Network Staff

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Nathan Newman, Interim Executive Director

Nathan, a lawyer and Ph.D., has an extensive history of supporting local policy campaigns, from coalition organizing work to drafting legislation. Previous to coming to Progressive States, he was Associate Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, Program Director of NetAction's Consumer Choice Campaign, co-director of the UC-Berkeley Center for Community Economic Research, and a labor and employment lawyer. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School and his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley and has written extensively about public policy and the legal system in a range of academic and popular journals.

Lauren Roberts-Fairbanks, Operations Director

A seasoned non-profit administrator, Lauren has experience in fundraising, communications and event management. Prior to joining Progressive States Network, she was the Administrative Director of the Stevenson Academy of Fine Arts. Her previous background has focused on areas of medical research, women’s health issues and technology; as a fundraising professional at Weill Cornell Medical College for the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital and later as Senior Administrator for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation in New York -- an organization committed to supporting the efforts of leading international neuroscientists and scholars in the field of depression research.

Caroline Fan, Immigrant and Workers' Rights Policy Specialist

Before joining Progressive States Caroline was part of the leadership team of a progressive communications firm. She has served as an organizer and communicator for groups including the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, as well as grassroots nonprofits like Alternatives for Community & Environment. A proud second-generation American, she has worked to increase civic participation in immigrant communities and deeply values her experience traveling across the country on the Immigrant Worker Freedom Rides. Caroline is a graduate of Williams College, and holds a Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College through the National Urban Fellows, a national leadership program.

Julie Schwartz, Broadband and Economic Development Policy Specialist

Julie assists state legislators and organizations in promoting progressive broadband, media reform, and economic development policies. She is a recent graduate from Georgetown University Law Center and is a member of the Pennsylvania bar. Prior to joining the Progressive States Network, Julie worked as a legal fellow for Free Press. Julie's experience includes drafting comments in response to FCC proposed rules, participating in litigation regarding broadcast and broadband issues, and analyzing constitutional issues pertaining to state legislation.

Kayla Southworth, Privatization and Contractor Accountability Policy Associate

Kayla focuses on tracking state privatization and developing strategies to promote greater contractor accountability. Prior to joining Progressive States, she worked in health and social policy research and as a project manager at Project Renewal, a large homeless services organization in Manhattan. She earned her B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard College where she studied and worked on economic and social justice issues. Kayla currently serves on Manhattan Community Board 6 and is a member of its Budget and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Christian Smith-Socaris, Election Reform Policy Specialist

Before coming to Progressive States Christian spent many years supporting the New York Civil Liberties Union's legislative efforts. Serving as an advocate, lobbyist and policy analyst, he focused on a broad range of issues including voting rights, criminal justice reform, civil rights protections as well as privacy rights. Christian was a key participant in the campaign to establish pro-voter implementation of the Help America Vote Act in New York State. Beyond his professional work, Christian is a visual artist.

Adam Thompson, Health Care Policy Specialist

Adam has several years' experience working for major health care reform at the state level and on political campaigns. Before joining Progressive States, he worked in Maine Governor John Baldacci's Office of Health Policy and Finance on the enactment and implementation of Dirigo Health Reform. Adam previously served as the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party.

Austin Guest, Communications Specialist

Austin manages PSN's media content production and outreach. Prior to joining PSN, Austin was a student at Harvard University, where he was an active contributor to several branches of the University's student activist community. As the Media Coordinator for Harvard's Student Labor Action Movement, Austin worked in close coordination with SEIU Local 615 to organize outsourced campus security guards. He also was an officer with the anti-war group, Harvard Initiative for Peace and Justice, and a founding member of the Harvard chapter of the new Students for a Democratic Society.

Marisol Thomer, Outreach Coordinator

Marisol is an experienced activist and organizer with a focus on labor rights and economic justice. Recently she has worked for a New York local of UNITE HERE organizing food service workers for fair contract fights. She has been involved in several activist organizations such as Financial Aid & Class Equality, an organization she co-founded to represent the voices of low-income and working class college students, and has served as a congressional intern for Delegate Donna M. Christensen (VI) through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She has studied in Mexico and Cuba.