Leadership and Staff

Independent Sector is run by a talented staff, experienced Board of Directors, and a remarkable group of diverse changemakers.

President and CEO

Dr. Akilah Watkins

President and CEO

Senior Leadership

Jeffrey Moore

Chief Strategy Officer

Rick Robinson

Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer Mellen

Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Dr. Rashid Mosley

Vice President of Programming Innovation and Impact

Andrea Risotto

Vice President of Communications

Michael Bochnovic

Chief of Staff

Communications

Oyinkansola Enigbokan

Manager, Multimedia and Digital Engagement

Taylor Kelly

Director of Digital Engagement

Chloe Kessock

Director of Media Relations and Executive Communications

Debra Rainey

Manager, Communications

Chris Watson

Communications Project Associate

Membership

LaTisha Henderson

Director of Membership

Sivan Menache

Membership and Partnerships Associate

Partnerships

Stuart Hewitt

Manager, Partnerships

Sharifa Love-Schnur

Director of Corporate Relations

Policy, Research, and Advocacy

Nancy Barry

Manager, Special Initiatives, Public Policy

Vanna Cure

Director of Advocacy and Engagement

Manuel Gomez

Manager, Data, Engagement, and Advocacy

Jay Guzman

Manager, Policy Research

Esther Gyory

Policy and Corporate Counsel

Ben Kershaw

Director, Public Policy and Government Relations

Dr. Kevin Miller

Director, Research and Policy Analysis

Emily Rogers

Manager, Policy Research

Emnet Sisay

Policy and Engagement Associate

Dr. Benjamin Soskis

Visiting Scholar 2025-Present, Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy

Travis Swanson

Manager, Government Relations

Program Innovation and Impact

Keesha Burke

Director, Programs and Convenings

Umer Rupani

Director of Impact and Knowledge

Operations and Administration

Edom Alagaw

Executive Assistant

Felexia Braxwell

Associate, HR Generalist

Rhea Ilagan

Director, Finance

Aida Gueye

Director, People and Culture

Danese White

Senior Staff Accountant

Interns

Justine McCarthy

CEO Leadership Circle Intern

Chelsea Taylor

Government Relations Intern

Marcus Wilson

Workforce Project Intern

Our Community

Independent Sector leadership and staff are deeply collaborative with individuals and organizations across the social good space.

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Leadership and Staff

President and CEO

Senior Leadership

Communications

Membership

Partnerships

Policy, Research, and Advocacy

Program Innovation and Impact

Operations and Administration

Interns

Our Community

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