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.
Jamila is a strategic, impact-focused leader that thrives at the intersections of strategy and implementation, global and local, blue-sky thinking and planning for the here and now, between caring for the organization and for the individual people in it. Jamila brings with her 10 years of experience in non-profit management and leadership, strategic advocacy, policy analysis, and supporting grassroots leaders, organizations and movements. For the past five years, she has served as the co-leader and Managing Director of Health GAP—a global health justice advocacy organization.
During her time at Health GAP, she has doubled the size of their team, expanded its’ activist alliances to nine countries across Eastern and Southern Africa and Haiti, led successful efforts to fight back hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed foreign assistance cuts to critical HIV and health programs in Africa and the Caribbean by the Trump administration, faced off with pharmaceutical corporations over the problem of drug pricing here in the United States and around the world, and overhauled the organization’s human resources, administrative, finance, and grants management systems, so that staff could spend more of their time focused on the mission—fighting for access to quality treatment for all people living with HIV no matter where they live.
Jamila has also previously worked as a Program Officer at Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Program, where she led work on innovative financing, tax justice, and citizen-led approaches to accountability and transparency in the health sector. She is a 2017 Aspen New Voices Fellow and the recipient of the 2006 Vermont State Madeline Kunin Public Service Award for her commitment to social justice. Jamila holds a doctorate in Public Health and a Masters in Global Health from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Originally from the island of Barbados, over the past 16 years Jamila has lived and/or worked in the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, and South-East Asia and the United States.
Jamila is a strategic, impact-focused leader that thrives at the intersections of strategy and implementation, global and local, blue-sky thinking and planning for the here and now, between caring for the organization and for the individual people in it. Jamila brings with her 10 years of experience in non-profit management and leadership, strategic advocacy, policy analysis, and supporting grassroots leaders, organizations and movements. For the past five years, she has served as the co-leader and Managing Director of Health GAP—a global health justice advocacy organization.
During her time at Health GAP, she has doubled the size of their team, expanded its’ activist alliances to nine countries across Eastern and Southern Africa and Haiti, led successful efforts to fight back hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed foreign assistance cuts to critical HIV and health programs in Africa and the Caribbean by the Trump administration, faced off with pharmaceutical corporations over the problem of drug pricing here in the United States and around the world, and overhauled the organization’s human resources, administrative, finance, and grants management systems, so that staff could spend more of their time focused on the mission—fighting for access to quality treatment for all people living with HIV no matter where they live.
Jamila has also previously worked as a Program Officer at Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Program, where she led work on innovative financing, tax justice, and citizen-led approaches to accountability and transparency in the health sector. She is a 2017 Aspen New Voices Fellow and the recipient of the 2006 Vermont State Madeline Kunin Public Service Award for her commitment to social justice. Jamila holds a doctorate in Public Health and a Masters in Global Health from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Originally from the island of Barbados, over the past 16 years Jamila has lived and/or worked in the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, and South-East Asia and the United States.
Sarah is Executive Director of Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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 supports elected officials to share best practices, improving the quality of progressive policy at the local level, and helps coordinate work across cities for impact at the state and national level.
Prior to joining CPD, Sarah served as the Managing Director at the Working Families Organization where she helped develop a senior management team to guide organizational strategy and as the Elections Director for the New York Working Families Party where she helped recruit, train and elect progressive elected officials at all levels of government and contributed to doubling the size of the Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council. Sarah got her start as a political organizer for SEIU 32BJ where she managed member-to-member political programs and supported the union's equitable development advocacy work including the passage of the a prevailing wage bill for New York City building service workers.
Sarah is a graduate of Williams College and Pratt Institute, where she received a Masters in Urban Planning.
Sarah is Executive Director of Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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 supports elected officials to share best practices, improving the quality of progressive policy at the local level, and helps coordinate work across cities for impact at the state and national level.
Prior to joining CPD, Sarah served as the Managing Director at the Working Families Organization where she helped develop a senior management team to guide organizational strategy and as the Elections Director for the New York Working Families Party where she helped recruit, train and elect progressive elected officials at all levels of government and contributed to doubling the size of the Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council. Sarah got her start as a political organizer for SEIU 32BJ where she managed member-to-member political programs and supported the union's equitable development advocacy work including the passage of the a prevailing wage bill for New York City building service workers.
Sarah is a graduate of Williams College and Pratt Institute, where she received a Masters in Urban Planning.
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.
Brian leads CPD’s Economic Justice Campaigns including Fair Work Week, Fed Up, Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Days, Childcare, and Wall Street Accountability. Additionally, Brian oversees CPD’s voter engagement portfolio, as well as CPD’s new States Initiative and the Federal Advocacy and Campaigns operation.
Brian served as Executive Director of Leadership Center for the Common Good prior to its merger with CPD in late 2013. During his tenure, Brian and his team built an organization that worked with partner organizations in 18 states and 45 cities nationally, and drove a wide array of economic and racial justice campaigns. During his 23-year organizing career, Brian has run or worked on dozens of organizing drives and issue campaigns, ranging from the campaign to stop racist predatory lending in California (1999-2002) to a minimum wage ballot initiative victory in Florida (2004), and more.
Brian’s first work in organizing came through the Midwest Academy training program in Chicago, IL. Later, Brian worked for the Rogers Park Community Action Network and the REACH project, both in Chicago. From 1995-2009, Brian worked for ACORN, initially in Chicago, and later in Oakland, Sacramento, Florida, the southern US, and in Washington, DC. Brian received a BA in African and European Intellectual History from Carleton College.
Brian leads CPD’s Economic Justice Campaigns including Fair Work Week, Fed Up, Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Days, Childcare, and Wall Street Accountability. Additionally, Brian oversees CPD’s voter engagement portfolio, as well as CPD’s new States Initiative and the Federal Advocacy and Campaigns operation.
Brian served as Executive Director of Leadership Center for the Common Good prior to its merger with CPD in late 2013. During his tenure, Brian and his team built an organization that worked with partner organizations in 18 states and 45 cities nationally, and drove a wide array of economic and racial justice campaigns. During his 23-year organizing career, Brian has run or worked on dozens of organizing drives and issue campaigns, ranging from the campaign to stop racist predatory lending in California (1999-2002) to a minimum wage ballot initiative victory in Florida (2004), and more.
Brian’s first work in organizing came through the Midwest Academy training program in Chicago, IL. Later, Brian worked for the Rogers Park Community Action Network and the REACH project, both in Chicago. From 1995-2009, Brian worked for ACORN, initially in Chicago, and later in Oakland, Sacramento, Florida, the southern US, and in Washington, DC. Brian received a BA in African and European Intellectual History from Carleton College.
Lilah Pomerance is joining CPD as the Chief of Campaigns and Advocacy. Lilah comes to us from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where she most recently served as the Interim National Political Director. Previously, she was the Deputy Director for Government Relations and launched SEIU's state planning program, a national initiative called 2020. While at SEIU, she helped design and implement new initiatives connecting national strategies to build power with local unions and partners.
Previously, Lilah worked for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and in the field on two presidential campaigns (2000 and 2004). She also spent four years working abroad in the non-profit sector in Israel and Nicaragua. She earned her BA from Barnard College and completed her MBA at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Lilah serves as the Board Chair for Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund. She was born and raised in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, where she currently lives with her husband Dan Gordon and her three children Noa, Eyal and Asher.
Lilah Pomerance is joining CPD as the Chief of Campaigns and Advocacy. Lilah comes to us from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where she most recently served as the Interim National Political Director. Previously, she was the Deputy Director for Government Relations and launched SEIU's state planning program, a national initiative called 2020. While at SEIU, she helped design and implement new initiatives connecting national strategies to build power with local unions and partners.
Previously, Lilah worked for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and in the field on two presidential campaigns (2000 and 2004). She also spent four years working abroad in the non-profit sector in Israel and Nicaragua. She earned her BA from Barnard College and completed her MBA at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Lilah serves as the Board Chair for Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund. She was born and raised in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, where she currently lives with her husband Dan Gordon and her three children Noa, Eyal and Asher.
As Chief of Civic Engagement, Natalia supports the political, electoral and policy work of CPD/A's national network of affiliate organizations. She comes to CPD after 3 years as the Director of Advocacy for New York State Attorney General's office where she interfaced with local community groups and advocacy organizations around a wide range of policy issues and their impact on vulnerable communities. She also led the office’s work around the Special Investigations and Prosecution Unit also known as SIP, a unit dedicated to the investigation of cases where an unarmed civilian was killed by a police officer. By acting as a liaison for families of victims as well as key advocates, she worked to increase transparency and accountability within the AG's office. Before her time in government, she worked for SEIU Local 32BJ as the New York State Deputy Political Director and prior to that role, as the Pennsylvania Political Director. At the union, she developed a robust regional and local policy platform as well as managed the union's electoral program on a local, state and federal level. She began her political career in her hometown of Philadelphia as the campaign manager for the first Latina to run and win a seat on local city council.
As Chief of Civic Engagement, Natalia supports the political, electoral and policy work of CPD/A's national network of affiliate organizations. She comes to CPD after 3 years as the Director of Advocacy for New York State Attorney General's office where she interfaced with local community groups and advocacy organizations around a wide range of policy issues and their impact on vulnerable communities. She also led the office’s work around the Special Investigations and Prosecution Unit also known as SIP, a unit dedicated to the investigation of cases where an unarmed civilian was killed by a police officer. By acting as a liaison for families of victims as well as key advocates, she worked to increase transparency and accountability within the AG's office. Before her time in government, she worked for SEIU Local 32BJ as the New York State Deputy Political Director and prior to that role, as the Pennsylvania Political Director. At the union, she developed a robust regional and local policy platform as well as managed the union's electoral program on a local, state and federal level. She began her political career in her hometown of Philadelphia as the campaign manager for the first Latina to run and win a seat on local city council.
Staff
As Executive Assistant, Carolina is the logistic and administrative lead for Brian Kettenring. Her past professional experience includes management at a startup, media archival work, and Spanish translation. 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 family.
As Executive Assistant, Carolina is the logistic and administrative lead for Brian Kettenring. Her past professional experience includes management at a startup, media archival work, and Spanish translation. 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 family.
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).
Jayleen Alvarado is joining the CPD staff as our Base Building Affiliate Associate under our Organizing and Capacity Building team. Jayleen brings experience working on several campaigns across the state of Pennsylvania under the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Jayleen worked as an intern for United States Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and conducted research for bipartisan think tank The Century Foundation. Passionate about uncovering a solution for the student loan crises and higher education, she also worked for scholarship based non-profit, The Posse Foundation. Wanting to learn more about the international economy and politics, she studied abroad in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Jayleen holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Jayleen Alvarado is joining the CPD staff as our Base Building Affiliate Associate under our Organizing and Capacity Building team. Jayleen brings experience working on several campaigns across the state of Pennsylvania under the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Jayleen worked as an intern for United States Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and conducted research for bipartisan think tank The Century Foundation. Passionate about uncovering a solution for the student loan crises and higher education, she also worked for scholarship based non-profit, The Posse Foundation. Wanting to learn more about the international economy and politics, she studied abroad in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Jayleen holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
As director of the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASC) department at CPD, Lee oversees a talented team of digital and media relations communicators focused on developing messaging strategies and executing communications tactics that deliver results.
Lee began his work in progressive digital organizing work in 2010 working on local civic campaigns in Washington DC. From there he went on to work in electoral politics and advocacy at organization’s such as CREDO Super PAC, the ONE campaign, and the AFL-CIO. Lee is also an adjunct digital trainer with Re:Purpose (formerly known as Wellstone), and has trained on digital strategies at the Midwest Academy, America Votes, Netroots Nation Conferences, labor unions, and a host of local and community based progressive organizations.
A DC transplant by way of Brooklyn, NY, Lee attended the University of Maryland ultimately deciding to stay in the DC region, partly to be close to the seat of our government. Lee is also an accomplished professional vocalist and music producer. He is completely addicted to TV shows about hoarders.
As director of the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASC) department at CPD, Lee oversees a talented team of digital and media relations communicators focused on developing messaging strategies and executing communications tactics that deliver results.
Lee began his work in progressive digital organizing work in 2010 working on local civic campaigns in Washington DC. From there he went on to work in electoral politics and advocacy at organization’s such as CREDO Super PAC, the ONE campaign, and the AFL-CIO. Lee is also an adjunct digital trainer with Re:Purpose (formerly known as Wellstone), and has trained on digital strategies at the Midwest Academy, America Votes, Netroots Nation Conferences, labor unions, and a host of local and community based progressive organizations.
A DC transplant by way of Brooklyn, NY, Lee attended the University of Maryland ultimately deciding to stay in the DC region, partly to be close to the seat of our government. Lee is also an accomplished professional vocalist and music producer. He is completely addicted to TV shows about hoarders.
Brian Angel is an NYC native and one of the Member Recruitment Manager 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 Member Recruitment Manager 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 Bombaes joins CPD as Payroll and Benefits Manager. Isabel will provide support and assistance in coordinating various events with CPD and our partner organizations, managing organization-wide payments and contracts, and supporting our Senior Leadership Team. Here she will work with a range of individuals within and outside of the organization to coordinate projects and initiatives. Prior to joining CPD, Isabel worked in the hospitality industry at JFK airport for over a decade assisting in various units and was active in numerous events and its on-site production. There she helped in managing inventory by creating a system to accurately track, log, and organize supplies in an effective and cost-saving manner. In 2016, Isabel received the inspire Award, a recognition for her productivity, performance, and morale.
Isabel Bombaes joins CPD as Payroll and Benefits Manager. Isabel will provide support and assistance in coordinating various events with CPD and our partner organizations, managing organization-wide payments and contracts, and supporting our Senior Leadership Team. Here she will work with a range of individuals within and outside of the organization to coordinate projects and initiatives. Prior to joining CPD, Isabel worked in the hospitality industry at JFK airport for over a decade assisting in various units and was active in numerous events and its on-site production. There she helped in managing inventory by creating a system to accurately track, log, and organize supplies in an effective and cost-saving manner. In 2016, Isabel received the inspire Award, a recognition for her productivity, performance, and morale.
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.
Sheena works closely with CPD partners to develop their fundraising capacity in order to strengthen organizational sustainability and build resilience. Sheena brings a lot of energy and over 20 years of professional fundraising experience to fuel and inform her strategies in this work.
Prior to joining the CPD community, Sheena served as the Development Director for Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, where she worked closely with the Executive Director to lead their fundraising efforts, which resulted in more than doubling their budget in two years. Sheena also held senior development roles at the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and Third Wave Foundation.
In 2003, frustrated by an overwhelming lack of access to relevant fundraising trainings, Sheena launched a consulting practice to support community-based organizations that were led by people of color in New York City. For over 10 years, Sheena worked closely with groups who had struggled to gain traction in an intimidating and often inaccessible philanthropic environment. Her deep respect for and belief in the power of brilliant organizing grounds her in her pursuit to bring critical resources to the work happening on the front lines of justice.
Sheena hails from New England – a member of the Narragansett Tribe, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Red Sox Nation. However, for the past 17 years, she has called Brooklyn, NY home and headquarters.
Sheena works closely with CPD partners to develop their fundraising capacity in order to strengthen organizational sustainability and build resilience. Sheena brings a lot of energy and over 20 years of professional fundraising experience to fuel and inform her strategies in this work.
Prior to joining the CPD community, Sheena served as the Development Director for Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, where she worked closely with the Executive Director to lead their fundraising efforts, which resulted in more than doubling their budget in two years. Sheena also held senior development roles at the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and Third Wave Foundation.
In 2003, frustrated by an overwhelming lack of access to relevant fundraising trainings, Sheena launched a consulting practice to support community-based organizations that were led by people of color in New York City. For over 10 years, Sheena worked closely with groups who had struggled to gain traction in an intimidating and often inaccessible philanthropic environment. Her deep respect for and belief in the power of brilliant organizing grounds her in her pursuit to bring critical resources to the work happening on the front lines of justice.
Sheena hails from New England – a member of the Narragansett Tribe, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Red Sox Nation. However, for the past 17 years, she has called Brooklyn, NY home and headquarters.
Mathias works as a
National Field 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 Field 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.
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.
As a key member of CPD’s legal team, Hetal provides legal counsel and legal compliance oversight for CPD’s work. Hetal supervises CPD and CPDA’s grant-making and fiscal sponsorship to our field partners, ensuring that grants we make are compliant with IRS requirements while also serving to support our partner organizations. Hetal oversees contracts, employment law matters, and tax compliance. She also provides strategic guidance to new organizing endeavors: during the past seven years, Hetal has worked with founding organizers to help launch at least two dozen new community organizing endeavors.
Hetal helped launch CPD’s predecessor organization, Leadership Center for the Common Good, in 2010. Prior to that, she worked for a national nonprofit organization, handling lobbying matters, campaign finance law and employment law. Hetal has also worked in private practice, representing employers and individuals in immigration matters. Hetal worked for the international law firm, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, for 3 years. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Law. After law school she clerked on the Supreme Court for the state of Minnesota, with then Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz. Before law school Hetal worked as a community organizer with the National Organizers Alliance and a union organizer (short-term) with UNITE-HERE.
As a key member of CPD’s legal team, Hetal provides legal counsel and legal compliance oversight for CPD’s work. Hetal supervises CPD and CPDA’s grant-making and fiscal sponsorship to our field partners, ensuring that grants we make are compliant with IRS requirements while also serving to support our partner organizations. Hetal oversees contracts, employment law matters, and tax compliance. She also provides strategic guidance to new organizing endeavors: during the past seven years, Hetal has worked with founding organizers to help launch at least two dozen new community organizing endeavors.
Hetal helped launch CPD’s predecessor organization, Leadership Center for the Common Good, in 2010. Prior to that, she worked for a national nonprofit organization, handling lobbying matters, campaign finance law and employment law. Hetal has also worked in private practice, representing employers and individuals in immigration matters. Hetal worked for the international law firm, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, for 3 years. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Law. After law school she clerked on the Supreme Court for the state of Minnesota, with then Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz. Before law school Hetal worked as a community organizer with the National Organizers Alliance and a union organizer (short-term) with UNITE-HERE.
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.
Steve is a national organizer with CPD, and supports CPD’s organizing and capacity building, climate justice, and national fightback teams. His organizing and capacity building work focuses on providing strategic development and campaign building support to base-building organizations and organizing alliances throughout the country. With others at CPD, Steve founded CPD’s climate justice work and he continues to help direct local, regional, and national initiatives – driven by disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color – to address the climate crisis. Steve also supports CPD’s work to fightback against and advance a just society in the face of the current national right-wing agenda, coordinating the engagement and actions of organizing groups nationwide in this effort.
Steve’s organizing career started at ACORN in Washington, DC and he later directed ACORN’s offices in Dallas/Fort Worth. After ACORN, he served as outreach director for the Active Citizen Project, a national social justice effort, was Executive Director of the base-building organization Maryland Communities United, and helped to lead the development of the community organizing program of Our DC, a project of the Service Employees International Union. Prior to his current roles at CPD, Steve served as the Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region for CPD and for the Leadership Center for the Common Good, before its merger with CPD in late 2013.
Steve is a national organizer with CPD, and supports CPD’s organizing and capacity building, climate justice, and national fightback teams. His organizing and capacity building work focuses on providing strategic development and campaign building support to base-building organizations and organizing alliances throughout the country. With others at CPD, Steve founded CPD’s climate justice work and he continues to help direct local, regional, and national initiatives – driven by disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color – to address the climate crisis. Steve also supports CPD’s work to fightback against and advance a just society in the face of the current national right-wing agenda, coordinating the engagement and actions of organizing groups nationwide in this effort.
Steve’s organizing career started at ACORN in Washington, DC and he later directed ACORN’s offices in Dallas/Fort Worth. After ACORN, he served as outreach director for the Active Citizen Project, a national social justice effort, was Executive Director of the base-building organization Maryland Communities United, and helped to lead the development of the community organizing program of Our DC, a project of the Service Employees International Union. Prior to his current roles at CPD, Steve served as the Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region for CPD and for the Leadership Center for the Common Good, before its merger with CPD in late 2013.
Matt is a Justice Catalyst Fellow on CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program, working to expand voting rights and advance structural reforms that put people back in charge of our democracy. Matt’s focus is on developing and supporting policy reform efforts—in close coordination with Local Progress and CPD affiliates—in order to expand voting rights, limit money in politics, end gerrymandering, and strengthen grassroots democracy.
Before coming to CPD, Matt spent 5 years providing strategy and evaluation advice to non-profits, local governments, major philanthropies, and community coalitions as a Senior Consultant with FSG, a social-impact consultancy. During his time with FSG, Matt specialized in catalyzing “Collective Impact” initiatives, a coalition-building approach to solving complex and difficult social problems at scale. Some select Collective Impact projects Matt worked on include: halting the diabetes epidemic in the Rio Grande Valley, improving high school and postsecondary completion in Texas, reducing the burden of chronic disease in Minnesota, and helping the Bay Area adapt to climate change. Prior to FSG, Matt did a year of service with AmeriCorps. Most recently, in law school, Matt worked with the Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program and for the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Matt holds a B.S.F.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Public Interest Law Fellow and a recipient of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Prize.
Matt is a Justice Catalyst Fellow on CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program, working to expand voting rights and advance structural reforms that put people back in charge of our democracy. Matt’s focus is on developing and supporting policy reform efforts—in close coordination with Local Progress and CPD affiliates—in order to expand voting rights, limit money in politics, end gerrymandering, and strengthen grassroots democracy.
Before coming to CPD, Matt spent 5 years providing strategy and evaluation advice to non-profits, local governments, major philanthropies, and community coalitions as a Senior Consultant with FSG, a social-impact consultancy. During his time with FSG, Matt specialized in catalyzing “Collective Impact” initiatives, a coalition-building approach to solving complex and difficult social problems at scale. Some select Collective Impact projects Matt worked on include: halting the diabetes epidemic in the Rio Grande Valley, improving high school and postsecondary completion in Texas, reducing the burden of chronic disease in Minnesota, and helping the Bay Area adapt to climate change. Prior to FSG, Matt did a year of service with AmeriCorps. Most recently, in law school, Matt worked with the Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program and for the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Matt holds a B.S.F.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Public Interest Law Fellow and a recipient of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Prize.
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.
Tarsi manages membership and programming for Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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 supports elected officials to share best practices, improving the quality of progressive policy at the local level, and helps coordinate work across cities for impact at the state and national level. Tarsi provides membership support and manages member communication, develops programming, oversees policy development and leads the school board cohort organizing work.
Prior to joining CPD, Tarsi served as the program and operations manager for the Learning First Alliance, a national coalition of education associations committed to strengthening public schools for all children where she oversaw the organization's operations and supported program efforts to raise the visibility of members and education professionals. Tarsi got her start in the nonprofit progressive organizing world with the Roosevelt Institute, where she helped build the national campus network, and served on staff as Director of Operations and Communications for two years after graduating from the network. She remains actively involved in the network as an alumni, supporting students as they develop progressive policy ideas and build their campaigns. Tarsi holds a BA in Political Science from Middlebury College and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.
Tarsi manages membership and programming for Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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 supports elected officials to share best practices, improving the quality of progressive policy at the local level, and helps coordinate work across cities for impact at the state and national level. Tarsi provides membership support and manages member communication, develops programming, oversees policy development and leads the school board cohort organizing work.
Prior to joining CPD, Tarsi served as the program and operations manager for the Learning First Alliance, a national coalition of education associations committed to strengthening public schools for all children where she oversaw the organization's operations and supported program efforts to raise the visibility of members and education professionals. Tarsi got her start in the nonprofit progressive organizing world with the Roosevelt Institute, where she helped build the national campus network, and served on staff as Director of Operations and Communications for two years after graduating from the network. She remains actively involved in the network as an alumni, supporting students as they develop progressive policy ideas and build their campaigns. Tarsi holds a BA in Political Science from Middlebury College and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.
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.
Silvia is the Program Director for Local Progress, a network of elected officials from across the country who are dedicated to passing progressive legislation at the municipal level. She coordinates strategic multi-city campaigns on immigrant rights, civil rights, economic justice and
democracy and voting.
Silvia joined the Local Progress team after leading the AFL-CIO’s young worker program, NextUp. In that role, Silvia designed and implemented a strategic and measurable plan for NextUp, which engaged young workers on issues such as securing a stable future through good jobs, racial and gender justice, access to affordable and quality higher education. She also led several leadership institutes for young leaders, as well as trainings on common sense economics in Spanish and English.
Prior to the AFL-CIO, Silvia was senior staff on the OUR Walmart campaign at the United Food & Commercial Workers Union for eight years where she led an alliance of Walmart associates, union members and community partners in changing Walmart around solidarity actions, including Black Friday strikes. Two of her proudest accomplishments in that work included Walmart changing its pregnancy policy for women and winning 1.3 million working people a $2 raise in response to the campaign.
In addition to her community and labor organizing background, she has also done electoral work including western Illinois congressional races for Lane Evan and Phil Hare’s campaign, in addition to Barack Obama’s Illinois Senate race in 2004 and Presidential race in 2008. Most recently, Silvia also worked in Ohio to mobilize union members for Hillary Clinton.
Silvia graduated from Monmouth College in Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor in Spanish. She lives in Washington, DC where she takes advantage of the free museums, and tries diligently to keep her fish and plants alive with mixed success.
Silvia is the Program Director for Local Progress, a network of elected officials from across the country who are dedicated to passing progressive legislation at the municipal level. She coordinates strategic multi-city campaigns on immigrant rights, civil rights, economic justice and
democracy and voting.
Silvia joined the Local Progress team after leading the AFL-CIO’s young worker program, NextUp. In that role, Silvia designed and implemented a strategic and measurable plan for NextUp, which engaged young workers on issues such as securing a stable future through good jobs, racial and gender justice, access to affordable and quality higher education. She also led several leadership institutes for young leaders, as well as trainings on common sense economics in Spanish and English.
Prior to the AFL-CIO, Silvia was senior staff on the OUR Walmart campaign at the United Food & Commercial Workers Union for eight years where she led an alliance of Walmart associates, union members and community partners in changing Walmart around solidarity actions, including Black Friday strikes. Two of her proudest accomplishments in that work included Walmart changing its pregnancy policy for women and winning 1.3 million working people a $2 raise in response to the campaign.
In addition to her community and labor organizing background, she has also done electoral work including western Illinois congressional races for Lane Evan and Phil Hare’s campaign, in addition to Barack Obama’s Illinois Senate race in 2004 and Presidential race in 2008. Most recently, Silvia also worked in Ohio to mobilize union members for Hillary Clinton.
Silvia graduated from Monmouth College in Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor in Spanish. She lives in Washington, DC where she takes advantage of the free museums, and tries diligently to keep her fish and plants alive with mixed success.
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.
As a Census Communications and Digital Campaigner, Carolina Fung Feng ensures that all immigrant communities will be counted in the 2020 Census and provide support to CPD/A affiliates and local coalitions in developing and executing the Get Out the Count communications work.
Prior to joining CPD, Carolina had been working in adult education programs since 2013. She most recently worked at Brooklyn Public Library’s Adult Learning program, where she provided administrative support and helped adult learners earn their high school equivalency diploma. Before that, she was an ESOL instructor and program assistant before she transitioned into her role as an ESOL coordinator at Make the Road NY. She is also a copyeditor and translator for a small press.
Early in her career, Carolina became a grassroots organizer advocating for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Some of her activities include mobilizing organizations and students for actions and rallies; participating in the “Home is Here” campaign; and publicizing immigrant initiatives on various media, including CNN, Good Morning America, ABC News, and WNYC.
Carolina is Chinese Costa Rican, and came to this country when she was twelve years old. She speaks Spanish and Cantonese. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English/Spanish Translation & Interpretation from CUNY Hunter College.
As a Census Communications and Digital Campaigner, Carolina Fung Feng ensures that all immigrant communities will be counted in the 2020 Census and provide support to CPD/A affiliates and local coalitions in developing and executing the Get Out the Count communications work.
Prior to joining CPD, Carolina had been working in adult education programs since 2013. She most recently worked at Brooklyn Public Library’s Adult Learning program, where she provided administrative support and helped adult learners earn their high school equivalency diploma. Before that, she was an ESOL instructor and program assistant before she transitioned into her role as an ESOL coordinator at Make the Road NY. She is also a copyeditor and translator for a small press.
Early in her career, Carolina became a grassroots organizer advocating for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Some of her activities include mobilizing organizations and students for actions and rallies; participating in the “Home is Here” campaign; and publicizing immigrant initiatives on various media, including CNN, Good Morning America, ABC News, and WNYC.
Carolina is Chinese Costa Rican, and came to this country when she was twelve years old. She speaks Spanish and Cantonese. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English/Spanish Translation & Interpretation from CUNY Hunter College.
Adam leads efforts in CPD/A's Political Department to build independent political power in the cities and states where our partners organize. Adam supports partners to develop and implement sophisticated political plans to win elections while building long-term power for their bases. Adam also serves as liaison between CPD and the Working Families Party and other political allies and projects nationally.
Adam has 20 years of organization-building experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. He brings expertise in community organizing, developing organizational infrastructure, and civic engagement. Adam was initially trained in community organizing in Oakland and later became involved in the youth movement, co-founding C-Beyond in Concord, and later forming the Youth Empowerment Center, an umbrella organization for youth movement organizations. Adam was hired as Campaign Manager for the Just Cause Evictions campaign in Oakland in 2002, the organization's first staff position, and continued working with Just Cause (now Causa Justa :: Just Cause) for 13 years. In his time at CJJC, he helped to build up the organizing campaigns, electoral work and infrastructure, and also helped facilitate two mergers with allied organizations.
Adam holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
Adam leads efforts in CPD/A's Political Department to build independent political power in the cities and states where our partners organize. Adam supports partners to develop and implement sophisticated political plans to win elections while building long-term power for their bases. Adam also serves as liaison between CPD and the Working Families Party and other political allies and projects nationally.
Adam has 20 years of organization-building experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. He brings expertise in community organizing, developing organizational infrastructure, and civic engagement. Adam was initially trained in community organizing in Oakland and later became involved in the youth movement, co-founding C-Beyond in Concord, and later forming the Youth Empowerment Center, an umbrella organization for youth movement organizations. Adam was hired as Campaign Manager for the Just Cause Evictions campaign in Oakland in 2002, the organization's first staff position, and continued working with Just Cause (now Causa Justa :: Just Cause) for 13 years. In his time at CJJC, he helped to build up the organizing campaigns, electoral work and infrastructure, and also helped facilitate two mergers with allied organizations.
Adam holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
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 a social political analyst, an organizing strategist, and Puerto Rican Activist. He is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native who recently served as the Co-Executive Director at CPD affiliate Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), an organization that focuses on organizing community members to preserve and create vibrant communities in New York City. Jesus is one of the founding members of Make the Road New York where he began as a Youth Organizer, and later as Make the Road’s Political Director. Jesus continued his activism by helping to manage the political department at a labor union and has played a leading role in Citywide coalitions on Police Accountability, Youth Organizing and Housing Rights. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the New York State Assembly. His campaign was nationally recognized with endorsements that included the New York Times, El Diario la Prensa and the New York Daily News. Recently, Jesus has worked with CPD as a consultant to raise critical support for long term organizing efforts in the United States around the Puerto Rican humanitarian crisis, and is happy to formally join CPD as a National Organizer to increase our capacity on several national campaigns and to provide critical support to our partners across the country.
Jesus Gonzalez is a social political analyst, an organizing strategist, and Puerto Rican Activist. He is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native who recently served as the Co-Executive Director at CPD affiliate Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), an organization that focuses on organizing community members to preserve and create vibrant communities in New York City. Jesus is one of the founding members of Make the Road New York where he began as a Youth Organizer, and later as Make the Road’s Political Director. Jesus continued his activism by helping to manage the political department at a labor union and has played a leading role in Citywide coalitions on Police Accountability, Youth Organizing and Housing Rights. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the New York State Assembly. His campaign was nationally recognized with endorsements that included the New York Times, El Diario la Prensa and the New York Daily News. Recently, Jesus has worked with CPD as a consultant to raise critical support for long term organizing efforts in the United States around the Puerto Rican humanitarian crisis, and is happy to formally join CPD as a National Organizer to increase our capacity on several national campaigns and to provide critical support to our partners across the country.
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.
Emma directs CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program, working with state partners and national allies to protect and increase access to the ballot and strengthen the voice of the New American Majority in the electoral process. Emma manages strategy, policy development, legal and strategic research and issue campaigns to drive CPD’s work on voting rights and elections, money in politics, redistricting and other democracy reforms.
Emma has over 15 years of experience working on democracy and election law issues as an attorney, a policy expert and a political advocate. Before joining CPD, Emma practiced law as a public defender and as a civil litigator at Maslon LLP where she also served as pro bono counsel to the ACLU-Minnesota on voting rights litigation and the Minnesota Land Trust on conservation litigation. While in law school, Emma worked on appellate campaign finance litigation at the Brennan Center for Justice, interned at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and directed a national youth voting rights institute.
Emma also has extensive experience working with elected officials, candidates, labor unions and national non-profit organizations to run advocacy campaigns that advance economic security, voting rights, education and budget issues. She developed and managed SEIU Our Future Minnesota program to generate support for investing in Minnesota kids and communities. She worked to elect progressive candidates including serving as deputy campaign manager for Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial run, field director for Chris Coleman’s 2005 St. Paul mayoral run and cutting her teeth as a field organizer for Paul Wellstone’s 2002 Senate campaign. As a Wellstone Action trainer for over 10 years, Emma has trained thousands of candidates and activists and worked in collaboration with Justice at Stake to advance campaign finance and disclosure reforms in states with elected judiciaries. During the 2004 presidential election, Emma pioneered new ways to reach and persuade young voters as the director of 21st Century Democrats' Young Voter Project in Minnesota.
Emma received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law; a M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was awarded the Kennedy School Public Service Fellowship; and her bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from The George Washington University. She serves on the board of the American Constitution Society - Minneapolis-St. Paul Lawyer Chapter and as a member of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Emma directs CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program, working with state partners and national allies to protect and increase access to the ballot and strengthen the voice of the New American Majority in the electoral process. Emma manages strategy, policy development, legal and strategic research and issue campaigns to drive CPD’s work on voting rights and elections, money in politics, redistricting and other democracy reforms.
Emma has over 15 years of experience working on democracy and election law issues as an attorney, a policy expert and a political advocate. Before joining CPD, Emma practiced law as a public defender and as a civil litigator at Maslon LLP where she also served as pro bono counsel to the ACLU-Minnesota on voting rights litigation and the Minnesota Land Trust on conservation litigation. While in law school, Emma worked on appellate campaign finance litigation at the Brennan Center for Justice, interned at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and directed a national youth voting rights institute.
Emma also has extensive experience working with elected officials, candidates, labor unions and national non-profit organizations to run advocacy campaigns that advance economic security, voting rights, education and budget issues. She developed and managed SEIU Our Future Minnesota program to generate support for investing in Minnesota kids and communities. She worked to elect progressive candidates including serving as deputy campaign manager for Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial run, field director for Chris Coleman’s 2005 St. Paul mayoral run and cutting her teeth as a field organizer for Paul Wellstone’s 2002 Senate campaign. As a Wellstone Action trainer for over 10 years, Emma has trained thousands of candidates and activists and worked in collaboration with Justice at Stake to advance campaign finance and disclosure reforms in states with elected judiciaries. During the 2004 presidential election, Emma pioneered new ways to reach and persuade young voters as the director of 21st Century Democrats' Young Voter Project in Minnesota.
Emma received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law; a M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was awarded the Kennedy School Public Service Fellowship; and her bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from The George Washington University. She serves on the board of the American Constitution Society - Minneapolis-St. Paul Lawyer Chapter and as a member of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Gaby is responsible for managing CPD's foundation fundraising efforts by working closely with the Director of Development to support strategic fundraising to meet CPD's institutional goals and fund mission-critical work. She plays a key role coordinating high-quality proposals and reports with CPD fundraising staff, primarily to institutional donors. Gaby started her career at the Working Families Party over seven years ago, as an Organizer and Canvass Director where she ran successful field programs for a number of issue-based and electoral campaigns. Gaby spent the last four years at Working Families as a Development Associate, supporting national and local foundation and high donor programs. In 2017, she joined the Eric Gonzalez for Brooklyn DA campaign as Field Director, and helped lead the way to a landslide win in crowded primary race.
Gaby is responsible for managing CPD's foundation fundraising efforts by working closely with the Director of Development to support strategic fundraising to meet CPD's institutional goals and fund mission-critical work. She plays a key role coordinating high-quality proposals and reports with CPD fundraising staff, primarily to institutional donors. Gaby started her career at the Working Families Party over seven years ago, as an Organizer and Canvass Director where she ran successful field programs for a number of issue-based and electoral campaigns. Gaby spent the last four years at Working Families as a Development Associate, supporting national and local foundation and high donor programs. In 2017, she joined the Eric Gonzalez for Brooklyn DA campaign as Field Director, and helped lead the way to a landslide win in crowded primary race.
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.
After 10 years as a marketing professional in the Publishing industry, Tanya was ready for a new challenge and transitioned to Operations roles for FinTech startups. To put it mildly, Financial Services wasn’t the best cultural fit for this angry feminist, so she decided to pursue a position at a progressive organization whose values aligned with her own.
As an Operations Associate in CPD’s Brooklyn offices, Tanya will be a jack of all trades! This includes, but is not limited to: helping with event logistics, fostering a positive work culture, and developing policies that allow staff to work more efficiently.
Besides trying to ascertain the legality of New York State cancelling the Presidential primary, in her spare time, Tanya practices yoga, watches ALL the TV, owns a cat named after a Golden Girl (guess which one!) and is a proud member of her building’s Tenants Association.
Originally from the capital of New York State, Tanya holds a B.A. in English Literature from Union College.
After 10 years as a marketing professional in the Publishing industry, Tanya was ready for a new challenge and transitioned to Operations roles for FinTech startups. To put it mildly, Financial Services wasn’t the best cultural fit for this angry feminist, so she decided to pursue a position at a progressive organization whose values aligned with her own.
As an Operations Associate in CPD’s Brooklyn offices, Tanya will be a jack of all trades! This includes, but is not limited to: helping with event logistics, fostering a positive work culture, and developing policies that allow staff to work more efficiently.
Besides trying to ascertain the legality of New York State cancelling the Presidential primary, in her spare time, Tanya practices yoga, watches ALL the TV, owns a cat named after a Golden Girl (guess which one!) and is a proud member of her building’s Tenants Association.
Originally from the capital of New York State, Tanya holds a B.A. in English Literature from Union College.
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 Co-Director of Community Dignity campaigns. 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 Co-Director of Community Dignity campaigns. 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.
Ivan is the Organizing Director for Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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. He will be working closely with our state and regional coordinators to help build our organizing, membership and chapter models. In addition, he will be working to advance new state and regional organizing projects with CPD partners and allies.
Prior to joining CPD, Ivan served as Director of the Community Engagement Division of the New York City Council. In his 4 years at the Council, Ivan directly worked in the development of IDNYC, which give all New Yorkers access to a municipal ID card, expansion of the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, creation of the Unaccompanied Minors Initiative and expanding New York City Council’s Participatory Budgeting Process to all five boroughs.
Prior to the New York City Council, Ivan worked at Make the Road New York as their LGBTQ Justice Organizer, working at the intersections of immigrant and LGBTQ Rights. In between, he's run and worked on electoral campaigns at the Working Families Party, including managing Carlos Menchaca's City Council race in 2013, which successfully unseated a multi-term incumbent.
Ivan graduated from Loyola Marymount University with B.A. in Political Science and Spanish, and from New York University with M.A. in Politics.
Ivan is the Organizing Director for Local Progress, the network of hundreds of progressive local 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. He will be working closely with our state and regional coordinators to help build our organizing, membership and chapter models. In addition, he will be working to advance new state and regional organizing projects with CPD partners and allies.
Prior to joining CPD, Ivan served as Director of the Community Engagement Division of the New York City Council. In his 4 years at the Council, Ivan directly worked in the development of IDNYC, which give all New Yorkers access to a municipal ID card, expansion of the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, creation of the Unaccompanied Minors Initiative and expanding New York City Council’s Participatory Budgeting Process to all five boroughs.
Prior to the New York City Council, Ivan worked at Make the Road New York as their LGBTQ Justice Organizer, working at the intersections of immigrant and LGBTQ Rights. In between, he's run and worked on electoral campaigns at the Working Families Party, including managing Carlos Menchaca's City Council race in 2013, which successfully unseated a multi-term incumbent.
Ivan graduated from Loyola Marymount University with B.A. in Political Science and Spanish, and from New York University with M.A. in Politics.
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 Andrew Friedman. 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 Andrew Friedman. 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.
Inarú supports the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications team’s media relations work across various social and economic issues on a local and national level. Prior to joining the Center for Popular Democracy, she worked at Megaphone Strategies, a progressive communications firm based in Washington, D.C., to uplift the voices of marginalized communities through storytelling and strategic communications. She led spanish-language media outreach and centered on intersectional issues ranging from environmental justice, gender rights, LGBTQ rights, paid family leave, indigenous rights, and racial justice, among others.
Hailing from the resilient Puerto Rican community of Springfield, Massachusetts, Inarú continues to give back in supporting diaspora-driven nonprofits with communications strategy, including Friends of Puerto Rico and Proyecto 85.
Inarú graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, specializing in Political Science. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. where she spends her time petting other people’s dogs and supporting her local farmers markets.
Inarú supports the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications team’s media relations work across various social and economic issues on a local and national level. Prior to joining the Center for Popular Democracy, she worked at Megaphone Strategies, a progressive communications firm based in Washington, D.C., to uplift the voices of marginalized communities through storytelling and strategic communications. She led spanish-language media outreach and centered on intersectional issues ranging from environmental justice, gender rights, LGBTQ rights, paid family leave, indigenous rights, and racial justice, among others.
Hailing from the resilient Puerto Rican community of Springfield, Massachusetts, Inarú continues to give back in supporting diaspora-driven nonprofits with communications strategy, including Friends of Puerto Rico and Proyecto 85.
Inarú graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, specializing in Political Science. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. where she spends her time petting other people’s dogs and supporting her local farmers markets.
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.
Francesca Menes is the Deputy Organizing Director for Local Progress, a network of hundreds of progressive local 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. She works closely with partner organizations throughout the Sunshine State to bring progressive policy solutions to our local elected officials.
Prior to joining CPD, Francesca served as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and Political Director for FLIC Votes, where she led the development and implementation of strategic legislative, policy and voter engagement campaigns locally and statewide. She co-coordinated the Florida Wage Theft Task Force, which led the passage of ordinances in several counties throughout the state. She coordinated a national network campaigning for Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. In 2014, she successfully led the statewide campaign “We Are Florida’s Future” to pass in-state tuition for undocumented students and led the campaign to establish the Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade County, establishing a public-private partnership to promote naturalization.
Additionally, during the 2016 and 2017 legislative session, Francesca successfully coordinated the statewide campaign "We Are Florida's Families," which led to the defeat of 9 anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills which sought to criminalize immigrants and remove from office local elected officials who support and vote on policies to protect immigrants regardless of their status. In 2017, she also led the passage of several Welcoming Cities and School District resolutions.
She is a co-founder of the Black Immigration Network, serves on the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency Executive Board appointed by past-Chairman Jean Monestime and serves on several organizational boards, including the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy.
Francesca graduated from Florida International University, earning her BA in Political Science and Women's Studies and her Master's in Public Administration, with a certificate in Community Development. She was born and raised in Miami’s Little Haiti community.
Francesca Menes is the Deputy Organizing Director for Local Progress, a network of hundreds of progressive local 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. She works closely with partner organizations throughout the Sunshine State to bring progressive policy solutions to our local elected officials.
Prior to joining CPD, Francesca served as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and Political Director for FLIC Votes, where she led the development and implementation of strategic legislative, policy and voter engagement campaigns locally and statewide. She co-coordinated the Florida Wage Theft Task Force, which led the passage of ordinances in several counties throughout the state. She coordinated a national network campaigning for Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. In 2014, she successfully led the statewide campaign “We Are Florida’s Future” to pass in-state tuition for undocumented students and led the campaign to establish the Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade County, establishing a public-private partnership to promote naturalization.
Additionally, during the 2016 and 2017 legislative session, Francesca successfully coordinated the statewide campaign "We Are Florida's Families," which led to the defeat of 9 anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills which sought to criminalize immigrants and remove from office local elected officials who support and vote on policies to protect immigrants regardless of their status. In 2017, she also led the passage of several Welcoming Cities and School District resolutions.
She is a co-founder of the Black Immigration Network, serves on the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency Executive Board appointed by past-Chairman Jean Monestime and serves on several organizational boards, including the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy.
Francesca graduated from Florida International University, earning her BA in Political Science and Women's Studies and her Master's in Public Administration, with a certificate in Community Development. She was born and raised in Miami’s Little Haiti community.
Deandrea Newsome is the North Carolina State Coordinator. Deandrea is responsible for driving all of Local Progress's work in NC including: growing and strengthening our membership and leadership, creating and implementing an organizing strategy, identifying and implementing NC specific campaigns and supporting the work of NC members to participate in LP's broader work. She works closely with partner organizations throughout the Tarheel State to support and collaborate with our local elected officials.
Prior to joining CPD, she served as the Organizing Director of Advance Carolina, where she managed political and community campaigns in majority black counties across the state. She has worked in the North Carolina General Assembly and organized for the North Carolina Democratic Party and Common Cause. In the Durham community she spearheaded an initiative she co-founded called 2020 StartsNow and registered students on the campus of North Carolina Central University in 2018.
Deandrea graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Philosophy and will be receiving her Master’s of Public Policy from Duke University in May 2020.
Deandrea Newsome is the North Carolina State Coordinator. Deandrea is responsible for driving all of Local Progress's work in NC including: growing and strengthening our membership and leadership, creating and implementing an organizing strategy, identifying and implementing NC specific campaigns and supporting the work of NC members to participate in LP's broader work. She works closely with partner organizations throughout the Tarheel State to support and collaborate with our local elected officials.
Prior to joining CPD, she served as the Organizing Director of Advance Carolina, where she managed political and community campaigns in majority black counties across the state. She has worked in the North Carolina General Assembly and organized for the North Carolina Democratic Party and Common Cause. In the Durham community she spearheaded an initiative she co-founded called 2020 StartsNow and registered students on the campus of North Carolina Central University in 2018.
Deandrea graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Philosophy and will be receiving her Master’s of Public Policy from Duke University in May 2020.
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.
As the lead staffer for the CPD/A’s Strategic States Initiative Salewa provides tactical counsel and support to affiliates and national staff on civic engagement and electoral strategy, implementation, and integration.
She joined the team from PA affiliate One Pennsylvania where she served as political director; fundraising, designing, and implementing statewide civic engagement, electoral programming, and political education in addition to leading campaign victories including Philadelphia’s Fair Workweek campaign and a first and second grade suspension moratorium. Previously, Salewa spent time with Democratic consulting firm Field Strategies where she lead integrated field, mail, phone, and digital programs throughout the country.
As a graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools Salewa is deeply invested in building community that prioritizes people over profit and has a passion for building political power. With over a decade of experience as a civic engagement practitioner Salewa began her political journey in Philadelphia, the city she now calls home. She currently serves on the board for Pennsylvania Voice.
As the lead staffer for the CPD/A’s Strategic States Initiative Salewa provides tactical counsel and support to affiliates and national staff on civic engagement and electoral strategy, implementation, and integration.
She joined the team from PA affiliate One Pennsylvania where she served as political director; fundraising, designing, and implementing statewide civic engagement, electoral programming, and political education in addition to leading campaign victories including Philadelphia’s Fair Workweek campaign and a first and second grade suspension moratorium. Previously, Salewa spent time with Democratic consulting firm Field Strategies where she lead integrated field, mail, phone, and digital programs throughout the country.
As a graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools Salewa is deeply invested in building community that prioritizes people over profit and has a passion for building political power. With over a decade of experience as a civic engagement practitioner Salewa began her political journey in Philadelphia, the city she now calls home. She currently serves on the board for Pennsylvania Voice.
Serving as the Director of Digital Strategies, 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 Director of Digital Strategies, 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.
Alyssa Peterson is a Liman Fellow at the Center for Popular Democracy, where she supports CPD’s efforts to combat forced arbitration, promote stable and predictable schedules, and enforce workplace protections. Before joining CPD, Alyssa represented low-income veterans as a member of Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic and organized students against forced arbitration, sex-based harassment, and the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Alyssa also served as a policy and advocacy organizer for Know Your IX, a survivor-led organization that empowers students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools. She graduated from Yale Law School in 2019.
Alyssa Peterson is a Liman Fellow at the Center for Popular Democracy, where she supports CPD’s efforts to combat forced arbitration, promote stable and predictable schedules, and enforce workplace protections. Before joining CPD, Alyssa represented low-income veterans as a member of Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic and organized students against forced arbitration, sex-based harassment, and the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Alyssa also served as a policy and advocacy organizer for Know Your IX, a survivor-led organization that empowers students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools. She graduated from Yale Law School in 2019.
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.
Chad is the New York State Chapter Manager, the first state chapter in the Local Progress network. He works closely with partner organizations throughout New York State to bring progressive policy solutions to our local elected officials. For the past two years, Chad has worked closely with members and partners to take collective action.
Throughout his time with Local Progress, Chad has helped to lead Local Progress NY’s participation in coalitions that have protected renters, modernized election laws, and secured driver’s licenses for all New York residents. Chad also coordinates the sharing of best practices and legislation among chapter members, builds network programming, and organizes our annual New York state convening.
A former elected official himself, Chad worked as a high school teacher, as a member of numerous local, state, and federal electoral campaigns, and he has worked as an organizer within the progressive movement in New York State for over a decade.
Chad is the New York State Chapter Manager, the first state chapter in the Local Progress network. He works closely with partner organizations throughout New York State to bring progressive policy solutions to our local elected officials. For the past two years, Chad has worked closely with members and partners to take collective action.
Throughout his time with Local Progress, Chad has helped to lead Local Progress NY’s participation in coalitions that have protected renters, modernized election laws, and secured driver’s licenses for all New York residents. Chad also coordinates the sharing of best practices and legislation among chapter members, builds network programming, and organizes our annual New York state convening.
A former elected official himself, Chad worked as a high school teacher, as a member of numerous local, state, and federal electoral campaigns, and he has worked as an organizer within the progressive movement in New York State for over a decade.
Kumar Rao directs CPD's justice policy and campaign work, including supporting partner organizations and elected officials in the fight for racial equity and criminal justice transformation at the local, state, and federal levels. He presently also serves as a Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School, an appointee to the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service, and a Scholar with the Institute for Social Policy & Understanding, for whom he led a major study into the disparate legal and media treatment that suspects of ideological violence receive based on their perceived racial and religious identity, . A former litigator and public defender, he has represented thousands of clients in state and federal court, in both criminal and civil matters, and has counseled offices on the delivery of legal services and effective client representation practices. Kumar holds a J.D. cum laude from New York University School of Law and a B.B.A with honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. You can follow him on Twitter @KumarRaoNYC.
Kumar Rao directs CPD's justice policy and campaign work, including supporting partner organizations and elected officials in the fight for racial equity and criminal justice transformation at the local, state, and federal levels. He presently also serves as a Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School, an appointee to the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service, and a Scholar with the Institute for Social Policy & Understanding, for whom he led a major study into the disparate legal and media treatment that suspects of ideological violence receive based on their perceived racial and religious identity, . A former litigator and public defender, he has represented thousands of clients in state and federal court, in both criminal and civil matters, and has counseled offices on the delivery of legal services and effective client representation practices. Kumar holds a J.D. cum laude from New York University School of Law and a B.B.A with honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. You can follow him on Twitter @KumarRaoNYC.
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 joins CPD as an Operations Associate. Shannon will primarily provide support and operations oversight for CPD's DC office. Originally from Richmond, Virginia Shannon moved to Washington, DC in 2016 after graduating with BAs in History and Political Science from Salem College. Shannon most recently held a position at a non-profit think tank where she managed the operational needs of the office, provided support for projects, and coordinated all organizational events. Some of her favorite time is the time she spends facilitating meetings of the Next Chapter Book Club. A book club program designed for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose local chapter is run by RCM of Washington.
Shannon Salzman joins CPD as an Operations Associate. Shannon will primarily provide support and operations oversight for CPD's DC office. Originally from Richmond, Virginia Shannon moved to Washington, DC in 2016 after graduating with BAs in History and Political Science from Salem College. Shannon most recently held a position at a non-profit think tank where she managed the operational needs of the office, provided support for projects, and coordinated all organizational events. Some of her favorite time is the time she spends facilitating meetings of the Next Chapter Book Club. A book club program designed for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose local chapter is run by RCM of Washington.
Ari is the Program and Communications Manager for Local Progress, a network of elected officials from across the country who are dedicated to passing progressive legislation at the municipal level. He works to deepen the engagement and leadership of Local Progress members on issues related to immigrant rights, police reform, and housing, while leading Local Progress's work on economic justice and economic development. Ari also manages internal and external communications for the Local Progress network.
Before joining Local Progress, Ari was lead organizer at DC Jobs With Justice, where he steered a community-labor coalition and led strategic campaigns. In that role, Ari developed and coordinated the "DC Just Hours" campaign to win full-time work opportunities and stable schedules in service sector industries. In 2013, he co-coordinated the final coalition push that won both a raise to D.C.'s minimum wage and an expansion of paid sick leave. At DC Jobs With Justice, Ari also led efforts to pass D.C.'s strong oversight laws to combat wage theft and student loan fraud, as well as helped workers recover tens of thousands of dollars in stolen wages. Ari graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and lives in Washington, D.C.
Ari is the Program and Communications Manager for Local Progress, a network of elected officials from across the country who are dedicated to passing progressive legislation at the municipal level. He works to deepen the engagement and leadership of Local Progress members on issues related to immigrant rights, police reform, and housing, while leading Local Progress's work on economic justice and economic development. Ari also manages internal and external communications for the Local Progress network.
Before joining Local Progress, Ari was lead organizer at DC Jobs With Justice, where he steered a community-labor coalition and led strategic campaigns. In that role, Ari developed and coordinated the "DC Just Hours" campaign to win full-time work opportunities and stable schedules in service sector industries. In 2013, he co-coordinated the final coalition push that won both a raise to D.C.'s minimum wage and an expansion of paid sick leave. At DC Jobs With Justice, Ari also led efforts to pass D.C.'s strong oversight laws to combat wage theft and student loan fraud, as well as helped workers recover tens of thousands of dollars in stolen wages. Ari graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and lives in Washington, D.C.
Kara Sheehan serves as the Texas State Coordinator with responsibilities including growing and strengthening our members and leaders, cultivating relationships with organizational and labor partners, creating and implementing strategy across the state, and implementing Texas-specific campaigns. Kara supports Local Progress' overall work in Texas, helping to move our members and community partners to build out and implement our longterm vision.
Prior to joining the Local Progress team, Kara worked for the North Texas Jobs With Justice chapter, focusing on building community and labor coalitions and implementing campaigns that made broader demands in the workplace and in other areas, such as housing. Kara has years of experience in the Texas labor movement working for the Texas AFL-CIO and Workers Defense Project. She continues to help in building a cadre of young workers and union members across the state.
Kara grew up in Missouri and received her undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University. She has lived in Texas since 2013.
Kara Sheehan serves as the Texas State Coordinator with responsibilities including growing and strengthening our members and leaders, cultivating relationships with organizational and labor partners, creating and implementing strategy across the state, and implementing Texas-specific campaigns. Kara supports Local Progress' overall work in Texas, helping to move our members and community partners to build out and implement our longterm vision.
Prior to joining the Local Progress team, Kara worked for the North Texas Jobs With Justice chapter, focusing on building community and labor coalitions and implementing campaigns that made broader demands in the workplace and in other areas, such as housing. Kara has years of experience in the Texas labor movement working for the Texas AFL-CIO and Workers Defense Project. She continues to help in building a cadre of young workers and union members across the state.
Kara grew up in Missouri and received her undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University. She has lived in Texas since 2013.
Kathleen serves as the 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 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 Systems and Administration, 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 Systems and Administration, 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.
She came to CPD from the global health sector, where she supported advocacy for universal HIV treatment access. Trisa holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of Southern California and currently resides in New York City.
She came to CPD from the global health sector, where she supported advocacy for universal HIV treatment access. Trisa holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of Southern California and currently resides in New York City.
Kate focuses on CPDs work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly for students of color and those with mental health needs in New York City public schools. She partners with youth directed community organizations to reform harsh policing and discipline policies and represents students in long term suspension hearings. Kate joins CPD as a Staff Attorney, Education Justice Campaigns.
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 is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Boston College.
Kate focuses on CPDs work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly for students of color and those with mental health needs in New York City public schools. She partners with youth directed community organizations to reform harsh policing and discipline policies and represents students in long term suspension hearings. Kate joins CPD as a Staff Attorney, Education Justice Campaigns.
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 is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Boston College.
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.
Eli Vitulli conducts research to support a wide range of CPD campaigns. He comes to CPD as a 2-year Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow after spending the previous four years working as faculty in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies and American Studies departments at Grinnell College, Mount Holyoke College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and DePaul University. His academic research examines social justice movements and the impact of state institutions and violence--especially the US criminal legal system--on marginalized communities, with an emphasis on queer and trans people, disabled people, and people of color. He is also currently working on a book about the history of US prison and jail practices regarding the management of gender nonconforming and trans people from the early twentieth century to the present. Eli also has been involved in grassroots organizing and nonprofit work for the past 15 years. His work with the Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois (TJLP), the CeCe McDonald support committee, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and Not In Our Name included conducting research, developing communication materials for the community and media, organizing community and fundraising events, helping develop organizational infrastructure, and providing support for community-based campaigns. Eli earned a BA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a MA from New York University, and a Ph.D. in American Studies, with a minor in Feminist and Critical Sexuality Studies, from the University of Minnesota.
Eli Vitulli conducts research to support a wide range of CPD campaigns. He comes to CPD as a 2-year Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow after spending the previous four years working as faculty in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies and American Studies departments at Grinnell College, Mount Holyoke College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and DePaul University. His academic research examines social justice movements and the impact of state institutions and violence--especially the US criminal legal system--on marginalized communities, with an emphasis on queer and trans people, disabled people, and people of color. He is also currently working on a book about the history of US prison and jail practices regarding the management of gender nonconforming and trans people from the early twentieth century to the present. Eli also has been involved in grassroots organizing and nonprofit work for the past 15 years. His work with the Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois (TJLP), the CeCe McDonald support committee, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and Not In Our Name included conducting research, developing communication materials for the community and media, organizing community and fundraising events, helping develop organizational infrastructure, and providing support for community-based campaigns. Eli earned a BA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a MA from New York University, and a Ph.D. in American Studies, with a minor in Feminist and Critical Sexuality Studies, from the University of Minnesota.
Brandon serves as campaign manager for CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program's campaign, working to protect and increase access to the ballot and strengthen the political voice of historically disadvantaged communities in the electoral process. Brandon works with state partners and national allies to develop and drive state, local and national voting rights and democracy campaigns and policy reform on voting rights and elections, money in politics, redistricting, and other democracy issues.
Brandon has over 8 years of experience working with communities, organizations and local government to advance progressive policy reform and budget issues. He has worked with elected officials, non-profits and community groups to craft and pass progressive policy reform. Brandon comes to CPD most recently from the government budgeting world, and serving as a Senior Legislative Financial Analyst for the New York City Council, and the Office of Management and Budget in the New York City Mayor's Office.
Brandon has extensive experience working on election and democracy reform. He directed an election oversight program in Philadelphia, and has worked to make government more transparent and accountable to the public from inside and outside City Hall. Brandon has experience leading campaigns and building coalitions to engage and empower local residents to advance political reform and bring new people into the process.
A devoted resident of Brooklyn, Brandon volunteers with local political organizations and the National Lawyers Guild's Parole Preparation Project. Brandon holds a MPA from NYU Wagner School of Public Service, and a BA from Haverford College.
Brandon serves as campaign manager for CPD’s national Voting Rights and Democracy program's campaign, working to protect and increase access to the ballot and strengthen the political voice of historically disadvantaged communities in the electoral process. Brandon works with state partners and national allies to develop and drive state, local and national voting rights and democracy campaigns and policy reform on voting rights and elections, money in politics, redistricting, and other democracy issues.
Brandon has over 8 years of experience working with communities, organizations and local government to advance progressive policy reform and budget issues. He has worked with elected officials, non-profits and community groups to craft and pass progressive policy reform. Brandon comes to CPD most recently from the government budgeting world, and serving as a Senior Legislative Financial Analyst for the New York City Council, and the Office of Management and Budget in the New York City Mayor's Office.
Brandon has extensive experience working on election and democracy reform. He directed an election oversight program in Philadelphia, and has worked to make government more transparent and accountable to the public from inside and outside City Hall. Brandon has experience leading campaigns and building coalitions to engage and empower local residents to advance political reform and bring new people into the process.
A devoted resident of Brooklyn, Brandon volunteers with local political organizations and the National Lawyers Guild's Parole Preparation Project. Brandon holds a MPA from NYU Wagner School of Public Service, and a BA from Haverford College.
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.
