Our Staff
Our team is made up of dedicated professionals with backgrounds and expertise as vibrant and diverse as the women we work to lift up. Learn more about joining our team.
Tina Tchen, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tina Tchen serves as president and CEO of TIME’S UP Now and the TIME’S UP Foundation, overseeing the organizations’ strategic plans to change culture, companies, and laws in order to make work safe, fair, and dignified for women of all kinds. In 2017, Tina co-founded the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund with Robbie Kaplan, Fatima Goss Graves, and Hilary Rosen; since then, the Fund has connected thousands of people to legal or public relations support for sexual harassment across dozens of different industries.
A former assistant to President Obama, executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, Tina has worked to advance gender equality, particularly for working women. At the White House, Tina spearheaded the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families and helped form the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.
Prior to taking the helm at TIME’S UP, Tina was a lawyer specializing in workplace culture, advising companies on gender inequity, sexual harassment, and diversity. She has served on numerous strategic advisory boards for organizations, businesses, and nonprofits, including the United State of Women, which she continues to co-chair.
Jae Aron, Communications Manager
Jae is TIME’S UP’s lead storyteller on advocacy, campaigns, and corporate change strategies. She helps provide strategic direction for our evolving PR needs and is responsible for implementing our advocacy media work in-house. Jae enhances our internal communications and helps ensure our external messaging across TIME’S UP’s vast network of spokespersons and allies is aligned. Previously, Jae worked at Spitfire Strategies where she worked with nonprofits, foundations, and grassroots leaders to build momentum for inclusive paid leave laws across the country. She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics.
Monifa Bandele, Chief Operating Officer
Monifa oversees TIME’S UP’s day-to-day operations and ensures that the organization is set up to deliver on our global strategic goals over the short and long term. In addition, she sits on the policy table leadership team for the Movement for Black Lives and the steering committee for Communities United for Police Reform. Bandele brings more than a decade of advocacy and policy experience, such as launching two historic and successful legal cases against police misconduct in New York City and working to pass landmark police reform legislation in New York. Prior to TIME’S UP, Monifa served as senior vice president and chief equity and partnerships officer at MomsRising, co-leading a national on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people working to achieve economic security and justice for moms, women, and families. She also worked at the Brennan Center for Justice as national field director for the Right to Vote Campaign, leading a successful coalition that restored the right to vote to more than 250,000 formerly incarcerated people in five states.
Mikaela Bernstein, Operations Coordinator
Mikaela supports the TIME’S UP team with any and all needs pertaining to programming, events, and ensuring alignment across departments. Before joining the TIME’S UP team, Mikaela worked for No Label, a production company started by Baron Davis in 2016. In her role at No Label, she supported three busy executives as they developed projects with a focus on diversity and empowerment in the film, television, and digital spaces. Mikaela is a Los Angeles native and earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Santa Clara University in 2017.
Mariah Brown, Data and Analytics Manager
Mariah is TIME’S UP’s resident data expert, leading the day-to-day management of the TIME’S UP client relationships manager and digital engagement database. Mariah gained experience with data analysis, survey design, donor stewardship, and reporting as a development assistant for a D.C.-based nonprofit, SOME (So Others Might Eat), which serves homeless and impoverished communities. While a student, Mariah interned with Chemonics International, the World Bank, and United Nations Foundation conducting research and designing proposals. Mariah holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master’s in Public Policy from the George Washington University.
Gina Garapolo-Ciaccio, Executive Operations Manager
Responsible for the daily management of the President and CEO’s administrative affairs, we call Gina the “director of first impressions.” In addition, Gina provides oversight of the operations of our Chicago office, as well as finance, operational, and administrative functions of TIME’S UP. Prior to joining TIME’S UP, Gina was an executive assistant at the Chicago office of a global law firm and the director of membership and club events at one of Chicago’s most storied clubs.
Karina Gonzalez, Development Operations Associate
Karina supports the development team with planning, organization, and the overall delivery and administration of TIME’S UP’S donor database. She brings several years of experience working in nonprofits in various capacities — from planning special events to working in direct services and development. Previously, she was a case manager for asylum-seeking children, where she was able to secure pro-bono legal representation for 90% of her clients. Karina graduated with honors from the California State University of Long Beach with a B.A. in International Studies and Anthropology, and she’s just a few semesters away from completing her M.S. in Social Entrepreneurship from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Stacey Ferguson, Digital Director
Stacey oversees TIME’S UP’s digital communications, inclusive of our content strategy, efforts to cultivate new and existing audiences, and initiatives to shape attitudes about issues affecting women and work. Stacey brings over a decade of experience in integrated marketing, digital brand strategy, strategic partnerships, and community building. Prior to TIME’S UP, she co-founded Blogalicious, a marketing network and annual conference aimed at elevating the voices of multicultural women influencers. Stacey began her career at Proskauer Rose LLP as a privacy attorney and at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, where she protected consumers against deceptive advertising practices online.
Jess Forden, Research Analyst
Jess Forden supports the TIME’S UP Impact Lab’s research on safety, equity, and dignity at work. She joins TIME’S UP from the Roosevelt Institute, where she worked on an array of topics, including labor markets, child care, taxes, and the intersection of race and gender in the economy. Prior to that, she worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development, West Bank & Gaza, where she supported the private enterprise office with local economic development projects. Jess holds a B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College.
Amanda Harrington, Vice President of Communications
Amanda ensures that the many voices that comprise TIME’S UP are heard in the press, across digital properties, and on the ground. Amanda is an accomplished leader of high-impact campaigns that influence public policy and inspire people to take action in support of women’s rights. Amanda managed the preparation of Planned Parenthood former president, Cecile Richards, for sworn testimony before Congress and she helped make health care a winning issue for House Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections.
Tony Hernandez, Communications Associate
Tony supports the TIME’S UP’s communications team with media relations and monitoring, internal and external communications, and creative and digital services. Previously, he served as a press assistant on Capitol Hill, where he assisted Senate Democrats with press and rapid response communications for the government shutdown of 2019, the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, and the historic stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with two B.A.’s in government and rhetoric & writing, respectively.
Tshombe Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer
Tshombe oversees the administrative functions of TIME’S UP, including finance, IT, facilities, and compliance. Tshombe brings over 20 years of experience in high-level nonprofit organizational development, strategy, and finance. Previously, he was the senior director of program and financial management at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, where he was responsible for all components of financial management during the last three presidential election cycles.
Angie Jean-Marie, Director of Public Engagement
Angie leads strategic partnerships and advocacy campaigns to advance safety, fairness, and dignity for women at work. Angie has spearheaded advocacy initiatives, including a campaign to change the culture of voting as the director of #VoteTogether at Civic Nation, and a philanthropic effort to spark civic activism in Los Angeles. Angie began her career in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative assistant for Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards of Maryland, where she helped launch an economic agenda for women.
Michelle Jones, Senior Programming Manager, Entertainment Industry
Michelle spearheads efforts for the Who’s in the Room mentoring program and the Women of Color (WOC) programming for our entertainment initiatives. Michelle previously worked as senior assistant director of the Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson, where she oversaw the development and design of educational programming for the Riordan Scholars, Riordan Fellows, and College to Career programs. She served as a program manager for the Children’s Defense Fund – California (CDF), where she managed all aspects of recruitment, development, expansion, and retention of their Beat the Odds scholarship program. She produced 20 documentaries and directed one documentary for CDF’s annual gala.
Ankita “Kita” Kanakadandila, Policy Analyst
Kita supports all policy development, data, research, outreach, and advocacy work at TIME’S UP. She previously served as the deputy director of external affairs and downstate press secretary in the Office of New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. There, she was lead advisor to the Lt. Governor on many portfolios, including the women’s agenda and gun violence prevention, wrote speeches and op-eds, and staffed events across the state. Kita also participates in the Lower East Side Girls Club’s mentorship program, political activism groups, and the spoken word poetry scene in New York City.
Devan King, Manager of Creative Services
Devan is TIME’S UP’s visual documentarian and archivist. She is responsible for expanding our visual identity, proactively working to grow our original content library, and for the development, organization, accessibility, and preservation of digital assets. Devan drives visual storytelling initiatives, including photo, video editing and production, with a particular focus on the types of long-lead storytelling needed to support fundraising initiatives. Devan began her career in the photography and creative department at The Nature Conservancy, where she was in charge of elevating the presence and reach of their conservation and environmental initiatives.
Emily Koh, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Emily sets the strategy for TIME’S UP Industry Change work and manages TIME’S UP’s partnerships with gender equity groups in various fields. Before TIME’S UP, Emily worked in city government at the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), where she led the team that developed programs to jump-start small businesses in all five boroughs. Prior to SBS, Emily worked at LeanIn.Org, where she led a global community of Lean In Circles and oversaw the development of Circles programs in companies and on campuses around the world. Early in her career, Emily worked as a field organizer for President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in Florida.
Allison Lee, Chief Development Officer
Allison is responsible for building and expanding TIME’S UP’s fundraising capacity. She brings over 25 years of development experience for progressive nonprofits, specializing in institutional giving, major gifts, and board development. Prior to joining TIME’S UP, Allison served as vice president of external affairs at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, where she worked to increase their annual revenue and helped launch their Rapid Response Family Immigration Project and Transgender Advocacy Program. Before that, Allison served for eight years as founding executive director of American Jewish World Service – Southern California.
Latifa Lyles, Vice President for Advocacy and Survivor Initiatives
Latifa leads TIME’S UP’s advocacy agenda for public policy and private sector change and its efforts to advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and assault. Latifa brings more than 15 years of movement experience working on issues of economic justice and equity for women, workers, and survivors. She served in the Obama administration as head of the Women’s Bureau at the US Department of Labor, where she led initiatives on paid leave and pay equity, including a collaboration with the White House Council on Women and Girls to organize the White House Summit on Working Families. Prior to joining TIME’S UP, Latifa was a vice president at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, overseeing private partnerships, communications, and economic justice for survivors.
Rakeen Mabud, Director of Research and Strategy
Rakeen is the Director of Research and Strategy of TIME’S UP Foundation, where she works on advancing more inclusive and equitable workplaces for all. She is an expert on the 21st century workplace and gender, race, and other social, and economic inequalities. Rakeen is responsible for developing a strategic research agenda for TIME’S UP, including spearheading the signature Time’s Up, Measure Up initiative. She served in the Obama administration, working on economic recovery efforts in the Treasury Department. She also spent three years at the Roosevelt Institute, writing about how structural inequities interact with the distribution of power in the economy. Rakeen holds a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University.
Anwesha Majumder, Associate Director for Data Analysis
Anwesha is responsible for implementing the Time’s Up, Measure Up initiative and ensuring that women, particularly women of color and low-paid women, are spotlighted in conversations around the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, she was the Co-Principal Investigator of the US News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings, where her work focused on hospital quality measurement and developing maternity care and health equity evaluation frameworks. She has also measured vaccine-preventable diseases in the field and monitored public health priorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Ngoc Nguyen, Head of Entertainment Industry
Ngoc oversees all entertainment strategy, talent relations, and entertainment industry programming for TIME’S UP. With a background that spans across entertainment, sports, and philanthropy, Ngoc is a strategist who uniquely merges expertise as a publicist and experience as an independent producer, to impact culture through creative storytelling. Ngoc worked for over a decade in publicity at Miramax Films, Creative Artists Agency, and Paramount Pictures in addition to TEDx, US Open, XPRIZE, Bad Robot, and Google. As an independent filmmaker, Ngoc produces film, television, and online content that champions women-focused narratives.
Stephanie Odiase, Senior Manager of Research and Partnerships
Stephanie supports Time’s Up, Measure Up — a first-of-its-kind initiative to track, measure, and share the impact of COVID-19 on women and the economy at large. Stephanie is an experienced social scientist in the fields of international education policy, community-based interventions, and measurement and evaluation. Previously, she served as head of policy research at Local Civics, an ed-tech startup that fosters community engagement for students of color. In addition, Stephanie was a researcher at the World Bank and a management consultant at a boutique consulting firm, focusing on economics research and technology advisory work. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Columbia University and a Master of Philosophy in Evidence-based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation from the University of Oxford.
Isabel Orbon, Director of Individual Giving
Isabel is responsible for individual fundraising, research, events, and communications at TIME’S UP. Prior to joining TIME’S UP, she served as the associate director of major gifts at Park Avenue Armory, a dynamic cultural institution. There, she focused on board development, leadership giving circles, and production sponsorship. She also worked at the American Academy in Rome, launching the giving circles, overseeing the annual donor trip to Italy, and organizing galas in New York City and Rome.
Hope Rohrbach, Digital Associate
Hope supports the communications and digital teams by executing on TIME’S UP’s digital priorities, including content development, digital organizing and community engagement, and social media and data management. Previously, she worked at The Campaign Workshop, where she organized political candidate trainings and managed robust direct mail and digital programs for organizations focused on issues such as environmental protection, public health, and workers’ rights. She graduated with honors from The University of Wisconsin–Madison with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology and Environmental Studies.