Staff

Featured

Ryan Goehrung, Learning and Evaluation Manager

Seattle, United States

Ryan is a researcher, writer, educator, and advocate for more inclusive and representative democracies. At People Powered, Ryan applies his PhD training to help understand, communicate, and grow the impact of global programs to accelerate transitions to participatory democracy around the world.

Alisa Aliti Vlasic, Project Manager (Joint Position with Coglobal)

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Alisa has been an active advocate for citizen engagement and participatory budgeting in Croatia since 2010. She currently manages the capacity-building activities of the Nets4Dem project, which is establishing a European-wide network of advocates, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the field of participatory and deliberative democracy.

Granada, Spain

Juan Francisco supports the implementation of the capacity-building activities of the Nets4Dem project, which is establishing a European-wide network of advocates, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the field of participatory and deliberative democracy.

London, United Kingdom

Zoë supports the participatory climate democracy work at People Powered. This includes the Climate Democracy Accelerator, which supports civil society and government to design together plans for climate action. Zoë is excited to share the tools of participatory democracy to increase accessibility of decision-making on how we navigate the climate emergency.

London, United Kingdom

Ioana brings to People Powered expertise in fundraising, program management and organizational policy, as well as workplace organizing. She supports People Powered as it grows and develops as a young organization.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ryan is deeply passionate about sparking conversations on governance, inclusion and social justice, with a keen focus on marginalized communities and the Global South. At People Powered, Ryan supports communication efforts to make the community’s work more visible.

New York City, United States

Lize supports social justice and cultural organizations with her 20+ years of experience as a grant writer and fundraising consultant. At People Powered, she manages institutional and individual giving, and supports member organizations in fundraising in their home countries.

Singapore

Maria brings their experience in deliberative processes and citizen participation to the development of resources and best practices at People Powered. They also support engaging and building the PP member community. Maria has previously worked on supporting citizens’ juries and legislative theater, with a particular focus on climate policy and just transition.

Cape Town, South Africa

Melissa supports People Powered’s capacity-building programs and resources focused on technology. Her work focuses on programs and activities that help governments and organizations around the world choose and implement technology that supports and improves their participatory program.

São Paulo, Brazil

Luiza supports People Powered’s capacity-building and community-building programs. She provides coordination support for capacity-building programs on inclusion, whilst coordinating and engaging the PP member community, fostering their participation in People Powered's capacity-building programs and organizational decision-making.

São Paulo, Brazil

Amanda works in the intersection of learning design, communications and public policy to develop information and tools that promote more equitable and civil society-led governance. She helps take the learning activities and outcomes of People Powered to the next level.

Mexico City, Mexico

Greta leads People Powered’s work to grow the collective power of organizations and advocates supporting participatory democracy. She previously served as founding executive director of the Mexican NGO Ollin.

New York City, United States

Nikhil is a public policy professional committed to making governance more democratic and building bridges across borders — notably as cities and communities confront the global climate crisis.

Los Angeles, United States

Clara is passionate about using bottom-up participation to deepen democracy and promote inclusion and equity. At People Powered, she leads the development of our resources and capacity-building support, helping governments and organizations broaden public participation.

San Diego, United States

Nagham is a nonprofit finance and management professional, with 20 years of global experience. She is committed to be part of strengthening international communities.

New York City, United States

Josh has spent the past 20 years developing, researching and supporting participatory democracy programs around the world. He is dedicated to building and connecting movements that expand people’s democratic power.

Fellows

Featured

Ana Clara Giovani, Design Fellow

Paris, France (via Brazil)

Ana brings her advocacy for empowering communities through digital media and intercultural dialogue to People Powered, where she creates content that establishes meaningful connections with people worldwide.

Astana, Kazakhstan

Aidana combines her passions for education and technology to focus on establishing online courses for the People Powered Learning Management System (LMS) and providing support to users.

Chicago, United States

Thea is lead editor of the participatory budgeting content of the Participation Playbook and a member of the Global Participatory Budgeting Practitioner Board.

São Paulo, Brazil

Silvia is the lead editor of the citizens' assemblies content of the Participation Playbook and a Rising Stars mentor.

San Martín, Argentina

Rocío is the lead editor of the participatory policymaking content of the Participation Playbook, a member of the Global Participatory Budgeting Research Board and a mentor with our Climate Democracy Action program.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Katy is the lead editor of the legislative theater content of the Participation Playbook and a mentor with our Rising Stars program.

Board of Directors

Featured

Srikanth Viswanathan

Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy | Bengaluru, India

Srikanth is the CEO of Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, leading efforts to improve urban governance in India through participatory governance, citizen engagement, and government reform. Since 2016, he has driven initiatives to transform the quality of life in India's cities and towns.

Elgon Social | Cambridge, United Kingdom

Reema is the Director of Elgon Social, specializing in deliberative and participatory approaches. A co-founder of the Ada Lovelace Institute, she has led global citizen engagement programs, including for COP26, and advises on equity frameworks and participatory governance initiatives worldwide.

Green Community Solutions | Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Kudzaiishe is a Climate Change Expert at Green Community Solutions, with experience in participatory policymaking and disaster recovery. A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Botswana, he has published extensively on environmental protection, governance, and public health across Southern Africa.

Democracy Fund | Washington DC, USA

Donata Secondo is the Chief of Staff at Democracy Fund, where she leads strategic initiatives and board engagement to strengthen U.S. democracy. With expertise in participatory budgeting and global politics, she has driven impactful projects, including launching the largest PB initiative in the U.S., and holds degrees from LSE and Brown University.

Ciudadanía Inteligente | Santiago, Chile

Colombina is the acting Executive Director of Ciudadanía Inteligente, dedicated to fostering participatory democracies in Latin America. A sociologist with a Ph.D. in Government, she specializes in public policy, citizen participation, and environmental advocacy, with extensive experience in political ecology and sustainable development.

General Secretariat of the Brazilian Presidency of the Republic | Brasília, Brazil

Carla is a member of the federal civil service with more than 12 years of experience in the public sector. Currently, she serves as Director of Digital Participation and Network Communication at the General Secretariat of the Brazilian Presidency of the Republic, being responsible for the Brasil Participativo Platform.

Open Government Partnership l Singapore

Shreya is deputy director for country support with the Open Government Partnership (OGP), leading its work in the Asia-Pacific and the EU’s Eastern Partnership regions, and supporting governments and civil society in member countries as they advance open government reforms.

Democracy Fund | New York, United States

Sanjiv is the Managing Director of Movements and Media at Democracy Fund. Previously, Sanjiv worked as a senior equity fellow in the U.S. government’s Office of Management and Budget and served as director of the civic engagement and government program at the Ford Foundation.

Participation Factory l Prague, Czech Republic

Katya is the co-founder and international director of Participation Factory, a social enterprise that helps communities improve governance systems and quality of life through better participation and robust data. She focuses on mainstreaming best practices in public participation and community engagement.

Fundación Corona | Bogotá, Colombia

Diana is manager of citizen participation with Fundación Corona, working on the intersection between political inclusion and public and social innovation. She previously directed the Institute of Studies of the Public Ministry in Colombia, founded and directed Policéntrico, and worked as an advisor on peace for the Colombian Ministry of Interior.

Afroleadership | Yaounde, Cameroon

Charlie is an activist for democracy, human rights, digital rights, and open data with AfroLeadership, which he founded in 2007. He also works as a public finance expert for the International Association of Francophone Mayors.

Trinity College-Dublin and member of the 2016-2018 Irish Citizens’ Assembly | Navan, Ireland

Louise is a communications and business development professional who also served as a member of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly from 2016 to 2018. The assembly’s recommendations led to the legalization of abortion.

Learn more about Louise.

Carole Excell

Waverley Street Foundation | Rockville, United States

Carole is strategy director at the Waverley Street Foundation, where she supports community-led climate solutions around the world. As an environmental lawyer, she works with civil society organizations, activists and governments in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean promoting environmental democracy and environmental justice, with a special focus on inclusive and equitable development.

Extituto de Política Abierta | Bogotá, Colombia

Nicolás is executive director of Extituto de Política Abierta in Colombia, an organization that supports innovative practices to influence, occupy and inhabit decision-making spaces. It aims to make politics more open and democracy more solid, to redistribute power, and bring government closer to citizens.

Learn more about Nicolás.

Ellen Haustein, Co-Treasurer

University of Rostock | Rostock, Germany

Ellen is a post-doctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Rostock, Germany. She studied economics and international business and economics in Germany, Mexico and the United States, and obtained her doctoral degree in management accounting at University of the West of England in Bristol.

Learn more about Ellen.

James Muraguri, Co-Treasurer

Institute of Public Finance | Nairobi, Kenya

James is founder and CEO of the Institute of Public Finance, a nonprofit think tank that pursues the ideals of open public finance through training, research and capacity strengthening.

Learn more about James.

Brittany Giroux Lane, Co-President

What Works Cities at Results for America | New York City, United States

Brittany Giroux Lane is the Director of Solutions at Results for America, helping policymakers at every level of government surface and spread successful interventions to urgent challenges within their communities. Previously, Brittany led the OGP Local Program at the Open Government Partnership, working on improving transparency, accountability, and civic participation in 20 local governments.

Learn more about Brittany.

Staff and Board of Directors

Staff

Seattle, United States

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Granada, Spain

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

New York City, United States

Singapore

Cape Town, South Africa

São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil

Mexico City, Mexico

New York City, United States

Los Angeles, United States

San Diego, United States

New York City, United States

Fellows

Paris, France (via Brazil)

Astana, Kazakhstan

Chicago, United States

São Paulo, Brazil

San Martín, Argentina

Manchester, United Kingdom

Board of Directors

Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy | Bengaluru, India

Elgon Social | Cambridge, United Kingdom

Green Community Solutions | Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Democracy Fund | Washington DC, USA

Ciudadanía Inteligente | Santiago, Chile

General Secretariat of the Brazilian Presidency of the Republic | Brasília, Brazil

Open Government Partnership l Singapore

Democracy Fund | New York, United States

Participation Factory l Prague, Czech Republic

Fundación Corona | Bogotá, Colombia

Afroleadership | Yaounde, Cameroon

Trinity College-Dublin and member of the 2016-2018 Irish Citizens’ Assembly | Navan, Ireland

Waverley Street Foundation | Rockville, United States

Extituto de Política Abierta | Bogotá, Colombia

University of Rostock | Rostock, Germany

Institute of Public Finance | Nairobi, Kenya

What Works Cities at Results for America | New York City, United States