The Alliance is a small but mighty team based in Seattle, WA.
Renée Hopkins (she/her), CEO
As CEO for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Renée oversees the development and execution of the Alliance’s strategic plan for its 501c3, 501c4, and electoral activities. Prior to joining the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Renée served as Executive Director of the Seattle Police Foundation (SPF) for 12 years. A lifelong native of Washington state, Renée lives in West Seattle with her husband and daughter. When not working, she can be found skiing or hiking with her family or reading in front of the fire. Read more about Renée.
Brad Blackburn III (he/him), Operations Coordinator
Brad began his time with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility as an Electoral Organizing Intern in June of 2021. From there, Brad became a fellow during the legislative session and quickly transitioned to his permanent role as Executive Assistant & Board Liaison. In this role, he provides administrative support to both the CEO and Board of Directors. His passion for social justice brought him to the Alliance as gun violence intersects with various systemic issues. When not working, Brad can be found studying at the University of Washington for his Master of Public Administration, or relaxing with his friends and two cats. Email Brad.
Hazel Brown (they/them), Policy and Advocacy Manager
Hazel began their time with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility as a Fellow during the 2019 electoral cycle. Since then, they have served in various policy and advocacy positions at the Alliance before moving into their current role as Policy and Advocacy Manager. They have also served in several research positions analyzing a variety of national issues. When not at the Alliance, Hazel can be found basking in the elusive Seattle sun or playing frisbee. Email Hazel.
Alex Castro (she/they), Field Organizer
Alex joined the Alliance as a Field Organizer in December of 2022. She joins us after organizing for a Congressional campaign in California’s central valley. Alex’s role with the Alliance prioritizes volunteer engagement and recruitment. When they aren’t out in the field, you can find Alex exploring Seattle. Email Alex.
Tremayne Edwards (he/him), Education and Engagement Director
Tremayne joined the Alliance in 2021 as the Education and Engagement Director. In this role, he provides programming that educates, engages, and advocates for communities impacted by gun violence. Before the Alliance, Tremayne worked in Virginia as a Director of Community Engagement working to address and dismantle barriers that prevented access to various members of his community. When you can’t find Tremayne at a community event, you can find him in the mountains with his pup. Email Tremayne.
Kristen Ellingboe (she/her), Communications Director
Kristen comes to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility after doing communications and advocacy work for a wide range of progressive campaigns and non-profits at both the national and state level. In 2018, she was brought on as Communications Director for the Yes On 1639 Campaign and has since joined the Alliance where she oversees all things communications. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kristen can now be found in Seattle working very hard to keep her plants alive. Email Kristen.
Stephanie Ervin (she/her), Victory Fund Director
Stephanie was the first staff hire of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility in the summer of 2013 where she served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Initiative 594, which expanded background checks in our state. After the first campaign she helped transition the organization to legislative and electoral work and to bring on the first Executive Director, Renee Hopkins.
In 2016, Stephanie ran the 1491 campaign and led our ongoing commitment to political and electoral work, supporting candidates who champion gun violence prevention. Today, she continues to help steer our electoral work through the Victory Fund PAC and supports general strategy of the Alliance. Email Stephanie.
Sean Kent (he/him), Multimedia Designer
Sean joined the Alliance for Gun Responsibility during the I-594 campaign. Initially in the role of a communications intern, he assisted with I-594’s social media efforts. Later, in a fully-fledged communications designer role, he produced social media graphics, collateral and web-media content for various Alliance efforts and interests. Sean has contributed to the creation of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility as an identifiable and trusted brand in the gun violence prevention sphere, whether it’s the c3, c4 or PAC arms of the organization. Sean has helped craft the Alliance’s brand narrative of firearm responsibility and community engagement. Email Sean.
Victoria Muzyk (she/her), Digital Communications Manager
Victoria comes to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility with a dedication to nonprofit communications, a love of metaphors, and a passion for mental health. After working across a variety of public health initiatives, Victoria found herself more and more focused on preventative measures and upstream solutions to the epidemic that is gun violence. She comes to Washington as a native New Yorker, eager to try all the coffee spots and truly conflicted with the fact that the West Coast may in fact be the best coast. And her friends call her Tori. Email Victoria.
Dylan O’Connor (he/him), Director of Government Affairs
Dylan began his time with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility as an intern during the 2018 legislative session. Since then, he has served as the Field Director on the Yes On 1639 campaign, the Policy and Coalition Coordinator, and now as the Political and Government Affairs Manager. A passionate and dedicated activist, Dylan has worked to promote democracy and human rights at both the local and international level. When not working to prevent gun violence, Dylan can be found creating music in his studio or reading science fiction. Email Dylan.
Chetan Soni (he/him), Field Organizer
Chetan joined the Alliance in January of 2021 as a Fellow. Prior to joining the Alliance, Chetan worked for and consulted on several campaigns in the Puget Sound area. As a Field Organizer for the Alliance, Chetan now helps engage volunteers and voters on the issue of gun responsibility across the state. Oh, and if you get a text from the Alliance, chances are Chetan organized it. Outside of his work with the Alliance, Chetan is a founder of the Seattle Student Union, a coalition of students to make schools across Seattle safer. In his free time, Chetan is probably obsessing over different types of espresso or cooking. Email Chetan.
CS Wright (they/them), Director of Operations
CS Wright brings over a decade of experience to their role as Director of Operations to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and has a passion for organizing chaos while helping those around them move in a more efficient manner. They are a hands-on leader who likes to engage their co-workers and build effective teams to create sustainable success within an organization. Outside of the Alliance, CS is active and engaged in the political scene in Seattle, WA and most recently was the Campaign Manager for Leesa Manion, electing the first woman and person of color to the King County Prosecuting Attorney Office. They also serve as the Board President for Adoptees United, a nonprofit with a commitment to equality and justice for all adoptees. Email CS.