Disrupting Poverty DC Action Summit Speakers

Session 1: "The State of Economic Mobility in the Second Trump Presidency"

Armando Vizcardo

Armando Vizcardo is a doctoral student in the Children, Youth, and Families concentration. Armando received a Master’s in Public Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UMass Boston. His research focuses on analyzing welfare and asset-building policies, and its impact on LMI and immigrant workers and families. 

In addition, he’s supporting the Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office, Office of Economic Empowerment with research and evaluation work, more specifically, the state-wide Children’s Savings Account Program, BabySteps. Prior to his studies, Armando worked at Abt Associates evaluating a range of social and public programs focused on housing, education, workforce development, and financial capability.

Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson has been with the National Low Income Housing Coalition since 2019, first as a policy analyst, then senior analyst, policy manager, and now, senior director of policy. In her role, she manages implementation of the Coalitions broader policy agenda, and leads NLIHC’s policy portfolios on federal appropriations, reentry housing, and implementation of housing protections in the Violence Against Women Act.

Before joining NLIHC, Kim interned with Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future and the Senate Health Committee, and held a fellowship with the National Network to End Domestic Violence while pursuing her master’s in public policy from George Washington University.

Meredith Dodson

Meredith Dodson joined the Coalition on Human Needs as the Senior Director of Public Policy in February 2023 and coordinates CHN’s advocacy campaigns for 100+ member organizations on Capitol Hill and with the Executive Branch including convening partners, tracking priority legislation, lobbying, and engaging advocates in legislative Hill work including on CHN’s lead budget and tax issues. 

Prior to her work at CHN, Meredith spent over 24 years at RESULTS, a grassroots anti-poverty organization, including as Director of RESULTS’ U.S. poverty policy work, overseeing RESULTS’ legislative and coalition work along with working directly with RESULTS’ grassroots network.

Session 2: "I’m Trying to Tell You Something About My Life"

Belma Moreira

Honduran-born Afro-Latina with a deep commitment to social justice, fueled by personal experiences navigating adversity, immigration, and systemic barriers. Emancipated at 16, Belma has witnessed homelessness, reliance on social services, and the impact of discrimination. These experiences drive her passion for social work, empowering marginalized communities and advocating for change. 

Belma's volunteer work with immigrant families and low-income households demonstrates her dedication to providing essential support and fostering systemic improvements. Grounded in empathy and resilience, Belma is determined to be a voice for the unheard.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici represents Oregon’s First Congressional District and is a leading advocate for public education, climate action, and economic opportunity. 

She serves on the Education and the Workforce Committee, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and has championed legislation like the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and initiatives to expand STEAM education. A former attorney, she brings a strong commitment to equity, consumer protection, and support for working families to her role in Congress.

Kenyon Ming

Born and raised in Oxin Hill MD.  Husband to Velma Ming, father of 5 and 3 step children and two grandchildren. Came to VA in 1997 by way of service in the United States Marine Corps. Masters in Biblical Studies and currently finishing a Chaplin course. Currently serving the Fredericksburg area through the outreach ministry of Battlefront Warriors. Volunteers at The Brisben Center.

Lashaunda Watson

Mother of 4 is a pillar of our community, a dedicated advocate for social justice, and a problem solver extraordinaire. As a Financial Coach at Compass Working Capital, Lashaunda empowers individuals and families to achieve financial stability. Her passion for equity extends far beyond her professional role.

Lashaunda's commitment to making a difference is further evidenced by her freelance work with Mass Union as a tenant organizer and a Resident Leadership Trainer at the Mel King Institute where she has honed her skills in relationship building, communication, and advocacy working directly with residents of federally subsidized housing. This experience provides invaluable insights into the complexities of tenant organizing and the power of collective action!

Lashaunda does volunteer work with several non-profits in the Greater Boston area including, Union Capital Boston, School Facts Boston, Higher Ground Boston, and Powerful Beautiful Fierce Inc.

Marbin Fajardo Gonzalez

Originally from Spain, Marbin moved to the United States two years ago. After participating in Covenant House New York’s residential, educational, and vocational programs, he’s now living in his own apartment in Manhattan. 

Passionate about both people and technology, Marbin currently works as an Independent Living Counselor at Good Shepherd Services in NYC. He’s excited to one day work in the tech industry, and outside of work, you’ll find him working out, playing the piano, or getting lost in a good book.

Session 3: "Voices of Impact: Strategies and Stories for Advocacy from Community Agencies"

Ali Schoon

Ali Schoon is a political social worker dedicated to shaping policy that creates meaningful change for children, families, and their communities. As the Director of Public Policy at Brightpoint, a child and family service organization in Illinois, she leads the organization’s advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of program staff and participants are at the forefront of policy decisions. Committed to bridging direct service and policy reform, she works to create policies that are informed by the lived experiences and perspectives of those most impacted. 

Ali’s professional expertise is deeply informed by her personal journey. As a former foster parent, she witnessed firsthand how multiple systems fail to provide families with the resources and support necessary to prevent crises from occurring or stabilize them after a crisis occurs. This experience fueled her decision to earn her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and pursue a career in public policy. Beyond professional life, Ali is learning to crochet and is a fierce competitor on the pickle ball court.

Keith Barnes

With extensive experience in public benefits policy and advocacy, Keith Barnes has been working to end poverty for more than a decade. 

Throughout his career, he has focused on understanding issues from the perspective of those directly impacted and on fostering collaboration toward solutions that support the economic mobility of families. This has been borne out in his work to improve public benefits access through data, technology, and policy solutions; launching and leading a nutrition assistance advocacy network in Tennessee; and serving as the State of Tennessee's meals on wheels administrator where he built inter-departmental and national partnerships, reduced administrative burden, and promoted client-centered service. 

He is now Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff, an initiative of the nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center focused on eliminating the benefits cliff through policy and innovative solutions to ensure individuals and families have the resources and opportunities to advance economically. Keith holds a Master's in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt University and has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and as a VISTA Leader.

Marisol Hopper

Marisol is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in workforce development. 

As the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Funding at the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, she plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing transformative workforce initiatives. Marisol’s work focuses on leading the development of integrated community engagement, policy advocacy, and funding strategies to support workforce investments that address structural barriers in the workforce system.   

Mark Huffman

After a 30 career as a Lutheran pastor Mark entered the field of Social Work because he wanted to be an advocate for social justice and directly engage the effects of poverty, inequality, and racism.  Mark received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore specializing in community action and social policy as well as clinical work.  

For the past five years he has served as Director of Client Services at Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services. In that capacity he provided oversight and supervision to LARS food pantry, self-sufficiency, and homeless services programs and was involved in outreach and advocacy with local government, businesses, and community groups.  Mark has been involved in advocacy efforts throughout his career including an internship with the advocacy department of Catholic Relief Services and two years as chair of Marylanders Against Poverty – a coalition doing advocacy with the Maryland General Assembly.