Carolyn DeWitt

Carolyn DeWitt is the President and Executive Director of Rock the Vote, the largest national organization focused on building long-term political power for this country’s most diverse youth generation. During her tenure, she has overseen Rock the Vote’s resurgence, developing new partnerships with authentic brands, such as VEVO and HBO, deepening its leadership in civic technology with new cutting-edge tools, such as ElectionFM and the Pennsylvania Canvasser app, intensifying its fight for voting rights, and moving the organization toward an issue-first approach with a targeted outreach to diverse and marginalized communities.

Carolyn is a nationally recognized advocate for young people, featured in publications and media outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, Teen Vogue, and Billboard. Today, Rock the Vote is a powerhouse for mobilizing youth through effective and timely civic education resources, innovative programs that meet young people wherever they are, and authentic messaging through trusted partners to ensure young voters understand and use their political power.

Prior to leading Rock the Vote, Carolyn was the chief of staff for the political communications firm, Pivot. She also served as deputy director coordinating satellite media booking and training teams at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. On the local level, Carolyn worked as the chief of staff for the 25th Ward Public Service Office in Chicago, and as the deputy campaign manager and finance director for Chicago’s 25th Ward Regular Democratic Organization. In her work abroad, Carolyn researched the end of apartheid and subsequent building of a democratic state in South Africa, served as a senior international advisor collaborating with a youth political movement in Madagascar, and participated in the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.

Carolyn brings a cross-disciplinary and impact-oriented approach, with experience and background in consulting imperiled companies and leveraging technology to provide therapy to children with special needs in less developed countries. She is a strong believer in the blending of new and old tactics and the power of technology to break down barriers and accelerate widespread change.

Carolyn is a Michigander where she earned her BA in International and African Studies and Political Science from Kalamazoo College. She is also a triathlete, marathoner, and fierce advocate for her staff and young people across the globe. She also sits on the board of Coworker.org.

Lauren Briskin

Lauren Briskin is Rock the Vote’s Product Manager, working to make RTV’s civic technology tools even more impactful, accessible and lovable. Since receiving a library degree in 2014 and learning the importance of asking the right questions, Lauren has been doing product-adjacent work and honing the fine art of balancing user needs with the practical realities of engineering.   She has worked directly with voters in a variety of capacities and has been in digital organizing since 2017.

Lauren is passionate about justice and is excited to bring a framework of accessibility, voter enfranchisement and anti-racism to Rock the Vote. Starting from an acknowledgement that technology is not neutral, she believes that civic tech has an enormous responsibility and opportunity to be a tool for change. Lauren is born and raised in Oakland. In her free time, Lauren works with mutual aid, documents local murals and hangs out with her nieces.

Teja Foster

Teja Foster is Rock the Vote’s Social Media Director. Social Justice and advocating for black and brown people has been at the forefront of Teja’s life growing up in Oakland, CA.

Since moving to Los Angeles she has branded hashtags like #SchoolsNotPrisons, #RockTheVote, #RiseUpAsOne, #PeoplePower, #Vota and #Athletes4Impact, the relevance for voting rights and black lives mattering is more relevant than ever.

In lieu of social media advocacy, her career as a social justice activist is not limited to just that. Working with a number of media companies, artists, athletes, and festivals and many other umbrellas. Her skills include, but are not limited to social media, strategy planning, content development, brand strategy, and execution.

She has a deep love for pop culture, hip–hop music, traveling the world and laughing that she intertwines in Rock The Vote’s social media postings to reach young people, encouraging that voting is more than important, it’s our duty!

Olivia Guerrieri

Olivia Guerrieri is Rock the Vote’s Digital Engagement Manager, where she supports Rock the Vote’s efforts to engage young voters through cutting-edge technology, digital voter registration and mobilization, and voting rights content via web, email, and SMS. Olivia grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a B.A. in Political Science. When she isn’t nerding out about civic engagement, Olivia is a passionate feminist, cat lover, and vegan baker.

Camille Martin

Camille Martin is Rock the Vote’s Civic Technology Partner Manager. In her role, Camille serves as a relationship manager to Rock the Vote’s suite of national, state and local partners and works to optimize partner use of Rock the Vote’s innovative Civic Technology tools.

Camille comes to Rock the Vote from Voto Latino. While at Voto Latino, Camille actively contributed to the organization’s 2020 voter registration and turnout program which registered over 600,000 voters, provided tens of thousands of free rides to the polls, and mobilized nearly four million voters for the 2020 General Election. Notably, while at Voto Latino, Camille supported the activation of 260+ artists, celebrities and influencers in the organization’s General Election programming.

Born and raised in El Paso with strong ties to San Antonio and Austin, Camille is a proud Texan. Camille graduated with a B.A. in Honors Political Science from Southwestern University. In her time out of the office, Camille enjoys exploring her new home of Washington, DC, attending concerts, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

David Pruter

David is Rock the Vote’s senior full-stack developer. He manages our website AWS infrastructure, builds many of our web tools and loves learning new tech. During his tenure he has taken the digital technology and design experience to a new level. As technology evolves, David evolves the tools we use to engage young people in politics. He has spearheaded the development of our powerful voter registration tools, while serving as our database administrator and webmaster. Occasionally he gets to break out his Photoshop skills to help design graphics and marketing materials. Prior to Rock the Vote, David was a senior designer, front-end developer, a web/print designer and a technology instructor.

David lives in San Diego and enjoys spending time at the beach with his wife and family.

Katie Grover

Katie Grover is Rock the Vote’s Senior Manager of Sports Partnerships.

Katie leads the organization’s efforts to empower athletes, leagues, teams, coaches, and fans to register, mobilize, and vote in every election.

Prior to joining Rock the Vote, Katie earned her MPP from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs. She received her BA from UCLA, where she was school record-holder and captain of the Bruins Varsity Swim team. She is a proud “swammer” and all-around sports fanatic.

Katarina Mayers

Katarina Mayers is Rock the Vote’s Vice President of Programs, overseeing all program areas including Civic Technology and Data, Corporate and Sports Partnerships, and Campaigns and Democracy.

Most recently, Katarina helped lead New York City’s unprecedented $40 million 2020 Census campaign, ultimately achieving a historic response for the nation’s largest city. As Chief of Staff, she streamlined operations, implemented the strategic plan, and executed multiple partnerships, innovative contests, and celebrity public service announcements. She has also served as the Press Secretary and Director of Digital Media at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Katarina began her career in the Obama Administration as a political appointee, first in the White House Communications Office and then at the U.S. Department of Commerce where she served as spokesperson for a federal agency of 40,000 employees worldwide, working to spur good-paying jobs, empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow, and help American workers and businesses compete in the global economy. Before moving to Washington, DC, Katarina lived in Santiago, Chile for a year of service as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar.

Originally from Los Angeles, Katarina graduated cum laude from Villanova University with a major in Communication, specialization in Journalism, and minors in Spanish, Theatre, and Gender and Women’s Studies. She received her Master of Public Administration, concentrating in urban policy and specializing in management, from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she was elected student body president and represented her cohort from 68 countries. Katarina’s commitment to service has been recognized with multiple honors including the U.S. Congressional Gold Award for Youth, Villanova University’s Young Alumni Medal, and Columbia University’s Harvey Picker Prize for Public Service.

Melissa Wyatt

Melissa Wyatt is Rock the Vote’s Director of Civic Technology and Policy.

Melissa leads the organization’s efforts to register and mobilize young voters through cutting-edge civic technology, including its online voter registration platform that is utilized by hundreds of national, state, and local partners across the country. She directs Rock the Vote’s election policy work, spearheading efforts to protect and expand voting access for young people through digital advocacy campaigns, legislation, and participation in litigation efforts.

Melissa has roots in both Cleveland, Ohio and St. Petersburg, Florida, and she received her B.A. in Political Science and Art History from the University of Miami.

Elias Valentín II

Elias Valentín II is Rock the Vote’s Senior Director of Partnerships, overseeing our organization and brand partners within the Programs department. This work includes our innovative Brands for Democracy, Athletes Rock the Vote, Higher Education, and Non-profit collaborators, amplifying our mission to empower youth voters.

Elias is a multifaceted strategist and dynamic leader excelling at coaching and motivating teams to succeed. He has significant experience in senior leadership roles in local, state, and presidential campaigns. Elias has developed his political insight in South Carolina, serving as the Greenville County Democratic Party Chairman after numerous leadership roles in the organization. He was the inaugural Deputy Director of Voter Protection, expanding access for voters across the state with the South Carolina Democratic Party. He also had the honor of serving as now Vice President Kamala Harris’ SC Political Director during the Presidential primary, building a robust and diverse list of endorsers and stakeholders. A fierce advocate of local election participation, Elias has served as Campaign Manager for numerous State Senate, State House, Mayoral, and County Council elections.

Elias is committed to serving his community and has been recognized by several organizations through his passionate work. He was selected as a 2020 Diversity Change Maker by H Code Media for his inclusive strategic efforts during the Presidential primary as Chairman of the SCDP Hispanic Caucus, as a member of Greenville Business Magazines Best and Brightest Under 35 Class of 2010, and a member of Leadership Greenville Class 48. He was awarded the Distinguished Honoree Award by the Boy Scouts of America – Blue Ridge Council. In each instance, a framework of increasing equity and expanding access drove the work leading to these public recognitions.

Elias’ coaching extends to the court as well. With collegiate coaching stops at the UPenn and App State; and serving as the Offensive Coordinator and “Architect” of Hillcrest High School’s historic run of three straight State Championships; he still mentors, empowers and coaches young athletes helping make their dreams a reality, using their gifts to achieve success and opportunities through athletics. He holds a Masters of Sport Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He was a 4-year letterman and served as Team Captain for the Men’s Volleyball team. As a strong and proud Puerto Rican family member, he enjoys spending time with ‘la familia,’ playing volleyball whenever possible and sharing delicious meals with friends.

Deirdre Benavides

Deirdre Benavides is Rock the Vote’s Senior Digital Coordinator. She oversees the Elections Reminders Program as a member of the organization’s civic technology team.

Prior to joining RTV, Deirdre served as a community coordinator with The Justice Collaborative where she co-produced a streaming news show and podcast in collaboration with The Appeal and NowThis.

She is a certified technical writer and communications major living in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Denise Bayles

Denise Bayles is Rock the Vote’s Vice President of Development, overseeing fundraising and development operations for the organization. In her role, Denise is responsible for connecting donors with the mission of Rock the Vote in order to raise vital funds for the organization.

For more than 15 years, Denise has led fundraising efforts as a development executive for local, regional, and national organizations. During her career, she has been responsible for raising close to $100 million for non-profit causes. Denise brings an expertise in developing comprehensive, innovative fundraising strategic plans to achieve revenue growth and brand awareness.

Denise began her non-profit career as the Director, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she transformed and grew the CMN fundraising program and team. During her tenure, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts & Children’s Miracle Network and was tapped to oversee all donor events relating to their new hospital building opening. After leaving Children’s Hospital, Denise held leadership positions at non-profit organizations such as American Cancer Society, Starlight for Children’s Cancer, American Lung Association, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Originally from Indianapolis, Denise graduated from Purdue University with a major in Theater and a minor in Communications. After graduating, Denise moved to Los Angeles where she began her career working in the music industry and subsequently became a Client Manager for Bank of America. Denise made the switch from for-profit to non-profit in 2006, and since then has been fiercely dedicated to raising much-needed funds for organizations throughout the US. Denise achieved her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2014 and also completed Indiana University’s The Fund Raising School’s certificate program in Fund Raising Management that same year. In 2019, she became certified as Master Trainer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Denise recently relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville and is a lover of big dogs, live music, and brunch!

Jeff Ayeroff

Mr. Ayeroff founded Rock the Vote in 1990 in response to a censorship campaign crusading against artists’ use of explicit language. Mr. Ayeroff’s 35-year career in the music industry provided a strong foundation for Rock the Vote’s signature fusion of politics and pop culture. As Senior VP of Marketing and Creative Services at A&M, he spearheaded campaigns for The Police, Quincy Jones, Janet Jackson, Supertramp, the Carpenters , Peter Frampton and many others. As Senior VP of Warner Bros in the 80s, Jeff oversaw marketing, design and videos for such iconic artists as Madonna, Don Henley, Dire Straits, Talking Heads, ZZ Top, Prince, Eric Clapton, The Cult, Echo & the Bunnymen and Steve Winwood, to name a few. After leaving Warner Bros., Ayeroff and his friend and partner, Jordan Harris, built Richard Branson’s Virgin US label from the ground up, signing and marketing many high profile artists. Then, Ayeroff and Harris founded The Work Group, a west coast boutique, Sony Music Label, signing and developing more artists before he went to work for Apple, overseeing the marketing of the Beatles 1, which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. He and Jon Rubin also began ArtistsFirst, a creative and marketing consulting agency, which has launched international humanitarian activism with its music.

Amanda Brown Lierman

Amanda Brown Lierman is the Campaign Director for For Our Future Action Fund and For Our Future, an allied c4 and super pac focused on progressive issues and winning elections. Amanda previously served as the Executive Director of the National Women’s Business Council, a federal advisory council with a mission to improve the business climate for women. From 2011 to 2014, Amanda rocked the vote! As the Political Director for Rock the Vote, Amanda developed young voter registration programming in the field and online, worked to advance the OVR technology and tools, and managed many of the partnerships. In many ways, she was paying her own experience forward and wanted to open the doors to politics for other young people across the country. Amanda first started as an organizer in Nevada for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in the summer of 2007. The 2008 campaign victory brought her to DC, where she then worked on the President’s transition team, at the Inaugural Committee, in the White House Office of Political Affairs and at the U.S. Department of Energy. Amanda is a 2014 Forbes 30–under–30 recipient in the Law and Public Policy field. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2007 with degrees in Government and Sociology. Amanda currently lives in Silver Spring, MD with her husband and rescue pup.

Frank Smith

Mr. Smith currently serves on the Rock the Vote Board of Directors as Co–chair, an extension of a myriad of political and public policy issues he has worked on throughout his career.

He is President of a Cambridge, Massachusetts consulting firm specializing in election and non–profit law and policy work. He has served as an Assistant District Attorney in Boston and worked on a number of political campaigns, including two Presidential elections. He is co–author of a recent book on the American healthcare system and writes a monthly newsletter on American politics. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Boston College Law School, and a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Lara Bergthold

Ms. Bergthold currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rock the Vote, as well as the Campaign for America’s Future and People for the American Way. She works as a Principal Partner at RALLY, offering valuable political campaign, pop culture, and communications experience for companies like GAP, Inc., Sandy Hook Promise, and the Lear Family Foundation, the latter of which she has been the Executive Director of since 1997. In this capacity, she works to provide grants to progressive organizations that push civil rights, the arts, and the like.

She also served as National Deputy Political Director for current Secretary of State John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid, as well as General Wesley Clark’s presidential campaign.

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo

Manager, Legal Mobilization & Strategic Campaigns Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Chris Melody leads the Lawyers’ Committee organizing team, focusing on alternative strategies to litigation such as advocacy, large-scale programs and other solutions to address critical civil rights issues. She joined the Lawyers’ Committee in December 2011, serving as the Election Protection campaign manager to ensure the successful execution of the 2012 program. She continues to work with the Voting Rights Project to combat efforts to curb access to the ballot box, expand and protect voting rights and create tools to educate and empower voters. Prior to joining the Lawyers’ Committee, she worked with federal agencies to develop global health and bio-security standards. Chris spent two years as the Outreach Director for Common Cause working to advance their democracy reform agenda and pass federal legislation that would create publicly financed campaigns for members of Congress. She got her start in community organizing and issue advocacy as a Program Specialist for DC ParentSmart, a nonprofit working to help DC parents navigate the education system. A seasoned campaign organizer, she has served in numerous roles for different political campaigns across the country including as the Iowa Deputy Political Director for a 2008 presidential campaign, campaign manager for an Iowa State Senate race in 2006, and a field organizer for a 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in South Carolina. Born in Venezuela and raised in Texas, she graduated from Austin College with a B.A. in English Literature and Anthropology. Follow Chris Melody on Twitter @Fieldsy.

Russell Glass

Russell Glass is a serial technology entrepreneur, having founded or held senior positions at four venture-backed technology companies and sitting on the boards of numerous others. Russ founded and led Bizo from 2008 to $50mm+ in revenues and over 160 employees before being acquired by LinkedIn for $175mm in 2014. He then led products for LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, more than doubling growth to $800mm+ in revenues. Since leaving LinkedIn in June 2017, Russ has been focused on using his experience with technology, data science, and narrative/branding tactics to developing novel strategies increase engagement and turnout among young voters.

Wayne Jordan

Mr. Jordan is a real estate investor and developer, working primarily in Northern California. He is very active in local, state and national politics. He has been involved in many high-profile campaigns and is an active volunteer in the community, serving on the Board of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, on the Investment Committee of the ACLU, Akonadi Foundation, and in the past on the Board of the Bentley School.

DeRay Mckesson

DeRay Mckesson is an activist, organizer, and educator who has dedicated his life to fighting against injustice and building political power for young people —two goals central to Rock the Vote’s mission.. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from Bowdoin College and holds an honorarydoctorate from The New School. DeRay has advocated for issues related to children, youth, and families since he was a teen. As a national leader in the Black Lives Matter Movement and the co-founder of Campaign Zero and OurStates.org, DeRay has worked to connect individuals with knowledge and tools, and provide citizens and policy makers with commonsense policies to ensure equity. Spurred by the death of Mike Brown and the subsequent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, DeRay has become a key voice in the effort to confront the systems and structures that have led to the mass incarceration and police killings of black and other minority populations. He is also the host of Pod Save The People, a weekly podcast focused on activism and social justice. DeRay was named as one of the World’s Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine in 2015 and as one of the 30 Most Important People On The Internet by Time Magazine in 2016.

He previously taught 6th grade math in New York City as a Teach For America Corps Member, worked for the Harlem Children’s Zone and TNTP and opened an academic enrichment center in West Baltimore. He has also worked with Baltimore City Public Schools and Minneapolis Public Schools leading systemic human capital change.

Photo Credit: Andre Chung for The Washington Post/Getty Images

Jesse Moore

Jesse is the founder and principal consultant at Common Thread Strategies –providing strategic, messaging and creative support to clients looking to advance their brands as agents of social change.

Moore has served as Vice President for Civic Engagement at Rock the Vote, White House Speechwriter, and Associate Director of Public Engagement at the White House –wherehe managed President Obama’s strategic partnerships with artists, celebrities and entertainment leaders working to advance policy priorities. He championed stakeholder engagement for the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and led the brandingeffort around the President’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ (MBK) initiative in support of young men of color, launching the ‘MBK Community Challenge,’ curating the program’s websites, logos, and national celebrity PSAs. Moore also led a celebrity engagement effort around criminal justice reform including a private strategy session between the President and leading hip hop artists.

Moore held state and regional management positions on President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, focusing on political and field organizing in battleground states. He served Communications Director for Human Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a public affairs official at the Administration for Children and Families.

Prior to entering public service, Moorewas a communications and outreach counselor at Western Washington University, working with low-income families and students of color. He is a native of Lynnwood, Washington, and a graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in Political Science.

Michael Skolnik

Michael is a movement-builder, activist, storyteller and proud father. He is co-founder of The Soze Agency, a creative company focused on social impact campaigns and triple bottom line companies.

He is a respected leader in the new social justice movement who, among other topics, helped ignite conversations around America’s relationship with race, the death of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown and Eric Garner, and the Obama presidency.

He was recently profiled in the NY Times for his civil rights activism, and identified as “the man you go to if you…want to leverage the power of celebrity and the reach of digital media to soften the ground for social change.”

He is a prolific voice on social media, with more than 250,000 followers, and a regular commentator on outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR and HLN. From 2009-2015, Michael served as the President of GlobalGrind.com, a millennial driven news website founded by hip-hop impresario, Russell Simmons.

Michael serves on the Board of Directors for The Trayvon Martin Foundation, Policy Link, The GatheringFor Justice and The Young Partners Board of The Public Theater.

Earlier in his career, Michael spent over a decade as an award winning film director and producer. He is the proud father of Mateo Ali.