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WAND Staff
May 2008


Mary Babic, Communications Director - Mary handles all aspects of WAND's communications program. Previously, she's been communications director at SEIU Local 254; the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW); and several private companies. She has lived and worked in several countries (Nicaragua, Morocco, Great Britain), and has had gallery shows of her photography. She holds degrees from Harvard University (BS) and Boston University (MFA). Her dog Molly is the official WANDimal.

Bobbie Wrenn Banks, Field Outreach Organizer - Bobbie Wrenn came to WAND in 1984, and helped establish the Atlanta WAND chapter. She joined the WAND National Board in 1989 and served as president 1992 - 1994. She served as director of an older adult center, campaign manager for Sen. Nan Grogan Orrock, and promoter of a documentary film addressing nuclear terrorism. In 2006, she founded Pathways To Peace, Inc., a consulting firm that offers support to individuals and organizations working for peace, nuclear disarmament and the empowerment of women.


Christina Cernansky, WiLL Washington Associate - Christina started her career in social justice when the 2000 election unfolded in her backyard of West Palm Beach. As a Florida Atlantic University student, she trained progressive organizations on lobbying. Her many titles have included: Director of Student Lobbying, FAU Senate President, FAU Senator, Rock the Vote State Leader, Volunteer Coordinator on various state races, and delegate for College Democrats for the state conventions. She currently assists the implementation of all WiLL programs including trainings and field outreach as well as integrating WAND’s lobbying efforts into the WiLL program. She is also the PAC Associate for the WAND PAC.


Von Diaz, Directors' Associate - Von supports the national field director and WiLL president. She is also responsible for the administrative functioning of the National Field Office in Atlanta, and management of chapter and program practices, including National and Chapter membership support and development. Von has previously worked providing direct services for at-risk youth at the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence shelter, as well as locally in the Arts. She holds a degree in Women’s Studies from Agnes Scott College.


Luann Gronhovd, WAND Washington Associate - Luann assists in the implementation of both WAND and WiLL projects. She possesses a broad base of professional social service experience in the fields of social work, education and international development. Having spent much of the last decade working in overseas projects, Luann’s desire to promote peaceful and humanitarian U.S. involvement in the world drew her to WAND’s efforts. She holds degrees from Concordia College (BA) and Columbia University (MA).


Amanda Hendler-Voss, Faith Communities Organizer (Click here for full biography.) - Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss manages the Faith Seeking Peace curriculum. She served on the Muslim-Christian Design Team collaboratively authoring the Muslim-Christian Study and Action Guide to End the Nuclear Weapons Danger. Rev. Hendler-Voss is also the Minister of Christian Education at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC.


Sheila Johnson, Administrative Officer- Sheila is responsible for administration of the office, database management, and communications projects. Additionally, she serves as a liaison between national staff and the field office in Atlanta. Previously, she directed a campus women’s center and taught courses in gender studies.


Sen. Nan Grogan Orrock, WiLL President (Click here for full biography) - Sen. Nan Grogan Orrock is responsible for the overall coordination of WiLL: recruitment, communication with members, material development and production, issue identification, and coordination with WAND. A veteran of the civil rights and women’s movements, Nan served ten terms in the Georgia House of Representatives and is serving her first term in the Georgia Senate.


Kristin O'Sullivan, Director of Development - Kristin is charged with helping to raise awareness of WAND's important mission and to implement a fundraising program. She has over fifteen years in government and non-profit management, and has focused on helping organizations develop infrastructure to achieve their programming and fundraising goals. She holds degrees from The College of the Holy Cross (BA) and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (MPA). She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters and two cats.


Marie Rietmann, WAND Public Policy Director (Click here for full biography) - Marie is a leader in the peace and security community's outreach to members of Congress and their staff on nuclear, security policy, and budget issues. Previously, she worked for Oregon elected officials, including Sen. Mark Hatfield, Rep. Elizabeth Furse, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer where she was responsible for defense and foreign policy issues. Marie’s legislative accomplishments included staff work on the 1993 Spratt-Furse ban on low-yield nuclear weapons.


Franck Salomon, Controller - Franck has over fifteen years of strong accounting management and technical support experience. Prior to WAND, he served as assistant director for the Haitian Coalition of Somerville, MA and as an information technology supervisor at Olympus Specialty Hospital.


Susan Shaer, Executive Director (Click here for full biography) - Susan is responsible for the administration and financing of WAND and its programs. She joined the staff in 1993, bringing over two decades of experience in the nonprofit world, with an emphasis on women in politics. Susan has led the Win Without War coalition, Project Abolition, the National Coalition for Peace and Justice, and been a central figure for V-Day, the Disarmament Clearinghouse and the Nuclear Disarmament Partnership.

Samantha Sime, Executive Assistant - Sam Sime assists the executive director by providing a wide range of administrative and organizational support. Sam earned her master's degree in gender studies from the Soas Londom School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. After graduating in 2007, Sam "hopped the pond" and started working at WAND in 2008.


WAND Staff (Alphabetical Listing)
Babic, Mary Communications Director National Office
781-643-6740
Banks, Bobbie Wrenn Field Outreach Organizer National Field Office
404-524-5999
Cernansky, Christina WiLL Assistant Legislative Office
202-544-5055
Diaz, Von Directors' Associate National Field Office
404-524-5999
Grogan Orrock, Nan WiLL President National Field Office
404-524-5999
Gronhovd, Luann WAND Washington Associate Legislative Office
202-544-5055
Hendler-Voss, Amanda Faith Communities Organizer National Field Office
404-524-5999
Johnson, Sheila Administrator National Office
781-643-6740
Rietmann, Marie Public Policy Director Legislative Office
202-544-5055
Salomon, Franck Controller National Office
781-643-6740
Shaer, Susan Executive Director National Office
781-643-6740
Sime, Samantha Executive Assistant National Office
781-643-6740

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