Staff and Fellows | Commonweal Institute

	Executive Director Barry Kendall As the Executive Director, Barry Kendall provides leadership, vision, and intellectual guidance to the organization, while serving as its principal spokesperson, fundraiser, and community representative. He brings to the Institute significant experience in non-profit management, along with a deep understanding of the role of religion in American culture and a history of engagement with progressive political causes. An Arkansas native, Dr. Kendall began his career working in the Atlanta arts community, including three seasons as Managing Director of 7 Stages, a professional theatre that builds partnerships with international artists and engages audiences in pressing social issues. During his tenure, he restored the organization to financial health and managed program expansion into China, France, and Mexico. He also worked for the Olympic Arts Festival, Alliance Theatre Company, and Emory University. He has worked in a variety of political roles, including field work for Bill Bradley 2000 and directing media and events for the 2006 Democratic campaign in San Mateo County, California. Dr. Kendall's academic background includes a B.A. from Emory University, where he was a Bobby Jones Scholar and studied in Scotland, a masters degree in religion from Yale University, and a doctorate in drama at Stanford University, where he focused on theatrical modes of persuasion in modern Protestant movements and cultures. His most recent project, "Changing American Minds: Performances of Evangelism in the Early Republic," examines the historical roots of this country's evangelical movement and its contributions to persistent values in our culture. He has lectured on his innovative scholarship at conferences and in classrooms around the country and abroad. Dr. Kendall is also an accomplished stage actor and director, and a coach in public speaking and presentation techniques. Dr. Kendall serves as Co-Chair of the Progressive Ideas Network, a national consortium of idea-generating organizations. He is also on the Advisory Board for Netroots Nation, and a member of the San Francisco Advisory Board of the New Leaders Council, a progressive leadership development organization. He also sings with the International Orange Chorale, a classical chamber ensemble.
	Staff
	Mirit Cohen, Roundtable Director. Mirit has six years of experience in event planning in both corporate and social movement settings. As chef and head of catering at Google she was part of the events team that planned many fundraising and community events (including the successful food event for kids, "DooF-a-Palooza"), corporate celebrations, traditional conferences, as well as interactive/collaborative "un-conferences." This, along with her background as a program coordinator for a youth group, has given her the creative and logistical experience necessary to manage all aspects of successful event production. In addition to planning the 2009 Progressive Roundtable, Mirit is currently a caterer, food consultant and event planner working throughout the Bay Area both independently and as part of Gastronaut, a San Francisco based green food industry consultancy and catering company. She has a Masters in Psychology from Stanford University and a BSc in Evolutionary Anthropology and Psychology from Rutgers University.
	Noah Sloss, Communications Manager. Noah comes to the Commonweal Institute with over ten years of professional experience in non-profit marketing and communications, most recently with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program. His current responsibilities include constituent communications strategy and messaging using our database, content editing and email marketing systems. Mr. Sloss is also an independent consultant, helping other non-profits succeed with online marketing tools such as Drupal and Salesforce.com. A longtime member of the progressive blogger community, Noah is involved in groups like NetSquared that develop new technology for non-profits and advocacy organizations. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and Italian language and literature from the University of Maryland.
	Dahvi Wilson, Coordinator, Progressive Ideas Network. Dahvi Wilson runs an independent consulting business with a focus on sustaining communities and the environment. She received her Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2007, where she focused her research on the development of the modern progressive movement and new solutions for encouraging strategic coordination within the progressive community. In addition to coordinating the Progressive Ideas Network, her current work includes administering several LEED building projects in Idaho, directing a non-profit called Mountainside Institute, managing the ‘Envision Victor’ project for the City of Victor and the Orton Family Foundation, and managing projects for a small renewable energy company in Wyoming. Ms. Wilson serves as the Board Chair of Teton Valley Community Recycling, sits on Victor’s transportation planning committee, acts as a founding member of the Teton Valley Green Forum, and serves on the Teton Sustainability Project’s executive steering committee. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brown University with a degree in Environmental Studies, and she is the lead singer in a local rock band called Lunkur. Her past professional experience includes air quality planning and policy development with the California Air Resources Board, teaching and curriculum design with the Teton Science Schools, facilitation and leadership work with The Murie Center, event planning and coordination with Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Redefining Progress, and nearly ten years of guiding on wild rivers.
	Fellows
	Allison Arieff Chris Bowers Brad Friedman Joanna Guldi Dave Johnson Nezua Limon Michelle Mustonen Mary Ratcliff Brad Reed Jill Richardson