OUR TEAM
Alyssa Canty, mPA
she/herAlyssa Canty is an activist and mentor working to build a diverse leadership pipeline and a more inclusive democracy. Alyssa‘s experience spans over 10 years of advancing civic engagement and education at universities and HBCUs throughout the South. Most recently, she was the National Director of Youth Engagement at Common Cause. Currently, she serves as the chair of the Winston-Salem Alumni Chapter of UNC-Chapel Hill and as the board chair for Blueprint North Carolina.
Born in Winston-Salem, NC, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a Bachelor of Arts in public policy and women's studies in 2011. While at UNC, she did research on education policies, including sex education in public schools, and on the sexualization of the minority woman’s body, focusing on the modern-day video vixen. Her research centered around education, gender and racial inequalities, institutional disadvantages, and minority populations. At UNC Chapel Hill, she joined the Omega Iota chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, INC.
After undergrad, Alyssa attended Salem College, where she received a certificate in Non-Profit Management, and then continued her studies at North Carolina Central University for graduate school. She graduated Cum Laude with a Master’s of Public Administration in 2014. She presented research at the Spring Research Symposium and was awarded first place in the Graduate Student Research category of the College of Behavioral and Life Sciences for her research titled, “Utilizing Policy to Dismantle Poverty”.
Alyssa’s passion for Community service has always been a part of her life, and she looks forward to continuing her commitment to social justice and mentorship in Texas.
Executive Director
Crystal Zamarron
she/her/ellaCrystal Zamarron is a Latina, born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her master’s degree in strategic communications from Washington State University.
Having lived the experience of an immigrant daughter, she wishes to uplift and bring awareness to the important issues that affect people’s daily lives. She has volunteered with immigrant children, college students in the arts, and in general voting initiatives. Through these, she acquired a deep sense of empathy and a desire for change within the struggles that young people endure.
Crystal joined the Deeds team as the Digital Intern in the summer of 2022. She now serves as the Digital and Communications Director. She is now actively working with changemakers to bring awareness to policies, solutions, and legislative agendas that reflect the people’s values through digital and communication efforts.
In her downtime, she enjoys listening to music and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her family and friends in San Antonio, TX. She loves her tabby orange cat, Peachers.
Digital + Communications Director
Joslynn Sanchez
she/her/hersJoslynn Sanchez has been a Changemaker with Deeds Not Words for over 5 years. She began her work as a Campus Organizer, founding a chapter at Texas State University. In the 2023 legislative session, Joslynn became a policy intern, then an associate as a full-time staff member. Her role has since been adapted due to staffing needs, and she serves as Policy and Advocacy manager. Since 2023, Joslynn has been a one-person policy team working to push the Deeds FREE Agenda further.
This has come with great achievements, such as:
Some of the largest organization participation in the Youth Capitol Takeover 2023
Denim & Democracy: a revival of the Deeds Not Words Advocacy Day
Doubling the size of the CO program and expanding to Community Organizers and more.
Joslynn is eager to continue her work with Deeds and to see the organization succeed despite its challenges in unprecedented times.
Advocacy + Leadership Development Director
Lauren Morton
she/herLauren is a community organizer based in Houston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor's in World Cultures and Political Science from the University of Houston and has been a Deeds member since 2020. Lauren is involved in movement work across Houston, fighting for reproductive justice, transportation equity, and demonstrations that advance the demand for liberation and self-determination of all peoples.
Her theory of change is rooted in mass mobilization techniques and a recognition that people power is the most important tool for change. Lauren hopes to use her experiences to uplift the next generation of changemakers and develop the leaders we deserve.
Outside of Deeds, you may find Lauren attending concerts and art shows, riding bikes, or at a local coffee shop.
Leadership Development ManagerMake a Donation
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