Metro Justice’s Council is elected yearly by the membership to govern the organization and supervise its staff members, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations. Below is a list of our council members and staff.

Paula Hansen

President

PaulaH1@Rochester.rr.com

A native of Long Island, Paula has lived in Rochester since 1975. A retired teacher, the last 25 years of her teaching career were spent in the Rochester City School District. She continues to volunteer as part of the Free Partnerships program at School #20. She sits on Racial Justice, Fundraising, and Social Action committees. A member of Metro Justice since 2002, she has served previously on Council as Secretary and Vice President. As President, she seeks your input, questions, and concerns.

Luis Torres

 Vice President, Social Action Committee Chair

This coming year would be Luis’s third year on Council where he would continue as Vice-President and Chair of the Social Action Committee.  He is also President of the Board for Rural and Migrant Ministry, which works for social and economic justice, and a former Organizer. Currently, he is a stay-at-home dad.

John Keevert

Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

John Keevert has been a Metro Justice Member since the 1970’s and has been treasurer several times since 1980. He was involved in anti-war and anti-globalization campaigns. He is a retired KODAK photographic scientist and is currently treasurer of Ciudad Hermana Task Force.

Candace Rubin

Secretary

Candace has been on Council since 2009 and has been active in MJ since 2002 in our Clean Elections, IDA Reform, and Education Campaigns. She has also chaired our Fundraising Committee for the past two years. She has worked as a teacher in the Rochester City School District for sixteen years.

Diane Watkins

Racial Justice Committee Chair

Diane recently became chair of our Racial Justice Committee. She is second VP of the 19th Ward Association, a former Co-President of the Wilson PTSO, a former RTA union rep, and an Army War Veteran. She has been an educator in the Rochester City School District for more than two decades. This coming year would be Diane’s second year on Council.

Ryan Acuff

At-Large Member

Ryan is an organizer for Take Back the Land Rochester and the Occupy Rochester movement.  He has been active locally in the labor, environmental, student, antiwar, and police accountability movements.  He currently works as an Advocate at the House of Mercy. This would be his first year on Council.

Michael Argaman

At- Large Member

Michael has been a past Treasurer and Chair of our Finance Committee. Currently he is a member of our Racial Justice Committee.  He has been
involved in our Ciudad Hermana, ROCLA and Tikkun Task Forces. He currently works as a financial advisor with a focus on socially-responsible investing.

Maria Coles

At-Large Member

Before moving to Rochester this year, Maria served for eight years as an Alderperson in the City of Ithaca, where she also served as Acting Mayor. Eager to get back to grassroots organizing, she joined MJ, where she has been active on our Social Action and Education Committees and on our Education Campaign. This would be her first year on Council.

Rachel Hedding

At-Large Member

Rachel served on the Rochester City School Board for 12 years. During her tenure she was instrumental in banning the US Military from recruiting in the schools because of their anti-gay policies. She has been a MJ member for many years and is currently retired. This would be her first year on Council.

Emma Morrison

At- Large Member

Emma has been on Council since 2009. She has been chair of our Nominations Committee and has worked on our Education and Voter Mobilization Campaigns. She has a wealth of experience fundraising for a variety of non-profits and has been a personal and family educator.

Danielle Ponder

At- Large Member

Danielle is returning to Council after having earned her law degree at Northeastern University as a public interest law scholar. Before leaving Rochester to attend law school, she had worked on our Education Campaign and chaired our Racial Justice Committee. She is currently a small business owner in the Southwedge.

Anthony Plonczynski

At-Large Member

Anthony joined Council in 2010 and was Secretary and Chair of the Personnel Committee in 2011. He is the elected leader of the 21st Legislative District of the Democratic Party and managed the campaigns of School Board VP Melisza Campos and City Councilmember Jackie Ortiz. Currently he is the Associate Director of the U/R Pre-College Programs.

Jack Spula

At-Large Member

Jack spent a decade as an Organizer for the Peace and Justice Education Center which later merged with Metro Act to become Metro Justice. He has been a journalist for City Newspaper and is now a freelance writer, teacher and active with Occupy Rochester and the Band of Rebels. This would be his first year on Council.

Laura Thompson

At-Large Member

Laura has been a teacher with the Rochester City School District for the last decade. She is an advocate for equity in education, serving on the Culturally Responsive Teaching Committee as well as her school’s Positive Behavioral Supports Team.  This would be her first year on Council.

Windsor Wade

At-Large Member

Windsor has been a member of MJ since the 1980s’. He served on the Genesee Valley ACLU Board in the 1990s’ and has been a former participant in Rochester Against Racism. He currently teaches at School Without Walls and has taught in the Rochester City School District for 29 years. This would be his first year on Council.