Kadida Kenner is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the New Pennsylvania Project. Kadida is a tireless advocate for social and economic justice issues and is motivated to empower and excite the electorate to enthusiastically vote in every election — all the way down the entire ballot. Kadida has led efforts to stop the passage of a judicial gerrymandering constitutional amendment, raise the minimum wage, fairly fund public education, protect federal courts from problematic judicial nominees, and protect the state courts from extremist attempts to undermine their independence.
Kadida also serves as co-chair of Why Courts Matter – Pennsylvania, an advocacy campaign of the New Pennsylvania Project, seeking to protect the independence of our state and federal courts and educate the electorate about their importance.
Prior to working in issue advocacy, Kadida was a director, producer, and writer for HBCU sports television programming – both live and scripted television in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. The Temple University graduate resides in the Philly suburbs and counts civil rights organizing icon, and West Chester, Pennsylvania native Bayard Rustin as one of her civil rights heroes.
Stephanie Frank
Stephanie Frank is the Chief Operating Officer for the New Pennsylvania Project. Stephanie is pleased to bring over 20 years of administrative experience to the NPP team, most recently serving as office manager for the Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. Her dedication to democracy in the commonwealth comes from a combination of deep generational PA roots and over a decade of fighting for systemic policy change at the state government level with KRC: forming the belief that positive change comes from the ground up when all communities, especially those historically disenfranchised, have a voice in their government. Stephanie received an MFA in illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and a BA in studio art with a concentration in biology from Washington and Lee University in Virginia. She resides in Harrisburg with her husband and two dogs.
Katy Personette
Katy Personette is the director of development & policy with the New Pennsylvania Project. Katy is passionate about advocating for social justice issues and bringing that spark of activism and engagement on policies to folks in Pennsylvania and beyond. Previously, she was the Deputy Director of Campaigns with the PA Budget and Policy Center, focusing on the We The People-PA campaign where she advocated for progressive policies including a fair share tax, adequate and equitable funding for K-12 education, fair housing, and a fair return for work among others by calling for bold action from state lawmakers. Katy worked with partners and community leaders to organize and build power across the state to win economic justice and build a stronger, healthier, and more just future for all Pennsylvanians. Katy graduated from Kutztown University where she studied Anthropology and Sociology. After realizing her passion for political activism, she transitioned out of the corporate world and started as a statewide community health organizer for PA Health Access Network. Katy loves baseball, her favorite team being the New York Yankees, Coldplay, and cuddling with her dog Nova.
Dyneco Gibson
Dyneco Gibson is the director of campaigns & engagement. Her passion for community activism began in Rochester, NY where she mentored youth and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, she worked in the disaster services department for the American Red Cross, and the Mobile Crisis Team where she assisted people who were having a mental health crisis.
Now a resident of Coatesville, Dyneco believes this work is important to her because she wants her teenage daughter to know that as a minority woman, her voice is important. And, for her to remember that African Americans and women did not always have the right to vote.
Dyneco is a lifetime member of the NAACP. She received her Associate’s degree from Monroe Community College in Human Services.
Quentin Mansfield
Quentin Mansfield is the democracy project coordinator for the New Pennsylvania Project. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Quentin’s journey has been shaped by his commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Prior to entering law school, Quentin acquired invaluable experience as the Director of Advocacy for the Chicago Urban League. In this role, he actively championed social justice causes that deeply impacted the Black community.
His educational journey began at Howard University, where he studied Strategic Communications and Economics. Quentin is also an alumnus of the University of Chicago, where he earned a Master of Public Policy degree. Currently enrolled as a law student at the University of Pennsylvania, Quentin continues to harness his passion for social justice and his comprehensive knowledge of strategic communications, economics, and public policy in his role as the Democracy Project Coordinator. Armed with an understanding of our legal system and an unwavering commitment to advancing democracy and equality, Quentin Mansfield stands as an advocate for positive change.
Gabriela Huerta
Gabriela Huerta is the strategic communications director at the New Pennsylvania Project. Born and raised in Mexico City, she spent half of her childhood in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business Studies from Saint Louis University, and an MBA from the Instituto de Estudios Bursatiles in Madrid, Spain. She has over 10 years’ experience on brand creation and management. She has helped launch three international publications and the Mexican subsidiary of a software development firm. Since 2016 she donates part of her time to MassChallenge, a global, zero-equity, nonprofit startup accelerator where she serves as judge and mentor to global startups on digital marketing and communication strategies.
Genetha Short
Genetha Short is our director of staff and culture. A Genetha is a lifelong resident of Aliquippa, PA. She is a local leader committed to serving her Beaver County Community. Genetha retired from Cox-Media Group (WPXI-TV/Pittsburgh) with over 21 years of service. She has also held previous positions with PepsiCo Corporation and US Air. She is currently a sitting Trustee for the Community College of Beaver County, a position she has held for twelve years. She is the first African-American woman to serve. She also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Boys and Girls Club. Since retiring, Genetha continues to contribute to the Beaver County community through service as an emergency teacher in the Ambridge School District. She holds an undergraduate and a graduate degree in Journalism and Communications from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Ball State University. Genetha has one daughter, Dani, who is a recent Brown University Graduate and is now preparing to attend Law School.
Connie Santos
Connie Santos is the regional organizing director for Northampton/Monroe/Lehigh counties.
In 2017 she “retired” after 26 years of service as a caseworker with the PA Department of Welfare. Since then, she has worked on campaigns throughout Lehigh County, ballot initiatives, and serves as a precinct captain in her community. In addition, she also successfully led the Group Quarters effort for the 2020 Census during the Pandemic.
Since March 18, 2022 she has logged hundreds of miles walking and knocking doors — fueled by her passion for voting rights and empowering people. She has two children and four grandchildren and resides in Allentown with her cat, Cupcake.
Rick Hicks
Rick Hicks is the regional organizing director for the Capital Region.
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Rick is the proud father of five sons and has volunteered or worked as a program director in the Harrisburg community for more than three decades. Rick has worked on numerous successful campaigns in the city of Harrisburg, as well as running for Magisterial District Judge in 2011.
Rick is also a proud Marine Corps veteran who takes pride in serving his country, as well as his community.
Marcus Greene
Marcus Greene, is our regional organizing director for Philadelphia.
“I love everything about Philly and will do all I can to make sure every voice is heard and every community is represented. I have joined NPP to do just that. My voice is loud, and NPP has made me LOUDER!”