Sandra Fluke
President
Sandra Fluke is the President of Voices for Progress. In 2015, Sandra was responsible for the launch of V4P’s California state program, which grew to include political programming as well as policy advocacy. She was then tasked with overseeing membership engagement and recruitment throughout the western half of the U.S. before becoming National Membership and Development Director. Sandra is an attorney who specializes in policy and legislative advocacy on behalf of progressive causes. For two decades, she has worked in the non-profit sector to advance social and economic justice. She is nationally known for her congressional testimony regarding birth control access under the Affordable Care Act and for taking on Rush Limbaugh. In November 2014, she was a candidate for the California State Senate, emphasizing a platform of environmental protection, economic justice, and campaign finance reform. She currently serves on the Boards of Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project and the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles, as well as the advisory boards of Equality California, Westside Family Health Services, and West Hollywood Beverly Hills Democrats. She is a political partner with the Truman National Security Project, an Assembly District 50 Representative to DPSFV, and volunteers as a pro bono attorney. Sandra is a graduate of Georgetown Law as a Public Interest Law Scholar with a Certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies, and from Cornell with a degree in Policy Analysis and Management. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Adam, but spends time each month in Washington, D.C.
Gabriella Akes
Senior Political Associate
Gabby Akes is the Senior Political Associate at Voices for Progress, working to support the organization’s political programming. She is a Smith College graduate where she studied political science and history. Gabby has worked on progressive congressional campaigns as well as interned with voting rights organizations Reclaim Our Vote and Common Ground. Gabby enjoys botany, travelling, and inspiring political action.
Kelsey Anderson
Federal Policy Manager
Kelsey Anderson is the Federal Policy Manager at Voices for Progress, coordinating the team’s federal climate and environmental justice policy work. She joins Voices for Progress after nearly five years at The Climate Reality Project working on federal, state, and local climate policy and advocacy. Prior to Climate Reality, while working toward her master’s in environmental policy, Kelsey interned with the Office of Energy and Environmental Industries at the Department of Commerce analyzing top foreign markets for environmental technologies. In her free time, Kelsey can be found reminding her friends “we can walk there” referring to any spot in DC, taking public transit when we really can’t walk there, exploring cities, trying new brunch spots, and hoping people laugh at her one-liners.
Nick Becker
Lead Engagement Manager
Nick Becker is the Lead Engagement Manager at Voices for Progress. He coordinates all efforts to engage V4P members in advocacy and political programming and is dedicated to building a sense of community amongst our membership. His professional background includes working for elected officials, candidates, local government, and labor unions. Nick is an alumnus of San Jose State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy.
After graduating in 2013, Nick was awarded the Ward Family Scholarship from San Jose State’s Political Science Department, which funded a Congressional internship in Washington, DC with former Congressman Mike Honda. After returning from DC in 2014, Nick moved to the Bay Area to work for The City Clerk’s Office for the City of Santa Clara, coordinating major elements of their award-winning voter and community engagement programs.
Nick has been a resident of Los Angeles since 2015, where he lives with his wife Katie.
Adrienne Brown
Vice President of Human Resources, Finance, and Administration
Adrienne Brown is the Vice President of Human Resources, Finance, and Administration at Voices for Progress. In this role, she is responsible for managing financial operations, human resources, and compliance for the organization. Adrienne works closely with the President, senior staff, and Board to support the organization’s goals and mission. She has over twenty (20) plus years of experience in human resources and financial management, administration, and operations. Adrienne’s expertise is derived from her varied experiences at nonprofit, for-profit, and philanthropic/foundation entities. Prior to joining V4P, Adrienne served as Director of Finance and Administration for the Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF). This philanthropic nonprofit pools over $300 million via individual, corporate, and government funds to support charitable activities in the National Capital Region, across the United States, and globally. During her tenure at GWCF, Adrienne was a trusted advisor to many key stakeholders associated with the Foundation and worked closely with the leadership team to develop and maintain the financial, human resources, and operations structure of the organization. Adrienne holds an MBA and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Troy University.
Sarah Cotton
Vice President: Political
Sarah Cotton is the Political Vice President at Voices for Progress. Sarah leads V4P’s political program, both federally and in California and also cultivates strategic partnerships with other organizations. Previously, she served as Chief Operating Officer and National Director at Voices for Progress, where she led membership recruitment and fundraising efforts for the organization. Sarah’s background is in campaign fundraising, and includes multiple stints as a finance director on congressional campaigns and a cycle at the DCCC as Southern Candidate Services Director. A graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sarah is passionate about social justice, reproductive freedom and civil rights. Sarah is a proud Wisconsinite, an avid reader and a diehard Marquette basketball and Green Bay Packer fan.
Sarah Crowley
Senior Policy Analyst
Sarah Crowley is the Senior Policy Analyst at Voices for Progress, where she works to support the team’s federal and California state policy programming. She is a George Washington University graduate where she studied political science and peace studies. She became interested in public policy through her work with the Roosevelt Network, and has previously interned for advocacy organizations working on federal policy and on Capitol Hill. Sarah lives in the DC area and enjoys hiking, baking bread, and planning post-COVID travel adventures.
Raviya H. Ismail
Vice President of Communications
Raviya H. Ismail is the Vice President of Communications at Voices for Progress.
Raviya leads all aspects of V4P’s communications strategy nationally and in California. Previously, she was the Communications Director at Green 2.0, where she strengthened the organization’s role as a watchdog on diversifying the environmental movement. Additionally, she spent many years as a communications strategist at Earthjustice, The Pew Charitable Trusts, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Aspen Institute. Raviya began her career as a newspaper reporter and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. She is passionate about social justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights and reproductive freedom, and civil rights.
Raviya enjoys eating Iraqi food, visiting her home state of New Jersey, and spending time with her family.
Angella Kidd
Political Associate
Angella Kidd is the Political Associate at Voices for Progress, working to support the organization’s political programming. In college, she was an intern at Way to Win, the Democratic National Committee, and Capitol Hill. Angella holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Political Science from The George Washington University. In her free time, Angella enjoys cooking, traveling, and going to concerts.
Saya Maeda
Engagement Associate
Saya Maeda is the Engagement Associate at Voices for Progress, where she provides support on all membership activation and engagement activities. While in college she interned at a variety of organizations—from arts nonprofits in Los Angeles to the United Nations in New York. Saya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College. On the weekends, she enjoys going to the beach, thrifting, and playing with her cat Ren.
Evan Minton
California State Policy & Programmatic Manager
Evan Minton is the California State Policy & Programmatic Manager for Voices for Progress. Evan manages V4P’s California State policy work and ensures that V4P’s California members maximize their impact in Sacramento policy debates. Evan has nearly fifteen years of California political and legislative experience, and serves as a statewide thought leader and advocate on LGBTQ issues. His first political campaign was for climate change champion U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, and he has since worked for numerous progressive candidates and issue campaigns. In the California State Assembly, Evan staffed numerous successful bills on issues including voting rights, gun control, public health/safety, LGBTQ rights, and education equity. Evan also has experience lobbying the Capitol, having served as the Public Policy Specialist for California’s coalition of domestic violence shelters and service providers. Evan is considered the first openly transgender person to work in the California State Capitol, and he transitioned genders during his employment. A leader in the California Democratic Party, he currently serves on the LGBT Caucus Board in addition to other Party leadership roles. Evan is the plaintiff in a high-profile ACLU lawsuit, which was filed because a hospital refused to treat him after realizing he is transgender.
Christopher S. Myers
Governance and Administration Manager
Christopher Myers is the Governance and Administration Manager at Voices for Progress. This role allows him to empower board members while focused on advancing the organization as it continues to grow in size and mission. Christopher manages all functions of the Board of Directors, ensures smooth organizational administration, facilitates various aspects of employee support, and assists with finance responsibilities. Previously, Christopher spent eight years in non-profit development, three of those with Voices for Progress.
In addition to his work responsibilities, Christopher is the Board Chair of Chi-Town GVP Summit, a Chicago-based youth-run organization dedicated to helping young activists work to end gun violence. He is the Giving Day Taskforce Chair for the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association Board of Directors. Christopher also sits on the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail Board of Directors which supports the National Park Service in keeping the trail safe and welcoming for all users. Lastly, he is a member of the Next Generation Giving Circle, a group of local professionals who pool together donations to grant out to nonprofits across the Washington, D.C. region.
Christopher received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in International Business Economics, from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2012. Originally from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, he resides in the historic DuPont Circle neighborhood of the District of Columbia with his fiancé Larry, and their rescue dog Belle.
Majda Elezovic Rahmanovic
Engagement and Growth Manager
Majda Elezovic Rahmanovic is the Engagement and Growth Manager at Voices for Progress. Majda coordinates efforts to engage donor advocates in policy advocacy and political programming and to grow the network of allied donor groups. She was born in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Due to the war in former Yugoslavia, her family came to Milwaukee, WI. Majda received her BA from Lake Forest College in Illinois. After graduating from Lake Forest College, she moved to Hawaii and received her MA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Majda’s research focuses on the rights of minority groups in China, especially the Hui and female religious leaders. Her professional and personal passions lie in the advocacy and education of minorities and disfranchised communities. She has over a decade of experience in civil rights activism and civic engagement.
Robert Stephens
Vice President of Policy
Robert T. Stephens is the Vice President of Policy with Voices for Progress. As Vice President of Policy, Robert Stephens leads V4P’s policy and legislative work federally and for California state.
Robert traces his activism back to his parents and to his time spent in the classroom teaching. He has had a lifelong passion for policy, education, and social justice. As a first-generation college graduate, he bore witness to education’s ability to lift one out of poverty.
Prior to joining V4P, Robert founded the Justice Through Police Reform PAC to fight for comprehensive police reform on the state and local level. Additionally, Robert served as the Political Director for the ACLU of North Carolina and the Director of Government Relations for the National Center for Learning Disabilities in Washington, DC. Before that, Robert cut his teeth in the legislative shop of Congressman John Lewis and as a teacher in Charlotte, NC. His passion for electoral politics inspired him to work on Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign and run for Durham City Council in 2015.
Robert graduated with a B.A. from Winston-Salem State University in 2008 and an MPP from George Mason University in 2013.
He fervently believes when something is wrong, you do something about it. You don’t sit and wait for others to do it, you jump in. He hopes to inspire all he encounters to do the same.