Valerie Barnhart
Deputy State Director
Georgia
Valerie Barnhart
Deputy State Director
Georgia
Valerie Barnhart is the Deputy State Director at AV Georgia. Val has over a decade of experience in the Labor movement working on coordinated and independent electoral campaigns. Val lives in Atlanta and enjoys adventures with their dog, Mercy.
Rahel Biru
National Operations Director
National
Rahel Biru (she/her)
National Operations Director
National
Rahel is the National Operations Director, a new role created to serve the growing America Votes staff and the myriad responsibilities associated with the Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology. Her background includes over 5 years of organizing for change in Brooklyn, NY with the Democratic Socialists of America, serving as the Co-chair for 3 years, orienting newly politicized members and canvassing for local candidates.
Ashlei Blue
State Director
North Carolina
Ashlei Blue
State Director
North Carolina
Ashlei Blue is the North Carolina state director for America Votes. Her career has focused on fighting voter suppression and gerrymandering. She loves supporting Southern organizers, writing songs and storm chasing. Ashlei is from the All-American city, Fayetteville, N.C.
Rachel Bowman
State Director
Ohio
Rachel Bowman
State Director
Ohio
Rachel Bowman is the State Director at America Votes Ohio. Rachel has worked in progressive politics for ten years, including as a field organizer for Obama for America, field director for the DFL House Caucus, digital director for Moms Demand Action, and program director at For Our Future Ohio. She is a passionate trainer and field expert. Rachel is a New Leaders Council Columbus 2020 alum and current board member. When she’s not working to create progressive change, she’s taking her rescue mutt, Emma, to a park in Columbus, Ohio.
Carol Carvalho
State Director
Pennsylvania
Carol Carvalho
State Director
Pennsylvania
Carol works with her team to grow the progressive movement and elect good people up and down the ballot in Pennsylvania. Before joining America Votes, she worked in the labor movement, most recently as the executive director of the Southeastern PA AFL-CIO.
Chelsea Castellano
Program Director
Colorado
Chelsea Castellano
Program Director
Colorado
Chelsea Castellano is the Colorado Program Director at America Votes. Her background includes leading and organizing grassroots ballot measure campaigns to reform exclusionary housing laws and increase voter turnout and equal representation in local elections. She’s worked on campaigns to support progressive candidates and spent eight years developing climate policy and programming at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. She grew up in NJ, is an avid (albeit not talented) pickleball player, and enjoys concerts, coffee, and paddleboarding on high alpine lakes.
Amy Cookson
Communications Director
Maine
Amy Cookson (she/ her/hers)
Communications Director
Maine
Prior to joining the Maine Votes team, Amy served as the communications director for Planned Parenthood in Maine, an MV steering committee member. A voracious reader, Amy usually has a book in her bag. When not working, she loves to travel & dance (lindy hop is her favorite).
Kate Corriveau
State Director
New Hampshire
Kate Corriveau
State Director
New Hampshire
Kate is the New Hampshire state director at America Votes. She also serves on the board of the ACLU NH, is an identical triplet and lives in Manchester with her husband and three young sons.
Nervahna Crew
Deputy State Director
North Carolina
Nervahna Crew
Deputy State Director
North Carolina
Nervahna Crew was raised in Wilmington, Delaware. She earned a BA in Sociology: Criminal Justice in 2002 from Delaware State University. A couple years after graduating, she decided she needed a change of scenery. In 2004, she found that place, and relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina. She has an extreme love for Raleigh and appreciates the beauty it offers not only for herself, but for her son Randall. She previously served on the Wake County Democratic party as Secretary from 2014-2017. In 2020, she served as a North Carolina Regional Political Director for the Biden/Harris campaign. In November 2018, she was elected to office to serve as Wake County’s first African American female Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. Nervahna is currently the Deputy State Director for America Votes North Carolina.
Miles Davis
Florida Director of Voting Rights
Florida
Miles Davis
Florida Director of Voting Rights
Florida
Davis entered politics in May 2016 as a field organizer for the Florida Democratic Party, the first of three roles of increasing import he held with the group over four-plus years. He ran the election campaigns of Gainesville state Rep. Yvonne Hinson, Iowa state Sen. Nate Boulton, former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. After working one year as Tampa state Rep. Dianne Hart’s first legislative aide and serving as a director for the Florida Democrats, he accepted a job offer in December 2020 to be The Chief of Staff to state Senator Shevrin Jones. In a state with a growing voter imbalance favoring the GOP, which controls 70% of the Legislature, it’s been nothing but uphill battles for Davis and the Democratic politicians for whom he’s worked. That won’t change with the new job. But if the odds not being in his favor bothers Davis, a self-professed “advocate for the underdog,” he’s not letting on.
Daria Dawson
Deputy Executive Director and National Political Director
National
Daria Dawson
Deputy Executive Director and National Political Director
National
Daria Dawson is the Deputy Executive Director at America Votes. Her 15-year career includes positions in the labor movement and issue/electoral campaigns. She is a graduate of the greatest HBCU in the world, Florida A&M University and cheers shamelessly for the NY Yankees.
LaNiesha Dawson
State Director
Nevada
LaNiesha Dawson (she/her)
State Director
Nevada
LaNiesha has worked primarily with communities of color to build political power. Prior to working for Nevada’s Governor, LaNiesha was the Deputy State Director for NV For Our Future, Deputy Field Director for Hillary for America and Youth Vote Coordinator for Obama for America.
Elizabeth De La Mora
People and Culture HR Coordinator
National
Elizabeth De La Mora
People and Culture HR Coordinator
National
Elizabeth is the People and Culture HR Coordinator at America Votes. Elizabeth provides administrative support and ensures that America Votes staff have all the tools they need to succeed. Previously, Elizabeth spent several years working on Capitol Hill to assist the constituents of California's 29th congressional district, where she also served as an Executive Director of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). Elizabeth served as the HR Coordinator for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), where she oversaw recruiting, hiring, and administrative work for all DCCC staff. Elizabeth is an avid hiker and loves to travel.
Maria Diaz
Deputy State Director
Florida
Maria Diaz
Deputy State Director
Florida
Maria Diaz is the Florida Deputy Director. Maria has a background in organizing, policy research, fundraising and is an alumni of Johns Hopkins University. She is happiest when traveling and/or eating Colombian food.
Abigail Dougherty
Executive Office Coordinator
National
Abigail Dougherty
Executive Office Coordinator
National
Abigail is the Executive Office Coordinator and directly works with the President and Executive Director. Prior to joining America Votes, she worked in business development and programmatic trading at DSPolitical. She is a proud Virginia native and an alumna of The University of Virginia.
Bobby Doyle
National Planning and Resources Manager
National
Bobby Doyle
National Planning and Resources Manager
National
Bobby started his career in politics in Virginia and has worked for America Votes since 2017. Bobby is a graduate of the University of Virginia and for the last seven years has given much of his time to volunteering as a firefighter.
Kellie Dupree
National Director of Development
National
Kellie Dupree
National Director of Development
National
Kellie Dupree is the National Director of Development at America Votes. Over the course of her career, she’s held positions at Way to Win, BISC, Planned Parenthood, the DNC, and EMILY’s List. A proud Wake Forest alum, Kellie craves Cookout milkshakes constantly.
Hosseh Enad
National Compliance Associate
National
Hosseh Enad (He/Him/HIs)
National Compliance Associate
National
Hosseh is the National Compliance Associate at America Votes. Hosseh has an extensive background in finance, operations management, and non-profit fundraising. Prior to joining America Votes, Hosseh was the Compliance Manager at Progressives Consulting, where he oversaw campaign finance compliance for candidate campaigns and political action committees. Hosseh served as the Direct Marketing Compliance Associate for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) where he managed donor data and oversaw the processing of returns in compliance with campaign finance law for the organization's Direct Marketing department. Hosseh also serves on LGBTQ Victory Fund's Campaign Board, a national group of community leaders who are actively engaged in helping to elect more openly LGBTQ voices to public office.
Kelsey Fisk
Election Official Program Manager
New Hampshire
Kelsey Fisk
Election Official Program Manager
New Hampshire
Kelsey works as the Election Official Program Manager for America Votes in New Hampshire, where she mobilizes and provides support to election officials across the state. She also works as a part of the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights. Kelsey's background in community organizing and campaigns includes working as the lead organizer at Civix Strategy Group in New Hampshire, as a field manager for Forward Montana in Bozeman, Montana, and as a campaign manager for a state Senate race in New Hampshire. She has also worked for campaigns in Colorado and Iowa with the League of Conservation Voters. Originally from New Hampshire, Kelsey is passionate about local politics and getting outside. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her partner and her two dogs, Ken and Callie.
Josh Geise
National VBM & SOTV Director
National
Josh Geise
National VBM & SOTV Director
National
Josh Geise has worked on campaigns for two decades and has served as AV Florida state director for the last nine years guiding a coalition of more than 30 groups. He lives in Tampa with his wife Tara, their son Cody and their two dogs. Forever #Lighting #Bears #Hoosiers #Cubs
Daniel Gonzales
Director of Planning and Program Analysis
National
Daniel Gonzales
Director of Planning and Program Analysis
National
Daniel is the Director of Planning and Program Analysis at America Votes. Previously he worked for five years at the Analyst Institute, bringing evidence-based programming to groups across the country. Daniel lives in Colorado and has worked to center voices of color in his work at AI, the Colorado c3 table, and Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR).
Andrew Gonzalez
Program Director
Nevada
Andrew Gonzalez
Program Director
Nevada
Andrew Gonzalez serves as the Program Director for America Votes Nevada. Previously, he worked as a canvass coordinator for For Our Future Nevada and managed local state senate races in 2020. Andrew loves mixed martial arts and writing poetry.
Murphy Guinane
Program Director
Minnesota
Murphy Guinane
Program Director
Minnesota
Murphy serves as the Minnesota Program Director. They've worked in elections administration, repro rights advocacy/fundraising, and electoral campaigns. Murphy also spent time at seminary, but dropped out to be a barista. They still enjoy discussing theology and latte art.
Ben Heppner
Data Manager
Georgia
Ben Heppner
Data Manager
Georgia
Ben got his start in 2012 working on the Obama Campaign in GA. Since then he has worked on campaigns at all levels in GA and throughout the Southeast. He’s excited to be here at AV and enjoys cooking, gardening, comics, and the greatest soccer team in the world, Atlanta United FC!
Will Ikard
Program Director
Maine
Will Ikard
Program Director
Maine
Raised in Texas, Will has been in Maine since 2013. Before coming to Maine Votes, an America Votes affiliate, he worked for the Maine AFL-CIO, Maine People's Alliance and Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. Recovering lawyer and enthusiastic Texas Longhorns and Boston Red Sox fan.
DeAndré Jones
National Deputy Director of States
National
DeAndré Jones
National Deputy Director of States
National
Dre is a Georgian and Organizer. Dre formerly worked for Stacey Abrams as Director of Outreach for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, Deputy Director of Organizing for Organizing for Action, and Vice President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign's Organizing Director for South Carolina.
Oumie Joof
Finance Director
National
Oumie Joof
Finance Director
National
Oumie Joof is responsible for the financial and organizational health of America Votes. She provides administrative oversight to ensure that America Votes staff have access to available benefits and payroll services while balancing the fiscal needs of the organization.
Alex Kalb
Deputy Director for Voting Rights
Wisconsin
Alex Kalb
Deputy Director for Voting Rights
Wisconsin
Alex comes from a legal and organizing background. When he isn't working to expand access to the ballot for everyone, he can usually be found buried in a book or cooking in the kitchen.
Lydia-Rose Kesich
Data and Targeting Manager
Maine
Lydia-Rose Kesich
Data and Targeting Manager
Maine
Lydia-Rose is the Data Director at Maine Votes. She joined MV in 2020 after several years working on Maine-based campaigns and as a legislative aide in the Virginia House of Delegates. She is a Smith graduate and an MIT dropout. Lydia-Rose is based in Portland, Maine.
Andrew Lefebvre
Data and Targeting Director
Nevada
Andrew Lefebvre
Data and Targeting Director
Nevada
Andrew is the data and targeting director out in NV. He's also a poker player, hockey fan, occasional punk and will eat most buffalo wings or tacos that are placed in front of him.
Scott Lewis
NC Program Director
North Carolina
Scott Lewis
NC Program Director
North Carolina
Scott has served as the North Carolina Program Director since July of 2022. Prior to that, he has worked on a variety of issue and candidate campaigns in NC for the last decade and is passionate about turning NC blue. In his spare time he enjoys all kinds of music, chess, and and his family.
Wes Lewis
Program Director
Wisconsin
Wes Lewis
Program Director
Wisconsin
Wes joined us as Wisconsin Program Director in August of 2022, with prior experience on municipal/county campaigns, Bloomberg 2020, For Our Future, and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. A recovering Southerner in the Midwest (originally from Georgia), he has adopted Milwaukee as home...and the Brewers & Bucks as his teams!
Jimmy Liacos
Data Director
Pennsylvania
Jimmy Liacos
Data Director
Pennsylvania
Jimmy has been the PA Data Director since 2021 and was the OH Data Director for four years prior, having also worked for NextGen Ohio, PA Competes, Ed Markey's first Senate campaign, and OFA-Florida. He spends his free time as either the oldest person at pub trivia or the youngest person at a bridge game.
Rebecca Marquis
National Political Manager
National
Rebecca Marquis
National Political Manager
National
Becca Marquis is the National Field and Political Assistant. She completed her master's in education policy after teaching high school social studies. Becca loves to cook, hike, and pet dogs she passes on the street. A proud Red Sox fan and supports anyone who beats the Patriots!
Kate McClellan
Executive Director
Maine
Kate McClellan
Executive Director
Maine
Kate is the Executive Director of Maine Votes. Prior to that, Kate worked on Sara Gideon’s US Senate campaign, the Maine Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, and Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. She is a proud Georgetown alumna and resides in Portland, Maine.
David McGonagle
State Director
Minnesota
David McGonagle
State Director
Minnesota
Dave McGonagle serves as the Minnesota state director, a position he has held since 2015. Prior to joining America Votes, Dave worked for numerous progressive organizations and candidate campaigns after getting his start on the Wellstone for Senate campaign in 2002.
Patrina McKinney
Deputy State Director
Nevada
Patrina McKinney
Deputy State Director
Nevada
Patrina McKinney is the Nevada Deputy State Director. Her previous work includes working on various IE campaigns, Nevada legislative experience, Nevada executive branch experience, and presidential campaign experience.
Toby Miceli-Gwiazdowski
Data Director
Wisconsin
Toby Miceli-Gwiazdowski
Data Director
Wisconsin
Toby has been Wisconsin’s data manager since 2013 and worked in Wisconsin progressive politics most of the last decade. He’s an alum of Obama ‘08 and ‘12, Feingold ‘10, Baldwin ‘12, many recalls and work with SEIU, AFT and WCV. Toby is a proud dad and world-champion punslinger.
Mawj Mohammed
Program Director for AV MI
Michigan
Mawj Mohammed
Program Director for AV MI
Michigan
A graduate of the University of Michigan - Dearborn, Mawj has been in the progressive space since 2016. Starting out as a field organizer, she has worked on candidate campaigns and independent expenditures. Most recently she managed partner grants at For Our Future.
Emerson Morrow
Communications Manager
National
Emerson Morrow (He/him/his)
Communications Manager
National
Emerson Morrow is Communications Manager at America Votes. Prior to joining America Votes, Emerson worked in communications and marketing for progressive companies, worked in congressional offices, and organized with Hillary for America. He is an alumnus of New Mexico State University, where he helped bring an early voting location to campus.
Jasmine Nears
Director of Strategic Initiatives
National
Jasmine Nears (She/Hers)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
National
Jasmine was the WI State Director for AV (four plus years) before moving into the role of Director of Strategic Initiatives. Jasmine has an MPA from NYU and has taken a polar plunge in Antarctica. Let's coordinate together!
Matt Nowling
National Development Manager
National
Matt Nowling
National Development Manager
National
Matt has worked to support progressive causes and candidates nationally and in his home state of Ohio. He is a massive Ohio State Buckeye fan and can be found exploring coffee shops, bookstores, food trucks and pho restaurants.
Michael Ramirez
State Director
Colorado
Michael Ramirez
State Director
Colorado
Michael helps lead the Colorado team at America Votes as Colorado State Director. Michael has worked on multiple campaigns including Bernie Sanders' Presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020, Mark Kelly for Senate, and the Biden Presidential in 2020. Michael was born and raised in rural Frederick, Colorado and enjoys cheering on every Colorado sports team.
Virginia Reed
Voting Rights Manager
North Carolina
Virginia Reed
Voting Rights Manager
North Carolina
A native North Carolinian, Virginia is the Voting Rights Manager for North Carolina, where she has been working in state and local campaigns for several cycles. When she isn't defending democracy, she is probably reading, drinking a latte, or at spin class.
Jennifer Rubiello
State Director
Florida
Jennifer Rubiello
State Director
Florida
Jennifer supports the coordination and alignment of electoral, organizing, and advocacy work among partners in Florida. Before joining AV, Jennifer lobbied and ran environmental and electoral campaigns throughout the state. She loves exploring the outdoors with her dog Charlie.
Khaled Salehi
Deputy Director, States
National
Khaled Salehi
Deputy Director, States
National
As a state director since 2009, Khaled leads the coalition to develop strategies that build the progressive ecosystem to advocate for social, economic and environmental justice and progress across Ohio.
Blair Sapp
National Deputy Political Director
National
Blair Sapp
National Deputy Political Director
National
Blair serves as the National Deputy Political Director, helping partners strategies and plan for issue and electoral campaigns. He has previously worked as a digital strategist and a field organizer. Blair is a graduate of New College of Florida and a Philadelphia 76ers fan.
Heidi Schloesser
Chief Operating Officer
National
Heidi Schloesser
Chief Operating Officer
National
Heidi has a rich background in operations across sectors. In her role as Chief Operating Officer Heidi overseas all internal systems at America Votes as well as the HR, finance, compliance, and operations departments. When Heidi is not obsessing about efficiency, she is probably outdoors hiking, swimming or hanging around with her family.
Sara Schreiber
Executive Director
National
Sara Schreiber
Executive Director
National
Sara leads day-to-day management of America Votes, including overseeing all department heads and implementation of strategic objectives. Sara has worked to support progressive causes and candidates in Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico (her home state) and currently lives in Washington, DC.
Patrick Schuh
Deputy Director, States
National
Patrick Schuh
Deputy Director, States
National
A native Michigander, Patrick brings over two decades of political and advocacy experience to his role guiding collaborative strategies. During his travels, Patrick's pastime is engaging voters in area eateries and breweries, while sharing his love of Northern MI and Great Lakes.
Shabab Siddiqui
National Data and Targeting Director
National
Shabab Siddiqui
National Data and Targeting Director
National
Shabab works closely with national partners and state teams in using data to build long-term progressive power. He roots for his Texas Longhorns and can be found exploring coffee/donut shops, pickup basketball games, halal food trucks, and U.S. presidential libraries.
Leslie Small
State Director
Georgia
Leslie Small
State Director
Georgia
Leslie’s career in politics began in 2003 with Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC-02). From there he worked with Rep. John Lewis (GA-05). He has a BA and MA from UNC-CH in Political Science. He is working on a PhD at Clark Atlanta University. Him and his wife have 1 son and 2 rescue dogs.
Greg Speed
President
National
Greg Speed
President
National
Greg leads America Votes as president and previously served as executive director. He’s a leading progressive campaign strategist who has worked for advocacy organizations, the Democratic Party and elected officials. Ask about his annual “best-of” mixtapes (if you dare).
McKenzie St. Germain
Voting Rights Campaign Director
New Hampshire
McKenzie St. Germain
Voting Rights Campaign Director
New Hampshire
McKenzie is the New Hampshire Voting Rights Campaign Director. Prior to joining AV, McKenzie spent years working on successful campaigns in New Hampshire, including for Senator Jeanne Shaheen and running the program to flip the NH House in 2018.
Dani Sweet
National Field and Political Assistant
National
Dani Sweet
National Field and Political Assistant
National
Dani Sweet is the National Field and Political Assistant at AV. Before joining the team, she was a Research Contractor for the Progressive Change Institute. She also organizes youth voices around important issues in Maine and loves to play Rocket League on XBOX in her free time.
Jeff Taylor
New Hampshire Program Director
New Hampshire
Jeff Taylor
New Hampshire Program Director
New Hampshire
Jeff Taylor is the New Hampshire Program Director at America Votes. Prior to joining AV, Jeff has worked on and managed federal, state, and local campaigns in New Hampshire. He has also worked for labor and democracy-focused organizations. Jeff lives in Manchester, NH.
Josiette White
National Field Director
National
Josiette White
National Field Director
National
Josiette provides day-to-day support and management to state operations across the America Votes network. Josiette started with America Votes in 2006 in her home state of Ohio then served as the New Hampshire state director before joining the national team.
Shannon Williams
Director of Talent and People Operations
National
Shannon Williams
Director of Talent and People Operations
National
Shannon is the Director of Talent and People Operations at America Votes. Shannon will be overseeing organization-wide talent management and professional development initiatives. She's previously held roles with Americans United for Change and Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Jay Williamson
Deputy Director
Michigan
Jay Williamson
Deputy Director
Michigan
Jay Williamson serves as the Michigan Deputy Director. She comes to America Votes after spending three years with NextGen America, working to get out the youth vote in Michigan. She loves to entertain and cook for friends and family.