Board & Staff
Yolande Cadore - Chair of the Board
Yolande Cadore - New York, NY - has spent the last twenty years working with grassroots organizations in New York City and nationally. Early in her career, she worked as an organizer with the Working Families Party, ACORN and New York State Tenants and Neighbors. Recognizing the correlation between degraded environments, including poor quality housing and poor health, led Yolande to WE ACT for Environmental Justice where she was the Director of Community Organizing for six years. As Director, she worked with West Harlem leaders to develop the organization’s outreach, organizing and advocacy campaigns. Additionally, she served as the National Field Director at The Praxis Project. From 2010 to 2015 she was the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Drug Policy Alliance. Yolande holds an undergraduate degree in Urban Policy and Advocacy, a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Columbia Business School–Institute for Not-for-Profit Management and is a graduate of the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. She recently completed a doctoral program at St. John Fisher College. |
Elizabeth Norman - Vice Chair of the Board
Elizabeth Norman - Brooklyn, NY - is the Director of Budget and Planning for the International Rescue Committee’s International Programs, where she oversees a budget of $530 million. In addition to advising senior leadership on strategic decision making around the budget, she supports IRC country programs with budget training, business development and budget analysis and has completed deployments in over 10 country programs. Before joining the IRC, Elizabeth worked for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget for nine years where she managed the budgets for Medicaid and the public hospitals. She also has prior experience serving on non-profit boards: she served as the Board Co-Chair of the New York City AIDS Housing Network (aka VOCAL-NY) as well as Secretary and Finance Committee member of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, where she helped oversee their merger with the Fifth Avenue Committee. She holds an MPA in Public Finance from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service and a BA in History from Oberlin College. |
Ellie Baron - Secretary of the Board
Ellie Baron (she/her) is a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania and has been involved in Action Corps since 2018. She is passionate about ending U.S. involvement in the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and has helped coordinate rallies to stop the war on Yemen. She served as Action Corps’ climate justice lead and was a core organizer of the March for Racial Justice Through Climate Justice in September 2020. She currently serves as an Action Corps organizer in Pennsylvania. |
Nabil Ez-zaoui - Treasurer of the Board
Nabil Ez-zaoui - New York, NY - is a Moroccan American who is deeply passionate about human rights advocacy, geopolitics, and intercultural dialogue. Nabil has 15+ years of professional experience in the financial services sector. He currently serves as the head of Markets Advisory at Mizuho Americas. In this capacity, he advises global corporations and institutions on their macroeconomic risk management practices. Nabil holds a Masters in Mathematics of Finance from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree from Ecole des Mines de Nancy in France. |
Isaac Evans-Frantz - Executive Director
Isaac Evans-Frantz (he/him) - Brattleboro, VT - is the founding director of Action Corps and a former candidate for U.S. Senate in Vermont. He played a key role in passage of bipartisan Yemen War Powers Resolutions in 2018 and 2019 to stop U.S. support for the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen. In 2020 he brought together over 100 U.S. faith-based, humanitarian and trade organizations advocating for global COVID response through the International Monetary Fund. This resulted in the largest issuance of emergency financial resources in the institution's history. In 2021, Evans-Frantz circulated a statement calling for a World Says No to War on Yemen Global Day of Action, which was signed by 400 organizations in 30 countries, making this the largest antiwar coordination since 2003. Isaac holds a B.A. from Oberlin College and Master in Public Administration, with a concentration in non-profit management, from the City University of New York. |
Erica Johnson - Board Member
Erica Johnson - Brooklyn, NY - is a writer and award-winning actor who has performed at the Magnet Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Peoples Improv Theater. She is a legal observer with the National Lawyers Guild. She's the founder and chief storytelling officer at Sir Carter Carter (Majer News), a news site focused on comedy, entertainment, culture, and news. She has written for The Washington Informer and TV One. She is the recipient of the Google News Initiative Fellowship and the T. Howard Foundation Scott Weiss Scholarship. She holds an MA in strategic communications from American University in Washington, D.C. |
Brennan Frazier - Board Member
Brennan Frazier - Albany, NY - graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in Political Science and History. After graduation, he worked to develop mediation programs for underserved communities through AmeriCorps VISTA. He is based in Albany, NY and currently works with Mediation Matters to help his community peacefully resolve differences, and with the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) to help develop and support the broader community mediation field. Brennan previously served as a lead organizer of the former Oxfam Action Corps Columbus. |
Sapana Thomas - Board Member
Sapana Thomas - Boston, MA - Whether working as a product manager in educational technology, developing social media campaigns to raise concern around human rights violations, or lobbying Congress to ask for support on policies helping those who live in poverty globally, Sapana strives to challenge and inspire others to join her in enacting change and implementing solutions. In addition to her product manager responsibilities in a previous job, she was also a corporate social responsibility ambassador and chapter co-leader of the company's Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group. Outside of work, her passion for fighting for human rights and equality led her to spend almost the last ten years on outreach, advocacy, and campaigning for long-term solutions to global poverty, hunger, and injustice, first as a Boston co-lead of the Oxfam Action Corps, and then as a co-founder and vice chair of Action Corps’ first governing body. |
Brian Rawson - Board Member
Brian Rawson - Berkeley, CA - has extensive advocacy and communications experience with many global justice NGOs. He led grassroots advocacy mobilization for Oxfam America for more than a dozen years, including the creation of a national grassroots advocacy training program with teams in 15 US cities who conducted lobby visit delegations annually in Washington DC and local Congressional offices. This was the precursor to the now independent Action Corps. He currently lives in California where he provides training and facilitation services to mission-driven organizations and supports efforts for refugee and immigrant rights. |
Simon Billenness - Board Member
Simon Billenness - Washington, DC - has been described by the New York Times as “a super-specialist” in human rights advocacy. He has over 20 years of experience helping investors, nonprofits, universities, communities, and unions use their power to lobby their governments and hold corporations accountable. As part of the Free Burma movement, Simon organized shareholder activism and the use of state and local selective purchasing laws to put pressure on corporations to withdraw from Burma. Simon co-authored the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law with Rep. Byron Rushing, and led the grassroots lobbying campaign to enact it. He also helped found the U.S. Campaign for Burma, and served on the Board of Directors and as Executive Director. He currently serves as the executive director of the International Campaign for the Rohingya. Simon holds a BA in Political Science and Economics from Loughborough University and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Boston College. |
Neda Saleh - Coordinator
Neda Saleh is a Yemeni-born peace activist located in the Bay Area of California. She is a volunteer with the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation and the founder of the youth organization, Hands Off Yemen. With Action Corps she has led rallies, secured meetings with key members of Congress, and organized national coalition meetings. Through her advocacy work she aims to help achieve peace and stability in Yemen. |
Elain Rabady - Researcher and Grant Writer
Elain Rabady, based in Yonkers, NY, received her bachelor's degree in Economics from the University at Albany, and her master's degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Development from the New School. She is deeply passionate about the need to address the extreme economic inequality both within the US and globally. |
Organizers & Ambassadors
Action Corps ambassadors and organizers are leaders across the country who work closely with us in a volunteer capacity to advance our campaigns. They represent Action Corps in the media, meetings with members of Congress and their communities.
Action Corps organizers have made a commitment above and beyond that of ambassadors, participating in weekly organizing calls, building and leading local teams, and investing significant time in our campaigns.
Action Corps organizers have made a commitment above and beyond that of ambassadors, participating in weekly organizing calls, building and leading local teams, and investing significant time in our campaigns.
CALIFORNIA
Neda Saleh - Lead Organizer
See bio above.
See bio above.
Jeremy Neill - Organizer
Jeremy Neil has spent the last two years in the nonprofit sector advocating for ocean plastic mitigation efforts and coastal protection while working on his MS in Public and Urban Policy. His interests center around the intersections of policy and technology, leveraging modern computer technologies to help decision makers and grassroots organizations increase their influence and democratization over public resources. |
FLORIDA
Zehra Baqri - Lead Organizer
Zehra Baqri, based in Orlando, is a high school student in Florida passionate about science, technology, engineering and math. She is involved in her Shi’a Muslim community and campaigns for first generation immigrants from Pakistan and Iraq to register to vote. It is important to her to speak out for her community to her central Florida representatives.
Zehra Baqri, based in Orlando, is a high school student in Florida passionate about science, technology, engineering and math. She is involved in her Shi’a Muslim community and campaigns for first generation immigrants from Pakistan and Iraq to register to vote. It is important to her to speak out for her community to her central Florida representatives.
Shayaan Subzwari - Organizer
Shayaan Subzwari, based in Miami, is a student at Yale University studying global affairs. His family background is Pakistani and Korean which has motivated him to speak out against violent conflicts around the world. He participates in the Dwight Hall Peace Initiative and Students for Yemen.
Shayaan Subzwari, based in Miami, is a student at Yale University studying global affairs. His family background is Pakistani and Korean which has motivated him to speak out against violent conflicts around the world. He participates in the Dwight Hall Peace Initiative and Students for Yemen.
GEORGIA
Brittany Wilson – Ambassador
Brittany has over a decade of experience planning outreach events to excite, engage, and interact with the community. She is a founding member of Action Corps. Brittany is the design director at a large home textile company that sells to major retailers throughout the U.S.
Brittany has over a decade of experience planning outreach events to excite, engage, and interact with the community. She is a founding member of Action Corps. Brittany is the design director at a large home textile company that sells to major retailers throughout the U.S.
IDAHO
Katie Kelshaw - Lead Organizer
Steering Committee Member, Global COVID Response Campaign Lead & Idaho Lead Organizer
Steering Committee Member, Global COVID Response Campaign Lead & Idaho Lead Organizer
Brendan Bell-Taylor - Organizer
Brendan Bell-Taylor graduated from Boise State University’s Political Science Program, specializing in international relations. He recently worked with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and is involved with Idaho politics to further human rights. His research has focused on far-right radicalization in the United States.
Brendan Bell-Taylor graduated from Boise State University’s Political Science Program, specializing in international relations. He recently worked with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and is involved with Idaho politics to further human rights. His research has focused on far-right radicalization in the United States.
ILLINOIS
[Open]
INDIANA
Kimberly Kiser - Ambassador
Kimberly is a data specialist and prospect researcher for Second Helpings, in Indianapolis, providing job training, and hunger relief to 4,000 people a day. She is a founding member of Action Corps and holds a master’s degree from Indiana University, where she studied non-profit law, management and finance.
Kimberly is a data specialist and prospect researcher for Second Helpings, in Indianapolis, providing job training, and hunger relief to 4,000 people a day. She is a founding member of Action Corps and holds a master’s degree from Indiana University, where she studied non-profit law, management and finance.
IOWA
Don Wiviott - Ambassador
Don is a social entrepreneur based in Des Moines, Iowa; he is currently working in organic agriculture and reforestation. In 2008 he was a congressional candidate in his home state of NM and currently serves on the board of the Iowa Farmers Union. He holds a degree in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard.
Don is a social entrepreneur based in Des Moines, Iowa; he is currently working in organic agriculture and reforestation. In 2008 he was a congressional candidate in his home state of NM and currently serves on the board of the Iowa Farmers Union. He holds a degree in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard.
KENTUCKY
Eh Nay Thaw - Ambassador
Eh Nay Thaw is an ethnic Karen and former refugee from Burma. He holds a bachelor's degree in international affairs with a minor in politics. He is a community organizer and is involved in activism on issues related to international human rights and conflict resolution.
Eh Nay Thaw is an ethnic Karen and former refugee from Burma. He holds a bachelor's degree in international affairs with a minor in politics. He is a community organizer and is involved in activism on issues related to international human rights and conflict resolution.
MARYLAND
Katrina Faulkner - Ambassador
Katrina Faulkner received both her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Workforce Training and Marketing and her MBA from William Carey University. She began a community magazine called Progress Magazine in 1995, aiming to encourage communities to fight for their rights, pay attention to law changes, and take individual responsibility for the community they want to see. As a case manager for a Family Promise affiliate in Biloxi, MS, Katrina began focusing on homelessness for families and advocating for human rights with an emphasis on women’s rights, overcoming domestic violence, small business support, and socioeconomic justice both nationally and internationally.
Katrina Faulkner received both her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Workforce Training and Marketing and her MBA from William Carey University. She began a community magazine called Progress Magazine in 1995, aiming to encourage communities to fight for their rights, pay attention to law changes, and take individual responsibility for the community they want to see. As a case manager for a Family Promise affiliate in Biloxi, MS, Katrina began focusing on homelessness for families and advocating for human rights with an emphasis on women’s rights, overcoming domestic violence, small business support, and socioeconomic justice both nationally and internationally.
MICHIGAN
Odile Hugonot Haber - Ambassador
Odile Hugonot Haber has been an RN in the US for over 30 years, has worked with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom since 1983, and is on the board of World Beyond War. She was a delegate for the California Nurses Association, part of the Campaign Against Apartheid at UC Berkeley in the mid 1980s, part of the Women in Black movement, and part of the Long Haul’s project, the Slingshot newspaper.
Odile Hugonot Haber has been an RN in the US for over 30 years, has worked with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom since 1983, and is on the board of World Beyond War. She was a delegate for the California Nurses Association, part of the Campaign Against Apartheid at UC Berkeley in the mid 1980s, part of the Women in Black movement, and part of the Long Haul’s project, the Slingshot newspaper.
MINNESOTA
Kim Kokett - Lead Organizer
Kim Kokett, based in Minneapolis, is a early childhood educator and family advocate. She has had the opportunity to travel to a number of countries including Rwanda, India, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Columbia, South Africa and Sierra Leone to share her experiences around education and learn about development on a local level. She is also connected to MN 350 and the ONE Campaign. |
NEW JERSEY
Kathleen O’Neill - Ambassador
Kathleen, based in Linden, NJ, is a retired UNICEF staff member. She currently works as a caregiver and has volunteered with ESL programs, LGBT youth groups and the marriage equality movement.
Kathleen, based in Linden, NJ, is a retired UNICEF staff member. She currently works as a caregiver and has volunteered with ESL programs, LGBT youth groups and the marriage equality movement.
Darshan Shah - Ambassador
Darshan is a co-founder and executive board member of Project Break the Cycle, supports poverty relief in the Middle East. He currently is pursuing a degree in biosystems engineering.
Darshan is a co-founder and executive board member of Project Break the Cycle, supports poverty relief in the Middle East. He currently is pursuing a degree in biosystems engineering.
NEW MEXICO
Kathy Chavez - Ambassador
Kathy Chavez, a native New Mexican, is a Navy veteran and practicing nurse. She grew up with a strong sense of social justice and was raised to respect the earth and all living creatures. With Action Corps she has lobbied for food aid reform and climate change policies. Her passions include health care and the COVID global response.
Kathy Chavez, a native New Mexican, is a Navy veteran and practicing nurse. She grew up with a strong sense of social justice and was raised to respect the earth and all living creatures. With Action Corps she has lobbied for food aid reform and climate change policies. Her passions include health care and the COVID global response.
NEW YORK
Sami Esquivel - Lead Organizer
Steering Committee Member, Climate Justice Lead & New York Lead Organizer Sami Esquivel has worked with local NGOs to spread awareness on the importance of oceanic health and forests by leading bay restoration projects and educational hikes for volunteers and the public. She has also coordinated with working communities to advocate for land management and organic farming at community farms for over three years. Sami is focused on amplifying diverse voices to build a healthier community through her involvement in projects involving community outreach as well as arts and cultural partnerships. |
Ethan Lewis Casey III - Bronx Ambassador
Ethan Lewis Casey III has played a key role in the grassroots effort to stop illegal U.S. participation in the war in Yemen. The war has caused the largest humanitarian crisis on earth. He coordinated logistics for the 2019 Action Corps Annual Community Meal with Rep. Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Yemeni- and Burmese-American leaders. Ethan is a health and wellness professional.
Ethan Lewis Casey III has played a key role in the grassroots effort to stop illegal U.S. participation in the war in Yemen. The war has caused the largest humanitarian crisis on earth. He coordinated logistics for the 2019 Action Corps Annual Community Meal with Rep. Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Yemeni- and Burmese-American leaders. Ethan is a health and wellness professional.
Julia Meltzer - Co Lead-Organizer
Julia Meltzer is a graduate student in the Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management program at the Milano School of Policy, Management, and the Environment and will be completing her Master of Science in Fall 2021. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is interested in climate justice, environmental justice, and political ecology at all scales. She has advocated for environmental policy at the state level and looks forward to expanding her scope to address intersecting global challenges. |
OHIO
Sanjeeth Rajaram - Ambassador
Sanjeeth is a medical sciences student at the University of Cincinnati. He is an executive board member of Project Break the Cycle, supporting poverty relief in the Middle East.
Sanjeeth is a medical sciences student at the University of Cincinnati. He is an executive board member of Project Break the Cycle, supporting poverty relief in the Middle East.
OKLAHOMA
Sister Diane Koorie - Ambassador
Sr. Diane, a Sister of Mercy at Mercy Health Center convent in Oklahoma City, is a former teacher continuing to serve on ministry boards, offering adult faith formation, and in advocacy work. Sisters of Mercy serve God’s people through education, health care and other ministries that further social, political, economic and spiritual well-being.
Sr. Diane, a Sister of Mercy at Mercy Health Center convent in Oklahoma City, is a former teacher continuing to serve on ministry boards, offering adult faith formation, and in advocacy work. Sisters of Mercy serve God’s people through education, health care and other ministries that further social, political, economic and spiritual well-being.
OREGON
Irene King - Ambassador
Irene King has an extensive background in advocacy and activism, and works with the Anti-Racism Task Force The Riverside Church in the City of New York and with Common Cause/Reclaim Our Vote during the 2020 election.
Irene King has an extensive background in advocacy and activism, and works with the Anti-Racism Task Force The Riverside Church in the City of New York and with Common Cause/Reclaim Our Vote during the 2020 election.
PENNSYLVANIA
Julian Wharton - Lead Organizer
Julian Wharton was an advocate in the early AIDS movement with ACT-UP, is chair of the Nominating Committee for the NAACP-Monroe County, PA, and is an active member of his church. Leading up to the 2020 election, he volunteered with Reclaim Our Vote to fight voter suppression. |
RHODE ISLAND
David Oppenheimer - Lead Organizer
David Oppenheimer is a retired chef and peace activist from Providence, Rhode Island. He brings students, immigrants and peace activists together for meetings with elected officials. Moreover, he has played a key role in securing commitments from Senator Reed, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, towards the goals of ending U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and U.S. participation in the war in Yemen, restoring humanitarian aid to Yemen, and Congress’ passing a U.S. global COVID response. |
VERMONT
Mary Diane “MD” Baker - Lead Organizer
MD is an activist in Brattleboro, Vermont, where she organizes with a number of groups. She was a key organizer of the January 25, 2021 Vermont car caravan as part of the global day of action called World Says No to War on Yemen. She has participated in multiple constituent meetings with the staff of Vermont's U.S. senators, advocating for global justice, and she has led press outreach for the group's local Yemen solidarity campaign. |
Ellen Schwartz - Ambassador
Ellen is past president of the Vermont Workers’ Center, where she currently serves as co-coordinator of the Campaign Team. She is a retired Vermont educator and editor.
Ellen is past president of the Vermont Workers’ Center, where she currently serves as co-coordinator of the Campaign Team. She is a retired Vermont educator and editor.
VIRGINIA
Jan Jan Maran - Burma Campaign Lead & Virginia Ambassador
Jan Jan Maran is a first generation Kachin-American student majoring in Global Affairs at George Mason University (GMU). She is involved in her D.C.-based Burmese Church community and is raises awareness on Burma issues and internally displaced persons. She serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Kachin Alliance, co-lead of the Burma Committee for STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities, and is the founder and president of the GMU STAND chapter at her school. |
WASHINGTON STATE
Tecle Gebremicheal - Ambassador
Tecle Gebremicheal is a refugee from Ethiopia living in Idaho. He graduated from Boise State University, is a member of the United States Army Reserve, and was a candidate for Boise City Council. He works with organizations to build bridges between the state and new immigrants in his community.
Tecle Gebremicheal is a refugee from Ethiopia living in Idaho. He graduated from Boise State University, is a member of the United States Army Reserve, and was a candidate for Boise City Council. He works with organizations to build bridges between the state and new immigrants in his community.
WASHINGTON D.C.
Hannah Margaret Schwarz - Ambassador
Hannah is an international development practitioner committed to gender equality, climate justice, and human rights. Hannah graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and worked in sexual reproductive health and food security while serving in the Peace Corps in Nepal.
Hannah is an international development practitioner committed to gender equality, climate justice, and human rights. Hannah graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and worked in sexual reproductive health and food security while serving in the Peace Corps in Nepal.
Founding Organizers
|
|
Special Thanks
Action Corps would never have taken root without the tireless efforts of our founding board members --
Megan Nakra, Sapana Thomas, Elizabeth Tillman, Brittany Wilson, and Kimberly Kiser.
Megan Nakra, Sapana Thomas, Elizabeth Tillman, Brittany Wilson, and Kimberly Kiser.