ADA Staff

National Director | Michael J. Wilson

The first African-American to head ADA, Michael J. has been a trailblazer throughout his career. During more than 20 years of experience organizing for labor unions and working on Capitol Hill and for the Federal government, Wilson has successfully coordinated national grassroots programs and campaigns with hundreds of local union representatives, activists and liberal advocates.

Before coming to ADA, Wilson was International Vice President, Director of Legislative and Political Action and Chief Lobbyist at the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. He also held positions at the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Employment Standards Administration. Early in his career, Wilson served as Legislative Representative for the late Representative Charles Hayes (D-IL) and as a canvasser and organizer for the Illinois Public Action Council.

Wilson has a B.A. from Michigan State University and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife, Lori, his daughter Lacey, and his son David. Learn more about Michael J. Wilson here.

Working Families Win Project Director | Don Kusler

Don joined ADA in 2001 as an assistant to the National Director. He also served as Communications Director (2002-2007) and Deputy National Director (2004-2007) before becoming Director of ADA’s Working Families Win organizing project in 2007. Prior to coming to ADA, Don served as campaign manager and field director for local and state candidate campaigns. Although a Texan by birth, Don lives happily in Virginia with his wife and son.

Acting Communications Director | Karen Traeger

Karen started as the Program Assistant for Working Families Win (WFW) in March 2008. During the 2008 election cycle, she managed the web based technologies including the WFW website and campaign management systems. Currently, Karen is filling in as the Acting Communications Director. Before coming to ADA, she worked in the field for several campaigns and earned a Political Science degree from Flagler College.

Campaign For A Fair Minimum Wage Director | Jane O'Grady

Jane came to ADA after a career as a lobbyist for the AFL-CIO. Over her years working for the labor movement, she lobbied for periodic increases in the federal minimum wage. In 1997, she was pleased to accept ADA’s invitation to form a coalition of advocacy groups to continue ADA’s involvement in the minimum wage issue. And thus was formed the Campaign for a Fair Minimum Wage, a coalition of more than 200 progressive organizations in support of increasing the federal minimum wage. The Campaign for a Fair Minimum Wage has made indexing of the minimum wage its legislative priority in the current Congress.

ADA Education Fund Staff

Executive Director | Cheryl C. Kagan

A long-time ADA board member, Cheryl has worked for political, legislative and social change at the Federal, state and local levels for 30 years. She served eight years in the Maryland legislature, helped pass the national Brady gun-control law, and served as executive director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, distributing millions of dollars to local service organizations. Cheryl’s talents and leadership have been recognized over the years with multiple board appointments, awards, and honors. She has been selected twice as one of Maryland’s “Top 100 Women” and by the American Jewish Committee as a Comay Fellow.