Sasha leads Freedman Consulting’s What Works Plus (WW+) collaborative - a centralized hub for partnership coordination between philanthropy, federal and local governments, experts and non-profit organizations to promote equitable distribution and implementation of federal infrastructure funding.

Sasha brings extensive experience in cross-sectoral coordination and building innovative partnerships between communities and government. Prior to joining Freedman, Sasha served as Chief of Staff for the NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement, where she oversaw a team of 250+ staff using proactive grassroots outreach tactics, technology and a data-driven approach to connect New Yorkers to key government services across a wide range of policy areas ranging from health and housing to civic engagement and emergency response. Prior to this work, Sasha led the City of New York’s 2020 Census campaign field operations and helped design and implement outreach strategies to reduce homelessness in New York City.

Before joining City government, Sasha worked on several political campaigns including 2012 and 2016 presidential campaigns, statewide campaigns in Massachusetts and prison reform efforts in California.

Sasha is originally from Paris, France and holds a B.A. in Politics from Brandeis University.

Talya Karr is a Vice President at Freedman Consulting, where she leads partnership, strategy, and cross-sectoral collaboration projects for a variety of philanthropic and nonprofit clients. She uses this expertise to lead and advise What Works Plus efforts. 

Prior to joining Freedman, Talya worked at Deloitte Consulting, where she managed strategy projects for public sector clients including the Department of State and Library of Congress. Previously, she supported global public health programs, focusing on HIV/AIDS and gender, at the U.S. Agency for International Development. 

Xavier de Souza Briggs is a senior fellow at Brookings Metro and senior advisor to the What Works Plus collaborative. His work focuses on economic opportunity, racial equity, and creating more effective and collaborative governance. A former Harvard and MIT professor and former vice president of the Ford Foundation, Xav served in the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Under President Obama, he helped lead the White House Office of Management and Budget, engaging a broad array of executive and legislative branch officials, news media, and interest group leaders from criminal justice and immigration to infrastructure, finance and financial regulation, economic development, civil rights enforcement, housing, and environmental sustainability. His views have appeared in Fortune, CNN, Fast Company, Planning magazine, The Boston Globe, the New York Times, and other major media.

He serves on a number of nonprofit boards, including Demos, JUST Capital, One Fair Wage, the Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences, and the Global Impact Investing Network, in addition to advisory groups such as the Resilience Roadmap and The Workers Lab.

Max is a Program Manager on the What Works + team. He supports all aspects of What Works +, with a focus on partnership development and learning events.

Prior to joining Freedman, Max was a Program Manager at the Just Transition Fund, where he helped coal-impacted communities access federal funds, developed locally informed policy recommendations, and evaluated economic and workforce development models. Before that, he was an Analyst at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, supporting strategic initiatives to increase the state’s economic competitiveness.

Amanda Vallillee is a Senior Associate at Freedman Consulting, LLC, where she supports project teams with strategic planning, research, and communications for clients.

Amanda’s background is in nonprofit advocacy, campaigning, and philanthropy. Prior to joining Freedman Consulting, LLC, Amanda advanced efforts to promote international gender equality as a Gender Policy & Advocacy Fellow with Save the Children US. In this role, she assisted in nonprofit coalition building, conducted cross-cutting investigation and analysis of intersecting human rights and gender issues, and drove research to identify gaps and strengthen advocacy strategies. Amanda also engaged in policymaker convenings and attended the 65th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Previously, Amanda worked as a Field Organizer with the Michigan Democratic Party, mobilizing a diverse team of volunteers to achieve key voter outreach targets. In this role, she facilitated volunteer recruitment, engagement, and training, contributing to key wins at the regional, state, and national level. Recently, she also served as a volunteer for the American Friends Service Committee, advancing decarceration advocacy in the state of Michigan, and as a counselor for Michigan Girls State, guiding young women through simulated policymaking processes and providing mentorship and advising.

Amanda graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with a focus in law and human rights from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and minors in Sociology (Law, Justice, and Social Change) and Spanish Language. During her time as a student, she served as a leader for Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan, where she fostered long-term organizational growth and generated philanthropic giving.

Sarah Cooper is an Associate working with various client project teams on strategic planning, research, and communications issues. A DC native, Sarah has immersed herself in government policy work for years, mostly focused on the intersection of government and business. She has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the John Howard Association in Chicago, a prison watchdog group that is heavily involved in criminal justice reform. Sarah also has experience analyzing election data at the Election Assistance Commission and working with a variety of clients at a D.C.-based government advocacy firm on issues such as taxation reform and telecommunications policy.

Sarah graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Economics.

Joey Rauch is an Associate at Freedman Consulting, LLC, where he supports the project teams in strategic planning, research, and communications efforts for clients. Previously, Joey worked in nonprofits strengthening leadership capacity in the social sector. At MDC, Joey supported the Rural Forward and Family Economic Mobility programs, helping with facilitation, strategic planning, and professional coaching for Southern leaders. At the North Carolina Leadership Forum, Joey supported government, business, and nonprofit leaders to discuss policy issues at the regional and state level.

Joey graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy Studies and a B.A. in Dance.