The Leadership Conference Welcomes New Staff and Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McNeil, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition, recently welcomed three new senior-level staff members and seven new member organizations to its board of directors. As the country faces an assault on the rule of law, multiracial democracy, and the hard-won civil rights gains that The Leadership Conference coalition has worked for 75 years to secure, the new staff and board members build on and represent a staff, board, and coalition that is united and committed to fighting forward together for the America that our communities deserve.

The Leadership Conference and its sister organization — The Leadership Conference Education Fund — have added Jessica “Jess” Smith as chief of staff, Michelle Hudgins as vice president of communications, and Vonetta Faulkner as vice president of finance. Additionally, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ board recently approved seven new board member organizations, including the Arab American Institute Foundation, Common Cause, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jewish Council for Public Affairs, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Council of Jewish Women, and Sikh Coalition.

“The Leadership Conference is thrilled to welcome these exceedingly talented, experienced, and exceptional new staff and board members at a consequential time for our movement and our country when so much is at stake and when the nation needs a strong and unified civil rights community that refuses to back down in the face of relentless attacks on our rights and freedoms,” said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference. “Our communities need help, not harm. They need health care, not hate and harassment. And they need and deserve a government that will protect their rights and solve their problems instead of one that creates chaos, sows division, and undermines our democracy. With these new additions to our staff and board, and as we celebrate 75 years as a mighty and resilient coalition, The Leadership Conference is continuing to show up for this nation and all its people when far too many in power will not. And we won’t stop.”

Judith Lichtman, chair of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights board of directors: “The board of directors of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is delighted to welcome these phenomenal organizations and leaders, who have all already contributed so much to the work of our 75-year-old coalition. As we fight on — together — for our fundamental freedoms and for the future of our democracy at this crucial moment in the nation’s history, I’m reminded that our coalition was made for times like these. And I know with these terrific additions to the board of The Leadership Conference, we’re in an even better position to defend our rights, protect our communities, and build an America as good as its ideals. We’re in this together, and we’re not going anywhere, as we fight for the future we all deserve.”

Reactions from the new board member organizations are below:

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute Foundation: “The Arab American Institute is honored to join the Board of The Leadership Conference and deepen our partnership with this integral coalition in the fight for civil rights and justice for all. At a time when Arab American rights are under attack, it is critical that our voices are part of national coalitions working to defend our democracy and protect fundamental rights. We will continue to build our collective power by working alongside our partners to support all communities under The Leadership Conference’s umbrella and build a just and inclusive society for all.”

Virginia Kase Solomón, president & CEO of Common Cause: “We cannot talk about democracy without talking about civil rights. And as we witness daily attacks on diversity and inclusion of all people, it’s never been more important for The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Common Cause to protect our country’s greatest strength. Together, we will continue the struggle for an accountable, just government that reflects the will of the people and not an elite few.”

Elsie Cooke-Holmes, international president and chair of the National Board of Directors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.: “The Leadership Conference remains a powerful force for coalition-building, accountability, and collective action, and I look forward to partnering with this dedicated community of leaders to ensure our democracy reaches its highest ideals — where inclusion triumphs over division and justice is delivered, not merely promised. Our missions and track records are aligned. With an enduring partnership spanning decades between Delta Sigma Theta and The Leadership Conference, I am deeply honored to represent our Sorority on the Board.”

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs: “The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights was first founded in 1950 by a small group of Black and Jewish leaders, including what is now the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. We’re deeply proud of this history, of our collaboration over the last 75 years in the struggle for justice and equality, and of our expanding partnership today. Jewish safety is inextricably linked with a strong, inclusive democracy and the rights and safety of all communities. At a time when our fundamental democratic freedoms and institutions face intensive threats and attacks, it’s an honor for myself and JCPA to join The Leadership Conference’s Board of Directors — as we do everything in our power to grow and strengthen this critical coalition, together.”

Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens: “As a longtime member of The Leadership Conference coalition, LULAC is deeply honored to join its board of directors and continue our strong partnership on critical issues impacting Latino Americans and all of our communities. When voting and immigrant rights are under attack, when health care access and education are on the line, and when racial equity and civil rights are threatened, we find strength and hope in fighting back as part of this historic coalition alongside fierce allies in the civil rights community. This work has never been more urgent and important, and we’re going to get it done together.”

Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women: “At a time when civil and human rights are under relentless attack — when women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and fundamental freedoms are being stripped away — I am deeply honored to join the board of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights on behalf of National Council of Jewish Women and alongside Amy Spitalnick, CEO of Jewish Council for Public Affairs. This moment is historic: For the first time, Jewish women are formally representing the Jewish community on the board of The Leadership Conference. In a moment this urgent, our diverse voices and collective action are not just necessary — they are sacred. Together, we will continue to protect and advance the rights that form the foundation of democracy and human dignity.”

Harman Singh, executive director of the Sikh Coalition: “The Sikh Coalition is honored to join allies from across the civil rights space on the Board of Directors for The Leadership Conference. Now more than ever, we must lean into a lesson that is evident in both Sikh history and the history of the U.S. civil rights movement: Our most pressing fights are shared across communities, and we will only defend and advance our rights by working in solidarity with one another.”

More information about the new staff members is below:

Jessica “Jess” Smith is chief of staff. Most recently, Jess served as a senior policy advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris and previously as deputy assistant secretary of administration and acting director of intergovernmental and external affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She served as chief of staff to Sen. Michael Bennet, COO of J Street, managing director at Burson Marsteller, and in multiple senior roles in the Obama administration, on campaigns, and in advocacy organizations.

Michelle Hudgins is vice president of communications. Michelle most recently worked at the Pew Research Center where she served as vice president of communications. She has held senior communications roles with the National Education Association, the American Red Cross, and NeighborWorks America. A highly regarded and seasoned communications strategist, she brings varied experience from across the nonprofit and media sectors. 

Vonetta Faulkner is vice president of finance. Vonetta comes to The Leadership Conference from Marcum Advisors, where she served nonprofit clients as a financial management consultant. Vonetta has held numerous senior finance roles at nonprofits over the course of her more than 25-year career, including the American Dental Education Association, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

###