About our
steering committees
Our issue steering committees guide and drive our programmatic work in key issue areas. Bringing a diverse range of expertise and local experience from their work, elected officials from the network help shape an organizational approach.
WHY JOIN?
Steering committees are an invaluable way for Local Progress members to shape and influence the work of the network. Not only is it an opportunity to help create the collective vision of what it means to govern as a progressive, it can also help you build your own skills and leadership.
As a part of a steering committee, you can sharpen your issue expertise through strategic, big picture visioning and deep collaboration with elected officials from across the country – helping to apply your own leadership and build your profile through the public work of the committee. You’ll also offer strategic guidance on strategic opportunities for the organization and offer ideas and suggestions for programming for the full network.
If you’re interested in joining, you can read more about the commitment, responsibilities, and how to apply below!
Meet Our Steering CommitteeS
We currently have three active steering committees:
HOUSING
Housing is an essential need. Across the country, localities are working to advance renter protections and increase affordable housing.
Steering Committee members:
- Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Council Member
- Vanessa Fuentes, Austin City Council Member
- Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia Councilmember
- JoBeth Hamon, Oklahoma City Council Member
- Michele Hirsch, Kingston Alderwoman
- Mitra Jalali, St. Paul City Councilmember
- Jamie Kinder, Meadville Mayor
- Robin Kniech, Denver City Council Member
- Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Councilmember
- Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Council Member
- Colby Sledge, Nashville Metropolitan Councilmember
- Kim Smith, Rochester City Councilmember
Public safety
Everyone deserves to feel and be safe. Across the country, localities can build real safety by investing in communities and addressing the root causes of instability
Steering Committee members:
- Kendra Brooks, Philadelphia City Councilmember
- Tiffany Cabán, New York City Councilmember
- Carlos Garcia, Phoenix Vice Mayor
- Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles City Councilmember
- Will Jawando, Montgomery County Councilmember
- Mary Lupien, Rochester City Council Vice President
- Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, San Antonio Councilmember
- Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Chicago Alderperson
- Arti Walker-Peddakotla, Oak Park Village Trustee
- Monica Wilson, Antioch Councilmember
SCHOOL BOARDS
With roughly 15,000 school districts in the US, the opportunity & necessity to organize behind a common agenda is clear.
Steering Committee members:
- Raaheela Ahmed, Former School Board Member, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland
- Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, Former School Board Member, Azusa Unified School District, California
- Ashley Esposito, Baltimore Public Schools, Maryland
- Emily Figdor, Portland Public Schools, Maine
- Jilly Gokalgandhi, Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin
- Kelly Kent, Local Progress Board Member, Culver City Unified School District , California
- Jennifer Mecozzi, Buffalo Public Schools, New York
- A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, Newark Board of Education, New Jersey
- Jasmin Ramirez, Roaring Fork Schools, Colorado
- Megan Sweet, Alameda Unified School District, California
- Jen Westmoreland, Hopkins Public Schools, Minnesota
- Charlie Wilson, Worthington Schools, Ohio
APPLY TO JOIN AN ISSUE STEERING COMMITTEE
If you’re interested in joining a steering committee, you can apply here!
Before applying, please make sure you are able to commit to the following:
- Attend virtual meetings, which are usually monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly.
- Respond to email updates from LP staff sharing the latest on the network’s work and requesting advice on any strategic questions
- Embody and communicate the issue work of Local Progress in spaces with other LP members and external audiences such as in media interviews
- As needed, represent the work of LP at conferences, in funder meetings and in other stakeholder spaces.
After you apply, the LP team will get in touch with you about next steps!
Interested In Getting Involved?
There are lots of other ways to get involved in Local Progress!
Reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in and we’ll point you in the right direction!
