Responsible Purchasing Network Staff

Kathy Hedge, Acting Executive Director
B.A., Indiana University; MBA, University of Maryland.  Kathy brings to New American Dream both a passion for its mission and over 20 years of experience working for the nonprofit sector in program management, organizational capacity-building and fund-raising.  Prior to joining New American Dream, she worked for 14 years at BoardSource, advancing its mission to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors.  Kathy served as BoardSource’s chief fundraising officer and later as strategic initiatives advisor, and co-authored the report, Advancing Good Governance:  How Grantmakers Invest in the Governance of Nonprofit Organizations.  Prior to BoardSource, Kathy served in leadership and fundraising positions at American Red Cross, Hostelling International-USA, and the Hariri Foundation. 

Outside of New American Dream, Kathy and her husband are busy with their two young boys –  both with school and extracurricular activities and preserving unstructured time for play and reading. 

Jonathan Cohen, Director, Workplace Programs
B.A., University of Delaware; M.A. New York University. Jonathan has specialized in corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the past thirteen years of his professional career.

Most recently he was Senior Manager for Chapter Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility for the American Staffing Association. He previously was the Executive Director of the William James Foundation, which educates and funds entrepreneurs to launch socially responsible businesses. Before that he managed the launch and development of the first global standard to verify CSR reports—the AA1000 Assurance Standard, as Programme Manager for the international, UK-based organization AccountAbility. He managed the United Nations Association of the USA’s national non-governmental organization (NGO) membership program. He created and taught the first class on NGO-CSR partnerships in New York University history, has published book chapters concerning global CSR trends, partnerships, the U.N.-business relationship, and the NGO role in global governance.

Outside of the Center for a New American Dream, he continues 20 years of service in numerous leadership positions with Amnesty International by working on business and human rights, and also campaigns for the return of street cars to Washington, D.C. with the Sierra Club.

Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager
M.Eng. and B.S., Cornell University. Vincent’s background includes two degrees in engineering and management, with concentrations in psychology and sustainable development. Before joining New Dream, he researched and promoted the use of environmentally preferable products at the City of New York’s main purchasing agency. His published study on the use of hybrid electric taxis in NYC stemmed from interests in sustainability issues and fast moving vehicles. Additionally, he has done research on biodegradable microsensors, water treatment systems in Honduras, and the drinking habits of rats. Aside from spreading the use of green products, he loves biking to work, playing softball, eating at authentic ethnic restaurants, and cooking with the best possible ingredients.

Phillip Kobernick, RPN Fellow
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Political Science and Environmental Systems and Society.  Before joining the New Dream team, Phillip has been involved in several environmental groups in California.  He was Chapter Chair of UCSD’s CalPIRG chapter, working to promote the use of solar energy on California campuses and also worked with Environmental California to pass a state renewable electricity standard.  At UCLA, he helped draft and eventually pass The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), a green fee referendum that is raising over two million dollars for student led sustainability projects over ten years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking in the Sierra Nevadas, bike riding, cooking and facial hair advocacy.

Kelly Diamond, Responsible Purchasing Network Intern
MBA, Portland State University; BA, Duke University.  Kelly’s varied background includes magazine circulation coordinator, instructor, university administrator, and tour guide and marketing director for a national bike rental and tour company.  She co-founded the local Students for Responsible Business chapter during her MBA degree, helped created a discussion guide on Sustainability Living for the Northwest Earth Institute, and volunteers for various other environmental endeavors in her kids' school and community.  Outside of New American Dream, Kelly enjoys playing games and taking long walks with her two boys, husband and dog, hiking, soccer, riding her bike and cooking.