Executive Committee
I was inspired to join the Center for Plain Language because I believe in a mission of championing clear communication so people and organizations can thrive.”When you take Barbra’s extensive knowledge of consumer behavior, expertise with user-centered design, and combine with organizational change and leadership, you can transform processes, products, and ultimately, people. With over 20 years of experience, Barbra knows that using plain language starts by thinking critically about who you are writing for, what they need to do, and how to connect the message to their needs. Barbra has served as lead judge of the Center’s ClearMark Awards, has provided expert Amicus Briefs on behalf of the Center, and is driving the Center to better engage its North American constituents to make access central to all communication.
Vice-Chair
David Lipscomb, PhD
Director of the Writing Center Assistant Professor of Teaching
Georgetown University
The Center for Plain Language is a community of people passionate about clarity — and passionate about improving access to information.”
David has over 20 years of experience teaching communications and writing skills to university students and professionals. He is the director of the Writing Center at Georgetown University and has taught at Columbia and Wake Forest. David is our go to when it comes to the Federal Report Card. Each year David leads the Center’s assessment of federal departments within agencies and advises them how to improve. David also serves on the board of the International Federation for Plain Language and serves on an International Organization for Standardization drafting committee that is developing the first international standard for plain language.
Treasurer
Julie Clements
Principal, J Clement Communications
Without an organization like the Center for Plain Language, there would be little pressure on government and the private sector to communicate in plain language — language that constituents, clients, and the public can understand and use to make daily decisions. A huge benefit of being a member is being able to be part of that change.”
Julie is our legal industry expert. A Distinguished Professor Emerita at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and principal at J Clement Communications, Julie is also president of Clarity, the international association promoting plain legal language. Julie is the Center’s treasurer and advocates for the use of plain language in all organizations by growing the Center’s membership.
“There’s a myth that plain language will oversimplify, change the meaning, or create imprecision. Not true. Clarity works together with precision.”
Kathryn is a champion of clear communication. She has more than 15 years’ experience promoting plain language in government writing and is currently the deputy director of Safety Recommendations and Communications with the National Transportation Safety Board. Kathryn established the USCIS Plain Language Program, and she created and led the Plain Language and Content Division. From 2011 to 2019, Kathryn co-chaired the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), an interagency government working group that maintains the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and plainlanguage.gov. Kathryn has been a judge for the Center’s ClearMark Awards and for New Zealand’s WriteMark Awards. Currently, Kathryn is the Center representative for the October Access for All conference planning committee. She also serves as the Center representative for the International Organization for Standardization committee.