Staff – Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund

Anan Ayibotele, Senior Accountant & Controller — Anan Ayibotele

Senior Accountant & Controller

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Rukmani Bhatia, Advocacy and Legislative Director — Rukmani Bhatia

Advocacy and Legislative Director

Rukmani Bhatia is the Advocacy and Legislative Director for Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund. Rukmani previously served as a lobbyist for Giffords, where she advocated for federal gun safety legislation, including the now enacted Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Prior to that, Rukmani was a senior policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, where she regularly published on ways to strengthen federal and state laws and regulations to reduce gun violence in communities across the nation. Rukmani also served at the U.S. Agency for International Development during the Obama administration and was the inaugural Hillary R. Clinton research fellow for the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security. Rukmani received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wellesley College and her Master’s degree from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

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Iván Cazarin, Policy Coordinator — Iván Cazarin

Policy Coordinator

Iván Cazarin is the Policy Coordinator at AFR/AFREF where he works across issue areas to provide relief to consumers and take on unjust financial practices. Prior to joining AFR, Iván was a Senior Research Associate at Roosevelt Institute where he worked to advance a progressive economic agenda across issues like wealth taxation, anti-monopoly, industrial policy and climate justice issues. Iván graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) with a Bachelors in Public Policy, with a concentration in Economic Development. Prior to this, Iván worked with state and local organizations in Illinois to pass legislation like the Mental Health Early Action on Campus act and worked with the University of Illinois Chicago’s United Faculty Union and Graduate Employee Organization to organize and bargain for a fair contract. He also worked with community organizations on the West Side of Chicago to develop policies to redistribute vacant, city-owned land to low-income renters of color. In his spare time, Iván enjoys cooking, watching live music, and both watching and playing soccer.

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Christine Chen Zinner, Senior Policy Counsel, Consumer Financial Justice — Christine Chen Zinner

Senior Policy Counsel, Consumer Financial Justice

Christine Chen Zinner is the Senior Consumer Financial Justice Policy Counsel at AFR/AFREF. Christine began her consumer advocacy journey immediately after law school as the 2006 Esther Peterson Fellow at Consumer Reports. She continued her advocacy work with the American Association for Justice, a dedicated community of trial lawyers fighting for justice. While at AAJ, Christine led and supported efforts on a number of federal legislative proposals to protect consumer rights, increase corporate accountability, ensure access to justice, and end forced arbitration. In her free time, Christine enjoys organizing community initiatives and making music with her three kids.

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Olive Deally, Operations Associate — Olive Deally

Operations Associate

Olive Deally is the Operations Associate at AFR/AFREF. She assists in AFR/AFREF’s operations support, development, scheduling, work environment coordination and other organizational projects. Prior to becoming Operations Associate, Olive joined AFR/AFREF as the Executive Fellow. Olive holds a Master of Arts in Environment, Development & Peace from the UN-mandated University for Peace and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from American University.

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Darrell Diggins is the Senior Human Resources Manager at AFR/AFREF. Darrell manages office operations, and provides grant and development assistance and HR support. Prior to joining the organization, Darrell was a conventions sales & catering manager for a major hotel franchise. Before that he worked as a personal chef, a baker, and managed operations for a community theater company, as well as an art & history museum. Darrell enjoys cooking, dining, tennis, theatre, reading and traveling to no end.

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Lisa Donner, Executive Director — Lisa Donner

Executive Director

Lisa Donner is the Executive Director of AFR/AFREF. Prior to joining the organization, Lisa was the Executive Director of the Half in Ten Campaign, and the co-director of the Center for Working Families. In these positions she developed and promoted policies on fair taxes, work and family, anti-poverty measures, and green jobs. Lisa began her career in advocacy as a union and community organizer and campaign strategists at ACORN, and as the Director of the Financial Justice Center, where she fought against big banks and predatory lending. Lisa previously served as AFR/AFREF’s Deputy Director before becoming Executive Director.

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Carter Dougherty, Communications Director — Carter Dougherty

Communications Director

Carter Dougherty is the Communications Director at AFR/AFREF. Carter coordinates and executes strategic communications to advance the organization’s advocacy, along with the work of coalition partners around the country. Prior to joining the team, Carter was a journalist for 20 years for publications including Bloomberg News and The New York Times. He covered the inception of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2010 and its initial work before beginning to write more broadly about financial sector reform. Beyond the U.S. financial system, Carter also has extensive journalism experience covering economic issues in Europe and Africa.

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Dustin Duong, Research Associate — Dustin Duong

Research Associate

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Kimberly Fountain, Consumer Financial Justice Organizer — Kimberly Fountain

Consumer Financial Justice Organizer

Kimberly Fountain is the Consumer Financial Justice Organizer at AFR/AFREF. During a 16 year career in advocacy and organizing for progressive organizations and nonprofits, Kimberly has worked with grasstops and grassroots leaders on healthcare, climate, financial fairness, and other consumer issues. Prior to working as an organizer, Kimberly began her career as a social worker.

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Jessica Garcia, Climate Finance Policy Analyst — Jessica Garcia

Climate Finance Policy Analyst

Jessica Garcia is the new Climate Finance Policy Analyst at AFR/AFREF. Most recently, she was an energy policy consultant for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). With UCS she researched various clean energy technologies and authored a few resources to create UCS’s Energy Storage Hub, which aims to help advocates and decision makers develop policies for the equitable deployment of energy storage to the benefit of climate and communities. Jessica attended Duke University and completed her Master of Public Policy in May 2021, with a focus on energy and environmental policy. Prior to that – she spent three years with The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental conservation nonprofit, on a team that worked at the intersection of science and corporate sustainability.

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Mark Hays, Sr. Policy Analyst Fintech — Mark Hays

Sr. Policy Analyst Fintech

Mark Hays is a Senior Policy Analyst on Fintech with AFR/AFREF and with Demand Progress. He works to ensure effective regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency and other financial technologies. Previously, Mark was the Anti-Money Laundering Campaign Director at Global Witness, where he led advocacy efforts to secure financial transparency measures, including legislation requiring shell companies – often used to facilitate corruption and financial crime – to reveal their true owners. In other roles, Hays has led advocacy work at the intersection of business, human rights, and the environment for a range of organizations, including The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, Greenpeace, Mighty Earth, NAACP, Public Citizen, The Sierra Club, Waxman Strategies, and others. In his spare time Mark enjoys cycling, singing choral music, cooking and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.

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Amanda Jackson, Director of Consumer Campaigns — Amanda Jackson

Director of Consumer Campaigns

Amanda Jackson is the Director of Consumer Campaigns at Americans for Financial Reform, where she continues her ongoing work of amplifying community voices in broader economic justice organizing with a particular focus on debt, all things Wall Street, and bank reparations. With over a fifteen-year background in grassroots organizing, advocacy, and organizational development, Amanda has led many issue and electoral-based campaigns. Her most successful campaigns have yielded $9 million in economic commitments from corporations as well as a reparations fund for the Tulsa massacre survivors. Originally from South Carolina, Amanda also possesses a background in international development and theatre. Amanda’s passions include bike riding, hiking and spending time with family.

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Moonyoung Ko is the Climate Finance Campaign Manager at AFR/AFREF, where she works to build strong relationships with diverse local and state organizations. Prior to joining AFR, Moonyoung worked at a climate organization where she worked on the Stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline and Fossil Free Federal Reserve campaigns. She has also worked on a presidential campaign and at Inclusv, where she focused on breaking down barriers for BIPOC people who worked in or aspired to work in the fields of government, advocacy, or politics. In her spare time, Moonyoung explores her local beaches and parks.

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Meron Lemmi, Corporate Governance & Power Policy Coordinator — Meron Lemmi

Corporate Governance & Power Policy Coordinator

Meron Lemmi currently holds the position of Corporate Governance & Power Policy Coordinator at the Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFREF). Her role includes advocating for responsible corporate practices and governance reforms, leveraging her past experiences. Notably, at As You Sow, Meron contributed to projects that analyzed corporate plastic usage and supported sustainable initiatives, enriching her advocacy skills. She previously engaged in legislative tracking and advocacy at Advanced Energy United, focusing on clean energy policies. Meron obtained her Bachelor’s degrees from UCLA in Geography/Environmental Science and International Development Studies, with a minor in GIS&T. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring nature through hikes and nature trails.

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Alex Martin, Ph.D., Sr. Policy Analyst for Climate and Finance — Alex Martin, Ph.D.

Sr. Policy Analyst for Climate and Finance

Alex Martin is a Sr. Policy Analyst for Climate and Finance at AFR/AFREF. He manages the organization’s growing engagement and policy portfolio at the intersection of financial regulation, climate change mitigation, and climate-related systemic financial risk. Before joining the organization, Alex served as a legislative fellow on the climate team for Senator Schatz (D-HI) and as informal committee staff for the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, focusing on carbon storage tax incentives, climate-related systemic financial risk, economy-wide decarbonization, and environmental justice. Prior to that, Alex worked at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on projects related to clean energy, low-carbon vehicles, and deep decarbonization pathways. His research experience spans atmospheric chemistry, materials science, and optics.

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Avery Mead, Senior Grant Writer — Avery Mead

Senior Grant Writer

Avery Mead is the Senior Grant Writer at AFR/AFREF. Prior to joining AFR/AFREF, Avery worked in public education for more than 15 years. Their most recent work was as a high school librarian, where they created grant-funded programs to improve reading accessibility for multi-language learners and students with disabilities. They also spearheaded the anti-racist task force at their school and served as a vocal and visible advocate for LGBTQ+ people. Avery collaborated with state and local agencies and policymakers to improve the school environment for marginalized students, staff, and families. In addition to their background in education and advocacy, Avery has an MFA in creative writing. They are also a member of the Stonewall Book Award Committee for the American Library Association, and a member of the children’s and young adult committee for the Washington State Book Award, part of the Washington Center for the Book.

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Caroline Nagy, Sr. Policy Counsel for Housing, Corporate Power and Climate Justice — Caroline Nagy

Sr. Policy Counsel for Housing, Corporate Power and Climate Justice

Caroline Nagy is the Senior Policy Counsel for Housing, Corporate Power and Climate Justice at AFR/AFREF. Her research and advocacy work focuses on fighting housing displacement, climate change, affordable housing, and consumer financial protection. She was previously the Senior Housing Strategist at the New York Civil Liberties Union, and has also worked for the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, and the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. She has organized several coalitions, including United to End Homelessness, a coalition of more than 100 organizations created to highlight New York City’s homelessness crisis during the 2013 Mayoral election, and the Coalition for Affordable Homes, which works to prevent displacement and support long-time residents of working-class neighborhoods. She received a JD from NYU School of Law in 2010, and graduated from Ohio University with a BA and MA in Political Science.

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Annie Norman, Save the Post Office Campaigner for Take on Wall Street — Annie Norman

Save the Post Office Campaigner for Take on Wall Street

Annie Norman is the Save the Post Office Campaigner for Take On Wall Street. Previously, she served as the Associate Field Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, where she oversaw their statewide field organizing team. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. In between obtaining her degrees, she served in the Peace Corps, where she spent two and a half years working on sustainable community economic development and sexual health education projects in the rural farming community of Tierra Blanca de Cartago, in Costa Rica’s central valley. Since then, she has worked nine electoral campaign cycles, and as a sexual health educator and then as an organizer for Planned Parenthood affiliates in Waco, TX, Tulsa, OK, and Detroit, MI.

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Natalia Renta, Senior Policy Counsel for Corporate Governance and Power — Natalia Renta

Senior Policy Counsel for Corporate Governance and Power

Natalia is the Senior Policy Counsel for Corporate Governance and Power at AFREF, where she works to change the structures of corporate decision-making to build a more equitable and sustainable economy. Prior to joining AFREF, Natalia was a Senior Policy Strategist at the Center for Popular Democracy, where she provided policy and legal counsel to several campaigns, including those related to Puerto Rico’s debt crisis. Prior to that, Natalia was an attorney at Make the Road New York, an organization that builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice. She earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School and her B.A. from Harvard University.

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Gynnie Robnett, Chief Operating Officer — Gynnie Robnett

Chief Operating Officer

Gynnie Robnett is the Chief Operating Officer at AFR/AFREF. Gynnie previously served as the organization’s Payday Campaign Director, before expanding her role as the manager of administration and system organization. Prior to coming to AFR, Gynnie led the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards (CSS), a network of organizations working to strengthen the nation’s system of regulatory protections and encourage sound enforcement. She has extensive issue campaign and coalition management experience and has worked with state and local groups across the country on environmental, consumer and financial reform issues. In addition to her advocacy work, Gynnie loves to be outdoors with her 2 kids.

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Aliya Sabharwal, Private Equity Campaigns Manager — Aliya Sabharwal

Private Equity Campaigns Manager

Aliya Sabharwal is a Private Equity Campaigns Manager, overseeing AFR’s campaigns to curb Wall Street and private equity greed. She was previously the COVID Oversight Campaign Manager at AFR, monitoring the response of the federal government and corporations to the coronavirus crisis. She mobilized a diverse coalition to recommend oversight and accountability measures for COVID relief programs to the White House. Previously, Aliya was a Senior Organizer at United for Respect where she helped build the organization’s Wall Street Accountability Corporate Campaigns program, developed campaign strategies to hold Wall Street companies accountable for mass layoffs in the retail sector, and crafted narrative change organizing strategies to build a more equitable economy alongside retail workers. She also managed a state campaign to strengthen protections for nail salon workers in her role at Adhikaar, a women-led worker center based in Queens, New York.

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Geraldo Salcedo, Research Associate — Geraldo Salcedo

Research Associate

Geraldo Salcedo is a Research Associate at AFR/AFREF. Previously, he was a research fellow for the Edward A. Bouchet Fellowship at Yale University. There, he investigated the health and social outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in underresourced, predominantly immigrant communities in New Haven. As a President’s Public Service Fellow, Geraldo also became involved with New Haven-based nonprofits to provide direct services and political education to communities. Geraldo enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering at community organizations in his spare time.

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Aditi Sen, Research Director — Aditi Sen

Research Director

Aditi Sen is the Research Director for AFR/AFREF, leading the organization’s research agenda to advance its campaigns. Prior to joining AFR, she worked for several years as a tech regulator for the City of New York, strengthening protections for tenants and workers and ensuring enforcement of platform tech companies at the municipal level. Before joining the public sector, she was a campaign researcher at the Center for Popular Democracy and SEIU Local 32BJ, working on a wide range of state and local policy areas including tenant organizing, fair scheduling, and public school funding; and supporting union organizing in the building services industry. Ms. Sen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Harvard College and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University.

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Ericka Taylor, Acting Chief of Staff & Popular Education Manager, Take on Wall Street — Ericka Taylor

Acting Chief of Staff & Popular Education Manager, Take on Wall Street

Ericka Taylor is the Acting Chief of Staff and Popular Education Manager for Take on Wall Street at AFR/AFREF. Immediately prior, she served as a Co-Director of the DC Working Families Party. Ericka has spent the bulk of her career in organizing and advocacy, including positions with Organizing Neighborhood Equity DC (ONE DC), DC ACORN, and Tenants and Workers Support Committee. She has also worked as a program officer with the Public Welfare Foundation and trained youth organizers as the Southeast Regional Program Coordinator for YouthAction. Ericka has served on the boards of Western States Center, National Priorities Project, and La Clínica del Pueblo, and she currently sits on the board of Jews United for Justice.

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Oscar Valdés Viera, Research Manager — Oscar Valdés Viera

Research Manager

Oscar Valdés Viera is a Research Manager at AFR/AFREF. He conducts research on a range of issues related to improving the fairness and resilience of the U.S. financial system and economy. Before joining the organization, Oscar interned at The Century Foundation, where he worked with the labor team on initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and job prospects for low- and middle-income people. He also worked as a Research Assistant at the Bard Prison Initiative, where he provided research support for incarcerated students completing a Bard College degree while serving their sentences.

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Patrick Woodall, Managing Director for Policy — Patrick Woodall

Managing Director for Policy

Patrick Woodall is the Managing Director for Policy at AFR/AFREF. Patrick has previously worked as the research and policy director at the AFL-CIO Technology Institute and the research director at Food & Water Watch as well as policy and research roles at ACORN, Public Citizen, Consumer Federation of America on issues pertaining to economic and social justice, financial services, globalization, and antitrust. Patrick has written scores of reports and co-authored a book on international trade. Patrick previously served as AFR/AFREF’s Research Director.

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