About Us

Our Mission
Our Vision

Citizen Collab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening nonpartisan civic engagement infrastructure across Western New York. The organization focuses on coalition-building, voter engagement, leadership development, and civics education. 

To create an informed and engaged citizenry across Western New York through comprehensive civics education and coordinated non-partisan voter engagement initiatives, fostering a stronger and more active democratic community.

Meet the Team

Portrait of a young woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a black blazer, purple top, pearl necklace, and gold earrings against a gray background.

Jess Williams

Executive Director

she/her

Jess, a University at Buffalo alum, has been engaged in voter outreach efforts since before she could vote. A former poll-worker, Jess knows the ins and outs of civic engagement. Jess has done direct voter contact work with UB Votes, NAACP Buffalo, UniteNY, the League of Women Voters, and more.

A smiling young man with curly brown hair, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, standing in front of a plain gray wall.

Liam Riter

Civic Engagement Intern

he/him

Young woman with long wavy hair and gold earrings smiling in front of bookshelves filled with legal books and federal supplement volumes.

Nav Purewal

Civic Engagement Intern

she/her

Meet the Board

  • A bald man with a beard and glasses standing outdoors in front of a tree with green leaves, wearing a dark vest and a light blue shirt.

    R.J. Haq

    Founder & Board President

  • A man with dark skin and braided hair in a bun, wearing a navy blue suit and white shirt, smiling in front of a brick wall.

    Orlando Dickson

    Vice President

  • A woman with dark wavy hair sitting on a bench, writing in a notebook, next to an abstract painting on the floor in a well-lit room with wooden paneling.

    Hannah Giarrizzo

    Secretary

  • A young man with dark skin and short hair sitting on a bench, wearing a gray polo shirt and beige pants, with a neutral expression and shadow cast on the wall behind him.

    Kushnood Haq

    Treasurer

  • A middle-aged man with gray beard and short gray hair sitting on a wooden bench, wearing a brown polo shirt and cream-colored pants, looking thoughtful in a neutral room.

    Connor Whitney

  • Abstract digital artwork featuring diagonal metallic panels in blue, pink, purple, and black colors with subtle grid patterns and glowing highlights.

    Bernard Dent

  • Abstract digital background with diagonal illuminated panels in dark blue, pink, and purple hues, creating a futuristic geometric pattern.

    Nic Bush