Our Team

This site is maintained by the Community Broadband Networks initiative the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. We have worked with communities across the United States to understand and address the connectivity gaps left in our national Internet infrastructure by decades of incomplete federal and state policy and as the result of outsized corporate power.

We are a collection of policy experts, researchers, data analysts, and grassroots organizers dedicated to providing practical, clear advice to those aiming to improve local Internet access.

Read bios for initiative Director Christopher Mitchell and the rest of the Community Broadband Networks initiative at ILSR.org, or below.

Email us your feedback and suggestions.

DeAnne Cuellar — Community Broadband Outreach Team Lead

DeAnne Cuellar is a tech equity advocate and communications strategist from San Antonio, Texas. She served as Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s digital inclusion appointee to the City of San Antonio’s Innovation & Technology Committee, resulting in several policy and funding priorities to close the digital divide. As a social impact entrepreneur, she co-founded several cross-sector nonprofit initiatives, advocating for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for historically underrepresented communities.

Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter

Emma Gautier — Research Associate

Emma Gautier is a Research Associate with ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. She supports data collection and analysis within the broadband initiative. Emma recently received a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies from Carleton College, and since graduation has been working in research, advocacy and political organizing for social and environmental justice. She is interested in the synthesis of research and on-the-ground action in communities.

Sean Gonsalves — Senior Reporter, Editor and Communications Team Lead

Sean Gonsalves is a Senior Reporter, Editor, and Researcher for ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. Sean was a longtime former reporter, columnist, and news editor with the Cape Cod Times. He is also a former nationally syndicated columnist in 22 newspapers, including the Oakland Tribune, Kansas City Star and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. His work has also appeared in the Boston Globe, USA Today, the Washington Post and the International Herald-Tribune.

Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts

Ry Marcattilio — Senior Researcher and Research Team Lead

Ry Marcattilio-McCracken is a Senior Researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. He is interested in the democratizing power of technology, systems engineering, and the history of science, technology, and medicine. Ry holds a PhD in American History from Oklahoma State University.

Full Bio – Contact – Recent PostsTwitter

Christopher Mitchell — Director, Community Broadband Networks Initiative

Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with ILSR. He is a leading national expert on community networks, Internet access, and local broadband policies. Christopher built MuniNetworks.org, the comprehensive online clearinghouse of information about local government policies to improve Internet access. Its interactive community broadband network map tracks more than 600 such networks. He also hosts audio and video shows online, including Community Broadband Bits and Connect This! 

Full Bio – Contact – Recent Posts – Twitter

Christine Parker — GIS and Data Visualization Specialist

Christine Parker is a GIS and Data Visualization Specialist with ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. Christine spent 15 years working on projects to support efforts from non-profit entities focused on bird and habitat conservation. She is interested in creating and sharing maps and images that illustrate complex information in a way that is accessible and impactful. Christine earned her PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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