BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2024 Candidate Slate
INTRODUCTION
This slideshow is intended to give a brief introduction of the SSDP Board of Directors 2024 Candidate Slate.
Marlie Thompson, 2022
University of Alabama
Marlie is a junior at the University of Alabama, majoring in Sociology and Social Advocacy and minoring in Public Policy. She founded UA's chapter of SSDP in August 2022, and she has been serving as chapter president since then. In UA SSDP's first year, they have given out over 1000 fentanyl test strips for free on campus, held many educational events, and worked with UA administrators and student government to implement more sensible medical amnesty policies and provide more comprehensive drug education to UA students. She is currently participating in the ACLU of Alabama's Smart Justice Organizing School, studying and learning how to organize around the prison industrial complex. In Summer 2023, she was an intern for the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML) helping their team with many daily administrative tasks. Marlie hopes to be a sociologist, educator, and policy researcher, advocating for social justice and ending stigma and discrimination surrounding drug use.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Sociology and Social Advocacy
Minor: Public Policy
Marlie Thompson, 2022
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
I'm very proud of being featured in Teen Vogue for my harm reduction work in the south, as well as my participation in SSDP's panel on harm reduction on college campuses at DPA's Reform Conference. I'm also extremely proud of being able to found a chapter at Alabama, and since then, UA SSDP has given out over 1000 free fentanyl test strips on campus.
Marlie Thompson, 2022
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
Tide Against Time (a student organization at UA dedicated to educating students about the prison industrial complex and ending mass incarceration), Student Basic Needs Coalition (UA student org that works to spread awareness about food insecurity and aid students in need), Smart Justice Organizing School with the ACLU of Alabama, remote internship with NORML in summer 2023, paid intern at Bama Hillel.
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
I feel that my participation in all of my communities informs my SSDP experience. Whether I have gained leadership experience, knowledge about justice and organizing, or connections with other activists, I try to incorporate everything I learn into my passion for drug policy reform. Certainly my passion for social justice and my personal experience with drugs are what motivates my SSDP work the most.
Marlie Thompson, 2022
Fundraising Experience
I have planned fundraisers for my youth group in high school, as well as a couple fundraising efforts for my SSDP chapter.
Administrative Skills
I send many professional emails and am a very reliable communicator, I have experience updating websites (wordpress) and writing action items and letters to lawmakers, familiar with Google Suites and Microsoft Office, I am very punctual, I have written many agendas and led meetings, I have experience with data entry.
Marlie Thompson, 2022
Jeanne Porges, 2021
University
Jeanne Porges ‘22 is a doctoral student at Adler University’s Clinical Psychology MA/Psy.D. Program, specializing in trauma and substance use. She graduated from DePaul University with a major in psychology and a minor in philosophy. During her time in SSDP, she was voted in as secretary, became president of the DePaul Chapter in 2021, and is currently co-leading Adler's Chapter. After she becomes licensed, she plans to become certified to implement psychedelic-assisted therapy. Jeanne was a part of SSDP’s 3rd Psychedelic Pipeline cohort, where she was first author for a literature review on ketamine. Jeanne helped end money bond in IL and is pushing to pass HB1, which will legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy in IL. After two years of academic research on psychedelics—including a publication in Anamnesis Journal of Colorado College—Jeanne understands the inherent connection between policy and clinical practice, which led to her passion for SSDP’s mission and ending the war on drugs.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psy.D. - Traumatic stress and substance use
Jeanne Porges, 2022
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
Two accomplishments I am proud of achieving as an SSDP member include Speaking on a panel at the DPA conference on peer support-based harm reduction in college settings and winning the campus leader of the year award at Adler University for my work with SSDP.
Jeanne Porges, 2022
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
At Harper College I joined Phi Theta Kappa- the international honors society for two year schools- and participated in Harper's philosophy think tank club. At DePaul University I was part of the Student's Cooperative Organization for Philosophical Engagement. At DePaul, through SSDP, I was connected with the pretrial fairness act coalition and have been serving on the coalition for 2 years, where I helped end money bond in Illinois. In addition, I volunteer with the Illinois Psychedelic Society and I am helping them push HB1 in IL, which will legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy and de-schedule it from Schedule 1 status in IL. At Adler University, I am a part of the traumatic stress psychology student association, the Adler Social Club, the Illinois Psychological Association of Graduate Students, and Psi Chi- the international Honors Society for Psychology.
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
Once licensed as a clinical psychologist, I plan to become certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy, treating trauma and substance use disorders. I am highly connected to the psychedelic field and community after going through the SSDP psychedelic mentorship pipeline and after volunteering with the Illinois Psychedelic Society. I am also connected to cannabis spaces and have been invited to speak at and table at local cannabis centered events in Chicago. In addition, I believe my coalition work for the pretrial fairness act and my Adler Social Justice Practicum working with homeless people on registries in Illinois has helped me form my abolitionist perspective relating to the justice system and incarceration system.
Jeanne Porges, 2022
Fundraising Experience
Yes - fundraising experience comes from my experience on SSDP's board. I have done social media fundraising campaigns (fb and ig), done grant writing, google ad grants, phone banking, fundraising at conferences, and I have connected SSDP to donors/orgs to partner with.
Administrative Skills
Experienced with google suit and google admin features. Experienced with sending professional emails, responding to emails in a timely manner, and time-management across time zones. Some experience with data entry and data analysis.
Jeanne Porges, 2022
Allie Cook, 2023
Lake Superior State University
Hi! I’m Allie, a seasoned employee of the cannabis industry and a Phi Theta Kappa honors student pursuing my BS in Cannabis Business with Lake Superior State University. Often being referred to as “genuine” and “annoyingly persistent”, I love to meet people all over while getting things done! Whether we’re fighting the man, volunteering and advocating, or just getting to know one another- I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for this community and how we can be the catalyst for change.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Honors BS in Cannabis Business
Allie Cook, 2023
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
Our chapter is not active, however I did assist in a program to help minorities, low-income residents, and veterans obtain their medical cards in Florida! I also volunteered at the Enlightenment and Intuition Conference in Michigan in November, and have been working with the local library to host a cannabis education program. In addition, I am an active member and sub-committee marketing leader of the Cannabis Studies Club, where we just fought the administration on blatant cannabis discrimination on campus.
Allie Cook, 2023
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society: Inducted 2021; held the roles of Vice President of Finance & Communication while also acting as President of a five-star chapter; won the Distinguished Officer Award and the All-Florida Academic Team award in 2023; currently the President of the Michigan Region Alumni Association for Phi Theta Kappa and hold a spot on the Alumni Advisory board.
Student Government: Active member since 2022, both at my last college and my current.
Judiciary Board: Elected Justice as of 2023
Cannabis Studies Club: Marketing sub-committee officer; plan to run for President this spring
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
I am passionate about cannabis and entheogens, providing safe access, reforming laws, and heightening education around the world on the subjects. I want nothing more in life than to really make a difference, and ideally in this way.
Allie Cook, 2023
Fundraising Experience
I was the Vice President of Finance & Communication for one of my roles with PTK, and was a top leader in the 2022 Scholar Dash, which raised money for low-income students to join the honor society and receive the benefits and scholarships. Because of our work, our region won first place in the competition!
Administrative Skills
I am constantly connected to my phone, and always respond to emails in less than an hour. In addition, I have a high skill level with platforms like Adobe and Canva, feel comfortable making content, and more. As a professional cannabis accountant, I am excellent at data entry and accuracy in recording and have phenomenal typing skills and speed. I am about as type-A as they come organizationally!
Allie Cook, 2023
Kennedy Landers, 2023
Susquehanna University
My name is Kennedy Landers. I am a junior Public Policy major with a concentration in Nonprofit Management at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. As founding president of SU's chapter of SSDP, I have worked with the campus community to promote safer nightlife practices by providing harm reduction strategies and overdose response training to our community. Being a part of Students for Sensible Drug Policy has completely transformed both my professional and personal life. This organization's members are truly the kindest and most passionate people I've ever met. If elected, I plan on creating initiatives to strengthen our organization's student network by providing more opportunities for us to connect both online and in person. I believe that through strengthening our connections with each other, we can continue to push the boundaries and build a more compassionate and equitable world for people who use drugs. Together, we can end the War on Drugs.
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Major: Public Policy - Nonprofit Management
Kennedy Landers, 2023
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
I am the founding president of Susquehanna University's chapter of SSDP. I pioneered a harm reduction education program geared towards Greek Life and nightlife on campus in collaboration with Zeta Tau Alpha's Iota Nu chapter. I attended the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in October 2023 to represent my chapter of SSDP. I hosted an Intro to Drug Policy seminar open to all of campus that reviewed the history of the War on Drugs before, during, and after Nixon's presidency. Our chapter is recognized by the Student Government Association. I have also met with the Inter-Fraternity Council to review harm reduction practices for their social events and encouraged them to put Narcan in their houses. So far, one of five fraternities has put Narcan in their house. I am currently working with the risk management chair of the Inter-Fraternity Council to train every fraternity on how to respond to overdoses and other nightlife harm reduction practices. Our Narcan distribution initiative was blocked by our administration, so we have chosen to pivot and distribute Narcan in the Selinsgrove community instead. We are planning to work with local businesses to put grab-and-go boxes of harm reduction supplies outside of their businesses. So far, one business has agreed to help us with our initiative.
Kennedy Landers, 2023
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
As a person who has lived experiences with drugs and has close relationships with people struggling with substance misuse, harm reduction is very important to me. SSDP has inspired me to enter the drug policy field. I have focused a variety of my academics around drug policy and the War on Drugs, writing papers about the history of drug policy in Soviet Russia and an analysis of Breaking Bad's portrayal of the War on Drugs. After I graduate college, I plan to move to Pittsburgh and become part of the harm reduction community there as I work towards my Master's Degree. I want to use my experiences with SSDP to develop policies in Pennsylvania that decriminalize drugs and promote safe use practices. I am most interested in ending the stigma surrounding drug use. I am currently researching how language and framing regarding drugs can influence the public's opinion on drug policy.
Kennedy Landers, 2023
Fundraising Experience
I have experience fundraising for Zeta Tau Alpha's philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. Zeta Tau Alpha hosts multiple fundraisers throughout the school year, and hosts a philanthropy week every semester as well. My work for ZTA fundraising has included making graphics, posts, and posters as well as promoting the events via social media. My chapter of SSDP has also hosted a very successful "Baked" Sale, where we completely sold out within 2 hours of our event.
Administrative Skills
I am familiar with Google and Microsoft suite, email etiquette, strong communication skills via phone and email, organizational skills, multitasking, familiar with Canva, experienced with social media management and marketing.
Kennedy Landers, 2023
Callie Hoffman, 2021
University of California Law, San Francisco
Callie Hoffmann (she/her) is a soon to be attorney and advocate for ethical, community-designed drug policy. Callie advises organizations in the psychedelic and cannabis communities on matters of regulatory compliance, business, risk management, and dispute resolution. With experience in grassroots community organizing, state policy advocacy, and international political affairs, Callie believes in building diverse coalitions with local and global perspectives to create transformative policy change. Callie is currently co-chair of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s Students Committee, is drafting state legislation to legalize and increase access to harm reduction services, and is organizing various events to develop community consensus and strategic power to advance community-designed psychedelic policy. Callie was named as "30 Women Under 30” to watch in the psychedelics industry in 2023 by Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and one of “100 grassroots psychedelic leaders you should know” by Hyphae Leaks in 2024. Callie was raised in rural southern Maryland, and is now rooted between the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. She will graduate with a J.D. from UC Law SF in May 2024, and has a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy from UC Berkeley.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: JD
Callie Hoffman, 2021
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
During the last several years, I’ve been lucky to grow a lot with SSDP. I started as president of the UC law SF chapter, participated in SSDPs Psychedelic Pipeline, built relationships with our national community, and have traveled and spoke at various drug policy conferences representing SSDP.
I am particularly proud of the current policy project I am working on with Jonathan Lubecky, Jeremy Sharp, Deandre Smith, Michael Miarecki, and Gina Giorgio. Our coalition is working on drafting legislation aimed at increasing access to drug checking and harm reduction services. As we draft our policy proposal, I am also building out the structure for a formal policy fellowship program, which will provide SSDPers the opportunity and training to draft legislation and effectively lobby. The goal is to bring notable SSDP alumni in as policy advisors and mentors, which will provide SSDPers critical networking and skill building opportunities with leaders in the movement.
Callie Hoffman, 2021
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
All of us here work in drug policy because it's personal to us...We all know the pains of prohibition and stigma, and we’re bold enough to fight for the world that we want and believe is possible. SSDP has provided me with amazing opportunities, and an incredible community. It’s my goal to help our collective SSDP fam be as diverse, inclusive, powerful, united, and sustainable as possible. There are plenty of organizations doing incredible work in the drug policy space, but none center and uplift the voice of young people in the way SSDP is able to do. I believe it is incredibly important that we invest the time and resources to uplift the next generation of young leaders who have directly experienced the harms of the Drug War and are dedicated to fighting the good fight. I come with a diverse network that I've built throughout my experiences working in state government, grassroots organizing, international policy advocacy, corporate medical research, and now as an attorney. I believe in building diverse, interdisciplinary coalitions, and am excited to leverage my experience and network to expand SSDP's influence, effectuate impactful policy change, and create career launching opportunities for our students.
Callie Hoffman, 2021
Fundraising Experience
I have served on boards for multiple student organizations, which required fundraising. We launched programming to fundraise via alumni donations, public donations, guest bartending events, merch sales, etc. I am excited to leverage my board position and connections to fundraise on a larger scale.
Administrative Skills
I am insanely organized, and am well accustomed to keeping teams organized and on track. As an attorney, I can also help the board navigate legal requirements governing non-profits, lobbying, record keeping, etc.
Callie Hoffman, 2021
Deandre Smith, 2022
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
Like most HBCU students, Deandré had a first-hand glance to see the unique ramifications the War on Drugs can have on a community. Mr. Smith heard about the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) & Student Marijuana Alliance for Research and Transparency (SMART) launching an HBCU outreach campaign called “The Free the plant, Free the people.” He made it his mission to be a vessel aiding cannabis reform efforts so more minorities can get opportunities in a booming cannabis industry. Deandré Smith was selected to participate in the First Cohort of HBCU Ambassadors for Cannabis Policy and Awareness Campaign. SMART is a national collegiate network dedicated to providing college students with a trusted source of cannabis education, research, and professional development & Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is the largest global youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. The “Free the plant, Free the people” Campaign is focused on empowering students to impact change on their campus and local community through grassroots organizing, policy efforts, and professional development.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Major: Doctor of Pharmacy
Minor: Food Science
Deandre Smith, 2022
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
Lobbying In DC
Deandre Smith, 2022
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
LEAD Society, Young Peoples & Chrildrens Division- AME Church
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
Policy
Deandre Smith, 2022
Fundraising Experience
No
Administrative Skills
Data entry, sending professional emails
Deandre Smith, 2022
Richard Fuentes, 2021
San Diego State University
Richard Fuentes graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelors in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in biology, communications, and psychology. As an eclectic and curious person Richard plans to creatively further his interests in integrative mental health treatment, research, and activism, through his various positions. His positions include a behavioral health specialist within a psychiatric facility, a peer support harm reductionist at festivals, a volunteer research technician, and a former foster youth resource advocate. As a strong believer in firstly improving our mental health institutions, the reform of drug policy certainly aligns with my mission. Richard is passionate most about changing society, to empower citizens to live mindfully and create a reality that reinforces our connection with each other and ultimately nature. Recognizing the holistic nature of indigenous philosophy, Richard believes this severely marginalized community can play a significant role in restoring our knowledge of connection to nature and our community. As Richard navigates his interests he hopes to inspire others to act radically towards their vision as he says "Every moment is an opportunity to draw our destiny"
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies: Biology, Communications, Psychology
Richard Fuentes, 2021
An SSDP role/duty/accomplishment that I’m proud of is…
Honestly, my opportunity to attend the International Drug Policy Alliance felt like a monumental part of my journey.After meeting the variety of leaders in the drug policy reform movement, I was inspired to get more involved. Being able to connect to other’s stories made this work more meaningful and made me want to do more. I realized the need now more than ever to get involved and became motivated now more than ever to end the war on drugs. Even though I had my notions challenged I gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of moving pieces at play. One of the sessions that particularly made an extra impact on me was a plenary I centered around indigenous leadership within the drug policy reform movement and how their philosophy can be transformative to how our society ends the war on drugs and subsequently how we hold space for each other in the community. This further informed my values of radical empathy, accountability, and vigilance, all of which help guide my informed perspective. It can be overwhelming considering all the different factors at play, but core values make it easier to see where to go. I realized that not everyone is going to agree in this movement but we all have reasons for getting involved.
Another personal accomplishment I got to share with SSDP was my debate debut amongst participants, it really pushed myself into public speaking which was exhilarating.
Richard Fuentes, 2021
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement
LEADERSHIP
ACTIVISM
Richard Fuentes, 2021
On-campus/Off-campus Involvement (continued)
HARM REDUCTION & PEER SUPPORT EXPERIENCE
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Other Involvements/Passions You Feel Inform Your SSDP Experience
I’m really into ecocentrism as an ideal and we should actively try to uphold and integrate into our infrastructure. Other than this, I've been involved in mental health treatment, harm reduction, and research, and I feel like these experiences will inform my leadership.
Richard Fuentes, 2021
Fundraising Experience
Limited experience with non event selling fundraising, selling donuts. I'm very interested in getting better at fundraising.
Administrative Skills
Familiar with using Google Suite, Microsoft Teams, responding to email correspondence in a timely manner, data entry, and time-management across time zones.
Richard Fuentes, 2021