Our People
Executive Leadership
Cassandra Dahnke
Co-founder
As nationally recognized civility experts, Cassandra and Tomas have been featured in national media coverage including PBS, CSPAN, National Public Radio, and Roll Call. Their book, Reclaiming Civility in the Public Square, calls attention to the value of civil discourse, serves as a blueprint for action, and provides examples, in plain, straightforward language, of living, thriving civil discourse in American politics today.
Tomas Spath
Co-founder
As nationally recognized civility experts, Tomas and Cassandra have been featured in national media coverage including PBS, CSPAN, National Public Radio, and Roll Call. Their book, Reclaiming Civility in the Public Square, calls attention to the value of civil discourse, serves as a blueprint for action, and provides examples, in plain, straightforward language, of living, thriving civil discourse in American politics today.
Carolyn Zasada
Director of Programs and Development
Carolyn Zasada is a combat-decorated Marine Corps veteran. After transitioning to civilian life in 2013 to raise her children, Carolyn founded and operated a non-profit that redistributed donated clothing to children in need. Today, Carolyn is active in local government as a twice-elected Alderman in DeKalb, IL, and serves on the Illinois Lt. Governor’s Military and Economic Development Commission. Carolyn holds a B.S. in Economics from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.
In her free time, Carolyn enjoys family sporting events and hiking. She values bringing people of disparate viewpoints together and is grateful to make her home in Illinois with her husband and four children.
Talysa McCall
Director of Operations and Communications
Talysa (Lysa) McCall is a Marketing/Communications professional with over 15 years of experience developing meaningful relationships with community members and stakeholders and is committed to promoting inclusion and equity. Lysa is a Louisiana native and holds an MBA in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. Lysa is a dedicated military spouse of 14 years and a loving mom. When she’s not chauffeuring her two boys to extracurricular activities, she enjoys being a foodie, catching a movie, and traveling.
Our People
Board of Directors
John Alford
Political Science Professor, Rice University
John is a political science professor at Rice University with a research focus on U.S. elections and the biology of political behavior, including neuroscience and genetics. His work in this area has been funded by the National Science Foundation and featured in national media coverage including the New York Times, Forbes, CSPAN’s Washington Journal, and the cover of New Scientist magazine. He is the author of numerous articles on political behavior, and a co-author of a recent book Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences.
Mary Josie Blanchard
Deputy Director, Environmental Protection & Compliance, U.S. Department of the Interior
Mary Josie is a Senior Government Executive whose long career has dealt with environmental restoration and mined land reclamation both in the State of Texas and the Federal government. She received degrees from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and The University of Texas in Austin, TX. Mary Josie is a Trustee of the Cheetah Conservation Fund and served on several other boards including Stephens College Board of Trustees and Executive Women in Government.
Randy Dietel
President, National Pipe & Piling, Inc.
Randy has been owner and CEO of Nunez Construction Co., Inc, a 4th generation family business, since 1982. He is also owner and CEO of Piling, Inc., founded in 1971. Randy has served on many boards and commissions, including a two year term as a city commissioner of Texas City, Texas. He earned a degree in music and has also served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Randy has been married to Peggy for 51 years and they have two children.
Dasha Rhodes
Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
Dasha was among the first students to attend the 1st Student Legislative Seminars with the Institute. Since then, she has earned a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in social work and previously worked as a hospice social worker in the greater Houston area. She now works as an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida and lives with her husband and son in the Tampa Bay Area.