Board of Directors

Robert McKay, Chair
Mr. McKay is the president of the McKay Family Foundation, which supports community-based organizations working for long-term social, economic, and political progress in California. In addition, He funds a variety of issue advocacy and other work that promotes civic engagement and voter participation. In 2002, Mr. McKay was the author and principal funder of a California ballot initiative to promote Election Day voter registration. He is the managing partner of the McKay Investment Group, which provides venture capital for early-stage technology and consumer product companies. Mr. McKay was Chair of the 2004 California HAVA Advisory Committee, and is active on many corporate and non-profit boards, including Ms. Foundation for Women, San Francisco Art Institute, Salon Media Group, and Mother Jones magazine.

Anna Burger, Vice Chair
A respected labor leader, Ms. Burger made history in 2005 when she was elected chair of Change to Win labor federation, becoming the first woman to head such an organization. Founded by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and six other national unions, Ms. Burger leads Change to Win in its effort to organize workers across the nation. As International Secretary-Treasurer of the SEIU - the largest and fastest-growing union in America - Ms. Burger directs the union's political and field operations, making an indelible impact on the labor movement in this country.

Drummond Pike, Treasurer
Drummond Pike is founder and chief executive officer of Tides Network. Awarded as an Outstanding Foundation Professional, Drummond helped pioneer the advent of donor advised funds in philanthropy; and, through his leadership, Tides has helped increase the capacity and effectiveness of thousands of social change organizations. Prior to founding Tides in 1976, Drummond served as executive director of the Shalan Foundation, an organization dedicated to economic change and environmental sustainability. Drummond also co-founded and served as associate director for The Youth Project in Washington, D.C.; and he was among the original founders of Working Assets, a telecommunications company dedicated to progressive philanthropy and political activism. His extensive public service work includes membership on several boards of directors, including the Environmental Working Group and Democracy Alliance. Drummond received a Masters of Political Science from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University after graduating with Honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Al Dwoskin
Albert J. Dwoskin is President and CEO of A.J. Dwoskin & Associates Inc., a real estate development and management company (founded in 1967), headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with interests in real estate investments throughout Northern Virginia. Mr. Dwoskin resides in McLean with his wife Claire and children, A.J. and Alanna.

Mr. Dwoskin is actively involved with many community, chartable, and political organizations. He currently serves as: Chairman of Catalist, and the Chairman of the George Mason University Foundation, Board of Trustees. Mr. Dwoskin has also served as a Director of Securities Investor Protection Corporation and Director of State of Virginia Center for Innovative Technology. In addition, Mr. Dwoskin served on the Commonwealth of Virginia Treasury Board, the Virginia Economic Forecast Advisory Board, the Governor's Commission on Transportation in the 21st Century, and participated in developing the Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Plan.

Dr. Gail Furman, ACSW, PhD
Dr. Gail Furman is a leading child and adolescent psychologist in Manhattan. Dr. Furman has been in private practice treating children, adolescents and their families for over 35 years. A frequent guest speaker at professional conferences worldwide, Dr. Furman serves on the executive boards of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Human Rights First and The Brennan Center for Social Justice at NYU Law School. Dr. Furman is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is an assistant clinical professor at New York University, where she is a consultant to the Child Study Center

Dr. Furman was one of the founders of the Family Academy, a model experimental school in Harlem providing academic, social and mental health services for students and their families. The Family Academy was a comprehensive public/private partnership designed to create a "one-stop shopping" model. Dr. Furman has been instrumental in developing collaborations and innovative partnerships between schools, mental health service providers, law clinics, and programs that together provide more competent, comprehensive service to inner-city children and families.

Dr. Furman is a certified social worker, and earned her doctorate in psychology from New York University. She lives in New York City and is the mother of two grown sons, and a grandmother of four.

James D. Gollin
James D. Gollin was educated at Princeton University, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Kokusai Daigaku (International University of Japan) as well as in France and Italy. After work at a number of think tanks in Japan and the US, Mr. Gollin joined Nomura Securities in Tokyo and then Morgan Stanley.  He managed securities funds as well as M&A, real estate, resort development and other projects. He has worked in socially responsible business and environmentally-friendly venture capital.

Mr. Gollin is a Director of the Angelica Foundation, funding environmental, pro-democracy and human rights groups in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico. He is President of the Board of Rainforest Action Network, where he has overseen successful campaigns leading to landmark agreements between environmentalists and major industries.  He is actively working to build progressive infrastructure in New Mexico, where he lives. He is also an award-winning writer and photographer.

Steven Phillips
Steve Phillips is an attorney and political organizer in San Francisco. He is the President and Founder of PowerPAC.org. Over the past twenty years, Steve has worked as an education reformer, attorney, and elected official.

In 1992, at the age of 28, Steve successfully ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Education, and he became the youngest elected official in the history of San Francisco. Steve attended Hastings College of the Law, and, in 1997, he opened the Law Offices of Steve Phillips where he practiced civil rights and employment discrimination law. As an attorney, Steve successfully litigated against a broad number of entities ranging from municipalities to multi-million dollar corporations.

Steve has written nearly 100 columns and essays that have been published in newspapers across the country. In 2003, Steve founded PowerPAC.org, a statewide social justice organization working with community organizations and activists to build political power in California.

Charles Rodgers
Mr. Rodgers is president of the New Community Fund, a family foundation focused on civic and social issues. He is a trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and serves on the board of MassINC. He is also president of the West End House Boys and Girls Club of Allston-Brighton. From 1988 through early 2003, Mr. Rodgers was chairman and co-owner of WFD, a firm providing service and consulting advice to corporations seeking to create more effective workplaces. Mr. Rodgers was also a vice president at State Street Bank & Trust Company in Boston, and a senior consultant at Abt Associates.

Deborah Sagner
Deborah Sagner, LCSW, is the president of the Sagner Family Foundation, a social change philanthropy organization, whose mission is to support non-profits working to make structural change in order to advance social, economic, and racial justice in our society. In this position she is responsible of all aspects of grantmaking and investing. She is also the vice president of The Sagner Companies, Inc., a residential and commercial real estate development company. In this position she is actively involved in the review and decision making of tenant leases, financing arrangements, budgeting, capital improvement projects and operations of the buildings.

Before assuming these responsibilities, Ms. Sagner practiced as a family and play therapist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, working primarily with underprivileged and at-risk children and families, and at the Market Street Mission in Morristown, working with clients recovering from drug addiction. She is the author of The Family Play Genogram (1999), a guidebook for the play therapy technique she pioneered and popularized; she has presented workshops on the Family Play Genogram technique in the US and internationally. Ms. Sagner serves on a number of non-profit boards including: Jewish Family Services of MetroWest New Jersey, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Drum Major Institute, and The Democracy Alliance. She serves on the public policy committee of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, and was a member of New Jersey Governor John Corzine's Transition Team for Health and Human Services. Raised in New Jersey, Deborah has a B.A. from Brandeis University, an M.A. from Tufts, and an MSW from Fordham. She has four grown children.

Ted Trimpa
Ted Trimpa practices in all areas of federal, state, and local legislative law, with a special concentration on public policy, political strategy, and political participation. He has extensive multistate experience and handles legislative matters on behalf of firm clients before the Colorado General Assembly and legislatures throughout the country.

Ted is a sought-after advocate resulting from his deep understanding of the national and multistate political and nonprofit landscape. He has been recognized in national publications, including The Atlantic Monthly, National Review, The Advocate, and The Weekly Standard for his central role in designing cutting edge public policy strategies.

Prior to joining Hogan & Hartson, Ted was a shareholder with a national firm where he was responsible for matters before the Colorado General Assembly and had a multistate public policy practice. Ted has orchestrated the successful passage of several public initiatives, including major social policy changes and landmark reforms to state fiscal policy. He also previously served as the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for a prominent lobbying firm in Colorado. Before attending law school, Ted served as a legislative aide for United States Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum.

Michael Vachon
Michael Vachon has extensive experience in politics, communications, and philanthropy. He currently serves as George Soros' political director. He advises Mr. Soros and the Soros family on political contributions and maintains contact on their behalf with the individuals and organizations they support. Mr. Vachon also manages Mr. Soros' media relations, public appearances, and publishing activities and serves as the spokesman for the Soros family and for Soros Fund Management (SFM). Prior to joining SFM, he was head of public affairs and a member of the executive committee of The Commonwealth Fund. Before that he was director of communications at the Open Society Institute. Before joining the foundation he worked as a journalist. Mr. Vachon holds an MA in international relations from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where he teaches a graduate course in communications strategy.

Rob Stein, Founder
Mr. Stein's critical research about the funding, management, and overall infrastructure of the conservative movement over the last three decades led to the formation of the Democracy Alliance. An attorney, Mr. Stein served as chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce and chief of staff at the Washington office of the Clinton-Gore Transition. He also was a senior strategic advisor to Ron Brown, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1989-1992), and has founded and led several non-profit organizations. Mr. Stein currently is actively involved, as both Founder and board member, in the Democracy Alliance.

 

Staff

Joycelyn Bassette Blizzard - Partner and Investment Services Associate
Joycelyn Blizzard has an extensive background in both state and local politics, and experience in both public policy and fundraising. Joycelyn is responsible for supporting the Partner and Investment Services teams and will assist with events and researching Alliance investment opportunities. Prior to joining the Alliance team, Joycelyn worked for Governor Timothy Kaine of Virginia as Special Assistant for Constituent Services and in the office of the Secretary of Administration. There she worked on numerous projects including Governor Kaine's Small, Women, and Minority Business initiatives and dedication events for the Civil Rights Memorial. Committed to improving the lives of young people, Joycelyn currently serves as one of the youngest board members of the Commonwealth Girl Scout Council and initiated and led the fundraising efforts for inner city youth leadership development programs in Richmond, VA. Joycelyn also developed and implemented a youth leadership curriculum.

Joycelyn obtained her B.A. in Leadership Studies and History from University of Richmond and is currently earning a Masters of Public Administration at Virginia Tech University. She is married to Linwood Blizzard, II and enjoys traveling, swimming, and live jazz.

Anathea Chino - Manager, Partner Services
Anathea Chino came to the Alliance with significant political and fundraising experience at both the state and local level. Her responsibilities include helping to develop the strategic plan for member engagement and facilitating collaboration between Alliance members and recommended organizations.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Anathea worked as the Development Director at NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico and as President and founding Board Member of Emerge New Mexico, a women's political leadership program. Anathea began her business career in retail management at Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas, NV and launched her career change in 2004 by moving to Nea Makri, Greece.

Anathea is committed to public service and continues to advocate for women and her Native American community as an Ambassador for Americans for Indian Opportunity. She has worked extensively on promoting civic engagement within the Native American communities in New Mexico and nationwide.

She received her Bachelor's Degree from New Mexico State University. As a transplant to Washington, DC Anathea enjoys all things DC.

Kelly Craighead - Managing Director
As a member of the founding management team, Ms. Craighead has helped provide the leadership, strategic vision, and management capacity necessary to grow the Alliance into one of the largest drivers of progressive activist funding supporting institutions that strengthen democracy and build the overall capacity of the progressive movement. Ms. Craighead joined the Democracy Alliance after working as a strategic consultant to Media Matters for America, where she delivered critical seed-financing during its start-up phase. Prior to that, she worked for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during both her tenure as First Lady and later at her leadership PAC after she was elected to the United States Senate. In the White House, with the rank of Deputy Assistant to the President, Ms. Craighead was the Director of Special Projects and managed special domestic and international initiatives on behalf of the President and First Lady. In addition, Ms. Craighead spent 1992-2000 directing all aspects of Mrs. Clinton's travels abroad and in the United States, and has traveled herself to more than 100 countries. She lives with her family in Washington, DC.

Kimberly Douglas - Office Manager
Kimberly Douglas has experience in customer service, special events, meeting planning, administration, operations and systems management in both nonprofit & corporate organizations. While attending Frostburg State University, Kimberly worked at WPGC 95.5 FM as a broadcast news intern. After graduation, Kimberly worked at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, where she served as ACRPs 1st Education Services Representative. Kimberly was instrumental in helping design and implement ACRP's Customer Service Center. In 2005, Kimberly joined the Forum for Youth Investment as their Office/Meetings Manager and served as the primary liaison between staff and external vendors. Kimberly also worked as the Administrative Director for the Population Institute.

Kimberly has a Masters degree in Organizational Communications and Human Resources from Bowie State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications, Ballet and Modern Dance from Frostburg State University.

Kathryn Greenberg - Senior Vice President, Partner Services
Kathryn Greenberg joined the Alliance with an extensive background in development, communications, and public policy. As the Director of Partner Services Kathryn will design and implement a strategy to develop and grow the partnership, facilitate building the Partner network and community, and manage overall Partner services efforts and activities.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Kathryn was the Director of Development and External Affairs at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities where she worked to strengthen institutional fundraising and outreach efforts; she was the Managing Director of Internal & External Communications at the Chicago Housing Authority where she helped to transform Chicago's public housing by directing resource development, policy, and communications; and Kathryn directed school health and public housing health initiatives for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Kathryn brings extensive management experience having overseen large departments at both the Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Kathryn received her Bachelor's degree from New York University and has a Masters in Public Administration from New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service.

Josh Leffler - Senior Analyst, Investment Services
Josh Leffler conducts research and analysis, and develops memos and briefings on initiatives in key priority areas. He also provides research and analytical support, and helps develop and manage the DA Portfolio.

Prior to joining the Alliance, he worked as the Executive Assistant to Cecile Richards at America Votes. He has interned in the House of Commons and the U.S. Senate. Josh is a graduate of Syracuse University where he majored in philosophy and political science. In his free time Josh plays sports, reads and writes music.

Dominic Lowell - Analyst, Investment Services
Dominic Lowell conducts research and analysis for the Investment Services team. Prior to joining the Alliance, Dominic attended Swarthmore College where he was active in local and campus politics, organizing students during the 2008 presidential primary and serving as his senior class' president. He comes to the Alliance from the Center for Progressive Leadership where he was a New Leaders Fellow.

Dominic is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, but his heart now belongs to Washington, DC where he enjoys long-distance running, winter bowling leagues, and far too many political blogs. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College where he received his B.A. in sociology/anthropology.

Ashindi Maxton - Director of Research and Special Projects
Ashindi coordinates Alliance research efforts, and manages special project efforts. Ashindi came to the Alliance from the NAACP where she was the National Policy Manager for the NAACP, and was responsible for coordinating the cross-cutting work of multiple departments including civic engagement, education, health, international affairs, economic empowerment, and criminal justice. Ashindi's diverse career path also includes positions as the National Policy Director for Teach for America, where she helped set the research and policy agenda of a national organization dedicated to eliminating the educational achievement gap; and as the principal of an arts charter school in Washington DC, implementing a curriculum focused on the visual arts, music, poetry, and architecture.

Ashindi is proud to have been a Spanish bilingual teacher in East Oakland, California, and is amazed that the students she taught in 5th grade are already graduating from high school. Prior to becoming a teacher, Ashindi was a Fulbright Scholar to the Dominican Republic where she completed the first national study of "Race Consciousness in Dominican Children". She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College with a degree in Africana Studies and holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

Shannon Roche - Chief Operating Officer
Shannon Roche oversees staffing, financial management activities, Board communications, and works with the Managing Director on organizational development and to implement the strategic plan for the Alliance staff. Prior to joining the Alliance, Shannon led the fundraising efforts of NYC2012, the committee that worked to bring the 2012 Olympics to New York, and has served in various organizational management, member services and fundraising roles for the DNC, Gore2000 and the Advisory Board Company. Shannon has also consulted in a range of economic development-related capacities for several organizations, including the Enterprise Social Investment Corporation (ESIC), New York City's Department of Small Business Services and the host committee for the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Shannon received a B.A., cum laude, from Duke University and an M.P.P. from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government with an emphasis on organizational management and urban development. In her free time, she enjoys reading contemporary fiction, practicing yoga and is an ardent foodie. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and their son.

Ryan Rodriguez - Director of Meetings and Special Events
Ryan Rodriguez is responsible for coordinating the Democracy Alliance's semi-annual conferences, assisting with regional events, and working on other partner engagement activities. Prior to joining the Democracy Alliance, Ryan was the National Events Manager for EMILY's List, where he organized their national conferences, their major annual DC luncheon, and a variety of other fundraising events around the country. Ryan has significant fundraising experience, having worked as the finance director and on the finance staff for a number of congressional races including Gwen Moore (WI-04, the first African American woman elected to the US House from Wisconsin), Eleanor Jordan (KY-03), and Christine Jennings (FL-13). Before getting his start in politics, Ryan spent several years at the Smithsonian Institution where he secured corporate sponsorships and organized opening receptions across the country for the Smithsonian's traveling exhibition service. Ryan has a B.A. in political science from the American University. Ryan is a native of Wisconsin and currently lives in Washington, DC. In his free time he enjoys reading historical non-fiction about the War of 1812.

Frank Smith - Consultant (Investment Services)
Francis Smith has been involved in political and public policy issues throughout his career. He is President of a Cambridge, Massachusetts consulting firm specializing in election and non-profit law and policy work. He has served as an Assistant District Attorney in Boston and worked on a number of political campaigns, including two Presidential elections. He is co-author of a recent book on the American healthcare system and writes a monthly newsletter on American politics. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Boston College Law School, and a member of the Massachusetts Bar. He has served on a number of non-governmental organization boards.

Alexandra Visher - Communications Director
Alexandra Visher is responsible for developing and managing the Alliance's internal and external strategic communications plans. Prior to joining the Alliance, Alexandra was the deputy communications director and policy director for a United States Senate campaign. In that capacity she was responsible for managing the strategic communications plan for earned and paid media, as well as developing comprehensive policy papers on education, healthcare, and energy. In between campaign adventures, Alexandra worked in the development office of a progressive think-tank and advocacy organization, and assisted with their major gift solicitation efforts. During the 2004 presidential campaign Alex worked as a press secretary in Wisconsin during the general election, and worked on voter mobilization and outreach efforts during the Iowa caucuses. Before heading out on the campaign trail, Alexandra spent several years at a leading media consulting firm where she helped provide a range of strategic communication consulting services to candidates and issue campaigns. Alexandra is a native of Oakland, California and has lived in Washington, DC for the past six years. She has B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, Alex enjoys yoga, reading, traveling, volunteering, and spending time outdoors.

Felicia Wong - Senior Vice President, Investment Services
Felicia Wong manages the research and development of the Alliance's strategic investment portfolio and has led the restructuring of the DA's investment process over the last year.

Prior to joining the Alliance, she was Vice President, Operations and Vice President, Product Development at Teachscape, a K-12 education services company. In these roles, she was responsible for the company's annual operating plan and the development and delivery of all company products. Felicia served as a White House Fellow in the Office of the Attorney General and held a political appointment in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. Felicia has extensive classroom experience, having taught on race and politics at U.C. Berkeley as well as high school history and philosophy in Oakland, California. She and her husband also taught English to Tibetan children in Tagong, Ganze Prefecture, China.

Felicia holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, where she specialized in international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Her doctoral dissertation, which focused on the politics of race and framing in K-12 urban education reform, received the 2000 American Political Science Association award in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. She received her undergraduate degree with Honors from Stanford University and lives in San Francisco, California with her husband and two children.