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.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Prior to joining the NLC national staff, Cat co-directed NLC Los Angeles’s 2018 Institute, served on the NLC LA governing board, and was a national LEAD trainer.

Cat has worn many hats throughout her career. As co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Pantsuit Nation, she built a national 501(c) 3 and 501(c)4 using the training she received as a New Leaders Council Fellow. She has also wielded clipboards on behalf of the South Carolina Democratic Party, worked as a community organizer for ballot initiatives in California, managed projects in the aerospace and entertainment arenas, and created digital communication strategies for events and campaigns.

Cat hails from South Carolina and now lives in the greater Los Angeles area with her wife and their co-dependent basset hounds. She is an avid backpacker and amateur photographer. If she is not in Southern California, you will find her chasing perfect light in the High Sierra.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers; They/Their/Theirs

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 & #OscarsSoWhite 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.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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. 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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. 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers