VITA

Serial Social Entrepreneur | Philanthropic & Nonprofit Advisor | Voting Methods Expert

Personal Statement

My goal is to make a lasting positive impact by working on important neglected problems. I bring an interdisciplinary, evidence-driven approach that begins with first principles and overlooked basic questions. My background combines social sciences, voting theory, contraceptive technology, probability and statistics, organization building, public policy, advocacy, philanthropy, and law. I believe knowledge should be understandable and accessible, and I advocate for plain-language communication and open-access publication. I’m happiest when working with others who share these values.

Work Experience

Executive Director, Founder 2026-

Ballot Lab, Remote

  • (Launching Phase)

Principal 2025-

Aaron Hamlin LLC, Remote

  • Authoring Invisible Democracy, a forthcoming book on voting systems and democratic reform.

  • Fundraising for a novel condom company currently advancing toward clinical trials.

  • Available for consulting with select nonprofit and philanthropic clients.

Author Fellow, Philanthropy Engagement Lead, & Nonprofit Technical Advisor 2023-2026

Show Me Integrity, Remote

  • Wrote the key components of the manuscript for the upcoming book, Invisible Democracy.

  • Raised over six figures for organizational and campaign support.

  • Provided technical advice on fundraising and operational/organizational issues, including kickstarting the integration of the Carver Policy Governance model.

Executive Director, Co-founder 2013 - 2023

The Center for Election Science, Remote

  • Built from the ground up as co-founder and original ED, I led the organization for 10 years, assembling a talented and committed team and implemented approval voting in two jurisdictions - Fargo, North Dakota (2018) and St. Louis, Missouri (2020). The Fargo implementation was within the first year of funding when I hired the initial staff.

  • Raised over $6.5 million in funding, which included leveraging my legal knowledge in tax law in advising donors.

  • Garnered media attention for CES's groundbreaking work in promoting Approval Voting, with coverage in prominent publications such as Vox and NPR.

  • Hired and retained staff, resulting in a collective tenure of 16 years (excluding my own) and a low employee turnover rate, contributing to the organization's growth and success.

  • Co-authored multiple articles published in peer-reviewed journals, establishing myself as an expert in the voting theory space.

  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with partners, stakeholders, and donors, while building an extensive international network of experts in the electoral reform field.

  • Initiated relationships with key partners showcasing the organization's expanding influence in electoral reform.

Executive Director, Founder 2014 - 2017

Male Contraceptive Initiative, Remote

  • Founded organization from scratch, set up initial infrastructure, set up initial strategy, recruited founding board, and acquired initial $50K seed funding.

  • Grew organization from its founding to a proposed $1M budget in 3 1/2 years while simultaneously running another nonprofit and securing major funding for it at the same time.

  • Acquired international media from The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Salon, The Telegraph, The New Statesman, Bust Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and many dozens of others.

  • Hired first employee to facilitate a review panel, process, and a grant distribution of $500K.

  • Facilitated an organization-supported article in the peer-reviewed journal Contraception.

  • Coordinated communications for newsletter recipients, blog readership, and donors.

  • Built an international network of experts and became recognized as the go-to hub for talent and information on male contraceptive research development. 

Senior In-House Counsel 2013

Lady Lake, FL (licensed as authorized house counsel for FL bar)

  • Drafted contracts for over 80 independent contractors to maintain their contractor status.

  • Developed employee handbook and disciplinary policy for 20+ employees that created a
    buffer against future legal claims from former employees.

  • Prepared proactive legal defense to challenge a regulatory agency’s wrongful interpretation of
    a statute; this reinstated previous plans for advertisement.

  • Represented company before a national administrative agency and forced the agency to reconsider a national policy in their field guide.

  • Crafted company’s business operations by creating heat maps in Excel to see high-traffic
    periods and utilized cloud technology to make dispatching more efficient for 80+ drivers.

Volunteer Experience

Nonprofit Consultant 2014-2018

Anti-Malaria Fashion Foundation

Founding Board Member & Officer 2011-2013

The Center for Election Science

Legal Volunteer 2010

Nonprofit Incorporation Project at Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2009-2012

Juris Doctorate

Indiana University Bloomington 2007-2009

Master of Public Health
Master’s Project: Reframing the Presentation of Contraception Pregnancy Rates: Integrating Long-Term Planning and Dual Methods

Miami University 2005-2007

Master of Education, Educational Psychology
Master’s Project: Relating Group Orientation and Independence Self Perception

Northern Kentucky University 2000-2004

Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Minor: Mathematics

Professional Certifications & Training

  • Y-Combinator Startup School 2019

  • Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) Certificate, Boston University 2016

  • Attorney at Law, State Bar of Michigan 2012

  • Certificate of Grant Writing, Grant Writing USA 2011

Selected Publications

Have a consulting or advising request?

Reach out on my contact page.