Marc Dones (they/them) is an independent consultant, writer, and psychiatric anthropologist whose work sits at the intersection of structural critique and direct systems change. Trained in psychiatric anthropology at NYU's Gallatin School, Dones has spent nearly twenty years transforming the public systems that shape — and too often fail — the country's most marginalized communities.

They previously served as Policy Director at the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Prior to that Dones was the inaugural CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, where they oversaw a $250M budget, deployed one of the most successful Emergency Housing Voucher strategies in the nation, and produced the first successful encampment and unsheltered homelessness strategy the region had seen in roughly two decades. Earlier, they founded the National Innovation Service and led the SPARC Initiative at the Center for Social Innovation, developing the theory of “network impoverishment” to explain the racialized pathways into homelessness.

Dones has testified before Congress, spoken at the White House and Harvard, and was named one of Seattle’s 25 Most Influential People by Seattle Magazine. They have also served as faculty at the School of Visual Arts and guest lectured extensively at universities across the country. Currently Dones is a writer, occasional consultant, and much more consistently a walker of their dog and reader of books.

Cece Jones-Davis works at the intersections of faith, art and social justice as an award-winning faith leader, facilitator, public speaker and impact strategist to point people to the All-Powerful and the least powerful.

For the past 20 years, Cece has partnered with national organizations and brands such as Levi’s and Tampax, organized and led dynamic grassroots movements and used her voice to address a range of social issues. Her activism ranges from fighting to abolish the death penalty to advocating for menstrual equity—work that she does both on the ground to create immediate impact and in high-level rooms to drive policy changes, awareness and education.

She served in the historic Obama Administration under Ambassador Ron Kirk, the first African American U.S. Trade Representative, with a particular interest in global fair trade practices for indigenous communities. She is known most recently for her work in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign that saved Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021.

Born and raised in Halifax County, VA—the home of the legendary Henrietta Lacks and the once-largest slaveholding county in the state—Cece’s life experiences have given her a unique perspective in the work she does everyday to combat racism and advocate for people living on the margins of society. Her impact has been recognized and celebrated throughout the United States, including an Emmy nomination for a KFOR News conversation on racial (re)conciliation, receiving the 2021 Change.org Changemaker of the Year Award and Special Congressional Recognition for her efforts in civil rights and social justice.

When Cece’s not advocating or speaking, she’s creating worship music. As a professional vocalist, she has performed across the country and is featured on Stephen Hurd's "The Overflow" and "Times of Refreshing" as well as Grace Covenant Worship albums. Her latest album, Alive, is available on all digital platforms. Cece is an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Yale Divinity School Alumni Board. She is also a wife and mother to two children whom she is raising in Washington, DC.