Dory Rand | President

Woodstock Institute President Dory Rand brings a wealth of community reinvestment knowledge and a proven ability to shape financial services policy to the challenge of promoting economic security and community prosperity for lower-wealth people.

“I’m interested in using lessons learned from behavioral economics to create public policies and financial products that foster a sound financial system and help everyone safely borrow, save and invest for long-term financial security,” says Dory. “I find my job fulfilling because Woodstock Institute’s work helps to close the wealth gap by increasing opportunities for lower-wealth households and communities of color to thrive and prosper.”

Dory joined Woodstock Institute after 12 years at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago; most recently, she served as the supervising attorney of the Center’s Community Investment Unit.

Dory has long advocated for lower-wealth people on welfare law and public financial issues at the local, state, and national levels. She has published extensively, presented at many national conferences, and appeared in national and local media, including American Banker and the Chicago Tribune.

Meanwhile, she emphasizes the importance of collaborating with others on key issues. “I feel fortunate to work with the talented Woodstock team and colleagues around the country in creating innovative solutions to some of the most significant financial issues of our lifetime,” she says.

Dory received a B.A. and J.D. from The Ohio State University.

Spencer Cowan | Vice President

Spencer leads Woodstock Institute’s applied research for economic security program. Spencer joined Woodstock Institute in December 2011 after serving as Senior Research Associate at the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of North Carolina. Before joining Woodstock, Spencer’s work included projects examining the impact of state laws promoting affordable housing in affluent suburbs, efforts to bring the middle class back to inner-city neighborhoods, the impact of regulation on the cost of new housing development, a program to securitize non-conforming mortgages, and the effectiveness of community-based mortgage foreclosure prevention programs.

Spencer received a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina, an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida, a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and an A.B. in Political Science from Columbia University.

Patricia Woods-Hessing | Administrative Director

Patricia Woods-Hessing is the Administrative Director and financial officer of Woodstock Institute. She is responsible for day-to-day operations, including managing Woodstock's budget, financial and grant reporting, and publication production. Pat has a B.S. in Administration from YMCA College, has completed courses in accounting at Harold Washington College, and has completed the NFC Bookkeepers Certificate from the NFC Financial Management Institute.

Courtney Eccles | Policy Director

Courtney leads Woodstock’s policy initiatives at the local, state, and national level. Her responsibilities include legislative advocacy, regulatory reform, and coalition work with Woodstock’s partners. Her specific interests include predatory lending reform, adequate retirement savings, and the creation of and access to safe financial products. Courtney joined Woodstock in November of 2012 after five years with Protestants for the Common Good where she most recently served as the Director of Policy and Outreach.

“In my new position at Woodstock, I am able to use our timely and important research reports to shape policy discussions and create a just financial system where low-income families and communities of color have access to safe financial products and can begin building wealth and saving for retirement,” says Courtney.

Courtney received a B.S. with honors in Social Policy and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.

Beverly Berryhill | Office Manager

Beverly Berryhill is Office Manager for the Institute. Her responsibilities include administrative support for staff, database maintenance, publication formatting, and general administrative duties at Woodstock Institute.

Beverly attended Olive Harvey College and has received the NFC Bookkeepers Certificate NFC Financial Management Institute.

Katie Buitrago | Senior Policy and Communications Associate

Katie contributes to Woodstock’s policy development, outreach, coalition building, and communications efforts. Katie also contributes to Woodstock's research and analysis, including reports on the disparate impacts of negative equity on Chicago area communities and racial disparities in FHA/VA lending. Interests include impacts of and solutions to the foreclosure crisis, homeownership preservation, community reinvestment, consumer finance, student debt, financial reform, and financial security over the life cycle. Her projects include crafting informative and engaging communications strategies for economic security issues, assisting the convening of the Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, and developing ways to make Woodstock's data and research more accessible and interactive.

“I combine data-driven policy analysis and effective communication strategies to advocate for better policy solutions to issues facing low-wealth communities and communities of color,” says Katie.

Prior to joining the Woodstock Institute, Katie gained experience in research and communications as a reporter and intern at Chicago Public Radio and the Chicago Reader. 

Katie is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and received her B.A. with honors in Public Policy Studies and Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago.

Michael Aumiller | Research Associate

Michael Aumiller is a research associate with Woodstock Institute. Michael furthers Woodstock’s research initiatives through data preparation, quality control, managing the use of GIS, and by providing direct technical assistance to community stakeholders. Through his work at Woodstock, Michael works to gain a better understanding of the policies and practices that shape neighborhood economics.

“My work at Woodstock enables me to combine my passions for social and economic justice with my knowledge geographic information systems. Woodstock Institute is a leader in financial services and housing research, and I am committed to ensuring that our data remain informative and reliable.”

Michael received his B.S. from Illinois State University in Geography, concentrating in GIS and Urban Studies.

Dan Fair | Web Communications Associate

Dan Fair is the web communications associate for the Woodstock Institute.

Through web-based communications such as social media, data visualization, and the Woodstock blog and website, Dan’s work focuses on communicating Woodstock’s research and policy findings in new and interesting ways.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to use new media and online communications to contribute to the fantastic work that Woodstock does toward creating a fair and safe financial system for low-wealth families and communities of color,” says Dan.

Dan joined Woodstock in February 2013 after serving as manager of communications & member relations for the National Community Tax Coalition. He received his B.A. in history and political science from Butler University and his Masters in Public Affairs from Indiana University.

Sean Zielenbach | Senior Consultant