Staff

Josh Silver, President and CEO, co-founded Free Press with Robert W. McChesney in 2002. He oversees all programs, campaigns, fundraising and special projects. Josh previously served as campaign manager for the successful statewide ballot initiative for public funding of elections in Arizona and as the director of development for the cultural arm of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. He has served as the director of an international youth exchange program and as a development and management consultant. Josh publishes frequently on media, campaign finance and other public policy issues. He attended the University of Grenoble, France, and Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.

Kimberly Longey, Chief Operating Officer, oversees organizational development, strategic planning, staffing and financial management activities. She is also a key member of our fundraising team. Kimberly has 23 years' experience building, growing and reinventing nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Free Press, Kimberly served as deputy director of the Proteus Fund and executive director of Hilltown Community Development Corp. She has held numerous elected and appointed local government positions. Kimberly currently volunteers as a director of the Frances Fund and treasurer of the See Forward Fund, two related philanthropic organizations promoting justice, equity and sustainability with thought leadership and grant making. She holds a master's degree in community economic development from the University of Southern New Hampshire.

Craig Aaron, Managing Director, leads all Free Press program, advocacy, and public education work. He works in the Washington office and speaks often on media, Internet and journalism issues. His commentaries appear regularly in the Guardian and the Huffington Post. He recently edited and co-authored the book Changing Media: Public Interest Policies for the Digital Age. Before joining Free Press, he was an investigative reporter for Public Citizen's Congress Watch. Craig previously worked as the managing editor of In These Times magazine and edited the book Appeal to Reason: 25 Years In These Times. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Neal Bastek, Web Director, oversees Free Press Web sites and assists with outreach campaigns and other online communication efforts. Prior to joining Free Press, Neal was the senior online communications director at Metropolitan Group, a full-service creative and strategic communications firm dedicated to serving clients with a social purpose. Neal has several years of experience producing Web sites and other online tools for nonprofit organizations. He holds a master's degree in English with a focus on online communication from Colorado State University and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Oregon's Applied Information Management graduate program.

Candace Clement, Outreach Manager, works with community-based organizations, public interest groups, academics and other allies to encourage participation in Free Press campaigns and events. She also co-hosts the weekly Media Minutes radio show. Candace served as a longtime Free Press intern and volunteered for Northampton area community radio station Valley Free Radio prior to joining the staff. She earned an associate's degree in communications, with highest honors, from Holyoke Community College and holds a B.A. in American studies from Smith College.

Amy Altwarg Clough, Development Coordinator, works with the development team to implement all fundraising efforts for Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Amy comes to Free Press with more than 12 years of management experience in community-based as well as national for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Before joining Free Press, Amy served for eight years as the grants manager and special events coordinator for the Proteus Fund. She holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of San Francisco and also has served on the board of a local LGBT community organization.

Stevie Converse, Multimedia Manager, oversees in-house video and audio productions, the Free Press newswire and the Media Reform Daily. She also writes, produces and co-hosts the weekly Media Minutes radio show. Stevie is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College's Critical Social Thought program, with a concentration in political ideas and communication technology. Stevie worked in health research at the American Health Foundation and Mount Sinai Hospital and was a shiatsu therapist and teacher for many years.

Mary Alice Crim, Outreach Manager, conducts a variety of outreach, organizing and public education activities to broaden the movement for media reform. She also supports the planning and implementation of the National Conference for Media Reform. Mary Alice received bachelor's degrees in media studies and Spanish, with a minor in women's studies, from Southern Connecticut State University before joining Free Press.

Carrie Cuthbert, Associate Development Director, works with the development team to plan and implement all fundraising activities for Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Prior to joining Free Press, Carrie served for over eight years as founding co-director of the Women's Rights Network, a human rights organization working to end violence against women, and for three years on the development team at Amherst College. She has also served on the board of a local battered women's organization and on the founding coordinating committee of the U.S. Human Rights Network.

Lindsy Embree, Communications Coordinator, focuses on media relations, including maintaining and improving our press database, organizing press events, researching and placing ads, and media outreach. Prior to joining Free Press, Lindsy worked as the office coordinator of Redpoint Marketing PR in New York City. Lindsy received her bachelor's degree in sociology with minors in African-American studies and women's studies from Eastern Illinois University.

Jenn Ettinger, Media Coordinator, drafts and distribute press releases, makes pitch calls to reporters, and assists with media scheduling and promotion. Before joining Free Press, Jenn was a media and communications specialist at Campaign for America’s Future and worked as an assistant account executive at Rubenstein Communications. She was also a sports editor and the editor-in-chief of FSView, Florida State University’s independent student newspaper. Jenn earned her B.S. in studio art and her M.A. in media and communication studies from Florida State University.

Heather Higgins, Finance Director, ensures sound financial management of Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Heather works to develop and refine financial systems, oversee budgets, and coordinate with other professional financial service providers. Before joining Free Press, Heather was director of finance and administration, and later, director of operations, for the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund. She has also been a program coordinator at Harvard University’s School of Public Health and an administrative manager at MIT.

James Hindle, Graphic Designer, designs and creates new campaign brands, features and graphical elements for Free Press Web sites and print materials. Prior to joining Free Press, James worked at the strategic design firm Bidwell ID, at the marketing agency Stackpole & Partners and as a freelance Web and print designer and illustrator. He received his B.F.A. from Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass.

Timothy Karr, Campaign Director, oversees all Free Press campaigns and online outreach efforts, including SavetheInternet.com and our work on public broadcasting, propaganda, and journalism. Before joining Free Press, Tim served as executive director of MediaChannel.org and vice president of Globalvision New Media and the Globalvision News Network. He has also worked extensively as an editor, reporter and photojournalist for the Associated Press, Time Inc., New York Times and Australia Consolidated Press. Tim critiques, analyzes and reports on media and media policy for the Huffington Post and on his personal blog, MediaCitizen.

Ellen Leuchs, Major Gifts Director, plans and implements all high-level individual donor fundraising efforts for Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Ellen is a founding partner of KirschLeuchs Consulting, a firm specializing in building the capacity of nonprofits to raise private philanthropic support. Her 20 years of fundraising experience include serving as director of development for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and director of planning for Victim Services, Inc./Safe Horizon in New York City.

Josh Levy, Online Campaign Manager, develops and implements Internet-based campaigns, programs and projects to encourage online activism, advocacy and fundraising. Before joining Free Press, Josh was managing editor of Change.org, a social action network where he supervised the launch of more than a dozen issue-based blogs. He previously worked as an associate editor for techPresident.com and Personal Democracy Forum, and was an adjunct lecturer in media studies at Hunter College in New York City. Josh holds a B.A. in English and religion from the University of Vermont and an M.F.A. in Integrated Media Arts from Hunter College.

Adam Lynn, Research Manager, works in the Washington office, where he conducts research on issues related to media ownership, public media and the future of the Internet. Adam graduated magna cum laude from Washington State University, focusing his studies on the relationship between media and democracy. Adam interned with Free Press prior to joining the staff.

Amy Martyn, Administrative Director, is responsible for managing human resources and complying with state and federal regulations for employment, nonprofit corporation and advocacy. Amy has more than 20 years of nonprofit administrative experience, including as administrative director of the Solidago Foundation and administrative manager of the Western Massachusetts Planned Parenthood Center.

Kate McKenney, Project Manager, works with key staff to create and maintain best practices and procedures for the administration of Free Press and Free Press Action Fund. Kate previously served as our conference manager from 2006 to 2008 and as operations manager from 2004 to 2006. Prior to joining Free Press, Kate served as the assistant director of the Center for Tropical Ecology in Keene, N.H., and as a research associate at the University of Massachusetts. Kate has a master’s in conservation biology, a B.S. from Earlham College, and works as a cheesemaker in her spare time.

Sarena Neyman, Foundation Relations Manager, maintains relationships with funders and foundations and coordinates all grantwriting and reporting efforts. Sarena has more than 25 years of nonprofit fundraising and publicity experience in such areas affordable housing, consumer rights, community technology and health care. Prior to joining Free Press, she was involved in the development and marketing of an affordable homeownership neighborhood in Holyoke, Mass. Sarena has a law degree from the New England School of Law in Boston and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. She was one of 20 Community Renaissance Fellows in the Yale University/U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development urban revitalization program.

Yesenia Perez, Development Coordinator, works with the development team to implement all fundraising efforts for Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. She has over seven years of experience in content management and fundraising. Yesenia comes to Free Press from the Institute for Community Economics. She received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Bernard M. Baruch College.

Misty Perez Truedson, Associate Outreach Director, conducts strategic communications, offline and online organizing and outreach activities to advance Free Press’ legislative and movement building initiatives. She works with community-based organizations, public interest groups, academics and other allies to encourage participation in Free Press campaigns and events, with a particular focus on the SaveTheInternet.com campaign. Prior to joining Free Press, Misty was the statewide grassroots organizing coordinator for Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree in community development and planning from Clark University.

Carolyn Price, Office Coordinator, works to ensure that the Massachusetts office functions smoothly and to support the ongoing work of Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Carolyn helps manage incoming and outgoing communications; disseminates educational materials; helps plan special events; maintains databases; assists with bookkeeping; and provides general administrative support. Carolyn has worked in customer service for many years and was also the owner and head chef of her own catering company. She studied sociology at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, N.Y.

M. Chris Riley, Policy Counsel, advises Free Press on legal matters related to our policy, research and campaign work and represents Free Press on our issues before the FCC and Congress. Prior to joining Free Press, Chris worked as an Honors Program Attorney at the FCC, as a summer associate at Ropes & Gray LLP, and as a legal intern at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Chris earned a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School and a Ph.D. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University.

Liz Rose, Communications Director, oversees all Free Press communications work. Liz was previously director of public affairs for the FCC, where she headed the Commission’s media relations and communications operations and served as the spokesperson for Chairman William Kennard. More recently, Liz worked at the ACLU as the deputy director of legislative communications. Before joining the FCC, Liz served as a public affairs officer at the Labor Department. Liz was also the media relations director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Before that, Liz worked on Capitol Hill, first as press secretary for Rep. Thomas J. Downey (D-N.Y.) and then for Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.).

Holiday Shapiro, Editor, works with the communications team and other key staff to edit the Free Press website and to create and edit campaign, public education, public policy, outreach and fundraising materials. Before joining Free Press, Holiday worked in broadcasting at CBS News, was a teaching and research assistant at the University of Minnesota, and served as a program associate at Headwaters Group Philanthropic Services in Saint Paul, Minn. She also worked at her family's real estate and construction firm in New York. Holiday earned her bachelor's degree from New York University and two master's degrees in political science and mass communication from the University of Minnesota. She co-edited the book Changing Media: Public Interest Policies for the Digital Age.

Tessa Simonds, Online Campaign Coordinator, implements Internet-based campaigns, programs and projects to encourage online activism, advocacy and fundraising. Before joining Free Press, Tessa was an online communications associate with the U.S. PIRG network. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she double majored in English and Social Thought & Political Economy. Tessa also has an Associate of Arts degree with high honors from MassBay Commmunity College.

Trish Smith, Office Manager, works to ensure that the Massachusetts office functions smoothly and to support the ongoing work of Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund. Before joining Free Press, Trish worked as an independent consultant and project manager for MBL Housing and Development in Springfield, Mass. She was also a project manager for the development of the Lead Hazard Education and Abatement Research Program for the Hampden Hampshire Housing Partnership in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Trish earned her B.A. in politics and environmental studies from Mount Holyoke College and her M.S. in communications and information management from Bay Path College.

Aparna Sridhar, Policy Counsel, advises Free Press on legal matters related to our policy, research and campaign work, and represents Free Press on our issues in court and before the FCC. Prior to joining Free Press, Aparna was an associate at Strumwassser & Woocher LLP, in Los Angeles. She also clerked for the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before attending law school, Aparna worked at McKinsey & Company, the management consulting firm. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and her A.B. from Harvard University. 

Josh Stearns, Associate Program Director, manages Free Press' journalism, public media and media consolidation campaigns. He develops campaign strategy, outreach and organizing efforts and works with partner organizations on events and actions designed to amplify the voices of people and communities around the country. Josh directs the Free Press internship and fellowship programs and speaks regularly about media policy and activism. He was a co-author of Saving the News: Toward a National Journalism Strategy, and writes regularly for Free Press' blogs. Prior to joining Free Press, Josh provided communications consulting for a range of nonprofit organizations, and served as a policy and communications associate for National Campus Compact.

Megan Tady, Communications Coordinator, blogs for Free Press Web sites, writes op-eds, develops content for Free Press campaigns, and makes videos to educate the public about media issues. Prior to joining Free Press, Megan was a national political reporter for In These Times magazine, a staff reporter and editor for The New Standard, and worked extensively as a freelance journalist. She earned her B.A. in journalism from Northwest Missouri State University.

Joseph Torres, Senior Adviser, Government and External Affairs, works closely with the program and policy staff to create Free Press' legislative agenda, lobby in Washington, D.C. and in the states, and build new coalitions that broaden the base of the media reform movement. Before joining Free Press, Joe worked as deputy director of communications and media policy at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and was a journalist for eight years.

S. Derek Turner, Research Director, heads our policy team in Washington. Derek has written extensively on a wide range of media and technology issues, and regularly testifies before Congress and the FCC. His reports have examined the state of broadband competition in America, the role of the Universal Service Fund in the 21st century, and the lack of female and minority media ownership. Derek holds a master's degree in public policy from the Goldman School at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was awarded the 2006 Smolensky Prize for Outstanding Advanced Policy Analysis. He is the lead author of the book Changing Media: Public Interest Policies for the Digital Age.

Coriell Wright, Policy Counsel, advises Free Press on legal matters related to our policy, research and campaign work; helps to craft our regulatory agenda; and represents Free Press on our issues before the FCC and Congress. Prior to joining Free Press, Corie served as senior counsel and adjunct clinical professor at the Georgetown University Institute for Public Representation in Washington. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and holds law degrees from the American University Washington College of Law and the Georgetown University Law Center.