Elisabeth Messenger
CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment
Elisabeth Kines Messenger is the CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Elisabeth started her career in the publicity department at Atlantic Records in Los Angeles, CA. From there, she learned how to build organizations that would impact culture through positions in operations and business development at Universal Music Group, VEVO, and Beats Music.
In 2016, Elisabeth transitioned into working with liberty-focused non-profits, with a particular focus on public-sector labor reform. She served as Executive Vice President of the Palmetto Promise institute in South Carolina, where she grew up, and then became Executive Vice President at the Yankee Institute in Connecticut.
Elisabeth holds a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina, and her advertising work in grassroots labor reform has won two Reed awards. She loves writing recipes and making playlists.
Stephanie Ludlum
Executive Vice President
Stephanie Ludlum is the Executive Vice President of Americans for Fair Treatment, a community committed to informing and supporting public-sector employees as they exercise their First Amendment rights. Stephanie started her career in marketing and communications and served with a variety of innovative education and technology organizations, where she honed her writing and editing skills.
From the early days of her career, she has shown a bent toward operations, thriving on helping companies become more organized and efficient. Stephanie also enjoys mentoring staff and setting them up for success. Prior to joining AFFT, she held business development and executive-level operations roles for several government contracting small businesses.
Stephanie holds a bachelor’s in writing and two master’s degrees—one in counseling, one in English—from Bob Jones University. In her free time, she finds it relaxing to whip up desserts, and she sometimes signs up for half marathons to offset her chocoholic tendencies.
Isabel Blank
Senior Communications Director
Isabel Blank is Senior Communications Director at Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Prior to joining Americans for Fair Treatment in 2021, Isabel worked in media relations at Travelers Insurance and held government affairs and communications roles with Yankee Institute.
She has a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish, both from the University of Connecticut (Go Huskies!).
Isabel is a Connecticut native, but loves exploring local businesses and hiking in her new home of Colorado Springs.
Andrew Breschard
Community Manager
Andrew Breschard is the Community Manager at Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Prior to joining Americans for Fair Treatment, Andrew attended Gettysburg College and created social media content for Young America’s Foundation. He has his bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy.
Andrew grew up in Connecticut and likes to spend time skiing and sailing.
Brigette Herbst
Senior Organizing Director
Brigette Herbst is the Senior Organizing Director of Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Prior to joining Americans for Fair Treatment in 2018, Brigette’s career included working in the public sector for New York State, teaching elementary school, coaching high school sports, and working as a municipal county employee.
This unique experience offers Brigette an inside perspective on public employee culture in New York. She focuses on educating New Yorkers about their constitutional rights with regard to union membership and promoting fair treatment of workers.
Brigette has her bachelor’s degree in history and politics and her master’s degree in elementary education. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and planning trips for her family.
Spencer Irvine
Senior Writer & Researcher
Spencer Irvine is Senior Writer & Researcher at Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Spencer previously worked in state government, in communications for a non-profit advocacy organization, and held various administrative and communications roles at a media analysis organization. He has a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brigham Young University.
He lives in Arizona with his wife, is an avid history buff and enjoys touring historic sites.
Rebecca Mulwhalen
Membership Services Director
Rebecca Mulwhalen is the Membership Services Director of Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Since joining the team in 2018, Rebecca has enjoyed watching the organization grow and expand to meet the needs of its members. She focuses on providing value and services to members across the county.
Rebecca has her bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in business administration and law & society. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and dog in her home state of Pennsylvania.
Mimi O’Grady
Executive Assistant and Administrator
Mimi O’Grady is the Executive Assistant and Administrator at Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector employees offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. Prior to joining Americans for Fair Treatment in 2021, Mimi scheduled for several U.S. Representatives and a Senator.
Mimi graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in public relations and cultivated her passion for and experience in logistics while working on Capitol Hill.
A Pittsburgh native, Mimi currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and son and enjoys cooking, historical fiction, and spending time outside.
David Osborne
Special Counsel
David R. Osborne is Special Counsel for Americans for Fair Treatment, a community of current and former public-sector workers offering resources and support to exercise their First Amendment rights. David is the former CEO of AFFT.
Prior to his roles at Americans for Fair Treatment he served as President & General Counsel of the Fairness Center, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm providing free legal representation to those hurt by public sector union officials, and as a Presidential appointee to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, which resolves labor impasses between federal agencies and federal employee unions.
David earned his Juris Doctor (JD) at Florida State University College of Law and holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and radio/television communications from the University of Central Florida.