Who We Are
The Team
We bring together small businesses passionate about advocating for issues vital to their businesses, employees, and the communities they serve. Our overarching goal is to cultivate a formidable, self-sustaining, and diverse small business membership organization. Together, we aim to reshape the economic narrative, harness political influence, and achieve meaningful policy reforms that benefit small business owners, employees, and communities at large.
Organizing
Mel Shu Fen Koe,
Campaigns Strategist,
SR. Manager
Adrian maldonado, jr., Campaigns Strategist,
South East
Policy and Political Impact
Shawn Phetteplace,
Policy & Political
Impact, Director
Wetoga Felli,
Research Analyst
Jarissa Craft,
Policy & Political Impact Fellow
Operations
Chris Collins,
Interim Deputy Director
Tyson Kauffman,
Operations Coordinator
Our Collaborators
Nick Kor,
Western Region Contractor
MSA Board members
J. Kelly Conklin, Founding Member, Board President
J. Kelly Conklin founded Foley-Waite Associates, an architectural woodworking firm in 1978. He has has advocated on health care, retirement security, paid family and medical leave insurance, tax fairness, telecommunications and more.
Isral DeBruin,
member, MSA Board
Isral DeBruin has advocated for education justice through his work in nonprofit communications, strategy, and fundraising, classroom teaching, and news reporting. He is based in Milwaukee, WI and currently serves as a director of communications at City Fund, a national nonprofit that partners with local leaders to create innovative public school systems.
David Borris,
Founding ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
David and Cari Borris started Hel's Kitchen Catering in Illinois more than 30 years ago. David has given small business a voice in Illinois and D.C. on health care, job quality, climate justice, tax reform, transparency, Wall Street reform and more.
Thomas Lee “TJ” Johnson,
Member, MSA Board
Thomas Lee "TJ" Johnson, a United States Air Force Academy graduate, brings a diverse background to MSA. His journey includes a CIA fellowship, building spy satellites, and founding Agile Immersive. TJ's expertise lies in coaching industry leaders, resolving complex challenges, and making an impact. As a filmmaker, his screenplay "Albert & Paul" is in development with A-list talent. Married to Amanda Bradley Johnson, they share a passion for motorsports and have four sons.
Josie Kalipeni, Member,
MSA Board
Born in Malawi, Josephine Kalipeni has seen inequities in one of the poorest countries in the world and in one of the richest. As a former social worker, she saw firsthand the systemic challenges families experienced. As a result, Josie is committed to transforming systems and policies.
MAIN STREET ALLIANCE: AMPLIFYING
TRUE SMALL BUSINESS VOICES
Main Street Alliance stands as the nation's leading advocate for genuine small business voices. We find ourselves at an exhilarating juncture, poised for exponential growth. Capitalizing on the confluence of dual economic and public health crises, a collective reckoning on equity and racial justice, and a resounding call to reimagine a world with diminished Wall Street influence, we are propelled towards extending our reach far and wide.