Our People
Staff
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Fish Stark is an organizer, educator, social entrepreneur, and lifelong humanist. Fish has spent his career turning big ideas into bold action in service of belonging, flourishing, and social justice for all people.
Prior to joining CFE as Executive Director, Fish was the Head of Program + Curriculum at Legends, an educational technology startup, where he led research and implementation teams to create products that helped children build self-confidence, positive mental health, and critical thinking skills.
Previously, Fish served as the Director of Programs at Peace First, a global nonprofit that provides training and funding to youth social justice activists, where he led a global team of organizers who empowered thousands of youth grantees in 140+ countries to make lasting change in their communities, and worked with organizations such as the Red Cross and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to develop youth leadership programs.
Fish’s other professional experiences include managing progressive political campaigns, leading a mentorship program in the West Virginia coalfields with the American Friends Service Committee, building a nationally recognized peer-to-peer bullying prevention program, and teaching students from pre-school to high school.
A self-proclaimed developmental psychology nerd who is passionate about giving everyone the tools to live lives of meaning, service, and self-determination, Fish holds a Master’s in Education with a concentration in child development and psychology from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s from Yale University with a certificate in Education Studies. While at Yale, Fish served as a student board member of the Yale Humanist Community and received a Dean’s Prize for his work to build a stronger relationship between Yale and New Haven.
Fish lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where he is President of the Speaker Mike Busch District 30 Democratic Club, is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, and serves on several nonprofit boards. He moonlights as an award-winning stand-up comedian and has performed in 13 states.
Phone: (202) 238-9088
E-mail: fstark@cfequality.org
Pronouns: he/him
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Rachel Deitch is the Policy and Political Director at the Center for Freethought Equality. She leads the organization's policy development and advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels to advance secular and progressive values.
Rachel is pleased to return to the Center for Freethought Equality and the American Humanist Association, having previously served as the organizations' Director of Policy and Social Justice. In this role, she led the 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) policy portfolio—including successfully securing the passage of bipartisan legislation and testifying in Congress—and led the cross-departmental social justice work.
Most recently, Rachel worked at the National Coalition of STD Directors as their Director of Federal Policy, where she founded and co-chaired a coalition of 65 national public health, sexual health, and LGBTQ organizations during the mpox public health emergency, with White House participation.
Her work has been featured in Politico, CNN, and Bloomberg.
Rachel holds a Master of Theological Studies in Religion, Politics, and Ethics from Harvard Divinity School and a BA in Religious Studies from Occidental College (go tigers!).
Rachel is a proud DC resident, and serves on the Board of the Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 238-9088
Fax: (202) 238-9003
Pronouns: she/her
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Ron Millar, the Political and PAC Manager at the Center for Freethought Equality, brings over forty years of experience working for nonprofit education and advocacy groups in the nation’s capital, including serving as the associate director of the Secular Coalition for America from 2005 to 2009.
Working to increase the representation of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers in public office, Ron conducts research and interviews with political candidates and elected officials to determine possible endorsements by the Center for Freethought Equality Political Action Committee (PAC), also known as the Freethought Equality Fund.
His academic background includes a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, where he examined organizational learning among groups litigating church-state cases before the Supreme Court.
Phone: (202) 238-9088
E-mail: rmillar@cfequality.org
Pronouns: he/him
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Claire Mulvey is the Center for Freethought Equality's Policy & Organizing Assistant. An NYC native, she holds a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College, where she majored in History and earned double minors in Political Science and Asian Studies. She is also completing online classes to earn her Master’s degree in Museum Studies, taking coursework in fundraising, public history, and nonprofit stewardship. Before joining the AHA, she worked as a paralegal at a business immigration law firm. She is excited to work with the AHA to enact meaningful change.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Claire is an avid reader and is trying to teach herself to cook from scratch. You can often find her on a Hot Girl Walk around the east side of Providence, Rhode Island, where she currently lives. Claire also finds great joy in music and, of course, cherishes time spent with her adorable cat, Purrsephone.
Phone: (202) 238-9088
Fax: (202) 238-9003
Pronouns: she/her
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Galina Varchena is the Policy Manager for the Center for Freethought Equality. A seasoned attorney and lobbyist, she brings a diverse legal background spanning immigration law and civil litigation to advocacy in the reproductive rights and justice space. She is a veteran of the Virginia legislative trenches, where she led high-stakes campaigns for reproductive justice and maternal health. Galina currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund and is driven by a deep commitment to the intersection of healthcare access and the separation of church and state.
Outside of the office, Galina is a student of Japanese sword, a discipline she practices alongside her spouse. When she isn’t in the dojo, she is an avid painter, a dedicated reader, and hiker. She shares her home with a lively crew: her two dogs, Hoss and Mouse, and a cat named Chloe.
Phone: (202) 238-9088
Fax: (202) 238-9003
Pronouns: she/her
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Meet the Staff: Isabella Russian
What is your educational and work background?
I attended Arizona State University, receiving a Bachelors degree in Political Science, a minor in Justice Studies, and a certificate in Human Rights. While pursuing my degree, I enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and camping with the university’s Arizona Outdoors Club and raising awareness about poverty, hunger, and injustice issues with Oxfam at ASU.
I began my journey into policy work as an intern with the ACLU of Arizona, and furthered my understanding of governmental processes and legislation with the Arizona State Legislature as nonpartisan staff. Since moving to Washington, DC, I have worked with Congress and with a refugee resettlement effort.
How did you first learn about humanism?
Humanism as a term was something I was only vaguely familiar with when mentioned in secular spaces, however, I became more acquainted with it when I witnessed my state representative receive pushback for giving a humanist invocation as opposed to a non-secular one. Witnessing her experience, I learned the importance of non-belief advocacy and awareness.
Did you grow up in a traditional religious faith? How did it impact you?
I was not raised with religious influence. The absence of religion in my upbringing did not beget any negative impacts, and I did foster a curiosity into others’ upbringings, activities, and the comfort brought to them through their faiths.
What interested you most about working for the American Humanist Association?
Due to there being a plethora of social justice and human rights issues that need addressing, and the interconnected nature of these issues, I had trouble deciding where to dedicate my efforts. I was attracted to the outlook and philosophy of the American Humanist Association, and how it embodies an ethical vision that seeks to address the issues I want to work on improving.
What book has influenced you the most?
While many books have had an impact on my life in some way or another, two that particularly stand out are A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and Zeitoun by David Eggers. The former floored me and reinvigorated my understanding of the importance of defending and advancing women’s rights, and the latter, while perhaps a bit controversial now, was moving insight into the diverse discriminative experiences minority communities face during disaster.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (living or dead), who would they be and why?
My great grandfather Hrant Russian, whom I never had the fortune of meeting, escaped the Armenian Genocide and defied death three times in the process—including a shot to the head. While I am lucky to read his story in a book my great-aunt transcribed from tapes he recorded before his passing, I would love to meet him, hear his story firsthand and thank him for raising my awesome grandpa. At the table would also be my mom’s parents, whom I also never had the fortune of meeting, so that I could connect with my Algerian roots and understand their roles as community leaders.
Board
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John Wagner Vice President, is a long-term supporter of the American Humanist Association, and he represents the American Humanist Association at the United Nations. He is a vice-president of the Secular Humanist Society of New York.
Dr. Wagner is active in politics. He is on the board of the Four Freedoms Democratic Club, where he chairs the Committee on Policy and Activism. He also chairs the Secular Coalition for New York, which lobbies for citizens with a secular point of view on state and local issues. Thus, Dr. Wagner has the values and practical experience required to promote and highlight humanist values in Washington, D.C. and the rest of the USA.
He is passionate about the importance of fighting for values that are based on rational discourse, humanistic principles, and scientific investigation. He is a life member of the Freedom from Religion Foundation and American Atheists, and he supports the Secular Student Association.
John is a Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Cell Biology & Genetics at the Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. The skills he has developed as a practicing scientist, a writer, a teacher, and an activist should be helpful in guiding the Center for Freethought Equity to accomplish its missions, to raise the needed financial resources, and to raise the profile of humanists & freethinkers in the political arena.
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Howard Katz, President. In his early teenage years Howard Katz studied world religions—questioning why he was brought up to think that his religion was the "right" one and everyone else's was wrong—they of course had the same mindset. Through years of looking into other's viewpoints, he grew away from any belief in supernaturalism or organized religion. In his 20s Katz was introduced to Humanism as a formal philosophy, and he joined the American Humanist Association—well over 40 years ago.
Community involvement is important to Katz - serving with the Humanist Society as a board member, president, and Celebrant; ACLU; IL NOW as an officer; and the local Americans United as a board member, as well as his local AHA Chapter. He has served on several state and local oversight boards that monitor services to the disabled and mental health communities, held multiple public offices, and is a 24+ gallon blood donor. Katz currently serves as an officer of his County Democratic organization, as Parliamentarian, and in 2017 was elected the Batavia (IL) Township Clerk.
As an AHA Board member, Katz has served on the Chapter, Awards, donor, Humanist Charities and policy committees, helped formulate the current Bylaws, represented the AHA at numerous speaking events and information tables throughout the Midwest, as well as working with local groups to help them form AHA chapters.
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Renée L. Reif, A Humanist activist, Army veteran, former army wife, and caregiver for sons with disabilities, A Humanist activist, Army veteran, former army wife, and caregiver for sons with disabilities, Renée L. Reif speaks out and is politically active in her community. She is a sociologist with a Masters in Public Administration (nonprofit emphasis), and a Humanist Society Lay Leader working to educate the public and build bridges as a member of the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Unity Build committee, and as a new Humanist member of the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. She is helping establish Humanists in Healthcare and the Secular Democrats of Colorado initiative for the state democratic party.
Renée is currently the democratic chair for her state house district, reaching out to voters and spreading seeds of understanding on why the Wall of Separation benefits EVERYONE. Since becoming the director for women veterans outreach for the El Paso County Colorado Progressive Veterans, she is working to amplify their voices. Past volunteer work includes serving on the City of Fountain Planning Commission, as the chair for the Colorado chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and on the El Paso County Placement Alternative Commission.
Always challenging the status quo, Renée speaks out weekly while openly identifying as a Secular Humanist or atheist. Having been involved in local freethought groups for many years, Humanism gives her life purpose; she passionately supports Humanism and the application of science and universal Humanist values to legislation and general community matters. speaks out and is politically active in her community. She is a sociologist with a Masters in Public Administration (nonprofit emphasis), and a Humanist Society Lay Leader working to educate the public and build bridges as a member of the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Unity Build committee, and as a new Humanist member of the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. She is helping establish Humanists in Healthcare and the Secular Democrats of Colorado initiative for the state democratic party.
Renée is currently the democratic chair for her state house district, reaching out to voters and spreading seeds of understanding on why the Wall of Separation benefits EVERYONE. Since becoming the director for women veterans outreach for the El Paso County Colorado Progressive Veterans, she is working to amplify their voices. Past volunteer work includes serving on the City of Fountain Planning Commission, as the chair for the Colorado chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and on the El Paso County Placement Alternative Commission.
Always challenging the status quo, Renée speaks out weekly while openly identifying as a Secular Humanist or atheist. Having been involved in local freethought groups for many years, Humanism gives her life purpose; she passionately supports Humanism and the application of science and universal Humanist values to legislation and general community matters.
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Tanya White-Anderson is an experienced, educated, and dedicated professional who works to develop the operational efficiency of organizations. She is accurate, precise, and ethical in all work assignments and is able to immediately contribute to the organizational administrative goals and objectives. She has demonstrated the ability to develop and implement strategic plans to ensure organizational growth. She offers a high level of enthusiasm, has an exceptional personality, and an ability to establish and maintain productive relationships. She is a self-motivated and dynamic professional with diverse credentials that combine solid and tactical leadership expertise with a strong business background, an ability to work collaboratively, and an ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. She offers exceptional organizational, communication, leadership, and customer service skills.
She wants to help support the mission of the Center for Freethought Equality to increase Humanist activity in key Washington coalitions by fighting for issues secular Americans care about, like the separation of church and state and protecting civil liberties, and by monitoring proposed legislation at the local, state, and federal level.
She was a 2024 CFE PAC endorsed candidate running for the North Carolina Senate.
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Karina Quintanilla, is a third-generation activist with a career in education spanning K-12 to PhD. In 2020, Karina made history in Palm Desert, becoming the first Latina and youngest woman elected having received 61% of votes. In 2019 she sued Palm Desert for voter districts and ranked choice under the California Voters Rights Act. As a result, Riverside County will implement ranked choice for the first time, bringing equity in representation. She advocates for those who feel excluded from the decision-making process.
Karina volunteers as a bilingual Political Consultant for Congressional, State and Local candidates. She was elected as a delegate to the CA Democratic Convention and has been frequently a requested speaker for Gun Control, Reproductive Rights and National Organization of Women. She spoke at the Women of Color Beyond Belief 2022 Conference. As moderator for the Secular Latino Alliance, she helped maintain a secular safe space. Karina is proud to have been endorsed by the Center for Freethought Equality and defends the separation of church and state.
She is a liaison to Cultural Arts, Cultural Preservation, Homeless Taskforce, Civic Engagement, Public Safety Committee, Children’s Museum and Coachella Valley Animal Campus. She fought to allocate $90,000 for childcare. Karina reinvigorated commitment to sustainability, advocating for bioplastics and hempcrete in Palm Desert. She established a regional health collaborative to increase regional efficiency, funds focusing on physical and mental health.
Her dedication to community is unquestioned, having saved countless lives as a 16-gallon blood donor: she gives her blood, sweat and tears.
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Steven Lowe, Treasurer, is a gay atheist/humanist activist based in Washington, D.C. He grew up in rural Virginia and attended the University of Virginia. After earning a BA in mathematics, Steve joined the Peace Corps where he served for two years in Zaire teaching secondary school mathematics in French. He earned an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC. In 2001 he retired from a twenty-year career in sales and operations with various U.S. telephone companies.
He has been active in the Freethought, Humanist, and Atheist movement since 2001, when he discovered the illuminating works of the Four Horsemen (Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and Dennett). He has researched and published articles about Robert G. Ingersoll, gives walking tours about Ingersoll’s life in Washington, D.C., and founded the Robert G. Ingersoll Oratory Contest, which has been held three times.
He is a longtime member of the board of directors of the Washington Area Secular Humanists, and since 2015, a member of the Board of Directors of American Atheists, Inc.
"I want to remove the taboo of being non-religious and empower our voice and values in our political system."
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Jennifer Hancock, Secretary, is the founder of Humanist Learning Systems and the author of several books focused on applied Humanism. She is a well-respected writer and speaker in the Humanist movement and focuses most of her efforts on educating people outside the movement about Humanism. Her speaking and teaching business coalesced into the founding of Humanist Learning Systems which provides online personal and professional development training in humanistic business management and science based harassment training that actually works.
She is the current secretary for Center for Freethought Equality and also serves as the VP for the USA Chapter of the International Humanistic Management Association.
She brings to CFE her experience in nonprofit management, and organizational management, outreach, and publicity. Her focus at CFE is to help support our efforts and to help provide a bridge of support from the business leadership community to CFE activities and initiatives and to help get applied research into humanistic management into the hands of practitioners and policy makers in a way that is useful.
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Gayle Jordan is a former Southern Baptist who left the faith 10 years ago when her then-teenagers began asking questions she could not answer. Her research led her (and her children) into the light of reason and rationality. Years later, she still feels the effects, both positive and negative, of that dramatic shift in perspective and attitude. It is this sympathy and compassion that drives her to reach out to help others navigate the emotional and physical process involved in leaving one's faith.
Gayle is the Executive Director of Recovering from Religion, and ran for the Tennessee Senate in 2016 and 2018. Gayle lives in Oregon and is an estate-planning attorney. She raises goats, chickens, and honeybees, and is trying her hand at grape-growing at her sunny hillside home affectionately known as Peak Heathen. She blogs about a variety of topics at "Happy. Healthy. Heathen." (https://gaylejordan.net/).
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Nick Schweitzer is the current president of the board of the Free Congregation of Sauk County (the last remaining Freie Gemeinde of perhaps a hundred that were established in the U.S. by German immigrants in the late 1800s).
In addition, he is a:
Retired administrative law judge and Supreme Court referee for the State of Wisconsin.
Retired adjunct professor of ethics for the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Member of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF).
Host for two years of an Atheist - Humanist - Agnostic - Skeptic - Freethinker table at the Madison Farmers Market.
Host for three years of a Science and Reason booth at the Dane County Fair.
Installer of science exhibits along bike paths in Madison:
A 26-mile set of signs representing the solar system, and
A quarter-mile set of signs representing geological time.
Member for years of the American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Unitarian-Universalist Association, the National Center for Science Education, the Freethought Society, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, American Atheists, and the Secular Coalition.