Our Staff
Aaron Ostrom he/him/his
Executive Director
Aaron is the master of "strategery" behind Fuse and its innovative campaigns to move progress forward in Washington state. Before helping to launch Fuse in 2007, Aaron served for eight years as the Executive Director of Futurewise, an organization dedicated to protecting rural areas and natural resources from irresponsible development and making cities great places to live. Aaron was a co-founder and Director of the Transportation Choices Coalition and also worked as a manager in the City of Seattle's Strategic Planning Office. He serves on the board of Progress Now and Win/Win, and has served as a board member of Smart Growth America and several other non-profits. He has chaired and/or played a critical leadership role in several statewide and regional ballot measure campaigns. Aaron has a B.A. in Public Policy from Brown University. In his off-time, Aaron plays basketball with other slow old men and aspires to more enthusiastically celebrate International Talk Like A Pirate Day. He and his family, including sons Cole and Desmond, live in Seattle.
Abigail Leong she/her/hers
Communications Manager
Abigail works with the Communications Hub to help local changemakers engage their audiences through research-backed storytelling strategies. Before joining the team at Fuse, she helped produce podcasts like Nina Turner's Hello Somebody, Battle Fatigue, More Perfect AF, and Seattle Kitchen. She is a graduate of Seattle University, where she earned a B.A. in Communication and Media with a specialization in Journalism. When she is not at work, Abigail can be found teaching cyr wheel classes at the School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, a local circus nonprofit.
Ciara Coughlan she/her/hers
Development and Events Manager
As the Development and Events Manager at Fuse, Ciara maintains our databases and manages our monthly and small-to-mid level donors to keep them engaged and empowered. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Ciara graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2021 with a B.A. in International Affairs. She also completed an independent study program in Buenos Aires, Argentina that focused on social movements and human rights in the region. Prior to joining Fuse, Ciara worked at the Friendship Circle of Washington - a local non profit that provides support, resources, and inclusive programming to families, children, and teens with special needs. In her free time, you can find Ciara knitting a sweater or hat, paddle boarding on Lake Union, and hiking whenever it’s not too rainy.
Collin Jergens he/him/his
National Progressive Voters Guide Director
Collin leads Fuse's earned media, social media, and email programs, as well as the Progressive Voters Guide. Collin has a B.A. in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. in Communications, Culture, and Technology from Georgetown University. Prior to joining Fuse in 2010, Collin worked at a startup technology company in Washington, D.C. before hitting the road to work as a field organizer for the presidential campaign of then Senator Barack Obama. Collin loves spreadsheets, statistical significance, and A/B testing most things in life.
Eric Bronson he/him/his
Communications Manager
As the Communications Manager at Fuse, Eric develops, plans, and aligns all content for email, social media, and the Fuse website. Hailing from Eugene, Oregon, Eric graduated from Oberlin College with B.A.s in History and Political Science. Before joining the Fuse team, Eric led the public policy advocacy program of YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish. When he isn’t juggling emails, you can find him riding the light rail, perfecting his risotto technique, and planning his next international trip.
Isabel Lay she/her/hers
Digital Campaigns Manager
As Digital Campaigns Manager for the Fuse Communications Hub, Isabel develops and implements multimedia visual strategy to engage and activate supporters across Fuse’s social media platforms and for progressive partner organizations. A native of Venice, California, she graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Visual Journalism and Graphic Design. Prior to joining the Communications Hub, Isabel managed the Public Health - Seattle & King County social media channels. When she isn’t watching TikToks for work, she is watching TikToks for fun, crafting and exploring South Seattle.
Jeff DeBray he/him/his
Eastern Washington Director
Jeff joins Fuse as the Eastern Washington Director after living in Spokane for nearly a decade. With a background in community organizing, fundraising & government relations. Jeff is passionate about building the progressive movement in Eastern Washington working for organizations from Spokane County United Way, the Elizabeth Warren Campaign for President and most recently, the ACLU of Washington. Originally from Montana, Jeff moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2014 and first started organizing for DACA recipients at university during the Trump Era. Jeff is passionate about elevating young people and queer people in the political process and imagines a future where all of us have the access and inspiration to participate in our democracy. In his spare time, he enjoys running, exploring the outdoors and jamming out to Taylor Swift's latest hits.
Karen Arlette Gamez Lopez she/her/hers
Engagement Director
Karen Arlette Gamez Lopez recently joined the team as the Engagement Director at Fuse. Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Karen grew up in Kent, WA, and graduated from Green River College and the University of Washington. For the past 8 years, she's served in various professional roles in higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and state agencies. Karen’s passion for civic engagement and advocacy fired up in high school when she began advocating for immigrant rights. She began sharing her story as an undocumented student at the capital to expand state financial aid to students like herself. She is extremely proud to have been a part of the passage of the WA State Real Hope Act (aka WA Dream Act) in 2014. Karen also loves to dance, travel, and try new restaurants!
Meg Wiedl she/her/hers
Senior Multimedia Designer
As Senior Multimedia Designer for the Fuse Communications Hub, Meg helps to diversify Fuse's communications tactics and tell visually stunning stories. Meg earned a BA in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Washington, later graduated from the Graphic Design program at the Seattle Central Creative Academy while becoming a Pride Scholar. Meg is a lifelong artist, DIY specialist, avid reader, has a flair for fashion and home decor, and enjoys Dj-ing dark dance music for her friends.
Mike Pond he/him/his
Political Communications Organizer
An accomplished advocate for community engagement and progressive change, Mike Pond serves as our Political Communications Organizer in Southwest Washington. With a background in local politics, grassroots organizing, and campaigning, Mike brings a wealth of experience. A Vancouver native, Mike's civic activism began very early on in his youth, earning the honor of Eagle Scout. His commitment continued through academic pursuits, obtaining degrees from Clark College and Western Washington University. Over the last decade, Mike has played a crucial role in local campaigns, actively supported community initiatives such as, affordable housing and clean industries at the Port of Vancouver. His leadership roles, such as Board Member for the Queer Youth Resource Center (501 c3), Chair of Young Democrats of Clark County, as well as Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), highlight his experience and dedication. As our Political Communications Organizer, Mike leads digital and offline organizing projects, mobilizing volunteers and community leaders to extend our reach and impact into Southwest Washington.
Reiny Cohen she/her/hers
Senior Director of Communications
As Director of the Fuse Communications Hub, Reiny is responsible for legislative communications strategy. Reiny comes to Fuse by way of affordable housing advocacy, having spent over three years as Director of Communications for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization working with the state legislature to ensure that everyone in Washington has a safe, healthy, affordable home. Additionally, she has worked on legislative and electoral campaigns, and has 15 years of on-air experience in the Seattle radio market. On the side, Reiny directs the Institute for a Democratic Future, a leadership development fellowship for young progressives in Washington. She lives in Seattle with her wife and their dog, and can be found around town running, dancing, and singing karaoke at pretty much every opportunity.
Rosey Barber she/her/hers
Campaign Director
As the Campaign Director, Rosey works to win important issue and election campaigns in order to build a stronger and more progressive Washington. Rosey believes deeply in the power of an informed and organized community, and she has served previous roles working to mobilize communities to take action around climate justice, reproductive rights, and the advancement of progressive policies. Rosey holds a BA in English from SUNY New Paltz and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. In her free time, Rosey enjoys hanging out with her cats, Murphy & Rusko, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Rowan Lenihan he/him/his
Operations Director
Rowan joined the Fuse Washington team as Operations Director in April 2023. He brings over 6 years of accounting and human resources experience, as well as decades of lived experience as a neurodivergent queer person. He describes himself as an “overgrown punk,” and firmly believes in justice, mutual aid, and authenticity. He performs as part of Queerly Beloved, the Gender Variety Show he founded with his spouse, Nyx. When he’s not greasing the wheels at Fuse or performing, you can find him in the nearest woods (probably barefoot), or snuggled up with his son Padraig and their supermutt Sirius.
Serena Carmona-Hester she/her/hers
Development Director
As part of the Development team, Serena strives to foster a more engaged and robust member base for Fuse. She knows that Fuse members are the key to making progressive change, which is why she values positive, sustainable relationships with our supporters. She first began her time at Fuse as a campus organizer in Fall 2018 working on student voter registration and climate change. Serena graduated from Gonzaga University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, fostering her passion for environmental justice. Previously working for Clean Water Action, Gonzaga University's Office of Sustainability, and the City of Pleasanton, she brings experience in environmental advocacy, coalition building, sustainability engagement, and fundraising. In her free time she loves to hike, attempt yoga, try new food, wear Christmas socks year round, and tend to her pet plants.
Shevonne Foo she/her/hers
Senior Technology Manager
As the Technology Manager, Shevonne maintains and builds digital tools used by organizers and activists in Washington. Shevonne moved to the Seattle Area after graduating from the University of Alberta with her BSc in Computer Science. She loves animals and has a soft spot for derpy dogs. Before joining Fuse, she spent four years as an analyst at Seattle Humane where she worked with Development and Marketing on fundraising strategies and all things data. In her spare time, she enjoys going around the city trying new food.
Stephanie Spence she/her/hers
Senior Communications Manager
Stephanie makes Fuse look good online. She is one of the primary researchers and writers of the Progressive Voters Guide; she also writes content for Fuse's email, supports the organizers' actions out in the field, and poses the office dogs for Instagram. She graduated with a degree in environmental sciences and worked in the Midwest on conservation issues before moving to the Pacific Northwest. When she's not in the office, she's usually off drawing, complaining about hiking, and writing children's books and science fiction audiodrama.
