{"id":60,"date":"2021-12-04T19:28:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T19:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pf.progressflorida.net\/?page_id=60"},"modified":"2026-03-17T17:32:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:32:58","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Progress Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"60\" class=\"elementor elementor-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dcb3442 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dcb3442\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-96710f7\" data-id=\"96710f7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b9dfcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b9dfcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"intro\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in 2008, Progress Florida promotes progressive, freedom-centered values through digital organizing, media outreach, creative public education campaigns, and close collaboration with local, state, and national organizations working to build a better Florida.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Progress Florida advocates for people-first policies and holds elected officials accountable by empowering citizens in their communities.\u00a0 We fight for a more affordable state, economic fairness, reproductive freedom, strengthening neighborhood public schools, access to quality health care, a fair and independent judiciary, environmental protection, a clean energy future, and more.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Progress Florida combines online organizing and communication focused strategies with offline action to win meaningful, sustainable solutions for our state and local communities. Our goals are to:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><b>Build a stronger progressive movement in Florida.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Progress Florida uses innovative, internet-based organizing and communication tactics to expand public support for progressive causes, organizations, and leadership in local communities and state-wide.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Win advances in people-first public policy.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Working closely with allied organizations, Progress Florida offers concerned citizens effective, easy, and engaging ways to make their voices heard on critical policy decisions that impact our quality of life.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Generate hard hitting traditional and new media coverage.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Progress Florida works to generate news coverage that shines the public spotlight on impactful solutions to real problems. We work with our extensive network of members and advisers to maintain a 24-7 rapid response media operation that pulls no punches when taking on the extreme right.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Increase civic participation and educate the public.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Progress Florida mobilizes our members to ensure that the progressive voice is heard on issues that matter to Floridians. We closely monitor the actions of Florida\u2019s elected leaders and hold accountable those officials who prioritize corporate special interests over the public good.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-496e4a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"496e4a9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5983880\" data-id=\"5983880\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb6a750 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cb6a750\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6748119 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6748119\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Leadership Team<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-096ab0a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"096ab0a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-897dc29\" data-id=\"897dc29\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb4d1ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fb4d1ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"924\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Mark-HS-for-PFL-website-768x924.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1489\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Mark-HS-for-PFL-website-768x924.jpg 768w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Mark-HS-for-PFL-website-249x300.jpg 249w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Mark-HS-for-PFL-website-851x1024.jpg 851w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Mark-HS-for-PFL-website.jpg 962w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ece275\" data-id=\"2ece275\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe02599 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe02599\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mark Ferrulo<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5839f44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5839f44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Executive Director<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22c560b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22c560b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Raised in St. Petersburg and a graduate of the University of South Florida, Mark has been working for public interest and progressive causes across the state for over two decades. Starting as a grassroots organizer in Miami, Mark worked his way up through the ranks of Florida PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) to become the director in 1998, and was the first director of Environment Florida when it launched in 2006. Since founding Progress Florida, Mark has focused on building the organization into one of the most respected and effective multi-issue progressive communications and digital strategies organizations in the state. Mark is a board member of Environment Florida and Common Cause Florida&nbsp; and was named as one of the \u201cTop 100 Influential Floridians\u201d by INFLUENCE Magazine. When not fighting the good fight Mark enjoys soccer, fishing, and exploring Florida\u2019s best downtowns \u2013 big and small.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c8fb1b4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c8fb1b4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4cd5179\" data-id=\"4cd5179\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e6a583 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9e6a583\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_3753.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2353\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_3753.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_3753-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d6eb440\" data-id=\"d6eb440\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1011b6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1011b6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Damien Filer<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4334bb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4334bb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Communications Director<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa1d995 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa1d995\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"il\">Damien<\/span>\u00a0is an award-winning political strategist, ballot initiative expert and campaign veteran with decades of experience crafting message and strategy for successful statewide campaigns in Florida and across the country.\u00a0<span class=\"il\">Damien<\/span>\u00a0is a sought-after media trainer and speaker having trained students, advocates, campaign workers and candidates from around the country. He appears frequently in leading news outlets advocating for progressive policy solutions and government accountability.\u00a0<span class=\"il\">Damien<\/span>\u00a0is a Tallahassee native and enjoys daily walks with his dogs at the Fred George Basin Greenway and other great parks in the community. He spends his free time working on various music and literary projects.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc386a3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc386a3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-83fbefe\" data-id=\"83fbefe\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be98e58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"be98e58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_9297-1.jpg\" title=\"IMG_9297\" alt=\"IMG_9297\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8792f74\" data-id=\"8792f74\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33c7b42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"33c7b42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cheyenne Drews<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6aa667b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6aa667b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reproductive Freedom Program Director and\nDeputy Communications Director<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f83c914 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f83c914\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Born and raised in Florida, Cheyenne (she\/her) has a long track-record of leadership on policy, communications, campaigns, and constituent services.&nbsp; A graduate of the University of Central Florida, she was the Operations Supervisor for the Mothers&#8217; Milk Bank of Florida before becoming a Public Policy Consultant for Planned Parenthood. In 2020, she managed Representative Anna V. Eskamani&#8217;s re-election campaign for Florida House and served as her Chief of Staff in the legislature. Currently, she serves on the Steering Committee for the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom Coalition. If not in her inbox, you can find Cheyenne at an Orlando vegan restaurant, canvassing, enjoying a concert, or with her rescue dog Cooper.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a523027 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a523027\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-92869e3\" data-id=\"92869e3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10eaa64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"10eaa64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"968\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-846x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2861\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-846x1024.jpg 846w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-248x300.jpg 248w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-768x930.jpg 768w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-1268x1536.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jon-at-Capitol-1691x2048.jpg 1691w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-498aa99\" data-id=\"498aa99\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8de719a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8de719a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jon Bleyer<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b7541c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b7541c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Special Projects Director<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2903788 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2903788\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Jon has been active in social and political causes throughout his life. He first got involved with progressive politics while attending Tulane University and later honed his grassroots organizing skills by directing the California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) San Diego campaign office. Since then Jon has served as a campaign strategist and earned media consultant for a broad range of successful progressive issue campaigns in Florida and around the country. <a name=\"m_2185901441415695864__Hlk171404397\"><\/a>A native Floridian, Jon is a co-founder of Wildwood Preservation Society, which was instrumental in establishing Leon County\u2019s Fred George Basin Greenway. His many other pursuits include hiking, flying disc sports, researching Tallahassee\u2019s music history, and collecting vintage art.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9f8e0fe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9f8e0fe\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e99f175\" data-id=\"e99f175\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb34af3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb34af3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"911\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-899x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2328\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-899x1024.jpeg 899w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-263x300.jpeg 263w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-768x874.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-1349x1536.jpeg 1349w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alexa-Matos-Headshot-1799x2048.jpeg 1799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0a236e1\" data-id=\"0a236e1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-414a6f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"414a6f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alexa Matos<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-900a9db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"900a9db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digital Media Coordinator<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5d132e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5d132e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Born and raised in Miami, Alexa is a passionate advocate for civic engagement, reproductive freedom, and uplifting the voices of Hispanic and young Floridians in the arenas of policymaking and elections. A first-generation graduate of the University of South Florida in Political Science, she has led organizing efforts at the campus, local, state, and national levels, from founding the College Democrats chapter at USF, leading field operations for a Gen Z candidate for the U.S. House in Pinellas County, to serving as Southeast Regional Deputy Director for College Democrats of America. Prior to joining the Progress Florida team, Alexa served as a Regional Lead for the\u00a0<em>Kamala Harris for President<\/em>\u00a0campaign. \u00a0When she\u2019s not organizing, you can find her thrifting,\u00a0enjoying Formula 1 and Florida\u2019s coastlines.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a03ea55 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a03ea55\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e62c5b\" data-id=\"4e62c5b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3109d3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3109d3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"732\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-732x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2807\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-732x1024.jpeg 732w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-214x300.jpeg 214w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-768x1075.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-1097x1536.jpeg 1097w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459-1463x2048.jpeg 1463w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0459.jpeg 1769w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f791e2\" data-id=\"6f791e2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd059dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd059dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ashley Rini <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9c0ac5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f9c0ac5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Communications Fellow<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27d48cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27d48cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>Ashley Rini (she\/her) is an Orlando-based student and youth advocate. She began organizing with People Power for Florida on the Yes on 4 campaign in 2024 and later served as a legislative intern for Representative Anna V. Eskamani. Ashley currently serves as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Our Florida, a youth-led organization pushing back against book bans and fighting for students\u2019 right to an honest education. She also hosts voter registration drives at her school to help more young people participate in shaping Florida\u2019s future. Outside of work, you\u2019ll find Ashley playing pickleball with friends, watching movies, or reading Jane Austen.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a69a85b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a69a85b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-425bb97\" data-id=\"425bb97\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df48a27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"df48a27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"964\" src=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/unnamed-60.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2740\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/unnamed-60.jpg 726w, https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/unnamed-60-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48cb21a\" data-id=\"48cb21a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0873b73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0873b73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Xavier Mckenzie<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86a4398 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"86a4398\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Communications Fellow<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e301c0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e301c0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xavier is a youth organizer and rising leader in progressive policy development and civic engagement. He gained recognition in policy formulation as a finalist in the Futures Institute Policy Proposal Competition for his work on sustainable urban development. His organizing acumen has been honed through extensive campaign work, including the Yes on 4 Campaign in 2024, State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith\u2019s reelection campaign, and lobbying for gun violence reform as part of Brady United\u2019s Team ENOUGH. Outside of work, you\u2019ll often Xavier playing soccer, line dancing, practicing yoga or Pilates, reading philosophy, or practicing the guitar.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Founded in 2008, Progress Florida promotes progressive, freedom-centered values through digital organizing, media outreach, creative public education campaigns, and close collaboration with local, state, and national organizations working to build a better Florida. Progress Florida advocates for people-first policies and holds elected officials accountable by empowering citizens in their communities.\u00a0 We fight for a more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-60","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.14 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>About Progress Florida - Progress Florida<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/progressflorida.org\/about\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About Progress Florida - Progress Florida\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Founded in 2008, Progress Florida promotes progressive, freedom-centered values through digital organizing, media outreach, creative public education campaigns, and close collaboration with local, state, and national organizations working to build a better Florida. 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