News release
PHILADELPHIA, February 4, 2025 – The Independence Public Media Foundation (IPMF) welcomes seven new members to its board of directors. The new board members bring a wide range of skills and expertise including media-making, strategic coalition-building, nonprofit governance, public relations, and philanthropy. They will join IPMF’s seven other board members in support of the foundation’s mission to move resources for media and media-making owned and led by communities harmed by systems of oppression and media erasure.
“As an organization that’s reimagining traditional philanthropic processes, we’re constantly examining ways to make all aspects of our organization, especially governance, more equitable, accessible, and accountable to our communities,” said IPMF President Molly de Aguiar. “Using an open call search for new board members, rather than an invitation-only process, is one way we’re trying to live our values.”
IPMF, through its first-ever board open call, invited community members to apply and join its board. This aligns with the foundation’s ongoing commitment to share power with communities typically excluded from philanthropy. Over 60 applications were received, and the seven new board members were selected through a three-step interview process that included conversations with the IPMF board and staff.
“As we become more established as a foundation, it’s essential to have a board and staff continuously committed to advancing philanthropic processes, policies, and decisions that promote equity and justice in our communities,” said Jamila Medley, IPMF board chair. “The new board members possess the qualities needed to do that work—and the local expertise, leadership, and creativity.”
The new board members are:
- Alex Lewis, co-founder and creative director of Rowhome Productions
- Ana Graciela Méndez, Panamanian-American journalist and product manager at the Marshall Project
- Ahmed Moor, Palestinian-American writer
- Hannah Sassaman, executive director of People's Tech Project
- Lauren Stebbins, program officer with The Barra Foundation
- Meaghan F. Washington, deputy communications director for the office of Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson
- Zainab Sultan. award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and impact producer
Visit IPMF's website to read more about the new board members.