EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Charlie Panfil
Hello everyone! My name is Charlie and thank you for visiting our website. I am a junior Political Science major with minors in American Studies and History at the George Washington University. After undergrad, I will be pursuing an M.P.S. in Legislative Affairs at GWU’s Graduate School of Political Management. I have previously interned for the City of Toledo and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and currently intern for The Daschle Group. I started Friends of Intelligent Democracy back in 2017 as a senior in high school. To me, politics should be about creating change and progress that helps all Americans. Outside of Friends of Intelligent Democracy and classes I love to cook, paint, and explore D.C. As Executive Director, I lead our team and work with each team member to help Friends of Intelligent Democracy succeed.
POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Alex Edwards
Hey everyone! My name is Alex Edwards, and I joined Friends of Intelligent Democracy as its Political Director in January 2019. I am a Junior at The George Washington University studying Political Communication and I grew up in San Francisco. I have interned for Speaker Nancy Pelosi in both her district and DC offices, learning about the legislative process and leadership politics. I love running and scuba diving and am an avid sports fan. As Political Director, I lead the campaigns team and identify candidates across the country for endorsement.
FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR &
HUMAN RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVE
Jared Gozinsky
Hello everyone! My name is Jared Gozinsky and I am from Lake Grove, New York. I am currently a student at The George Washington University studying Exercise Science and Music Performance. As the FID Fundraising Director, I hold the responsibility of organizing and executing outreach to prospective donors. With the help from the Outreach Coordinator, we implement a vetting process that allows us to identify donors who align most with our policies and our values. Along with my love for the sciences, music has always been an important part of my life.
POLICY DIRECTOR
Tara Zic
Hi all, my name is Tara Zic and I am a student of Public Health at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. I have extensive interests in health law and the development of American healthcare policy in the United States, however my greatest passion lies in women’s health. At Friends of Intelligent Democracy, I work as the Policy Director and write policies that advocate for primary solutions to issues facing Americans today.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR &
HUMAN RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVE
Harita Iswara
Hi everyone, my name is Harita and I am the Communications Director for FID! I am a rising junior studying International Affairs and Arabic with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. I have previously worked for Swing Left and other political organizations, and I work at Qatar Foundation International as a Programs Intern. I love progressive activism, studying other cultures, and working to make our world a better place.
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Sarah Gregory
My name is Sarah Gregory and I am the Outreach Coordinator for Friends of Intelligent Democracy. As a part of the fundraising team, I help to detect and contact groups with similar values to FID, as well as potential donors. I am currently a junior at The George Washington University studying political science and philosophy. Most recently, I worked as an intern for the office of Congressman Frank Pallone. I have also worked as an events’ intern for Women in Need, a non-profit based in New York City. In my free time, I enjoy acting, writing, cooking, and spending time with my friends!
DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Helena Russo-Delee
I am a rising junior at The George Washington University, majoring in Political Science, and a double minor in American Studies and Organizational Sciences. I will also be pursuing a M.P.S in Legislative Affairs with the George Washington School of Political Management. I have worked on Capitol Hill for the last 8 months, with the chance to work in the offices Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. It has always been my dream to work on an all-female campaign and I am excited to pursue my passion of politics in the coming years. In my free time I enjoy traveling, online shopping, and finding the best brunch spots in D.C!
DEPUTY POLICY DIRECTOR
Nicholas Green
Hello Everyone! My name is Nicholas Green I am from Los Angeles, California and I will be joining Friends of Intelligent Democracy as the Political Analyst. I am a sophomore at the George Washington University, and I am interested in studying International Affairs with a concentration in International Economics and a minor in entrepreneurship. I am very excited to be joining the team, as I have always been passionate about getting involved in many of the issues, I find important, so I can actively fight to achieve my goals. I am hoping to do this as a part of the organization. I am also an avid movie watcher and a huge fan of good and bad horror films.
2020 SUMMER INTERN TEAM
GARRICK ALLISON – DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY
YECHAN CHOI – UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
COLE DUSHIN – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
JOHN EDWARD MARIANO – NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
CHLOE MEITZEL – UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ
BRIDGET O’CALLAGHAN – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERISTY
RUBY SAMIM – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
DESI WARREN II – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY