Issue One announces new advocacy team and organizational moves amid critical moment for democracy

Issue One is proud to announce a series of new hires and strategic moves that will bolster the organization’s mission to safeguard democracy amid mounting threats of a constitutional crisis and ongoing efforts by the executive branch to consolidate power.

Alix Fraser, who previously led Issue One’s technology reform portfolio, will now step into the role of vice president of Advocacy where he will oversee newly restructured policy, legislative, and advocacy campaigns teams responsible for furthering Issue One’s immediate and long-term strategic objectives. Alix previously spent nearly a decade in foreign policy, where he worked to develop and execute U.S. foreign policy at the State Department, primarily focusing on combating authoritarianism and promoting democracy internationally.

Nicole Lagace, previously Issue One’s director of Communications, has also been elevated to vice president of Communications where she will continue to strengthen and drive the organization’s strategic goals. Nicole joined Issue One after serving as the chief of information and senior advisor to former Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea.

“At a time when the stakes for our democracy have never been higher, Issue One’s continued growth reflects our unwavering commitment to meeting the moment,” said Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman. “These talented individuals bring both passion and expertise to our mission, and I am confident their contributions will strengthen our advocacy, expand our impact, and help build a more resilient democratic future. I’m thrilled to welcome them into these new roles and look forward to the work we’ll accomplish together.”

Additionally, Issue One’s Advancement team continues to grow with the recent additions of Mike Piel as director of philanthropy and Daniel Lewis as manager of special projects.

Mike came to the democracy reform space after nearly a decade in politics and consulting. He previously worked with organizations including The National Committee for an Effective Congress, The Center for Election Science, and the New Organizing Institute. Throughout his career, Mike has raised more than $10 million for various political and nonpartisan causes.

Daniel joins Issue One after having worked on Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He previously founded a Y Combinator-backed media startup.

Megan O’Halloran, who first crossed paths with Issue One in July 2023 as a consultant, now serves as Issue One’s strategic operations lead for the Advocacy programs. In her role, she supports the vice president of Advocacy to ensure strategic alignment and coordination across the policy, legislative, and advocacy campaigns teams. Prior to Issue One, Megan worked as an independent consultant for various organizations in the responsible technology space including a public health communications start-up (Arclet), the Center for Humane Technology, and the Brown Information Futures Lab.

Isabel Sunderland, who first joined Issue One in June 2024 as an intern working on technology reform issues, will now serve as a policy associate where she will continue to specialize in the technology policy sector and advance safeguards to hold Big Tech accountable. Isabel is also actively involved with Design It For Us, a youth-led movement advocating for safer social media to protect kids, teens, and young adults online.

To support the organization’s expanding footprint, Georgia Lyon has also joined as the newest member of the Communications team as an associate where she will engage with the press and position Issue One as a go-to resource for expert analysis and commentary in reaction to breaking and developing news. Georgia previously worked with Campaign Legal Center.

Issue One is a leading crosspartisan political reform group in Washington, D.C. We unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system, safeguard American democracy, hold Big Tech accountable, and limit the influence of big money in our politics.