Our Team

Get to know America Votes and affiliate staff below. Click here to learn more about our president.

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.

Ashley Brennan

Data Director

Arizona

Ashley Brennan

Data Director

Arizona

Ashley Brennan is the Arizona Data Director for America Votes. Previously, she worked for Rural Arizona Action, the Arizona Democratic Party, the Arizona DLCC, Warren for President, and the Participatory Budgeting Project. With experience in data, management, organizing, and operations, she’s committed to making the work it takes to win more effective, impactful, and data-informed. She’s also committed to lifting weights, eating nachos, and wandering local markets.

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

Executive Director

National

Daria Dawson

Executive Director

National

Daria Dawson is the Executive Director of 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

Director of Strategic Initiatives

National

Josh Geise

Director of Strategic Initiatives

National

Josh Geise has worked on campaigns for nearly three decades and serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. He has worked at AV for 14 years and served as the FL State Director before joining the national team. A native of Indiana, he attended Indiana University and now lives in Tampa with his wife Tara, son Cody and their two dogs.

Bex Gombac

Data Director

Michigan

Bex Gombac

Data Director

Michigan

A farmer, amateur tailor, and certified bookworm - committed to decolonization, sustainable living practices and queer liberation. With a background rooted in Michigan organizing, Bex brings creativity and practical insights to data as the data director for Michigan. They find joy in creative expression, educational YouTube videos, making food for others and learning new skills.

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.

Cameron Maher

Colorado Data Director

Colorado

Cameron Maher

Colorado Data Director

Colorado

Excited to be part of AV’s team as Colorado Data Director since April of 2023.

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.

Justin Miller

State Director

Wisconsin

Justin Miller

State Director

Wisconsin

Justin is the State Director at America Votes Wisconsin, and has done progressive political and data analytics work for over 20 years, joining AV WI after having served as the Political Director for the WI AFL-CIO. Prior to that he spent time with Obama ‘12, and Hillary ‘16, as well as with organizations such as For Our Future PA, SEIU, HaystaqDNA, ISSI, WisDems, and was actually with AV in its first years in WI at Advancing Wisconsin. When he is not fighting for progressive change you can find him traveling or working at the family Christmas tree farm.

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.

Olivia Robinson

Analytics Director

National

Olivia Robinson

Analytics Director

National

Olivia is the Analytics Director at AV, where their team focuses on reporting and modeling. Olivia cares deeply about making analytics accessible to movement organizations, and enjoys creating dashboards that help organizations collaborate. They've worked across the progressive space at organizations like Color of Change, Warren for President, and the Analyst Institute.

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.

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.

Jenna Tingum

Data Support Deputy Director

National

Jenna Tingum

Data Support Deputy Director

National

Jenna has been with America Votes full-time since 2022, and has recently transitioned from the Florida Data Director to a national role as the Data Support Deputy Director. Prior to this, she has explored her love of political data at AV during the 2020 cycle and at AFSCME.

Josiette White

National Director of the State Network

National

Josiette White

National Director of the State Network

National

Josiette is the National Director of the State Network and in this role spends as much time in AV states as she can. Josiette comes to America Votes with a background in community organizing and training in social work. She started with America Votes in her home state of Ohio then served as the New Hampshire state director before joining the national team. She loves an outdoor adventure, learning about (and sampling) local food, and wants to join your book club!

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.

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