ABOUT US
STAFF
The American Democracy Institute is comprised of a small, experienced core staff augmented by nationally respected advisers, consultants and fellows. We operate with a focused, proactive approach to tackling issues, recognizing that our greatest assets are our intellectual capital and strategic knowledge management.
Our team includes:
John Hart, Founder + CEO
Elizabeth Fison, Program Manager
Christofer Nelson, Director of Programs
Sarah Keffer-King, I Vote You Vote Outreach Coordinator
Gary Nuzzi, Internet Strategist & Campaign Director, I Vote You Vote
Corinne Tapia, Chief of Staff
Dolores Wiarco, Outreach Manager
John Hart founded the American Democracy Institute as a place to examine and challenge practices that contravene the principles and ideals of democracy. His work at the Institute is guided by a personal belief that to preserve the privilege of democracy we must participate in the process.
Prior to founding the American Democracy Institute, Hart served as Director of Policy Implementation for the James B. Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he managed operations and programs.
Before joining the Hunt Institute, Hart served as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Government Affairs for Ovations, a division of United Health Group, focusing on improving public, private and non-profit sector partnerships in health care.
Under Attorney General Janet Reno, Hart was appointed as Principal Deputy Director at the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). At COPS, he was responsible for the management and administration of a $1.4 billion annual budget and a 250 member staff.
Hart also served for four years at the White House as Deputy Assistant to President Clinton and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. In that capacity, he served as President Clinton's representative to state and local elected officials on federal-state policy, and acted as the President's liaison to the Catholic community.
After President Clinton's election in November 1992, Hart served as a senior member of the President-elect's transition staff, acting as Special Assistant to Transition Directors Warren Christopher and Thomas "Mack" McLarty. Prior to the election, he served as Deputy Director of the Clinton/Gore Transition Planning Foundation, the pre-transition organization that Hart formed during the general election campaign. Hart also served as Secretary to the Foundation's Board of Directors. During the 1992 primary campaign, Hart played a vital role as the Clinton campaign's National Director of Delegate Operations, culminating in the nomination of Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in New York, where he managed the convention floor operations.
An attorney by training, Hart practiced law in Washington, D.C. and served as Law Clerk to the Hon. James T. Turner of the United States Court of Federal Claims. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of America and the Fordham University School of Law.
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Elizabeth Fison
Program Manager
Prior to joining ADI Elizabeth worked closely with the National Field Director on a presidential campaign. She co-authored a comprehensive report on poverty for a non-profit group while working at an economic and public policy consulting firm where. Elizabeth also spent a summer working in the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
She graduated from Brown
University in 2007 with a
B.A. in political science, where she was a two time NCAA Division I champion in
rowing. She was born and raised in Anchorage,
Alaska.
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Sarah Keffer-King
I Vote You Vote Outreach Coordinator
Sarah Keffer-King is the newest member of the American
Democracy Institute. She was brought on
to help promote I Vote You Vote's outreach efforts to women and youth groups.
An Illinois native, Sarah has lived in Washington D.C for the past three years.She attends American University where she is majoring in Women's Studies and Justice and Law.&
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Christofer Nelson
Director of Programs
Christofer Nelson brings a passion for education and leadership development to his position at ADI. Christofer is responsible for developing a vision for and implementing ADI Leadership Programs and other initiatives.
He previously worked as the Resources Manager for Washington DECA, an educational-service non-profit in the Seattle area, where he planned and facilitated numerous events and worked on policy issues. Additionally, Christofer has worked as a communications consultant, helping clients to articulate their message through written communications, video, and live-event productions.
Christofer is native of Washington
State and a graduate of American University.
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Gary Nuzzi
Internet Strategist & Campaign Director, I Vote You Vote
Gary Nuzzi began with ADI in the Fall of 2005, and brings with him a sharp mind for developing integrated online strategies. Gary is the resident internet strategist, and leads ADI's voter engagement platform, I Vote You Vote.
He previously maintained a blog that was featured
during the 2004 primary season. Gary
brings with him a passion for fairness in democracy and protecting voter
rights, as well as increasing the sphere of participation in our
democracy. Gary
is a New Jersey Native.
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Corinne Tapia has been part of the ADI team since it's incorporation in 2005. Corinne works closely with the founder and CEO to coordinate ADI programs, partnerships and a growing network of leaders.
Prior to joining ADI Corinne was part of the grand opening team for the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. During the 2004 Presidential Campaign she worked for the Democratic National Committee as the Deputy Field Trainer where she assisted on the development of the get-out-the vote plan, and the training and deployment of national field organizers. She has worked for Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) as Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Corinne holds a B.A. from Georgetown
University in American Studies, and is
a native of sunny Southern California.
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Dolores Wiarco
Outreach Manager
Dolores Wiarco joined the ADI team in September 2007. She manages national outreach and candidate selection for ADI Empower Change Summits and Leadership Forums. Dolores also works on social events that bring together leaders from various industries to expand the ADI Leadership Network.
Dolores has worked as a public servant domestically and in research and marketing abroad. In Taipei, Taiwan she worked on a product development and marketing campaign. While at Casa de las Américas, in Havana, Cuba, Dolores was part of a select group granted permission by the U.S. government to study Cuba's contemporary politics, society, economy, culture and business practices.
Dolores graduated magna cum laude from Cal Poly Pomona
with a double major in international business and marketing management and a
minor in Spanish. Dolores is a native of southern California and has an affinity for travel
and learning about new cultures.
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