Student Leadership
Isabel Rojas // Statewide Board Chair
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Isabel is the Statewide Board Treasurer for MASSPIRG. She transferred to UMass Amherst in the fall of 2022 for her junior year and is studying Microbiology. She joined MASSPIRG as an intern for the New Voter’s Project and helped register students to vote and educate them about their voting options in the 2022 midterm elections. She is now the campaign coordinator for the Democracy campaign (previously known as the New Voter’s Project) and is excited to continue to work with the UMass community to get classes off for the next elections in 2024 and gather support for same-day voter registration in Massachusetts to present to legislators in a future lobby day. Outside of MASSPIRG and academics, Isabel enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, and painting with friends. After graduation, Isabel plans to attend medical school and apply what she has learned about advocacy and leadership to her practice of medicine.
Sean Simonini // Statewide Board Vice Chair
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Sean Simonini is the current Vice Chair of MASSPIRG’s Statewide Board. Sean previously served as the President of the MASSPIRG Chapter at UMass Lowell, where he is studying international affairs. During his time with MASSPIRG, he has helped to coordinate a number of advocacy efforts on important topics such as investing in renewable energy and combating the food-insecurity crisis on college campuses. His favorite part of the MASSPIRG experience is getting to meet students across the Commonwealth, and empowering them so they can use their voices to make a difference in their communities. In his free time, Sean enjoys spending time in Boston’s North End and going on hikes throughout New England.
Our Staff
Leigh-Anne Cole // Organizing Director
Leigh-Anne is the Organizing Director for MASSPIRG Students and the Deputy Director of the Student PIRGs. She coordinated the Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project from 2008 to 2012, which registered more than 300,000 people to vote and made more than 1 million “get-out-the-vote” contacts. Prior to her current role, Leigh-Anne directed the recruitment department for The Public Interest Network, where she recruited hundreds of candidates to join our movement. Leigh-Anne lives in Milton, Massachusetts, where she loves to go hiking with her dog, Aspen, and her daughter, Rosie.
Andy MacDonald // National Organizing Director
Andy manages the staff who work on 37 campuses in eight states, as well as training, staff development, volunteer programs, campaign strategy and canvassing for the Student PIRGs. Andy has maintained a funding base for the student chapters, built a pipeline for students and staff to become lifelong activists, and been a part of a variety of social change campaigns. He has held numerous positions within the network, including regional director and assistant national summer canvass director for Fund for the Public Interest. Andy lives in Amherst, Mass., with his family, and enjoys all outdoor sports, especially running.
Dan Xie // Political Director
Dan directs the national political strategy and grant fundraising for the Student PIRGs. Dan has managed successful campaigns from coast to coast to cap global warming pollution, fight the high cost of higher education, and make voting more accessible for students. She has recruited and trained hundreds of students and staff on public interest campaigns. Dan lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., where she is an avid cyclist and climber.
Sabrina Schimscheimer // Campus Organizer
Sabrina is a campus organizer for MASSPIRG Students, working with the UMass Amherst chapter and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Holyoke Community College, and Berkshire Community College. She also works with ConnPIRG Students at Trinity College. Sabrina enjoys long hikes, a good movie, and spending time outdoors where she can appreciate nature, as she has done since she was a young kid in Alaska. Growing up near the local wildlife conservation centers, Sabrina liked to visit the muskoxen, bears, wolves, and moose. It was here she grew to love the wildlife, the snow and finding ways to protect these distinguished animals. She attended the University of Oregon and began volunteering with OSPIRG Students, eventually becoming the Campaign Coordinator for New Voters Project and the State Board Vice Chair until she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Economics. She traveled across the country to work with MASSPIRG Students and is super excited to join the team and make a difference in Massachusetts!
Carissa Englert // Campus Organizer
Carissa is a campus organizer for MASSPIRG Students, working with the UMass Lowell chapter. Prior to this, she graduated as a communication studies major from Nebraska Wesleyan University. During her education, she also studied political science and French modern language, while centering the environment throughout her studies. As a student, she was the president of the environmental organization on her campus, the Greenhouse Project. Her previous environmental job experiences consist of being an AmeriCorps member through Conservation Nebraska, and being an intern with Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light. Throughout her time with these organizations, she was able to connect with those in her community about topics regarding the environment. She looks forward to meeting new people and experiencing more campus and community organizing in this role. In addition to this, she is excited to explore the beautiful natural spaces of Massachusetts!