Officers
CLUB FOUNDERS
SARAH CARRANZA (FOX)
SEAN COUGHLIN
MARTI GOULD CUMMINGS
NICK FRANKLIN
ALETA LaFARGUE
JEFFREY LeFRANCOIS
SETH LEVY
WENDI PASTER
MARK ROBINSON
CARL WILSON
2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ELECTED JANUARY 9TH, 2025

SEAN COUGHLIN
President
I’m a 10 year resident of Hell’s Kitchen and, after attending the now famous first meeting of the HK Dems at Chateau Robinson, I was honored to participate in the first, unofficial iteration of the Executive Committee (Marti, Carl and I figuring out whose living room to use next). Since that time, I’ve served the club as treasurer, member of the constitution committee, and part-time photographer.

LIZ KEEFE
Vice President
Elizabeth Keefe was born in the Midwest but has lived in the Hell’s Kitchen community for over 30 years. She was previously political director of the Club in 2020 and 2022. In another life chapter before becoming involved with HK Dems, she appeared in national television commercials, and in numerous theatre productions around the country and in NYC. For 25 years she was Executive Director of American Globe Theatre where she developed and honed her organizing chops and interpersonal skills. She is committed to progressive issues both locally and federally. Although there are many, her primary passions are advocating for women’s reproductive rights, the environment and strengthening the election process. She is extremely proud to call this neighborhood home and is very invested in seeing that it remains a vibrant, diverse and safe neighborhood. She considers her positive, problem-solving attitude a chief requisite for the Vice President position. Education: MFA from FSU, Asolo Conservatory.

LESLIE BOGHOSIAN MURPHY
Director of Membership and Outreach
There is nothing more politically fulfilling than success working towards a common goal. I believe in the work Hell’s Kitchen Democrats does to promote community engagement supporting Democratic principles and ideals. I am an 19-year resident of Hell’s Kitchen committed to helping my community as a part of my Block Association, HKNC (Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Coalition), Community Board 4 and member of HK Dems. Over 65% of registered voters in our area are Democrats and now is a wonderful opportunity to further activate that large base in the hopes to promote even greater voter participation and general awareness of Democratic community initiatives. I hope to help strengthen membership, expand political and community opportunities and continue supporting our local, state and national Democratic officials. Our club has educated and engaged members and I hope to be a part of HK Dem’s trajectory upward promoting ourselves as not just an informational and political resource but a community resource, as well. Everyone in our club and all our views, within the spectrum of democratic principles, deserve respect and I commit to promote fairness and transparency at the executive level. I look forward to continuing in the role of Director of Membership and Outreach of Hell’s Kitchen Democrats.

ROB MADSEN
Director of Communications
Rob moved to Hell’s Kitchen in the Summer of 2023, from Chicago by way of Colorado. He quickly joined the Club after moving to the neighborhood and spent the 2024 campaign season canvassing. Although Rob has not served in a leadership role with the Club before, his professional experience as an engineer at Microsoft and passion for politics prepare him for the Director of Communications role.

ALETA LaFARGUE
Director of Programming and Events
As a founding member of HKDems, Aleta is excited to rejoin the board as Director of Programming and Events. As a lifelong resident of Hell’s Kitchen now raising her son here in the community she loves. Aleta is thrilled to be a part of such a valuable instrument for change with the Hell’s Kitchen Democrats.

KEVIN COLLINS
Director of Political Affairs
Kevin shares that it is his honor and pleasure and that he is thankful to advocate and work together with each of you. As Director of Political Affairs, Kevin wants to help involve Hell’s Kitchen Democrats’ members and ensure that our collective voices are heard and issues addressed. There are critical issues facing our nation, state, city and communities including housing, health, safety, quality of life, and the environment. Kevin believes a vital way to address these is by electing good elected officials. Kevin enjoyed coordinating our Hell’s Kitchen Democrats’ election sites coverage for early voting and Election Day, and also participated in many postcarding activities as well as being on the buses and knocking on doors in New York and Pennsylvania for races up and down the ballot. Born in New York City, Kevin is a 23-year resident of Hell’s Kitchen, a member of Community Board 4 and his block association, and a Participatory Budget Delegate. He also volunteers in various groups giving back to the community. As a former Executive Director of a Health Care Union, Kevin knows the importance of engaging with members as well as outreach to the community and elected officials. Kevin states he appreciates getting to know many HK Dems’ members and looks forward to interacting with each of you in 2025 and beyond.

BARBARA KNECHT
Treasurer
Barbara Knecht, R.A. is an architect who has been committed to making our built and social environments work for all people. She has been a resident of Hell’s Kitchen for 35 years, and is a member of the West 55th St Block Association and the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Coalition (HKNC). When she moved to the neighborhood, she worked for the City of New York managing the development and design of several thousand units of housing and public space. She continued that work in the not-for-profit sector until 2004 when she became co-director of IHP Cities in the 21st Century, a multi-disciplinary program for university students studying “people, planning and politics” in cities across the world. Since 2012, Ms. Knecht has been immersed in the introduction of urban farming into cities. Ms. Knecht received her architecture degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University, and was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University.

CATHERINE LAFFERTY
Corresponding Secretary
Catherine “Cat” Lafferty is a (volunteer) community leader who has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for over 25 years. Cat studied international relations and French as an undergraduate at American University in Washington, DC. She studied East/West relations and the politics of the European Economic Community in Brussels. Cat did graduate work in applied cultural anthropology at American University in the 1990s, and in the history of decorative arts and design at Parsons in the 2000s. Cat worked in international marketing for a major record label and then worked in business development and global consumer products marketing at Viacom for several years.
Cat is an avid community gardener (and lifelong environmentalist). She tends the front rose bed in the Clinton Community Garden and also maintains flower beds in Hell’s Kitchen Park. Cat has served as an Alternate Delegate to the Manhattan Democratic Judicial Convention since 2022 and has served as a Participatory Budgeting Delegate in Council District 3 since 2019. These days one may find Cat talking to neighborhood dogs on the sidewalk or occasionally tending a Netherland Dwarf rabbit named Benny.

DANNY ROSEMARIN
Recording Secretary
It has been my honor to serve as Recording Secretary since 2022 and I am looking forward to continuing in 2025. I’m grateful to be part of HK Dems, participating in meaningful activities that make Hell’s Kitchen, New York, and our country a better place to live. My fellow Executive Committee members, as well as many other members of the Club, have been an inspiration to me, as well as wonderful friends. I moved to Hell’s Kitchen 11 years ago, living in Gotham West, and have been happy to call this neighborhood home. I’m a native New Yorker, born and raised in the outer boroughs, attended the old High School of Music and Art located uptown, and SUNY Binghamton, where I got a degree in English and Theater. I subsequently became a NYC Public HS English Teacher and staff developer. Now retired, I also stay very active as a member of TNYA (NYC’s LGBT and allies masters swim team), and participate in various forms of political, cultural and charitable volunteer opportunities.

STEPHANIE JONES
Member at Large
Stephanie has been an active member of the Hell’s Kitchen Democrats since 2017 and has enjoyed working on the various HK Dems committees. Most recently she served as the Interim Director of Membership and is looking forward to continuing her work while serving as an At-Large member on the Executive Committee. Stephanie is an architect and has served as an advisor for the American Institute of Architects NY Civic Leadership Program. She lives on 49th street with her husband Sean and three cats

HEATHER LaVALLE
Member at Large
I’ve been a member of HK Dems for the past 5 years, served on all committees, acted as corresponding secretary & directed the membership committee for three years. A HK resident since 1989, I’ve worked as a 35 yr LGBTQIA ally, & created opportunities for girls & women. A former Peace Corps Volunteer, my perspective has been influenced by listening to the priorities of our members. As a member at large, I’m committed to act as a conduit for members & to collaborate with the EC board as we seek together to make a difference.

RICHARD MARANS
Member at Large
I am a long time Hell’s Kitchen resident who, along with my wife, Karen Ross, raised two daughters on West 48th Street. I was a founding member of the West 47th/48th Streets Block Association and remain active in that organization. After working in the community housing field (including five years at Housing Conservation Coordinators), I became an attorney and founded a law firm that continues to operate, specializing in condominium law and commercial transactional work. I look forward to working with HK Dems leadership to increase both our membership and the number of HK residents voting. This will provide our neighborhood with greater political strength which will allow us to create a safer, more secure and livable Hell’s Kitchen.

SANDY NANCE
Member at Large
I was born and raised in San Francisco, but I have lived in Hell’s Kitchen for over 47 years. I was inspired to join HK Dems by the young group of founders. They were earnest, energetic, and politically savvy. I applied this year for one of the “Member-at-Large” positions for that same reason. My resumé began as a working dancer, actor, singer. I was often the Equity Deputy and in time I ran for Actors’ Equity Council and served three five-year terms, representing both chorus and principals. While on Council, my life completely changed when I volunteered to Chair the Actors’ Equity Committee to Save the Theatres. After an intense campaign, galvanizing much of the performing arts community, we saved the Broadway Theatres from demolition, except for the sacrifice of The Morosco, The Helen Hayes, and The Bijou. Nothing, except for the loss of the recent elections, has been that gut-wrenching. My education includes a Masters Degree in Theatre from San Francisco State University and a Fitness Certificate from Marymount Manhattan College, and yet I still get irritated when people underestimate the intelligence of dancers. I’m aiming to prove people wrong.

Ruby Rims
Member at Large
Ruby Rims is not just another old Drag Queen. He has served on the Board
of Directors of The Manhattan Plaza AIDS Project as well as The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) and Judson Memorial Church. He is the founder of Teddy Cares and Ruby Rims and Friends do the Cancan. Raising thousands of dollars for organizations in New York, he has distributed over ten thousand teddy bears throughout hospitals in Manhattan. He received the MAC Lifetime Achievement Award Entertainer. He was the first Drag Queen to be named New York 1’s New Yorker of the Week. He has been seen on the Phil Donahue Show and has performed all around the world. Ruby joined HK Dems to reunite his love for politics.

SHASHANK SHAMSHABAD
Member at Large
Born and raised in the diverse landscape of New York, Shashank brings a unique perspective to advocacy and politics, shaped by his extensive experience, culturally rich background, and unwavering commitment to his community. Shashank’s involvement in Manhattan extends to his active participation as Secretary of the Manhattan Young Democrats and as College and University Liaison where he worked diligently to engage young people in NYC. Additionally, Shashank is the Political Director for the College Democrats of New York where he was focusing on empowering students on campuses across NY for the 2024 election. Whether it be working at the Office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, or on the Policy Advocacy team for the Asian American Federation, Shashank’s commitment to the people of his community is unwavering. Shashank possess knowledge of almost every seat of the table in local advocacy, previously working at Rep. Dan Goldman’s Office, Assembly member Alex Bores’ campaign, and many other roles. Shashank also was the Hell’s Kitchen/Chelsea Organizer for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in 2022, allowing him to engage the west side and get out the vote effectively while learning key information on the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. When not in school or working, Shashank works to uplift the young Indian American community as the Founder and Executive Director of Telugu Youth of America (TYA). As Member-at-Large, Shashank aims propel the Hell’s Kitchen Democrats towards continued success. Hoping to focus neighborhood engagement on local issues while inspiring young Hell’s Kitchen residents to be involved in the community, Shashank has high hopes for the clubs future.

MARTI GOULD CUMMINGS
Founding President
Marti is a current board member of Community Board 9 as well as a member of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Nightlife. As a drag artist they are known for their political activism, concert tours, talk show, and television appearances. Marti has used their drag as a force to engage people to become active in politics. martigcummings.com
CLUB-ENDORSED DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIALS

PAUL DEVLIN
Male District Leader, Assembly District 75 - Part B
Paul is a lifelong Democrat and long-time activist who has been fighting for progressive causes for most of his adult life. He has worked in over 20 states on Democratic campaigns from Dukakis for President to Corey Johnson for City Council. Besides being District Leader, he serves on Manhattan’s Community Board 4, organizes with Gays Against Guns, fundraises for MS Society, and is one of the earliest members of Hell’s Kitchen Democrats. Paul believes that the Democratic Party can and should be more representative of our neighborhood so will work to ensure voices from Hell’s Kitchen are heard by our local elected officials and at the Party.

ADRIENNE FORD
Female District Leader, Assembly District 75 - Part B
Bio to come.