Twana Carney, Office Manager, staffs the New York front desk and serves as finance, facilities, and information systems liaison to the Oakland headquarters. Carney also assists in the production of materials for communications outreach. Previously, she provided administrative support to the United Nations Retirement Pension Fund and was an administrative assistant in the Office of the Public Advocate, New York City.
Janet A. Dickerson, Press Secretary, helps guide day-to-day press operations, working closely with the communications team to create and shape stories that promote the image and initiatives of PolicyLink. Prior to joining PolicyLink, Dickerson worked as Deputy Press Secretary for Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker, and more recently as Deputy Press Secretary for New York City Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson’s 2009 campaign. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Magazine Writing from Temple University.
Keith Forest, Communications Assistant, provides media research and general communications support to the New York communications staff. Forest holds a BA in mass communications from Clark Atlanta University and has worked as a consultant and freelance media/communications coordinator for various community-based organizations, emerging artists, designers, and entrepreneurs—while conceptualizing and producing event-driven press initiatives for nonprofit organizations, politicians, and others.
Glenda Johnson, Deputy Communications Director, works closely with the communications staff to develop and implement targeted communications strategies designed to promote the image and identity of PolicyLink and its partner organizations, and to increase media coverage on issues around equitable development. As a New York Community Fellow with the Open Society Institute, she provided strategic communications consultancy to immigrant-serving organizations. She has over 10 years experience in print and interactive media.
Glenda Johnson, Deputy Communications Director,Ana Louie, Online Communications Assistant, produces layout,
design, and updates for PolicyLink web initiatives. She works on a range
of communication strategies, provides website support, and editing to
the program staff. Louie's prior experience in interactive media
includes work for various large corporations including Martha Stewart
Living Omnimedia, Conde Nast, and Grey Advertising. Throughout the
years, she has continued to expand her knowledge to keep up with the web
industry’s rapid growth.
Jennifer Pinto, Senior Communications Associate, works with communications staff to maintain the image and identity of PolicyLink. She predominantly serves as an editor and writer working closely on website content, email outreach, and social media. Additionally, she manages the organization's webinar production and contributes to the development and implementation of online communications strategies. Previously, Pinto worked in editorial and production departments for two newspapers, where she reported on local issues. She holds a BA in Journalism from Rutgers University.
Jessica Rodriguez, Senior Communications Associate,
conceptualizes, writes, edits and updates content for PolicyLink online
health initiatives and the Convergence Partnership. Rodriguez's prior
experience in print, digital, and broadcast media outlets have informed
her experience as a multi-media journalist and editor focused on Latino
culture, communities of color, trends, and entertainment for outlets
like Batanga Publishing, Si TV, MiGente.com, and the Buenos Aires
Herald. She holds a MS in journalism from Northwestern University and a
BA in English from Cornell University.
Shantha Susman, Senior CommunicationsAssociate, Promise
Neighborhoods Institute, creates and manages communications for the
Promise Neighborhoods Institute (PNI). She handles website and email
content, PNI’s online presence, media outreach, and assists the PNI team
in creating communications strategy for the program. Additionally, she
provides communications support to Promise Neighborhoods partners
working to break the cycle of generational poverty by wrapping children
in health, social, and educational support from cradle to college. Most
recently, she has served as director of outreach for California
VoterConnect, executive director of OaklandVOTE, and editor-in-chief of
the literary journal dislocate. In her various roles she has
assisted numerous community groups and campaigns with technical
assistance, campaign strategy, and communications support. She holds an
MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in
English from Cornell University.
Leslie Yang, Design and Production Manager, coordinates layout,
design, and production for PolicyLink publications. She works on a range
of communications strategies and provides media outreach, editing, and
research assistance to the program staff. Previously, she led
student-run forums on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in public
service and has a background in media relations, union organizing, and
public health advocacy. Yang holds a BA in sociology with honors from
the University of California, Berkeley.
