Our 7th annual new media BootCamp is about to begin. 49 participants from across the country will gather in DC for a life-changing week of training, campaigning, and community-building.
You can follow all the action by joining our seedlist, keeping an eye on the #BootCamp7 hashtag, or following the BootCamp7 Tumblr. In the meantime, take a few moments to meet this year's class:
Riley Wells
I am from rural Georgia. I am currently interning full-time for the National Press Secretary for the Department of Interior and helping the Social Media Director while I am job hunting. I was in Ohio for OFA for 13 months. I have tended bar at 5 different restaurants in DC. Although I have a masters in international affairs, I want to get into communications/pr. I would love to work on the Hill, in one of the federal agencies, a non-profit, or on a local campaign doing communications/PR or social media. I love the Atlanta Falcons and Braves.
Jane Booth-Tobin
Jane was born and raised in south Minneapolis, with a degree in Political Science and French from Wellesley College. It was there that she first explored how people can take meaningful political action online. After graduating in 2009, she became involved with TakeAction Minnesota as the reNEW.mn Campaign Intern. In 2010, she managed scheduling and events from John Marty's campaign for governor. She returned to TakeAction Minnesota in 2011 as the New Media Strategist, where she engages thousands of Minnesotans to act with the organization online through email, social media, our website, and beyond.
Marguerite Pettit
Marguerite is an Australian living in NYC. She started her career with the Wilderness Society working on the campaign to stop the Gunns pulp mill and the campaign to protect Cape York with World Heritage status. She moved to NYC in 2010 where she worked for a CSR consultancy. Since leaving corporate consulting Marguerite has been working with SumOfUs.org on fundraising and campaigns since April 2012.
Jess Rinehart
I'm a born and raised in Wisconsinite, and first got involved in politics during the 2010 elections by interning for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. I got my first chance to become a staffer with OFA-WI. I am currently transitioning to becoming a Southerner by working for the American Federation of Teachers in Louisiana.
Chelsea Gelbert
I currently work on policy and advocacy at NARAL Pro-Choice California working with campus students, political movers and legislators to protect choice and expand access for all women. Prior to NARAL I was an OFA field organizer in California and did communications for the World Stroke Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. I have been passionate about choice and family planning and started to advocate for reproductive rights while I worked on expanding contraceptive coverage for low income women at a community clinic in Washington, DC. I am a proud graduate of Smith College, a San Francisco native (Giants faithful), and true dog lover.
Angus Wong
Angus Wong is the Canadian Campaigner for SumOfUs.org. Previous to his current position, he was an policy analyst at a social corporate responsibility consultant firm. He has a masters degree in community planning and a bachelors degree in economics. Angus has community engagement and public consultation experience from positions in Canada, India, and Micronesia. He has exceptional project management and research skills.
Ryan Prosser
I am a National Board Certified Teacher and a member of the Washington Education Association's Core Leadership Team, working to organize NBCTs in Washington State's legislative districts to strengthen education policy at the state level. I am a licensed attorney, but work as an instructional facilitator in the Tacoma Public Schools, training teachers to use our recently adopted instructional framework for instructional growth. I also previously team taught middle school Humanities with my twin brother. I also work with the Center for Teaching Quality as a Virtual Community Organizer to promote teacher leadership. I am supported in my work by my wonderful wife Jessica and our two children, Claudia (5) and Quincy (15 mo.).
Salim Ocasio
I am a Puerto Rican-Muslim-American from Brooklyn, NY. I grew up in a big family with little money between us. Despite growing in poverty, my childhood and early life never lacked nourishment and fulfillment. To others it may seem that I had been given little, but for I feel I need to give back to my community and my country.
Adam Polaski
Adam Polaski is the Online Content Manager for Freedom to Marry, responsible for writing the blog, managing online resources, and creating and curating content for the social media properties of the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples nationwide. He lives in New York City.
Adam graduated in May 2012 from Ithaca College, where he studied journalism and Spanish. Adam has previously worked as an editor for The Bilerico Project, an LGBT blog, and a writer for The Good Men Project, an online alternative men's magazine. Now, he volunteers with New York City's Ali Forney Center, an organization devoted to protecting LGBT youth from the harms of homelessness, and writes for Hello Mr., a magazine about men who date men. Adam is originally from Philadelphia.
Charlie Furman
Charlie Furman is a campaign manager with Demand Progress, focusing specifically on reforming laws that criminalize the internet, such as fixing the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act through “Aaron’s Law.” Since working with Demand Progress, Charlie has organized rallies, panels, and other events discussing Aaron Swartz’ legacy and what legal changes need to be made to ensure a tragedy like Aaron’s never happens again. Prior to working at Demand Progress, Charlie graduated from the Green Corps Field School for Environmental organizing. He holds a B.A. from USC in Critical Studies with an emphasis on civic media.
Kevin Gillogly
Pumped to learn new techniques. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I come out of the Field side of campaigns. But I see overlap between new media and new field that will enhance electing more good folks. They go together like milk and cookies.
Nicole Regaldo
Non-profit martyr, fat kid turned foodie and lover of pugs. I also do some graphic design, I write and I love designing online campaigns from beginning to end.
Megan Ackerman
I'm a social media enthusiast, a pop culture junkie, and a self-proclaimed super hero nerd. I want to help make the world a better place while entertaining the masses.
Lashell Drake
Lashell has been a longtime advocate and speaker for civil rights and serves as a national speaker and lecturer at ceremonies, high schools and colleges. She was drawn to speaking for those without a voice when learning of the injustice of 43 soldiers (one of which was a loved one) wrongly convicted of a crime in 1944 during WWII. It was the longest and largest courts martial in the history of the Army and the United States. When the evidence was uncovered, all but two of the defendants died with this injustice over their heads. When learning of this travesty of justice, she worked collectively with members of Congress and the United States Army to change the laws to have the statutes of limitations changed so that long time injustices would receive consideration when evidence was discovered years after an unjust conviction. After years of persistence, she was successful in her endeavors. Sixty Three years later, the laws of Congress were changed and the convictions overturned in 2007.
Lashell has empathy for those who have been devoid of a voice. She has been one of the few women in the history of the state of Wisconsin to be invited to deliver the invocation for the Wisconsin State Assembly. Lashell participates in a plethora of progressive organizations in her community. A firm believer that without women there is no democracy, she is proud to be an alumna of the class of 2012 of Emerge Wisconsin and serve on the Board of Directors where she is on the recruitment and selection committee.
Michelle Kinsey Bruns
Michelle Kinsey Bruns is Online Manager for The Women’s Media Center, based in Washington and New York. Her career in technology began in 1994, including ten years as an independent consultant specializing in web applications programming, as well as technical operations for daily and weekly newspapers and a news wire agency.
Michelle is also a longtime feminist blogger, activist and organizer who’s taken part in abortion clinic defense actions at clinic protests in seven states, using social media to organize, fundraise, and recruit volunteers to fight clinic harassment and other barriers to access for people seeking abortion care and other reproductive health services.
One of Michelle’s proudest successes in merging technology and activism was building, in under two weeks, web-based volunteer recruitment and fundraising tools for the “Summer Celebration of Choice” in Germantown, Maryland, in July and August of 2011. Her tools brought in over ten thousand dollars in donations and over two hundred volunteers.
When she's not behind a keyboard or in front of a clinic, Michelle is most likely splashing through a creek with her Siberian Huskies, making a tasty mess in her kitchen, or planning a road trip.
Stefanie Cruz
Stefanie Cruz manages online communications for the AARP Public Policy Institute's nursing team for both the Center to Champion Nursing in America and The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. She joined AARP after seven years as the Director of Digital Media for Congressman Sander M. Levin. During her tenure, Congressman Levin was awarded the Congressional Management Foundations 111th and 112th Congressional Gold Mouse Award which recognizes the best websites and social media profiles on Capitol Hill.
Throughout her career, Stefanie has adopted social media as a tool to build a community where information and ideas are shared. She has utilized her knowledge of the latest trends in online communication and her practical understanding of how people receive information to guide political candidates, nonprofits and elected officials through a comprehensive web presence across all platforms including social media networks.
She received her bachelor of arts in Political Science and Sociology from Pepperdine University.
Ryane Ridenour
Ryane is a progressive Texan with a passion for reproductive justice, young leadership, and communications. Ryane currently serves as the Political Communications Manager at the Generational Alliance, where she develops and runs communications strategies for the alliance and its members.
Ryane chased her dreams and moved to Washington, DC to serve as a Programs and Development Fellow with the Women's Campaign Fund. Her passion for gender justice led her to join the Women's Information Network and NARAL Pro-Choice America before she landed her dream job at the Gen Alliance.
Ryane developed her progressive roots at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she was able to graduate in 3 ½ years, while working full-time and organizing. Ryane is a proud Young People For Alumni, Lifetime Girl Scout & Gold Award Recipient, CPL New Leaders Fellow, American University's Women in Politics We Lead alumni, and a Women's Campaign School at Yale alum. Her dreams include running for office and turning Texas from red to blue y'all.
John Rickard
Retired Union Ironworker. Ex-Paratrooper. Political Junkie. Photographer. Gardener. Motorcyclist. Gardener.
Laura Carlson
"I was born and raised in Indiana, and as a freshman at Indiana University I intended to major in education. However, my life changed when I started volunteering for then- Senator Obama in 2007. I became a student organizer and helped turn Indiana blue for the first time since 1964! I then traveled to Washington DC and spent a semester interning at The White House.
After graduation in the fall of 2011, I packed up my car and drove down to Tampa, Florida, where I spent over a year organizing for OFA 2012. Following a brief vacation to the Florida Keys, I moved back to DC to work on the Presidential Inaugural Committee. I am currently learning a lot as a digital intern at 270 Stategies, and am super excited to spend a week with everyone at Bootcamp!
Sara Katherine Coxon
I'm an avid environmentalist, currently working as a program coordinator at the World Resources Institute's Climate and Energy Program. Hoping for a career with a focus on both environmental policy issues and strategic communications one day! I hail from Vermont, originally Ontario, and I love cooking, traveling, and getting outdoors as often as possible.
Anne Rosenthal
Hailing from the Bay Area, California, I have spent the last four years studying International Affairs at DC's George Washington University. While in college I studied peace and conflict abroad for a year, first in Ireland and then in Israel. My interest in New Media began with an internship at J Street, a two-state solution advocacy group for American action in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today I am interning with the UN Foundation's Public Affairs and Digital department.
Elijah Abdul Hakim
Elijah Abdul Hakim is a father, freelance writer, organizer, and entrepreneur. A former political columnist and business planning and business start-up consultant, Elijah managed a successful childcare business for nine years, and spent many years in the nonprofit sector managing various programs. Elijah has spent many years organizing on behalf of issue and political campaigns, conducting workshops, trainings and lectures on subjects ranging from Business Planning, Job Preparedness, Community & Political organizing, Biblical views on governing, as well as male parenting.
Hannah Brown
Hannah graduated from Boston University and now does digital marketing for ActBlue, an online fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and progressive organizations. Before joining full time she interned for ActBlue as well as for Siobhain McDonagh, MP, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy's campaign, and a Boston advertising agency. She also served as an interactive designer for BU's AdLab agency and as President of the BU College Democrats.
Adrian Garcia
Chicago native, and graduate of Marquette University with a degree in Criminology & Law Studies as well as Social Welfare & Justice, Adrian Garcia currently serves as the Program Integration and Partnership Information Manager for the SEIU. Adrian was a summer fellow for Organizing for America. Upon completion of this fellowship, Adrian worked for former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Later he moved to the Senator's re-election campaign, focusing on Latino outreach across Wisconsin. After a tough loss, Adrian moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Executive Assistant for Voto Latino’s CEO/President Maria Teresa Kumar, and later became the organization’s Chief of Staff. During his time at Voto Latino, Adrian launched and oversaw several programs, and established the Voto Latino Action Fund, the organization’s 501(c)4 branch. In his current role at SEIU, Adrian works closely with the Strategic Partnerships and Alliances Department to keep track of all collaborative efforts and helps build and maintain those relationships.
Sarah Stern
I moved to Brooklyn a little more than two years ago to do digital communications strategy as part of the League of Young Voters team. Prior to that, I worked at Sierra Student Coalition and New Era Colorado, where I organized young people in the Denver/Boulder area. I graduated from the University of Colorado in 2010 with degrees in journalism and political science. Prior to that, I wrote for the zany alt-weekly, New York Press and did public education outreach for an aerospace lab in Colorado. I love meeting new people, being barefoot, and being a news junkie - among other things.
Chamari DeSilva
Sri Lankan and always smiling.
Quincey Smith
Born and raised on a sheep farm in rural Wyoming and then suffered major culture shock as I moved to the east coast and attended one of the most diverse colleges in the nation. Happy with my transition to culture, progressive ideas, and diversity, I moved to NYC after graduation. I have worked on a variety of LGBT issue campaigns, President Obama's re-election campaign, and am currently at Fenton, a social change communications agency, working on a diverse range of progressive issues. I love NYC, my two cats, and MSNBC.
Mary Lauran Hall
Mary Lauran manages communications at the Alliance for Biking & Walking, a North American coalition of state and local biking and walking advocacy organizations. Previously, she worked to raise the profile of walking and bicycling in the federal transportation system at America Bikes and worked on civic engagement issues at AmericaSpeaks. Mary Lauran earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where she hosted a radio show on science. In her free time she does improv and tinkers with gears at The Bike House, Washington, DC’s bicycle repair cooperative.
Sami Wellerstein
A California native, I discovered my passion for reproductive health and social justice in college at the University of Michigan through an advocacy internship at Planned Parenthood. After graduate school at UCLA and a year helping refugee women navigate the healthcare system in Israel, I'm currently working in public affairs at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. In general, I'm interested in reproductive justice, community organizing and social media (and scrapbooking). Fun fact: I'm deathly terrified of whales. No, not sharks - just whales.
Rachel Cooke
I am the communications and public relations manager at Advocates for Youth and have been a communications practitioner for 6 years. Prior to coming to Advocates for Youth I worked at a large public relations agency working on consumer campaigns, and now at Advocates we're looking for new ways to better engage and rehook our audience (epecially making it "youthy"), in particular around our 1 in 3 Campaign.
Colleen Crinion
Colleen Crinion is a progressive activist focusing on women’s issues and labor. She earned her M.A. in Sociology from American University focusing on gender, family, sexuality, and the media. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, Ms. magazine, Fem 2pt0, Daily Kos and Spike the Water Cooler. As a Board member of the D.C. Abortion Fund and former Planned Parenthood employee, she writes primarily about women’s issues and reproductive rights. Ms. Crinion also moderated a panel on millennials of color and reproductive justice at Netroots in June 2013. She currently serves as Communications Director for the Women’s Information Network (WIN). Originally from Michigan, she resides in Washington, D.C. where can often be found tweeting while watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report with her dog.
Zack Malitz
I grew up in Austin, Texas and moved to New York City to go to college at CUNY Hunter. In New York, I got mixed up in campaigns to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and ban fracking in New York. Shortly after graduating from Hunter last year, I was hired by CREDO to campaign against fracking. Since then, I've worked with activists in over a dozen states on local, statewide and national campaigns to ban fracking for oil and gas in the United States. I live in Ithaca, New York, but am moving to the Bay Area right after BootCamp7.
Ahmad Abuznaid
Born in Jerusalem, Palestine and fluent in Arabic, I have grown up between Palestine and South Florida. I received my bachelors in int'l affairs with a minor in business from Florida State University in 2006. I then received my JD from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011. I am a member in good standing of the Florida Bar. Since April 2012, I have been working with individuals across Florida and nationwide to build the dream defenders, a non-profit which aims to be the voice for the voiceless in our bid to fight criminalization of our communities.
Marissa Clark
I am a domestic violence survivor who survived my ex-husband's attempts to murder me (I still feel blessed that I won the case with way less money than him) and began to find my new me through organizing. I love that I have been granted the opportunity to empower myself and others through activism.
Derek Gerson
Derek Gerson is a 2012 UC Berkeley graduate currently based in New York City.
Raised in the countryside of Brazil, Derek left the tropics and went to the the SF Bay Area at age eighteen. Coming to the US as a live-in nanny for six year old twins with gay dads, the plan was to be here for 10 months. He decided to take on the challenge of making his destiny in America. Derek is now on the sixth year of this unexpected and thrilling life journey.
At Berkeley, he majored in Economics with a minor in Global Poverty. Along with being a Regents' Scholar and a Fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies, he spent a summer in Portuguese-speaking Africa, where he worked with Spain's development agency. Combined with a semester studying Social Entrepreneurship in the Netherlands, those experiences have solidified a commitment to employing new media tools for social, political, and environmental change.
Now living in New York City, Derek is dedicated to using new media to change the way LGBT youth deals with discrimination. He's currently incubating Equalize Youth, a nonprofit connects young people with content, tools, and resources tailored to specific cultural and regional factors.
Kimberly "Dr. Goddess" Ellis
I'm a scholar, artist and activist who loves technology, travel and being snarky about Reality TV. My most recent venture is SocialCourtTV.com, where I look at the intersection between social media, the 24 hour news cycle and televised trials.
I want to do a Round the World Trip, spend a few months in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia and go back to Ghana.
I'm also a playwright, composer and lyricist, working on my latest musical, ""Community Meeting,"" in which I have a tribute song to Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist.
Not listed: Samet Gray, Mark Hays, and Kurston Cook