Our mission
Progressive Future Network is a network of organizations that runs, incubates and financially supports organizations committed to freedom, justice, fairness, individual rights, equality of opportunity and a greater tolerance and recognition of our common humanity.
Our approach
Our staff have a long track record of building and sustaining strong grassroots organizations.
Our member groups commit to a shared set of organizational values. We are strategic and result-oriented in our approach to advocacy. We are committed to recruitment and organizing, which often requires “preaching beyond the choir.” And we are driven to deliver the most “bang for the buck” for our donors and activists. Member groups also benefit from organizational support services, including financial management, staff recruitment, grantseeking, editorial and creative communications, and list management.
Our staff have also incubated groups such as Equal Justice Works, which facilitates public service opportunities for law students and lawyers, and started as the Public Interest Law Foundation under Michael Caudell-Feagan.
We have also provided financial and other forms of support to such organizations as Progress Now, which promotes progressive ideas and values through a nationwide network of state-based communication groups, and People for the American Way, which was formed by the television producer Norman Lear and the late congresswoman Barbara Jordan to counter the rise of an intolerant social conservativism.
Leadership
Mark Ferrulo, Founder and Executive Director, Progress Florida
As Executive Director of Progress Florida since its founding in 2008, Mark has led its work promoting progressive values in Florida through digital organizing, media outreach and collaborating with Florida’s leading progressive and public interest organizations. Mark has been working for public interest and progressive causes across Florida for three decades, starting as a student leader at the University of South Florida and including stints as a campus organizer and as Executive Director of Florida PIRG. Mark is also a board member of Environment Florida and Common Cause Florida. In 2017, he was named one of the “Top 100 Influential Floridians” by INFLUENCE Magazine.
Ivan Frishberg, Progressive Future Network Board Member
Ivan serves as First Vice President, Sustainability Banking for Amalgamated Bank, the leading national progressive bank, where he is responsible for serving Amalgated’s clients in the fields of environmental, green banking and sustainability. He came to the bank in 2016 with more than 25 years of public interest advocacy including leadership roles with Environment America, Clean Energy Works, State Climate Hub, Climate Action Campaign and Pew Charitable Trusts. He has also represented his community in D.C. government as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
Leslie Samuelrich, Progressive Future Network Board Member
Leslie runs Green Century Capital Management, a leader in the environmentally and socially responsible investing field. Green Century offers mutual funds for individuals and institutions so they can keep their money out of the most irresponsible industries while using Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance ratings in investment analysis and portfolio construction to invest in corporate sustainability leaders. Her comments have appeared in numerous financial outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The New York Times, Responsible Investor and Barron’s. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF) and the Advisory Board of the Intentional Endowments Network. Prior to joining Green Century, Leslie served for 8 years as Chief of Staff at Corporate Accountability; 10 years as a founding member and then Executive Director of Green Corps, the full-year post-graduate training program in grassroots community organizing that prepares young talent for leadership roles in the environmental movement; and 5 years directing the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.
An appreciation of Zach Polett
Zach Polett, who was president of Progressive Future Network, passed away on Sept. 26, 2023, at the age of 73. Read more.