Representation for All
Our Leadership
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Tiffany Gardner brings over a decade of extensive international experience in human rights advocacy and domestic public interest. She has worked on women’s rights, human rights and grassroots organizing throughout Africa, Southeast Asia, and the United States. She worked with the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the United Nations International Law Commission and Human Rights Watch and recently was the co-founder and director of the One World Exchange Program for under-represented U.S. college students and organized international solidarity coalitions. She is a former Mergers & Acquisitions associate at the New York law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She received a B.A. from Yale University, a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a LL.M. in human rights law from Columbia University Law School. She is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
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Laura Gosa, CFO/COO
Laura Gosa has over a decade and a half of experience as an operations and fundraising professional in human rights, social justice, and direct service organizations in the New York City metro area. She has previously worked with the Coalition for Haitian Rights, Human Rights Watch, the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (now Partners for Dignity & Rights), and most recently New City Kids, which serves at-risk youth affected by poverty, developing them as leaders and preparing them for college. Laura has a B.A. in French and European Studies and a M.A. in International Studies, both from the University of Kansas.
Our Team
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Kimberly Sawyer, Texas Program Director
Kimberly is very dedicated in serving others, leadership development and giving back to her community. She is a founding member of the HERitage Giving Fund, a giving circle which combines their gifts and give to organizations that use innovative approaches to serve African-American women and girls, so that they can achieve success. Her connection started a couple years ago with ReflectUs with her participation in our Texas Women’s Leadership Council, focused on working across racial, ethnic, geographic, and ideological spectrums to provide a network of support for all Texas women in their political journeys. Currently, Kimberly is finishing up her last year of graduate studies at the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. In her spare time, you will find Kimberly enjoying her Peloton, attending hot yoga classes, traveling and spending time with her friends and family.
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Cecilia Silva, Communications Director
Cecilia Silva is the first member of her family to graduate high school and attend college. In 2018, Cecilia was elected as the first Latina to serve in the role of Speaker of The Senate at The University of Texas at Arlington. During her term she was instrumental to introducing policy initiatives that provided feminine hygiene products at no cost to students, expanded college advisement resources, and much more. Cecilia has worked extensively with IGNITE National, The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and The League of Women Voters of Dallas to encourage civic participation among her community members. She is a passionate advocate for equal representation in politics and is dedicated to helping women seek careers in politics and government.
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Dorothy "Dot" Heffron, Virginia Program Manager
Dot has a proven background in public service and equity advocacy. A Virginian from age four, she holds degrees in both history and political science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dot currently serves her community as the vice-chairwoman of her local school board, and has a deep understanding of the challenges within structures and systems that women policymakers overcome. Her connection with ReflectUs began with her participation in our Virginia Women’s Leadership Council, where she has worked with women leaders across the Commonwealth to build relationships and expand network opportunities. Dot is presently working on her capstone project as a member of the inaugural UNUM Fellowship cohort. Her project, designed to expand equity in her community, is a program that delivers leadership development and project-based changemaking opportunities to minority high school students in her district.
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Shenee Simon, She's Ready Program Manager
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Marinda Harris, Washington Program Manager
Marinda Harris started with ReflectUs as an intern passionate to bring new and diverse programs to Washington State. Over the last twenty years she has grown up in the Pacific Northwest, fallen in love with its beauty, and started a family. She also discovered a desire to serve underrepresented populations and now joins our team while continuing her studies to earn her Masters in Social Work with Arizona State University. Her ambition is to connect women from all walks of life — from local and state representatives to the women just realizing it’s their time — and to help them reach their goals. In her spare time, Marinda enjoys reading, painting and getting outdoors with her husband and two kids.
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Carrie Ann Johnson, Appointments Campaign Project Manager
Carrie Ann Johnson’s first foray into public service was in 1992 when she signed up as a volunteer campaign worker for extra credit in a high school class. She was hooked. Johnson has served on several local boards and commissions and has held multiple elected positions. She consults with local political candidates on audience analysis, public relations, and campaign finance. At the Catt Center for Women in Politics, Johnson was the co-coordinator for research on how women experience sexism as they run for and serve in elected offices in Iowa. The team presented research at Ready to Run Iowa and other academic conferences. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, a master’s degree in American Studies both from Utah State University and a Ph.D. in Professional Communication from Iowa State University.
Note: Please direct all media and interview requests to Cecilia Silva, Communications Director via email at [email protected]