pennywise Staff
Laura Subin, Esq, Executive Director. Laura has an extensive background in grassroots and legislative advocacy working on social justice issues including drug policy reform, violence against women and gun violence prevention. Laura directed the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, successfully advocating to end the racist system of cannabis prohibition in the state. She spent 20 years working to support and advocate for individuals experiencing domestic violence. She served as the director of The Vermont Council on Domestic Violence, Steps to End Domestic Violence and the NYC Coalition of Battered Women’s Advocates. Laura has served as a consultant to a wide variety of non-profit organizations assisting them with all aspects of organizational management and development. She is a member of the Board of Directors of GunSenseVT and leads that organization’s legislative advocacy. Contact Laura
Liz Subin, Director. Liz was the founding director of the Anguilla National Trust where she was responsible for establishing a system of management for cultural and environmental resources on the island. She worked as Development Director for the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) before moving back to Vermont and to raise her family. There she worked for the Orton Family Foundation as coordinator of a large community engagement initiative. She served on the school board and as Justice of the Peace in Essex for seven years and continues to work locally on equity issues in the school district. Contact Liz
Research Assistants
Georgetown University - McCourt School of Public Policy
September 2024 - May 2025
J. Oginga, Fellow
Oginga is a development economics enthusiast currently pursuing a masters in Data Science for Public Policy at Georgetown as a McCourt Scholar. Originally from Kenya, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and agriculture from Berea College in Kentucky and a master's in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in China. Before moving to China to study its people, culture, and growing influence as a Schwarzman Scholar, he worked for a year with JBS Foods in Georgia. He is the founder of Harmonized Enterprise for the Less-Privileged Farmers, which provides free online agricultural extension support to a network of more than 2,600 farmers in Southeastern Africa. In the near future, he hopes to transform this initiative into a farmers’ credit union to increase access to credit and technical support for smallholder farmers.
Oginga is passionate about addressing economic development and sustainability as equally important goals in the Global South. Most importantly, Oginga is an avid hiker, passionate debater, and climate-smart farmer. Contact Oginga
J. Oginga, Fellow
Oginga is a development economics enthusiast currently pursuing a masters in Data Science for Public Policy at Georgetown as a McCourt Scholar. Originally from Kenya, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and agriculture from Berea College in Kentucky and a master's in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in China. Before moving to China to study its people, culture, and growing influence as a Schwarzman Scholar, he worked for a year with JBS Foods in Georgia. He is the founder of Harmonized Enterprise for the Less-Privileged Farmers, which provides free online agricultural extension support to a network of more than 2,600 farmers in Southeastern Africa. In the near future, he hopes to transform this initiative into a farmers’ credit union to increase access to credit and technical support for smallholder farmers.
Oginga is passionate about addressing economic development and sustainability as equally important goals in the Global South. Most importantly, Oginga is an avid hiker, passionate debater, and climate-smart farmer. Contact Oginga
September 23 - May 2024
Filip Kulakov, Research Assistant
Filip is a youth advocate, program management professional and researcher from North Macedonia with experience in youth networks, non-profit and international organizations. In his career, he has spearheaded advocacy campaigns aimed at improving the overall well-being and access to rights for young people in North Macedonia, their access to policy- and decision-making processes, and ensuring young people's voices resonate in politics. His most notable experiences are in advocacy for access and participation of Western Balkans youth in European policy. Aside from policy work, Filip enjoys travel and hiking.
Filip Kulakov, Research Assistant
Filip is a youth advocate, program management professional and researcher from North Macedonia with experience in youth networks, non-profit and international organizations. In his career, he has spearheaded advocacy campaigns aimed at improving the overall well-being and access to rights for young people in North Macedonia, their access to policy- and decision-making processes, and ensuring young people's voices resonate in politics. His most notable experiences are in advocacy for access and participation of Western Balkans youth in European policy. Aside from policy work, Filip enjoys travel and hiking.
September 23 - May 2024
Natalie Sandoval, Research Assistant
Before starting her Masters at Georgetown, Natalie lived in Germany for a year as a participant of the 39th cohort of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program for Young Professionals. While in Germany, Natalie served as a cultural ambassador, including participating in a 2-month long intensive German language school, studying Economics at the University of Cologne, and working as a teacher at an international Montessori bilingual kindergarten. Prior to this, Natalie worked as a Consulting Analyst at Public Equity Group (PEG), a diverse practice of strategy and management consultants mobilized to help visionary leaders and organizations achieve impact. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the UC Berkeley.
Natalie Sandoval, Research Assistant
Before starting her Masters at Georgetown, Natalie lived in Germany for a year as a participant of the 39th cohort of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program for Young Professionals. While in Germany, Natalie served as a cultural ambassador, including participating in a 2-month long intensive German language school, studying Economics at the University of Cologne, and working as a teacher at an international Montessori bilingual kindergarten. Prior to this, Natalie worked as a Consulting Analyst at Public Equity Group (PEG), a diverse practice of strategy and management consultants mobilized to help visionary leaders and organizations achieve impact. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the UC Berkeley.
September 22 - May 2023
Sanha Tahir, Intern
Sanha comes to us from Lahore, Punjab. After finishing her BSc in Economics & Mathematics, she worked as a Data Analyst at a prestigious AI firm, before shifting her focus to a remedial education program in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, using her skills to help develop and implement a curriculum to help students cover their learning losses. Sanha has been involved in a number of organizations which has helped hone her project management, public speaking and problem-solving skills. Equipped with her go-getter attitude, Sanha hopes to create a sustainable and fairer world, with opportunities for all. In her free time, Sanha enjoys Killer Sudoku and reading fantasy books.
Sanha Tahir, Intern
Sanha comes to us from Lahore, Punjab. After finishing her BSc in Economics & Mathematics, she worked as a Data Analyst at a prestigious AI firm, before shifting her focus to a remedial education program in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, using her skills to help develop and implement a curriculum to help students cover their learning losses. Sanha has been involved in a number of organizations which has helped hone her project management, public speaking and problem-solving skills. Equipped with her go-getter attitude, Sanha hopes to create a sustainable and fairer world, with opportunities for all. In her free time, Sanha enjoys Killer Sudoku and reading fantasy books.
Spring 2022
Ernesto Godinez, Intern
From the inner city of Miami, Florida, Ernesto aims to shift the narrative of what it means to succeed in this world. He has been a part of a variety of organizations and people-centered initiatives, and seeks to learn, grow, and expand his reach. Ernesto has experience in solving complex problems and has demonstrated the flexibility to work with people across lines of difference in any situation. His approach to organizing, solving complex problems, and creating solutions will cultivate better outcomes for those we serve. With a passion for social impact, he brings high energy and enthusiasm to the team and work at Pennywise.
Ernesto Godinez, Intern
From the inner city of Miami, Florida, Ernesto aims to shift the narrative of what it means to succeed in this world. He has been a part of a variety of organizations and people-centered initiatives, and seeks to learn, grow, and expand his reach. Ernesto has experience in solving complex problems and has demonstrated the flexibility to work with people across lines of difference in any situation. His approach to organizing, solving complex problems, and creating solutions will cultivate better outcomes for those we serve. With a passion for social impact, he brings high energy and enthusiasm to the team and work at Pennywise.
Pennywise Undergraduate Interns
Summer 2024
Shaina Keough
Shaina is a rising sophomore at Villanova University, with a double major in Peace and Justice Studies and Sociology. She is passionate about a wide range of social justice topics, including reform of the criminal justice system and addressing wealth inequality. While at college, she has enjoyed spending her time tutoring at a local school, organizing Special Olympics events, and serving as a Peace and Justice Ambassador. When she is not working, Shaina loves to read, spend time outdoors, and play sports. She is excited to spend the summer in Vermont, where she grew up, working for the Pennywise Foundation, as well as GunSense Vermont. Contact Shaina
Shaina Keough
Shaina is a rising sophomore at Villanova University, with a double major in Peace and Justice Studies and Sociology. She is passionate about a wide range of social justice topics, including reform of the criminal justice system and addressing wealth inequality. While at college, she has enjoyed spending her time tutoring at a local school, organizing Special Olympics events, and serving as a Peace and Justice Ambassador. When she is not working, Shaina loves to read, spend time outdoors, and play sports. She is excited to spend the summer in Vermont, where she grew up, working for the Pennywise Foundation, as well as GunSense Vermont. Contact Shaina
Summer 2024
Isabel Subin-Billingsley
Isabel is a rising sophomore at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She plans to focus on anthropology and French with hopes of studying abroad in western Africa next year. Growing up in Vermont, Isabel is passionate about environmental protection, political advocacy, and giving voices to marginalized communities. She spends her free time traveling, horseback riding, and skiing whenever there is snow. Contact Isabel
Isabel Subin-Billingsley
Isabel is a rising sophomore at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She plans to focus on anthropology and French with hopes of studying abroad in western Africa next year. Growing up in Vermont, Isabel is passionate about environmental protection, political advocacy, and giving voices to marginalized communities. She spends her free time traveling, horseback riding, and skiing whenever there is snow. Contact Isabel
2020-2023
Ryan Green
Ryan Green worked at the Pennywise Foundation for close to four years first as an undergraduate intern and then as our social media coordinator. As an undergraduate student, Ryan was interested in social and environmental justice campaigns and in learning about the role nonprofits play in making global change. Her internship focused on creating social media and fundraising campaigns for all of our grantees. After graduating from Fordham University in 2022, Ryan was hired as our Social Media Coordinator and worked remotely as she pursued her passions in New Zealand, Rhode Island and San Diego. She will join the class of 2025 Columbia University School of Journalism.
Ryan Green
Ryan Green worked at the Pennywise Foundation for close to four years first as an undergraduate intern and then as our social media coordinator. As an undergraduate student, Ryan was interested in social and environmental justice campaigns and in learning about the role nonprofits play in making global change. Her internship focused on creating social media and fundraising campaigns for all of our grantees. After graduating from Fordham University in 2022, Ryan was hired as our Social Media Coordinator and worked remotely as she pursued her passions in New Zealand, Rhode Island and San Diego. She will join the class of 2025 Columbia University School of Journalism.
Pennywise board
Mia McKay, President. Mia is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont where she studied Psychology with a minor in Business and Spanish. She is from Boulder, Colorado and enjoys spending time outside hiking, camping, swimming, and skiing. Mia is passionate about health, diversity, sustainable business development, and the outdoors. Her interest in business development and outreach began when she had the opportunity to volunteer abroad in Costa Rica. She learned about inequalities affecting indigenous communities, performed economic development projects, and experienced Costa Rican culture. Inspired by this experience, she has set out to find ways to create a lasting impact on other communities locally and around the globe. Contact Mia
Louis Jones, Secretary. Louis is a Media & Marketing Consultant whose career has spanned three decades. Filled with passion, Louis has pushed for strategic impact, innovation and success through growth. Jones was most recently EVP, Media & Data at the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies). He oversaw 4A’s media committees/ task forces, and served as liaison with industry associations to lead efforts that address industry-wide issues like brand safety, cross-media measurement and new technologies, like distributed ledgers. Prior to joining the 4A's Team, Louis had consulted for the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), helping them create mobile education modules to help advertisers to continue to invest in the mobile channels. Contact Louis
Chris Schwerin, Member. Chris is a film editor with more than twenty years of experience working on television and film. She has worked extensively for National Geographic and most recently is an editor at Big Fish productions where she works on television programs for a wide variety of audiences. In her free time, Chris loves to travel, ski and walk the beaches with her dog, Juno. Contact Chris
JB Sugar, Treasurer. JB is a sales leader with over 15 years of experience managing digital, mobile sales, SaaS and programmatic teams. Proven in developing large-scale, customized programs for Fortune 500 brands across all categories including automotive, cannabis, hospitality, pharmaceutical, CPG, telecom and entertainment. Core competencies include: sales planning/forecasting, new business development, staff hiring/training, increasing revenue, ideating products, positioning/marketing, data deployment and compensation strategies. Contact JB.
Andrew Subin, Member. Andrew (JD ’92) has practiced criminal defense, with an emphasis on cannabis defense, for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for cannabis law reform. In 2018, Mr. Subin relocated from Bellingham, Washington to Burlington, Vermont and joined with Tim Fair to form Vermont Cannabis Solutions, the first cannabis business law firm in the state. Vermont Cannabis Solutions is at the forefront of the burgeoning Vermont cannabis industry. Mr. Subin has lectured and spoken, both regionally and nationally, on numerous cannabis issues. Contact Andrew