CTA’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kat Atwater (she/her) previously spearheaded technology and political initiatives at the DNC as Deputy CTO, BlueLabs as COO, & SEIU as the National Campaigns Operations Director and PAC Director. Kat brings a unique organizer’s viewpoint into data-driven program and technology solutions, and has managed teams large and small focused on data and technology innovations centered around progressive program impact.

Katie has spent a decade in Data and Analytics leadership at a number of progressive organizations and deeply understands the data and infrastructure challenges across the ecosystem. Prior to CTA, Katie directed Hillary for America’s Wisconsin analytics team, founded and ran a state legislative-focused PAC, and built ACRONYM’s data & analytics department. Having run data for more than a dozen campaigns, nonprofits, PACs, and firms, Katie is well-versed in the breadth and depth of organizations’ needs and how CTA can help.

James joined the organization after over a decade of experience working in Software Development across various industries. James brings an enterprise level understanding of data management, process management and product management. He’s focused on efficiency and reproducibility for CTA’s product offerings.

Ben has worked professionally in political organizing since 2016. His prior experiences include a tenure as the Field and Data Director for the South Dakota Democratic Party, and, most recently, working at the Democratic National Committee helping progressive campaigns and organizations effectively leverage data for their programs. If Ben isn’t talking or reading about politics, he enjoys golfing, fly fishing, and spending time with his family.

Bianca was previously the Director of Data and Technology Strategy at The Movement Cooperative. Since 2013, she has empowered for-profit companies, electoral campaigns and non-profit organizations to strategically use data. She previously served as the Data and Analytics Strategist at Forward Together. After working on President Obama's re-election campaign as a Field Organizer in Tampa, Florida, Bianca continued immersing herself in data-driven campaigns and non-profit work. She was also the National Data Manager at Organizing for Action where she oversaw reporting, training and data for grassroots staff and volunteers.

Catherine brings 13+ years of operational and strategic leadership across change-making organizations. Before CTA, she supported DOJ’s OVW, improving systems and data-driven processes addressing gender-based violence. She served as Director of Operations at the DNC and held executive roles at Feeding Tampa Bay, where she led strategy, data, and compliance during a time of rapid growth. Catherine is passionate about building mission-aligned systems that drive real-world impact. She lives in DC with her family and spends her free time hiking, eating, and playing tourist.

Chris is a software engineer specializing in data-intensive applications for complex and dynamic domains. He has over ten years of experience in political advocacy and a strong focus on making analytics intuitive and accessible. Outside of work, he’s an avid rock climber, skier, and painter who’s always eager to learn something new.

David Spearman (he/him) is a strategic project leader with a background in civic technology, data infrastructure, and product development. Prior to joining CTA, he led cross-functional teams at BallotReady, where he built scalable data systems and managed high-impact partnerships focused on voter engagement. David brings deep experience aligning complex projects with mission-driven goals and a passion for making information more accessible and actionable. He's a life-long Chicagoan, but you can also find him traveling the world as much as possible.

Elle is a Full Stack Engineer with experience building technology for political campaigns and voter mobilization. She discovered her passion for engineering while working at Peace Corps HQ, and now focuses on creating systems that are reliable, accessible, and support civic engagement. When she's off the clock, Elle is likely hiking around the PNW, rolling dice in a D&D game, or debating why cold brew and iced coffee are definitely not the same thing.

Emily has a background in politics, gaining degrees in Political Science and Philosophy before moving into tech. She has worked in sectors including AI and AdTech, and jumped at the chance to return to her roots making a difference with CTA. Passionate about making, building and improving scalable and reliable systems, she's just a pretty big nerd about DevOps! When not coding, she loves spending time with her cat Sarge and enjoying live music of all sorts.

Gab is a product management expert focusing on 0 to 1 product strategy, modernizing technology platforms and creating product led cultures. Prior to CTA, Gab managed product portfolios at Fortune 500 companies, financial technology unicorns and international consulting firms. Gab believes diverse perspectives are critical for innovation. In her free time Gab is a voracious reader, karaoke goer and DJ at local pubs. 

Jacob has deep experience in building and managing data systems and strategy across the progressive movement, and has seen both the best and worst of it. He passionately believes that no organization in the community should have to live with anything but the former, which led him to his work as Project Director at CTA. Before joining CTA Jacob led cross-functional initiatives at Global Strategy Group, managing polling and research operations while overseeing the firm’s voter file and data systems. Based in Brooklyn, Jacob spends most of his free time exploring NYC’s incredible restaurant scene, wilderness backpacking, or shouting advice at professional athletes from his couch.

Kelsey is a Senior Software Engineer at Community Tech Alliance. She has previously worked in FinTech and startup environments, both of which drove her to find a company that could be technically challenging while also aligning with her values and promoting some kind of positive change in the world. When she’s not tackling data pipelines at CTA, you can usually find her hanging out with her animals (Tuck and Joey - dog and cat respectively), reading, trying out new restaurants, or trying to find some new way to make exercising fun.

Shoham was previously the Senior National Analytics Manager at America Votes, with a focus on building out and maintaining America Votes’ reporting platform for the 400+ coalition. Since 2017, Shoham has worked with progressive and public sector orgs to help them make their data accessible, understandable, and a core part of program and strategy. They previously served as a consultant at the Civic Consulting Alliance in Chicago, working primarily in the public safety space. Shoham is also a senior trainer for data visualization at Generation Data. In their spare time, they can be found exploring DC and playing with their cat Leo.

In her role as Solutions Manager, Tara is able to leverage a decade of experience in progressive political data at every level of the ballot. Tara started her career as an organizer for Planned Parenthood in Las Vegas, and found her way into the progressive data world in 2012. She was the data director of the Nevada State Democratic Party for the 2016 caucuses, and then led Nevada’s coordinated campaign data and analytics team for the 2016 cycle. From 2017 to 2021, Tara was the VP of Data and Analytics at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, building the organization’s internal data department from the ground up. Outside of work Tara enjoys cooking, eating, making candles, and spending time with her husband, new baby, and two cats.

Zack has spent over a decade in software engineering, across numerous industries, specializing in data and network security. Prior to joining CTA, Zack built and maintained customer-focused services for Cisco's FSO platform and enterprise website, focusing on customer data security, IAM policies and protocols, best practice compliance, and mentorship. Zack brings a wide skill-set and deep expertise in building scalable and secure services and systems, capable of working in a variety of environments and languages. In his personal life, Zack enjoys the outdoors, whether it's hiking, camping, or exploring new places. Zack also dabbles in digital art as a creative outlet. 

The unofficial, official mascot of CTA! Once a month, the CTA leadership team picks one team member to receive their very own “prog” as a thank-you for all of their hard work. Prog is an integral part of the CTA team!