2019 YEO Women's Conference by YEO Network

#YEOwomen

Thanks to our 2019 Sponsors

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

New World Foundation • Ambassador James C. Hormel & Michael P. Nguyen • Henry van Ameringen • Frances Lear Foundation • Weston Milliken • Rosenthal Family Foundation • Josh Sapan & Ann Foley • Quinn Delaney & Wayne Jordan • Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation • Gift In Memory of Moisés Itzkowich

Saturday, February 2nd

Schedule at a Glance *All events located in Grand Salon unless otherwise noted

6:00am-7:00am

Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session (Hibiya Room)

9:00am-10:15am

Communications/ Authentic Voice Training w/Kathleen Turner - Group 1 (Tivoli Room)

9:00am-9:45am

Breakfast: Keynote Discussion Congresswoman Ilhan Omar & Fatima Goss Graves

9:45am-11:00am

Setting Families in the Low-Wage Workforce Up for Success: Reimagining Work & Income Supports

11:00am-11:15am

BREAK / Move to breakout space

11:15am-12:15pm

Skills Training: The Stigma of Mental Health and Self Care Best Practices (Kensington Room) Family Management: How to manage having a family and being an elected (Lincoln Room)

Thursday, January 31st 5:00pm

Cocktail Hour (Art Deco)

6:30pm

Opening Reception (Off site - RSVP only)

Friday, February 1st 6:00am-7:00am

Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session (Hibiya Room)

9:00am-10:00am

Breakfast: Welcome and Introductions

10:00am-10:45am

The Future is Feminist: Winning Hearts & Minds

10:45am-11:00am

BREAK

11:00am-12:15pm

Why Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice are Winning Issues

12:20pm-1:20pm

Skills Training: Family Planning: How to prepare yourself to have a family/personal life outside of your elected capacity (Kensington Room) When We Collaborate-The Power of Women (Lincoln Room)

1:30pm-2:30pm

Lunch Conversation: Building Sustained Women Power – Inspiring the Next Generation of Women to Lead Keynote Speaker/ Discussion w/Tina Tchen

3:30pm-4:00pm

BREAK / Group Picture

4:00pm-5:15pm

Social Good in a Social Era: How Digital Engagement Can Lead to Authentic Change

5:15pm-5:30pm

Close Out

Lunch Conversation: Women & Racial Justice: Supporting and Uplifting Women of Color

1:30pm-2:30pm

Women Are Not Worth Less: Fighting for Gender Equity in Our Workplaces

2:30pm-2:45pm

BREAK

2:45pm-3:45pm

Agenda 2020-Ensuring Equity for All Women

3:45pm-4:00pm

BREAK

4:00pm-5:15pm

#MeToo One Year Later: Where Do We Go From Here?

5:15pm-5:30pm

Close Out

Sunday, February 3rd 6:00am-7:00am

Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session (Hibiya Room)

9:00am-10:15am

Communications/ Authentic Voice Training w/Kathleen Turner - Group 2 (Tivoli Room)

All below sessions will be held at the New York Athletic ClubCardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor 9:00am-9:45am

Breakfast Discussion

10:00am-11:00am

Addressing the Growing Number of Incarcerated Women and Girls

11:00am-12:00pm

No guns, No Police: What Safe & Healthy Schools Actually Look Like for Girls of Color

12:00pm-1:00pm

Lunch Conversation: Empowering #WomenLikeUs

1:00pm-2:00pm

Supporting Working Mothers, Children, and Families through Child Care

2:00pm-2:30pm

Close Out

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

2:45pm-3:30pm

12:30pm-1:30pm

From Michael Keegan President People For the American Way Foundation On behalf of the People For the American Way Foundation, I am excited to welcome you to our 2019 Young Elected Officials Women's Conference. Empowering the next generation of progressive leaders is critically important to our mission. The Young Elected Officials Network and its members have helped to advance that work for over a decade. We all have a vested interest in ensuring that the next generation of elected leaders look more like America and, in turn, better reflect our common values, hopes and vision for the nation. The YEO Women's Caucus has been outspoken about the acute needs of young elected women and has ensured that our work better reflects the values, hopes and vision of their members. Through caucus meetings, pre-conferences before our National Convenings, and now, through our first stand-alone Women's Conference, YEO women have carved out an impactful and ever-growing space for their voices to be heard, their issues to be uplifted, and their spirit of service to be renewed. We are grateful that our organization and the YEO Network has been that space for so many women breaking barriers and changing the nation.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

I sincerely hope that you enjoy this weekend together in New York City and leave even more inspired and empowered to continue your transformative work. Thank you for all you do and count on the People For the American Way Foundation to be in your corner along the way. Best Wishes,

From Svante Myrick Director of Youth Development Programs People For the American Way Foundation The Young Elected Officials Network believes that government needs the creativity, energy and moral authority of young people in office. We believe that by bringing YEOs together they can lean on each other, taking advantage of their collective talents, perspectives, and years of experience. After I became Director of the Network, members of our Women’s Caucus made it clear that our network needed to do more to support the women of our conference. For years our network has offered a pre-meeting during our national convening to discuss issues important to women. The caucus said that wasn't enough — so this year, for the first time, ever we’re doing more. Just like young people, women have been too long underrepresented in government, and the results show. The previous generations of elected officials have underinvested in education, infrastructure, family planning, and environmental protection. Our network believes that all of you can change that. The power you wield in your City Halls, School Boards and legislatures will make an immediate positive impact. The power of your example will change the lives of women and girls for generations to come.

Best,

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

We’re proud to support this conference, and I hope you’ll join me in thanking the Women’s Conference Host Committee for all their hard work to bring you together.

From Raquel Jones Program Manager Young Elected Officials Network I am excited to welcome you to New York City and to our first stand-alone YEO Women's Conference. Since I joined the YEO team as an intern in 2014, the work I have been able to do with the network's Women's Caucus has been among the most rewarding parts of my job. Over the years, I've quietly observed and gained strength from the dynamic elected women who are making such a tremendous impact on the progressive movement and the nation's politics. I've been inspired by your innovative ideas, fierce advocacy, and incredible strength, inside and out. I feel that this Women's Conference is a culmination of the strong foundation YEO women have built over the last 14 years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; creating a space responsive to your needs and completely driven by your values and voices. I also believe that this marks the beginning of something new and exciting for the caucus; an opportunity to bring more elected women to the table and advance a new agenda at a time when all the progress we've made is on the line.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

I am truly grateful to have been able to play a role in planning and executing this historic event, especially for and with a group of women I admire so much. Thank you for all the work you do on behalf of all America's women; like me and young girls like my beautiful daughter who will grow up in a nation knowing that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because of your example â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there is no limit to her potential and no hall of power where her voice can't or won't be heard. Thank you. Sincerely,

From Fatima Goss Graves President and CEO National Women's Law Center On behalf of the National Women’s Law Center, I am excited to welcome you to the first-ever standalone YEO Women's Conference. Being here with all of you gives the Law Center tremendous hope because in this room – at this conference – we see women at the center of change. Women are – and always have been – leading the way forward – in big cities and small towns, in every state of this nation, and in every nation in this world. Women have been and still are putting it all on the line. From every silence-breaker risking personal safety to shine a light on society’s deepest flaws to workers leading the charge for better wages and healthier workplaces, women have held their truth and shared their resilience so that we may, together, be better and more just. And we are here for it. From our founding in 1972 to now, the Law Center is on the frontlines championing policies and laws that create and protect a world in which women and girls can live, learn, and work with equality, dignity, safety, and bodily autonomy. We know that we can only achieve that vision when our institutions, our laws, and our culture reflect it. Because of this, we are thrilled to link arms with the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network and People For the American Way Foundation in this fight. In reclaiming the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, and governorships across the country, women made h(er)story, proving that women not only demand the positive reform of insufficient laws, but that we will lead the change ourselves. Because when we show up, we know that we show up on the shoulders of those before us, next to those around us, and on behalf of those after us.

In solidarity,

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Thank you for fighting back and advocating for change that empowers women, girls, and working families. The National Women’s Law Center is honored to partner with you in your commitment to equity and gender justice for all.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

2019 Host Committee Thank you to our host committee for the work they have done to help make this history-making event possible.

Raumesh Akbari

Sarah Anthony

Dorcey Applyrs

Ashley Bennett

State Representative Memphis, TN

State Representative Lansing, MI

Council Member Albany, NY

County Freeholder Atlantic County, NJ

Nancy Bui-Thompson

Denise Calhoun

Amber Childress

Rysheema Dixon

Alderwoman Webb, MS

Board of Education Alameda County, CA

Councilwomen At-Large Wilmington, DE

President, Municipal Utility Board Sacramento County, CA

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Candace Hollingsworth

Lindsey Horvath

Linda Inge

Andrea Karpinski

Mayor Hyattsville, MD

Councilmember West Hollywood, CA

Administrative Manager YEO Network

City Councilwoman Hamtramck, MI

Jil Littlejohn

Natalia Macker

Lacey Merica

City Councilor, Mayor Pro Tem Greenville, SC

County Commissioner Teton County, WY

School Board Member Omaha, NE

Stephanie Morales Commonwealth’s Attorney Portsmouth, VA

Kristen Petersen

Ada Recinos

Melissa Robinson

Nily Rozic

Council Member Capitola, CA

Council Member Richmond, CA

School Board Member Kansas City, MO

State Assemblywoman Queens, NY

Sharmin Shahjahan

Lea Webb

Village Trustree Hanover Park, IL

Former Councilwoman Binghamton, NY

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

About the YEO Network

Nationwide Networking The YEO Network, a nonpartisan program of People For the American The YEO Network is a genuine community and support network for our members — who value the Way Foundation, is the first and only peer exchange, mentorship and energy of being brought together with other young progressive national initiative to provide a leaders, leaders, advisors, and policy experts. network of support to the newest generation of progressive leaders at Policy Support every level of elected office. The YEO Network collaborates with our strategic

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

The Network was founded in 2005 with the mission to unite and support elected leaders ages 35 and under who share a passion for building communities that reflect values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all. Since then, the Network has grown to include more than 1,000 elected officials across the country in offices ranging from local school boards to the United States Congress. We provide cutting edge programming, investing in the full pipeline of progressive leadership and building sustained relationships with our members. We provide the resources young elected officials need to effectively impact policy, foster their own development and professional growth, and elevate their leadership in the broader progressive movement.

partners to provide policy training and resources to our members year-round. In addition to policy summits and academies, we provide training at our annual National Convening, a yearly policy book, an online legislative exchange, teleconferences, regular policy bulletins, and individual research support.

Leadership Development The YEO Network offers ongoing professional development in all of our programming. We provide access to high-level training — always informed by the needs of our membership — on executive leadership, good governance, and advancing to higher office. We hold workshops and webinars on everything from effective messaging to technology in constituent engagement.

About National Women's Law Center We’re passionate champions of policies and laws that help women and girls achieve their potential throughout their lives – at school, at work, at home, and in their communities. We’re committed advocates who take on the toughest challenges, especially for the most vulnerable women – and we make change happen. From childcare and early learning to education, health care and reproductive rights, fair and equal pay, and women’s economic security at every stage and tax bracket, the National Women’s Law Center is proud to have been on the frontlines of virtually every advance for women and girls for more than 45 years, benefitting their families, their communities, and the nation.

Using this infrastructure, and partnering with TIME’S UP, the National Women’s Law Center launched the TIME’s UP Legal Defense Fund (TULDF). So far, TULDF has helped more than 4,000 workers – overwhelmingly women and those in low-wage jobs – connect with legal and PR assistance to get the justice they deserve.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

In 2017, as a response to extensive and unprecedented threats to women’s rights, the National Women’s Law Center Fund LLC, a subsidiary of NWLC, launched the first national legal network to combat sex discrimination faced by women and girls. The Legal Network for Gender Equity enables those facing sexual harassment and other forms of sex discrimination to connect with the legal resources they need to fight back.

Lifetime Achievement Honoree: Dolores Huerta Co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century. We honor her for her activism and advocacy on behalf of society's marginalized persons and her fight to make our nation freer and fairer for us all.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Huerta began her career as an activist when she co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO), which led voter registration drives and fought for economic improvements for Hispanics. She also founded the Agricultural Workers Association. In 1962, Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), the predecessor of the United Farm Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union (UFW), which formed three year later. Throughout her work with the UFW, Huerta organized workers, negotiated contracts, advocated for safer working conditions including the elimination of harmful pesticides. She also fought for unemployment and healthcare benefits for agricultural workers. Huerta was the driving force behind the nationwide table grape boycotts in the late 1960s that led to a successful union contract by 1970. In 1973, Huerta led another consumer boycott of grapes that resulted in the ground-breaking California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which allowed farm workers to form unions and bargain for better wages and conditions.Â The recipient of many honors, Huerta received the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Today, Huerta serves on the Board of Directors of People For the American Way (PFAW.)

Detailed Agenda Thursday, January 31st 05:00PM | Cocktail Reception Hosted by YEO Network and the Nation Women's Law Center. Attendees are encouraged to attend the cocktail hour and ride share to location of opening reception. Location: Art Deco – located on the lobby level near the Grand/Petit Salon

06:30PM | Opening Reception w/ Keynote *RSVP only

Friday, February 1st 06:00AM | Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session 07:00AM | With Dr. Luella Toni Lewis and Asata N’gonzi Location: Hibiya Room

09:00AM | Breakfast: Welcome and Introductions 10:00AM| Location: Grand Salon

10:00AM| The Future is Feminist: Winning Hearts & Minds 10:45AM|

Tresa Undem, Partner, PerryUndem Research and Communications Margie Omero, Principal, GBA Strategies Nisha Jain, Vice President, GBA Strategies Location: Grand Salon

10:45AM| BREAK 11:00AM| 11:00AM| Why Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice are Winning Issues 12:20PM|

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

This session will discuss why advancing reproductive rights, health, and justice is a winning strategy. The panelists will provide attendees with the latest messaging research on reproductive rights issues, including how to talk about abortion and birth control. Representing diverse sectors within the movement, speakers will identify the broad current landscape of restrictions on and barriers to reproductive health care, and proactive policy solutions to address them. From a state legislator, national experts, and local advocates, including an abortion story-teller, these panelists will explore the importance of protecting and expanding reproductive rights issues on the state level, as well as examples from local advocacy and campaigns. Moreover, this panel will demonstrate the value of centering personal stories and the tremendous value of working to destigmatize abortion. Moderator: Kelli Garcia, National Women's Law Center Emily Kadar, National Institute for Reproductive Health Cora Faith Walker, MO State Representative Kate Stewart, Mayor of Takoma Park, MD Erika Christensen, RHAvote Emily Crofoot, DC Abortion Fund Location: Grand Salon

Friday, February 1st 12:20PM| Skills Training 01:20PM|

Family Planning How to prepare to have a family/personal life outside of your elected capacity. For attendees looking for strategies around planning their family they would like in any configuration, in balance with their elected and working careers. This session is designed to be a space to share best practices and tactics around issues such as dating, sexuality, and parenthood in any form and the impacts on political ambitions. Attendees are encouraged to share personal difficulties, ask questions, and share success with experts and colleagues who have faced or are facing similar issues. Danielle Adams, Supervisor Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District Natalia Rudiak, Former Pittsburgh City Council Woman Marita Garrett, Mayor, Wilkinsburg, PA Jordan Sauers Council Woman, Northglenn, CO Location: Kensington Room

When We Collaborate-The Power of Women Women leaders are turning the tide in government. However despite these advances, there is evidence that demonstrates that the gender gap in elected representation is guided by inequitable policies that are driven by the top and trickle down to the ground. In addition internalized stereotypes associated with gender fuel practices that further drive these disparities. Collaboration is integral in dismantling systemic marginalizing of women; magnifying the woman power of our communities can facilitate change and collective healing. What are the ways in which women elected officials can create diverse and inclusive leadership pipelines that support equitable and sustainable change for their communities? What are the tools available for YEOs to facilitate and strengthen their own respective leadership? This workshop will discuss the power of diverse collaborative leadership, share best practices and resources for women elected officials in their communities.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Lea Webb, Former City Councilmember and Managing Principal, Webb Consulting Tishaura Jones, City Treasurer, St. Louis, MO Temi Bennett, Policy Director, Consumer Health Foundation Stephanie Morales, Commonwealth's Attorney Portsmouth, VA Kristal High-Taylor, nFluence.us, P.B.C. Bryanta Maxwell, Indigo Consulting Location: Lincoln Room

Friday, February 1st 01:30PM| Lunch Conversation: Building Sustained Women Power – Inspiring the Next 02:30PM| Generation of Women to Lead A discussion with goals to dissect ways we can uplift women and girls, and how we can elevate each other’s voices and build power to lead in a patriarchal society. Moderator: Dorcey Applyrs, City Councilwoman Albany, NY Anna Eskamani, Florida State Representative Paulette Jordan, Former Idaho State Representative Allison Fine, NEW (Network of Elected Women) Camille Abrahams Emeagwali, NY Women’s Foundation Location: Grand Salon

02:45PM| Keynote: Tina Tchen 03:30PM|

Co-founder of the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama Location: Grand Salon

03:30PM | BREAK and Group Photo 04:00PM| Location: Grand Salon

04:00PM| Social Good in a Social Era: How Digital Engagement Can Lead to Authentic 05:15PM| Change Society is in the throes of a digital revolution that never sleeps and constantly evolves. We are communicating and interacting in new and ever more efficient ways, where each tool is a potential avenue for innovation, connection, and transformation. From Occupy Wall Street, #NoH8 and the #FightFor15 to Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, #TIMESUP and the #PinkWave, we’ve seen how data and compelling story-telling, together, move mountains. Social movements have broadened their reach using mass media and grassroots campaigns to drive public policy and inform public opinion. Ultimately, the goal is to move cultural norms toward the social goods of equity, inclusion, and opportunity.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Social Good in a Social Era will explore how digital platforms can drive change and amplify for the better by analyzing some of the messaging and engagement strategies behind critical policy battles and opportunities around economic security, education, and reproductive rights and health. Moderator: Jenalyn Sotto, National Women's Law Center Erin Longbottom, National Women's Law Center Juanita A. Monsalve; United We Dream Marge Baker, People For the American Way Bee Nguyen, GA State Representative Location: Grand Salon

05:15PM| CLOSE OUT 05:30PM|

Saturday, February 2nd 06:00AM | Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session 07:00AM | With Dr. Luella Toni Lewis and Asata N’gonzi Location: Hibiya Room

09:00AM| Communications/ Authentic Voice Training 10:00AM| With Kathleen Turner – GROUP 1 Breakfast Available Location: Tivoli Room

09:00AM| Breakfast: Keynote Conversation 09:45AM|

The Honorable Ilhan Omar, U.S. House of Representatives and YEO Network Member Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO of The National Women’s Law Center Location: Grand Salon

09:45AM| Setting Families in the Low-Wage Workforce Up for Success: Reimagining 11:00AM| Work & Income Supports The jobs of too many working parents set them up to fail: meeting both their work and family obligations becomes an impossible juggling act. It's especially tough for women, who often shoulder the family’s caregiving responsibilities, make up the vast majority of single parents, face a persistent gender wage gap and are the majority of people in low-wage jobs. And despite parents’ best efforts, low wages and unfair work conditions can undermine their children’s chances for success as well; features of low-wage work that increase parents’ stress—including constantly fluctuating work hours and a lack of any paid time off—can also adversely affect children’s well-being. High-quality early care and education can help support children’s healthy development—but parents with limited incomes and volatile schedules have tremendous difficulty finding and affording this care. This panel will address crucial supports for women—especially women with caregiving responsibilities—working in low-wage jobs. The panel will highlight best practices that can make a difference for working families and advance racial and gender equity, and will describe messaging and state campaigns that advance these practices and strategies.

11:00AM| BREAK 11:15AM|

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Moderator: Julie Vogtman, NWLC Director of Job Quality Carlos Moreno, Connecticut Working Families Carol Joyner, Labor Project for Working Families/Family Values @ Work Sarah Hassmer, National Women’s Law Center Location: Grand Salon

Saturday, February 2nd 11:15PM| Skills Training 12:15PM|

The Stigma of Mental Health and Self Care Best Practices This session will dissect the stigmas behind mental health and offer self-care tips as Maxine provides a powerful story of overcoming anxiety and depression. Maxine Outerbridge, YEO Front Line Leaders Academy Alumna Location: Kensington Room

Family Management How to manage having a family and being an elected. For attendees with families and partners in any configuration, this session will tackle a multitude of issues from how to create boundaries and safe spaces for your personal life to tricks and tips that will help them manage time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; their most precious resource as elected women. Attendees will have the opportunity to share personal difficulties, ask questions, and share success with the panel and colleagues who have faced or are facing similar issues. Faith Winter, Colorado State Senator Tishaura Jones, City Treasurer, St. Louis, MO Stephanie Morales, Commonwealth's Attorney Portsmouth, VA Emma Pinter, City Councillor, Westminster, CO Location: Lincoln Room

12:30PM| Lunch Conversation: Women & Racial Justice: Supporting and Uplifting 01:30PM| Women of Color This conversation will provide an understanding of how YEO women can work at the intersection of racial and gender justice. This session will dissect the disparities women of color face and discuss what actions electeds can take to make our communities a safer and more nurturing environment for women of color.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Moderator: Jehmu Greene, VoteRunLead and Barbara's Legacy Jane Kim, Former Supervisor, City and County of San Francisco CiCi Battle, Director Young People For Raaheela Ahmed, Prince George's County Board of Education Member Storme Gray , Director of Programs at Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy Latrice Walker, NY Assemblywoman Location: Grand Salon

Saturday, February 2nd 01:30PM| Women Are Not Worth Less: Fighting for Gender Equity in Our Workplaces 02:30PM| While the days of official “men” and “women” pay scales may have gone by the way side, women—and especially women of color, mothers, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals—are still being shortchanged by workplace policies and practices that discriminate based on sex. Whether it be denying reasonable workplace accommodations to pregnant workers, refusing to hire an applicant because of their gender identity, firing an employee because she takes birth control, or paying a woman less than her male counterpart because of her lower prior salary, a myriad of discriminatory policies and practices make it difficult for women to keep a job, put food on the table, make decisions about whether or not to have children, and care for their families. This panel will address how to break down the barriers to women entering and succeeding in the workplace and will highlight, as an example, the inspiring coalition, organizing, and messaging strategies that advocates and legislators have been using to successfully advance gender and racial workplace justice in challenging environments. Moderator: Andrea Johnson, National Women's Law Center Cassandra Overton Welchlin, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable Ashley Lidow, Women’s Rights and Empowerment Park Cannon, Georgia State Representative Leslie Herod, Colorado State Representative Location: Grand Salon

02:30PM| BREAK 02:45PM| 02:45PM| Agenda 2020-Ensuring Equity for All Women 03:45PM|

Joyce Lewandowski, Program Director, Vision 2020 at Drexel University Dorcey Applyrs, City Councilwoman Albany, NY Rosemary Rivera, Citizen Action of NY Jordan Brooks, United State of Women Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Higher Heights Erin Vilardi, CEO and Founder, VoteRunLead Location: Grand Salon

03:45PM| BREAK 04:00PM|

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

The year 2020 marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was instituted allowing women the right to vote. However, as history indicates ALL women (women of color) were not able to actualize this until many years later. 2018 has been framed as the “Year of the Woman” as the representation of women in elected positions has increased in this last election cycle at the national, state, and local levels. However, the U.S. still lag behind as it pertains to gender and race parity. In looking towards the future, what are the ways in which women leaders can change this narrative and ensure equity for ALL women? What are the key issues that need to be embodied in the women’s agenda for 2020? This panel will discuss priority areas and inclusive strategies for YEOs in impacting women’s leadership and community progress in 2020 and beyond.

Saturday, February 2nd 04:00PM| #MeToo One Year Later: Where Do We Go From Here? 05:15PM| Much has changed in the year since #MeToo went viral, and there is clearly still much work to be done to meet the courage of survivors and create the lasting change we need in our workplaces, our schools, our governments, and our communities. In spite of the everchanging nature of the work, the energy of the Me Too movement continues to grow and with more and more women taking elected office, the political will to make real change is growing to match. This panel will discuss how our school boards, workplaces, and local and state legislatures are working to stop and prevent sexual harassment and violence and ensuring that the communities most severely impacted by sexual violence are centered in these efforts. Panelists will also address responding to backlash to the Me Too movement and avoiding problematic “solutions,” including responses that further criminalize people of color and other marginalized communities. Moderator: Adaku Onyeka-Crawford, National Women’s Law Center Nily Rozic, NY Assemblywoman Amanda Hunter, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Yazmin Abdullah, GGE Young Women's Advisory Council Ashley C. Sawyer, Girls For Gender Equity (GGE) Jess Morales Rocketto, National Domestic Workers Alliance Location: Grand Salon

05:15PM| CLOSE OUT 05:30PM|

06:00PM | Night Activity

Sunday, February 3rd Dress Code is business casual in Athletic Club Space No jeans, sneakers, or leggings please. Hotel check-out in extended to 4:30pm for conference attendees.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

06:00AM | Mind, Body, Soul: Early Bird Yoga/ Workout/ Nutrition Session 07:00AM | With Dr. Luella Toni Lewis and Asata N’gonzi Location: Hibiya Room

09:00AM| Communications/ Authentic Voice Training 10:15AM| With Kathleen Turner – GROUP 2 Breakfast Available Location: Tivoli Room

09:00AM| Breakfast 09:45AM|

Location: New York Athletic Club- Cardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor

Sunday, February 3rd 10:00AM| Addressing the Growing Number of Incarcerated Women and Girls 11:00AM| This conversation will dissect the increasing number of women within the criminal justice system, how young girls are being pulled into the system, discuss efforts around the dignity of incarcerated women, and how electeds can take action to create change. Erin Haney, Cut50 Policy Director Topeka Sam Director of Dignity Campaign Location: New York Athletic Club- Cardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor

11:00AM| No guns, No Police: What Safe & Healthy Schools Actually Look Like for Girls 12:00PM| of Color As mass shootings become an increasingly common occurrence, students, parents and community advocates have called on policymakers to protect the lives of children in school. These activists have offered a range of solutions—including common sense gun control and mental health resources for students. Unfortunately, some legislators have also called for measures that make schools look more like prisons than places for learning: arming teachers and school staff; diverting limited resources to have more cops patrol hallways; a return to zero-tolerance policies. These policies have not been proven to decrease the occurrence of school violence, and actually have led to real harm for Black, Native American, undocumented and LGBTQ students. Meanwhile, students of color continue to face sex and race discrimination in ways that push them out of school. This panel will highlight key programs that promote a safe, healthy and inclusive school for all students by centering the needs of girls of color—who are doubly impacted by sex and race discrimination. The panelists will discuss how schools can promote discipline policies with restorative practices, address sexual harassment in a comprehensive and preventative manner, and ensure student’s physical and mental health needs are met. Panelists will also address how to counter calls for “hardening” schools by highlighting the ways those proposals are ineffective and a dog whistle to justify criminalizing Black and undocumented students and put girls of color and survivors of sexual violence in particular at risk.

12:00PM| Lunch Conversation: Empowering #WomenLikeUs 01:00PM|

In this conversation with Sayu Bhojwani, author of People Like Us: The New Wave of Candidates Knocking at Democracy’s Door, we’ll explore the challenges and solutions to building a fierce, representative democracy that is inclusive, multi-racial and unstoppable. Sayu Bhojwani, Founder and President of New American Leaders Athena Salman, Arizona House of Representatives Location: New York Athletic Club- Cardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Moderator: Adaku Onyeka-Crawford Zakiya Sankara-Jabar, Dignity in Schools Campaign & Racial Justice NOW! Robin McNair, The Restorative Classroom, LLC Ceon DuBose, DC Student Activist Nia Evans, National Women's Law Center Location: New York Athletic Club- Cardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor

Sunday, February 3rd 01:00PM| Supporting Working Mothers, Children, and Families through Child Care 02:00PM| Over the past few decades, the structure of the American family, workplace, and economy have changed dramatically. Women now make up about half of all U.S. workers on payroll, and nearly two-thirds of mothers are now the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners for their families. This change in family structure and our economy means that access to affordable, quality child care is critical in order to support today’s working families. This is especially important for lowincome women because the lack of access to quality child care is often a significant barrier to employment. This panel will explore best practices for child care and early learning programs, including funding, core federal and state programs, and how many working families fall through the cracks. The discussion will surface strategies that can help ensure that more low-income children have access to quality child care, meet the particular child care needs of low-wage working parents, and improve compensation and professional development for the sorely underpaid child care workforce, to the benefit of women, children and families overall. Moderator: Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center Diali Avila, National Women's Law Center Gina Adams, Urban Institute Sarah Anthony, Michigan State Representative Jessica Raven, Member of Moms Rising Location: New York Athletic Club- Cardroom & Lounge located on the 9th floor

02:00PM| CLOSE OUT 02:30PM|

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

YEO BIOS

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Danielle Adams Supervisor | Durham, NC Danielle Adams serves on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors in Durham, North Carolina. In 2012, she received the Outstanding District Supervisor of the Year award from the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NCASWCD) and was honored by Spectacular Magazine as the "Woman of the Year: Emerging Leader" award recipient. Adams has previously served as the alternative transportation project manager in the Office of Sustainability at Appalachian State University and has worked with the International Affairs Council - Middle East Partnership Initiative of the U.S. Department of State. Currently, Adams serves on the board of directors for the Upper Neuse River Basin Association, on the Legislative Committee of NCASWCD and as an ambassador to Oxfam America’s Sisters on the Planet program. She received her BA in political science with a minor in music from North Carolina Central University.

Vanessa Agudelo City Councilmember | Peekskill, NY Vanessa Agudelo is a Peekskill organizer/activist with a passion for green initiatives, inclusive collaboration, and empowering our marginalized communities. Raised in Peekskill she has been active in the community since she was a child, taking part in the Peekskill Swim Team and Field Library Reading Program during her summers. She is the youngest member of the Peekskill Garden Club, chair of the Environmental Climate Justice Committee for Peekskill's NAACP chapter, and has been a key organizer around efforts to Solarize Peekskill as a member of the Conservation Advisory Council. She is a graduate of Penn State University and is the District Representative for the New York State Senate’s first Dominican Latina, Marisol Alcántara overseeing constituent issues for a legislative district much like Peekskill. Her experience in managing constituent affairs makes her an ideal advocate for city residents who often feel their outreach to city hall goes unanswered and their concerns go unresolved. Since starting her job, she has organized Immigrant Rights panels and provided affordable housing aid to dozens.

Raaheela Ahmed County School Board Member | Bowie, MD

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Raaheela Ahmed is the elected representative for the Prince George's County Board of Education, District 5, representing over 80,000 people in the Bowie, Upper Marlboro and Mitchellville areas. This lifelong Prince Georgian and product of Prince George's County Public Schools was elected in November 2016 with 57% of the vote from 32,000 supporters. She first ran for the position in 2012 as an 18-year old, and nearly won. Over the course of her two campaigns, Ahmed went door-to-door to 12,000 homes and attended dozens of community events to better understand the needs of the community. As a board member, Ahmed has been a vocal and active advocate for the community. She’s zipped around the district to attend 250+ meetings and events in her first year on the board. Inherently, grassroots, service-based leadership is what she's all about. Outside of the board, Ahmed serves as the Manager of Leadership Programs for New American Leaders.

Raumesh Akbari State Senator | Memphis, TN Raumesh Akbari was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 2018 after serving as a State Representative for five years. She previously served as the House Minority Floor Leader. A graduate of Washington University and the Saint Louis University School of Law, Senator Akbari is currently chair of the Senate Minority Caucus, chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, and treasurer of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). She continues to introduce legislation affecting education and educational policy, criminal justice reform, and job growth incentives. One of her recent bills has now become law, reducing the amount needed for expungement of certain offenses from criminal records. Senator Akbari and her family have a mission of public service, and are active in the greater Memphis community.

Isabelle Alera School Committee Member | Leominster, MA Isabelle Alera is a 20 year old college student from Leominster, MA. She is the youngest elected official in the city of Leominster and is currently serving on the Leominster School Committee. She is looking forward to learning more about other school committees across the country and making great connections.

Sarah Anthony State Representative | Lansing, MI

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Sarah Anthony was elected in 2012 to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners as the youngest African American female county commissioner in the United States. She is currently the Chair of the Board of Commissioners and a Member of the Human Services and Finance Committees. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science/legal studies from Central Michigan University and a Master's of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University. She is also a fellow of the University of Michigan's New Leadership Academy. Anthony has received several local and statewide awards, including the Ten of the Next Ten Award from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her formal duties as an elected official, she is an active community volunteer, lending her talents to several social justice, feminist and environmental groups in Michigan.

Dorcey Applyrs Common Council Member | Albany, NY Dr. Dorcey Applyrs was elected to the City of Albany Common Council First Ward in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. The Washington, DC, native moved to Albany in 2003 to pursue graduate level education and since has earned a master’s degree and doctorate in public health from the University at Albany. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Delaware State University. Applyrs was named 40 Under 40 by the Albany Business Review, Young Alumni of Excellence by University of Albany and 2017 Women and Girls Ambassador by Girls Inc. of the Capital Region. Applyrs has been featured on the cover of HerLife New York Magazine and honored by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with the 2017 Off the Sidelines Equality Advocate Award. She is the Chair of the City of Albany’s Public Safety Committee and a member of the Albany County Board of Health.

Liz Bennett State Representative | Cedar Rapids, IA Liz Bennett is a state representative from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is the first openly LGBTQ woman to serve in the Iowa State Legislature. In addition to working for clean energy and public education, Liz's work in the legislature centers around ensuring that every person regardless of race, sex, religion, class, gender identity or sexual orientation is valued in Iowa and can reach their full potential. Outside of the legislature, Liz works for internet company Go Daddy. She serves on the Governor’s Council on STEM and the Kirkwood Community College Liberal Arts Advisory Committee. Liz holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Politics and Women’s Studies with an emphasis in Pre-Law from Cornell College.

Ashley Bennett Atlantic County Freeholder | Egg Harbor Township, NJ

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Ashley Bennett, a lifelong Atlantic County resident, was elected District 3 Freeholder in 2017. While attending Egg Harbor Township High School, she became an Emergency Medical Technician and discovered her passion to serve others. She holds a B.A. degree from Rutgers University in Psychology, where she also minored in Organizational Leadership and was a Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholar. She went on to earn her Masters in Community Counseling at Georgian Court University and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, where she worked in The Forensic Neuropsychology Research as a Research Assistant. Ms. Bennett has presented original research at both the Association for Psychological Science and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies National Conferences. She has been in the mental health field for a decade and currently works as a psychiatric emergency screener in a local emergency room, where she conducts mental health assessments and links those in crisis with mental health treatment. She is currently completing two additional graduate degrees in Public Health and Business Administration.

Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Vice Mayor | Alexandria, VA Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is the newly-elected Vice Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. In her day job, she is the Co-Director of Together We Bake, a nonprofit job training and personal development program for women in need. She is the founder of Fruitcycle, a business fighting the tragic fact that while one in six Americans experience foodinsecurity on a daily basis, 40% of our food is thrown into landfills. Before launching Fruitcycle, Elizabeth worked for the National Governors Association, where she served as governors' liaison to Congress, federal agencies, and the White House on issues related to transportation, economic development, and health. Elizabeth was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017 and serves on the board of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. She is a former Fulbright Fellow, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University, and received a master's degree from the University of London.

Emily Berge Council Member | Eau Claire, WI Emily Berge was elected to the Eau Claire City Council in April of 2018. Eau Claire is a city of approximately 70,000 people in West Central Wisconsin. Emily is one of 11 elected council members in a Council-Manager form of government (no Mayor). Emily has prioritized public engagement in her public service with the goal of connecting people with their local government and each other. Since elected in April she has assisted in forming multiple neighborhood associations, has held town hall meetings in her district, and introduced legislation (which passed) to create a permanent public input period the night before each legislative council meeting. Emily is working to bridge the gap between City Hall and city residents. In her day job, Emily works as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. She has an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Alessandra Biaggi State Senator | Pelham Manor, NY

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Alessandra Biaggi is the New York State Senator in her home district, NY-34. The granddaughter of Italian immigrants who lived in Hunts Point, she is the fourth generation of her family to live in the District. Before launching her campaign, she served in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Counsel’s Office focusing on the New York State’s women’s policy agenda, advocating for passage of the Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act. During the historic 2016 election, Alessandra was the Deputy National Operations Director for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, overseeing a budget of $500 million, 38 state directors and 45 associated staff. Her run for office is preceded by a decade of advocacy and service to the people of New York. She interned for the Kings County D.A.’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and was a legal fellow for New York State Homes and Community Renewal, working to ensure that families across New York State had access to affordable housing. She is a member of The New Agenda's Young Women Leadership Council. Alessandra attended Pelham public schools and holds degrees from New York University and Fordham Law School. She is also a graduate of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University.

Emily Bonilla County Commissioner | Orlando, FL Born in New York and raised in Massachusetts, Emily Bonilla is a proud Floridian of 18 years. She obtained an Associates Degree in Film from Valencia, a Bachelor’s in English from UCF and Masters in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University. She has extensive private sector experience in film, photography, marketing and creative writing. Brought up in an impoverished family of origin, Bonilla is a visionary who carved out a successful niche in the highly-competitive industry. A strong advocate for women, she developed comprehensive marketing tools and strategies that give work at home mom’s (WAHM) a boost up the business ladder.

Kamia Brown State Representative | Ocoee, FL Kamia L. Brown is a state representative and a Florida native, born and raised in Orlando. She has worked for the Florida Legislature for nearly 15 years. Over the years, she has been instrumental in drafting and implementing policy and most recently was recognized as a Rising Star and awarded "Freshman Legislator of the Year". Previously, Brown worked as a Chief Legislative Aide in the Florida House of Representatives, representing communities from Jacksonville to Orlando to South Florida, and also served as Senior Aide to Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Joe Gibbons. Brown leads the charge of Philanthropic and Community Relations as Director of Community Affairs and Development at the Central Florida Urban League. A proud Rattler, Brown received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from FAMU. In 2016, Brown was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 45th district, which includes parts of Orange County.

Nancy Bui-Thompson Sacramento Municipal Utility Board Member | Rancho Cardova, CA

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Nancy Bui-Thompson has the unique distinction of not only being a publicly elected member of the country’s sixth largest public utility, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) with a $1.7 billion budget; she is also an accomplished technology management professional. She was first elected to the SMUD Board of Directors in November 2008 to represent the 215,000 constituents of Ward 2 and has served as President in 2012 and 2016. Her “day job” is the Director, Transition and Integration at HealthNet (California subsidiary of Centene). Previously, she was a consultant at Public Consulting Group (PCG), Accenture and Deloitte. She has implemented some of the country’s largest government and healthcare technology projects ($650 million to $3 billion). She is a Sacramento Business Journal 2017 “Women Who Mean Business” and "40 under 40" awardee. In 2012, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) awarded the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF) to Bui-Thompson.

Kathyrn Burke Council Member | Spokane, WA Kate Burke first realized the importance of policy through her work as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer when she witnessed the gaps in food availability. To help combat this, she started her own non-profit, the Spokane Edible Tree Project, to harvest the unused fruit and nut trees for local food banks. Her interest in policy led her to work in State Senator Andy Billig’s office for four legislative sessions. She saw the positive change that could happen through policy and decided to run for City Council. Kate became Councilwoman Burke at the beginning of 2018 and has been an outspoken progressive voice on Council ever since. Recently, Kate started a consultation business that finds and trains diverse leaders in how to run for office. She is invested in making change through policy and works tirelessly to get others elected and to help push progressive values in her community.

Amber Childress Trustee | Alameda, CA Amber Childress is a marketing entrepreneur, mother, public speaker, and community advocate. She was raised in Oakland and has spent the majority of her life in the East Bay, attending Oakland public schools and Mills College to study Liberal Studies. From her school-age years through adulthood, Childress has benefited from programs like Upward Bound, A Better Chance, the Oakland Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program, and Emerge CA, which fueled her desire to fight for quality education for all students. The support she received in school and from her extended family taught her to embrace the idea that “It takes a village to raise a child”. Childress is a longtime volunteer with Girls Inc. of Alameda County, serving as a mentor, committee member, and class volunteer, and volunteers with other nonprofits in Alameda and Oakland. She was selected as the recipient of the 2016 Powerful Women of the Bay Innovator Award for her dedication to the community, tech education, and other entrepreneurs. Childress serves on the Oakland Unified School District Measure G Citizens Oversight Committee and is a Board Member with the East Bay Women’s Network. She also mentors youth through summer internships and school volunteer work.

Ashley Comans School Board Director | Wilkinsburg, PA

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Ashley Comans has served the Wilkinsburg School Board since December 2017. Ashley has lived in Wilkinsburg for 13 years. She joined the board because she wants to help build and support the best public education opportunities for the students in Wilkinsburg. Her goals are to help grow community engagement and continue to move this district forward successfully. In addition to serving the Wilkinsburg School Board, Ashley works as a Project Coordinator for the Hill Youth Partnership for Enrichment (HYPE), a board member for 1 Nation Mentoring, and volunteers for United Way’s – Be A Middle School Mentor program. Ashley was nominated for the 2017 Athena Young Professional Award and is an Ambassador for YNGBLKPGH. Ashley obtained a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communication Studies from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Carmen De La Rosa State Assemblywoman | New York, NY NYS Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa is a career public servant and a resident of Inwood in Northern Manhattan, She was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the Inwood section of New York City as a young child. In 2007, she began her career working for NYS Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell, where her passion for government and politics was sparked. After rising through the ranks in state and local government, Carmen was appointed Chief of Staff to NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez in 2014. In November 2016, Carmen was elected to the NYS Assembly, becoming the second woman to ever represent the 72nd Assembly District. In her first term in office, Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa, has become known and respected as a fierce advocate for immigrants’ rights; Sponsoring the NYS DREAM ACT and ushering its passage in the Assembly in February 2018. She has used her voice to demand criminal justice reform, the strengthening of rent stabilization laws that protect and prioritize lowincome tenants, stood firmly for women’s rights and equality, and has been a leading voice in the development of policies around Mental Health services for minority communities and suicide prevention.

Rysheema Dixon City Councilmember At-Large | Wilmington, DE Rysheema Dixon was elected to Wilmington City Council in January 2017 as a Councilperson At-Large. Her motto is “Strong from the Ground Up” and has spent over nine years in Community Development. Rysheema is the Chief Executive Officer & President of RD Innovative Planning, a Community Development Consulting Group. She graduated in 2009 from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and in 2013 graduated with a master’s degree in Sustainable Development/International Policy and Management from School for International Training. Rysheema is originally from Philadelphia. She has won numerous awards and sits on various networks, coalitions, boards and councils in Delaware. In her spare time, she is also an Adjunct Professor at Great Oaks Charter School and University of Delaware.

Analiese Eicher YEO Women's Conference | 2019

County Board Supervisor | Sun Prairie, WI Analiese Eicher is the Dane County Board Supervisor for District 3. Eicher serves on the Health and Human Needs Committee, The Youth Commission, The Parks Commission, and was appointed to the Personnel and Finance Committee. She is the Program and Development Director at One Wisconsin Now and One Wisconsin Institute. Eicher is an expert on voter suppression efforts and is involved in first of its kind research, groundbreaking polling, and organizing on the issue of student loan debt and its effects on Wisconsin and the nation's economy. Previously Eicher served as the Government Relations Director for United Council of UW Students and as District 5 Supervisor on the county board. Eicher is an Emerge Wisconsin graduate and serves on the board as vice chair. In 2015 Eicher was recognized as a Changemaker by Generation Progress. She is a proud UW Madison Badger and lives in Sun Prairie, WI with her significant other and adorable dog.

Anna Eskamani State Representative | Orlando, FL Anna V. Eskamani is a Florida state representative, an Orlando native, and daughter of working-class immigrants who has committed her life to advocating in support of Florida’s hardworking families. Anna served as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She managed a team of six across 22 counties and is known as an advocate for women’s health and equality. In addition to her professional work, Anna is a PhD student studying Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. In 2018 Anna was elected to serve the people of House District 47 with a vote margin of 57% to 43%, flipping a legislative seat, and becoming the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna is a progressive who has proven herself as a leader who works hard, delivers results, and gets things done.

Wanika Fisher State Delegate | Hyattsville, MD Wanika B. Fisher is a Maryland State Delegate and the proud daughter of immigrant parents. She represents the residents of Prince George’s County Maryland, District 47B and serves on the House Judiciary committee. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BA in Government and Politics and African American studies. She then received her law degree from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law. As a staffer on the County Council, Wanika helped protect senior citizens’ leases and ban coal tar from Prince George’s County. While working in the State Senate, Wanika worked on the Justice Reinvestment Act and the Trust Act, helping reform the criminal justice system and protect immigrants. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, she spent each day targeting serious crimes while providing nonviolent offenders with paths to rehabilitation. Wanika is active in her congregation at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hyattsville and a fan of Maryland Terps football and basketball.

DeDreana Freeman City Council Member | Durham, NC

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

DeDreana Freeman lives in Durham with her husband and three children. DeDreana has been active in various community organizations and non-profits. DeDreana Freeman was born in Trenton, New Jersey. She lives by the words, "Start by doing what is necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." – St. Francis of Assisi. DeDreana is currently a candidate for a Master’s Degree in public administration at North Carolina Central University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Rutgers University. DeDreana serves as the Special Assistant to the President for East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI), a nonprofit focused on the cradle-to-college or career pipeline for a community in East Durham. DeDreana recently organized the Durham Equitable Economic Partnerships, a startup non-profit whose focus is to create permanent affordable housing focused on marginalized minority communities. DeDreana has experience as a consultant with an expertise in communication, strategic planning, and data analysis.

Marita Garrett Mayor | Wilkinsburg, PA Marita Garrett is a Wilkinsburg Borough Councilperson. During her first term, Garrett started an initiative to empower residents to work together for neighborhood improvement, co-founded the Free Store Wilkinsburg, and was elected Vice-President of Council. Garrett is the co-owner and managing partner of Admintrinsic, which provides a wide range of outreach and engagement services to small businesses. Currently, she serves as the Program Trainer for Coro Pittsburgh’s Women in Leadership, 2016-2017 Cohort. Garrett received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh where she was employed as outreach coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. She continued in psychology receiving a Master’s from Chatham University and has been a panel speaker for the Center for Women and Politics. Currently, she serves as First Vice Chair of the Congress of Neighboring Communities as well as a member of the Allegheny Regional Asset District Advisory Board.

Jennifer Gregerson Mayor | Mukilteo, WA Jennifer Gregerson has served on the Mukilteo City Council since 2004, including two years as mayor pro tem. She serves as a member of the council public safety, sustainability, and Paine Field Airport committees. Gregerson also represents the city as a delegate to Snohomish County Tomorrow, and serves on the Washington State Shoreline Hearings Board. Councilmember Gregerson is a national leader on issues of municipal information technology and communications through her service as a steering committee member for the National League of Cities. She earned a bachelor's degree in French from New York University and a master's in urban planning from the University of Washington. Gregerson owns two small businesses in Mukilteo and volunteers locally with the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival and Mukilteo Farmer's Market. She is a lifetime resident of Mukilteo, where she makes her home with her partner, Jeff.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Dana Gutwein City Councilor | Lakewood, CO Dana Gutwein is a mother of two, former field engineer, and elected official. She was elected to Lakewood, CO City Council in 2015. As a member of Council, she helped pass Lakewood’s first ever Workplace Harassment Policy-holding elected officials to the same workplace standards as everyone else. She helped expand parks and open space protecting acres of land for generations to come. A strong advocate for local action on climate change, she has helped expand bike lanes, community gardens, neighborhood sustainability and recycling programs. Dana’s mission is to work hard, have a positive impact on our everyday lives, help make our world fairer, and plan for and invest in our collective future.

Nichole Harris Mayor | Tutwiler, MS Nichole Harris is a resident of Tutwiler, MS. She is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University where she received a BS in Biology and a Masters in Arts and Teaching. She has served on several committees for educational advancement and instruction throughout the state of Mississippi. Nichole is serving her second term as Mayor of her hometown, Tutwiler, MS, but she still continues to carry out her passion for educating her community. She believes in equal rights for all and works hard in her community to help gets jobs to come there. Nichole also works hard on making sure that equal right are given to her citizens regardless of differences.

Kara Hawes County Supervisor | Janesville, WI Kara Hawes was first elected to the Rock County Board's 28th District in 2016. She became one of the youngest members of the board and one of the only Progressives. Since then, Kara has worked tirelessly to recruit and train candidates to help push a bold agenda in Rock County. During the most recent election, she helped get six new members elected to the County Board. Kara currently serves on three committees: Public Safety & Justice, Health Services, and Heritage Rock County. Her past committees include Land Conservation and UW-Extension & Agriculture. In the past year, Kara has worked to pass several new progressive resolutions including a marijuana referendum and a resolution to maintain worker protections. She is currently working in opposition to arming security guards at the county courthouse. During this current County Board session, Kara hopes to pass legislation which will support clean energy, women’s and minority’s rights, health care including care for mental health, and criminal justice reform.

Alma Hernandez State Representative | Tucson, AZ

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Alma Hernandez was born and raised on the south side of Tucson. She earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Arizona. She has further public health training from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At 14 she was brutally attacked and subsequently exposed to a criminal justice system rigged against people of color—especially those without means. For the last decade, Hernandez has worked hard to elect Progressive Democrats to offices throughout Southern Arizona. She has served as campaign manager for many and was a delegate for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. She has been to Ghana and Panama to help provide medical and public health services. Most recently she led Arizonans United for Healthcare working to defeat the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. She is an outspoken activist on issues including healthcare, public education, and criminal justice reform.

Consuelo Hernandez Board Member | Tucson, AZ Consuelo Hernandez is 26 years old and has been involved in politics since she was 15 years old. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Health from Arizona State University. She has dedicated her time to education equity and mentoring youth. She was recently elected to serve on the Sunnyside School Board. With few resources and little to no guidance she quickly realized the system was not intended to support students like her. As a result, she began mentoring at-risk youth to bridge the gap. For nearly 11 years she has been an outspoken activist in her community fighting for and equity helping bring transparency and hold our representatives accountable. She holds positions of leadership within her community, working on local campaigns, and serving on her philanthropy board at her place of work. She was elected to represent her community as a delegate for Hillary Clinton.

Natalia Higgins State Representative | Leominster, MA Natalie Higgins was sworn in as State Representative for the 4th Worcester District on January 4, 2017. Natalie is a lifelong Leominster resident, Boston-educated attorney, and former non-profit director and rape crisis counselor, who is dedicated to service and advocacy. Natalie obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from UMass Amherst, earned her law degree from Northeastern University and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2014. While in law school, Natalie secured a competitive Rappaport Fellowship in Policy and Law, where she worked in the Cabinet Affairs Office of Governor Deval Patrick, drafting best practices to protect non-student minors from sexual violence on public college campuses. Natalie went on to become the Executive Director of PHENOM (the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members to advocate for free and accessible, well-staffed public higher education.

Ellie Hill Smith State Representative | Missoula, MT

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Ellie Hill Smith is a state representative serving her fourth term in the Montana House of Representatives. She serves on the national board of directors of NCSL (National Council of State Legislators) and the national board of AAUW (American Association of University Women). Over the last decade, Ellie has traveled to the Jordanian Embassy, elected Vice President of the Young Democrats of America, and spoken at events for the Aspen Institute, Conference on World Affairs, Netroots Nation, Center for American Women in Politics, and others. At the Montana Capitol Ellie oversaw Medicaid expansion, granting healthcare access to 70,000 Montanans. Time Magazine named her a “40 Under 40 Political Rising Star” and The Washington Post called her one of the state’s “Best Political Tweeters.” Ellie is an attorney and a mom building broad coalitions to promote progressive policies. She enjoys listening to old vinyl records and drinking a good Montana microbrew.

Christy Holstege Councilmember | Palm Springs, CA Christy Holstege was elected to Palm Springs City Council in November 2017 to serve a four-year term. She is the first millennial and the first out bisexual person to be elected to the Council, and she is proud to join the first all-LGBTQ city council in the country. She serves on regional and statewide boards and subcommittees, including with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and the League of California Cities. Prior to being elected, Christy was awarded a Stanford Law School Public Interest Fellowship to establish a legal clinic for domestic violence survivors. Christy has also represented low-income farmworkers in civil rights cases at California Rural Legal Assistance and interned at the Center for Reproductive Rights and the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. Christy earned a JD from Stanford Law School and a BA in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara.

Sara Innamorato State Representative | Pittsburgh, PA Sara Innamorato is a lifelong Pittsburgh-area resident born to a middle-class family in Ross Township. After graduating from North Hills High School, Sara attended the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a business degree. Sara took an opportunity with a large international tech company. After working in the private sector, she sought volunteer opportunities with community groups, and soon landed a life-changing job at a small nonprofit who worked on environmental justice, job creation and community development. Sara believes Pennsylvania's government is in desperate need of young, fresh faces who wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t back down from hard work, arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid to take a risk to get things done, are strong-willed and resistant to corruption, and truly have a vision for the future of their communities.

Sabrina Javellana Vice Mayor | Hallandale Beach, FL

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Sabrina Javellana is a proud, lifelong resident of Hallandale Beach whose family migrated from the Philippines and Illinois. Sabrina is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science at Florida International University. As a progressive activist in Hallandale Beach and Broward County, Sabrina works to be an advocate for social justice, especially in terms of economic, racial, and gender based issues. She has worked in governmental relations consulting regarding issues of access to affordable healthcare, quality public education, protection of children and seniors, and effective disaster preparedness. Increasing communication and relations between levels of government from local to county, state, and federal is of high priority to her to increase opportunities for the people of Hallandale Beach. Sabrina is a member of the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women.

Tishaura Jones Treasurer | St. Louis, MO Tishaura O. Jones was sworn in as Treasurer of St. Louis on January 1, 2013. She is the first woman to hold the office in the history of St. Louis. Since becoming Treasurer, Tishaura has increased transparency in city government, streamlined and modernized the parking division, improved returns on the city’s investments, increased the overall financial health of city residents by reducing the number of unbanked households, and started a citywide children’s savings program. She was a state representative from 2008-2012 and was the first African American and first female Assistant Minority Floor Leader. Ms. Jones has a master’s degree in health administration from the Saint Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hampton University. Previously Jones was employed as Vice-President of Municipal Finance for Blaylock Robert Van and as an adjunct faculty member at the Anheuser-Busch School of Business at HarrisStowe State University. Tishaura is the proud mother of Aden.

Andrea Karpinski Councilmember | Hamtramck, MI Andrea Karpinski is a second term councilwoman in the City of Hamtramck, MI. She is 34 years old and a lifelong resident of the City of Hamtramck. She worked for the City of Hamtramck for 8 years, and currently is employed by the Hamtramck Public School District as a high school secretary. Karpinski’s family runs two small businesses in Hamtramck, so she can offer unique perspectives in relation to being a resident, former employee, and a small business owner. She also serves as a liaison between the public school district and the city.

Korin Kirk School Board Member | Binghamton, NY

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Korin L. Kirk is a graduate of the NY public school system. Korin returned home from Buffalo State a fierce and confident fighter of social injustice. She has always been civic minded whether as Special Olympics Hugger with her mother or organizing youth programs with her father. In high school she lobbied in Albany with the Alliance for Quality Education. Teaching has taken her farther than she imagined, beyond the classroom and out into the community. She can be found working her day job as a Community Engagement Specialist or in her many volunteer positions through the NAACP, Salvation Army, or the Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow (PLOT). She brings to the table experience in large scale budgets, policy making and grassroots organizing. Mary Church Terrell’s words, “Lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go,” is one of her favorite quotes and are words she lives by.

London Lamar State Representative | Memphis, TN London Lamar is a proud, native Memphian and a courageous community advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. London has advocated on national, state, and local policies and legislation that supports the health and reproductive rights of all families. In her discretionary time, She also completed Emerge Tennessee 2017 Fellowship, New Leaders Council Nashville 2015 Fellowship and was selected as Memphis Flyer’s Top 20 under 30 Class of 2015 and Memphis Top 40 under 40 Class of 2017. London’s intentions are to act as a result-driven leader in communities through civic engagement initiatives focused on education, healthcare, economic development, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform.

Christine Lewis Metro Councilor | West Linn, OR Christine Lewis was elected to serve the Portland community on the Metro Council in 2018. She has a background working as a public policy and communications professional, most recently as the Legislative and Communications Director at the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She served as campaign manager for Portland’s historic 2016 housing measure. She gives back to her community by volunteering with Minds Matter of Portland, Emerge Oregon, the Junior League of Portland, and the Portland Opera, among other organizations. Christine was named Volunteer of the Year in 2018 by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Christine moved to Oregon to attend Reed College, where she earned her BA in anthropology while playing rugby and working at the campus nuclear reactor. Christine enjoys spending time on the water with her dragon boat team, the performing arts, and reading for pleasure (or to keep up with 2 book clubs).

Karen Liot Hill City Councilor & County Treasurer | Lebanon, NH

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Karen Liot Hill is a city councilor in Lebanon, New Hampshire, one of the Granite State's thirteen cities. She was first elected in 2005, defeating an incumbent with nearly twothirds of the vote. After spearheading the city's first-ever strategic planning effort in 2006, she was re-elected to the Ward seat in 2007, in highly competitive race. She was appointed by her colleagues on the council to serve a one-year term as Mayor in 2008. In 2009, she was re-elected to the City Council - this time to an at-large seat - with over 76% of the vote. Hill is the mother of two daughters. She sits on the boards of WISE—a nonprofit serving victims of domestic and sexual violence—and Vital Communities, which seeks creative solutions to regional challenges.

Natalia D. Macker County Commissioner | Jackson, WY Natalia D. Macker is currently Chair of the Teton County Commission (WY). Current initiatives include implementing a health in all policies framework and developing a community-wide human services plan. Macker also serves as Chair of the health, safety, and social services committee for the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and represents Wyoming on several NACo committees. She is collaborating on projects with the state for the implementation of substance abuse and suicide prevention at the county level and serves on the steering committee for the statewide health assessment. Commissioner Macker serves on the board of Energy Conservation Works, which invests in initiatives and programs to conserve energy and reduce emissions in Teton County. She was appointed in 2015 by Governor Matt Mead to serve on the Land Quality Advisory Board for the Department of Environmental Quality. She resides in Jackson with her husband and two young sons.

Lacey Merica School Board Vice President | Omaha, NE Lacey Merica is the Board Vice President of Omaha Public Schools (OPS) and has served on the board since June 2013. In 2017, she served as Board President. OPS is the largest school district in Nebraska, educating over 53,000 students, nearly 75% of whom live in poverty. Merica represents the district on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Schools Boards Association and serves on the Executive Committee for the Council of the Great City Schools. Merica's board priorities include ensuring a smooth superintendent transition, passing policies to ensure local small businesses are active participants in district bond issue construction, decreasing suspension disparities, and maintaining an active presence in state/federal education issues. She earned her BS in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, her MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and is now pursuing an MS in Political Science. She is a proud member of YEO and Local Progress.

Nancy Metayer Supervisor | Coral Springs, FL

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Nancy Metayer is currently the Climate Justice Program Manager for The New Florida Majority and the Broward County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from Florida A&M University and Master of Health Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University. Having spent the past ten years working for government agencies and nonprofit organizations, both domestically and internationally, Nancy promotes programs that improve environmental conditions, water, sanitation, and public health. Nancy worked on the 2015 Continuing Promise Mission; a collaboration between NGOs based in Haiti, the Haitian Government and the United States Navy which provided public health services to Haitian citizens. She also advocated for vulnerable communities impacted by the Flint Water Crisis and Hurricane Irma and Michael in Florida. Nancy currently leads a long-term strategy initiative, Florida Disaster Preparedness Plan (FDPP), that focuses on building disaster and community resilience in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Stephanie Morales Commonwealth's Attorney | Portsmouth, VA Stephanie Morales was the first woman to be elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in Portsmouth, VA in 2015. A month after taking office, she created programming aimed at reforming the criminal justice system. She has engaged over 150 youth under her “Future Leaders Initiative” program and has helped reduce recidivism by working with formerly incarcerated citizens to restore their voting rights and help them become productive community members. Under her “Ctrl+Alt+Del Program” she has held dialogue and taught effective re-entry strategies in seminars held in the community and inside state prisons. Three months into Morales’ first term an officer in her city killed an unarmed teen. Morales secured an indictment and led the prosecution at jury trial, leading to a voluntary manslaughter conviction of the officer, resulting in police accountability in her city. She is a fierce advocate for justice and a wife and mother of four children.

Crystal Murillo City Council Member | Aurora, CO Crystal Murillo grew up in Aurora, CO, which is the third largest city in the state with a diverse population of more than 374,000. Her family has been rooted in Ward 1 for the past 20 years. Growing up in an immigrant household and community, she experienced the meaning of grit, hard work, and determination. Crystal comes has accomplished an impressive list of “firsts.” She is the first in her family to graduate high school and college. In 2015 she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver. In 2017 she became the first in her family to be elected to office, the first Latina and the youngest person ever elected to Aurora City Council. Crystal is committed to helping others become change-makers. She believes that now, more than ever, we need truly representative leadership that solves the problems affecting us all.

Marcelia Nicholson County Supervisor | Milwaukee, WI

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Marcelia Nicholson is 1st Vice-Chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Prior to her election, she taught 4th grade. As a member of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Marcelia worked to organize members and community groups for better classroom conditions, fought against privatization efforts, and earned the Fall 2016 cover of NEA Magazine. As current Vice President of Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization, Marcelia works to engage political leaders around the Fight for $15 and a Union, while connecting disenfranchised Milwaukeeans to good family sustaining jobs, union representation, career development, and the halls of government. She has lead sponsored many pieces of legislation, including a $15 living wage ordinance, eviction reduction program, an antidiscrimination resolution, and funding for woman of color seeking entrepreneurship. She is proud to be the first Board-elected leader of color on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, and the youngest African-American woman serving in the State of WI.

Emanuela Palmares Board of Education Member | Danbury, CT Emanuela Palmares is a Brazilian-American who arrived in the United States at the age of 10 unable to speak a word of English. Today she is a member of the Danbury Board of Education, the Editor and Partner of Tribuna Newspaper, a biweekly publication in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and is the co-founder and vice president of The New American Dream Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, created to promote our nation’s rich immigrant history, highlighting the cultural, social and economic contributions of all immigrants and the core American values of equal opportunity, progress, and freedom in the areas of education, health, and civic engagement. She also holds what she refers to as “the most meaningful position of all” –being a mother to her son Caio, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, the proud daughter of Celia and Genilson Palmares, her role models, and a partner to her husband State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski.

Amelia Peloquin School Committee Vice Chair | Southbridge, MA Amelia Peloquin got her start in political activism as a young mom in early 2011, when Tea Party activists came to her town during a special election to harass voters at the polls and sponsor misleading advertisements about voter ID laws. She was later awarded the 2011 Defender of Civil Liberties award from the Massachusetts ACLU for her activism on behalf of the rights of voters. Peloquin has been serving in elected office in her hometown of Southbridge, Massachusetts since 2012, first as a town council member and later as a member of the school committee, where she is currently vice chair. She serves on the state committee for her political party and has been active in many campaigns to elect progressives to municipal and state offices in Massachusetts. By day she does development work for a nonprofit that provides resources for families and individuals facing homelessness in Central Massachusetts.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Emma Pinter City Councillor | Westminster, CO Emma Pinter has dedicated her life to public service as an attorney working in legal aid clinics and serving on local boards. She currently serves on the Westminster City Council, ACYI board, and ACED board. Pinter is the legacy of a functioning, healthy working class and the daughter of an immigrant. In 2018 she was selected as “Woman Metro North”, and she is also a PCCC “Champion of Change”. Her leadership reflects her working family roots. Raised by a single mother, a librarian, Pinter learned about hard work. When she was 20, her mother passed away and it fell to her to ensure that her sister was able to finish high school and college. The way her friends and neighbors rallied around her family illustrated to her the power of community.

Channel Powe Governing Board Member | Phoenix, AZ Channel Powe is a member of the Balsz School District’s Governing Board and a champion for children and families in her community. As a young activist hailing from Detroit, Powe has come a long way – from child advocate to elected governing board member, Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board member, founder of Powe Power and now candidate for Downtown Justice of The Peace. She led the charge to pass anti-hate and school safe zone resolutions both at the local governing board and statewide level. Recently, Powe led the successful push for a district-wide divestment from a vendor in the prison industry. Powe sees it as an opportunity and an obligation to share her experience, raise awareness on key issues, and train those seeking greater civic engagement and social change.

Candice Quarles Councilwoman | DeSoto, TX Candice Quarles was elected to the DeSoto City Council in May 2016. Prior to being elected, she served as a member of the City of Desoto’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. Candice, a native of St. Louis, MO, received her bachelor’s degree in Personnel Psychology from Missouri Western State University, and thereafter completed a Master’s Degree in Managerial Leadership with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Webster University. Candice’s professional career spans over a decade in Human Resources in the private and public sectors. She is currently the Director of Talent Management for a technology company based in Dallas with 3 HR certifications. Outside of work Candice is involved in a variety of community organizations such as the Alliance for Greater Works, National Urban League and the League of Women Voters. She was named to the 2014 Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 distinction.

State Senator | Jackson Heights, NY Jessica Ramos has spent her life fighting for working families, advocating for labor, and organizing her local community. Born in Elmhurst to an undocumented seamstress and a printing pressman, Jessica was raised in Astoria, attended Queens public schools, and now lives in Jackson Heights with her two sons. Jessica is running to represent the people of District 13, one of the most diverse districts in the country. She is a mother. She is a renter. She is a straphanger. She is a daughter of immigrants. She is a working woman. She is Queens.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Jessica Ramos

Alma-Delia Renteria Board of Education Member | Lynwood, CA Alma-Delia Renteria was first elected to an at-large seat on the Lynwood Unified School District Board of Trustees in the general election on November 5, 2013. Renteria is a teacher at the Monseñor Oscar Romero Charter School. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of California: Riverside. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in urban education at Loyola Marymount University. Board Member Renteria also serves as the Chair of the Lynwood Alumni College Conference.

Melissa Robinson School Board Member | Kansas City, MO Melissa Robinson was elected to the Kansas City Public Schools School Board on April 8, 2014, and currently serves as Board President. Robinson is working to partner with public school stakeholders to ensure all children have access to a globally competitive education. Her focus is high student expectations, classroom focused finance, parent leadership, and community engagement. Robinson led efforts to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline; ensuring all eligible students in the Kansas City Public Schools are registered to vote; and is a champion of restorative justice practices. Robinson, a Robert Woods Fellow, is currently employed with the Black Health Care Coalition as President. She is leading the organization to fulfill strategic goals and maintain sustainable community partnerships to eliminate health disparity. During her tenure, she has established a Health Empowerment Zone; a satellite “Live Well KC” Center on Kansas City’s east side and established a progressive policy agenda addressing conditions impacting health equity.

Nily Rozic State Assemblywoman | Flushing, NY

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Nily Rozic represents New York’s 25th Assembly District, which spans the Eastern portion of Queens. In 2012, Rozic became the youngest woman in the state legislature and the first woman ever to represent the 25th District. Nily has championed bills creating flexibility in the workplace, fair practices for work shifts, pay equity, and increased entrepreneurship in underserved communities. Most recently, she authored a new law to ease work schedules for state employees and expand current flexible workplace practices. She is a member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. In 2013, Rozic was named as a Rising Star on City & State’s annual list of the Next Generation of Political Leaders for becoming an influential force in New York State politics as a young elected official. A graduate of New York University, Nily proudly calls Fresh Meadows home.

Sofía Rubalcava Deputy Mayor | Ventura, CA Sofía Rubalcava was born and raised on the Westside of Ventura. She is the daughter of immigrants; her parents came from Jalisco, Mexico in the 1970s. Her father worked in local restaurants and was a farm worker and her mother was a homemaker. After graduating from high school, she attended Ventura College, and then UCSB, where she double majored in Law & Society and Spanish Language and Literature. After graduating from college, she began working for Ventura Unified School District as a District Translator where she applied her bilingual skills to bridge the communication gap between people who did not share a common language. She currently works as a District Translator for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. She currently serves on the board of a youth Mariachi program that provides musical and cultural arts education to children.

Natalia Rudiak Former City Councilmember | Pittsburgh, PA Natalia Rudiak is a former City Councilwoman who represented the fourth district on the Pittsburgh City Council. She was elected in 2009 with over 98% of the vote. On the council, she served as the chair of the performance and asset management committee, which deals with implementation and oversight of government services such as facilities, the cable bureau, information systems, and sustainability initiatives. She previously worked at Deloitte Consulting, the United States Senate, and for a public health organization in New York. Natalia was named to the 40 under 40 by PUMP and Pittsburgh Magazine in 2009, and was voted Young Democrat of the Year in 2011. Natalia is currently a Board Member of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. She earned her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and her Master in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Athena Salman State Representative | Phoenix, AZ

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Athena Salman grew up in a multiracial family. She developed a deep appreciation for our country’s shared history and collective potential. Her experiences taught her resiliency, diligence, and the importance of community. Salman is best known for tirelessly working to advance the rights of vulnerable populations. Her bill, HB2222, received national attention for addressing the lack of feminine hygiene products for female prisoners, which led to immediate policy change within the Department of Corrections. She has received recognition for her advocacy for vulnerable communities, including 2018 Best Politician by the Phoenix New Times and the City of Tempe’s MLK Diversity Award. Salman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with degrees in economics and political science and is a 2010 alumna of Young People For. She’s the first Palestinian American elected to the state legislature and the only woman currently under the age of 30. Salman represents District 26 in the Arizona House of Representatives.

Rebecca Saltzman BART Director | Oakland, CA Rebecca Saltzman was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit District Board in November of 2012. Prior to her election, Saltzman spent years as a public transit and policy advocate, coalition builder, grassroots organizer, and manager with local, state, and national issue-based organizations. In addition to her service on the transit board, Saltzman works as the Government Affairs Manager for the California League of Conservation Voters, the non-partisan political action arm of California's environmental movement. Rebecca served as Vice-Chair of the Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee from 2011-2013, where she advised the City of Oakland on pedestrian and bicycle policy and infrastructure. She graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Evetty Satterfield School Board Member | Knoxville, TN Evetty Satterfield is a proud Austin-East Magnet High School graduate. She holds a Special Education degree from Alabama A&M University and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Evetty understands the importance of mastering one’s craft in order to serve one’s community with passion and knowledge. Evetty has committed service years as a Founding Corps Member for City Year Denver and an Ella Baker Trainer for the Children’s Defense Fund - which has allowed her to continue to spread the movement by launching East Knoxville Freedom School in 2017. Evetty returned to Knoxville after sharing her talents internationally as the Director of Student Services at Manor International in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She currently serves as the Manager of School Partnerships with Academic Approach and Knox County School Board Representative – District 1. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the chair of East Knoxville Business and Professional Association.

Jordan Sauers Councilwoman | Northglenn, CO

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Jordan Sauers is a Northglenn City Councilmember for Ward 1 and the youngest person to be elected to office in Northglenn’s history. She is also a legislative policy analyst for the City and County of Denver. She is a Daniels Scholar and graduate of the University of Denver (DU) where she double majored in sociology and communication studies. During her tenure at DU, she held fellowships in the Governor’s Office and the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. Sauers is currently a candidate for Master of Public Policy at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at DU. She sits on various appointed commissions and boards, including the Denver Commission on Aging, The Colorado Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners, Women’s Lobby of Colorado, Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement Board, founding Board Member of Latino Young Philanthropists, Denver Regional Council of Governments, and ACCESO (Spanish Language Voting Advisory Committee).

Sharmin Shahjahan Village Trustee | Hanover Park, IL Sharmin Shahjahan is the first Bangladeshi American woman to hold an elected position in the US. She is also the first Asian and Muslim to be elected to the Village of Hanover Park Board. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University and began her career at General Electric where she developed her technical, operational, and leadership skills. In the remainder of her term, Ms. Shahjahan would like to focus on increasing civic engagement, transparency, accountability, and community development to respond to the unique needs of our municipality. She currently serves as Board Liaison to Hanover Park's Cultural Inclusion & Diversity Committee, National League of Cities' Human Development Committee, and Women Empowerment Campaign. She resides with her husband and two young daughters in Hanover Park.

Mary Sheffield Council President Pro-Tem | Detroit, MI Mary Sheffield is a native Detroiter with a track record of service and leadership in her community. In November 2013, Mary became the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council at the age of 26. Serving in District 5, Sheffield was appointed as Chair of the Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee, serves as a member of the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee, and has been appointed as a board member for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. Sheffield has launched a number of initiatives designed to engage residents and offer a truly representative form of government. Some of her most groundbreaking initiatives include her monthly “Conversations with the Councilwoman” series, Neighborhood Angels Program, Homelessness Taskforce and monthly e-newsletter. She is committed to building a “New Detroit” and attracting new residents but wants to ensure the City remains committed to residents who stayed through the toughest of times.

Kate Stewart Mayor | Takoma Park, MD

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Kate Stewart is the Mayor of Takoma Park and has served as Mayor since 2015. She is the Vice-Chair for the Racial Equity and Leadership Council (REAL) for the National League of Cities and the Vice-Chair for the Maryland chapter of the Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO). Kate is a Principal at Conway Strategic, a communications firm which specializes in developing action plans to change policy, shape public opinion research and create research-driven communications and advocacy strategies. Previously Kate served as the Executive Vice President of Advocates for Youth, an organization that works in the US and internationally to empower young people to make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health and to advocate on behalf of their rights. Kate has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at American University and is currently on the Urban Institutes Internal Review Board. Kate received her BA from Haverford College and her MS from the University of Maryland.

Gracie Torres Municipal Water District Director | Riverside, CA Gracie Torres is the proud product of Riverside, CA schools. She has devoted her career to protecting and conserving our water resources as well as educating the next generation of scientists. With more than four years working at Riverside County Flood Control, Gracie has the experience of working with water agencies, and municipalities in helping them identify potential water quality concerns and solutions. She was elected to Western Municipal Water District in 2018. Gracie is a California State University, San Bernardino alumna, where she currently teaches and where she met her husband, Eric. She has three children – Gracie, Phillip, and Gabie. Gracie holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a master’s in Earth and Environmental Sciences from California State University, San Bernardino.

Ashley Vanorny Councilmember | Cedar Rapids, IA Ashley Vanorny is a lifelong Cedar Rapidian and current District 5 City Councilor who learned the value of hard work by helping on the family farm. She graduated from Kirkwood with an AS in Criminal Justice, and also holds a BS in Psychology and a BA in Political Science from the University of Iowa. She is completing her Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Des Moines University. Ashley has always chosen to be a civil servant, from interning with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit out of the Attorney General's office, to her Pathways internship with the local Social Security Administration field office. She takes a lot of pride in her advocacy for foster children, low-income families, and celebrating and supporting diversity. Her pledge is to be accessible and accountable to the voters of Cedar Rapids, and to be their voice at the municipal level.

Jenna Vendil Board of Education Member | Portland, ME

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Jenna Vendil is a school committee member elected to the Portland Public School Board in 2009. Shortly after graduating from college in 2006, she worked with Opportunity Maine to organize college students and working families to advance groundbreaking legislation to make college more affordable. During her time with the League of Young Voters as the Maine field director, she worked to empower young people to be involved in the political process and to get progressive candidates elected. Since 2006, she has spoken at leadership trainings, conferences, and events that have impacted over 300 young people across the state. During her tenure in office, Vendil has strived to create stronger pathways for student learning in the classroom and in the community. In addition, Committee Member Vendil coordinates the field outreach for Fair Share Now, a coalition of progressive organizations and labor unions advocating for tax fairness and economic justice.

Paula Villescaz School Board Member | Carmichael, CA Paula Villescaz was elected to the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education in 2016. Paula is a proud product of public schools and graduated from Mira Loma's International Baccalaureate Program and earned a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Paula is the Assistant Secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency. Previously Paula was a Principal Consultant to the California Legislature where she advised on policy issues related to children's health, mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders and treatment programs. During the summers, Paula volunteers as a coach for the South Sacramento Junior Giants Baseball Program, and a Youth Counselor at Camp Okizu, which provides peer support and recreational programs to meet the needs of children and families affected by childhood cancer. Paula resides in Arden-Arcade.

Kelsey Waits School Board Member | Hastings, MN Kelsey Waits was inspired to run for office after attending her local Women’s March in 2017. Last November, she was elected to the school board in Hastings, MN. As a young homeschooler new to the community, Waits brings a fresh perspective to her local board. She is also leading a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative whose goal is to create a community where all are welcome. In March, Waits was elected chair of her party’s senate district, where she works on inspiring more people to get involved in politics. Waits is currently enrolled at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in Minneapolis where she is working towards a master’s degree in public policy. She has also recently contributed an essay to the book Why I Run, which will be released in March. Waits’s kids are her motivation to change the world.

Cora Faith Walker State Representative | Jefferson City, MO

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Cora Faith Walker represents part of North St. Louis County in the Missouri House of Representatives and was elected to her first term in 2016. Representative Walker is a licensed attorney who has extensive experience working on issues such as Medicaid expansion and healthcare reform. As a legislator, Representative Walker is committed to fighting for justice and equity in the areas of health, early childhood education and development, criminal justice, jobs, and the economy. She has been able to advance her work not only through legislation she has filed, but also through her service as ranking member on Health and Mental Health Policy, Budget, and Appropriations: Health and Mental Health. In addition to her work as a legislator, Representative Walker is actively involved in her community and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Nurses for Newborns, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, University City Children's Center/LUME Institute, and Civic Arts Company.

Jheanelle Wilkins State Delegate | Silver Spring, MD Jheanelle Wilkins was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Delegate Wilkins is a passionate community advocate dedicated to policy and change that makes a difference in people’s lives. In the House of Delegates, she proudly represents District 20 and serves on the Ways and Means Committee. Jheanelle is the chair of the Montgomery County Delegation’s Land Use, Transportation, and Public Safety Committee, and Vice Chair of the Montgomery County House Caucus. Her legislative achievements include legislation related to maternal health, justice reform and racial profiling, advancing educational equity, and the economic security of families. Jheanelle is the Director of State & Local Government Affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights coalition. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Delaware and her Master’s in Public Administration from the American University.

Jenny Willford City Councilor | Northglenn, CO Jenny Willford has spent her career training candidates across the country to run for public office, find their authentic voice, and build effective finance plans. In 2016, as the Executive Director of Emerge Colorado, 90% of the candidates Jenny trained won their elections and raised nearly a million dollars. In 2017, Jenny was elected to a four year term on the Northglenn City Council and is the youngest person ever elected to serve her district. Jenny currently serves as the Director of Individual Giving at The Family Tree, a non-profit dedicated to disrupting homelessness, child abuse, and domestic violence. A 2018 nominee for the North Metro Chamber of Commerce Millennial Woman Leader of the year, Jenny holds bachelor’s degrees in women’s studies and international studies from the University of Wyoming; and a master’s degree in human rights and political science from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Shanae Williams Councilwoman | Yonkers, NY

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Shanae Williams, 28, was appointed to the Yonkers City Council in 2018. Williams holds a BS from the State University of New York at Albany. Williams interned and then served as a Business Administrator in the New York State Assembly. Upon graduating, she then worked full time at City Hallas the Executive Assistant to Mayor Mike Spano while obtaining her MBA from Walden University. She currently works as a Multifamily Account Executive for Altice USA. Williams was born in Jamaica and brought to Yonkers as a child. Williams attended Yonkers Public Schools and has been a resident of First Council District for over 15 years. She is a member of the Hudson River Community Association, NAACP, Westchester Black Women Political Caucus, Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club, is a former board member of the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Yonkers and served as the liaison to Mayor Mike Spano’s African American Advisory Board.

Shanell Williams City College Trustee | San Francisco, CA Shanell Williams is the Director of Community Engagement for the California Preterm Birth Initiative at UCSF and a member of the Board of Trustees at City College of San Francisco. Her work has included mentoring youth trapped in cycles of incarceration and saving City College from a near loss of accreditation and closure for the past four years. She has worked for numerous organizations dedicated to serving marginalized communities, including the Center for Young Women’s Development, Youth Leadership Institute, UNITE HERE Local 2, Jobs with Justice SF, and Urban Services YMCA. Shanell is a 2005 Jefferson Award recipient for co-founding Youth Treatment and Education Court Leadership Fellows, as she helped develop a curriculum to train court administrators, judges, probation officers and thousands of service providers nationwide. She received the 2013 San Francisco Bay Guardian Local Hero Award for her CCSF advocacy, as well as the Harvey Milk Democratic Club’s “City College Champion” Award in 2014.

Tammie Williams Public Library Trustee | Elmont, NY Tammie S. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community & Human Services from SUNY Empire State College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. It is Tammie’s personal mission to continue the work of social activists who came before her, in advocating for children, families, and marginalized communities. As a Community Practitioner, she works to bring people together through awareness, education, understanding, and acceptance, in order to further the well-being of individuals and communities. Tammie is a humble woman driven by love for her family and the needs of her community. Tammie uses her God-given talents, innovation, voice, and skills as a Community Practitioner to advocate for the most vulnerable populations through more effective public policy.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

SPEAKERS & TRAINERS

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

*Bios for speakers or trainers who are also conference attendees can be found in the YEO Bios section

Gina Adams Senior Fellow, Urban Institute Gina Adams is a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute. Her interest in child care started early, when she took care of infants in a child care center and did home visits with lowincome Latino families in Austin, Texas. Those experiences allowed her to see firsthand the often heartbreaking challenges and trade-offs that low-income families face in trying to provide their children with a strong start. Subsequently, her passion has been to make child care and early childhood systems work better for these families. She works to bring the complexities of real people’s lives to the policy debate and to translate them into pragmatic policy solutions that make sense for families as well as for the policymakers, practitioners, and service providers working on their behalf.

Diali Avila Senior Coalition Manager, NWLC Diali Avila is originally from Mexico and migrated with her family when she was 11 years old. She started doing community organizing when she was 17 and took it full-time when she joined a campaign to enroll Latinx communities to the ACA. She has joined various campaigns and advocacy efforts since then around reproductive health care access, immigration justice and access to higher education. Most recently, Diali has joined the National Women’s Law Center as the Senior Coalition Manager to continue advocating for better child care policies.

Marge Baker Executive Vice President for Policy and Program, PFAW Marge Baker is executive vice president at People For the American Way, where she oversees the organization’s policy and programmatic work. She serves as the organization’s spokesperson and chief strategist for its ongoing work to confirm fairminded judges to the federal judiciary and has led PFAW’s anti-corruption efforts and campaigns to reduce the undue influence of money in politics. In her work at People For she has focused on building diverse progressive coalitions designed to win meaningful victories on key progressive issues. She has served for more than 35 years in various public service roles. Prior to her current position she was the staff director for the late Senator Paul Wellstone on the Senate’s Employment, Safety and Training Subcommittee. Ms. Baker served as Chief Counsel to Senator Howard Metzenbaum on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and directed the Consumer Services Division of the New York Department of Public Service.

Director, Young People For (YP4) Christin “Cici” Battle is a tenacious and unapologetic leader serving at the intersection of authentic social impact and social justice. From D.C. to Cali, Colombia, Cici has traveled extensively to build programs, craft immersive workshops and learning spaces to build authentic movements, initiatives and programs that center the forgotten- specifically youth, women and girls-especially those of color. Cici currently serves as Young People For’s, Director, where she leads the country's largest national social justice incubator for marginalized young people and serves as the co-host of the popular “Progressive Happy Hour” a podcast that brings an inclusive angle to politics. Beyond YP4, as a fierce leader in long-term civic engagement, Cici is the creator of “Passion Framing” a holistic civic engagement framework that connects the dots between the process and the issues of everyday people rather than “sexy” candidates. Cici earned her Master’s Degree in Education Policy and her Bachelor’s in Psychology with an emphasis on Leadership Development from Florida International University.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Christin “Cici” Battle

Temi F. Bennett Consumer Health Foundation Temi is responsible for engaging local governments in the DC metropolitan region in approaches to develop and implement racially equitable policies that enable communities of color to thrive. She joined CHF in 2018. Prior to joining the Foundation, Temi was Legislative Counsel for two D.C. Councilmembers. At Council, Temi focused on Business and Economic Development, Racial Equity, and Economic Justice issues. Temi currently serves as the Current Issues Chair on the National Public Policy Committee for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW100) and is the former Social Justice Chair of the Washington Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Additionally, Ar Georgetown University Law Center, Temi served as Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Journal of Law & Modern Critical Race Perspectives.

Sayu Bhojwani Founder and President, New American Leaders Sayu Bhojwani is the Founder and President of New American Leaders, which is based in New York City and works across the country to build the power and potential of firstand second-generation Americans. She served as New York City’s first Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs and is the founder of South Asian Youth Action, a community-based organization in Queens. Sayu’s TED Talk focuses on the importance of immigrants to American democracy, and her work to build a more inclusive democracy has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and in The New York Times. Her first book, People Like Us: The New Wave of Candidates Knocking at Democracy’s Door, was published by The New Press in October 2018. She serves on the c4 boards of AAPI Progressive Action and National Immigration Action Fund. An immigrant of Indian descent, she grew up in Belize and now lives in New York City with her husband and child.

Helen Blank Director of Child Care & Early Learning, NWLC

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Helen Blank is Director of Child Care and Early Learning, working on child care and early education issues, at the National Women’s Law Center. Previously Ms. Blank served 24 years as the director of the Child Care and Development Division at the Children’s Defense Fund. While at the Children’s Defense Fund, Ms. Blank spearheaded a variety of efforts for improved early learning legislation. In 1991, she led an effective campaign to convince the Bush administration to issue regulations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant that allowed states to use the new federal funds in the best interests of children. She was also a leader in efforts to expand and improve the child care provisions in welfare reform, subsequently developing a guide to assist states in implementing the provisions. In addition, she created the Child Care Now! Campaign, an ongoing initiative, which attempts to focus attention on early care and education.

Anna Chu Vice President for Strategy and Policy, NWLC Anna Chu, Vice President for Strategy and Policy, shapes NWLC’s cross-cutting advocacy and policy work and leads federal and state government relations strategy. Prior to joining NWLC, Ms. Chu served as the Vice President of Policy and Research at the Center for American Progress (CAP) Action Fund, leading its economic justice advocacy work, and was previously the Director of CAP’s Middle Out Economic Program. After attending the University of Southern California Law School, she began her career as a law clerk to former Chief Judge Jane A. Restani in her sittings before the U.S. Court of International Trade and in six different federal appellate courts, and then spent time as an attorney at Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP.

Nia Evans Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies, Education, NWLC Nia Evans is Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies, Education at the National Women’s Law Center, where she works with the Communications team to develop digital and field campaigns focused on school pushout and educational equity. Prior to joining NWLC, Nia served as a Presidential Fellow in the Office of the Dean of the College at Wake Forest University, where she worked on first generation student programs and faculty development. She earned her B.A. in Communication from Wake Forest, where she wrote her senior capstone on the narratives of Black History Month and the impact on student civic health.

Allison Fine Network of Elected Women (NEW) Allison Fine is among the pre-eminent guides to the social media revolution. Her gift is for converting uncertainty over rapid change into excitement over remaking organizations by the least expensive and most profitable means available: connecting with others. The author of the award-winning Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age, co-author of the bestselling The Networked Nonprofit, and Social Citizens Beta, she is also co-editor of Rebooting America and writes about the intersection of social media and social change on her blog, “A. Fine Blog.”

Kelli Garcia Director of Reproductive Justice Initiatives & Senior Counsel, NWLC Kelli Garcia is Director of Reproductive Justice Initiatives and Senior Counsel. She works on a range of issues to advance reproductive justice and ensure that all people are able to make decisions about their bodies, health, sexuality, and families with dignity and autonomy. Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Garcia was a law fellow at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, where she worked on scholarship related to global health and human rights and health care reform. Dr. Garcia was also an Oscar M. Ruebhausen Fellow at Yale Law School and previously worked at the Center where she began as a fellow and was promoted to counsel. Dr. Garcia is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School. She also holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

President and CEO, NWLC Ms. Goss Graves has spent her career fighting to advance opportunities for women and girls. Ms. Goss Graves is among the co-founders of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. Prior to becoming President, Ms. Goss Graves served as the Center’s Senior Vice President for Program, where she led the organization’s broad program agenda to advance progress and eliminate barriers in employment, education, health and reproductive rights and lift women and families out of poverty. Prior to that, as the Center’s Vice President for Education and Employment, she led the Center’s antidiscrimination initiatives, including work to promote equal pay, combat harassment and sexual assault at work and at school, and advance equal access to education programs, with a particular focus on outcomes for women and girls of color. She currently serves as an advisor on the American Law Institute Project on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct on Campus and was on the EEOC Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace and a Ford Foundation Public Voices Fellow.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Fatima Goss Graves

Storme Gray Director of Programs, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy Storme Gray is a passionate change agent and servant leader, with a deep commitment to justice. Her professional career includes nearly 15 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, with a focus on youth development and gender equity. Storme is the Director of Programs for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, a national network of early and mid-career professionals who seek to advance social justice through inclusive philanthropic practice. Prior to joining EPIP, Storme was a Program Officer for the Washington Area Women’s Foundation where she developed their Young Women’s Initiative, a city-wide effort to improve educational, economic, and life outcomes for cis and trans young women, girls, and gender-expansive youth of color. Storme credits her upbringing in Camden, NJ with providing her with the tenacity and authenticity that fuel her approach to the work. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, a graduate of American University, and board member of Women of the Dream, a nonprofit organization that strengthens the leadership, power, and voices of girls from marginalized and underserved communities in Camden, NJ.

Jehmu Greene Television Commentator and Board Chair, VoteRunLead Jehmu began her political career in Texas, working with Governor Ann Richards' 1994 campaign. Since then, Jehmu has worked on more than twenty political campaigns at the local, state, and national levels, including serving as an advisor and surrogate for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. Her innovation with voter registration garnered remarkable results: In her work at Rock the Vote, Jehmu was ahead of her time, and launched the first online voter registration tool with a commitment to registering young people. From there, Jehmu served as National Director of Project Vote before becoming President of the Women’s Media Center, a media advocacy organization. In 2010, she was appointed by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to serve on the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO. As Board Chair of VoteRunLead, Jehmu continues to bring her vision to life and drive fresh perspective in political conversation as a speaker, television commentator and media trainer.

Sarah Hassmer Security Fellow, NWLC

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Sarah Hassmer is an Income Security Fellow at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), where she advocates for policies to increase economic security for low-income women and families. Her current portfolio includes federal and state tax policies, federal anti-poverty programs such as food and housing assistance, and the 2020 Census. Prior to NWLC, she worked for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for over six years. While at OPM, she helped create a new government program, the LAB @ OPM, focused on using human centered design to design policies, programs, and experiences responsive to people’s needs. Sarah graduated magna cum laude from RandolphMacon Woman’s College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and graduated cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Kristal High Taylor Founder & CEO, nFluence.us, P. B. C Kristal High Taylor is a creative professional whose expertise spans the fields of public policy, law and communications. For her efforts in online advocacy and web publishing, Kristal received the New York Urban League Young Professionals Digital Renaissance Award and the NAACP’s Leadership 500 Chairman’s Leadership Award. She was also named to the Digital Sisterhood Network’s Top 100 Digital Sisters of the Year and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Black Broadcaster’s Association. Kristal is the recipient of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's Excellence in Communications award, was dubbed a Rainbow PUSH Coalition 25 Top Inspirational & Engaged Leaders honoree, and has been named to two top 40 Under 40 lists - the Lawyers of Color Hot List and the National Bar Association's/IMPACT Nation's Best Advocates list. Kristal currently sits on the Board of the National Black Child Development Institute.

Amanda Hunter Research & Communications Director, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Amanda Hunter promotes the Barbara Lee Family Foundation’s mission to advance women’s representation in American politics by leading our research and communications efforts. She oversees the communications team for the Foundation, including its digital strategy and media relations. Prior to joining the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, Amanda served as Director of Marketing and Communications at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, America’s first museum of modern art. Previously, Amanda served as Senior Press Representative at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, leading media relations efforts on events like The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and Kennedy Center Honors. She also served as Deputy Communications Director at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the trade association for record companies.

Andrea Johnson Senior Counsel for State Policy, NWLC

The Honorable Paulette Jordan Former Idaho State Representative & Gubernatorial Candidate Paulette Jordan is a native and life-long resident of Idaho, as well as an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, who has been involved in local politics and community activism for years. She has served three years as the youngest elected member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. Education, jobs and the economy are major priorities for Jordan, who aims to strengthen education and prioritize resources for Idaho schools. In addition, Jordan is currently serving as Secretary of the Executive Board of the National Indian Gaming Association, which represents 186 Tribal Nations throughout the U.S.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Andrea Johnson is Senior Counsel for State Policy at the National Women’s Law Center. In that role, she coordinates efforts to advance state policies across NWLC’s workplace justice, income security, education, and reproductive rights and health teams, while working directly on legislation and litigation related to pay discrimination, sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and unfair scheduling practices. Prior to joining the Center, Andrea was a law clerk for the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the Honorable Eric T. Washington, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Andrea served as a Legislative Aide for Congresswoman Betty McCollum from Minnesota before attending law school.

Carol Joyner Director, Labor Project for Working Families (LPWF) Carol Joyner is the Director for the Labor Project for Working Families (LPWF), in partnership with FV@W. The LPWF focuses on building worker power centered on caregiving and economic justice. She also provides organizational and strategic leadership for Family Values@Work. Prior to the LPWF and FV@W, Carol provided consultation on work and family trust fund and related labor administration issues. She is also the founding Director of the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Fund and past President of the Child Care Corporation, a labor/management benefit fund negotiated by the 1199 Health and Human Service Employees Union and 400 Health Care Employers in New York State. Ms. Joyner is the recipient of various achievement awards including the Alliance of Work Life Professionals’ Innovative Program Award; the LPWF Annual Award, and; the NBCDI, NY Bridge Builders’ Award, among others. She is a founding member of the NY Union Child Care Coalition; is past National Advisory Board member of the Labor Project for Working Families and board member of the Family Values@Work Network; founding partner of the Work Family Strategy Council, and; Carol is a member of the NCBCP, Black Women’s Roundtable. Carol lives in Washington, DC with her family.

Emily Kadar Senior Manager, National Institute for Reproductive Health Emily Kadar is the Senior Manager of Political and Government Affairs at the National Institute for Reproductive Health and the NIRH Action Fund. In that role, she lobbies for proactive policies that fortify access to abortion, contraception, and sexuality education in New York State and City and manages the organization's electoral activity. Prior to joining the National Institute in 2012, Emily was part of the federal government relations team at the Center for Reproductive Rights and organized young activists as a National Campus Organizer at the Feminist Majority Foundation.

The Honorable Jane Kim Former Supervisor, City and County of San Francisco

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Jane Kim is a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Prior to that she was a community organizer at Chinatown Community Development Center, a civil rights attorney at Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and served as President of the San Francisco Board of Education. She received a dual B.A. in Political Science and Asian American studies from Stanford University and her J.D. from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law. Kim’s landmark initiatives include leading San Francisco to be the first city in the Nation to make Community College free for all residents; the Fair Chance Act (removing unnecessary barriers to employment and stable housing for the millions of Californians who have a conviction record); passing the strongest and most progressive minimum wage law in the nation raising minimum wage to $15/hour by 2018; securing full-time nurses for homeless shelters and establishing a medical respite shelter for aging and sick homeless residents. Kim is an affordable housing advocate and proud to have authored and passed the strongest and boldest tenant protection ordinance in the country stemming frivolous evictions.

Joyce Lewandowski Program Director, Vision 2020, Drexel University In her role as the Program Director for Vision 2020, Joyce directs the Shared Leadership Campaign and the Youth Education Initiative while working closely with the Executive Director to plan and implement the Women 100 Celebration. Joyce provides strategic direction and support to Delegates and allied organizations to organize, facilitate, and align their work to advance the Vision 2020 goals. Over the past 12 years in the field of education, Joyce has worked as an administrator in student life, leadership development, equity and inclusion, residential life, and career development. Before returning to her roots in the Philadelphia area, Joyce lived in New York City, where she held previous positions at Barnard College, The Masters School, and The City College of New York. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from Millersville University and a Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Ashley Lidow Associate Director of Policy and Government Relations South Carolina Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) Ashley advances WREN’s policy objectives with the South Carolina General Assembly, leads WREN’s research activities, and coordinates the South Carolina Coalition for Healthy Families. Ashley has been the driving force behind the SC Coalition for Healthy Families’ growth over the last few years. Ashley earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina and was the 2014 Master’s Student of the Year for the department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior at the Arnold School of Public Health. She is a member of the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council Advocates Advisory Board which ensure SiX’s Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council is informed by and responsive to larger reproductive rights, health, and justice movement developments and strategies. In addition to her advocacy work she has co-authored research on how policy-level interventions have been shown to be effective in increasing public health benefit.

Erin Longbottom Senior Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies, NWLC

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Erin Longbottom is the Senior Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies at NWLC, where she runs all things social media. In addition to NWLC’s social channels, she was also a core member of NWLC’s millennial focused reproductive health campaign, This Is Personal, where she made graphics, videos, GIFs and more. Prior to joining the Center, Erin worked at a small rape crisis agency where she created community outreach programs for kids grades 6-12, and served as an on-call advocate for victims at the hospital. Erin received her Bachelor’s of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from the University of Mary Washington in 2011. When she’s not immersed in trying to determine what tricks the Facebook algorithm will play on us next, she enjoys spending time with her two adorable and mischievous rabbits, winning food competitions with her vegan recipes, and doing feminist embroidery projects.

Robin McNair The Restorative Classroom Professional educator of 25 years, this native of North Carolina has experience with both rural and urban diverse populations. After moving to Prince George's County Maryland, Ms. McNair became involved in restorative discipline and trauma informed education. She was trained in Peacemaking Circles by Robert Spicer and The Community Justice for Youth Institute in Chicago, IL. She went on to receive her trainer's license from The International Institute of Restorative Practices in Bethlehem, PA and is the owner of The Restorative Classroom where she offers trainings and consultations in restorative justice practices for school environments. Ms. McNair currently work for Prince George's County Public Schools.

Juanita Monsalve Director of Digital, United We Dream Juanita Monsalve is a social justice digital strategist working to advance the rights of immigrants and people of color. As United We Dreamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Director of Digital, Juanita is committed to using her skills to empower new young immigrant leaders, fight antiBlackness, and practice transformational organizing. Born in BogotĂĄ, Colombia, Juanita moved to Orlando, Florida when she was just starting high school. Later, she attended Williams College, where she received a degree in Philosophy and Art History, with a concentration in Africana Studies. Prior to joining United We Dream, Juanita was the Digital Director for Reform Immigration FOR America (RI4A), a digital advocacy campaign fighting for immigrant rights and comprehensive immigration reform at the Center for Community Change. She serves on the Board of Directors at the DC-Based immigrant and worker organizing group Many Languages One Voice (MLOV). Juanita is passionate about using media such as film and music to organize our communities. Most recently, Juanita co-hosted Choices & Chismes, a podcast for real talk and for engaging Latinx youth in the 2016 election.

Jess Morales Rocketto Political Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Jess Morales Rocketto is the Executive Director of Care in Action and Political Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). Jess is also the Chair of We Belong Together, NDWA's feminist campaign for immigration reform. She has spent her career as a community organizer and campaigner, including playing a major role in organizing nationwide protests around the Muslim Travel Ban, leading the pioneering digital organizing program at Hillary for America, and making change with the AFL-CIO, Rebuild the Dream, Obama for America, Organizing for America, the Democratic National Committee, the New Organizing Institute, and the student movement to end genocide. She is a Latinx who grew up in Norwalk, CA.

The Honorable Ilhan Omar United States Representative Born in Somalia, Ilhan and her family fled the country's civil war when she was eightyears-old. They lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for four years before coming to the United States, eventually settling in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis in 1997. Ilhan’s interest in politics began at the age of 14 when she was as an interpreter for her grandfather at local DFL caucuses. Watching neighbors come together to advocate for change at the grassroots level made Ilhan fall in love with the democratic process. As a student at Edison High School in Minneapolis, she became an organizer and has been a coalition builder ever since. She worked as a community educator at the University of Minnesota and has been a devoted progressive activist in the DFL party for many years. Before running for office, Ilhan was a Humphrey Policy Fellow and served as a senior Policy Aide for a Minneapolis City Council Member. Through advocacy work with which she’s been involved, she’s advanced important issues, including support for working families, educational access, environmental protection, and racial equity. In 2016, Ilhan became the first Somali-American, Muslim legislator in the United States. With the help of her committed campaign team, they increased voter turnout by 37%. She was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 60B, where she’s lived for the past 20 years and where she and her husband Ahmed are raising their three children.

Adaku Onyeka-Crawford Senior Counsel for Education, NWLC Adaku Onyeka-Crawford is Senior Counsel for Education. Her work focuses on promoting educational attainment and empowerment for girls and women—particularly for marginalized girls, pregnant and parenting students, and girls of color. She also advocates for policies that fight sexual harassment and violence in school. Before joining NWLC as a fellow, Adaku received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University. Adaku spent her law school summers at Young Invincibles and the National School Boards Association. Before law school, she helped connect low-income women and families to housing, job training, and summer learning programs at the Chicago Housing Authority.

Alumna, YEO Front Line Leaders Academy Maxine Outerbridge is a New York City native, hardworking and passionate mother of two (including a special needs child) and mental health and healing advocate. Maxine’s testimony of surviving domestic violence and sexual abuse, teen pregnancy and financial distress during her pursuit of her undergraduate degree landed her a role as surrogate to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Presidential Campaign. Maxine was the youngest delegate to represent the state of New York at her party's National Convention. Maxine studied Finance and Accounting in her undergraduate and graduate studies and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working in the Financial services industry.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Maxine Outerbridge

Cassandra Overton Welchlin Co-Convener, Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable Cassandra Overton Welchlin is co-convener of Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable (MS-BWR), an inter-generational civic engagement statewide network of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) at the forefront of championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black women and girls. Prior to joining MS BWR, Cassandra co-founded and launched MS Women’s Economic Security Initiative (MWESI). Under her leadership she’s expanded the statewide network of women who are crafting a MWESI policy agenda focusing on expanding child care subsidies, affordable and comprehensive health care, jobs that pay living wages, paid family leave, and protections from domestic violence.

Kimberly Peeler-Allen Co-Founder, Higher Heights Kimberly Peeler-Allen has been working at the intersection of race, gender and politics for almost 20 years. Kimberly is the Co-founder of Higher Heights, a national organization building the political power and leadership of Black women from the voting booth to elected office. A highly skilled political fundraiser and event planner, Kimberly was the principal of Peeler-Allen Consulting, LLC from 2003 to 2014, the only African American full-time fundraising consulting firm in New York State. After completing the 2002 gubernatorial campaign of H. Carl McCall where she served as the deputy finance director, Kimberly founded her New York City-based consulting firm to help develop capital for clients, organizations, and issues affecting people of color that have historically been kept outside of the mainstream. Kimberly served as finance director for Letitia James’ successful bid to become Public Advocate of the City of New York and the first African American woman elected citywide in New York’s history.

Rosemary Rivera Organizing Director, Citizen Action of New York Rosemary Rivera is the Organizing Director for Citizen Action of New York. She has been an organizer with Syracuse United Neighbors, Metro Justice,SEIU 1199’s Healthcare Education Project before coming back to Citizen Action in her current role. She is active with the Working Families Party and has sat on numerous boards and committees in her hometown, beautiful Rochester, New York.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Zakiya Sankara-Jabar Field Organizer, Dignity in Schools Campaign & Racial Justice NOW! Zakiya came to advocacy, organizing, and policy work as a parent pushing back on the pre-school to prison pipeline. Prior to joining Dignity in Schools Campaign, she cofounded Racial Justice NOW! (RJN!) in Dayton, Ohio and served as Executive Director for 5 years. During her time at RJN! Zakiya organized Black parents to fight back against schools’ overly harsh discipline policies and practices that are ineffective, unfair and detrimental. Through this advocacy, organizing, and policy work-parents were able to win some significant victories; including a moratorium on out of schools suspensions for PK students and the creation of the ‘office of males of color,’ in the Dayton Public Schools. This work was the impetus in the new law passed in 2018 strictly limiting PK3rd-grade suspensions and expulsions for public and charter schools in the State of Ohio.

Jenalyn Sotto Senior Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies, NWLC Jenalyn Sotto is the Senior Manager for Campaign and Digital Strategies. On behalf of the Center, she develops and implements compelling advocacy and partnership campaigns focused on advancing workplace justice and income security objectives. Jenalyn has professional and academic expertise in federal, state, and local government; civil rights and minority issues; coalition-building; cross-cultural communications; and progressive public policy. Her legislative experience includes diversity and inclusion, voting and civil rights, immigration, and mental health. She is passionate about leveraging stories across all platforms and narrativizing data to advance the best outcomes for all, especially marginalized and under-represented communities. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Jenalyn is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley where she received her dual Bachelor of Arts with honors in Rhetoric and Asian American Studies.

Tina Tchen

Co-founder, Time's Up Legal Defense Fund; Former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama The co-founder of the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund and former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama champions diversity in the workforce and women’s empowerment. During her eight years at the White House, Tina served as chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, special assistant to President Barack Obama, and the executive director of the Council on Women and Girls, leading the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families and the first-ever United State of Women Summit. A high-powered lawyer, Tina’s career accomplishments have established her as a powerful advocate for gender equality. Tina is actively involved with the Time's Up initiative, spearheading the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, which is administered by the National Women’s Law Center’s Legal Network for Gender Equity, and will connect female victims of sexual harassment with lawyers.

Kathleen Turner Actress and Activist

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Screen icon Kathleen Turner is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actress. More recently, Ms. Turner had a major recurring role playing the role of Sue Collini on Showtime’s hit series, Californication as well as the starring role in an independent film called The Perfect Family. Her most recent film, Dumb & Dumber To with Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels was in theaters in 2014 and made nearly $200 million dollars worldwide. In addition to her film and stage credits, Turner wrote of her many accomplishments and life experiences in her 2008 autobiography titled, "Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on my Life, Love, and Leading Roles," which secured a position on the New York Times Best-Seller List and which she recently recorded as an audio book. Her most recent work includes the publication of her new book, "Kathleen Turner on Acting." Lastly, Ms. Turner is also a director and activist, particularly for women’s health and finds it rewarding to teach master classes.

Julie Vogtman Director of Job Quality and Senior Counsel, NWLC Julie Vogtman is Director of Job Quality and Senior Counsel for the National Women’s Law Center. She works on a range of issues involving job quality and supports for lowincome women and their families, including minimum wage and overtime pay, fair scheduling policies, and child care assistance. She also contributes to the Center’s work on federal budget and tax policies. Prior to joining the Center in 2010, Vogtman was an associate with Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Furman University and Georgetown University Law Center.

The Honorable Lea Webb Managing Principal, Webb Consulting & YEO Alumna Lea Webb is an award-winning activist whose greatest achievement is being elected as the first—and youngest—African-American representative in the Binghamton City Council. She has 15 years of experience as a community organizer leading efforts on various social and environmental justice issues. She has passed legislation supporting equal pay for women, the creation of a city based human rights commission, establishing a city wide climate action plan, and other equity based legislation. She is the coordinator of the UDiversity Educational Institute at Binghamton University. She is a National Trainer with Vote Run Lead training women on how to run for elected office and Co-Chair/Founder of the Black Millennial Political Convention. She was recognized as one of tomorrow's leaders by Oprah magazine and the White House Project, and was honored with the President’s Award by the Broome-Tioga Branch of the NAACP for her significant contributions to her community.

The Honorable Faith Winter Colorado State Senator & Consultant, VoteRunLead

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Faith Winter is currently a Colorado State Representative, Executive Director of Emerge Colorado and consultant for VoteRunLead. Faith has spent her entire career inspiring people to action whether it is the thousands of women she trained to run for office at The White House Project, the young voters she turned out in 2004, or engaging her constituents on important issues facing Westminster. In 2004 Faith was named one of 30 people under 30 showing political leadership by the Youth Vote Coalition, in 2008 she was named one of the top ten most influential women in Denver by the Denver Examiner, in 2010 she was named Woman of the year by Colorado Business and Professional Women northwest chapter, and in 2012 she was named one of the up and coming women leaders to watch by the Denver Post. Faith loves organizing because she believes the best way to create change is by building power through people. Faith is a VoteRunLead alum from Colorado Go Run.

YEO STAFF

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Mayor Svante Myrick Director, Youth Leadership Programs Svante Myrick is the youngest-ever mayor of Ithaca, New York and the Director of People For the American Way Foundation’s Youth Leadership Programs. He was first elected to the Common Council at the age of 20. A longtime member of the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network, he now oversees the YEO Network along with its sister program, Young People For. Raised by his mother, Myrick and his family faced homelessness throughout their lives and relied on school lunch programs and other critical public services. After attending Cornell University, Myrick served as Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni programs at the college and tutored Ithaca youth. These experiences shape his leadership in Ithaca, where he’s put progressive values into action to improve the lives of the people in his community. As mayor, Myrick’s innovative leadership has, for example, included putting forth a plan to address the heroin epidemic through supervised injection sites, prevention, treatment, and law enforcement. Myrick is the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Frontier Award, YEO’s Barbara Jordan Leadership Award, and named this year by Rolling Stone “Hot Do-Gooder” public servant to watch, and most recently again in Forbes Magazine’s “30 under 30.” Myrick has been interviewed by local and national TV, radio, and print outlets including CNN, USA Today, and the New York Times on issues such as progressive leadership, racial justice, and millennial civic engagement.

Raquel Jones Program Manager

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Raquel Jones is originally from Orlando, Florida, and is a graduate of Florida A&M University where she majored in Political Science with a focus in Global Security. In the past, Raquel served as a legislative intern in the Florida House of Representatives. There she managed constituent relations, assisted in organizing legislative events, and reviewed pertinent policy analysis in preparation for committee and constituent meetings. Currently, Raquel is the Program Manager for the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network. By exchanging ideas, networking with like-minded elected officials, developing leadership skills, and connecting with policy development organizations and think tanks, the YEO Network empower members to transform their political vision into action. The YEO Network provides these officials several support mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of producing an enduring pipeline of progressive national leaders. Raquel is passionate about long-lasting progressive change through youth activism; she hopes to leave a lasting impact on her community.

Rep. Markus Batchelor

Communications & Program Coordinator Markus is the Communications and Program Coordinator, a YEO Network member, and the youngest-ever elected member and Vice President of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, where he's represented over 16,000 K-12 students across 44 school communities in Ward 8 since he was elected at 23. Since taking office to represent one of DC’s most historically under-served communities, he has led on efforts focused on equity and closing the opportunity gap. He was elected at 21 to a term as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, where he represented residents in DC’s Congress Heights and Washington Highlands communities. Markus is an alumnus and former trainer at the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute (MBYLI), where he worked with DC teens on personal development, civic engagement, college readiness, and employ-ability skills. He has been involved in community work since he was 15, holding various positions in civic and party organizations, fighting to secure statehood for the District’s over 700,000 residents, and serving as the 52nd Youth Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Linda Inge Administrative Manager Linda began working with People For the American Way Foundation in 2000 as a volunteer but quickly turned her passion for civil rights into a career. Born and raised in North Florida, Linda’s background is in accounting. She worked as an accountant for Hopping, Boyd, Green and Sams Law Firm in Tallahassee, Florida and for the Florida Association of Counties. Since joining People For the American Way Foundation and People For the American Way, Linda has worked on a number of campaigns, including election protection and Supreme Court nominations.

Taif Jany Policy Coordinator

YEO Women's Conference | 2019

Born and raised in Baghdad, Taif fled the sectarian conflict in Iraq when he was 16 years old and sought refuge in Damascus, Syria at the end of 2006. There, Taif joined the Iraqi Student Project (ISP) – a grassroots effort to help Iraqi refugee students finish their education in the United States. Taif later immigrated to US in 2008 to attend Union College in Schenectady, NY where he graduated with a degree in Sociology and French. Taif’s experience as a firsthand witness to the consequences of the 2003 war on Iraq, and living as an immigrant in the United States, drives his ambition to fight for America’s core values: equality, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, justice, and the right to vote. Prior to the YEO Network, Taif worked as the Program Manager for the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC), a nonprofit organization that works one-on-one with young people and civil society leaders in Iraq to inform public policy and advocate for longlasting positive change. Before EPIC, Taif served as a foreign relations intern with the Mennonite Central Committee at the United Nations, a research intern with Congressional Quarterly, a government relations intern at the Arab American Institute, and a legislative intern in the office of Congressman Keith Ellison.

Joshua San Miguel

Advanced Leadership Coordinator Josh is a thoroughbred Kentuckian and a former nomad from an Air Force family. Growing up in a working class home with a hardworking single mother, he was raised from a young age with a set of core values and a passion for public service that sparked his dedication to economic and social justice. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.A. in Political Science and began his career in politics working on a U.S. Senate race in his home state in the 2014 election cycle, organizing diverse communities around the fight for higher wages, equal pay, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ equality. Â Since honing his organizing and management abilities, he has applied these skills to a variety of projects, in both the private and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as program manager for a Virginia statewide progressive leadership development project. Â Now, as part of the YEO Network team, he is excited to contribute to the development of young individuals looking to affect positive social change in their communities, their states, and the nation.

YEO Women's Conference | 2019