DemocracyInAction has a kick-ass team of experts in several areas including online campaigning, nonprofit program work, management, web development, software and database development, systems and network maintenance, and online marketing.
April Pedersen, Executive Director
Chris Lundberg, Chief Technology Officer
Jason Zanon, Director of Outreach and Development
Jeanette Russell, Director of Outreach
Andy Tomasello, Director of Network Operations
Yonathan Haregot, Application Developer
Chelsea Bassett, Client Support Specialist
Erin Nichols, Developer
Tyler Gregg, Application Developer
Tyler McMorrow, Software Developer
Jon Wheeler, Managing Director
Taylor Keenan, Director of Finance and Administration
Leslie Ann Hall, Director of Member Services
Jordana Adelman, Administrative Assistant
Michael Verrilli, Software Engineer
Erika Rauthe, Outreach Associate
Paxton
April Pedersen, Executive Director
April Pedersen is the Executive Director of DemocracyInAction, an organization she co-founded in 2003 with the belief that technology has a critical role to play in building a progressive infrastructure both in the U.S. and abroad. Since its inception, DIA has grown to be a key player in the online engagement service industry and is confirming in practice that the resources leveraged in its operations are capable of bringing decisive force to the myriad social movements they support. April is also a Founder and Principle of Wired For Change, a mission-oriented company providing online engagement tools to political campaigns, PACs, the DSCC and State Democratic parties. For the past 10 years, April has worked in the nonprofit sector as an online campaign strategist, writer, organizer and now social entreprenuer. She launched several new innovative projects for organizing online, created vibrant online communities and managed online communications and grassroots lobbying for a coalition of 20 national environmental advocacy organizations. April is a devoted human rights & social justice advocate and organizer and also served as the Acting Executive Director of CIVIC, an organization that seeks to mitigate the impact of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and its aftermath by ensuring that timely and effective assistance is provided to unintended victims of conflict. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of CIVIC. April is a graduate Friends World College of Long Island University and has lived and worked in several countries in Latin America and Morocco.
Chris Lundberg, Chief Technology Officer
Chris is co-founder and CTO of DemocracyInAction. He is responsible for the technical direction, software development and administration - bringing 10 years of software development and management in the software industry to the organization. He now focuses on developing "mission technology" and making sophisticated communication technologies accessible to nonprofits. Chris has managed teams developing software for the Library of Congress, worked with the Department of the Navy to develop satellite communications software, and consulted for Accenture developing telecom internet solutions. Prior to that, he produced internet solutions for the financial and entertainment sectors as Director of Applications at Opion, Inc. A strong open source advocate, Chris strongly supports the online growth of nonprofits using readily available open source tools. He holds degrees in both Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering, and is a (Virginia Tech) Hokie and aspiring rock star.
Jason Zanon, Director of Outreach and Development
Jason comes to DemocracyInAction with, in his words, "the zeal of the converted." Working with the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty - a DIA client - he was able to see firsthand how much our services can mean to a nonprofit organization. He spent over five years with NCADP as Director of Development (with a five-month turn as Interim Executive Director), securing the largest grants in the organization's history while more than doubling its grassroots membership. He also created the Coalition's email newsletter and online advocacy programs. Jason is one of the lead writers for the our Salsa toolset blog and also owns the historical blog Executed Today. He holds a Political Science degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.
Jeanette Russell, Director of Outreach
Jeanette (Jnet)has been a leader in the nonprofit field for 15 years and brings extensive knowledge of online communications, fundraising and advocacy organizing. Prior to DIA, Jeanette served as the Network Coordinator for the National Forest Protection Alliance where she coordinated hundreds of organizations and activists around the campaign to protect public lands from industrial logging.
Though not a self-described geek, Jeanette happens to read every issue of Wired magazine, likes sci-fi, and can’t wait to geek out at the monthly meetings of Missoula’s newly formed NTEN 501 Tech Club. She lives in with her husband (a forest activist who she recruited while tabling) and beloved cat, Mr. Furry Pants. You can reach her at 406-880-5638, jnet(at)democracyinaction.org
Andy Tomasello, Director of Network Operations
Andy has worked in the IT industry since 1997 where he has specialized in systems and network administration. He has worked for Western Digital and LucasArts as well as a couple of small, local companies. With his background in supporting all types of networks, he uses his expertise in not only supporting the current Salsa platform, but also plans for its future. Andy holds a degree in Classical Studies from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Yonathan Haregot, Application Developer
Yonathan has 7+ year of experience building tools for non-profits. Most recently he has been working with GreenpeaceUS as the lead application/web developer. He has worked with Greenpeace International as part of the system development team that has underscored todays globally distributed working environment. Prior to that he worked with Essential Information building affordable database driven tools for non-profits.
Chelsea Bassett, Client Support Specialist
After serving as an intern in the Summer of 2005 at DIA, Chelsea discovered that all other job opportunities paled in comparison. She returns to DIA as Client Support Specialist after graduating with degrees in Music and Sociology from Viterbo University of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Interested in conveying technological concepts to fellow non-techies while also developing her writing and research skills, Chelsea looks forward to becoming less useless as she learns to better serve this diverse community of progressive clients.
Erin Nichols, Developer
Erin comes to DemocracyInAction from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, where she did programming, database administration, systems administration, and user support. She is happy to make the transition to software development at DIA.
Tyler Gregg, Application Developer
Tyler began his software development career in 1999 during the heady days of dot-com madness, but tries not to be too bitter about it. He honed his legendary Java skills at a number of small DC tech companies, some of which are even still in business today. DIA is his first experience on the non-profit side of things. A Birmingham, AL native, Tyler has a B.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University and no discernible Southern accent. He doesn't like it when you confuse him with that other Tyler.
Tyler McMorrow, Software Developer
In 2007, Tyler McMorrow, Software Developer, graduated from The George Washington University with a B.S. in Computer Science and a concentration in Security and Information Assurance. Not content with the dry future of being a code monkey in a cubicle at a multinational corporation, he sought out a younger and more vibrant place of employment and found that at DIA. Tyler is currently working on adding new CRM features to the Salsa platform and finding cool new ways to leverage a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations.
Jon Wheeler, Managing Director
After being a regular at DIA happy hours for years, Jon Wheeler decided to make the plunge this summer and come on staff as Associate Director of Outreach. Previously, he was a co-founder of the Center for Progressive Leadership, one of DIA's early adopters. At CPL Jon helped design and implement their innovative leadership development programs for future candidates, organizers and activists, as well as being the all-around tech guru and DIA-wrangler. He also has a background in tech management on Capitol Hill, the IMF, and teaching technology, leadership and entrepreneurial skills to high school students. Jon will be based in the DC office and will focus primarily on outreach as well as working with select organizations to help them successfully use the Salsa platform to accomplish their advocacy and organizational development goals. In his spare time he plans to continue mixing good cocktails, finding new uses for wood paneling, and traveling to exotic locales.
Taylor Keenan, Director of Finance and Administration
Taylor Kennan comes to DIA to lead the operations and finances of the organization. Prior to joining DIA Taylor worked in the finance department of Chemonics International, monitoring accounting and finance activities for a global portfolio of development projects. Before Chemonics, Taylor did a stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia working on sustainable forestry. He holds a M.S in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a Finance degree from Texas A&M University-College Station.
Leslie Ann Hall, Director of Member Services
Leslie comes to DIA with a background in the nonprofit and research sectors. Originally from New Hampshire, Leslie escaped the harsh winters and spent several years in Honolulu, where she worked as a researcher for a tobacco cessation project and as a community educator for a sexual violence treatment center. Feeling the need to live in a more politically active environment and be closer to her family, Leslie moved to DC to attend George Washington University. While getting her MA in sociology, Leslie worked in website management at a national nonprofit that advocates for veterans and people with disabilities. In her free time, Leslie volunteers for local groups working on women's issues, attempts to run with her dog in Rock Creek Park and roots for the Red Sox. Go Sox!
Jordana Adelman, Administrative Assistant
This Jersey girl graduated from Washington University in St. Louis & moved to Washington DC upon discovering the vibrant & accessible theater community that was developing here. After many happy years working for a number of theater companies designing, painting & constructing sets, Jordana learned the hard way that her body needed her to move on to less taxing work. Since then she has wandered aimlessly through the job market gaining experience & knowledge but not much satisfaction. She is thrilled to be welcomed as part of the DIA family and looks forward to adding to their success.
Michael Verrilli, Software Engineer
Mike graduated from New York University in 2008 with a degree in Computer Science. With his only ambition "not to work at a bank" and eager to experience a city with a cleaner subway, he headed south to Washington, DC. While he is not engaging coworkers in arguments over obscure Wikipedia articles, he enjoys falling off his bicycle in exotic locales from Amsterdam to Beijing. An adept programmer at heart, you may also recognize Mike from his international media exposure in outlets such as the Washington Square News and Discovery Channel's Cash Cab.
Erika Rauthe, Outreach Associate
As a 2001 graduate of the University of Montana, Erika has been a contributing member of the Missoula community since 1998. Erika received a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication Studies. She has applied her education to various professional endeavors, including grassroots organizing, independent sales, practicing as a certified Life Coach, teaching Yoga and volunteering as an advocate at the local domestic violence shelter. In addition to this, Erika unapologetically enjoys being a coffee snob and wine connoisseur. She spends her free time in the hills running with her Border Collie/Australian Shepherd X. Erika challenges herself to be grateful and think positive thoughts on a daily basis and she embraces new experiences and new people with open arms and an open mind.
Paxton, Dog
Paxton is the youngest member of the DIA Crew. He enjoys chewing on office plants and going on long breaks.