Meet the PROMO Staff

Stephen Eisele

Executive Director

Stephen recently joined PROMO in May 2020. He brings professional and lived experiences that give him an understanding of the life of rural, suburban and urban Missouri; the importance of intersectional work; and how the disparities in health care resources impact communities too often left behind. Most recently, Stephen served as communications manager at Community Catalyst where he supported and defended Medicaid across 12 states. He also provided strategic communications support and technical assistance on health care policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Stephen has a robust understanding of the political process in Missouri and the challenges of supporting LGBTQ rights in the Show-Me State. He is eager to lead the PROMO staff, board, and volunteers to prevent passage of harmful legislation as well as to widen and deepen PROMO’s statewide efforts.

He is a graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in political science and Spanish, and Drury University with an MBA in entrepreneurship, both located in Springfield. He lives with his husband, State Rep. Ian Mackey, and their dog Remy in Richmond Heights, Missouri. You can reach Stephen at Stephen@PROMOonline.org.
Pronouns: he/him/his

Shira Berkowitz

Communications Manager

Shira Berkowitz joined the PROMO team in October 2018 as Communications Manager. Shira brings a unique collection of experience working in digital communication, arts marketing, political advocacy and policy strategy, and human-centered design to the position. They hold a Master of Fine Arts from Washington University of St. Louis, and is an actively exhibiting artist. As both an artist and social entrepreneur, Shira is passionate about building spaces for people to gather and grow as community. They are a founding board member of MaTovu, a Jewish neighborhood center in St. Louis City, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. You can reach Shira at shira@promoonline.org.
Pronouns: they/them/theirs or she/her/hers

Samati Niyomchai

Manager of Public Policy

Samati joined PROMO as the Manager of Public Policy in 2019. Samati came to St. Louis almost ten years ago to get his Master’s in Social Work. During his graduate program, he completed a practicum at PROMO, working on Equality Day, PROMO’s legislative advocacy day, and planning PROMO’s presence at PrideFest. Since then, he has completed his master’s degree, obtained his clinical license in social work, and is proud to make St. Louis his home. He has proudly served as a Ryan White Case Manager for people living with HIV for the past five years, and he is excited to make a return to PROMO. You can reach Samati at Samati@PROMOonline.org.
Pronouns: he/him/his

Karis Agnew

Field Director

Karis is PROMO’s Field Director based in Springfield, Missouri. Karis graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Drury University with a focus on systematic and economic disparities of low-income individuals. Before joining team PROMO in 2017, Karis had extensive experience working with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through peer support, volunteer opportunities, and educational seminars. At PROMO, Karis is a trainer for the LGBTQ Cultural Competency Training program, connects with communities and volunteers all across Missouri to further equality, oversees PROMO’s Transforming Missouri program, and works with the PROMO PAC to help pro-equality candidates in Missouri. You can reach Karis at Karis@PROMOonline.org.
Pronouns: they/them/their

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