Salsa Staff
Jordana Adelman Administrative Assistant
Favorite Hot Sauce: Sriracha Sauce
This Jersey girl graduated from Washington University in St. Louis & moved to Washington DC upon discovering the vibrant & accessible theater community that was developing here. After many happy years working for a number of theater companies designing, painting & constructing sets, Jordana learned the hard way that her body needed her to move on to less taxing work. Since then she has wandered aimlessly through the job market gaining experience & knowledge but not much satisfaction. She is thrilled to be welcomed as part of the DIA family and looks forward to adding to their success.
Chelsea Bassett Deputy Director of Support
Favorite Hot Sauce: My mom's salsa.
Chelsea has a couple degrees in Music and Sociology from Viterbo University of La Crosse, Wisconsin. With a stated ambition to become a rock star and the President, her interests in nonprofits and progressive causes led her to DIA as an intern in 2004, where she answered many a phone call and "transferred calls to the marketing department" by throwing the phone across the room to Jason. Chelsea then worked at an Alzheimer's home and completed her senior project on the evils of technology before DIA hired her in 2006. After a crash course on the point of the internet, Chelsea dove into tech support and has learned at least one new thing every day since. She's supported Salsa since it was a funny little Tomato, and Salsa has supported her, from baby showers to cross-country moves. Chelsea now lives at the end of a dead end dirt road in rural Wisconsin with her husband and her tiny and awesome son.
John Cluverius
james dasinger
marakie Getachew
Favorite Hot Sauce: Awaze! (red and pasty Ethiopian sauce)
After realizing she was starting to apply computer logic when interacting with others ("if this, then do this or else do that"), Marakie chose to join the pleasantly social Member Services team. Her degree in Computer Science is from Addis Ababa University, and so far, she's enjoying using her technological wisdom when answering support tickets. When not in the office, Marakie enjoys reading, watching movies, playing chess, and avoiding sports.
Tyler Gregg Application Developer
Favorite Hot Sauce: Uncle Ted's or Uncle Ben's... something with a short name like that.
Tyler began his software development career in 1999 during the heady days of dot-com madness, but tries not to be too bitter about it. He honed his legendary Java skills at a number of small DC tech companies, some of which are even still in business today. DIA is his first experience on the non-profit side of things. A Birmingham, AL native, Tyler has a B.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University and no discernible Southern accent. He doesn't like it when you confuse him with that other Tyler.
Leslie Hall Director of Member Services
Favorite Hot Sauce: Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chile Sauce. It's wicked good on pretty much everything.
Leslie comes to DIA with a background in the nonprofit and research sectors. Originally from New Hampshire, Leslie escaped the harsh winters and spent several years in Honolulu, where she worked as a researcher for a tobacco cessation project and as a community educator for a sexual violence treatment center. Feeling the need to live in a more politically active environment and be closer to her family, Leslie moved to DC to attend George Washington University. While getting her MA in sociology, Leslie worked in website management at a national nonprofit that advocates for veterans and people with disabilities. In her free time, Leslie volunteers for local groups working on women's issues, attempts to run with her dog in Rock Creek Park and roots for the Red Sox. Go Sox!
Geoff Harcourt
Yonathan Haregot Application Developer
Favorite Hot Sauce: Ha, that's easy "awaze" is mine.
Yonathan has 7+ year of experience building tools for non-profits. Most recently he has been working with GreenpeaceUS as the lead application/web developer. He has worked with Greenpeace International as part of the system development team that has underscored todays globally distributed working environment. Prior to that he worked with Essential Information building affordable database driven tools for non-profits.
Taylor Keenan Director of Finance and Administration
Favorite Hot Sauce: Hell on the Red made in Telephone, Texas population 210
Taylor Kennan comes to DIA to lead the operations and finances of the organization. Prior to joining DIA Taylor worked in the finance department of Chemonics International, monitoring accounting and finance activities for a global portfolio of development projects. Before Chemonics, Taylor did a stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia working on sustainable forestry. He holds a M.S in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a Finance degree from Texas A&M University-College Station.
Chris Lundberg Chief Technology Officer
Favorite Hot Sauce: Tabasco!
Chris is co-founder and CTO of DemocracyInAction. He is responsible for the technical direction, software development and administration - bringing 10 years of software development and management in the software industry to the organization. He now focuses on developing 'mission technology' and making sophisticated communication technologies accessible to nonprofits. Chris has managed teams developing software for the Library of Congress, worked with the Department of the Navy to develop satellite communications software, and consulted for Accenture developing telecom internet solutions. Prior to that, he produced internet solutions for the financial and entertainment sectors as Director of Applications at Opion, Inc. A strong open source advocate, Chris strongly supports the online growth of nonprofits using readily available open source tools. He holds degrees in both Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering, and is a (Virginia Tech) Hokie and aspiring rock star.
Tyler McMorrow Software Engineer
Favorite Hot Sauce: oh so really.... I don't have one
In 2007, Tyler McMorrow, Software Developer, graduated from The George Washington University with a B.S. in Computer Science and a concentration in Security and Information Assurance. Not content with the dry future of being a code monkey in a cubicle at a multinational corporation, he sought out a younger and more vibrant place of employment and found that at DIA. Tyler is currently working on adding new CRM features to the Salsa platform and finding cool new ways to leverage a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations.
Jesse Mwaura Software Engineer
Favorite Hot Sauce: Kachumbari (Kenyan salsa-like stuff except awesomer)
Jesse graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, specializing in real-time embedded systems, but there probably won't be much of that going on around here. Rather than sit in a cubicle working for a company that would own all his thoughts and use them to cause more harm than good, he decided it might be better to work on the light side. In his spare time, Jesse enjoys developing web-based tools for non-profits and organizing around environmental justice issues.
April Pedersen Executive Director
Favorite Hot Sauce: Georgia Peach
April Pedersen is the Executive Director of DemocracyInAction, an organization she co-founded in 2003 with the belief that technology has a critical role to play in building a progressive infrastructure both in the U.S. and abroad. Since its inception, DIA has grown to be a key player in the online engagement service industry and is confirming in practice that the resources leveraged in its operations are capable of bringing decisive force to the myriad social movements they support. April is also a Founder and Principle of Wired For Change, a mission-oriented company providing online engagement tools to political campaigns, PACs, the DSCC and State Democratic parties. For the past 10 years, April has worked in the nonprofit sector as an online campaign strategist, writer, organizer and now social entreprenuer. She launched several new innovative projects for organizing online, created vibrant online communities and managed online communications and grassroots lobbying for a coalition of 20 national environmental advocacy organizations. April is a devoted human rights & social justice advocate and organizer and also served as the Acting Executive Director of CIVIC, an organization that seeks to mitigate the impact of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and its aftermath by ensuring that timely and effective assistance is provided to unintended victims of conflict. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of CIVIC. April is a graduate Friends World College of Long Island University and has lived and worked in several countries in Latin America and Morocco.
Anupama Pillalamarri
Favorite Hot Sauce: Well it's not exactly a sauce, but it's called Avakai - it's a hot and sour mango pickle in chili-mustard paste and it's native to my parents' home state of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Anupama grew up in Bel Air, Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in computer science. She has been lucky so far to be able to work in technology for good causes at the DNC, Ben Cardin for Senate, and Catalist, and is thrilled to join DemocracyInAction. She hopes to increase her nerdliness at DIA and also to use the rest of the staff as a test-audience for stand-up comedy, which she performs at open mics (and the very occasional paid gig) all over DC and Northern VA. She has been a vocal Democrat since age four but delved into activism only after watching Howard Dean's stump speeches on CSPAN during a very unemployed and nocturnal time in her life. When she's not doing anything else, she's usually cooking, baking, practicing her Telugu, or playing with babies. Her top five movies are The Princess Bride, Ghostbusters, Star Trek IV, Bridget Jones's Diary, and High Fidelity.
Adam Rosenberg
Jeanette Russell
Favorite Hot Sauce: Montucky freerange hemp sauce
Jeanette has been a leader in the nonprofit field for the past 15 years and brings extensive knowledge of online communications, fundraising and advocacy organizing. Prior to DemocracyInAction, Jeanette served as the Network Coordinator for the National Forest Protection Alliance where she coordinated hundreds of organizations and activists around the campaign to protect public lands from industrial logging. Though not a self-described geek, Jeanette happens to read every issue of Wired Magazine, likes sci-fi, and can't wait to geek out at the monthly meetings of Missoula's 501 Tech Club. She is also serves on the executive committee of the newly established Montana chapter of the New Leadership Council. For the past 12 years, she's lived in Missoula, Montana with her husband (a forest activist who she recruited while tabling), and beloved cat, Mr. Furry Pants.
Tim Schmitz
Favorite Hot Sauce: Does vindaloo count?
Kimberly Thomasson
Favorite Hot Sauce: Sadly, I'm not a fan of hot sauce. I do, however, like a salsa with a medium kick.
Kimberly comes to Wired for Change fresh off the Obama boat by way of a couple years in the banking industry. While living and working in Naples, Florida, she decided to get involved with the Campaign For Change. Kicking ass on the campaign renewed her passion for politics. Originally from West Virginia (yes, it really is a state), she yearned to live a more cosmopolitian lifestyle, so she decided to move to Washington, DC. Leaving the banking industry far behind, she is excited and proud to be a part of the Wired for Change family. Kimberly holds a BA in Political Science from West Virginia University.
Andy Tomasello Director of Network Operations
Favorite Hot Sauce: Tomatillo salsa (but my favorite sauce is barbecue sauce)
Andy has worked in the IT industry since 1997 where he has specialized in systems and network administration. He has worked for Western Digital and LucasArts as well as a couple of small, local companies. With his background in supporting all types of networks, he plans to use his expertise in not only supporting the current DIA network, but will also be planning for the future. Andy holds a degree in Classical Studies from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Alli Treman
Jim Walsh Vice President of Business Development
Favorite Hot Sauce: I don't like hot sauce, but I love Salsa!
As Vice President of Business Development, Jim brings a wealth of marketing success to Wired for Change and is responsible for opening new business markets, managing our complex relationships, broadening sales channels, and negotiating new partner agreements. In his role at the South Carolina Democratic Party, Jim coordinated research, earned media, and direct mail efforts for successful state legislative, gubernatorial, and U.S. Senate campaigns. At America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, he worked with the organization's Chair, Sen. Harris Wofford, to rally resources for youth through a national media campaign and organized highly publicized events with prominent elected officials like Former President Clinton. In 2004, he worked for Democrat Erskine Bowles' U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina. Jim joined the Wired team fresh from U.S. Senator Ben Cardin's successful race in Maryland. Jim is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
perry wong
Jason Z. Director of Outreach and Development
Favorite Hot Sauce: Honestly, I don't even know if I could name a hot sauce. Affordable Kroger brand, maybe.
Jason comes to DemocracyInAction with, in his words, "the zeal of the converted." Working with the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty - a DIA client - he was able to see firsthand how much our services can mean to a nonprofit organization. He spent over five years with NCADP as Director of Development (with a five-month turn as Interim Executive Director), securing the largest grants in the organization's history while more than doubling its grassroots membership. He also created the Coalition's email newsletter and online advocacy programs. Jason is one of the lead writers for DemocracyInAction's blog, DIAtribe and also owns the historical blog http://www.executedtoday.com. He holds a Political Science degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.
Trina Zahller
Favorite Hot Sauce: Anything with a chipotle kick. Yow!
After nearly three years of using DIA to organize in the peace, environmental, and drug policy reform movements, Trina has gleefully joined the DIA team. Coming from the user-perspective, Trina is eager to use her lessons to help other DIA clients make the most of their tools. Originally hailing from Northwest Montana, she is excited to see how DIA can help the progressive movement reach communities that may otherwise be left out in the (often snowy) cold. When she's not DIA-ing it, she's working in nonviolent direct action, training to be a yoga teacher, hosting potlucks or hula-hooping.
