Our Team
Kate Stigberg
Executive Director
(she/her/hers)
Kate serves as Open Answer’s first Executive Director following her tenure at Healthier Colorado. During her time there, Kate wore many hats - she worked on nearly 40 local ballot measure campaigns across the state, collaborated with city council members and partner organizations to improve health in Denver and Aurora, established and led Healthier Colorado’s Advocacy Fellowship program, oversaw the organization’s statewide advocacy efforts, launched an in-house Small Donor Committee fundraising canvass, and founded Healthy Air and Water Colorado, one of Healthier Colorado’s sister organizations.
Prior to Healthier Colorado, Kate worked in the labor movement for 7 years- knocking doors to recruit members to join Colorado WINS (the state employee’s union), as the program manager for the Colorado AFL-CIO, and finally as the Political and Legislative Director for AFT Colorado.
Kate recently moved to North Carolina and is eager to explore her new surroundings with her family. Kate earned her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois in her hometown of Champaign-Urbana.
Tayler serves as Open Answer’s Field and Operations Director. She began her career training and working as a Field Organizer for the North Carolina Coordinated Campaign. Afterwards, she transitioned into working for various nonprofit organizations where she served as a Regional Organizer. During her time as a Regional Organizer she organized and moderated town hall meetings, met with city council members, established several statewide partnerships, regularly hosted community meetings, and led a team of Field Organizers and Canvassers. Tayler’s goal is to serve her community during and post election season by committing herself to roles that challenge the transactional nature of elections. Her passion for grassroots organizing, social justice, and civic engagement lead her to this role at Open Answer.
Tayler moved to Statesville, North Carolina with her family when she was 8 years old. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with B.A. in Political Science as well as in African American and African Diaspora Studies.
In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, playing with her dog (Shadow), reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Tayler Mickens
Field & Operations Director, NC
(she/her/hers)
Maria Jose was born in Cali, Colombia but grew up in the Washington DC area. During high school she started getting involved in lobbying efforts and politics - finding her passion. During her time at Penn State University she spent time at the Library of Congress and different nonprofits before taking a year away from college to work the 2016 Presidential Election. In 2020, her passion for election work brought her down South where she spent her time in North Carolina and Georgia learning about Southern grassroots and community mobilizing with Mijente. MJ fell in love with the South and decided to permanently move to North Carolina and continue working for grassroots efforts, she has spent the last four years working with various organizations and being a community organizer specializing in voter education for the Latinx community.
In her spare time Maria Jose can be found traveling the world, reading and exploring the Charlotte food scene! MJ also has a passion for working with special needs children and has been a Committee Member and the Social Media Development Chair for the FamilieSCN2A Foundation since 2018 - a cause very near and dear to her heart!
Maria Jose Taminez-Borda
Operations Manager
(she/her/hers)
Evan Gathers
Field & Operations Director, CO
(he/him/his)
Evan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and started his career in politics early - running his first campaign as a High School senior. Evan started college in Casper Wyoming, but moved to Denver for a faster pace of life. There Evan got involved with COPIRG as Chapter Vice president. Since then, Evan has led and been a part of over 55 campaigns from local school board elections to cannabis legalization to presidential campaigns, and Corporate Campaigns.
In his spare time he can be found cooking, reading, hiking with his wife, or playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Mobilization Team
Nora Arroubi
(she/her/hers)
Nora joined the OA team in March 2023 as a recent graduate from Colorado State University. She has a Bachelors in Health and Exercise Science, but loves community organizing. Nora has a deep passion for helping others and for health. In her free time, Nora loves being active, traveling, and paddle boarding.
Isa Bynum
(he/him/his)
Isa is a Maryland native who traveled to Colorado a few years ago to study for his communications degree while also competing as a student athlete at Colorado State University. He is very passionate about using communication skills to help branch communities together in a positive way. Isa also loves being very creative during his free time as he records & produces his own music.
Bri Cummings
(she/her/hers)
Bri has been canvassing for about three years. She first began political canvassing in Miami, FL for Florida Rising, a black and brown led organization. Bri is excited to grow and develop working with Healthier Colorado. In Bri's spare time, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, Bachata, Merengue, and Reggae dancing.
Sabrina Bueno-Martinez
Field Manager
(she/her/hers)
Sabrina was born and raised in Denver and has done political and fundraising canvassing for several years before coming to Open Answer. Passionate about making a change, helping the community, being the best mom to her son and making a beautiful mark on the world. In her free time Sabrina loves spending time with her son and family, trying new popular restaurants, collecting Sanrio merch, hiking and playing video games.
Anthony Martinez
(he/him/his)
Anthony is new to Colorado, previously living in Indiana and New York City. Community mobilizing became a new interest upon his arrival to Colorado. Anthony is passionate about human rights and progressive initiatives. On his free time Anthony DJ’s and produces music.
Jaha Mohamed
(he/him/his)
Jaha was born in Sudan and came to Denver when he was two years old. He graduated from Colorado State University with a double major in Economics and International Studies. He plans to use his degree to eventually help Sudan’s economy. Jaha is a goal-driven and individual and hopes to make a name for himself in the future.
Francis Quinn
Operations and Logistics Coordinator
(he/him/his)
Francis was born and raised in Wisconsin, moving around the state before settling at home with Madison to find work as a canvasser. An avid lover of nature, Francis is excited to exchange the forests of Schmeeckle Reserve at his alma mater, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, for the vast mountains of Colorado. When not hiking, biking or running, Francis will be spending time reading, cooking ambitious dinners, or jumping rope.
