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Work Environment

Meet the Team

Get to know the faces behind Lead for America

We are a diverse group of passionate individuals committed to the mission of fostering local leadership and strengthening our communities across the nation. Each member of our team brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to our work, but we all share a common goal: to create meaningful and lasting change in the places we serve. We are proud to be part of the LFA family and are excited to continue our work in supporting and developing the next generation of community leaders.

Executive Team

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Joe Nail

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

CEO, LFA Co-Founder

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Benya Beacom

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  • LinkedIn

VP of Civic Ventures

LFA Co-Founder / ACC Founder

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Richard Swarttz

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  • LinkedIn

Chief Financial Officer

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Joseph Shepard

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  • LinkedIn

Chief of Staff, Director of National Fellowship

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Chester Spellman

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  • LinkedIn

Sr. Vice President

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Taylor Stuckert, AICP

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Executive Director of ACC

Board of Directors

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Andrew Powell

  • LinkedIn

LFA Board Chair

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Shimul Melwani

  • LinkedIn

LFA Board Member

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Mack McCarter

  • LinkedIn

LFA Board Member

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Reed Shafer-Ray

  • LinkedIn

LFA Board Member

Strategic Advisors

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Jennifer Hazelton

  • LinkedIn

Senior Communications Advisor

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Michael Brown

  • LinkedIn

Senior Strategic Advisor

LFA Staff

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Eric Kotin

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Director of Strategic Initiatives

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Brandon Fling

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  • LinkedIn

Staff Accountant

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Jennifer McKinney

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Executive Assistant to the CEO

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Annika Wooton

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Communications Manager

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Franklin Winters

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  • LinkedIn

Contracts Manager

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Meghan Carver

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  • LinkedIn

National Program Officer

ACC Community Partnerships Officer

ACC Staff

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Tom Branen

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

VP of Government Relations

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Cadie Bergan

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Sr. Recruitment & Selection Manager

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Jennifer Hopper

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

National Service Impact Officer

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TaTy'Terria Gary

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  • LinkedIn

ACC Program Officer

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Scott McFarland

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  • LinkedIn

Director of National Service

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Rebecca Johnson

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Lead ACC Program Officer

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Iris O'Donnell Bellisario

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

ACC Program Officer

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Sierra Marie Bonn

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  • LinkedIn

ACC Program Officer

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Emily Steinberg

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  • LinkedIn

ACC Director of Programs & Strategic Growth

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Camille Saunders

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Recruitment & Selection Associate

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Kiana Reid

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

ACC Program Officer

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