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Chair

Jim Dean, Chair

As the chair of Democracy for America, Jim Dean is committed to carrying on the legacy of his brother, Governor Howard Dean. As DFA's key spokesperson and fundraiser, Jim keeps DFA in the national spotlight. Jim brings DFA's mission across the country to all 50 states. He meets with candidates, organizers, party leaders and activists, inspiring everyone to get involved and take back our country. Jim has been involved with DFA since our founding in 2004.

Before joining DFA, Jim worked on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, beginning in early 2002. Jim has been responsible for a variety of campaign functions including fundraising, political organizing and supporting several additional DFA state organizations. Jim’s background is in marketing research particularly, business development, marketing, and sales. He has worked at both Yankelovich Partners Inc. and Greenfield Online Inc.

Jim and his family live in CT.

Founder

Governor Howard Dean, Founder
Governor Howard Dean founded Democracy for America in 2004 to build on the grassroots momentum for reform that his bid for the presidency sparked. The movement propelled DFA into a successful national organization committed to the "50 State Strategy."

In early 2005, DFA ran a people-powered campaign to elect Governor Dean to chair the Democratic National Committee. Democrats nationwide badly wanted reform and found the answer in Governor Dean. From 2005 – 2009, Governor Dean spearheaded the DNC’s 50 State Strategy to support the base of the Democratic Party, setting Democrats up to take back Congress in 2006 and win the White House in 2008. Upon leaving the DNC in early 2009, Governor Dean has returned to DFA as a senior adviser for the healthcare campaign.

Executive Director

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director
Arshad joined Democracy for America in early 2005 to develop and direct the DFA Campaign Academy and became the Executive Director in October 2007. Before DFA, Arshad worked with MoveOn PAC during the 2004 elections. Previous to his electoral experience, Arshad based his professional political career in environmental issue advocacy and organizing. His non-electoral experience includes work on legislative issue campaigns, corporate accountability campaigns, and grassroots fundraising. Whenever possible, Arshad likes to take a leave from DFA and work on campaigns with staffers he’s trained. In 2006, Arshad worked as the GOTV Director for Jerry McNerney for Congress. Arshad was born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota and went to college at the University of Pennsylvania.

Outside of the office, Arshad likes to practice Bikram yoga and visit Burlington hot spots.

Chief of Staff

Mia Moore, Chief of Staff
Mia has a diverse background in organizing and fundraising, dating all the way back to her college years at the University of Wisconsin. She began her professional organizing career working with students at the University of California-Berkeley, where she worked on the successful campaign calling on the state of California to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2017. Mia has also directed telephone outreach offices to raise money and connect such non-profit groups as MASSPIRG and Environment North Carolina with their membership. Before her current work with DFA, Mia directed the major gifts program for Toxics Action Center, increasing the gross income from this program by nearly 100% in two years.

When she's not working, you can find Mia biking, cross-country skiing, tending to her small vegetable garden, or cooking up a storm with her husband, James.

Political Department

Michael Langenmayr, Deputy Political Director 

Michael is from Ogdensburg, New York, a small town on the Canadian border. He came to Vermont in 2003, when he studied Journalism and Mass Communication at Saint Michael's College. Michael entered politics in 2006 as an intern on the Welch for Congress campaign and came to DFA in early 2007 as a communications intern. He spent his first year out of college training dogs and returned to DFA as a Field Fellow in summer 2008. He was hired as a Field Organizer when his fellowship ended in December 2008. In 2009, DFA hired Michael as Deputy Political Director. 

He spends time outside the office with his dogs. He's a longtime comic book fan and isn't afraid to embrace his inner geek.

Nick Passanante, Deputy Political Director
Nick, (a NJ-native that likes to call Boulder, CO "home") got his start in electoral politics in 2006, when he was inspired by Colorado gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter’s message of education reform and joined his successful campaign as a campus organizer and GOTV coordinator. More recently, Nick was a vagabond campaigner during the 2008 cycle who worked in 8 different states (NH, CO, TX, WY, PA, OR, MT, CA), first as a Regional Director and Youth Voter Outreach Coordinator for Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign, and then as the Deputy Director for Field Operations on Lt. Col. Charlie Brown’s campaign for Congress in CA-04. In 2010, he directed DFA's Call Out the Vote program, which made over 1million phone calls for endorsed candidates in the last month of the cycle, and in 2011 he served as DFA's Campaign Director as part of the We Are Wisconsin coalition.

When not mobilizing progressive activists, Nick is usually either playing with his awesome dog, Maya, in the great outdoors or at a local Bluegrass concert. He is a very proud graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. GO BUFFS!

Kaili Lambe, Campaign Manager
Kaili’s interest in politics was sparked by her high school AP Government course in Hawaii. Feeling far away from the action, she decided to trade in the tropics for New England winters so that she could attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. She got her first hands-on political experience working for the Paul Hodes for Congress campaign in 2006, and then as a volunteer during the 2008 Presidential primaries. An avid environmentalist, she also became heavily involved with campus sustainability efforts and upon graduation began working for Repower America as a New Hampshire Field Organizer. She then joined the political department of a U.S. Senate campaign. Kaili brings her expertise in issue advocacy, volunteer coordination and online organizing to the political campaign manager position at DFA.

Kaili loves spending time outdoors, enjoying the changing seasons, and trying different yoga classes. 

Jay Henderson, Campaign Manager
Jay originates from beautiful Menlo Park, California. During his time at Oberlin College, Jay organized with the College ACLU and interned with the Lorain County Urban League, ACLU of Southern California, and the Office of Mayor Adrian Fenty.  After graduation, he worked as a Neighborhood Teams Organizer with Silicon Valley for Obama. Jay got his start at DFA as a Field/Political Intern, before being hired on as Operations Manager. In 2009, he joined the No on 1 campaign in Maine to support the paid canvass. In 2010, Jay helped to run the field campaign in the California 48th Congressional District with Grassroots All-Star Beth Krom. Jay currently works as the National Field Organizer for the western states for Democracy for America. 

Outside of the office, Jay enjoys running, playing the guitar, reading and playing with his dog, Rory.

Please email the political department with any questions at political@democracyforamerica.com

 

Training Department

Monique Teal, Campaign Academy Organizer
Monique began organizing while attending college at Southern Oregon University. Her proudest victory is persuading the City Council to install speedbumps, lights and crosswalks on Siskiyou Blvd- a major street running through town. Monique joined DFA in 2011 after two years as the National Field Director of the US Student Association (USSA). While with USSA, Monique engaged students across the US in healthcare reform, financial reform, state budget cut fights, immigration reform and the 2010 election.

In her free time, Monique likes talking, cooking, summer, the State Fair of Texas, college football, listening to music, laughing, roadtrips, being with family and trying new things. 

Ruby Reid, Online Training Organizer

Over the past decade, Ruby worked on political and legislative campaigns in both staff and volunteer rolls.  She was the Field Director for two California ballot initiatives, the California Field Manager for The Courage Campaign and a Regional Field Director for Organizing for America.  She is a professional social worker and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Welfare at the University of California - Berkeley.  She currently serves as the Training Director for the California Young Democrats and as Political Director for the East Bay Young Democrats.  When she's not organizing grassroots campaigns, she enjoys reading, knitting, playing in the great outdoors, and fostering orphaned kittens.

Please email the training department with any questions at training@democracyforamerica.com

 

Finance Department

Kristina Powell, Finance Director
Kristina comes to DFA with nearly a decade of professional experience in Democratic politics, fundraising and strategic planning.

For the past two years, Kristina has worked as an aide to Governor Howard Dean and helped raise over one million dollars for progressive candidates and causes. Before then, she served as the Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party. Kristina spent a year coordinating youth outreach for President Obama’s New Hampshire Primary campaign and went on to aid get-out-the-vote efforts in six subsequent primary states.

Kristina has managed multiple state house races, served as the finance assistant in a campaign for Virginia Attorney General, and spent several years as the finance director for the Vermont Democratic House Campaign.

Kristina graduated magna cum laude from Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies. She is involved as a volunteer in the Burlington community as a team coach for Girls on the Run. Kristina resides in Williston, Vermont with her husband, Jason, and Chihuahua, Wendell.

Kate Lesniak, Deputy Finance Director

With a background in grassroots organizing, Kate came to DFA in 2009 from Vermont Freedom to Marry -- the key advocacy organization behind the fight for marriage equality in VT. She immediately dug in as a National Field Organizer, primarily mobilizing our more than one million members to fight for real healthcare reform.

Since January 2010, Kate has served as our Deputy Finance Director, leveraging her acute understanding of what it takes to build winning campaigns to connect DFA's donors with what matters to them most. If you've got an idea on how DFA can best approach fundraising in your community, Kate's the person to talk to.

Kate graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Political Science and Sociology, focusing on civic engagement, social control and service learning. Kate’s strong conviction that we are at our best when we immerse ourselves in improving our communities through direct service fits well with DFA's mission to change our country from the bottom-up. You can get in touch with Kate anytime at kate@democracyforamerica.com.

Connor Stewart, Development Associate
Originally from Fairfield, CT, Connor now calls the Green Mountain State home.  Connor's passion for politics comes from a melting pot of issues, but he describes himself as a political animal with a thirst for social justice.

Connor graduated with Bachelor of the Arts Degrees in Political Science and French from Saint Michael's College.  He spent the summer of 2010 in the Middle East researching refugee issues and water scarcity in Jordan and Palestine.

He began his career at DFA as a political intern and made the transition to Development Associate in August 2011. 

In his free time, Connor likes to play basketball, go hiking, and go swimming with friends in Lake Champlain.  He is also a musician and plays frequently in the Burlington community at places like Higher Ground and Nectar's.  Connor is a major dog-lover and will dog-sit anytime.   

Please email the finance department with any questions at finance@democracyforamerica.com

 

Communications Department

Levana Layendecker, Communications Director
As the national Communications Director for Democracy for America, Levana Layendecker promotes the work of DFA to support Progressive Democrats who stand up for our values. She works with national press and supports local DFA groups in their work on local issues and elections. Ms. Layendecker's career has always centered around holding Members of Congress accountable to voters and influencing the media to have a substantive debate on all issues.

Levana Layendecker recently completed a campaign as the the Director of Online Campaigns for Health Care for America Now, a grassroots coalition mobilizing millions to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care. Previous to her work with Health Care for America Now, Ms. Layendecker worked as Web Communications Director for the American Friends Service Committee, and as a consultant for online campaigns with other progressive organizations. Ms. Layendecker became an online organizer after working as a campus organizer and canvass director for the State PIRG's (Public Interest Research Groups.) She also obtained a Master's degree in Governmental Administration from the Fel's Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC. In her spare time, Ms. Layendecker is an avid cook (she makes a wicked eggplant parmigiana). She also is proud to be a former member of the Philly for Change's steering committee, the local DFA group in Philadelphia.

Linsey Pecikonis, Deputy Communications Director

Linsey joins the DFA staff after a stint working with Labor Unions fighting to defeat Senate Bill 5 - a bill that if not defeated would have had a crippling effect for unions and working families in Ohio.  Her previous experience includes  working as the Communications Director for Equality Maryland, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organization in Maryland. Previously, she served as the Director of Communications and Online Organizing for the National Stonewall Democrats and  worked for the Center for Community Change as a campaign and communications consultant, advising leading Immigration organizations on messaging, online strategy, and youth turnout. When Linsey isn't spending her time in front of her computer, she volunteers regularly for various nonprofits and communities that are in need throughout Central Ohio, can be found at many democratic community events and even out walking her two adorable dogs.  

Linsey graduated from Ohio University, where she received a degree in Public Policy and Administration and minor in Communications and Marketing. While serving on the Student Government as the Women’s Affairs Commissioner, she organized the Take Back the Night March on campus and was integral in establishing the Women’s Center at OU.

Please email the communications department with any questions at media@democracyforamerica.com

 

Technology Department

Jase Roberts, Technology Director
Jase's academic background is in Conservation Biology, but he's been developing for the web since 1997. He took an 1-week vacation to Vermont in 2003, and wound up renting an apartment here before returning home to pack and relocate to VT permanently. When he isn't neck-deep in HTML, CSS, MySQL, and other acronyms, he spends his time gardening, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, playing bike polo, in-line skating, building stuff, and raising worms.

Jase lives in Bolton with his wife and fluffy dog.

Gabe Koss, Web Developer
Gabe grew up in Vermont and became interested in Information Technology as soon as he got his hands on a real computer.  Gabe studied History at UVM and lived in Japan for nearly 3 years.  He started working in the web industry professionally when he realized that people would actually pay him to tinker with the internet, and thus decided to launch his freelance career.  A few years in the freelance battlefield led him to seek out full time developer positions, which eventually brought him to DFA.  Outside of his day job Gabe spends a lot of time working on Web and Security related technology projects.  He is also an extremely active participant at Roots School and spends as much time as he can in the woods and mountains.

Sam Stelfox, Web Developer

Sam grew up in Oregon and moved to Vermont when he was 17.  He's been deeply attuned to technology since a young age and has been passionately driven to explore and learn the field of computers.  At Vermont Technical College, Sam studied Software Engineering and was quickly pulled into the field of computer security.  This developed into a job as the Network Administrator while continuing to explore his passion for development on his own time, which eventually led to working for DFA.  In his free time, Sam explores many different fields related to technology in one way or another, everything from sustainable power generation to robotics and aviation.  He is currently part of a group that is building a local non-profit education space that encourages the exploration of electronics and computers.  He regularly bikes, goes to concerts all over the northeast, and generally explores whatever field is currently tickling his interest. 

Support Staff

Emma Interlandi, Operations Manager
Born and raised in Vermont, Emma grew up on the Champlain Islands.  She spent a year in Germany before attending the University of Mary Washington, where she double-majored in Political Science and German, and then received a Master’s Degree at University College London in the U.K.  Emma first became active in politics in 2003, when she canvassed for Governor Howard Dean during his presidential campaign.

She enjoys hiking, local food, going for walks, crazy dance moves, the Muppets, and (despite her better judgment) reality TV.

Laurie Childers, Accountant

Born in New York State, Laurie moved to Vermont in 1988. She graduated with a BA in Accounting from the University of St Thomas in Houston Texas. Her accounting career has included a wide range of experience from international opportunities to a local accounting firm and mid-size to small businesses. In addition to financial reporting and management, she has an income tax background and many years working in employee benefits. She brings a deep understanding of the importance of timely and accurate regulatory reporting and while she had not filed with the Federal Election Commission before she arrived at DFA in June 2010, she has enthusiastically taken on the task of continuing DFA’s excellent compliance record.

Laurie lives with her four children in Addison, VT.
 
 

Amanda McKay, Executive Assistant to Governor Dean
After getting a degree in Biology and realizing she didn’t want to make a career of science, Amanda filled her free time with trying to defeat George Bush in 2004. After her first campaign, she continued working to elect Democrats across the country, including Congressmen Dan Maffei and Ted Deutch. Throughout that time, she also worked with the founders of Ben & Jerry's, Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities and TrueMajority.  After working on a statewide ballot measure in Oregon, Amanda returned to Vermont, for the third time, to work with Governor Dean and DFA.

When not working, Amanda enjoys anything that will get her outside and moving; skiing, running, hiking, swimming and playing with her dog Jake.  She also enjoys traveling around the country with her camera.

Please email the support staff with any questions at info@democracyforamerica.com