Left to right: Crys Zaragoza, Client Care Manager (Client Services); Dezi Primous-Gillon, Fundraising and Development Manager (External Affairs); Jenn Thompson, People and Operations Manager (Internal Affairs)
Interim Steering Committee shares organizational leadership across three departments
CHICAGO, IL — October 30, 2026 — Midwest Access Coalition (MAC), a practical abortion support organization serving people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest, is now led by an interim Steering Committee instead of an Executive Director.
This past spring MAC’s former Executive Director, Diana Parker-Kafka, left the organization, and MAC moved away from its Executive Director and Deputy Director positions. Staff had already taken on more of the organization’s leadership during a long period of transition, and that experience led staff and board to try a structure that spreads leadership across more people, with an evaluation planned to decide what comes next.
The Steering Committee has three members, one staff representative from each of MAC's departments: Dezi Primous-Gillon, Fundraising and Development Manager (External Affairs); Jenn Thompson, People and Operations Manager (Internal Affairs); and Crys Zaragoza, Client Care Manager (Client Services). Together, they share responsibility for organizational leadership and decision-making while continuing their work within their respective departments.
“Our team has operated through a lot of change this past year, which pushed us to take a hard look at our previous internal structures,” said Jenn Thompson, People and Operations Manager and Steering Committee member. “It has empowered us to create an organizational structure that feels values-aligned, client-care-centric, and with equitable pay tiers. We believe that these values help us to build a strong foundation that will allow MAC to thrive long term.”
The transition also marks the first time MAC’s leadership has been made up entirely of Black, Brown, and queer staff , bringing leadership closer to the communities and experiences that shape the organization's work.
The committee works with staff and the Board of Directors on priorities, finances, staffing, and long-term planning. Day-to-day programs and operations are still run by all staff.
“Our staff have continued to show up for abortion seekers while navigating significant organizational change,” said Scout Bratt, MAC Board Secretary. “We're deeply impressed by their commitment to building something new, and we're proud to support their leadership as MAC enters this next chapter.”
The shift is happening as abortion funds and practical support groups across the country face a much tighter funding picture. MAC has made changes to its budget and operations to adjust, and is currently leading a campaign to raise $250,000 by December 31, 2026. Those interested in supporting MAC's work can make a donation at bit.ly/donateto_MAC.
“Abortion seekers in the Midwest are still counting on us, and that hasn’t changed with our structure,” said Dezi Primous-Gillon, Fundraising and Development Manager and Steering Committee member. “Reaching $250,000 by the end of the year means we can keep showing up for them in 2027 and beyond.”
Through all of this, the work hasn't stopped. Since 2015, MAC has supported more than 10,000 people seeking abortion care and distributed more than 24,000 units of emergency contraception. MAC continues to coordinate travel, lodging, and other practical support for people seeking abortion care, provide direct financial assistance through its Piggybank Cashbox program, and distribute free emergency contraception and reproductive health supplies through nationwide shipping, vending machines, and community partnerships.
The current committee is an interim structure that will be evaluated through early 2027 with the support of staff, the Board, and outside organizational development support. MAC will determine what long-term leadership should look like based on its organizational needs, with client care at the forefront.
“Through all the changes MAC has experienced, our Client Services team has remained committed to providing nonjudgmental, kind, and compassionate care," shares Crys Zaragoza, Client Care Manager and Steering Committee member. "As Black, Brown, and queer folks directly impacted by the systems we're working to transform, we know how important it is to show up for our communities.”
About Midwest Access Coalition
Midwest Access Coalition (MAC) is a practical abortion support organization that helps people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest get abortion care. A 5019(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015, MAC provides travel coordination, lodging, transportation, financial assistance, and free emergency contraception and reproductive health supplies. To learn more about MAC or support its work, visit www.midwestaccesscoalition.org.
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