Our Team

Alise is a government, political, communications and management professional who has worked in both the public and private sectors.  

Prior to joining the NLC national staff in 2017, Alise served the organization in a volunteer capacity as National Curriculum Chair, National Programs Committee Chair, and Founder of the NLC Women’s Caucus.  She was an inaugural member of the New Leaders Council New Jersey fellowship (2011) and served locally as the NLC NJ Institute and Advisory Board Chairs. 

Previously, Alise was the Director of CN Communications International, Inc. where she spearheaded national, state and local marketing and media campaigns on initiatives where there is a critical nexus with government. Alise served as the Deputy Communications Director of the New Jersey Democratic Senate Office, supporting the communications and media needs of the New Jersey’s Senate Caucus.  She has worked as a manager, communications director, and/or in the field of more than a dozen Democratic campaigns. 

Alise is a Commissioner of the Middlesex County (NJ) Utilities Authority, with oversight of the county’s wastewater treatment facility and county landfill, which serves over 800,000 Central Jersey residents, providing responsible waste management and stewardship of the environment. She lives in Highland Park, NJ with her husband and cat.

As the former Executive Director She Should Run, Clare created its Incubator serving over 20,000 members, and has trained thousands of women and girls to own their leadership path and run for office. When she served as Political Director for Women’s Campaign Fund, the first PAC founded to support pro-choice women, she launched their endorsement program supporting first time candidates of color and LGBTQ candidates.

Clare also consulted with global brands on diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies, trainings, and programs - from advising Hollywood studios through change in the #MeToo & #OscardsSoWhite era, to expanding representation in tech and consumer product industries.


With a background in women and girl’s empowerment, Clare also advised corporate social impact and philanthropic efforts focused on ending the Dream Gap for girls' confidence, aspirations, and opportunities. 

Clare is a proud NLC veteran. She was a 2012 DC Fellow, 2013 DC Curriculum Chair, 2014 DC Chapter Co-Director, former SPARK presenter, and has been a LEAD Trainer for the last 7 years, training hundreds of Fellows around the country. 

A 40 Under 40 Honoree by the Center for Leadership Excellence, Clare has been recognized for her leadership impact in the public sector. She graduated with a Masters in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University and earned a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government from American University.

Clare just set down roots in Northern VA with her husband, and is a Midwesterner at heart who grew up in Cincinnati, OH.

Additionally, Courtney serves as Chair of the National Progressive Pipeline Table where she builds a coalition and shares best practices among national training organizations. She was a 2010 NLC Boston Fellow and originally joined New Leaders Council in 2014 as National Programs Director.

Courtney is a seasoned political operative focused on increasing civic engagement and empowering everyday citizens. Prior to joining NLC, Courtney was Director of Operations for the election of Rhode Island’s first female governor, Gina Raimondo. Courtney has built a career that combines her political acumen with her community-focused values. Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail have made Courtney an advocate for citizen empowerment; while stints at the Close Up Foundation and the Washington Campus provided outlets to educate and activate different constituencies.

Courtney credits coming from a large family for instilling discipline, a sense of humor, and providing the encouragement to take on new challenges and navigate life. Courtney recently bought a home in her hometown of Quincy, MA and enjoying being close to family, friends, and the beach.

Kate’s background is in philanthropy, public policy, and political fundraising. Most recently, she was advising philanthropists in Los Angeles and the Bay Area on their giving strategies. She previously worked for US Senator Tim Kaine in his Senate office and on his political campaigns. While working on the 2016 Presidential campaign, Kate traveled the country with Senator Kaine and his wife, Anne Holton, meeting with local leaders and nonprofits. She also has experience working with cities using federal grants to improve energy efficiency and promote sustainability in their communities. 

Kate earned her Bachelor’s from the University of Virginia where she studied Foreign Affairs and Urban and Environmental Planning. A native of the D.C. area, Kate spends her spare time with her family, friends, and dog, Penelope. 

Kimberly is very dedicated in serving others, leadership development and giving back to her community. Kimberly was a member of the 2018 Inaugural Fellowship for NLC Dallas. In 2018-2019, she rose to Co-Director of the Dallas Chapter. Kimberly also serves as Vice President of the Alpha Omicron Sigma Charitable Foundation - the charitable arm of the Dallas Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The main foci for the foundation include youth empowerment and educational enrichment. Kimberly is also an Active Member of the Junior League of Dallas where recently she has served in a variety of roles on the Provisional Committee. By virtue of her life’s experiences, Kimberly is passionate about health care issues and has become a powerful advocate for Health Equity, Women's Health, and Children & Youth. She serves as the Board Secretary for Sisters Network Dallas, a community-based organization comprised of African-American Breast Cancer survivors. 

In her spare time, you will find Kimberly attending hot yoga classes and spending time with her friends and family.

Melanie Elizabeth Bates, Esquire is the Principal of Melanie Bates Consulting, LLC. MBC is a strategic policy and communications firm with an overall focus on criminal justice reform.
 
Melanie's legal background developed her expertise in government relations. Previously, Melanie served as the Legislative Director for Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells at the Council for the District of Columbia, Legislative Counsel for the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety at the Council for the District of Columbia, Legal Intern at Legal Aid of North Carolina, and Legal Intern at Neighborhood Legal Services Program.
 
Melanie has extensive experience in communications, having served as the first-ever Director of Communications at the Future of Privacy Forum, Director of Policy and Communications at the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia, and Advertising Coordinator at The Washington Post.
 
As a native  of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Melanie has dedicated her career to serving the local community. She has a strong passion for criminal justice reform and believes that poverty, lack of education, and other social issues should not feed the pipeline to prison. Melanie serves on the Advisory Board of Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop, an organization that uses books, creative writing, and peer support to awaken DC youth incarcerated as adults to their own potential.
 
Melanie is a dedicated leader. She is a graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute’s Washington, DC Chapter, District of Columbia Bar John Payton Leadership Academy, American Bar Association Bar Leadership Institute, and  American Bar Association Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy. Melanie was the 2014-2015 President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the Women’s Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association (GWAC). Under her leadership, GWAC was awarded “Affiliate Chapter of the Year." Melanie currently serves on the Leadership Council of the American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

Melanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University. She earned a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Melanie is an alumna of Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc., a national organization that was founded in 1968 to advance diversity in the legal profession.

Melanie is a Women's Media Center SheSource Expert. She has been featured in several media outlets including WPGC 95.5 FM, FOX 5 DC, The Nation, Afro-American Newspapers, Rolling Out, D.C.ist, Twin Cities Daily Planet, and Montgomery Community Media.

With a strong background in volunteer management, Tristan is passionate about ensuring all volunteers have a fulfilling and rewarding experience with NLC.  

An Alum of the Tampa Bay chapter, Tristan joined the national staff in the spring of 2019. Currently, she resides in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania with her partner and dog where they enjoy local hiking and breweries.