Meet Our Team
Northe Saunders
President
Northe brings 20 years of political leadership, grassroots organizing, and fundraising experience to our organization. He has worked on the local, state, and national levels for numerous political campaigns, candidates, and advocacy organizations.
In 2019, his partner, a pediatrician, encouraged him to testify in support of strengthening vaccine laws for students in Maine. He was galvanized by the strong opposition to the legislation and joined the volunteer organization Maine Families for Vaccines to support the effort. He led the grassroots citizen lobbying effort that saw the bill's successful passage. When the opposition attempted a referendum to use a “People’s Veto” and overturn the legislation, he served as volunteer political director for the campaign. Maine Families celebrated a resounding 73 percent victory at the polls, and the legislation was upheld.
Northe loves bringing his passion for grassroots organizing, fundraising, and pro-science advocacy to other states nationwide.
Caitlin Gilmet
Communications Director
Caitlin is a writer, designer, and grant fundraiser with extensive experience supporting nonprofit organizations that advance access to care, education, opportunity, and justice.
Her advocacy began close to home: when her infant son caught chickenpox at daycare, Caitlin saw firsthand how easily families could bypass school vaccine requirements. In response, she co-founded Maine Families for Vaccines, which made history in 2019 by helping to pass one of the nation’s strongest and most effective school vaccine laws—proving that when families speak up, lawmakers listen.
Today, Caitlin leads communications strategy for American Families for Vaccines and its state-based Families for Vaccines chapters. She develops brand identities, oversees rapid-response campaigns, and trains local teams to deliver multi-channel communications—from digital and print collateral to media outreach, social content, events, and fundraising appeals.
Caitlin is passionate about demystifying science and politics, empowering less likely activists with the tools to make their voices heard, and promoting both good health and hope.
Jennifer Herricks, Ph.D.
Advocacy Director
Founder, Louisiana Families for Vaccines
Dr. Jennifer Herricks holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in global health policy with a focus on infectious diseases at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
During her postdoctoral work, Jennifer saw how well-organized, well-funded anti-vaccine activists can shift public policies that directly affect public health. Since then, she has been passionate about protecting public health through vaccine advocacy and empowering families and policymakers to make informed decisions based on accurate information.
In 2022, Jennifer founded Louisiana Families for Vaccines, a grassroots network of local advocates that works closely with a diverse set of community partners to combat vaccine misinformation, educate about the value of policy based in science, and support legislation that champions public health.
Jennifer joined American Families for Vaccines as Director of Advocacy in 2024. She works with other Families for Vaccines state chapters across the country to develop effective strategies that elevate the voices of the pro-vaccine majority and push back against anti-vaccine policies that threaten public health.