About Us

Jay Marcellus

DIRECTOR OF NARRATIVE

Jay Marcellus crafts narratives to realize the future we deserve. They believe in messaging grounded in long-term vision and communications strategies based in transformative media organizing.

Prior to joining ASO Communications, they served as Director of Communications at Transgender Law Center (TLC), the largest national trans-led organization doing what it takes to keep transgender people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. In five years at TLC, they focused on authentic, effective, and ethical storytelling to expand public narratives around gender and center the leadership and experiences of trans people of color. With a multiracial cohort of nonbinary leaders across the country, they led a first-of-its-kind research project to explore new messaging frameworks for gender.

Jay honed a professional passion for storytelling that advances racial and gender justice as Communications Manager at GSA Network, a national LGBTQ and racial justice youth leadership organization. Previously, they fought for a more inclusive media landscape at the Women’s Media Center. Jay earned a BA in English from Barnard College.

Jay lives in Oakland, CA with their child and, unsurprisingly, cats.

Liz Brown

MANAGER OF OPERATIONS

As Manager of Operations, Liz Brown brings over a decade of administrative assistance experience from government, the nonprofit world and both small and large law firms to overseeing all things organizational at ASO.

Born and raised in Appalachian rural Pennsylvania on 100 acres of undeveloped but unceded Susquehannock land, Liz spent her formative years in New York City participating in an anarchist collective organizing community programs including the opening of a Free Store. Her involvement as an activist compelled her to get a formal education at Hunter College where she was introduced to the world of public policy through the Public Service Scholar Program and interned for NYC Councilmember Gale Brewer. Liz then went on to become Scheduler for progressive New York State Senator Liz Krueger, followed by dipping her toes in the nonprofit world where she advocated for better funding and more inclusive workforce development programming throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Prior to ASO, Liz worked for six years as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal for various private firms, focusing mainly on elder and family law. She most recently has been organizing within the Free Maroon Now Coalition, an intergenerational, non-hierarchical community of advocates and abolitionists.

Liz lives in Elkins Park, PA with her husband, a musician and Teamster, where she gardens and makes herbal concoctions from the land surrounding their home.

Genevieve Arnold

NARRATIVE AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

As a Narrative and Research Associate at ASO Communications, Genevieve utilizes her expertise in conducting research and crafting compelling narratives to further progressive movements. Genevieve holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University, as well as a BA in Linguistics and a BA in Spanish from the University of Kentucky.

During her graduate studies, Genevieve explored research projects that would have a lasting impact on the academic community while also expanding her knowledge of marginalized groups. These projects included the Slave Societies Digital Archive and working with the Latin American collections at the Vanderbilt University Library. Her thesis project delved into topics such as neocolonialism, race, and class in contemporary Latin American cinema. Prior to being a grad student, Genevieve honed her Spanish skills while teaching in Spain for two years.

Genevieve’s multifaceted background, coupled with her research skills and experiences, allow her to bring a unique perspective to her work. Outside of crafting narratives for ASO, she enjoys practicing yoga, experimenting with new recipes, lots of sunshine, and spending time with her cat. Genevieve resides in Nashville, TN, and was raised in Lexington, KY.