Together, we’re creating a world free of prisons and punishment, where reconciliation, truth-telling, and mutual interdependence foster healing instead of retribution.
Our Board of Directors are experienced community leaders in criminal and social justice, guiding our work toward new models of justice and safety beyond Arizona’s punishment system.
In 2017, Marilyn founded Creosote Partners, Arizona’s progressive lobbying, government relations, communications, and legislative advocacy firm.
Marilyn is one of the foremost government relations and public affairs professionals in Arizona.
A widely respected lobbyist at the Capitol, Marilyn approaches her work with the utmost grace and humility.
She’s proud to serve as the steward for all her clients’ issues and policy objectives.
Kesha Dawson is a Senior Change Process Leader at Tucson Electric Power with expertise in organizational change, leadership development, and business transformation. A certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, she has worked across the energy, technology, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, helping organizations improve performance, strengthen leadership, and navigate complex change.
Kesha studied Positive Organizational Scholarship at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and holds a B.A. in Sustainable Community Development from Prescott College. She brings a strong background in facilitation, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Beyond her professional work, Kesha is a playwright, performer, and producer who uses creative storytelling to strengthen community, inspire growth, and foster meaningful connection. She is passionate about helping people and organizations realize their potential while creating experiences that encourage reflection, learning, and positive impact.
Liane Hernandez is the Senior Manager of the Public Voices Fellowships Team. Trained at the University of Arizona and Pima Community College as an art historian, chef, and cultural anthropologist, she studies how community is formed, who gets to participate, when, and how.
A longtime member of the Tucson nonprofit arts community, Liane has served on staff, boards, committees, and grant review panels, and is a founder of Raíces Taller 222. She currently serves on the City of Tucson Bond Oversight Commission, is Secretary of the board of directors for Just Communities Arizona, and is a member at large of Tucson City of Gastronomy.
Liane joined The OpEd Project because she is passionate about community and equitable access to justice, and believes expanding who is heard in decision making spaces is essential to lasting change. In her spare time, she dreams of opening a cafe, reading under a tree, and living slowly.
Beth is President and CEO of the non-profit, Leading For Change (LFC). Through a variety of training programs, LFC works with leaders and emerging leaders to advance progressive values and social justice in their communities.
Prior to joining LFC, Beth served as the National Vice President of State Operations for the Center for Progressive Leadership in Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Colorado. She also served as the Vice President of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona (now PPAZ).
She has served on a number of Arizona-based Boards, including Community AIDS Council (co-founder), ACLU-Arizona, NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Phoenix Theatre, Opera League, Defenders of Children, Arizona Advocacy Network (co-founder).
And currently serves on:
Beth is the recipient of the Arizona AFL-CIO Community Leader award and the Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business award.
Daniel is owner and director of The Earnest House LLC, Heavy Kettle Popcorn LLC, and Co-Executive Director of Second Chance Tucson.
He has over a decade of experience assisting formerly incarcerated people in the Tucson, Arizona area overcome barriers to finding housing and employment.
Daniel uses the combination of his troubled childhood along with his years in the state prison system to connect with individuals who are facing the same struggles he once faced.
Tasha is a former social services executive with 20 years of cross-sector experience addressing sexual and domestic violence and improving responses to survivors.
With an MA in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Dr. Menaker has been conducting research related to sexual and domestic violence since 2005, with particular focus on correlates of victim blame. She served as an expert on domestic and sexual violence in multiple forums, including national and international media, statewide task forces, and national research collaboratives.
Before becoming a Senior Director of Social Impact at Match Group, she was the Director of Sexual Violence Response Initiatives with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. In this role, she provided training and technical assistance to sexual assault responders and service providers and assists communities in developing sexual assault response teams and forensic nursing programs statewide.
Tasha specializes in training development and facilitation and fostering effective partnerships to enact social or system change. She has extensive experience working collaboratively with grassroots organizations created by and for communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities on anti-violence initiatives, including prevention and awareness campaigns, outreach activities, system reform advocacy, standards and guidelines, and community education.
Jenny Guzman is the Arizona Program Director at Common Cause.
Born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, Jennifer Guzman leverages six years of experience in policy, political advocacy, and bilingual communications, giving her the expertise to support the organization’s legislative work. The core of her work has centralized on the fight for socioeconomic equity, having executed successful campaigns for voting rights, state ballot measures, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and protecting public education.
Based in Phoenix, Guzman is an alumna of the Monzón Fellowship, a prestigious and highly-competitive political leadership fellowship in Arizona; the New American Leaders Ready to Lead program, a training program for immigrants and communities of color; and Arena Academy, an interdisciplinary political training program where she recently returned as a trainer for the communications track session.
Jamie Ibrahim is the Deputy Director at Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc., where she advances access to justice for low-income and vulnerable communities. With nearly two decades of experience, her career is rooted in public service and advocacy.
She began her legal aid work with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. in 2006, representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2017, she was appointed General Magistrate for Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit, presiding over family law and domestic violence cases.
Since relocating to Tucson, Jamie has remained active in community leadership, representing her organization in Social Venture Partners’ 2023 Fast Pitch program and graduating from Greater Tucson Leadership’s Class of 2024.
She brings a deep understanding of legal systems, a strong commitment to equity, and a passion for strengthening communities. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, crafting, trivia, and mastering Tetris.
Kati Horvath-Pratt is the Legislative Liaison for Creosote Partners. The 2016 election cycle was the impetus for her to switch from a career in clinical therapy services to a career in the public sector. Not having had much experience in the public arena, she decided to return to school to pursue an MPA. She found her stride in policy research, analysis, and advocacy.
Kati wants this state, and this country, to be somewhere all individuals can thrive. She believes in a future where we have dismantled systems of oppression that keep some folks from having experiences that are so readily available to others.
