Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Jake Orlowitz founded Project 2029 in January 2025 to develop progressive policy solutions for 21st century America. As CEO, he coordinates our grassroots movement and guides our policy development process across all issue areas.

Many people are aware of the kind of work Jake has done since use of the internet for research has become commonplace. Jake has extensive experience in fostering access to information and in organizing people with common interests online.

Jake previously founded and led the well-known online encyclopedia, The Wikipedia Library at the Wikimedia Foundation. He managed a half-million-dollar budget and six-person team across four continents. Through partnerships with 70 leading scholarly publishers, he provided free access to 100,000 academic journals for 25,000 Wikipedia editors worldwide.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, completing an interdisciplinary program in philosophy, economics, history, and social theory through the College of Social Studies. 

Jake is the author of "Welcome to the Circle" and has written extensively about open knowledge, mental health, and progressive organizing. 

Chief of Staff

Ali Cleveland is the chief of staff at Project 2029, with direct oversight of key operational teams, including policy development, marketing, media outreach, government affairs, internal communications, technology, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising development. 

Ali came to Project 2029 equipped for this multifaceted role through the experience gained in a 25-year career devoted to public policy development, serving within both the public and private sectors. She has additionally lent her organizational skills and talents to civic projects and nonprofit efforts throughout her career. 

Ali began her career in Washington, D.C., working for the United States Chamber of Commerce as the manager of labor policy, with added expertise in immigration issues. Ali eventually returned to the greater Philadelphia area to serve as director of policy in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for more than six years.

Through career and volunteer experience, she developed additional knowledge in the areas of sales, lobbying, fundraising, and voter participation.

With her broad knowledge of operations, Ali eventually launched her own consulting firm, The Cleveland Partnership. Clients for the partnership’s management consulting, grant writing, and policy development services have come from the biotechnology, workforce development, life sciences, and energy industries, as well as the nonprofit sector. 

Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and media studies at McDaniel College, formerly Western Maryland College. 

Chief Recruitment Officer

Krissy Goss is the chief recruitment officer for Project 2029. As an entrepreneur, businessperson, nonprofit leader, and community advocate, she has extensive experience building collaborative partnerships that strengthen communities. She is the Founder/CEO Emeritus of HOPE Helps, Inc., where she led the organization’s development from inception, establishing programs, policies, and long-term strategic goals while guiding large-scale outreach initiatives, fundraising efforts, and volunteer engagement.

As a nonprofit consultant, Krissy specializes in organizational development, strategic planning, program design, partnership cultivation, donor development, fundraising, grant writing, volunteer management, and board development. She previously worked in Business Development with Henkels & McCoy training services, where she developed hundreds of partnerships with businesses, community agencies, and civic leaders across Florida.

Krissy has held numerous leadership roles addressing housing and homelessness, including serving as Chair of the Housing Committee for the Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness. She has also contributed to initiatives and served on the board of the Central Florida Children’s Cabinet Committee, Habitat for Humanity, the Florida Coalition for the Homeless, the Affordable Housing Task Force, Pathways to Home Collaborative, and Project Homeless Connect. She studied at Eastern State College and also completed extensive leadership and nonprofit management training through Rollins College, the White House Faith-Based Initiatives, Kellogg Executive Leadership Training, Nonprofit Ready, Propel Nonprofit and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Dana Meyer is chief marketing and communications officer for Project 2029, where she leads the marketing, branding, and communications strategy to drive public engagement and help shape a new vision for American democracy.

Dana brings more than 20 years of experience in senior marketing and communications leadership across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, with expertise in strategy, brand development, integrated campaigns, and strategic partnerships.

She spent 17 years in healthcare at Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, leading initiatives that expanded regional and national brand recognition across multiple specialty service lines. She later brought that experience to Fontenelle Forest, one of the nation’s largest nature centers, where she led marketing, communications, and strategic partnerships—driving record membership growth for the 110-year-old organization.

After two decades in corporate and nonprofit marketing, Dana launched her own consulting business specializing in marketing strategy, branding and creative services, focusing primarily on small businesses and mission-driven nonprofits. Her clients span multiple industries, including grassroots civic advocacy, civic education and technology, homelessness and social services, and oral history initiatives. 

She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree in advertising with a minor in marketing from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. 

Dana believes in the power of storytelling to unite people and inspire collective action to build a democracy that truly works for “We the People.”

Chief Policy Officer

As chief policy officer, Rebecca Moryl brings twenty years of public policy expertise to the team. Rebecca holds a PhD in Public Policy from UMass Boston; a MS in Economic Policy from Suffolk University; and BA in Public Policy from Trinity College, Hartford.

In addition to serving as Associate Professor and Department Chair of Economics at Emmanuel College, her work on innovative and effective economics pedagogy won awards and has been published in academic journals. She created audioecon.com, a resource library of podcasts and assignments used by thousands of economics instructors across the globe. An avid traveler, she taught graduate students, trained faculty and developed curricula as Fulbright Scholar at the University of Kigali in Rwanda, and received a Whiting Fellowship for environmental economic policy research in Cape Town, South Africa.

A dedication to fostering intellectual curiosity and empathy, and focus on effective policy implementation are consistent themes of work. Now living in Ireland, she consults with nonprofits on strategic planning, development and effective communication and provides workshops and guest lectures in economics, effective pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment, and online learning.

Stephanie Ann Russell is a seasoned operations and executive support professional with over 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations operate at their best behind the scenes. She specializes in strengthening leadership systems, aligning internal operations with strategic goals, and ensuring that teams and boards have the guidance and resources needed to lead with clarity and impact.

Stephanie Ann has led initiatives including technology upgrades, office relocations, and the development of inclusive HR and onboarding processes. She has managed the daily rhythm of executive offices while supporting big-picture planning, helping leadership teams stay focused, connected, and prepared to make meaningful decisions. She also brings extensive experience in board engagement and governance, organizing major meetings, facilitating leadership transitions, and supporting chairs and committee leaders through strategic planning and operational oversight.

At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to service and collaboration. Stephanie Ann has mentored staff, guided organizations through moments of change, and created environments where people feel supported and empowered. She brings a steady hand, a strategic mind, and a people-first approach to everything she does.

Passionate about equity, community, and sustainable impact, Stephanie Ann believes in the power of good governance, thoughtful leadership, and the behind-the-scenes work that enables mission-driven organizations to thrive.

Deputy Policy Chief

As deputy policy chief, Luke Sassa helps lead Project 2029's policy development efforts, bringing together his interests and experience in research methodology, public opinion measurement, and strategic communications for real-world impact.

Luke took on several student leadership roles in college at Marist University, Poughkeepsie, NY, to develop skills in the fields of research, news and media, data collection, and editorial collaboration.

He worked as a researcher and quality assurance supervisor at the university’s Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO), home to the nationally known Marist Polls on politics, the economy, and American cultural developments. There, he helped lead the design and implementation of GenNext, the only national survey of young Americans conceived of and conducted by young Americans. He also led a nationwide study of over 1,300 Americans on taxpayers’ opinions of publicly-funded stadiums. He was honored with the 2024 Marist Poll Recognition of Achievement Award and the 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Research in Communication Award from the Marist School of Communication & the Arts.

He was also involved in campus media as the editor-in-chief of Center Field, Marist's sports publication, and as the campus news editor and student government beat writer for The Marist Circle. He also led Maristat, the college's sports analytics club.

He also completed an internship at the New Jersey 11th Legislative District Office.

Luke’s degree from Marist University is a Bachelor of Arts in journalism & sports communication. Luke currently works in the New York research and media landscape.

Editor

Susan Swords is a longtime communications professional who is thrilled to contribute her editorial expertise to Project 2029. She is our organization’s editor, reviewing all longform written material that is posted and circulated.

Susan retired from the position of assistant director of public information for the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services, the nonpartisan arm of the New Jersey State Legislature. Prior to that, she worked in communications for New Jersey Network, the state’s public broadcasting system; and as the public information officer for the New Jersey Department of Treasury. She began her career as a newspaper reporter for weekly and daily newspapers in her home state of New Jersey.

She has a Master of Arts degree in public policy and political science from The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Montclair State University (formerly college), also in New Jersey.

Deputy Outreach Liason

Jan Wuorenma is the deputy outreach liaison at Project 2029, where she oversees engagement and collaboration with partner organizations who share our interests and want to participate in our work. She brings more than forty years of experience in the healthcare industry, where she worked as a registered nurse, consultant and advocate.

In addition to her leadership in health care, she volunteers actively with AARP and with her local Baha'i faith community.