Staff

Ellen Buchman brings to The Opportunity Agenda a breadth of knowledge, expertise, experience, and relationships having worked among leaders at local, state, national, and international levels for more than 25 years. Prior to joining The Opportunity Agenda in 2018, she served as Executive Vice President for Field and Communications at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, where she piloted the organization's field and organizing program, and developed and oversaw the vision for the integrated field, communications, and policy work at the center of the organization; led and put into place dozens of successful campaigns; spearheaded mobilization, training and support to national, state, and local coalitions; and created innovative organizing and communications training models for advocacy around the country and at the international level.

Tony Dosunmu manages The Opportunity Agenda’s accounting and bookkeeping functions and supports office administration. For over six years, Tony has provided essential accounting and auditing support. He has worked with Robert Half International, Colonial Parking, Inc., Lani Eko & Company, CPAs, LLC, and Williams, Adley & Company LLP. He has also served as an administrative assistant at St. John’s University School of Law.

Julie Fisher-Rowe oversees the organization’s strategic framing work, translating communications research and theory into practical messaging strategies for advocates and activists. In this role, she works with groups across the country to identify opportunities to build public support for social justice issues and policies. Through a mix of trainings, workshops, tool development and individual discussions, Julie helps social justice groups hone in on the right messages for their goals, audiences, and other organizational needs.

As Administrative Assistant at the Opportunity Agenda, Tanesha Jackson provides invaluable logistical support in implementing the work of the organization.

As the Outreach and Editorial Director, Elizabeth Johnsen oversees the organization's outward-facing platforms and content, including the website, digital programming, and printed and electronic publications. She manages the review and distribution process for the organization's distinctive editorial and messaging material, while actively growing The Opportunity Agenda's national network of partners and stakeholders.

As the Development Coordinator, Tad Kroll is responsible for researching and writing proposals, updates, reports, and other materials to funders. He works to help create and cultivate mutually satisfying relationships with foundation and individual funders through well-crafted and engaging materials and events. He also works with program staff to help improve tracking and evaluation systems to provide the best information to improve programming and demonstrate effectiveness to funders.

As the Director of Training and Criminal Justice, Eva-Marie Malone utilizes skills and expertise in strategic communications, organizational development, and technology to create innovative training programs for our partners. She also leads organizational criminal justice reform work, including narrative development, communications strategy and capacity building, enabling our partners to tell their persuasive and authentic story about the need to define safety for all members of our communities.

Porshéa Patterson-Hurst brings experience in the translation and communication of technical and complex research data into readily accessible language to her position as the Research Program Strategist at The Opportunity Agenda. In this role, she consults with allies in the field to identify and obtain pertinent research and field needs, utilizes quantitative methods to perform exploratory data analysis on digital discourse related to immigration, and curates and shares public opinion research with partners in The Opportunity Agenda network.

Sughey Ramirez brings extensive experience translating language and culture for social change to her Cultural Strategies role at The Opportunity Agenda. Over the years, through positions in research and strategy, development, and community outreach, she has worked with public and private sector leaders to advance issues such as health equity, affordable housing, immigrant rights, and racial justice.

As the Digital Communications Manager, J. Rachel Reyes leads the creation, development, and implementation of dynamic digital strategies across all of The Opportunity Agenda’s online platforms and social media networks. Prior to this role, she served for seven years as the Director of Communications for the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), a think tank and educational institute devoted to the study of international migration and public policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, and newcomers. Rachel, an attorney by training, brings significant experience in law and policy to her position at The Opportunity Agenda.

Betsy Theobald Richards leads the organization’s Creative Change efforts with artists, influencers, and advocates to shift narrative, culture, and policy towards greater and more equal opportunity for all. Betsy brings over two decades of experience in philanthropy, performing arts, Indigenous cultures, museums, arts education, media, and community advocacy to her role.

As the Training and Partner Engagement Manager, Chrystian Rodriguez is responsible for advancing The Opportunity Agenda’s mission to provide quality training, systems, and support to aid our partners in designing effective media communications strategies. Chrystian also manages collaborations and coordination of The Opportunity Agenda’s organizational partnerships around the country.

Charlie Sherman brings experience in nonprofit communications and equity focused policy research to his role as Research and Evaluations Associate. In this role, Charlie helps manage the Narrative Research Lab, and also supports additional Opportunity Agenda original and collaborative research projects. Additionally, Charlie tracks and analyzes The Opportunity Agenda’s organizational metrics

As Development Assistant, Erin Strek plays a crucial role in supporting the Advancement Team, including resource development, database management, donor relations and event coordination. Prior to joining the Opportunity Agenda, Erin spent time developing her fundraising skills at Culver Place Strategies, a fully LGBT owned, New York City and State based, political consulting firm. Additionally, Erin spent over two years as Search Manager at Hedley May, a global boutique executive search firm.

Leslie Weber brings to The Opportunity Agenda a broad range of non-profit executive and development experience. She has been instrumental in expanding revenue for organizations as diverse as The American Place Theatre, The National Council for Research on Women, and the Prospect Park Alliance, where she served as Vice President of Development and played a key role in the Park’s $74 million Lakeside Campaign.

As Communications and Training Associate, Jade Wilenchik works to support and enhance The Opportunity Agenda's training, media, and partner engagement strategies. Much of her academic and professional experience has been rooted in worker’s rights and economic justice, having held leadership roles in Emerson Progressives and Radicals in Defense of Employees (USAS Local 196), sat on the Executive Committee of the Newsguild of New York, and worked in the offices of Jobs with Justice MA. Prior to joining The Opportunity Agenda, she was the Network Policy Manager at the Roosevelt Institute, an organization committed to rewriting the rules that define our social and economic realities. 

As Director of Human Resources and Operations, Erika Williams oversees functions which include: the administration of organizational policies/procedures, employee performance management, employee satisfaction/engagement, training/development, legal compliance, contract engagement, vendor relationships and organizational accounting/finance, among other activities.