Meet the experts driving change through research, strategic policy consulting, and impactful coalitions and partnerships.
Kalisha Dessources Figures
Founder and Chief Strategist
Kalisha Dessources Figures is Founder and Chief Strategist of KDF Strategies. A sociologist by training, she has a demonstrated track record of leading innovative strategy, building effective coalitions, and bringing together research, policy, and advocacy to drive impact and change. Kalisha has advised two Presidents at the White House, first as Policy Advisor to President Obama's Council on Women and Girls during his second term, and later as a Special Assistant to President Biden, leading efforts on the White House Gender Policy Council. She is a trusted leader and a called-upon expert in gender equity, women's economic security, and domestic girls policy. Kalisha is a graduate of Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, and received her PhD from Yale University.
Aliah Brown
Associate Consultant
Aliah Brown is an Associate Consultant at KDF Strategies, where she leads policy research, project and program management, and strategic planning efforts for a number of clients. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice, Aliah has a background in policy, grassroots advocacy, and legal research. Born and raised in the DMV, she is currently based in Northern Virginia.
Genisus Holland
Executive Assistant and Assistant Policy Consultant
Genisus Holland is the Executive Assistant at KDF Strategies, where she manages operations and administrative work for the firm. She also serves as a Policy Assistant, where she conducts policy research and advises on research strategies for clients. Genisus brings expertise in youth and social advocacy and is a go-to contributor for nonprofits on young people and political organizing. She is continuing an education in Public Administration and currently resides in Richmond, Virginia.
Morgan Johnson
Senior Consultant
Morgan Johnson is a dedicated organizer, coalition builder, and gender equity advocate. She has years of experience in partnership engagement and campaign development for reproductive rights, voting rights, education reform, court reform, and other gender justice issues. At KDF Strategies, Morgan manages rapid response and coalition projects, primarily focused on reproductive rights, health, and justice. She holds a Master's in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Molly Kehoe
Associate Consultant
Molly Kehoe has a background in community organizing, program and partnership management, and nonprofit research and communications. She has worked across issue areas including climate, education, civic engagement, and reproductive justice. At KDF, Molly supports clients in project management, program implementation, and base building efforts. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with degrees in Political Science and Journalism.
Osaremen Okolo
Senior Consultant
Osaremen is a health policy expert with extensive professional experience at the highest levels of the federal government. She previously served as Policy Advisor for Public Health and Equity in the White House Office of the COVID-19 Response, translated campaign promises into strategic implementation plans on the Biden-Harris Transition Domestic Policy Team, served as Senior Health Policy Advisor for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and started her career on then-Ranking Member Patty Murray's U.S. Senate HELP Committee health policy team. Osaremen is also currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University, where she studies public health in historical, legal, and sociopolitical contexts as a Presidential Scholar.
Valerie Torrealba
Associate Consultant
Valerie is an Associate Consultant at KDF Strategies, where she draws on her background in campaigns, state legislature, and the legal field to support a diverse portfolio of clients and initiatives. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in International Relations & Global Studies, focusing on Latin American Studies, and a minor in French. Valerie is currently based in Austin, Texas.