Meet two new People Powered team members
/Two team members recently joined People Powered with combined expertise in resource development and fundraising. Check out their bios on our staff page and read their responses to some fun questions below.
Lize Mogel, fundraising manager
Lize supports social justice and cultural organizations with her 20+ years of experience as a grant writer and fundraising consultant. She was introduced to participatory democracy during her more than five years at the Participatory Budgeting Project. At People Powered, she manages institutional and individual giving, and supports member organizations in fundraising in their home countries.
Get in touch with Lize.
What do you think will be the most exciting part of your job at People Powered?
Working with staff members and partner organizations all over the world, and learning about the politics of new places.
What’s your most-used productivity hack?
When I'm in a period of intense writing, I'll take an hour break and read a couple of chapters of a novel; it gives my brain a reset! Also, never underestimate the power of snacks.
To what city/place have you traveled that you would most like to return and why?
I lived in Tehran when I was a kid, and have always wanted to visit again. I remember it as a vibrant, complicated place. However, current politics make a return difficult, so I'll just revisit with my nostalgia.
What is a book/movie that you found influential to your thinking?
I am a sci-fi fan, I love a good post-apocalyptic world-rebuilding story that helps me imagine possible political and social futures. Two fave authors (out of many!): Ursula K. LeGuin and P. Djeli Clark.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and beginner Spanish.
Maria Lucien, resource fellow
Maria has experience in deliberative processes and citizen participation in policymaking and will contribute to the development of resources and best practices at People Powered. Maria previously worked on supporting citizens’ juries and legislative theater at People Powered member organization Shared Future, with a particular focus on climate policy and just transition.
Get in touch with Maria.
What do you think will be the most exciting part of your job at People Powered?
I'm excited to help develop and expand the Resource Center! I think it's incredible that we have this collection of guides, toolkits and research that can inform best practice in participatory processes; I feel like an online librarian! I'm really looking forward to curating resources, and learning more about citizen engagement and participation as I go.
What’s your most-used productivity hack?
Music! Like many neurodivergent people, motivation doesn't always come easily. Putting on my headphones and blasting some tunes (along with some background white noise to help me focus) really helps me get into my work groove!
To what city/place have you traveled that you would most like to return and why?
Redang Island in Malaysia. I spent a glorious vacation there as a child, snorkeling for hours by the coral reefs. There's nothing quite like a swim in the ocean before breakfast!
What is a book/movie that you found influential to your thinking?
I recently read Klara and the Sun, which was a really interesting take on artificial intelligence, but it also challenged the way I think about relationships and the way I see the world, which I think great books are wont to do!
What languages do you speak?
Other than English and Tamil (my native language, though I'm not particularly fluent), I'm learning Latin (an ongoing struggle). I've learned some Italian and Japanese, but not quite enough to speak them!