Jason Eliaser, Presidente

Jason Eliaser es mediador y gestor de programas de formación para el gobierno federal. Antes de su servicio federal, Jason dirigía su propio bufete de abogados, centrado en litigios sobre derechos civiles, ejecuciones hipotecarias indebidas, vivienda y abusos en la financiación al consumo. Jason también ha asesorado a organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro en materia de constitución, cumplimiento de la normativa, prevención de riesgos y responsabilidades, negociación de contratos, transacciones y propiedad intelectual. Jason trabajó durante tres años en la junta de una organización sin ánimo de lucro dedicada a las artes literarias, fue voluntario durante dos años en una clínica jurídica que ofrecía asistencia a personas sin hogar y actualmente es voluntario activo de Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. Jason vive en Alexandria con su pareja, Monica, y su gato, 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, Secretaria

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 es la directora de Gallinger Consulting, donde aporta conocimientos tecnológicos a los procesos de toma de decisiones de bibliotecas, museos, archivos y empresas. Ofrece asesoramiento en planificación estratégica, desarrolla políticas, directrices y planes de acción para sus clientes, ofrece servicios de facilitación a las partes interesadas y coordina iniciativas tecnológicas de colaboración. Entre los clientes de Gallinger figuran la Biblioteca de Harvard, el Instituto de Museos y Servicios Bibliotecarios, el Consejo Metropolitano de Bibliotecas de Nueva York, Ithaka S+R y el Consejo de Archiveros Estatales (CoSA). Antes de dedicarse a la consultoría, Gallinger trabajó en la Biblioteca del Congreso desarrollando la estrategia inicial y dirigiendo la creación, definición y lanzamiento de la National Digital Stewardship Alliance en 2010. Gallinger realizó tareas de desarrollo de políticas, planificación estratégica, planificación de programas e investigación y análisis en la Biblioteca del Congreso. También ha diseñado y gestionado servicios de digitalización, ha supervisado la formación y el desarrollo de políticas para la Biblioteca Digital de la Colonial Williamsburg Rockefeller Library y ha trabajado para Gartner Dataquest. Gallinger se licenció en el Reed College y obtuvo un máster en la Universidad de Virginia. Vive en Washington D.C. con su marido, tres hijos, dos peces y un perro.

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.