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Evonnia Woods, PhD
Executive Director
Evonnia has 15 years of experience engaging in an integrative approach to address economic, racial, and reproductive justice issues. She simultaneously started her sociology PhD program, became a community leader at a local economic justice organization, and began working with campus leaders at every level to increase student participation in decision-making processes. So while she studied and taught about social inequalities and movements, she also worked on issue and legislative campaigns like protecting and expanding Social Security and Medicaid, and co-founded and/or served as a leader in several campus groups and organizations. She went on to gain experience as a reproductive justice organizer and opposition researcher, which led to her co-founding and/or serving as a leader at several health-focused collectives like Mid-MO Repro and the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition. Now, she continues to jointly address community-based issues with professionals and community leaders as a cofounder and the Executive Director of Center for Collective Action.
Founding Board Members
Dr. Kenneth Bryant Jr.
President
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he specializes in American politics, race and ethnicity, and civic engagement. Recognized for his innovative, student-centered approach to teaching, he is the creator of The System Works, a vital civic education initiative. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Bryant is an accomplished author and public scholar dedicated to bridging the gap between media, politics, and the public. He will co-lead Center for Collective Action's forthcoming podcast.
Shatonya Woodard
Treasurer
Principal HR Associate at Capitol One with 10 years of experience across onboarding, recruitment, employee relations, HR systems, compensation, benefits, performance management, and succession planning, as well as prior experience as an operations manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, and certifications in Human Resource Management and Strategic Human Resources. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, juicing, playing bingo, driving, and spending time with family and friends. She co-leads Center for Collective Action's wellness retreats.
Secretary
Alex R. Dopp, PhD
Child clinical psychologist and a research scientist at RAND, a non-profit, non-partisan policy research institute. His work utilizes research and community-defined evidence to enhance services and systems for underserved populations. By leading interdisciplinary teams and community partnerships, he strives to reform traditional systems to better serve those in need. He co-leads Center for Collective Action's Missouri Comprehensive Health Alliance.
Dr. Angela Haeny
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in substance use disorders. She leads the Racial Equity and Addiction Lab (REAL), where her research focuses on improving alcohol and drug treatments for Black adults by addressing racial stress, trauma, and other understudied risk factors. She co-leads Center for Collective Action's wellness retreats.
CranioSacral therapist and wellness educator who owns a healing-focused practice and teaches at Encircle Technologies in Columbia, MO. She loves being outside, where she finds strength, creativity, and optimism. She co-authors Center for Collective Action’s Mid-MO Take Action Newsletter.
Corri Flaker Fraser
Director of the Center for Social Change and Belonging at Penn State University with affiliate appointments in African Studies, Philosophy, and Law. He has over 15 years of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experience working as an educator, advocate, student affairs practitioner, and consultant creating inclusive learning and working environments. As a first-generation college graduate, he holds degrees in Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Philosophy (M.A.), and a J.D., and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Education at Penn State.