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.

Tom Feltner | Vice President

Tom is responsible for Woodstock Institute’s consumer lending policy and research, media relations and fundraising. Since 2003, Tom has worked to shape the payday loan, automobile title loan, and refund anticipation loan policy debate by documenting the worst abuses in the industry, proposing meaningful reforms, and communicating key findings and reforms to the public.

He has also presented Woodstock Institute’s research and policy recommendations at national and regional conferences and has organized numerous workshops on community reinvestment policy and practice.

“Woodstock’s work is timely and actionable, and helps shape the debate in favor of safe and affordable financial products and services,” says Tom. “As I continue this work and engage Woodstock’s key stakeholders, keeping credit flowing and eliminating unfair products and practices are my top priorities.”

Tom received a B.A. with high honors in Philosophy and Sociology from DePaul University and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Spencer Cowan | Vice President

Spencer leads Woodstock Institute’s applied research for economic security program. Spencer joined Woodstock Institute in December2011 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.

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 recieved the NFC Bookkeepers Certificate NFC Financial Management Institute.

Katie Buitrago | Policy and Communications Associate

Katie contributes to Woodstock’s outreach, policy development, and communications efforts; her projects include editing and managing the organization’s Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative website.

“My work helps shape the debate on timely and vital issues that dominate the local and national policy landscape, such as the foreclosure crisis and consumer finance reform,” says Katie.

Prior to joining the Woodstock Institute, Katie gained experience in research and communications as a reporter, marketing assistant and intern at Chicago Public Radio. Her interests include urban development policy, community reinvestment, and the effects of financial products on immigrant groups.

Kate 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.

Sean Zielenbach | Senior Consultant