We fight back.

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Staff

Rachel Marchand (she/her/hers) is the Senior Policy Analyst and podcast producer for the rePROs Fight Back initiative. In this role, she provides guidance in digital communications and strategy to achieve rePROs Fight Back’s policy outcomes, co-produces the podcast, writes and creates original, branded content, and represents rePROs Fight Back in coalition. Rachel received her BA in International Relations at the University of New Mexico and Master’s in Public Health at Emory University. She previously worked at the United States Senate.

Gayatri Patel, Senior Fellow with the rePROs Fight Back Initiative, is a senior gender policy expert with over 20 years of experience leading policy advocacy related to gender equality and human rights in development and humanitarian contexts globally. Gayatri most recently served as the Vice President of Advocacy and External Relations at the Women’s Refugee Commission where she led the organization’s policy advocacy on gender and humanitarian action globally. She previously served as the Director of Gender Advocacy at CARE USA, driving initiatives on women’s economic empowerment, gender-based violence, and gender equality in humanitarian emergencies.

Preston Mitchum (he/him) is an award-winning Black queer attorney, advocate, and activist. As the founder of PDM Consulting, he amplifies the voices and power of Black people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young people. With nearly 15 years in law and policy, Preston has held key roles at The Trevor Project, URGE, Advocates for Youth, the Center for American Progress, and more. He has also taught LGBTQ Health Law & Policy at Georgetown University Law Center and Sexuality, Gender Identity, & the Law at American University Washington College of Law. Preston’s leadership spans reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice. He serves on the Board of Directors for Spark Reproductive Justice and has led efforts at Collective Action for Safe Spaces and the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. In 2021, he played a pivotal role in the 10-week protest against Nellie’s Sports Bar in Washington, D.C. A respected media voice, Preston has been featured in The Washington Post, People, BET, MTV, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, The Grio, The Atlantic, MSNBC, and more. His accolades include DC LGBTQ’s “Most Committed Activist” (2021) and the National LGBTQ+ Bar’s Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40 (2020). Preston holds an LL.M. from American University, a J.D., cum laude, from North Carolina Central University, and a B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from Kent State University. You can also catch him on Bravo’s Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.

Elena Yeatts-Lonske (any pronouns) is the Social Media Fellow for the rePROs Fight Back podcast and initiative, where they manage all social media platforms, transcribe episodes, and create original social media content related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Elena received their BA in English at the University of Maryland, College Park.