State Democracy Defenders Action’s (SDDA) unique value-add is our people and our proven strategic approach to solving the threat of election sabotage and democratic backsliding. SDDA is led by:
Susan Corke
Managing Director
Susan is the Managing Director of SDDA and SDDF. For two decades, she has served in senior pro-democracy leadership roles at the Southern Poverty Law Center, German Marshall Fund of the U.S., Freedom House, Human Rights First and the U.S. Department of State. She has testified and spoken at major international and political forums, including testifying on Capitol Hill several times on human rights and democracy issues, at the United Nations, European Union and other official conferences. She has been a regular commentator in American and European broadcast, print, radio and digital media, a lecturer at leading universities, a co-author of The Democracy Playbook and a Webby-nominated podcaster, writer and an editor for numerous research and policy reports that drove democratic progress. She serves on boards for William & Mary and other nonprofits.
Gabe Lezra
Policy Director
Served as Federal Policy Manager and Senior Counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and as Policy and Working group leader for the Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD) coalition.
Tianna Mays
Legal Director
Tianna Mays is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience in litigation, policy, and advocacy, including a distinguished tenure as a public defender, where she passionately defended the rights of marginalized communities and upheld the principles of justice and fairness.