice campaigns around college access, tackling the school-to-prison pipeline and the implementation of restorative justice practices. They coordinated 4 regions across the state of California in surpassing Base Building and Youth Leadership & Development goals, they helped build a statewide network of over 70 youth led organizations, and secured significant investments & policy wins focused on school culture and climate. With deep rooted values in transforming the material conditions for Black, Brown, Immigrant, LGBTQ and all marginalized communities, Vonne is committed to working across coalitions and partnerships to achieve education equity.
While spending 11 years in Fresno's conservative climate, California Vonne co-founded and led several grassroots action spaces including a Black Lives Matter affiliate and a Queer Trans People of Color Healing Circle. They hold a B.A. in Sociology from CSU Fresno and is a graduate from Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity's (BOLD) Directors and Lead Organizers 2016 cohort.
David is part of CPD's Finance department supporting expense and invoice management, as well as providing financial system administration across the organization. His previous experience includes the Children’s Law Center giving voice to children in legal proceedings, Beth Morrison Projects providing avant-garde dance, theater, and opera and BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas where he worked on their HR and finance teams. He received his Bachelor of Arts with a theatre concentration from Purdue University.
David is part of CPD's Finance department supporting expense and invoice management, as well as providing financial system administration across the organization. His previous experience includes the Children’s Law Center giving voice to children in legal proceedings, Beth Morrison Projects providing avant-garde dance, theater, and opera and BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas where he worked on their HR and finance teams. He received his Bachelor of Arts with a theatre concentration from Purdue University.
Annie McGrath acts as the Executive Assistant for Jamila Headley. Annie is a graduate of Hunter’s Silberman School of Social Work where she focused on community organizing and political advocacy. While there, she interned with Make the Road at the Bushwick School for Social Justice. Originally from Boston, she now lives in Brooklyn and is an active member of her community. In the ten years she’s lived in New York, she’s worked for organizations including the Ali Forney Center and the Family Justice Center in Brooklyn.
Annie McGrath acts as the Executive Assistant for Jamila Headley. Annie is a graduate of Hunter’s Silberman School of Social Work where she focused on community organizing and political advocacy. While there, she interned with Make the Road at the Bushwick School for Social Justice. Originally from Boston, she now lives in Brooklyn and is an active member of her community. In the ten years she’s lived in New York, she’s worked for organizations including the Ali Forney Center and the Family Justice Center in Brooklyn.
Kendell James Meares is a writer, producer, and educator born and raised in Brooklyn New York. At the age of thirteen, the state of New York removed him and his three younger siblings from his parent's custody due to his parents being victims of drug abuse. At the age of 17, his aunts relocated them to South Florida. It was there that a High School teacher noticed his gift in writing and encouraged him to take writing seriously. In these last few years living in Miami, James has created training curriculum based on the principles and elements of Hip Hop and creative writing. He had committed himself to strategically organizing the Black and Brown community to focus on three things; investing in our economic market, educating our youth on the avenues of artistic expression, and celebrating Black-American culture. He cares deeply about creating spaces for artists to bridge their talents to civic engagement.
Kendell James Meares is a writer, producer, and educator born and raised in Brooklyn New York. At the age of thirteen, the state of New York removed him and his three younger siblings from his parent's custody due to his parents being victims of drug abuse. At the age of 17, his aunts relocated them to South Florida. It was there that a High School teacher noticed his gift in writing and encouraged him to take writing seriously. In these last few years living in Miami, James has created training curriculum based on the principles and elements of Hip Hop and creative writing. He had committed himself to strategically organizing the Black and Brown community to focus on three things; investing in our economic market, educating our youth on the avenues of artistic expression, and celebrating Black-American culture. He cares deeply about creating spaces for artists to bridge their talents to civic engagement.
Dean works as the National Field Program Manager within the Sustainability Department at CPD. His focus is to help canvass directors where needed to improve the quality of their canvass operations, making sure the team is properly trained and that directors are achieving the goals that have been set for them by CPD's various partner organizations. Prior to coming to CPD, Dean worked as a canvass director in Sacramento, CA, working on behalf of organizations including the ACLU, SPLC, MSF, and Lambda Legal.
Before becoming canvass director, Dean worked for about 4 years with other organizations in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Sacramento as a field manager and canvasser. These organizations include The Sierra Club, CALPIRG, Environment California, Greenpeace USA, Ohio Citizen Action, Human Rights Campaign, and Amnesty International. Dean earned a BA in Political Science from The University of Akron.
Dean works as the National Field Program Manager within the Sustainability Department at CPD. His focus is to help canvass directors where needed to improve the quality of their canvass operations, making sure the team is properly trained and that directors are achieving the goals that have been set for them by CPD's various partner organizations. Prior to coming to CPD, Dean worked as a canvass director in Sacramento, CA, working on behalf of organizations including the ACLU, SPLC, MSF, and Lambda Legal.
Before becoming canvass director, Dean worked for about 4 years with other organizations in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Sacramento as a field manager and canvasser. These organizations include The Sierra Club, CALPIRG, Environment California, Greenpeace USA, Ohio Citizen Action, Human Rights Campaign, and Amnesty International. Dean earned a BA in Political Science from The University of Akron.
Kelsea works to organize and engage CPD’s individual donor-activists and supports our broader fundraising program. She joined CPD after several years at The Nation magazine, where she spearheaded leadership and foundation giving. Before that, Kelsea built her career organizing for environmental and climate justice in the South, and served as the executive director of the Southern Energy Network (SEN), mobilizing young people to fight the expansion of fossil fuels and win just climate solutions for their communities. Prior to leading SEN, she managed their Tennessee field program, helped lead their Georgia campaigns, and coordinated their fundraising efforts.
A proud Southerner and native of Atlanta, Kelsea has more than ten years of experience organizing, building capacity, and raising money for progressive work. She studied English and Women’s Studies at the University of Georgia.
Kelsea works to organize and engage CPD’s individual donor-activists and supports our broader fundraising program. She joined CPD after several years at The Nation magazine, where she spearheaded leadership and foundation giving. Before that, Kelsea built her career organizing for environmental and climate justice in the South, and served as the executive director of the Southern Energy Network (SEN), mobilizing young people to fight the expansion of fossil fuels and win just climate solutions for their communities. Prior to leading SEN, she managed their Tennessee field program, helped lead their Georgia campaigns, and coordinated their fundraising efforts.
A proud Southerner and native of Atlanta, Kelsea has more than ten years of experience organizing, building capacity, and raising money for progressive work. She studied English and Women’s Studies at the University of Georgia.
David Palmer directs CPD/A’s Litigation Partnership Project (LPP) and serves as senior counsel. The LPP aims to ramp-up and streamline litigation work with CPD/A affiliates, community based organizations, and the private bar, in a way that will access justice for members, increase CPD/A's impact, and increase capacity for organizing.
Palmer directed the successful efforts to pass small donor public campaign financing in NY (2020); the elimination of the subminimum wage for a portion of NY’s tipped workforce (2019); the NY Power Act (2010); and the Green Jobs/Green NY Act (2009). He co-led the campaign to pass the NYC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (2003) and helped to win passage of the NY Work-Study/Internship Bill (2000).
Palmer has served as deputy director and general counsel for ROC United, focusing on campaign and organizational strategy, litigation partnerships, and 501(c)3/(c)4 and lobbying compliance. As VP, Director of Advocacy & General Counsel for the Roosevelt Institute he spearheaded a strategic restructuring to increase impact, including a partnership with Senator Warren to influence federal appointments.
Palmer was Executive Director of the Center for Working Families, a think- and do-tank allied with the Working Families Party. Before that, he was an Equal Justice Works fellow and environmental justice attorney for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, representing parents and CBOs, successfully suing NYC to strengthen clean-ups of schools on contaminated properties. He also drafted the legal memo used by counsel to win the key NLRB precedent that worker centers are not labor organizations.
Palmer started his career as a campus organizer and legislative advocate for NYPIRG. He holds a JD from the CUNY School of Law, where he now sits on their Board of Visitors. He also sits on the advisory board for Climate Action Now, a project of NYCC.
David Palmer directs CPD/A’s Litigation Partnership Project (LPP) and serves as senior counsel. The LPP aims to ramp-up and streamline litigation work with CPD/A affiliates, community based organizations, and the private bar, in a way that will access justice for members, increase CPD/A's impact, and increase capacity for organizing.
Palmer directed the successful efforts to pass small donor public campaign financing in NY (2020); the elimination of the subminimum wage for a portion of NY’s tipped workforce (2019); the NY Power Act (2010); and the Green Jobs/Green NY Act (2009). He co-led the campaign to pass the NYC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (2003) and helped to win passage of the NY Work-Study/Internship Bill (2000).
Palmer has served as deputy director and general counsel for ROC United, focusing on campaign and organizational strategy, litigation partnerships, and 501(c)3/(c)4 and lobbying compliance. As VP, Director of Advocacy & General Counsel for the Roosevelt Institute he spearheaded a strategic restructuring to increase impact, including a partnership with Senator Warren to influence federal appointments.
Palmer was Executive Director of the Center for Working Families, a think- and do-tank allied with the Working Families Party. Before that, he was an Equal Justice Works fellow and environmental justice attorney for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, representing parents and CBOs, successfully suing NYC to strengthen clean-ups of schools on contaminated properties. He also drafted the legal memo used by counsel to win the key NLRB precedent that worker centers are not labor organizations.
Palmer started his career as a campus organizer and legislative advocate for NYPIRG. He holds a JD from the CUNY School of Law, where he now sits on their Board of Visitors. He also sits on the advisory board for Climate Action Now, a project of NYCC.
Serving as the Creative Content Director, Bennie is responsible for leading a team of digital organizers that implement all aspects of digital strategy, such as: branding, list building, social media engagement, website and digital content creation, online fundraising, and digital organizing. Through people-centered, affiliate-focused tactics, his department amplifies the efforts of CPD/A’s local base while strengthening the organization’s collective capacity to achieve an inclusive, equitable society.
He comes to CPD/A after spending several years as the Owner & Chief Strategist of an independent, cause-based consultant agency that provides organizational development, branding services, and strategic initiative development. Prior to this, Bennie developed and managed youth activism efforts for the award winning, national tobacco control entity, Truth Initiative, that positioned media/technology, guerrilla marketing, and grassroots organizing as key strategies. These, among other community-based roles - spanning youth development, grassroots organizing, education reform, food justice, and technical assistance - details his 15+ year career of weaving innovation and systematic thinking into the fight for better lives, families, and communities.
A self-proclaimed member of “Generation Flux”, Bennie understands “the most important skill is the ability to acquire new skills”. Originally a native of Milwaukee, WI, he now resides in Oakland, CA.
Serving as the Creative Content Director, Bennie is responsible for leading a team of digital organizers that implement all aspects of digital strategy, such as: branding, list building, social media engagement, website and digital content creation, online fundraising, and digital organizing. Through people-centered, affiliate-focused tactics, his department amplifies the efforts of CPD/A’s local base while strengthening the organization’s collective capacity to achieve an inclusive, equitable society.
He comes to CPD/A after spending several years as the Owner & Chief Strategist of an independent, cause-based consultant agency that provides organizational development, branding services, and strategic initiative development. Prior to this, Bennie developed and managed youth activism efforts for the award winning, national tobacco control entity, Truth Initiative, that positioned media/technology, guerrilla marketing, and grassroots organizing as key strategies. These, among other community-based roles - spanning youth development, grassroots organizing, education reform, food justice, and technical assistance - details his 15+ year career of weaving innovation and systematic thinking into the fight for better lives, families, and communities.
A self-proclaimed member of “Generation Flux”, Bennie understands “the most important skill is the ability to acquire new skills”. Originally a native of Milwaukee, WI, he now resides in Oakland, CA.
Tony coordinates CPD’s organizing and campaign support on economic justice and workers’ rights initiatives, collaborating closely with community-based organizations and helping to foster coalitions within the labor movement. He is currently helping lead corporate accountability fieldwork as part of CPD’s broader fight back efforts.
Tony comes to CPD after 16 years of organizing in the labor movement with strawberry pickers, restaurant workers, lumberyard workers and meatpackers. For 10 of those years, Tony worked as an equipment operator on the New Jersey docks, where he helped galvanize a national reform effort within the International Longshoremen’s Association (“ILA”). In 2007, Tony was elected secretary-treasurer of his local as part of a reform slate, a position he held while continuing work as a crane operator. Tony holds a BA from Brown University.
Tony coordinates CPD’s organizing and campaign support on economic justice and workers’ rights initiatives, collaborating closely with community-based organizations and helping to foster coalitions within the labor movement. He is currently helping lead corporate accountability fieldwork as part of CPD’s broader fight back efforts.
Tony comes to CPD after 16 years of organizing in the labor movement with strawberry pickers, restaurant workers, lumberyard workers and meatpackers. For 10 of those years, Tony worked as an equipment operator on the New Jersey docks, where he helped galvanize a national reform effort within the International Longshoremen’s Association (“ILA”). In 2007, Tony was elected secretary-treasurer of his local as part of a reform slate, a position he held while continuing work as a crane operator. Tony holds a BA from Brown University.
She received her MA in International Affairs from The New School, and her BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
She received her MA in International Affairs from The New School, and her BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
Dave Pringle serves as a policy and campaign organizer focused on racial justice and transformational policy advocacy in the criminal legal system. He supports partner organizations and elected officials at the local, state, and federal level. Prior to joining the Center for Popular Democracy, Dave researched criminal justice, federal housing, and immigration policy and worked on behalf of impacted and incarcerated persons at the Poverty and Race Research Action Council, Advancement Project, Southern Poverty Law Center, Community Justice Project, Miami Law Immigration Clinic, and the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Prior to attending law school, he joined the Direct-Action Research Training Network as an organizer in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked with local churches united around social and economic justice. At the Fund for the Public Interest, Dave worked on campaigns to end subsidies to the oil industry, fund land protection legislation, and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on behalf of the LGBT community. As a Program Manager with City Year Miami, he supported AmeriCorps volunteers performing academic and social-emotional interventions with students in under-resourced public schools and was recognized as an Outstanding Community Partner Liaison by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He received a B.S. degree from Florida State University where he majored in Political Science, History, and Interdisciplinary Social Science and minored in Political Philosophy. He holds a J.D. from University Miami School of Law where he was a Miami Public Interest Scholar. You can follow him on Twitter @davepringus.
Dave Pringle serves as a policy and campaign organizer focused on racial justice and transformational policy advocacy in the criminal legal system. He supports partner organizations and elected officials at the local, state, and federal level. Prior to joining the Center for Popular Democracy, Dave researched criminal justice, federal housing, and immigration policy and worked on behalf of impacted and incarcerated persons at the Poverty and Race Research Action Council, Advancement Project, Southern Poverty Law Center, Community Justice Project, Miami Law Immigration Clinic, and the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Prior to attending law school, he joined the Direct-Action Research Training Network as an organizer in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked with local churches united around social and economic justice. At the Fund for the Public Interest, Dave worked on campaigns to end subsidies to the oil industry, fund land protection legislation, and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on behalf of the LGBT community. As a Program Manager with City Year Miami, he supported AmeriCorps volunteers performing academic and social-emotional interventions with students in under-resourced public schools and was recognized as an Outstanding Community Partner Liaison by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He received a B.S. degree from Florida State University where he majored in Political Science, History, and Interdisciplinary Social Science and minored in Political Philosophy. He holds a J.D. from University Miami School of Law where he was a Miami Public Interest Scholar. You can follow him on Twitter @davepringus.
Leidy believes liberation is the community’s ability to exercise self governance and self determination. Hence, to be free we must transform our people into critical thinkers. As the Youth Organizing Manager, Leidy seeks to transform the next generation of youth leaders by developing their leadership & organizing skills. Transformational organizing is a victory at an individual level in addition to an institutional change.
As a middle school student Leidy organized walkouts against practices the community believed were racist. Years later, she would learn the art and science of organizing as she joined the group Padres & Jovenes Unidos. Through their political education program she found answers to questions that emerged during her education experience. She found her calling as she began to understand how interpersonal, internal, and institutional oppression impact communities of color in education, economy, immigration and the criminal justice systems.
Leidy was founding member of the Alliance for Educational Justice and served as their Capacity & Development Specialist. There she worked with over 20 youth organizing groups lead a national campaign to End the School to Prison Pipeline. She worked to make youth issues such as school closings, school privatization, school police and deportations in to real campaigns.
Leidy believes liberation is the community’s ability to exercise self governance and self determination. Hence, to be free we must transform our people into critical thinkers. As the Youth Organizing Manager, Leidy seeks to transform the next generation of youth leaders by developing their leadership & organizing skills. Transformational organizing is a victory at an individual level in addition to an institutional change.
As a middle school student Leidy organized walkouts against practices the community believed were racist. Years later, she would learn the art and science of organizing as she joined the group Padres & Jovenes Unidos. Through their political education program she found answers to questions that emerged during her education experience. She found her calling as she began to understand how interpersonal, internal, and institutional oppression impact communities of color in education, economy, immigration and the criminal justice systems.
Leidy was founding member of the Alliance for Educational Justice and served as their Capacity & Development Specialist. There she worked with over 20 youth organizing groups lead a national campaign to End the School to Prison Pipeline. She worked to make youth issues such as school closings, school privatization, school police and deportations in to real campaigns.
Jay oversees the accounting and reporting functions of CPD and supports the development team on financial reporting on grants applications and reporting. Jay has over 15 years of accounting experience in private and non-for profit companies, working recently with a fortune 500 company and CPA firms PricewaterhouseCoopers, RSM and BDO Seidman. Areas of expertise includes Compliance Reporting, Financial Analysis & Reporting, and Auditing. He is a Certified Public Accountant registered in NY State. a CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) and a member of the AICPA (The American Institute of CPAs). Jay holds a BBA from the University of Puerto Rico.
Jay oversees the accounting and reporting functions of CPD and supports the development team on financial reporting on grants applications and reporting. Jay has over 15 years of accounting experience in private and non-for profit companies, working recently with a fortune 500 company and CPA firms PricewaterhouseCoopers, RSM and BDO Seidman. Areas of expertise includes Compliance Reporting, Financial Analysis & Reporting, and Auditing. He is a Certified Public Accountant registered in NY State. a CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) and a member of the AICPA (The American Institute of CPAs). Jay holds a BBA from the University of Puerto Rico.
Shannon Salzman (they/them) joins CPD as the DC based Senior Operations Associate. Shannon helps to maintain and support CPD/A's systems and infrastructure in addition to providing overall administrative support for staff and the organization. Originally from Richmond, Virginia Shannon moved to Washington, DC in 2016 after graduating with BAs in History and Political Science from Salem College. Shannon is thrilled to be working at CPD/A as their previous experiences in the nonprofit world left them longing to work more with the kind of progressive grassroots organizing and justice work that CPD focuses on.
When they aren’t working Shannon enjoys playing video games, learning Vietnamese, and caring for their two cats.
Shannon Salzman (they/them) joins CPD as the DC based Senior Operations Associate. Shannon helps to maintain and support CPD/A's systems and infrastructure in addition to providing overall administrative support for staff and the organization. Originally from Richmond, Virginia Shannon moved to Washington, DC in 2016 after graduating with BAs in History and Political Science from Salem College. Shannon is thrilled to be working at CPD/A as their previous experiences in the nonprofit world left them longing to work more with the kind of progressive grassroots organizing and justice work that CPD focuses on.
When they aren’t working Shannon enjoys playing video games, learning Vietnamese, and caring for their two cats.
Jude joined CPD/A to manage Salesforce and keep data neat, tidy, and useful. They are thrilled to apply their geekery where it makes a difference.
Jude joined CPD/A to manage Salesforce and keep data neat, tidy, and useful. They are thrilled to apply their geekery where it makes a difference.
Kathleen serves as the Senior Operations Manager for CPD/A. She believes in the importance of strong institutional infrastructure for the health and sustainability of progressive non-profits. Before coming to CPD, Kathleen spent 7 years at a direct services non-profit in Washington D.C where she developed a special interest in operations and risk management. She is a graduate of Stonehill College.
Kathleen serves as the Senior Operations Manager for CPD/A. She believes in the importance of strong institutional infrastructure for the health and sustainability of progressive non-profits. Before coming to CPD, Kathleen spent 7 years at a direct services non-profit in Washington D.C where she developed a special interest in operations and risk management. She is a graduate of Stonehill College.
As CPD's Director of Technology & Operations, Rabia is a project manager, systems thinker, and technology trainer. She came to CPD from Transportation Alternatives, where she led data management and marketing automation in support of their mission to make New York City streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Prior to TransAlt, she was a CRM Consultant for Build Consulting, where she helped nonprofits better leverage technology to increase public engagement. Rabia's nonprofit career started at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In addition to her decade of experience at the intersection of tech and social change work, Rabia is also a proud former board member of the South Asian American Digital Archive. Rabia is a graduate of Temple University.
As CPD's Director of Technology & Operations, Rabia is a project manager, systems thinker, and technology trainer. She came to CPD from Transportation Alternatives, where she led data management and marketing automation in support of their mission to make New York City streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Prior to TransAlt, she was a CRM Consultant for Build Consulting, where she helped nonprofits better leverage technology to increase public engagement. Rabia's nonprofit career started at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In addition to her decade of experience at the intersection of tech and social change work, Rabia is also a proud former board member of the South Asian American Digital Archive. Rabia is a graduate of Temple University.
Kate is the Deputy Director of Education and Justice Transformation Campaigns. She focuses on CPD’s work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Kate partners with Black and brown youth led groups in our affiliate network across the country to end policing in schools and invest in safe, supportive, and inclusive public schools.
Previously, Kate worked at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) as a Taconic Policy Fellow in the Disability, Environmental, and Health Justice teams. During her years with NYLPI, in coalition with community organizations, she successfully led campaigns to increase the rights of millions of New Yorkers, including women of color with disabilities, immigrants, students, and low income communities. Most recently, in law school, Kate worked with the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, Urban Justice Center, Advancement Project, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. She also served on the Board of Directors for Community Change, Inc. Kate holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and BA from Boston College.
Kate is the Deputy Director of Education and Justice Transformation Campaigns. She focuses on CPD’s work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Kate partners with Black and brown youth led groups in our affiliate network across the country to end policing in schools and invest in safe, supportive, and inclusive public schools.
Previously, Kate worked at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) as a Taconic Policy Fellow in the Disability, Environmental, and Health Justice teams. During her years with NYLPI, in coalition with community organizations, she successfully led campaigns to increase the rights of millions of New Yorkers, including women of color with disabilities, immigrants, students, and low income communities. Most recently, in law school, Kate worked with the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, Urban Justice Center, Advancement Project, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. She also served on the Board of Directors for Community Change, Inc. Kate holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and BA from Boston College.
Ría (she/her/ella) is the Senior Manager og CPD/A’s Voting Rights and Democracy program and she works with affiliates to create their voting and election strategies to protect the vote at the polls. Additionally, Ría is managing the creation and implementation of CPD/A’s 2020 voting and electoral strategy, the Voter Guardian and Engagement Program. She came to CPD from the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where she spent two years as a Senior National Coordinator in the Voting Rights Project, managing and overseeing Election Protection programs in seven states. In addition to leading and facilitating poll monitor training around the country, Ría also cultivated the project’s relationships with affinity bar associations, was responsible for law student engagement, and worked with technology and communication partners to develop marketing strategies for Election Day. Prior to joining the Lawyers Committee, Ría was a litigation paralegal at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund where her docket included de-segregation, capital punishment, and civic participation cases.
Living in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, Ría is an active member of the National Lawyers Guild D.C. Mass Defense chapter. She regularly trains Legal Observers to observe the actions of police at protests, and provides coaching for first amendment demonstrators and protestors to “know their rights” in the streets. When she’s not training folks to resist state oppression, Ría is an enthusiastic advocate for the abolition of police, prisons, and the carceral state. After attending San Antonio College and the University of Texas in San Antonio, Ría graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a BA in Political Science.
Ría (she/her/ella) is the Senior Manager og CPD/A’s Voting Rights and Democracy program and she works with affiliates to create their voting and election strategies to protect the vote at the polls. Additionally, Ría is managing the creation and implementation of CPD/A’s 2020 voting and electoral strategy, the Voter Guardian and Engagement Program. She came to CPD from the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where she spent two years as a Senior National Coordinator in the Voting Rights Project, managing and overseeing Election Protection programs in seven states. In addition to leading and facilitating poll monitor training around the country, Ría also cultivated the project’s relationships with affinity bar associations, was responsible for law student engagement, and worked with technology and communication partners to develop marketing strategies for Election Day. Prior to joining the Lawyers Committee, Ría was a litigation paralegal at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund where her docket included de-segregation, capital punishment, and civic participation cases.
Living in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, Ría is an active member of the National Lawyers Guild D.C. Mass Defense chapter. She regularly trains Legal Observers to observe the actions of police at protests, and provides coaching for first amendment demonstrators and protestors to “know their rights” in the streets. When she’s not training folks to resist state oppression, Ría is an enthusiastic advocate for the abolition of police, prisons, and the carceral state. After attending San Antonio College and the University of Texas in San Antonio, Ría graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a BA in Political Science.
Kimihel works within the Development Department to support CPD’s grant management, compliance functions, and coordinate CPD’s sub-granting program that drives significant resources to our partners in the field. He also works on fundraising research and reporting.
Prior to CPD, Kimihel worked for 10 years in program management and administration with various non-profits in Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC and New York, NY, including work in Saudi Arabia with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
An Eritrean immigrant, Kimihel holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia and an MPA from Clark-Atlanta University.
Kimihel works within the Development Department to support CPD’s grant management, compliance functions, and coordinate CPD’s sub-granting program that drives significant resources to our partners in the field. He also works on fundraising research and reporting.
Prior to CPD, Kimihel worked for 10 years in program management and administration with various non-profits in Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC and New York, NY, including work in Saudi Arabia with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
An Eritrean immigrant, Kimihel holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia and an MPA from Clark-Atlanta University.
Ayika is the Digital Organizer on the Education and Justice Transformation team. They focus on digital communication and organizing to increase the base of affiliates and CPD’s shared and independent base. In doing so, they generate creative and strategic ways to turn online outreach into offline action. Previously, Ayika worked at Rights4Girls as the Communication Manager working on the sexual-abuse-to-prison pipeline. Ayika is also a writer whose work applies a critical lens of race, class, and gender through pop culture analysis. Their writing has been featured in Media Diversified, The Black Youth Project, KingofReads, and She Prevailed. In 2017, Ayika founded The Femme Oasis, an online magazine geared towards women and femmes. Ayika is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where they received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.
Ayika is the Digital Organizer on the Education and Justice Transformation team. They focus on digital communication and organizing to increase the base of affiliates and CPD’s shared and independent base. In doing so, they generate creative and strategic ways to turn online outreach into offline action. Previously, Ayika worked at Rights4Girls as the Communication Manager working on the sexual-abuse-to-prison pipeline. Ayika is also a writer whose work applies a critical lens of race, class, and gender through pop culture analysis. Their writing has been featured in Media Diversified, The Black Youth Project, KingofReads, and She Prevailed. In 2017, Ayika founded The Femme Oasis, an online magazine geared towards women and femmes. Ayika is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where they received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.
Stephanie Yazgi is the Director of Training and Network Development for the Center for Popular Democracy. In her role, she supervises CPD’s growing team of capacity building and training staff in building out a program that deeply engages our partners in exploring and implementing innovations in our field.
Stephanie is an experienced organizer, political strategist, and coalition-builder. With a track record of winning issue and electoral campaigns, she has nearly 20 years of experience in the progressive movement. She most recently served as a Senior Advisor at the NYC Mayor's Office, where she coordinated mayors across the country to share best practices in municipal policy and programs, and engaged them in national advocacy on policy and budget fights.
She has worked as a consultant in the private and not-for-profit sectors on a variety of large-scale public engagement and issue campaigns. She acted as the Field Director on the UPKNYC campaign to obtain state funding for Universal Pre-K for all 4-year-olds in New York City. Prior to that, she led the NYC Making Change at Walmart campaign in NYC for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, managing a coalition that successfully defeated the corporation’s efforts to enter NYC.
Almost half of Stephanie’s tenure in the field has been spent in electoral campaigns. Her electoral work was central in helping to tip the balance of power for Democrats in the New York State Senate for the first time in 43 years.
Throughout her career, she has authored and facilitated numerous trainings on community, political and electoral organizing, and is currently an adjunct professor in at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Stephanie earned her B.A. from Boston University where she majored in Sociology. She then obtained her Masters of Science in Social Work with a minor in Law from Columbia University School of Social Work.
Stephanie Yazgi is the Director of Training and Network Development for the Center for Popular Democracy. In her role, she supervises CPD’s growing team of capacity building and training staff in building out a program that deeply engages our partners in exploring and implementing innovations in our field.
Stephanie is an experienced organizer, political strategist, and coalition-builder. With a track record of winning issue and electoral campaigns, she has nearly 20 years of experience in the progressive movement. She most recently served as a Senior Advisor at the NYC Mayor's Office, where she coordinated mayors across the country to share best practices in municipal policy and programs, and engaged them in national advocacy on policy and budget fights.
She has worked as a consultant in the private and not-for-profit sectors on a variety of large-scale public engagement and issue campaigns. She acted as the Field Director on the UPKNYC campaign to obtain state funding for Universal Pre-K for all 4-year-olds in New York City. Prior to that, she led the NYC Making Change at Walmart campaign in NYC for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, managing a coalition that successfully defeated the corporation’s efforts to enter NYC.
Almost half of Stephanie’s tenure in the field has been spent in electoral campaigns. Her electoral work was central in helping to tip the balance of power for Democrats in the New York State Senate for the first time in 43 years.
Throughout her career, she has authored and facilitated numerous trainings on community, political and electoral organizing, and is currently an adjunct professor in at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Stephanie earned her B.A. from Boston University where she majored in Sociology. She then obtained her Masters of Science in Social Work with a minor in Law from Columbia University School of Social Work.
Lindsay is the Editor of The Forge: Organizing Strategy and Practice. Before joining CPD, Lindsay spent five years as an organizer for UNITE HERE Local 33 (formerly GESO), the union of graduate teachers and researchers at Yale. Through the New Haven unions, Lindsay also got involved in local political organizing, including managing a city council campaign. Lindsay is a PhD candidate at Yale University, where she has done research on the history of social movements, biomedicine, and gender and sexuality. She holds a BA in History and Gender & Sexuality Studies from New York University.
Lindsay is the Editor of The Forge: Organizing Strategy and Practice. Before joining CPD, Lindsay spent five years as an organizer for UNITE HERE Local 33 (formerly GESO), the union of graduate teachers and researchers at Yale. Through the New Haven unions, Lindsay also got involved in local political organizing, including managing a city council campaign. Lindsay is a PhD candidate at Yale University, where she has done research on the history of social movements, biomedicine, and gender and sexuality. She holds a BA in History and Gender & Sexuality Studies from New York University.
Danette Zaghari-Mask joined Popular Democracy in January 2021 as its lead counsel and Director of Legal Compliance advising the organization on a wide range of legal, operational and compliance issues. She has more than 17 years of experience advising nonprofit organizations and specializes in corporate governance and fiduciary duties, joint ventures, lobbying, and the rules particular to non-profit charities. She is also skilled in privacy program management, setting legal strategy, contract management and negotiation.
Throughout her legal career in nonprofit advocacy, she helped organizations understand and address compliance in highly scrutinized sectors. She has devoted her career to supporting mostly grassroots organizations advance social justice and civil rights. After starting her legal career advising judges of Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, she worked for an organization that she previously served as a board member, the the Council on American Islamic Relations, Florida Chapter (CAIR-FL) As an Executive Director and Civil Rights Attorney, she represented clients in a number of employment discrimination cases and worked broadly on building power for black and brown communities on issues of political marginalization, policing and mass surveillance.
In that time, she developed a special interest in the regulatory aspect of nonprofit advocacy through her management role; and recognized that legal compliance systems underlie the long-term growth and strategic success of high social impact charities. Eventually, Danette went on to serve the National office of CAIR as its first ever Compliance Attorney, helping its affiliates nationwide operationalize best legal practices to protect corporate assets and carve out a broader culture of compliance. She brings tenacity and experience working within teams to build sustainable enterprise risk management systems that protect Popular Democracy and ensure that future generations may continue to build on its success.
Danette Zaghari-Mask joined Popular Democracy in January 2021 as its lead counsel and Director of Legal Compliance advising the organization on a wide range of legal, operational and compliance issues. She has more than 17 years of experience advising nonprofit organizations and specializes in corporate governance and fiduciary duties, joint ventures, lobbying, and the rules particular to non-profit charities. She is also skilled in privacy program management, setting legal strategy, contract management and negotiation.
Throughout her legal career in nonprofit advocacy, she helped organizations understand and address compliance in highly scrutinized sectors. She has devoted her career to supporting mostly grassroots organizations advance social justice and civil rights. After starting her legal career advising judges of Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, she worked for an organization that she previously served as a board member, the the Council on American Islamic Relations, Florida Chapter (CAIR-FL) As an Executive Director and Civil Rights Attorney, she represented clients in a number of employment discrimination cases and worked broadly on building power for black and brown communities on issues of political marginalization, policing and mass surveillance.
In that time, she developed a special interest in the regulatory aspect of nonprofit advocacy through her management role; and recognized that legal compliance systems underlie the long-term growth and strategic success of high social impact charities. Eventually, Danette went on to serve the National office of CAIR as its first ever Compliance Attorney, helping its affiliates nationwide operationalize best legal practices to protect corporate assets and carve out a broader culture of compliance. She brings tenacity and experience working within teams to build sustainable enterprise risk management systems that protect Popular Democracy and ensure that future generations may continue to build on its success.
