Connecting Points Consulting, Inc., was founded by Leah F. Clyburn, our current Executive Director, and Chelsea K. Merta, our Director of Policy & Advocacy. Leah and Chelsea first began working together in 2011 at a faith-based reproductive justice organization. Through their respective roles, the two were sent across the country – including California, Colorado, and Georgia – from national foundations like Groundswell, Camp Wellstone, and SisterSong. During those immersive trainings and intensive workshops, Leah and Chelsea learned the importance of coalition building and integrated voter engagement (or “IVE”), a newer form of civic engagement that centers voter registration and GOTV in the context of social justice reform, i.e., organizing voter registration drives when a pro-abortion candidate is on the ballot or implementing a literature drop to educate voters on critical ballot initiatives. The very nature of IVE work encourages the development of coalitions across various arenas, further strengthening communities and acknowledging intersectionality.
How We Work
Connecting Points’ day-to-day and organizational strategy are led by our Executive Director, Leah F. Clyburn. The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to develop a strategic plan for Connecting Points and oversees the implementation of the organization’s work and programs. The Executive Director is the key administrative leadership role and leads all other staff, oversees finances and marketing efforts, and works to further the mission of the organization. The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors to oversee policy implementation and organizational progress.
The work of the Executive Director is supported by a Director of Policy & Advocacy, Chelsea K. Merta, Esq. The Director of Policy & Advocacy is responsible for helping the Executive Director to develop a strategic plan for organizational initiatives, to create a streamlined curriculum for training member organizations, and to build coalitions between various movements, including organizations focused on environmental justice, reproductive justice, criminal legal system reform, housing justice, food security. and more. The Director of Policy & Advocacy also serves as organizational legal support and a resource to member organizations who may encounter legal or judicial hurdles as they establish and expand.