Staff
Dana Brown, Ph.D.
PCWP Executive Director, Assistant Professor of Political Science
412-365-2725
dbrown@chatham.edu
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Dr. Dana Brown began her tenure as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and assistant professor of political science at Chatham University in July of 2010. Dr. Brown earned her doctorate in American Politics and Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Dr. Brown has presented research on women in politics and political participation by women of color. Publications include: “Gendered Pathways to Power: Identifying the Role of County Party Chairs in the Candidate Recruitment Process of Pennsylvania’s Local Elective Office,” in Commonwealth – A Journal of Pennsylvania Politics and Policy and a chapter titled, “Empowering Women for Public Leadership: NEW Leadership Pennsylvania Summer Institute” Power to the Polls: A Guide to Developing Civic Learning, Election Engagement, and Political Action in Higher Education.
Dr. Brown is also active in the community. She currently serves in the following capacity: Adagio Health's Advisory Council and the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Dr. Brown has also served on Governor Wolf's Pennsylvania Commission for Women, PLEN's (Public Leadership Education Network) Board of Directors, been a Pennsylvania delegate to the Vision 2020 program at the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership at Drexel University, an Advisory Board member to the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh's Center for Race & Gender Equity, and the Executive Women's Council and its Women on Boards Committee.
Dr. Brown's work and leadership in women and politics has been recognized in the following ways: The Obama White House acknowledged her work at the Center by inviting her to participate in a conference on girls' leadership and civic education. In 2014 Dr. Brown was recognized in Pittsburgh Magazine as one of Pittsburgh's "40 Under 40." In 2018 City & State PA recognized Dr. Brown as one of 25 women from across the Commonwealth who have exhibited exemplary leadership in their field as well as earning AAUW PA's Gateway to Equity Award. In 2022 she was recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most influential leaders by City & State PA: Women 100.
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Annie Guadagnino is the Program Coordinator for the Center. Before joining PCWP's staff in 2012 she was a Campaign Director for Fund for the Public Interest and a Campus Organizer for the Public Interest Research Group. Annie is a 2009 graduate of the University of Michigan with a BA in Environmental Studies and a minor in Political Science.
Johanna Cardenas
Graduate Office & Program Assistant
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Johanna Cardenas, graduate student pursuing her Master of Sustainability and Business at Chatham University, with more than 3 years of experience working in the legal and administrative field. Currently working for the PCWP as an Office/Program Assistant.
Abby DiLoreto
Communications & Outreach Assistant
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Abby DiLoreto is a political science and psychology major. She is also on the women's soccer team. Abby plans to possibly go to law school in the future and is very passionate about human rights activism.
Anna Betar
Outreach & Program Assistant
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Anna Betar is the Outreach and Programming Assistant for the Center. She is a senior at Chatham University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Human Rights, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies. In addition to her role at the Center, Anna is the Class of 2025 Representative in Chatham Student Government, the Communications Officer for the LIGHT Club, and the Director of Politics for the Chatham Democrats.
Jonah Schiffgens-Smith
Program Assistant
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Jonah Schiffgens-Smith is a Policy Studies major with a minor in Food Studies. He is also the President of the Class of 2026 in Chatham Student Government.
Morgan Rapsky
Marketing and Web Content Creator
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Morgan Rapsky is the Marketing and Web Content Creator for the Center. She is a senior at Chatham University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies & Criminology and a minor in Pre-Law. She is also Executive President of Chatham Student Government, President of the Chess Club, and the Director of Advocacy of the Chatham Democrats.