UMass Boston

Diana Salas Coronado is the senior research associate for the Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color project. As a public policy doctoral candidate in the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, her research focuses on gender, poverty, immigration, and inequality. She previously served as associate director of the Women of Color Policy Network at New York University (NYU) where she worked to bridge research and advocacy to create informed public policies. As a former organizer, she recognizes the disconnect between those most impacted by policy and their participation in the policy process and debates. She currently serves on the board of Cidadão Global and sits on the leadership team of the Feminist Task Force of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) as well as the Neighbors United for a Better East Boston (NUBE). She earned her master’s of public administration at NYU Wagner.

As a faculty member in the center’s Graduate Certificate Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy since 2002, Professor Kelleher currently serves as interim director of the center. Professor Kelleher has served in various capacities in the Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color project and brought the project to its completion as principal investigator. In her permanent position as center research director she oversees research on women’s political leadership and a range of public policy issues important to women. She has previously taught courses in sociology, community health, public affairs, and public policy at several institutions in greater Boston. Prior to her academic positions, she worked in political campaigns and in the Massachusetts Legislature, as well as served in leadership roles in nonprofit advocacy organizations. She earned her PhD in sociology from Brandeis University.

An assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Boston and an instructor in the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program, Rosalyn Negrón served as faculty in the Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color project. In this role, she designed and implemented the research training curriculum, worked closely with fellows as they conceptualized and carried out their projects, and contributed to the analysis of project data as well as the development of final products. Professor Negrón specializes in mixed methods research and her own scholarship focuses on everyday experiences of ethnicity, drawing on interests in linguistics, social networks, immigration, and health. She has conducted research in New York, Jamaica, Boston, and rural north Florida. Professor Negrón is currently a research associate at the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy. In addition, she has served as a mentor to aspiring women of color researchers in the McNair Program, the Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, and the Horizon Center Scholars Program. She earned her PhD at the University of Florida.

As a research intern for the project, Haley Turnbull worked on data analysis and final product development. Turnbull is currently pursuing her master’s degree in gender and feminist research at McMaster University. She completed her undergraduate degree in history and political science at Trinity College at the University of Toronto where her interest on female leadership and empowerment motivated her to start the first feminist and women's issues club in her college, "Women Out Loud!"  Turnbull's research experience ranges from women's sexual and maternal health to tax law. She is also a freelance graphic designer and she writes and maintains a popular blog on women's and gender issues.

Linda Uch is a research assistant for the Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color project and has contributed to the project in various ways over the project’s duration. She has helped to coordinate project meetings and assist with fellows’ research projects, engaged in documentation and analysis, served as technical advisor and trainer, and worked on the development of video and audio products. A first generation Cambodian American of refugee parents, Uch grew up in a large Cambodian community and was exposed to politics at an early age. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a bachelor's degree in political science.

Kimberly Zouzoua served as principal investigator of the Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color project from June 2011 until May 2012 and, in this role, coordinated all project components. Zouzoua is an accomplished nonprofit executive with over twenty years of experience leading high-level operations, planning, and development functions for a diverse range of businesses and philanthropic organizations. She has made a tremendous impact as an executive leader, consultant, volunteer, and advocate for numerous organizations across the Boston area, leveraging her numerous relationships with civic, political, academic, and corporate organizations to achieve aggressive growth and fundraising initiatives. Zouzoua has a master of business administration from Northeastern University, a bachelor of science in management and an associate of science in finance and investments, both from Johnson and Wales University.

We acknowledge the contributions to this project made by former center director Carol Hardy-Fanta, initial principal investigator Donna Stewartson, and Women's Pipeline for Change communications intern Daixin Neill-Quan.