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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
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
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
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
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.