About Rank the District

 Lisa D. T. Rice (she/her) is a co-founder and chief executive officer of Grow Democracy DC. 

She was the proposer of Initiative 83  – a landmark election reform measure approved in 2024 by 73% of DC voters, with super-majority support in every ward of the District.  A political strategist and longtime advocate for political innovation, Lisa works to strengthen American democracy by expanding voter access and loosening the grip of the two-party duopoly.  As a federal campaign finance expert, she brings deep experience in political management and policy advocacy.  A dynamic keynote speaker, Lisa is widely recognized as a transformative leader and mentor. She is a native Washingtonian, a political independent, and Ward 7 resident. 

Kenyatta Smith (she/her) is a renowned cultural architect, community organizer and movement builder. 

She served as the lead educator for DC’s Initiative 83, leading a team that successfully passed ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries. She now serves as Engagement & Outreach Director for the Grow Democracy DC Civic Education Fund and as a consultant with FairVote, working to ensure DC voters—and Black and Brown communities nationwide—know how to rank their vote and claim their power.

Brian Strege (he/him) is a software engineer by training who is committed to advancing structural electoral reforms.

He was a Steering Committee member and the Data Operations Lead for Make All Votes Count DC, the organization which aimed to bring Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and semi-open primaries to the District via Initiative 83. He now serves as Implementation Director for the Grow Democracy DC Civic Education Fund, aiming to ensure technical correctness and to "get the details right" when it comes to DC's upcoming RCV rollout.

Brandon Bush-Thompson (he/they) is a writer, communications strategist, and digital marketing professional with a passion for community engagement and togetherness. He champions the impact that storytelling can have in empowering underserved communities.

With a bachelor’s degree from the illustrious Howard University and a master’s degree from American University, Brandon uses his expertise in strategic communications and three years of experience in the advertising and marketing industry to reach people where they are. As the Engagement Coordinator, he wants to help bring the residents of DC together through advocacy, fellowship, and education.

Sam Bonar (he/him) is a creative civic strategist working ​to inject humanity and joy into politics. He subverts the myths of political science, grows the commons, and organizes everyday delicious democracies: collective institutions of perennial joy. 

He is passionate about Ranked Choice Voting because it creates new possibilities in our systems of power. It encourages cross-endorsements and allows for multiple communities to build power together.

Sam also organizes community power and co-operative economic development by co-facilitating the DC Community Wealth Builders. He co-founded Delicious Democracy (DC’s Creative Advocacy Lab) which helped birth ReDelicious DC. 

Ashley Chapin (she/her) is a scientist by training using her knack for communications and team building to advance ranked choice voting advocacy groups in the DMV.

She began her journey with Initiative 83 as a canvasser and eventually became the campaign’s social media manager. She now serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Grow Democracy DC, aiming to instill a sense of community and purpose in volunteers across the district as RCV educators. She believes that everyone in the district can learn how to rank their ballot, and is eager to make voters feel empowered at the voting booth.