About

David has built coalitions and led legislative campaigns for more than 25 years at the national and state levels to bring about major social policy and tax changes. He previously served as President of the Council for a Strong America, a national nonprofit of “unexpected messengers” uniting retired admirals and generals, business executives, law enforcement leaders, pastors, and prominent coaches and athletes who promote evidence-based solutions to ensure our next generation of Americans thrives. He also served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing. Additionally, he worked for then-Senator John Kerry where he wrote the Kerry-Kennedy “Children’s Health Initiative” which passed as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and now provides health insurance to seven million children annually. Most recently, he was the Vice President for Government Affairs and Legal Resources at the Council on Foundations where he led the Council’s legislative strategy to help the organization’s 800 foundations advance the greater good, including how to address wealth inequality. He has a master’s in public affairs from Princeton’s School of Public Affairs, a masters in political science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and an undergraduate degree from Amherst College. He also was an adjunct faculty at American University where he taught “Children, Poverty and Public Policy.” David likes to do triathlons, consistently finishing in the bottom 50 percent.

Foti serves as Legislative Director where he leads Americans for Tax Fairness’s legislative program and lobbying efforts in the U.S. Congress and the White House. Foti’s passion for tax policy comes from his own life experience as the son of a single mother and having put himself through college with the help of Federal student loans. Foti’s personal economic struggles as well as his family’s Sicilian immigrant heritage instilled in him a deep commitment to justice and creating new opportunities for everyone to live and thrive with dignity, no matter where we come from, what we look like, or what zip code we live in. Prior to joining ATF, Foti worked for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where he led the union’s Public Sector legislative work and PAC program. In that role he contributed to the union’s legislative victories, among which included historic federal funding increases for child care, tangible student debt relief for dedicated public servants and working people, and reshaping the Federal judiciary through working on the confirmation of dozens of judicial nominees including Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson and Judge Nicole Berner. Foti is a graduate of American University and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Pablo serves as Communications Director for ATF, leading earned and digital media efforts. He is a seasoned strategic communications professional with over 7 years of experience in advocacy communications and public relations. Prior to joining ATF, he served as National Press Secretary for the United Food & Commercial Workers International, where he managed earned media strategies for national organizing and advocacy campaigns. He previously held key policy communications roles at Accountable.US, the American Constitution Society, and the Sierra Club. In these roles, he led policy communications efforts that contributed to the successful passage of clean energy legislation across multiple states, the retirement of coal plants, and widespread coverage of judicial reform and corporate corruption.

Pablo holds a Master’s in Political Management from The George Washington University, a Diploma in Mexican Studies from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science with a Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Liz Zelnick serves as the Campaign Director for Americans for Tax Fairness, working with the coalition to create a fairer tax code.

Previously, she was the Director of the Economic Security & Corporate Power Program at Accountable.US, where she oversaw the organization’s work on economic issues, exposing special interests who work against consumers and everyday Americans.

Liz has spent the last 15 years in progressive movements and government. She served as the Deputy Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the Massachusetts State Treasurer, where she developed policy priorities related to public investment, economic empowerment for residents, and transforming the state pension fund with climate-related and other ESG investment initiatives. Before that she oversaw state legislative campaigns at Everytown for Gun Safety, working to reduce gun violence in the Midwest and South. Liz also worked in the homelessness and housing affordability space in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City.

Liz holds a B.A. from Umass Amherst in Anthropology & Linguistics, and an MPA from NYU Wagner. A native of Alexandria, VA, she now calls Newton, MA home.

Zachary is a key part of ATF’s research and policy team and works on data analysis. He moved to Washington, D.C. to attend American University, where he studied political science and public policy. He first fostered an interest in tax policy during his internships in the United States Senate and at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Prior to joining ATF, Zachary served as the federal policy associate for the National Human Services Assembly, where he developed policies focused on increasing collective well-being and as an economic policy analyst at 20/20 Vision where he managed their fiscal policy portfolio.

Rina runs ATF’s social media assets and coordinates digital activities with activists and influencers across the country to shape the tax fairness policy debate and drive effective action. Prior to joining ATF, Rina worked as the Media and Advocacy Director at the youth mobilization group Blue Future. She also volunteered with bipartisan lobbying groups such as Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Georgia Equality. She currently resides in Ohio after graduating with a degree in political science from Ohio University.