Coordinating Committee
IRSG's Coordinating Committee of funders supports strategy-setting, governance, and recruitment and organizing amongst their peers in philanthropy. They represent trusted and aligned voices of philanthropic leaders committed to resourcing rural organizing work. The Coordinating Committee brings forth a diversity of strategies/issue areas of focus to guide IRSG. Members include staff of: Builders Initiative, Common Counsel Foundation, Engage New York, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, and the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock.
Domenico Romero
he/him
Senior Program Officer
Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
Hester Dillon
she/her
Director, Indigenous Communties Program
The Schmidt Family Foundation/ 11th Hour Project
Olivia Trabysh
she/her
Philanthropic Consultant
Ryan Strode
he/him
Program Officer for Climate Equity
Builders Initiative
Sade Dumas
she/her
Director, Spark Justice Fund
Borealis Philanthropy
Vickie Walsh
she/her
Program Officer
Mertz Gilmore Foundation
Movement Advisors
NFG's Integrated Rural Strategies Group (IRSG) launched its inaugural committee of Movement Advisors in August 2021. These Advisors deepen IRSG's work to increase philanthropy's accountability to rural movement leaders. These seven rural leaders reflect the powerful and broad diversity of rural communities, representing a range of geographies, issues, races, cultures, and more. What these leaders and their organizations all have in common is that they are organizing and building power in rural areas. Their work is core to building and preserving a true multiracial democracy and protecting the health, safety, economic opportunity, and ability for rural communities to thrive.
While IRSG and our partners hold existing relationships with each of these seven leaders, we are honored to formalize this year-long engagement by supporting these leaders with honoraria and providing a platform to lift up their work before philanthropy. IRSG will follow the Advisors' lead and center their priorities and strategies as we design our program offerings and resources.
Angel Garcia
he/his
Co-Director
Californians for Pesticide Reform & CAPS (Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety)
Brandi Mack
she/her/we
National Director
The Butterfly Movement
Eowyn Corral
they/she
Director of Development and Programs
Dakota Rural Action
Fabiola Ortiz Valdez
she/her/ella
Lead Organizer
Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA)
Jaime Arredondo
he/his
Executive Director
Capaces Leadership Institute
Janssen Hang
he/him/his
Executive Director
Hmong American Farmers Association
Julianne Jackson
she/her/they/them
Founder
Black Joy Oregon