Jason Eliaser, Chair

Jason Eliaser is a mediator and training program manager for the federal government. Prior to his federal service, Jason operated his own law firm focusing on civil rights, wrongful foreclosure, housing, and consumer finance abuse litigation. Jason has also provided extensive advice and counsel for nonprofit organizations on formation, regulatory compliance, risk and liability avoidance, contract negotiation, transactions, and intellectual property concerns. Jason served for three years on the board of a literary arts nonprofit, volunteered for two years at a legal clinic providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and is currently an active volunteer for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. Jason lives in Alexandria with his significant other, Monica, and their cat, The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginspurr.

Runako Kumbula Allsop, Vice Chair

Runako is an attorney who has primarily worked for the District of Columbia and federal government in the areas of legislative, regulatory, criminal, employment, Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act law. Runako was also previously a felony prosecutor and judicial law clerk at both the state appellate and trial court levels in New Orleans, Louisiana. Currently, she serves as a member of the Maryland Open Meeting Compliance Board and is a very active parent volunteer at the schools her children attend. Runako lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter and son. 

Kori Williams, Secretary

Kori Williams is a graduate student and graduate assistant at Kutztown University, where she is studying to obtain her Master’s in Public Administration. In addition, she is also the graduate research assistant for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at PASSHE’s Office of the Chancellor. When not in school, Kori produces Roofs for All, a Philadelphia-based podcast centered around the deeply affordable housing landscape in the city. She also does volunteer work for advocacy organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Innocence Project.

Previously, Kori spent over a decade working in the restaurant industry. She currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and German Language and Communication from Kutztown University. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her son.

Chris Kohler, Treasurer

Christine (Chris) Kohler has been a dedicated legal research professional since 2000. She began her legal research journey working with global law firms as an account manager at LexisNexis and later for Thomson Reuters. Currently, she is a Research and Knowledge Services Analyst at Eversheds Sutherland, a large global law firm.

Throughout her early career, Chris worked for grassroots not-for-profits, serving in various capacities such as Global Campaign Coordinator and Managing Director. Her commitment to these roles highlights her dedication to making a positive impact in the community.

Chris earned a BA from the University of Maryland in Graphic Communications with a Minor in Business Administration. 

Michelle Gallinger

Michelle Gallinger is the principal of Gallinger Consulting where she provides technological insight into decision-making processes for libraries, museums, archives, and businesses. She gives strategic planning guidance; develops policies, guidelines, and action plans for her clients; offers stakeholder facilitation services; and coordinates collaborative technological initiatives. Gallinger’s clients include Harvard Library, Institute of Museums and Library Services, Metropolitan New York Library Council, Ithaka S+R, and the Council of State Archivists (CoSA). Prior to consulting, Gallinger worked at the Library of Congress developing the initial strategy for and led the creation, definition, and launch of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance in 2010. Gallinger performed policy development, strategic planning, program planning, and research and analysis at the Library of Congress. She has also designed and managed digitization services, overseen the formation of and policy development for the Colonial Williamsburg Rockefeller Library’s Digital Library, and worked for Gartner Dataquest. Gallinger graduated with a BA from Reed College and an MA from The University of Virginia. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, three children, two fish, and a dog.

Masai McDougall

Shavonne Hedgepeth

Shavonne N. Hedgepeth is an enthusiastic advocate for authentic community building and actively participating in efforts that facilitate equitable access to information for marginalized communities. She is currently enrolled in an Executive Master’s in Public Administration Program at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University. Early in her journey into public service, she served as a board member on a D.C. based non-profit that mentors young women between the ages of 11-18 in Southeast. While earning her bachelor’s, she served as a student advisory member for a Montgomery County Councilmember, allowing her to strategize tangible solutions to the disparities in access to mental health resources, equitable housing options, and other public interest-based efforts for his constituents.While earning her master’s in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park, she collaborated with researchers and archaeologists at Anne Arundel County on The Lost Towns Project, supported efforts to update the Maryland Historical Trust records, and worked on the ‘Black Housing Project.’ Her experiences while earning her library and information sciences master’s also include serving as a fellow at the National Agriculture Library and previously serving on the Advisory Board for the 1856 Project at the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned her undergraduate degree in History from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and will continue her valuable career in public service. In her spare time she enjoys adding to her constantly expanding book collection, listening to Beyoncé, traveling, and sustaining her shopping addiction.