The Communications Network Welcomes New Board Leadership

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Daphne Davis Moore becomes Board Chair as Marika Lynch and Kate Shatzkin join the Board

The Communications Network is welcoming new members and officers to its Board of Directors as The Network enters a new chapter of growth, deeper field leadership and expanded connection across the communications-for-good community.

The moment comes at a time of rapid change for both the field and The Network. Artificial intelligence is reshaping how communications gets made and understood. Trust in institutions remains under pressure. And communicators across foundations and nonprofits are looking for new ways to learn from one another, build relationships and meet the moment together.

The Network has been building toward this moment for more than 45 years. Its community now stretches across thousands of people working in philanthropy, nonprofits, academia and communications organizations—and increasingly across borders and disciplines.

“Our field is changing quickly, but one thing hasn’t changed: communications is better when we don’t do it alone,” said Daphne Davis Moore, Chair of The Communications Network. “We’re living through a moment when trust is harder to build and the work has never mattered more. Our opportunity is to build stronger relationships, share what we’re learning and make sure the people doing this work have one another to turn to. That’s what I see as the opportunity ahead for The Network.”

Daphne succeeds Anusha Alikhan of the Wikimedia Foundation, who will continue to serve as Chair Emeritus.

The Board also elected a new slate of officers:

• Daphne Davis Moore, Heartland Forward — Chair

• Allyn Brooks-LaSure, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — Vice Chair

• Krista Jahnke, The Kresge Foundation — Secretary

• Satonya Fair, The We Collective — Treasurer

Daphne Moore

Allyn Brooks-LaSure

Krista Jahnke

Marc Moorghen

Welcoming Marika and Kate

The Board unanimously elected two new members to three-year terms:

• Marika Lynch, Press Forward

• Kate Shatzkin, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Marika Lynch

Kate Shatzkin

Both bring deep experience in communications for social change—and, importantly, a history with The Network itself. Marika is a former leader of The Network’s Miami LOCAL, while Kate previously served as a leader of the DC LOCAL.

“The Network is a place where people are generous with what they know and genuinely interested in helping one another,” said Marika Lynch. “I’m excited to help strengthen that culture and make sure even more people can find their way into this community.”

“The social sector finds itself at a complex intersection of communications challenges and opportunities, which makes trusted relationships and shared learning perhaps more important than ever,” said Kate Shatzkin. “I’m looking forward to helping The Network create more opportunities for communicators to learn from one another and do better work together.”

Their addition reflects the breadth of The Network today—and its belief that some of the best leadership comes from people who have experienced the community firsthand.

Honoring Anusha Alikhan and Jill Schwartz

Anusha Alikhan

Jill Schwartz

The leadership transition also marks the close of an important chapter.

Anusha Alikhan steps down as Board Chair after leading the Board through a period of transition, expansion and growth for The Network—and through a period of real turbulence and ambiguity in the wider world.

“Anusha led the Board with steadiness and vision through a period of transition, expansion and growth, and through a period of real turbulence and ambiguity in the wider world,” said Sean Gibbons, CEO of The Communications Network. “We all owe her a debt of gratitude, and I’m grateful she’s staying close as Chair Emeritus. She’s helped put The Network in a strong position for what comes next.”

Jill Schwartz of The Nature Conservancy is also leaving the Board after nine years of leadership and service, most recently as Secretary.

“Jill gave her time and talent generously, always with good judgment and kindness we could count on,” Gibbons said. “She strengthened the Board and helped shape the culture we want to carry forward. We’re grateful for everything she’s given The Network.”

Gibbons said the new leadership comes at an important moment for the organization.

“The Network is a different organization than it was even a few years ago,” he said. “We’re a community of thousands now, connected across organizations, issues and geographies. We’re building new ways for people to learn, lead and find one another. Daphne, Allyn, Krista and Satonya bring the kind of leadership this moment calls for, and Marika and Kate know this community from the inside.

“What makes The Network special is what happens when people show up for one another.”

That idea remains at the heart of The Communications Network’s work: Connect. Develop. Inform.

The Network’s 2026–27 Board includes:

• Daphne Davis Moore, Chair, Heartland Forward

• Allyn Brooks-LaSure, Vice Chair, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

• Krista Jahnke, Secretary, The Kresge Foundation

• Satonya Fair, Treasurer, The We Collective, LLC

• Anusha Alikhan, Chair Emeritus, Wikimedia Foundation

• Alejandro de Onís, Knight Foundation

• Bryan Simmons, Arcus Foundation

• Courtney McCall, Missouri Foundation for Health

• Fiona Guthrie, Innocence Project

• Kate Shatzkin, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

• Kristen Mack, MacArthur Foundation

• Marc Moorghen, Lever for Change

• Marika Lynch, Press Forward

• Michele Moore, Ford Foundation

• Roben Smolar, Schusterman Family Philanthropies

• Trabian Shorters, BMe Community

• Valerie Goode, San Francisco Foundation

• Sean Gibbons, The Communications Network (Ex Officio)