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Who We Are

Executive Director

Jan Ritch-Frel has worked in Independent Media for more than two decades at a range of publications in many roles, including more than a decade with AlterNet. A graduate of St. Andrews University of Scotland, Jan previously worked on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign and for many media startup companies. He is the co-author of Neighbors From Hell: An American Bedtime Story (Feral House, 2015). Jan is co-founder of the Observatory and currently leads and writes for the Human Bridges project. 

Jenny Pierson

Jenny Pierson

Manager of Editorial Projects, Programs Administrator

Jenny Pierson served as managing editor and assistant publisher at AlterNet, where she ran the activism and books departments. After graduating from NYU, she edited books for an independent publisher.

Brittani Banks

Brittani Banks

Production Editor and Outreach Coordinator

Brittani Banks is a writer with a BA in English literature and creative writing from Agnes Scott College. She has done editorial work for AlterNet, Dotdash, and other websites.

Elizabeth Carena

Elizabeth Carena

Development Manager

Elizabeth Carena is a business administrator and performing artist. She has served as managing director of Third Rail Projects and capital associate of Theatre for a New Audience. She holds a BA in performance from Fordham University at Lincoln Center.

Ruhi Bhasin

Ruhi Bhasin

FEATURES Editor

Ruhi Bhasin is an editor and a senior journalist. Previously, she worked at the Times of India and the Indian Express covering politics, legal matters, and social issues.

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