Staff

“Sometimes when you feel like you have something to lose, you actually have everything to gain.”

Emily Cavanaugh (she/her/hers) was born in Chicago, IL on a winning day for the Cubs—an auspicious start. Her early years were full of playing violin, dance, very good dogs, excellent math teachers, and an insatiable appetite for books in the northern suburbs of Chicago. With her career, she has focused on women’s issues and dreams of a world in balance, where everyone has what they need to thrive. After long stints in California and Washington, DC, she returned to the midwest in 2020. When she’s not behind a spreadsheet, you can find her on a bike, at a dance class, reading in a cozy chair, or exploring the natural world with her husband and toddler.

“We all have a role to play in creating the communities we seek.”

Kelly Starr (she/her) loves listening . . . to people’s stories, music, podcasts, the sound of laughter, you name it! She has spent most of her career working to end domestic violence and sexual assault as a social worker, researcher, public policy advocate, and communications strategist. Kelly was born and raised in the Midwest with many siblings and pets. She can usually be found watching sports, going on scenic walks with her dog, or doing a puzzle with a cup of coffee in hand.

“We all do better when we all do better.“

Kristin Wheeler (she/her) is the chief strategy & impact officer for Galvanize USA, where she spearheads the organization’s research, campaign, and partnerships strategy. Since joining in 2020, Kristin has played a pivotal role in reaching and influencing millions of moderate women through data-driven interventions.

Before her time at Galvanize USA, Kristin made significant contributions in community and public affairs while working for the National Park Service. Her role involved supporting the integration of public health and public lands systems. With two decades of experience as a grassroots organizer, non-violent direct action campaigner, and strategic advisor, Kristin brings a wealth of expertise from both the non-profit and government sectors. Outside of her professional pursuits, Kristin resides in rural Washington state with her wife and a growing family of animals.

Lindsay Harper (she/her) is the Chief Development Officer at Galvanize USA. Guided by the belief that potential is ubiquitous and opportunity is not, Lindsay is committed to helping shape a country that works for the least resourced and most overlooked among us. With close to two decades of experience in social impact leadership, she has built equity-centered initiatives, unified cross-functional teams, and secured transformational funding across sectors. Prior to Galvanize, she served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at United Way of King County and was the founder and CEO of CORE, powered by The Rogers Foundation.

Raised in a home where justice and service were core values, Lindsay was deeply influenced by her father—a lawyer dedicated to social justice—who shaped her understanding of fairness and belonging. She believes fundraising is a form of storytelling and empowerment: a way for donors to see themselves in the work, to channel anxiety into action, and hope into lasting impact. Lindsay holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and is a graduate of the d.school at Stanford, where she honed her approach to human-centered design and innovation.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King

Alex (she/her) has a background in digital media, graphic design, and communications. She grew up in the rural Midwest where she developed a deep passion for community building, positive social change, and finding new perspectives through art and creation. Though a Midwesterner at heart, she loves currently calling the Pacific Northwest home with her partner and two cats. When Alex isn’t deep in a design project, she can be found altering used clothing, finding beautiful views, and planning elaborate theme dinners with her friends.

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” ― Mary Oliver 

Amy (she/her) grew up in Philadelphia (go Birds!), but fell in love with the Pacific Northwest while doing her PhD in Feminist Studies from the University of Washington. She currently lives outside of Seattle with her husband, daughter, and very large cat, Billi Buttons. Previously, she was an Associate Professor of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, worked in museum exhibit curation, and wrote for several news outlets and academic publications. She brings her experience and passion for deep listening, critical thinking, and compassionate communication to her role at GALU as Director of Strategic Operations.

“We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike” – Maya Angelou

Annie (she/her) is a seasoned fundraising professional with more than a decade of experience co creating meaningful, impact-driven partnerships alongside corporate and foundation supporters. With an academic background in civic science and psychology, she brings a deeply human-centered lens to fundraising, relationship-building, and community engagement. Born and raised in Minnesota and Wisconsin (go Badgers!), Annie now lives in Seattle with her husband and two cats, and enjoys cooking, reading, and game nights with friends.

“There’s some good in this world. . .and it’s worth fighting for.” -Samwise Gamgee

Ariel (she/her/hers) loves learning about other people and cultures, believing that we have more in common than what sets us apart. Driven by this passion and her commitment to public service, Ariel has spent her career advocating for democracy and human rights issues, including access to reproductive healthcare and US funding for the United Nations. Born and raised in Ohio, Ariel now resides in Colorado. When not working, she can be found planning her next trip, cleaning and organizing (for fun!), curled up with a book, or hiking with her husband and energetic Goldendoodle.

Contact Ariel at partnerships@galvanizeaction.org.

Brittney (she/her) has over ten years of experience in nonprofit management, with a focus on building thoughtful, long-lasting fundraising structures. A first-generation college graduate, Brittney studied nonprofit management with the goal of giving back to the essential programs that supported her family. She grew up in the heart of the Midwest, shaped by the weight of intergenerational poverty and a desire to break the cycle. Motivated by a desire to be surrounded by community rooted in social change, she eventually made her way to Seattle, where she’s found a deep sense of belonging. Outside of work, Brittney loves exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest with her husband, young son, and their dog. She can often be found visiting local museums, enjoying Seattle’s vibrant public spaces, and soaking in moments of everyday joy with her family.

“Community is about commitment, consistency, and compassion.”

Co (she/her) believes that you can solve most problems with a well-organized spreadsheet and a color-coded system. As a former fundraiser, she brings over eight years of experience in project management, relationship-building, and strategy to the team. Born, raised, and further educated in California, she now calls the Pacific Northwest home alongside her partner and dog.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

Dani (she/her) is passionate about ensuring that our democracy is inclusive, representative, and works for everyone. When she isn’t building data pipelines, you can find her tending to her houseplants or updating her Taylor Swift spreadsheets.

“Exercising self-compassion is the first step of social change. To provide meaningful care for others you must first care for yourself. But once you care for yourself, it’s important to extend that care to others!”

Deanna is a dedicated community organizer with lots of experience in the nonprofit sector, spanning environmental advocacy, voter engagement, and community building. With a deep commitment to driving meaningful change, she has worked alongside communities of all sizes to amplify voices, inspire civic participation, and strengthen grassroots movements.

“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.” – Maya Angelou

Ella (they/them) loves writing and storytelling. Their love of narrative has taken them all over the country, where they have worked as a theatre director, actor, community organizer, writer, campaign staffer, and communications professional. Ella believes we can build a better world by building strong communities. Outside of work, they enjoy cuddling their cat, playing, writing, and seeing live music, reading romance novels, and riding their bike.

“The worst thing you can do is nothing.” —Terry Pratchett

Emily’s (she/her) first exposure to civic engagement began at age 6, when she “helped” her parents gather petition signatures by catching frogs in the nearby pond. Since then, she’s been passionate about finding the stories that bring people together to take action for progress. When she’s not out trying to see as much of the world as possible, Emily can usually be found biking through the park, starting a new knitting project, or trying to improve her crossword time.

“All that you touch, You Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change.” – Octavia Butler

G is an artist and organizer with a background in digital media, graphic design, and advocacy work. G graduated from Pitzer College with a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Feminist Studies, which focused on building systems of support and education for gender-diverse youth. Driven by a passion for community-building and collective liberation, G is dedicated to using art and design as a catalyst for empowerment and mobilization. Born in Seattle and raised on Maui, HI, G loves the ocean and seeks to be near it at every opportunity.

“We all believe in something better for ourselves and our communities. What’s important is finding your hope and then helping others to realize theirs.”

Hannah (she/her/hers) has a background in public health, community-engaged programming, policy analysis, wedding planning, and theater. She grew up in Michigan where her favorite memories are of family camping trips, Disney sing-alongs in the car with her sister, and tubing on Lake Michigan with her girlfriends. Hannah loves working collaboratively with other women to give back to her community, a value instilled in her by her mother and grandmother. When she is not chasing after two toddlers, Hannah enjoys hiking, baking, and reading historical fiction. She lives with her husband, daughter, son, and two cats, “Oscar” and “Gracie Anne.”

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tired into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Harriet has a background in international studies and communications. She grew up in the Seattle area and has spent the last decade working and studying around the world including Washington, D.C., London, and Shanghai before returning to the Pacific Northwest. Harriet is passionate about using social media to uplift underrepresented voices and build communities. Outside of work, she enjoys music, dance, and crafting. 

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Jasmine (she/her), equipped with a Statistics and Data Science degree from UC San Diego, has always been driven by a passion for coding and analytics, aiming to harness the power of data for positive change. Fueled by the transformative impact of data, Jasmine is proud to continue leveraging data for meaningful outcomes at Galvanize USA. Beyond data analytics, she enjoys tackling jigsaw puzzles, playing ultimate frisbee, and volunteers as a coach for the women’s ultimate frisbee team at UCSD.

“What is most needed now is community action driven by compassion, understanding, and a sense of justice.“

Jasmine (she/her/hers) grew up in Portland, Oregon, where her community instilled in her a deep sense of creativity and compassion. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington and has since been working in nonprofit and youth advocacy spaces. Jasmine strives to make a meaningful impact by advocating for her community and working with Galvanize USA to drive progress. Outside of work, she enjoys watching old movies, reading and listening to podcasts, taking long walks, and experimenting in the kitchen.   

“If enough people think of a thing and work hard enough at it, I guess it’s pretty nearly bound to happen, wind and weather permitting.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura (she/her) has a background in social psychology and has always tried to use her research to make the world a better place, focusing on issues of diversity, representation, and prejudice. Outside of work, Laura can be found reading a good book, playing video games with her friends, and hanging out with her two spoiled cats, Noodle and Sushi. She also has a prized collection of library cards from every town she’s lived in (and still uses them all to check out e-books).

“We’re going to win this war not by fighting what we hate but saving what we love.” – Rose Tico, Last Jedi

Laurie (she/her/hers) has a background in social work and for most of her career has worked in the anti-violence movement, working to empower women and girls, and prevent interpersonal and community-based violence. Growing up on a rural northeast Iowa farm, Laurie spent her days playing with her cats and dogs, helping can garden vegetables, and growing to appreciate the strong connections between the women in her life. When Laurie’s not thinking and listening about ways to create safety and abundance for everyone, she is working on sewing and knitting projects and cooking for family and friends. Laurie has two grown sons and spends most of her free time playing with her three young grandsons and traveling with her husband, Brent.

“Being human means throwing your whole life on the scales of destiny when need be, all the while rejoicing in every sunny day and every beautiful cloud.” ― Rosa Luxemburg

Max W (he/him) brings over a decade of fundraising experience to Galvanize USA, with a focus on grant writing for organizations engaged in civic engagement. Max attended George Mason University where he specialized in government, history, and religious studies. Raised by a single mother in rural Virginia, Max has a deep appreciation for the power of women in family and community, and is thrilled to be working to support their engagement with democracy. Max lives in Washington, DC with his wife and their rambunctious, elderly cat. 

“When you put love out in the world it travels, and it can touch people and reach people in ways that we never even expected.” — Laverne Cox

Megan (she/her) is passionate about having values-based conversations with people from different backgrounds. Her dedication to connecting people and ideas led to her facilitating and co-governing several coalitions focused on defending democracy, informing voters, and protecting ballot access. Always a lover of learning, Megan’s law school studies centered on civil rights and the constitution. Raised by brave women in Oregon, she now lives in Montana where she skis and mountain bikes with her family.

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled” – Plutarch

Rebecca (she/her) is a cognitive neuroscientist driven by a passion for using data science to make a real difference in people’s lives and create positive change. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, she has worked in labs across Europe and the US, and earning her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Rebecca is committed to making data accessible and actionable, ensuring it serves as a tool for positive social impact. She lives in Austin, TX with her partner and 2 cats. When she’s not immersed in research, she loves backpacking, learning about the history and culture of places she visits, and get crafty with an art project.

Stephanie (she/her) is a community-focused professional with nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit operations and human resources. A first-generation college graduate from a women’s college, she left her small farm hometown for school—and then did the unthinkable: came back. On purpose. She’s been investing in her community ever since, serving on local boards and committees and holding elected office on the planning board. With a background in radio reporting, Stephanie brings a clear voice and strategic thinking to every space she works in. She’s especially passionate about improving systems that make workplaces more effective and rewarding. She still lives in her hometown in western Massachusetts with her partner, two daughters, and elderly pitbull.

“One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.” —bell hooks

Urooj (she/hers) is an experienced coalition builder with a strong background in civic engagement strategy, policy advocacy, and network coordination. She specializes in fostering consensus and growing infrastructure on both national and local levels. Her work has centered on how to serve those who lead and build power in their communities. Urooj worked on immigration policy and public engagement for US Senator Tim Kaine. She has also worked with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and resettled refugee families and asylum seekers at the U.S. Southern Border. Born in Multan, she’s the daughter of immigrants and part of the Pakistani diaspora that has taken her family through South Asia, Ireland, and now the US. Urooj loves the mountains (any nature, actually!), old school Desi music (and Iron Maiden, and Rihanna. . .), her cherished plants, and bakeries.

Contact Urooj at partnerships@galvanizeaction.org.