Washington, D.C. — Following an extensive national search, Democracy Forward Foundation has named Jennifer Bramble, MPA, as its inaugural Chief People, Culture, and Operations Officer, launching a newly formed People, Culture, and Operations Division that will encompass the organization’s human resources, professional development, equity and inclusion, and operational excellence functions. Bramble, who brings more than three decades of experience in the private and non-profit sectors, joins Democracy Forward from Chalkbeat where she served as its inaugural Chief People Officer.

In addition to Bramble, Democracy Forward has named Cecilia Jacobsen as its first-ever Director of People and Practice Management, providing support for the People, Culture, and Operations Division as well as dedicated strategic management to the organization’s growing team of lawyers and legal personnel. Jacobsen has nearly two decades of experience in the public and private sectors, having served as a National Security Director for President Obama and in a number of strategic human resources roles.

“At Democracy Forward, our strength is our people. Every day, our team works to address the most pressing problems facing the American people and our democracy as a whole, taking on hard fights against long odds. We are thrilled to have Jennifer and Cecilia join us to support our tremendous team and build on our organizational culture of excellence, impact, and inclusion,” said Democracy Forward President and CEO, Skye Perryman.

Jennifer Bramble comes to Democracy Forward with a diverse range of executive experience in human resources and culture for mission-based organizations and enterprises. In addition to her most immediate role at Chalkbeat, Bramble has served as the Chief Talent Officer for Richmond Public Schools, as the Vice President of Human Resources at Community Health Accreditation Partner, and in a number of roles in community organizations and highly regarded national law firms. She is known for her record of developing high performing teams and facilitating cultures of belonging and excellence.

“Democracy Forward’s unwavering commitment to advance the promise of democracy for all people in the United States is critically important at this time. I am honored to join the team as the organization continues to expand its impact and operations,” Bramble said.

Cecilia Jacobsen is a leader and strategist who brings deep experience from the public and private sectors to her work at Democracy Forward. Leveraging more than a decade of experience supporting mission critical work at the Central Intelligence Agency and the White House along with her strong record of developing innovative people and culture strategies in the private sector, Jacobsen will support the management of Democracy Forward’s impact litigation, regulatory, and legal engagement functions and provide strategic support for the organization’s cross-team collaborations.

“I could not be more excited to support Democracy Forward’s efforts to meet this critical moment for our nation and to help build a bold and vibrant democracy that works for all people, ” Jacobsen said.

Democracy Forward was founded in 2017 to address a rising tide of severe threats to people, communities, and democracy in the United States presented by the forty-fifth presidential administration. Since 2021, the organization has expanded the scope and reach of its work to address harmful and anti-democratic activity at the state and local level and to counter an extreme legal movement in the courts. Democracy Forward is presently working in more than 30 states and has filed hundreds of legal actions and regulatory submissions. Bramble and Jacobsen were named to their roles following a national search conducted by Grossman Solutions.

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