Skip to content
Logo
Join Us Donate Search
  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Contact Us
    • Sign Up
  • Our Community
    • Narrative Innovators Lab
    • Communications Institute
      • 2023 Communications Institute
      • 2021 Communications Institute
      • 2019 Communications Institute
      • 2018 Communications Institute
      • 2017 Communications Institute
      • 2016 Communications Institute
      • 2015 Communications Institute
      • 2014 Communications Institute
      • 2013 Communications Institute
      • 2010 Communications Institute
      • 2012 Communications Institute
      • 2011 Communications Institute
    • Culture & Narrative Fellowship
      • 2023 Culture & Narrative Fellows
      • 2022 Culture & Narrative Fellows
      • 2020 Creative Change Innovation Fellows
    • Creative Change
      • 2022 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2019 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2017 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2016 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2014 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2013 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2012 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2011 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2010 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2009 Creative Change Retreat
    • Our Fellows
    • Our Funders
    • Events
  • Our Priorities
    • Cultural Strategies
    • Economic Justice
    • Immigration
    • Inclusive Democracy
  • Our Tools
    • Communications Toolkit
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Messaging & Reports
    • Build Your Own Message
    • Insights
    • Livestreams
    • Training & Workshops
    • Narrative Research Lab
    • Press Kit
The Opportunity Agenda – Staff

Staff

  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Contact Us
    • Sign Up
  • Our Community
    • Narrative Innovators Lab
    • Communications Institute
      • 2023 Communications Institute
      • 2021 Communications Institute
      • 2019 Communications Institute
      • 2018 Communications Institute
      • 2017 Communications Institute
      • 2016 Communications Institute
      • 2015 Communications Institute
      • 2014 Communications Institute
      • 2013 Communications Institute
      • 2010 Communications Institute
      • 2012 Communications Institute
      • 2011 Communications Institute
    • Culture & Narrative Fellowship
      • 2023 Culture & Narrative Fellows
      • 2022 Culture & Narrative Fellows
      • 2020 Creative Change Innovation Fellows
    • Creative Change
      • 2022 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2019 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2017 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2016 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2014 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2013 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2012 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2011 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2010 Creative Change Retreat
      • 2009 Creative Change Retreat
    • Our Fellows
    • Our Funders
    • Events
  • Our Priorities
    • Cultural Strategies
    • Economic Justice
    • Immigration
    • Inclusive Democracy
  • Our Tools
    • Communications Toolkit
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Messaging & Reports
    • Build Your Own Message
    • Insights
    • Livestreams
    • Training & Workshops
    • Narrative Research Lab
    • Press Kit

The staff of The Opportunity Agenda is composed of a diverse group of professionals who, together, bring experience and expertise in the areas of communications, research, policy, advocacy, law, fundraising, and administration.

Ellen Buchman

President

Appointed President of The Opportunity Agenda in August 2019, Ellen brings a breadth of knowledge, expertise, experience, and relationships having worked as an organizer, advocate and communicator among leaders at local, state, national, and international levels for more than 25 years. She is an internationally-known trainer, leader, and practitioner of...

Get To know Ellen

Patrick Braddick

Director of Finance and Operations

Pat Braddick oversees the finances of The Opportunity Agenda, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue activity, and payroll planning.

Get To know Patrick

Arnell Calderon

Development Associate for Institutional Giving

Arnell Calderon supports the Institutional Advancement team in foundation research, drafting and submitting grant reports and proposals, record keeping, and database management.

Get To know Arnell

Istou Diallo

Executive Assistant, Programs

Istou Diallo brings her justice-based intersectional background to The Opportunity Agenda where she supports both the Director of Program Management and Impact and the Vice President for Program Strategy and Impact.

Get To know Istou

Soha Ellaithy

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Soha Ellaithy started her career in the humanitarian sector 23 years ago when, after studying engineering, she realized that her passion lied in striving to achieve social justice. She sought a career where she can use her problem-solving skills to help vulnerable communities and advocate for equal rights for all....

Get To know Soha

Brian Erickson

Digital Communications and Multimedia Manager

Brian Erickson brings a firm belief in the power of story to drive narrative change and create political leverage for social change. In his role, Brian combines values-based messaging best practices with documentary film and emerging media trends to produce multimedia stories that help audiences envision a more equitable and...

Get To know Brian

Julie Fisher-Rowe

Director of Narrative and Research

Julie Fisher-Rowe oversees the organization’s strategic framing work, translating communications research and theory into practical messaging strategies for advocates and activists. In this role, she works with groups across the country to identify opportunities to build public support for social justice issues and policies.

Get To know Julie

Jamela Irvin

Human Resources Manager

Jamela Irvin is responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the human resources function, and oversees organizational HR systems and the entire employee life cycle.

Get To know Jamela

Elizabeth Johnsen

Director of Program Management and Impact

A seasoned narrative and communications professional, Elizabeth Johnsen is responsible for overseeing implementation of The Opportunity Agenda's ambitious programmatic vision. With extensive experience in project and staff management, Elizabeth works with the VP of Program Strategy and Impact to develop the organization's plan of action, design effective workflow systems, and...

Get To know Elizabeth

Zeynep Kilik

Executive Assistant, Office of the President

Zeynep Kilik supports smooth and efficient operations and communications for the President, and works closely with The Opportunity Agenda’s Board of Directors, staff, contractors, and partners.

Get To know Zeynep
1 2 3 →
Logo
Join Us Donate Search
Phone: 212.334.5977
Contact Us: contact@opportunityagenda.org
For press inquiries, contact: press@opportunityagenda.org

About Us

  • our staff
  • our board
  • jobs & internships
  • contact us
  • sign up

Our Community

  • narrative innovators lab
  • our funders
  • our fellows
  • culture & narrative fellowship
  • communications institute
  • events

Our Priorities

  • cultural strategies
  • economic opportunity
  • immigration
  • criminal justice

Our Tools

  • livestreams
  • insights
  • training & workshops
  • messaging & reports
  • communications toolkit
  • press kit
  • shifting the narrative podcast

© 2023 The Opportunity Agenda

Privacy Policy

will you join us on a journey?

You are a crucial part of this work. Help us build narrative and cultural power to move our nation toward a vision of justice, equity, and opportunity for all.

DONATE TODAY
close search

Hot Topics: