Get In Touch With Our Teams:
- Community Broadband Networks Initiative
- Composting for Community Initiative
- Energy Democracy Initiative
- Independent Business Initiative
- Communications, Development, and Operations
- Executive Directors
- Board of Directors
Community Broadband Networks Initiative
Jessica Auer — Tribal Broadband Policy Analyst
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DeAnne Cuellar — Associate Director for Outreach
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Sean Gonsalves — Associate Director for CommunicationsSean Gonsalves is an Associate Director for Communications for ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. Sean was a longtime reporter, columnist, and news editor with the Cape Cod Times. He is also a former nationally syndicated columnist in 22 newspapers, including the Oakland Tribune, Kansas City Star, and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. His work has also appeared in the Boston Globe, USA Today, the Washington Post, and the International Herald-Tribune. |
Ry Marcattilio — Associate Director for ResearchRy Marcattilio is an Associate Director for Research with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. He is interested in the democratizing power of technology, systems engineering, and the history of science, technology, and medicine. Previously, Ry worked as an Adjunct Professor of American History in Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. Ry holds a Ph.D. in American History from Oklahoma State University. |
Christopher Mitchell — Director, Community Broadband Networks InitiativeChristopher Mitchell is the Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with ILSR. He is a leading national expert on community networks, Internet access, and local broadband policies. Christopher built MuniNetworks.org, the comprehensive online clearinghouse of information about local government policies to improve Internet access. Its interactive community broadband network map tracks more than 600 such networks. He also hosts audio and video shows online, including Community Broadband Bits and Connect This! Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Angelina Paniagua — Senior Project ManagerAngelina Paniagua is Senior Project Manager for the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with ILSR. Her experience comes from nonprofit, private sector, and government work. She is bilingual in English/Spanish and is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She serves as a Vice President on the Association of Latino Professionals for America’s DC Board of Directors. Angelina is a graduate of California State University – Chico and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Guadalajara, Mexico. She holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM). |
Christine Parker — Senior GIS AnalystChristine is the Senior GIS Analyst on the Community Broadband Networks team. Christine’s work is focused on illustrating and describing Internet availability and adoption across the United States. Her work supports the team’s advocacy and education efforts centered around developing community-owned broadband networks. With over a decade of experience in data and spatial analysis, Christine is proficient in employing diverse tools and methodologies to drive insights and solutions in her field. |
Jordan Pittman — Digital Equity CoordinatorJordan Pittman is a Digital Equity Coordinator with ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. He supports the team’s work in promoting access to affordable, high-quality broadband service for all, with a focus on those who face systemic barriers to digital equity. Jordan received a B.S. in Rural Community Development from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and has been interested in ways that public policies affect rural places and structured access to resources. |
Composting for Community Initiative
Jordan Ashby — Advocacy & Communications Lead
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Linda Bilsens Brolis — Associate Director for Education & AdvocacyLinda Bilsens Brolis is the Associate Director for Education and Advocacy for the Composting for Community Initiative. Her work focuses on advancing composting at the community level as a tool for reducing waste, regenerating soils, supporting local food production, and fighting climate chaos. Linda manages ILSR’s Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Composter Training Program and leads ILSR’s work advancing on-farm composting. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Sophia Jones — Policy Lead and Individual Giving CoordinatorSophia Jones is the Policy Lead with ILSR’s Composting for Community initiative, where she researches, analyzes and supports the building of U.S. policy that advances local composting. She also works on the Development team, supporting fundraising and outreach for ILSR. She received her B.A. in Environment and Development Studies from McGill University. |
Clarissa Libertelli — Community Composter Coalition Coordinator
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Brenda Platt — Director, Composting for Community Initiative
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Najee Quashie – Research Fellow
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Julia Spector – Research and Policy AssociateJulia Spector is the Research and Policy Associate for the Composting for Community Initiative. She works to amplify the team’s policy and advocacy efforts to advance community composting from the local to the federal level. Julia has dedicated her career to promoting social and racial justice, working at organizations focused on democracy, economic, and youth issues. She received her M.P.A. from New York University and her B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Advocacy from Syracuse University. |
Energy Democracy Initiative
John Farrell — Co-Director of ILSR & Director, Energy Democracy InitiativeJohn Farrell is co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and directs its work on energy democracy. John is best known for his vivid illustrations of the economic and environmental benefits of local ownership of decentralized renewable energy. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Katie Kienbaum — Senior ResearcherKatie Kienbaum is a Senior Researcher with ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative, where she researches and writes about equitable and decentralized clean energy and its impact on communities across the country. Before joining the Energy Democracy initiative, she was a Research Associate with the Community Broadband Networks initiative. |
Maria McCoy — ResearcherMaria McCoy is a Researcher on the Energy Democracy initiative, where she contributes to blog posts, podcasts, video content, and interactive features. Her research focuses on how communities can transition to clean, decentralized energy systems that are both equitable and economically viable. |
Kate Taylor Mighty — Senior Energy Communications StrategistKate is the Senior Energy Communications Strategist at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Before joining ILSR, Kate worked at several policy and campaign organizations based in DC and California, using writing, polling, training, and social media to shift popular narratives about the economy and racial economic justice. |
Independent Business Initiative
Luke Gannon — Communications and Research AssociateLuke worked as an intern for the Independent Business initiative before moving to her current position where she contributes to research projects, podcasts, social media, video content, and web posts. Her interests and research focus on the history of antitrust laws and their current enactment at the federal level. |
Lauren Gellatly — Advocacy and Campaigns ManagerLauren is the Advocacy and Campaigns Manager for ILSR’s Independent Business team where she brings her background in advocacy, economic development, and independent business support. Lauren executes campaign strategies and manages relationships with allied organizations and coalition partners, including a coalition of nearly 30 independent business groups and alliances – Small Business Rising – advocating for antimonopoly reforms.
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Susan Holmberg — Associate Director for Research
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Ron Knox — Senior Researcher and Writer
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Katy Milani — Associate Director for Policy and AdvocacyKaty is the Associate Director for Policy and Advocacy for ILSR’s Independent Business program where she works closely with coalition partners and policymakers on antimonopoly and small business policy and advocacy. Previously she was Director of Advocacy and Policy at the Roosevelt Institute where she led strategic engagement with allies, partner organizations, and elected officials on a range of corporate power policy areas, including banking reform and corporate governance. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Stacy Mitchell — Co-Director of ILSR & Director, Independent Business InitiativeStacy Mitchell is Co-Executive Director of ILSR and directs its Independent Business Initiative. Her reports and articles about monopoly power have shaped the thinking of policymakers, journalists, and advocates. As a strategist, she has helped build coalitions and win campaigns for policies that dismantle corporate power, level the playing field for independent businesses, and strengthen communities. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter – Bluesky |
Kennedy Smith — Senior ResearcherKennedy Smith is a Senior Researcher with ILSR’s Independent Business initiative. Kennedy is one of the nation’s foremost experts on commercial district revitalization and independent business development. Her work focuses on analyzing the factors threatening independent businesses and developing policy tools that communities can use to address these issues and build thriving, equitable local economies. |
Communications, Development, and Operations
David Morris — Distinguished FellowDavid Morris is co-founder of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and currently ILSR’s distinguished fellow. He writes the blog, From the Desk of David Morris. He has served as an adviser or consultant to local, state and national governments and to private businesses large and small. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Reggie Rucker — Communications DirectorAs Communications Director at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Reggie manages media relations, develops communications strategies, and leads campaigns to build public support for ILSR local power initiatives. Prior to joining ILSR, Reggie spent over a decade in Modesto, California, helping small businesses to engage the community and activating residents to participate in the civic process. His passion for basketball is only surpassed by his devotion to creating communities where every member feels empowered to know its past, own its present, and shape its future. |
John Bailey — Development Director
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India Gorden — Operations DirectorIndia Gorden is the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Operations Director. India has managed day-to-day office operations for non-profit organizations since 2003 and maintains her professional relationship with various vendors. Her focus is in office management, finance and general human resources. |
Em McPhie — Digital Communications ManagerEm is the Digital Communications Manager at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, where she writes and designs public messaging to expand the reach of ILSR initiatives. Her commitment to community power and government accountability developed through her previous experience as a reporter covering Big Tech and digital equity, as well as her work to increase public awareness of wrongful convictions. |
Executive Directors
Stacy Mitchell — Co-Director of ILSR & Director, Independent Business InitiativeStacy Mitchell is Co-Executive Director of ILSR and directs its Independent Business Initiative. Her reports and articles about monopoly power have shaped the thinking of policymakers, journalists, and advocates. As a strategist, she has helped build coalitions and win campaigns for policies that dismantle corporate power, level the playing field for independent businesses, and strengthen communities. |
John Farrell — Co-Director of ILSR & Director, Energy Democracy InitiativeJohn Farrell is co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and directs its work on energy democracy. John is best known for his vivid illustrations of the economic and environmental benefits of local ownership of decentralized renewable energy. Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter |
Board of Directors
Nora GoldsteinNora Goldstein is the Editor of BioCycle, the magazine and website authority on composting and anaerobic digestion, where she oversees such projects as “www.findacomposter.com” and manages conferences related to composting and zero waste. She received the U.S. Composting Council’s “Hi Kellogg Award” in January 2014, and the American Biogas Council’s “Biogas Visionary Award” in October 2013. |
Chris Lewis
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Kirk MarckwaldKirk Marckwald, the Chairman of the Board, helms California Environmental Associates, a consulting firm that works with a wide range of businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and public institutions to promote conservation. Marckwald has extensive experience with energy and environmental regulation, and prior to founding CEA in 1984, worked as the Under Secretary of California’s Natural Resources Agency, and as a consultant with the Environmental Defense Fund. |
David Morris
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Roy PriestRoy Priest is a Commissioner on the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (Md.) and retired Executive Director and CEO of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Alexandria, Va. Priest has worked in community economic development and finance over his 50-year career, and prior to his current position, served seven years as the President and CEO of the National Congress for Community Economic Development, and 17 years with the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development, including as the Director of the Office of Economic Development. |
Andrew ReicherAndrew Reicher is Executive Director of the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, where he started in 1978 and which he has led since 1981. Over his tenure, UHAB’s base of tenant-run and tenant-owned housing cooperatives has grown from several dozen to more than 1,500 in New York City and beyond. He is the 2003 recipient of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives’ highest honor, the “Jerry Voorhis Award.” Photo credit: Carol J. Ott |
Gina SchaeferGina Schaefer is the Founder and CEO of 13 Ace Hardware stores in and around Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Md. She and her husband employ more than 250 people and have formed an ESOP to begin transitioning ownership of the company to their teammates. She serves on the Board of Directors of CCA Global Partners. |
Jean SuJean Su is the Director of the Energy Justice Program and Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. Jean leads a dynamic team that wages strategic litigation and policy campaigns dedicated to fighting the climate emergency by advancing a just, renewable, and anti-racist energy future and ending the historical energy violence inflicted on communities of color and the planet. Jean is the Co-Chairwoman of Climate Action Network-International, the world’s largest network of climate organizations. She also sits on Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s advisory board on Future Electric Utility Regulation. |
To reach ILSR staff members not listing an address, please e-mail info@archive.ilsr.org