Barry CaroResearch & Marketing Intern, HR&A Advisors
Barry Caro graduated Princeton University in 2009 with a degree in History, having focused his studies on contemporary economic and political issues worldwide. His independent work was on the use and effectiveness of propaganda and information warfare in counter-insurgency as practiced by authoritarian governments and on the political and design issues of the proposed West Side Stadium in Manhattan. Prior to graduating college, Barry worked on state-wide and national campaigns, and had interned on Capitol Hill and in City Hall. He covered the 2008 Presidential Election as a blogger for CBS News and The Washington Post, and had previously served as an editor of The Daily Princetonian and Undergraduate Board Member for Princeton Student Radio. After graduation, he worked as Research Director for Mark Green’s primary campaign for Public Advocate, and he is currently employed by HR&A Advisors, an economic development and public policy consulting firm, as a research and marketing intern. He grew up and still lives in the Town of Greenburgh in Westchester County.
Asha Castleberry
1st Lieutenant, U.S. Armed Forces
Asha Castleberry is from Westchester County, New York. She is a foreign policy specialist, military officer, and the co-founder of an upcoming non-profit called the International Youth Council (IYC). Ms. Castleberry received her B.A. in Political Science at Hampton University. During her junior year, she studied abroad with Syracuse University Law and Business Program in China. In 2007, she earned a graduate certificate at New York University Center For Global Affairs Program and a scholarship from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional’s Women to study abroad at the University of Oxford New College International Relations Program. Ms. Castleberry also serves in the U.S. Armed Forces. During her undergraduate, she earned a two-year ROTC scholarship. In 2006, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Adjutant General Officer Corps and assigned at the Harlem Hellfighter’s 369th Sustainment Brigade. She has served in several short-term domestic and abroad assignments. In 2009, she volunteered as an election observer for the Presidential Election in El Salvador and worked on the 2009 Bloomberg for Mayor Campaign.
Danielle Chase
ESL Elementary Teacher, Teach for America
Danielle graduated cum laude from Binghamton University with a double major in Sociology and Pre-law and a minor in Africana Studies. She was accepted by Teach for America to serve in the South Bronx as an elementary teacher for students who speak English as a Second Language. She has taught for three years in grades 3 and 5 and received a MS of education from Pace University. She lives in West Harlem and is an active member of Community Board 9. Additionally, Danielle is an elected member of the New York County Committee.
Jackie Cornell-Bechelli
Field Director, Planned Parenthood Affiliates and Action Fund of New Jersey
Jackie Cornell-Bechelli is currently the Field Director for Planned Parenthood Affiliates and Action Fund of New Jersey. In that role, she oversees all collaborative field plans, acting as a conduit between the national and local offices to advance pro-choice policies and candidates. She recently was awarded the Evanoff-Shuchter Award for Organizing. Off the clock, she serves as the Vice President of the NJ Young Democrats, Outreach Director for the Younger Women’s Task Force of NJ and Municipal Committeeperson for the Ewing Democrats. Jackie is the sole alumna on the Advisory Board for the Women In Learning and Leadership (WILL) Program at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and is also an active mentor to current students. In 2004, she graduated with honors from TCNJ with a B.A. in English and Women’s and Gender Studies. Eight years ago, she and her friends brought Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues to TCNJ and started a tradition that has raised over $50,000.
Mark Crusante
Director of Development, Our World Neighborhood Charter School
Mark Crusante currently serves as Director of Development with the Our World Neighborhood Charter School (OWNCS) in Astoria, New York and also serves as the Vice President for Development and Operations with the Our World Neighborhood Foundation (OWNF). Before serving at Our World Neighborhood Charter School, Mark worked as Project Manager at the New York Charter School Center assisting in developing fundraising initiatives with all 78-charter schools. Prior to his arrival in New York, in 2003, Mark traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area where he served as a Teaching Assistant in Tagalog and Philippine American Studies. Originally from Washington D.C., Mark graduated with a B.S in Political Science from Towson University and received his M.S. in Nonprofit Management from the Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy (New School University). Mark currently serves numerous Nonprofit Boards/Advisory Councils such as: The Center for Filipino American Studies at California State University East Bay, Lincoln Center Theater Young Patrons Committee Program, Resonance Ensemble, and Education Pioneers. In his spare time, Mark enjoys watching American football, attending Broadway shows, and walking around the greatest city in the world, New York.
Jeffrey Guillot
Legislative Director, Assembly member Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester)
Jeff Guillot originally hails from Smithtown, NY and credits his grandfather for helping him develop his progressive ideals from an early age. After receiving his BA in Political Science from Sacred Heart University, he spent some time as a “starving actor” in New York City before getting into politics- and he has been hooked ever since. Jeff is currently employed as the Legislative Director for New York State Assembly Member Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester). Past stints include Project Coordinator for the Nassau County Government Efficiency Project, and Finance Director for New York City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Queens). In addition, Jeff is active in the Queens County Young Democrats, and will soon hold an MA in American Government from CW Post Long Island University.
Andrew Hochstadt
M.B.A. Candidate, NYU Stern School of Business
Andrew Hochstadt is a graduate student at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is specializing in Strategy and Management. Andrew co-founded Stern’s Government & Business Association (GBA); the GBA’s goal is to encourage MBAs to enter the field of government, public policy and politics. Andrew was a volunteer on Barack Obama’s campaign and is an active volunteer with the American Red Cross. Prior to Stern, Andrew worked as a Human Capital Consultant for Deloitte Consulting, specializing in change management, training, and communications. Andrew also interned for Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Andrew graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in Political Science and International Business.
Caroline Jenkins
M.A. International Affairs Candidate, New School University
Caroline Jenkins is pursuing a master’s degree at the New School’s Graduate Program in International Affairs in New York, where she is focusing on international relations with a concentration in conflict security. In addition to her studies, she has recently begun working in the Executive Fellowship program at the Council on Foreign Relations where she is interning for the President Emeritus, Leslie H. Gelb. During the summer of 2009, she worked as an Associate for the Truman National Security Project in the Development and Membership Departments. She helped to plan, organize and manage the Project’s largest Annual National Conference for over 200 political, policy and military leaders. Caroline has also served as Research Coordinator for McWhirter & Associates, Media and Public Relations Associate at Vanessa NK Media and PR Inc., and Development Associate at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. She has been actively involved in Canadian Liberal Elections campaigns, and is a proud member of WIIS, POMED, YPFP, and NLC. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Queen’s University where she focused on Middle Eastern affairs and foreign policy.
Carl Jones
Associate, Kline & Specter
Jones joined Kline & Specter in 2008 after practicing with the Pittsburgh office of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP, a firm with 1,800 attorneys and offices in over two-dozen cities. A native of Georgia, Jones was valedictorian of his graduating class at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga. He went on to Cornell University, where he graduated with honors with a degree in Africana Studies and Research and History, developing a proficiency in Kiswahili (the Swahili word for the Swahili language). He won a number of honors at Cornell, including being named the Cornell Meining Family National Scholar, the Cornell College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Leadership and Service Award, the Cornell University Black Students United Senior Award, the Cornell University Baccalaureate Service Award. While at Cornell, Jones was also President of the Quill and Dagger, the school’s senior honor society, Chapter President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and later became the Class of 2003 President for the Cornell University Alumni Association. While at Cornell, Jones was also president of the Quill and Dagger, the school’s senior honor society, chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and later became the Class of 2003 president for the Cornell University Alumni association. He attended the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was elected class president (4) for his first year, 2006. Jones was a member and later an executive of the university’s moot court program. He won an Oralist Award at the American Bar Association Moot Court Tournament in 2004-5. He coached the 2005-6 ABA team and was a member of the team that won the 2005-6 Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial National Competition.
Eric Katz
J.D. Candidate, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Eric Katz is a second year law student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He is the co-President of the Unemployment Action Center Cardozo chapter, the President of the Labor and Employment Law Society, and a member of the Moot Court team. He is pursuing a career in labor law and worked for the union-side labor firm Spivak Lipton. He also worked for the Transport Workers Union as a strategic researcher. His work in politics includes Ben Shuldiner’s congressional campaign in Northern Westchester in 2006 and working for Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo as a legislative intern. He received his BA in Political Science from Binghamton University, magna cum laude and was heavily involved in campus and local politics. He is a frequent blogger at The Albany Project on a host of different issues. He is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians. Eric is originally from Westchester County and lives in Brooklyn.
George Kevgas
Former Field Director, Chuck Lesnick for Yonkers City Council President
George Kevgas is a native New Yorker hailing from Yonkers. He attended Seton Hall University, pursuing a dual-major in International Relations and Political Science with a concentration in History. He worked as the Field Director on the successful 2009 campaign to re-elect Chuck Lesnick as Yonkers City Council President, and continues to serve in an advisory capacity. He is actively involved in both municipal and county Democratic organizations. He has been part of the Young Democrats since 2003 and is currently the Vice-President of the Westchester County chapter.
Jennifer Kim
Paralegal, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Jennifer is currently working at a Private Equity firm providing growth capital to companies that have the potential to eventually access public capital markets. Her recent campaign experience includes working for the Jin “PJ” Kim for City Council Campaign in Lower Manhattan as Deputy Campaign Coordinator and also for the Kevin Kim for City Council Campaign in the 19th District (Northeast Queens). She has interned for New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Equinox Community Services Agency and volunteered with the New York Public Interest Research Group. Jennifer is also involved with other non-profit/arts organizations, particularly those focusing on Asian-American populations and women’s empowerment. Jennifer serves as an Executive Board member of Young Korean American Network and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Women’s Studies with honors from SUNY Albany. She looks forward to pursuing personal and professional opportunities that combine her passion for public service, diversity and the arts.
Zerlina Maxwell
J.D. Candidate, Rutgers Law School & Paralegal, Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP
Zerlina graduated from Tufts University in 2003, with a B.A. in International Relations. While at Tufts, she was the a tri-captain of the Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Teams. After graduation, she moved to New York City where she worked as litigation paralegal for many years. At the beginning of the 2008 general election campaign she relocated to the battleground state of Virginia to work for the Obama campaign. In Virginia, she was one of three field organizers managing the Campaign for Change office on the campus of Hampton University. Upon finishing her work on the campaign she has become very active in the progressive blogosphere. Currently she splits her time between working as litigation paralegal at Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP and attending Rutgers Law School – Newark in the evening and contributing to The Urban Politico blog.
Ashley McGovern
AmeriCorps Member, Sunset Park Community Empowerment Program
Ashley is a 2009 graduate of Cornell University in Government and Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her senior honors thesis, which focused on transgender legal advocacy, earned her the Philo Sherman Bennett Prize and a magna cum laude graduation distinction from the Government department. She currently serves as an AmeriCorps member with the Sunset Park Community Empowerment Program in Sunset Park, Brooklyn where she teaches free literacy courses, tutors GED and ESOL students, and coordinates a citizenship program for immigrants. She works part time with the New York Legal Assistance Group’s (NYLAG) LGBT Project and also sits on the Young Leaders Council at The Center in Manhattan, the largest LGBT community center of its kind in the country. As a former college organizer and a former intern with the national office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) LGBT and AIDS Project in Manhattan, she has had extensive experience advocating for LGBTQ equality and justice.
Terry McMahon
Attorney, Jones Day
Terry McMahon is an attorney at the firm of Jones Day, where his practice focuses on complex civil litigation for such clients as Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, and Chrysler. He is a 2008 graduate of the New York University School of Law, where he served as President of the NYU Law Democrats and Constitution Chair of the National Democratic Law Students Council. Prior to law school, Terry worked on Democratic campaigns in New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Kentucky, including stints as National Tracking Director for the 2004 John Edwards for President campaign and Press Secretary for a nationally targeted congressional campaign in Louisville. Terry holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from Haverford College in Pennsylvania, where he was active in the student-run freshman orientation program, the Honor Council, and his outrageously rocking radio show.
David Myers
Democracy Program Research Consultant, Demos
David Myers is currently a Democracy Program Research Consultant with Demos, a national public policy organization and think tank. His research is focused on voting rights and electoral reform, having recently co-authored a report on public assistance databases and automatic voter registration. David has a diverse background in campaigns, previously working for New York City political candidates in a variety of capacities and as an intern in Obama’s Northern California Finance Operations office. Active in New York City politics, David is a member of the Manhattan Young Democrats, recently serving as Director of Special Events. David graduated from Bucknell University in 2007 with a BA in History and Political Science. David grew up in Northern California and will be attending law school next fall.
Jared Nicholson
Business Analyst, McKinsey & Company
Jared Nicholson is a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company in New York City. He graduated in 2008 from Princeton University summa cum laude and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. While in college, Jared interned at various organizations working on education policy and volunteered for Deval Patrick’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts. After graduating from college, Jared spent a summer in Boston working at the Office of the Special Advisor to the Governor on Education and what became the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education on the release of Governor Patrick’s education reform agenda. Jared grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Jonathan Siegel
Teacher, The Bronx Latin School
Jonathan Siegel graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Columbia College with a BA in Mathematics-Economics in 2008. From 2007 to 2008, he was the Chair of the Student Governing Board, an independent, student run board responsible for overseeing religious, political, and activist student groups on Columbia’s campus and defending free speech and other student rights. After graduation, Jonathan became a Teach for America corps member. He is in his second year of teaching and currently teaches ninth grade algebra at The Bronx Latin School, a public school in the South Bronx. In May, Jonathan will receive his Masters in Education from Fordham University, and in September, he will head to New Haven and begin law school at Yale, where he has been awarded the Stupski Fellowship in Education. Jonathan believes in a more thoughtful, open, and limited government, and hopes to promote greater personal and economic liberty.
Taylor Stirek
Research Assistant, TPG-Axon Capital
Taylor Stirek is currently a Research Assistant at TPG-Axon Capital and the President of the Manhattan Young Democrats. Before joining TPG-Axon, Taylor worked for the Dean of New York University’s MBA program and received her B.A. from NYU in Art History and her M.A. from NYU in Media Ecology. Taylor served as the Secretary of the Manhattan Young Democrats in 2009 and as the Event Director in 2008. In addition Taylor is a mentor with StreetWise Partners and is an officer in their Credit-Suisse sponsored Young-Adult mentoring program. Taylor moved to New York City in 2000 from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alex Voetsch
As a resident of Manhattan’s Hells Kitchen neighborhood, Alex Voetsch has placed a priority on community and political involvement by being active with the Manhattan Young Democrats, Community Board 4, and the McManus Democratic Club. Most recently, Alex worked as the Deputy Director of Political Affairs for the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, a job which reinforced his belief that providing an exceptional education for every child must be a top priority of government at all levels. Alex has also worked for the United States Federation of Small Businesses in New York and as an intern for NYS Assemblyman Steven Sanders. In 2004, Alex graduated from the University of Rochester, where he majored in political science and spent most of his time at student government meetings and running circles on the track.