Dems Board 2024
President — Janalie Cobb
Janalie (she/her) is a junior in Davenport College majoring in Political Science. She was born in San Francisco, raised in Chicago, went to high school in New Hampshire, and now spends most of her time in either New Haven or Washington, D.C. Janalie joined Dems in Spring 2022. Outside of Dems, you can find her in the Yale Daily News building or the Underground (probably the Underground) procrastinating her homework. Janalie also works with the Urban Institute and the Blue Haven Initiative civics team, as well as the Yale School of Music, where she's a stage manager. She has also worked extensively in Illinois politics, both in the Lieutenant Governor’s office and as an intern for Senator Tammy Duckworth, in addition to state and local politics in Connecticut and D.C. Prior to being President, Janalie was Legislative Advocacy Coordinator.
Contact: president@yaledemocrats.com
Vice President — Jeremy Williams
Jeremy Williams (he/him) is a junior in Branford college studying Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He was born and raised in New York City and joined Yale Dems during his first semester on campus as an Elections Fellow. Outside of his role as Vice President for Yale Dems, Jeremy is the Design Editor for the Yale Review of International Studies and a member of the Black Men’s Union at Yale. Jeremy likes to spend his free time spending quality time with friends, discussing politics, and working on his comic book series, Guardian. Jeremy loves meeting new people around campus, so feel free to reach out to him!
Contact: jeremy.williams.jaw239@yale.edu
Legislative Coordinator — Christian thomas
Christian Thomas (he/him) is a Sophomore in Pierson College studying Political Science with a certificate in Education Studies. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and loves to talk about his home state (as all Marylanders do). He has a strong interest in education and LGBTQ+ policy. He joined Yale Dems in the fall semester of his first year. Outside of Yale Dems, Christian writes for the Yale Undergraduate Human Rights Journal, teaches at the high school program EVOLUTIONS in the Yale Peabody Museum, and enjoys playing marimba in the Yale Marimba Band. In his free time, he loves to travel, listen to vinyls, and write poetry. He is always looking for someone to work with at a New Haven coffee shop and a new gym buddy, so reach out and he'd love to meet with you!
Contact: christian.thomas@yale.edu
Elections Coordinator — natalie miller
Natalie (she/her) is a sophomore in Davenport from Duluth, Minnesota. She's planning on double-majoring in economics and political science and is interested in law, labor rights, and advancing women's economic and social equality throughout the world. She has worked as a Senior Fellow in both Elections and Legislative Advocacy branches and has also interned for Senator Amy Klobuchar, working on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions policy work. In her free time, Natalie loves to run, read mystery, write creative fiction, and talk about Minnesota. She always loves to meet new people, so reach out any time to hang out or grab coffee. :)
Contact: natalie.miller@yale.edu
Voter Advocacy Coordinator — Roy Kohavi
Roy Kohavi (he/they) is a sophomore in Saybrook College from Bellevue, Washington majoring in Political Science with an intensive certificate in Education Studies. Roy joined Dems in the Fall of 2022. Roy has pursued his passions of fighting for civil rights, voting rights, and equitable education by serving in the Dems Voter Engagement and City branches. Outside of Dems, he is immersed in theater, a capella, and his work in Yale’s groundbreaking sketch-comedy group, The Fifth Humor. Roy serves as a Peer Liaison with the LGBTQ Center and spent his summer working as a Yale Tour Guide and Recruitment Coordinator. In his free time, Roy enjoys playing board games, watching C-SPAN, snagging food with friends in random butteries, binge-watching Gilmore Girls, and drifting through road trips. Reach out to him about anything, especially if it involves exploring New Haven!
Contact: roy.kohavi@yale.edu
City engagement Coordinator — Alastair rao
Alastair Rao (he/him) is a sophomore in Saybrook College studying History. He is from the San Francisco Bay Area and joined Dems as a City Engagement Fellow during his first semester at Yale! He is beyond excited to continue the legacy of the City branch as City Engagement Coordinator in 2024. Outside of Dems, Alastair is involved in theatre, the Asian American Students Alliance, and serves on the board of the Asian American Collective of Theatermakers. In his free time, Alastair loves watching Survivor, playing board games with his suitemates, or pretending to study at a coffee shop. He already wants to be your friend!
Contact: alastair.rao@yale.edu
Communications Director — Nicole Chen
Nicole (she/her) is a sophomore in Silliman majoring in Political Science. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico (but unfortunately is not a native Spanish speaker) and currently lives in New York City. Nicole joined Yale Dems as a first-year in the Legislative Branch and testified for early voting in Connecticut in front of the Connecticut General Assembly. She later went on to become a senior Legislative fellow. Outside of Yale Dems, she writes for The Politic, edits for the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal, and works in the Silliman College Aide Office. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and cafes, going on runs, and doing the Big Three of the NYT Games (Wordle, Mini, Connections). She would love to get to know all of you and is just one coffee shop meeting away!
Contact: comms@yaledemocrats.com
Treasurer — Zachary pan
Zach Pan (he/him) is a first-year in Ezra Stiles College majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He was born in Washington DC but has travelled the country working on political campaigns in Iowa, New York, and Virginia. He loves reading a good book (preferably by Murakami) and watching West Wing. Outside of Yale Dems, he is a runner, a competitive chess player, and has attained a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do. Most of all, he is a foodie and loves both good Japanese food and cooking his own creations. Feel free to reach out if you would like to chat!
Contact: zach.pan@yale.edu
Membership and Inclusion DIRECTOR — Alexandra Martinez-Garcia
Alexandra (she/her) is a sophomore in Silliman College majoring in Neuroscience on a pre-medical track. Originally from Gales Ferry, Connecticut, she's a lover of all things New England fall and joined Dems during her first semester as a Legislative Advocacy Fellow. Outside of Dems, she volunteers with HAVEN Free Clinic and Yale Alzheimer's Buddies, plays club water polo, and writes for the Yale Daily News Scitech Desk. In her free time, you can find her watching a Formula One grand prix, reading a rom-com novel, or going for a run outdoors. If you ever can't find her, she's probably at Koffee or Atticus. Feel free to reach out to her about anything!
Contact: alexandra.martinez-garcia@yale.edu
Speakers Director — Maia Roothaan
Maia Roothaan (she/her) is a sophomore in Branford College majoring in Environmental Studies, with a certificate in French. She grew up in Evanston, Illinois and joined Dems in her first semester at Yale, serving as both a Legislative Fellow and Voter Advocacy Fellow. Outside of Dems, Maia is Political Director of the Yale Student Environmental Coalition, Culinary Events Manager for the Yale Farm, and a Branford College Aide. In her free time, Maia loves cooking, traveling, and going on long hikes with friends. She's always up for grabbing coffee or going on a walk, so please reach out!
Contact: maia.roothaan@yale.edu
Events DIRECTOR — Riley Elliott
Riley Elliott (she/her) is a Sophomore majoring in Political Science with an interest in rural communities. She was born and raised in Asheville NC and joined Yale Dems her first semester as a CIty Engagement Fellow. This summer, she worked as an intern for Pisgah Legal Services, conducted research in partnership with Yale, and learned how to be a barista. In and out of Dems, she is passionate about building solidarity, expanding legal access, advocating for southern grassroot organizers, and so much more. Riley enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee, doomscrolling on TikTok, running in East Rock, and anything Star Wars related. She is excited to get to know you over a meal or a coffee!
Contact: riley.elliott@yale.edu