MEET THE TEAM
GOHAR SEDIGHI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gohar comes to PCAF with over fifteen years of experience fighting for economic, gender, and racial equity. Gohar previously served in leadership roles for progressive members of Congress with a successful record of passing laws to improve the lives of students, immigrants, and families. In addition, Gohar worked on programs to reduce achievement gaps while serving in the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama Administration. For several years, Gohar worked to resettle refugees and provide social services to immigrants as a leader of a group of nonprofit organizations in New England. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of California San Diego.
Emma mehrabi
CHIEF OF STAFF
Emma Mehrabi brings over 12 years of experience fighting for people centered policies through her work in Congress and the progressive movement. Before joining PCAF, Emma served as the Director of Federal Policy for the Children’s Defense Fund. She also spent seven years on Capitol Hill working to pass legislation to advance racial and gender justice and improve the lives of children and families. Emma also helped start the first ever national coalition focused on expanding and implementing a fully inclusive child allowance. As a committed social worker, she has years of experience in case management, group and individual therapy, and community-focused programs. Emma received a Master of Social Work concentrating in policy and nonprofit management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
ALAN BARBER
POLICY DIRECTOR
At PCAF, Alan leads the policy team and the Center's Policy and Research Council, a coalition of think tanks, advocates and experts dedicated to strengthening the progressive movement. Prior to joining the CPC Center, he supported communications and policy efforts at the Center for Economic and Policy Research on a wide range of economic issues. He was a proud member and former president of IFPTE Local 70, the “Union for Non Profit Workers”. He earned degrees in Government and Psychology from Georgetown University. Alan is a board member of the NELP Action Fund and lives in Washington, DC with his wife and daughters.
Catherine Rowland
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Cat comes to the CPC Center after nearly a decade on Capitol Hill. Most recently, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Andy Levin, a deputy whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Prior to that, Cat was a professional staff member for the House Foreign Affairs Committee and senior policy advisor to the Committee's ranking Democrat. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Cat lives in Washington, DC.
Talia Harris
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Talia Harris (she/her) is passionate about using her skills and expertise in managing multimillion-dollar budgets, streamlining highly complex operations, and building high-caliber teams to contribute to the progressive movement. At the Green New Deal Network and Earthjustice, Talia has worked on progressive causes of climate and environmental justice from both a policy and operations perspective. She was the first operations hire at Green New Deal Network and built out its operations infrastructure. Talia is a forward-thinking professional who continuously innovates, forges strategic partnerships, and strives to exceed goals. Talia is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a native of Washington, D.C., and received a B.A. in Political Science from Trinity Washington University.
Katie thomas
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Katie Thomas brings a decade of experience working on energy and environmental policy and legislation, having most recently served as Staff Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee on the Environment for Rep. Ro Khanna. Prior to that, she spent more than five years as Policy Advisor for Energy and Environment to Senator Bernie Sanders. During that time, Katie advised the Senator on energy, environment, and tribal and territorial issues in the Senate office and both Presidential campaigns. Katie worked as an Associate Attorney for Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, P.C. where she advised electric utilities, states and tribes. Katie holds a Juris Doctor, with a focus on energy law, and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School and is admitted to practice law in Colorado.
Mckayla eskilson
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
McKayla comes to PCAF with significant expertise in nonprofit fundraising, operational strategy, and project management. Previously McKayla served as Senior Manager of Foundation Relations at Equal Justice Works, where she helped expand funding to increase access to justice in underserved communities. Prior to that, she spent several years managing the grants portfolio and general operations for the American Immigration Council’s Immigration Justice Campaign.
Krystal Tang
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Krystal Tang (she/her) is a progressive and passionate coordinator and writer. Prior to joining our team, Krystal worked in public universities in higher education administration, communications, donor relations, and events. She also served as the executive assistant at the Virginia Department of Labor. She received two Bachelor's degrees in English (Writing) and Gender Studies. She also studied at University College London and received an interdisciplinary Master's degree in Gender, Society and Representation. Since her studies, Krystal has been committed to connecting people to humanitarian needs, while including all of their intersectionalities. Krystal's hobbies include traveling, dancing, gardening and herbalism.
CHENELLE HAMMONDS
SENIOR POLICY ASSOCIATE
Chenelle comes to PCAF from the U.S. House of Representatives after serving in the Office of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13). Here she worked on a number of diverse issues that included healthcare, reproductive rights, civil rights, and education. Prior to arriving on Capitol Hill, Chenelle gained legislative experience monitoring and analyzing federal and state health policy legislation and working in the Texas House of Representatives. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Howard University and Master of Public Policy and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Houston. A social justice advocate at her core, Chenelle is committed to advancing progressive policies like Medicare for All, and dismantling systems of inequality that harm vulnerable and marginalized communities.
heejin Hahn
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Heejin comes to the PCAF from the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), where she implemented campaign trainings and professional development programs to increase Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation and engagement at all levels of the political process. She developed her passion for AAPI community building and organizing during her time in college. Heejin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Women and Gender Studies, which continues to fuel her commitment to issues at the intersection of race and gender.
MARIAM MALIK
SENIOR FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATE
Mariam Malik joins PCAF from the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on House Administration, where she assisted the committee with its work related to election administration, voting rights, and election security. Prior to arriving on Capitol Hill, she was in London, United Kingdom, where she received her Master of Science in European Union Politics with a specialization in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research analyzed transatlantic foreign and security cooperation and compared the capabilities of the U.S. State Department, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and European External Action Service to implement their policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a graduate student, she also worked part-time in the British Parliament on issues such as women’s rights, Brexit, the war in Yemen, and the NHS. She received her Bachelor's of Art in Political Science from the University of Kentucky.
RICARDO PACHECO
SENIOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE
Ricardo comes to PCAF after serving for over three years in the Office of U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) in various roles. Most recently, he managed a diverse portfolio that included immigration, education, and housing and oversaw the office’s work with the House Committee on Homeland Security. Hailing from Compton, California, Ricardo has devoted much of his professional life to advancing progressive policies rooted in environmental, racial, and economic justice. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Jessica Juarez Scruggs
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Jessica comes to PCAF with more than a decade of experience in political communications, organizing, and progressive policy. Most recently, she served as Interim Policy and Legislative Director for People’s Action Institute, a grassroots network active in 30 states that fights for racial, economic and gender justice on issues including healthcare, housing justice, the climate crisis, fighting toxic contamination, mass liberation and consumer protection. She has a Masters in Political Communication from American University and a Bachelor's in public policy and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
GRAHAM STEINBERG
EXECUTIVE AND OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
Graham comes to the CPC Center with a background in political organizing and legislative affairs. He got his start working in a variety of positions on state and federal campaigns where he managed large-scale voter outreach efforts. After this, he worked with a legislative advocacy group focusing on election security and campaign finance reform. Graham received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the George Washington University. Inspired by growing up in his family’s small business, Graham remains committed to progressive priorities that would help working families like his own including housing justice and Medicare-for-All.