KATY ALLEN
VT Field Organizer
Katy believes in reclaiming our connection to the earth and sacred ancestry, harnessing this energy to inform our political movements, social systems, and interpersonal connections. She’s a student and practitioner of healing arts, including herbal medicine and massage therapy. During the 2020 Election, Katy came to RAD and discovered Deep Canvassing alongside inspiring and radical coworkers. Since then, she’s remained inspired by this strategy’s capacity to shift the political paradigm towards one that acknowledges our interconnection, outsmarting the polarization that prevents us from collectively thriving as a society. In college, Katy began organizing with the Slow Food movement at UNH, and is proud to have contributed to other organizations including Magpie Community Foundation and The Waysmeet Center. She can be reached at katy@radmovement.org.
ALI BROKENSHIRE
NH Organizing Director
For nearly two decades, Ali has been on the front lines of community and political engagement through electoral organizing in New Hampshire and Vermont. As a single mother, caretaker, and fellow Granite Stater, they are a staunch advocate for social and economic justice, universal healthcare as a human right, and voter rights and access. Forever a nerd at heart, Ali knows to their core that through all of time and space there is no such thing as an unimportant person, and they are committed to amplifying our collective voice to build a more equitable future for the generations ahead. They can be reached at ali@radmovement.org.
MAGGIE CAWLEY
Strategic Communications Manager
Maggie grew up in Central Vermont, attended college in rural Ohio, and spent several years living in Medellín, Colombia before returning to her home state in 2016 to complete a Master’s in Sustainable Development. She later moved to Central Massachusetts, where she worked as an advocate for food justice, canvassed for progressive candidates, and participated in state and community efforts related to workers’ rights, climate policy, and racial justice. Her background also includes online journalism focused on organized crime, government corruption, and related human rights issues in Central and South America. You can reach her at maggie@radmovement.org.
DAN FINGAS
VT Movement Politics Director
Dan joined RAD after spending 5 years as the Organizing Director for the Long Island Progressive Coalition, a regional community organization committed to fighting for social, racial, and economic justice. Dan started his career organizing in Michigan. There he worked as a political and internal organizer for the Michigan Laborers District Council, as the Hospital Organizing Coordinator for SEIU Healthcare Michigan, as a Community Organizer for Michigan Organizing Project, and in several political organizing roles, including as a Campaign Manager for State Senate. Dan is a 2004 graduate of Albion College and has been married to wife Mo Lynch since 2015. You can reach him at dan@radmovement.org.
Sebastián FUENTES
NH Movement Politics Director
Sebastián was born and raised in Lima, Peru and came to the U.S. in 2001, right after 9/11. He arrived in New Hampshire as an exchange student, and decided to call the North Country his home. Although he couldn’t vote, he began quietly getting involved in politics and supporting local candidates committed to passing legislation to protect vulnerable communities, including the Latino one. After many years, he became a U.S. citizen on July 4th, 2016 and promised his family he would give back to NH more than was given to him. He began organizing rallies and community groups, including the first March for our Lives North Country, the largest protest ever held in that region. Sebastián collaborated with the Coos County Democrats for years, and later the Plymouth Area Democrats, where he learned about grassroots organizing and the value of one-to-one conversations. He also organized for Bernie Sanders, became the first Latino NH State Democratic delegate from the North Country, co-founded the NH Progressive Coalition, and served as Vice Chair of the NH Democratic Latino Caucus.
Rights & Democracy knocked on his door in 2018. He decided to join as a member leader and later served on the Board, before becoming NH Movement Politics Director. Recently he was awarded the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his activism to advance a more humane immigration system and his solidarity with the plight of the Palestinian people. He is also a 3rd year student at Harvard University Ext. School, working toward an International Relations degree. Above all, Sebastián enjoys being a father. He is happily married to Tabitha, another RAD member, and they have 5 children. He enjoys Harley bikes, Star Wars, learning new languages, and listening to people tell their stories. You can reach him at sebastian@radmovement.org.
DÖGG HUGOSDÓTTIR
NH Field Manager
Dögg was born in Iceland and moved to the U.S. in 2014. She is a classically trained pianist with a BA in Philosophy and a post-graduate degree in International Development Studies. Dögg started working with Iceland’s Left Green Movement in the early 2000’s, where she saw how a dramatic narrative shift can have a huge impact on a whole country. She joined RAD’s deep canvassing team in 2020 because she believes that by having deep conversations with people we can shift their views and create a more progressive and wholesome future, where everyone has a seat at the table. You can reach her at dogg@radmovement.org.
BRANDON LEMAY
NH Housing Justice Organizer
Brandon Lemay was born and raised on the West Side of Manchester. As the descendant of three generations of union laborers, his social and political views have been deeply influenced by the labor movement. While studying Political Science and French at Plymouth State University, Lemay was introduced to organizing by working on the 2014 Coordinated campaign. Since that time, he’s worked for NextGen, League of Conservation Voters, American Bridge, Joyce Craig for Mayor, and Andrew Yang for NH. He is excited to be organizing in his hometown and is glad that Rights & Democracy is making a long-term commitment to community organizing in the Manchester and Nashua Greater Areas. You can reach him at brandon@radmovement.org.
ANA MEJIA
VT Organizing Director
Ana has over a decade of grassroots organizing experience and is a firm believer in collective liberation. Her roots trace back to California where she was raised by her parents, who fled their home country of El Salvador after the U.S. backed military coup d’état that ignited the Salvadoran Civil War. Ana’s upbringing and experience advocating for immigrant rights and education justice as a high school student in East Los Angeles fueled her passion for grassroots organizing. She was introduced to RAD’s work as a member of the Renews BIPOC council, where she enjoyed connecting with individuals as passionate as her on environmental and social justice issues. Ana supports and oversees RAD’s organizing activities in the unceded Abenaki territory known as Vermont. You can reach her at ana@radmovement.org.
KIAH MORRIS
Executive Director
Originally from Chicago, Kiah served in the Vermont general assembly as a State Representative from 2014-2016 and 2016-2018. She is the first African-American and person of color elected from Bennington County and the second African-American woman to be elected to the legislature in Vermont history. In that capacity, she served on the House Judiciary Committee and Vermont Judicial Nominating Board and was co-chair of the tri-partisan Legislative Women’s Caucus. Her groundbreaking legislative accomplishments included advocacy for and passage of low- to no-cost contraception for all; removal of statutes of limitations for sexual assault; fair and impartial policing standards; and creation of a multisector panel to address racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems in Vermont. She helmed the historic establishment of a board and cabinet-level director position to address systemic racism in state government; the establishment of the most comprehensive ethnic and social equity in schools bill in the nation, and medical monitoring for victims of corporate pollution. Her story of success and struggle has been covered in over four dozen media outlets including CNN, The Huffington Post, New York Times, Washington Post, The Hill, Essence Magazine, Canadian Broadcasting Company, PBS, BBC Radio, and Vice Media.
Before becoming Executive Director, Kiah served as Rights & Democracy’s Vermont Movement Politics Director. She is also an award-winning, in-demand trainer, speaker and presenter, who provides consultative services, workshops and presentations on issues of diversity, equity, and leadership for organizations across the globe. As co-owner of the TESA Collective cooperative, she manages marketing, communications, and strategic partnerships. She is the co-chair for the Vermont Commission on Women, a councilor with the Vermont Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador for Oxfam America.
Kiah holds an accomplished artistic career as an actress of stage, film and television, a spoken word performer, a singer, a dancer, and an arts manager. As an arts advocate with a passion for community-based art, she has produced numerous special events, concerts and art exhibits during her career. Her work focuses on amplification of voices of the oppressed, issues of human rights and social justice. She is the author of the book of poetry Life Lessons and Lyrical Translations of My Soul. You can reach her at kiah@radmovement.org.
JODI NEWELL
NH Overdose Crisis Organizer
Jodi is an activist, an Overdose Crisis Organizer, a homeless advocate, and most importantly a mom. She lives in Keene with her two amazing boys, Corado and Benny, and her sweet dog child, Buddy.
Jodi comes to her position at Rights & Democracy as a long-time volunteer on the Healthcare Justice and Overdose Crisis leadership teams. She has an intense passion for Substance Use Disorder advocacy, due to the personal experience of losing her partner and father of her children to heroin overdose in 2008. It was going through this battle with Kory that showed her how our current punitive approach often fails to produce the stated result, pitting community members against each other, robbing struggling individuals of their freedom and dignity, and perpetuating a false narrative of personal morality.
Jodi’s fundamental goal is to contribute to a shift in our collective perspective around Substance Use Disorder that will allow for a health-based approach, centering proven treatment options and expansion. You can reach her at jodi@radmovement.org.
ALISON NIHART
VT State Director
Alison joined the Rights & Democracy staff after 5 years as a member leader, board member, and member of the Vermont Leadership Committee. She spent 9 years working for the University of Vermont, most recently as Strategic Implementation Specialist for UVM Extension. She has worked on state legislative electoral campaigns and while at UVM was a leader in the staff union, UVM Staff United. She holds an M.S. in natural resources from the University of Vermont. You can reach her at alison@radmovement.org.
KEVIN PENTZ
NH Climate Justice Organizer
Kevin and his family lived in Kentucky for 20 years before moving to New Hampshire. He has worked as an organizer for Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, first as a chapter organizer for several counties in eastern Kentucky and more recently as an issue organizer focused on resource extraction issues related primarily to coal mining. Before that he worked briefly as an organizer for Montana People’s Action in Bozeman MT. Kevin and his wife, Amy, have a two year old son, Eli. They are all looking forward to exploring the New Hampshire woods. Kevin’s family has owned a camp on Norton Pond in the northeast corner of Vermont since the early 1960’s. You can reach him at kevin@radmovement.org.
TOM PROCTOR
VT Housing Justice Organizer
Hailing from the damp shores of Manchester, England, Tom has lived in the Green Mountains for 5 years and been involved in local politics since the start. Cutting his teeth during the Bernie 2016 campaign, he’s organized for single-issue campaigns, canvassed for mayoral campaigns and most recently, was the Campaign Manager for the Zoraya Ward 1 Burlington City Council race. You may recognize him from hosting RAD-TV, live on Burlington’s Channel 17, or you may recognize him from standing on your doorstep extolling the virtues of progressive policy. You can reach him at tom@radmovement.org.
ZOE SILVERMAN
Data and Tech Manager
Originally from Boston, Zoe came to Vermont for college, where she received a degree in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Vermont. Zoe starting working for political campaigns, both local and statewide, before getting involved with RAD’s Data and Technology team. She is passionate about the intersection of data and progressive politics, and about working to dismantle the racism ingrained in the way data can be used and understood. In addition, Zoe works to encourage harm reduction practices and mutual aid in her community of Burlington, VT. You can reach her at zoe@radmovement.org.
HEATHER STOCKWELL
NH Healthcare Justice Organizer
Heather has been a resident of New Hampshire for almost 50 years. She attended college in Boston and New York, only to return to New Hampshire after her studies. She currently lives in her hometown where she started her own family in the house she grew up in. She is one of the founding members of the Monadnock Progressive Alliance, a local chapter of Rights & Democracy NH. She aspires to apply what she’s learned over the last two years by using these experiences across the Granite State. You can reach Heather at heather@radmovement.org.
BRITANEY WATSON
VT Environmental Justice Community Engagement & Network Coordinator
Britaney (she/her) was born and raised in the mountains of Vermont.
She attended the University At Albany where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Public Sector Economics and a minor in Psychology. Determined to effect change within the foster care system, she spent six years serving children and their families as a caseworker and a supervisor. Following the tragic death of George Floyd, she joined a racial equity work group, which ignited her passion to be an advocate for the BIPOC community. She now serves as the Criminal Justice Chairperson for the Rutland NAACP branch and is dedicated to providing advocacy and support around racial justice, equity and discrimination.
Britaney participated in the Bright Leadership Institute and the Catalyst Leadership Program to further her development as a social change leader and advocate for BIPOC rights. She is an empathetic leader with sincere interest and skill in learning about and assisting others to share their stories. She believes in the value that stories bring and their power in impacting important decisions. You can reach her at britaney@radmovement.org.
MICHAEL WEISS
VT Environmental Justice Organizer
Michael is a young organizer with a deep commitment to making systemic change.
While studying Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina, Michael helped create an environmental justice organization, where he worked for 3 years. Michael is also an advocate for cooperatives and the solidarity economy, working in the agriculture and housing sectors to create an economy that benefits and is owned by workers and our communities. Michael sees all of his work as an effort to distribute power and build systems of radical democracy in all parts of our communities. You can reach him at michael@radmovement.org.
JONAH WHEELER
NH HEAL Together Organizer
Jonah is a community organizer in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Jonah has been a leading member of Rights & Democracy for years and is a passionate public speaker, rooted in his commitment to the mission of building a new world centered around love. You can reach him at jonah@radmovement.org.
KATY ALLEN
VT Field Organizer
Katy believes in reclaiming our connection to the earth and sacred ancestry, harnessing this energy to inform our political movements, social systems, and interpersonal connections. She’s a student and practitioner of healing arts, including herbal medicine and massage therapy. During the 2020 Election, Katy came to RAD and discovered Deep Canvassing alongside inspiring and radical coworkers. Since then, she’s remained inspired by this strategy’s capacity to shift the political paradigm towards one that acknowledges our interconnection, outsmarting the polarization that prevents us from collectively thriving as a society. In college, Katy began organizing with the Slow Food movement at UNH, and is proud to have contributed to other organizations including Magpie Community Foundation and The Waysmeet Center. She can be reached at katy@radmovement.org.
MAGGIE CAWLEY
Strategic Communications Manager
Maggie grew up in Central Vermont, attended college in rural Ohio, and spent several years living in Medellín, Colombia before returning to her home state in 2016 to complete a Master’s in Sustainable Development. She later moved to Central Massachusetts, where she worked as an advocate for food justice, canvassed for progressive candidates, and participated in state and community efforts related to workers’ rights, climate policy, and racial justice. Her background also includes online journalism focused on organized crime, government corruption, and related human rights issues in Central and South America. You can reach her at maggie@radmovement.org.
DAN FINGAS
VT Movement Politics Director
Dan joined RAD after spending 5 years as the Organizing Director for the Long Island Progressive Coalition, a regional community organization committed to fighting for social, racial, and economic justice. Dan started his career organizing in Michigan. There he worked as a political and internal organizer for the Michigan Laborers District Council, as the Hospital Organizing Coordinator for SEIU Healthcare Michigan, as a Community Organizer for Michigan Organizing Project, and in several political organizing roles, including as a Campaign Manager for State Senate. Dan is a 2004 graduate of Albion College and has been married to wife Mo Lynch since 2015. You can reach him at dan@radmovement.org.
ANA MEJIA
VT Organizing Director
Ana has over a decade of grassroots organizing experience and is a firm believer in collective liberation. Her roots trace back to California where she was raised by her parents, who fled their home country of El Salvador after the U.S. backed military coup d’état that ignited the Salvadoran Civil War. Ana’s upbringing and experience advocating for immigrant rights and education justice as a high school student in East Los Angeles fueled her passion for grassroots organizing. She was introduced to RAD’s work as a member of the Renews BIPOC council, where she enjoyed connecting with individuals as passionate as her on environmental and social justice issues. Ana supports and oversees RAD’s organizing activities in the unceded Abenaki territory known as Vermont. You can reach her at ana@radmovement.org.
KIAH MORRIS
Executive Director
Originally from Chicago, Kiah served in the Vermont general assembly as a State Representative from 2014-2016 and 2016-2018. She is the first African-American and person of color elected from Bennington County and the second African-American woman to be elected to the legislature in Vermont history. In that capacity, she served on the House Judiciary Committee and Vermont Judicial Nominating Board and was co-chair of the tri-partisan Legislative Women’s Caucus. Her groundbreaking legislative accomplishments included advocacy for and passage of low- to no-cost contraception for all; removal of statutes of limitations for sexual assault; fair and impartial policing standards; and creation of a multisector panel to address racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems in Vermont. She helmed the historic establishment of a board and cabinet-level director position to address systemic racism in state government; the establishment of the most comprehensive ethnic and social equity in schools bill in the nation, and medical monitoring for victims of corporate pollution. Her story of success and struggle has been covered in over four dozen media outlets including CNN, The Huffington Post, New York Times, Washington Post, The Hill, Essence Magazine, Canadian Broadcasting Company, PBS, BBC Radio, and Vice Media.
Before becoming Executive Director, Kiah served as Rights & Democracy’s Vermont Movement Politics Director. She is also an award-winning, in-demand trainer, speaker and presenter, who provides consultative services, workshops and presentations on issues of diversity, equity, and leadership for organizations across the globe. As co-owner of the TESA Collective cooperative, she manages marketing, communications, and strategic partnerships. She is the co-chair for the Vermont Commission on Women, a councilor with the Vermont Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador for Oxfam America.
Kiah holds an accomplished artistic career as an actress of stage, film and television, a spoken word performer, a singer, a dancer, and an arts manager. As an arts advocate with a passion for community-based art, she has produced numerous special events, concerts and art exhibits during her career. Her work focuses on amplification of voices of the oppressed, issues of human rights and social justice. She is the author of the book of poetry Life Lessons and Lyrical Translations of My Soul. You can reach her at kiah@radmovement.org.
ALISON NIHART
VT State Director
Alison joined the Rights & Democracy staff after 5 years as a member leader, board member, and member of the Vermont Leadership Committee. She spent 9 years working for the University of Vermont, most recently as Strategic Implementation Specialist for UVM Extension. She has worked on state legislative electoral campaigns and while at UVM was a leader in the staff union, UVM Staff United. She holds an M.S. in natural resources from the University of Vermont. You can reach her at alison@radmovement.org.
TOM PROCTOR
VT Housing Justice Organizer
Hailing from the damp shores of Manchester, England, Tom has lived in the Green Mountains for 5 years and been involved in local politics since the start. Cutting his teeth during the Bernie 2016 campaign, he’s organized for single-issue campaigns, canvassed for mayoral campaigns and most recently, was the Campaign Manager for the Zoraya Ward 1 Burlington City Council race. You may recognize him from hosting RAD-TV, live on Burlington’s Channel 17, or you may recognize him from standing on your doorstep extolling the virtues of progressive policy. You can reach him at tom@radmovement.org.
ZOE SILVERMAN
Data and Tech Manager
Originally from Boston, Zoe came to Vermont for college, where she received a degree in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Vermont. Zoe starting working for political campaigns, both local and statewide, before getting involved with RAD’s Data and Technology team. She is passionate about the intersection of data and progressive politics, and about working to dismantle the racism ingrained in the way data can be used and understood. In addition, Zoe works to encourage harm reduction practices and mutual aid in her community of Burlington, VT. You can reach her at zoe@radmovement.org.
BRITANEY WATSON
Environmental Justice Community Engagement & Network Coordinator
Britaney (she/her) was born and raised in the mountains of Vermont.
She attended the University At Albany where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Public Sector Economics and a minor in Psychology. Determined to effect change within the foster care system, she spent six years serving children and their families as a caseworker and a supervisor. Following the tragic death of George Floyd, she joined a racial equity work group, which ignited her passion to be an advocate for the BIPOC community. She now serves as the Criminal Justice Chairperson for the Rutland NAACP branch and is dedicated to providing advocacy and support around racial justice, equity and discrimination.
Britaney participated in the Bright Leadership Institute and the Catalyst Leadership Program to further her development as a social change leader and advocate for BIPOC rights. She is an empathetic leader with sincere interest and skill in learning about and assisting others to share their stories. She believes in the value that stories bring and their power in impacting important decisions. You can reach her at britaney@radmovement.org.
MICHAEL WEISS
VT Environmental Justice Organizer
Michael is a young organizer with a deep commitment to making systemic change. While studying Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina, Michael helped create an environmental justice organization, where he worked for 3 years. Michael is also an advocate for cooperatives and the solidarity economy, working in agriculture and housing sectors to create an economy that benefits and is owned by workers and our communities. Michael sees all of his work as an effort to distribute power and build systems of radical democracy in all parts of our communities. You can reach him at michael@radmovement.org.
ALI BROKENSHIRE
NH Organizing Director
For nearly two decades, Ali has been on the front lines of community and political engagement through electoral organizing in New Hampshire and Vermont. As a single mother, caretaker, and fellow Granite Stater, they are a staunch advocate for social and economic justice, universal healthcare as a human right, and voter rights and access. Forever a nerd at heart, Ali knows to their core that through all of time and space there is no such thing as an unimportant person, and they are committed to amplifying our collective voice to build a more equitable future for the generations ahead. They can be reached at ali@radmovement.org.
MAGGIE CAWLEY
Strategic Communications Manager
Maggie grew up in Central Vermont, attended college in rural Ohio, and spent several years living in Medellín, Colombia before returning to her home state in 2016 to complete a Master’s in Sustainable Development. She later moved to Central Massachusetts, where she worked as an advocate for food justice, canvassed for progressive candidates, and participated in state and community efforts related to workers’ rights, climate policy, and racial justice. Her background also includes online journalism focused on organized crime, government corruption, and related human rights issues in Latin America. You can reach her at maggie@radmovement.org.
Sebastián FUENTES
NH Movement Politics Director
Sebastián was born and raised in Lima, Peru and came to the U.S. in 2001, right after 9/11. He arrived in New Hampshire as an exchange student, and decided to call the North Country his home. Although he couldn’t vote, he began quietly getting involved in politics and supporting local candidates committed to passing legislation to protect vulnerable communities, including the Latino one. After many years, he became a U.S. citizen on July 4th, 2016 and promised his family he would give back to NH more than was given to him. He began organizing rallies and community groups, including the first March for our Lives North Country, the largest protest ever held in that region. Sebastián collaborated with the Coos County Democrats for years, and later the Plymouth Area Democrats, where he learned about grassroots organizing and the value of one-to-one conversations. He also organized for Bernie Sanders, became the first Latino NH State Democratic delegate from the North Country, co-founded the NH Progressive Coalition, and served as Vice Chair of the NH Democratic Latino Caucus.
Rights & Democracy knocked on his door in 2018. He decided to join as a member leader and later served on the Board, before becoming NH Movement Politics Director. Recently he was awarded the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his activism to advance a more humane immigration system and his solidarity with the plight of the Palestinian people. He is also a 3rd year student at Harvard University Ext. School, working toward an International Relations degree. Above all, Sebastián enjoys being a father. He is happily married to Tabitha, another RAD member, and they have 5 children. He enjoys Harley bikes, Star Wars, learning new languages, and listening to people tell their stories. You can reach him at sebastian@radmovement.org.
DÖGG HUGOSDÓTTIR
NH Field Manager
Dögg was born in Iceland and moved to the U.S. in 2014. She is a classically trained pianist with a BA in Philosophy and a post-graduate degree in International Development Studies. Dögg started working with Iceland’s Left Green Movement in the early 2000’s, where she saw how a dramatic narrative shift can have a huge impact on a whole country. She joined RAD’s deep canvassing team in 2020 because she believes that by having deep conversations with people we can shift their views and create a more progressive and wholesome future, where everyone has a seat at the table. You can reach her at dogg@radmovement.org.
BRANDON LEMAY
NH Housing Justice Organizer
Brandon Lemay was born and raised on the West Side of Manchester. As the descendant of three generations of union laborers, his social and political views have been deeply influenced by the labor movement. While studying Political Science and French at Plymouth State University, Lemay was introduced to organizing by working on the 2014 Coordinated campaign. Since that time, he’s worked for NextGen, League of Conservation Voters, American Bridge, Joyce Craig for Mayor, and Andrew Yang for NH. He is excited to be organizing in his hometown and is glad that Rights & Democracy is making a long term commitment to community organizing in the Manchester and Nashua Greater Areas. You can reach him at brandon@radmovement.org.
KIAH MORRIS
Executive Director
Originally from Chicago, Kiah served in the Vermont general assembly as a State Representative from 2014-2016 and 2016-2018. She is the first African-American and person of color elected from Bennington County and the second African-American woman to be elected to the legislature in Vermont history. In that capacity, she served on the House Judiciary Committee and Vermont Judicial Nominating Board and was co-chair of the tri-partisan Legislative Women’s Caucus. Her groundbreaking legislative accomplishments included advocacy for and passage of low- to no-cost contraception for all; removal of statutes of limitations for sexual assault; fair and impartial policing standards; and creation of a multisector panel to address racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems in Vermont. She helmed the historic establishment of a board and cabinet-level director position to address systemic racism in state government; the establishment of the most comprehensive ethnic and social equity in schools bill in the nation, and medical monitoring for victims of corporate pollution. Her story of success and struggle has been covered in over four dozen media outlets including CNN, The Huffington Post, New York Times, Washington Post, The Hill, Essence Magazine, Canadian Broadcasting Company, PBS, BBC Radio, and Vice Media.
Before becoming Executive Director, Kiah served as Rights & Democracy’s Vermont Movement Politics Director. She is also an award-winning, in-demand trainer, speaker and presenter, who provides consultative services, workshops and presentations on issues of diversity, equity, and leadership for organizations across the globe. As co-owner of the TESA Collective cooperative, she manages marketing, communications, and strategic partnerships. She is the co-chair for the Vermont Commission on Women, a councilor with the Vermont Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador for Oxfam America.
Kiah holds an accomplished artistic career as an actress of stage, film and television, a spoken word performer, a singer, a dancer, and an arts manager. As an arts advocate with a passion for community-based art, she has produced numerous special events, concerts and art exhibits during her career. Her work focuses on amplification of voices of the oppressed, issues of human rights and social justice. She is the author of the book of poetry Life Lessons and Lyrical Translations of My Soul. You can reach her at kiah@radmovement.org.
JODI NEWELL
NH Overdose Crisis Organizer
Jodi is an activist, an Overdose Crisis Organizer, a homeless advocate, and most importantly a mom. She lives in Keene with her two amazing boys, Corado and Benny, and her sweet dog child, Buddy.
Jodi comes to her position at Rights & Democracy as a long-time volunteer on the Healthcare Justice and Overdose Crisis leadership teams. She has an intense passion for Substance Use Disorder advocacy, due to the personal experience of losing her partner and father of her children to heroin overdose in 2008. It was going through this battle with Kory that showed her how our current punitive approach often fails to produce the stated result, pitting community members against each other, robbing struggling individuals of their freedom and dignity, and perpetuating a false narrative of personal morality.
Jodi’s fundamental goal is to contribute to a shift in our collective perspective around Substance Use Disorder that will allow for a health-based approach, centering proven treatment options and expansion. You can reach her at jodi@radmovement.org.
KEVIN PENTZ
NH Climate Justice Organizer
Kevin and his family lived in Kentucky for 20 years, before moving to New Hampshire. He has worked as an organizer for Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, first as a chapter organizer for several counties in eastern Kentucky and more recently as an issue organizer focused on resource extraction issues related primarily to coal mining. Before that he worked briefly as an organizer for Montana People’s Action in Bozeman MT. Kevin and his wife, Amy, have a two year old son, Eli. They are all looking forward to exploring the New Hampshire woods. Kevin’s family has owned a camp on Norton Pond in the northeast corner of Vermont since the early 1960’s. You can reach him at kevin@radmovement.org.
ZOE SILVERMAN
Data and Tech Manager
Originally from Boston, Zoe came to Vermont for college, where she received a degree in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Vermont. Zoe started working for political campaigns, both local and statewide, before getting involved with RAD’s Data and Technology team. She is passionate about the intersection of data and progressive politics, and about working to dismantle the racism ingrained in the way data can be used and understood. In addition, Zoe works to encourage harm reduction practices and mutual aid in her community of Burlington, VT. You can reach her at zoe@radmovement.org.
HEATHER STOCKWELL
NH Healthcare Justice Organizer
Heather has been a resident of New Hampshire for almost 50 years. She attended college in Boston and New York, only to return to New Hampshire after her studies. She currently lives in her hometown where she started her own family in the house she grew up in. She is one of the founding members of the Monadnock Progressive Alliance, a local chapter of Rights & Democracy NH. She aspires to apply what she’s learned over the last two years by using these experiences across the Granite State. You can reach Heather at heather@radmovement.org.
JONAH WHEELER
NH HEAL Together Organizer
Jonah is a community organizer in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Jonah has been a leading member with Rights & Democracy for years and is a passionate public speaker, rooted in his commitment to the mission of building a new world centered around love. You can reach him at jonah@radmovement.org.