Meet the Ascend Network
We gather bold leaders with diverse viewpoints to co-create new solutions for transforming our nation’s policies and practices.
Nicole Alkire
Sitting Bull College
North Dakota
Amber Angel
ECMC Foundation
California
Ignacio Angel Jr.
Santa Monica Community College
California
Cherrill Dominique Baker
West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology
Michigan
Jesus Benitez
The Kresge Foundation
New York
Lynnette Coney
Crossbreeze Care Center
Florida
Lesley Del Rio
RootED Denver
Colorado
Jessica Engstrom
University of Michigan
Michigan
Indira Grullon
Uncommon Schools
New Jersey
Melba Henao
Senior Analyst Community Lead Generator, CVS Health Aetna Medicare Solutions
New Jersey
Tameka Henry
The Obodo Collective
Nevada
Ashley Hill Hamilton
The Uptown Doula
Louisiana
Drayton Jackson
Foundation for Homeless and Poverty Management
Washington
Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin
New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, Housing Initiatives
New York
Mikah Jorgensen
Northeastern Illinois University
Illinois
Lona Juarez
Jefferson County Workforce Center
Colorado
Shana Kelly
Department of Human Services in Adams County
Colorado
Karlee Knuth
University of Texas at Tyler
Texas
Rashika Lee
Corewell Health
Michigan
Brittnee Marsaw
Family and Workforce Centers of America’s Skillup Program
Missouri
Michaela Martin
First 5 Orange County
California
Janine McMahon
JDM Global Leadership & Consulting LLC
Connecticut
Christian Ortiz
Hunter College
New York
Stephan Palmer
Youth on Fire Inc.
Connecticut