YEO Bios
Danielle Adams
District Supervisor
Durham, North Carolina
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 B.A. in political science with a minor in
music from North Carolina Central University. @danielleadamsnc
James Albis
State Representative
East Haven, Connecticut
State Representative James Albis is currently serving his third term in
the Connecticut General Assembly representing his hometown of East
Haven. Albis was appointed Chairman of the Environment Committee,
and also serves on several other committees. The Connecticut League
of Conservation Voters recognized Albis as a legislative champion from
2012-2014 for his work on coastal resilience and climate adaptation. Albis
played an active role in passing bills advancing coastal issues, strengthening condominium law, and
promoting organ donation awareness. Albis is a strong advocate for education, voting to protect
East Haven’s share of state education aid, as well as expanding the Family Resource Center. He has
worked to protect Medicaid and expand access to quality health care for seniors. Albis attended
New York University and in 2005, he spent a semester at NYU’s campus in Florence, Italy, studying
international economics. He graduated from NYU in 2006 with a B.A. in economics. @RepAlbis
YEO National Convening | 2015
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Benjamin Allen
State Senator
Santa Monica, California
Benjamin Allen serves in the California State Senate. Prior, he served on
the Santa Monica-Malibu School Board and is the board’s immediate past
president. Allen is an attorney with the law firm Richardson & Patel LLP
and an adjunct faculty member at UCLA Law School, where he teaches
education law and policy. Allen serves on the executive board of the L.A.
County School Trustees Association, and as vice president of the county’s
Committee on School District Organization. While in law school, Allen served on the University of
California’s Board of Regents and as a judicial clerk at the Rwanda war crimes tribunal. Allen was a
YEO Bios
litigator with Bryan Cave LLP and later led the successful Los Angeles launch of The Spark Program, a
nonprofit organization that connects at-risk middle school students with apprenticeships. Prior to his
law career, he worked for the National Democratic Institute and then as the communications director
for Congressman Jose Serrano. Allen has degrees from Harvard, Cambridge, and UC-Berkeley.
Sarah Anthony
County Commissioner
Lansing, Michigan
Sarah Anthony was elected as Ingham County Commissioner in 2012 and
reelected in 2014. Anthony serves as the chair of the county’s Finance
Committee and a member of the Human Services Committee, and she
previously served as the chair of her party’s caucus on the Ingham County
Commission. To date, Anthony is the youngest African American female
county commissioner in the country, and has worked hard to be a voice
for disadvantaged communities, working families, and young people. As liaison to the commission’s
Equal Opportunity Committee, she worked to pass a countywide “ban the box” policy. Anthony was
born and raised in Lansing’s Southside, graduating from Everett High School, as well as Central and
Western Michigan Universities. In 2007, she worked with State Representative Joan Bauer, where she
served as the community relations’ liaison and worked closely with Rep. Bauer on higher education
policy. Anthony is involved with her political party’s county affiliate and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Inc., among others.
Archange Antoine
Board of Education Member
Roselle, New Jersey
YEO National Convening | 2015
Archange Antoine represents a dynamic fusion of passion and dedication
through his tireless efforts toward providing realistic approaches for
improving the quality of life for poor and middle-class people. With his
unique ability to connect with individuals from various walks of life, Antoine
constantly utilizes the power of education, love, and faith to empower
others to undertake active roles in their communities and in the political
process. He is the president at Savviors & Associates, a management and public affairs consulting
firm, and the founder of Success for America, an organization committed to the advancement of
the American people through training, educating, and advocacy. In 2011, Antoine was elected to the
Roselle Board of Education where he currently serves as president. His main objective is to be an
example for, and to help cultivate, the next generation of leaders who will lead the state of New Jersey
and the United States of America. @archangeantoine
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YEO Bios
Miguel Arias
Community College Trustee
Fresno, California
Miguel Angel Arias serves as a trustee of State Center Community College
District, a district that includes rural, urban, and suburban colleges serving
more than 35,000 students. Arias began his service in 2014 by challenging
a 32-year incumbent, and his current term of office lasts until 2018. Arias
is a native of Mendota. After graduating from Mendota High School, he
attended California State University, Fresno where he studied criminology
and Chicano Latino studies. After serving as a legislative assistant for Congressman Calvin Dooley
in Washington, D.C., Arias returned home and served as a trustee for Mendota Unified School District
and as a delegate to his state political party. In addition to his professional commitments, Arias
serves on the board of directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Fresno and Madera County
(CASA) and Esperanza Foster Family Agency and Young Emerging Latino Leaders (YELL).
Jesse Arreguin
City Councilmember
Berkeley, California
Councilmember Jesse Arreguin was elected by the voters of District
4 to represent them on the Berkeley City Council in 2008. Councilman
Arreguin is the first Latino to be elected to the council and is the youngest
councilmember in recent memory. He brings years of experience as an
activist and public official to the city council, previously having been
appointed to the Housing Advisory Commission and elected to serve as
chair of the Rent Stabilization Board. He attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Andy Ball
Town Councilmember
Boone, North Carolina
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Andy Ball has served on the Boone Town Council since 2009. Councilman
Ball also serves on the YDNC National Committee at Young Democrats
of America. He is a member of the executive committee of his state
political party and is president of the party’s county youth committee.
Prior to holding office, he was a resident member of the Boone Board
of Adjustment and a member of the Academic Policies and Procedures
Committee at Appalachian State University. Ball has managed several local candidate campaigns, as
well as numerous nonpartisan voter registration and engagement drives. He also helped organize the
town’s successful water intake bond referendum, and worked to pass a bill allowing the sale of liquor
by the drink in Boone in 2008. Ball serves as council liaison to the historic preservation commission,
the economic development commission, and the sustainable development task force. @AndyBallNC
YEO Bios
Mandela Barnes
State Representative
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In 2012, Mandela Barnes was elected to serve in the Wisconsin state
legislature. Barnes graduated from Milwaukee’s John Marshall High
School in 2003, and graduated from Alabama A&M University in 2008.
Barnes was sworn into office on January 7th, 2013, and currently serves
on the Corrections, Education, Jobs & the Economy Committee, and Small
Business Development Committee. During his first legislative session,
Representative Barnes authored bills that would protect voters from fraud, provide small businesses
with tax relief, safeguard children’s health, enhance public safety, encourage responsible gun
ownership, and ban employment discrimination. Barnes was elected chairman of the legislature’s
Black and Latino Caucus, and had the honor to serve on international delegations to the Middle East
and Southeast Asia. @TheOtherMandela
Markus Batchelor
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Markus Batchelor was elected to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission
to represent District 8C04 in November 2014. Dubbed the “future mayor”
of Washington, D.C. by NBC Washington at the age of 17, Markus is a
22-year-old third generation Washingtonian, born and raised in the District’s
8th Ward. His campaign focused on rebuilding a fragmented community
network, improving city services, and collaborative efforts to solve the
tough issues. He currently serves D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as an Outreach and Services Specialist
for Ward 8 in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS). Markus has served
as president of his ward’s party organization, a member of the D.C. State Committee for his political
party, and was appointed by the late councilmember and mayor Marion S. Barry to D.C.’s Redistricting
Task Force at 18 years old. He has worked in senior levels on multiple political campaigns in the
District, and has interned for two D.C. city councilmembers. @MarkusBatchelor
Jim Blatchford
Vice Chair–School Committee Member
Vice Chair Jim Blatchford was born and raised in Lawrence,
Massachusetts. Blatchford served as a member of the Lawrence Planning
Board from 2008-2013 and as its vice-chairman from 2011-2013. He was
first elected to the Lawrence School Committee in November 2011, where
he has been a strong leader for transparency and accountability in the
Lawrence Public School System. After his reelection in 2013, Blatchford
was selected by his fellow school committee members to serve as vice-chairman. Blatchford is
currently working as a legislative aide to a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
@jimblatchford
YEO National Convening | 2015
Lawrence, Massachusetts
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YEO Bios
Kate Bolz
State Senator
Lincoln, Nebraska
State Senator Kate Bolz was elected to the Nebraska legislature in 2012.
She was born March 1, 1979, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bolz graduated from
Palmyra High School in 1997, Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2001,
and the University of Michigan (M.S.W.) in 2005. Bolz currently serves as
executive director of Nebraska Association of Service Providers (NASP),
as well as a professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is a member
of Palmyra Presbyterian Church, First Plymouth Congregational Church, and a volunteer with Lincoln
Young Professionals Group, Meals on Wheels, and March of Dimes.
David Bowen
State Representative
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Representative David Bowen was elected to the Wisconsin State
Legislature in 2014. Prior, he was elected to the Milwaukee County Board
in 2012. He is the youngest member of the board and one of the youngest
elected officials in Milwaukee’s history. Bowen currently serves on three
standing committees: Health and Human Needs, Transportation and
Public Works, and Economic and Community Development. Supervisor
Bowen was born and raised in Milwaukee, and has a bachelor’s in education policy and community
studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Previously, he was a program director at Urban
Underground. In that capacity, he oversaw creation and implementation of youth programs, services,
and professional development training for adults interested in youth civic engagement and leadership
development. @DavidFBowen
Sarah Bretz
City Councilwoman
Bridgeport, Pennsylvania
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43
Sarah Bretz was elected as the first at-large borough council member of
Bridgeport, Pennsylvania in November 2013 and took oath on January 6,
2014. She was elected by council to serve as Pro Tempore and appointed
as the chair of the Recreation, Public safety, Public Property, and Trash
and Wastewater committees. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from Arcadia
University and works in development for Johnson Matthey. Bretz holds
many national certifications from Montgomery County Fire Academy and serves as a local firefighter,
helping bridge the fire department’s needs and interests with the borough council. In her first year
on the council, she created ordinances that promoted safer streets, helped new businesses open,
and initiated a curbside recycling program for the borough. In the future, she plans to work on the
solicitation policy, improve borough communications, and increase the amount of activities in the
borough for both children and adults. @Sarah_Bretz
YEO Bios
Jonathan Brostoff
State Representative
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Representative Brostoff grew up on Milwaukee’s east side, where he still
lives today. He attended UW-Milwaukee where he earned his degree in
political science, and met his wife, Diana Vang-Brostoff. For almost two
decades, Rep. Brostoff has dedicated his life to supporting vulnerable
community members through both professional and volunteer positions.
Rep. Brostoff worked for several of Milwaukee’s homeless shelters and
social service agencies, including Pathfinders for youth and Dryhootch for veterans. His specific
areas of interest are mental health, disability rights, and Hmong rights. Before being elected to the
WI State Assembly for the 2015-2016 session, Brostoff was a longtime aide and district director for
a previous Senate party leader, Chris Larson. Rep. Brostoff serves on the Aging and Long-Term Care,
Financial Institutions, Mental Health, State Affairs and Government Operations, and Ways and Means
Committees in the 2015-16. @Jbrostoff
Darius Brown
City Councilman
Wilmington, Delaware
Darius Brown was elected City Councilman of Wilmington, Delaware in
November 2012. Brown has focused on public policy issues regarding
education, employment, and reentry. He is committed to repairing the
ladder of opportunity for Wilmington residents by reducing poverty and
investing in human capital to grow our middle class. Prior to his election to
city council, he was a leadership fellow at the Center for American Progress
in Washington, D.C., Brown has continued his public service as an advocate for Delaware nonprofits
and organized labor. Earlier in his career, he served as an aide in the United States Senate and the
Delaware General Assembly. @DariusJBrown
Marlon Brown
Mayor Pro Tem
Mason, Michigan
YEO National Convening | 2015
Marlon I. Brown was first elected to Mason City Council in 2012. He
currently serves as mayor pro tem and council liaison to the Mason
Planning Commission. Brown also serves as treasurer for the Mason Area
Chamber of Commerce and chairperson of the Mason Sesquicentennial
Anniversary Celebration, which is occurring throughout 2015. In addition
to his civic responsibilities, Brown works for the state of Michigan as a
budget and policy analyst in the State Budget Office. Brown earned a B.A. in political science from
American University, a M.P.A. from the University of Delaware, and a professional certification in
public performance measurement from Rutgers University. Moreover, he is an alumnus of the
Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University. Brown, and his wife Margaret, are
expecting their first child and are excited for his arrival at the end of the summer.
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YEO Bios
Nancy Bui-Thompson
Vice President, Board of Directors
Rancho Cordova, California
Nancy Bui-Thompson was elected to the Sacramento Municipal Utility
District Board of Directors in November of 2008 and currently serves as
vice president of the board. She represents over 250,000 constituents
across seven communities. For her “day job,” Bui-Thompson serves as a
director of technology consulting at Public Consulting Group and previously
was a consultant at Accenture and Deloitte. Additionally, she is the founder
of Bear HUGS (Hope You Give Someone) which has provided her opportunities to speak to children
about child abuse. The Sacramento Business Journal awarded Bui-Thompson with “40 under 40”
honors and is a New Leaders Council National 40 under 40 award winner. In 2012, the German
Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) awarded her the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship
(MMF). She is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, where she
earned a bachelor’s of science in economics and management information systems. @nancybui
Dwight Bullard
State Senator
Miami, Florida
Dwight M. Bullard was elected into office as a Florida state senator in
November 2012. He has taught at Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami,
Florida since 2000. He currently serves as vice chair of the Transportation
Committee, and serves on numerous other committees including the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Government Oversight,
Education Pre K-12, and others. He was a recipient of the 2012 YEO
Barbara Jordan Leadership award, the Florida Education Association’s Freshman Friend of Public
Education Award, and the Florida Association of School Administrators’ Next Generation Leader
Award. He is currently chair of his county political party’s executive committee, The Prince Hall
Masons Johnny L. King Lodge #767, and the Richmond-Perrine Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha
Psi Fraternity Incorporated. @DwightBullard
Joe Carn
City Councilmember
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College Park, Georgia
Councilmember Joe Carn was elected to the College Park City Council
in 2006, becoming the city’s youngest elected official. Listed as one of
Georgia Informer’s “40 under 40,” Carn currently oversees $1.2 billion in new
development and construction appropriations. He serves on the board of
directors for Concerned Black Clergy, and is the youngest board member of
the National Organization to Insure a Sound Environment. Councilmember
Carn also serves as chairman of the LSAC School Board and volunteers with Metamorphasis
Incorporated and Lift Community Development. He completed his graduate studies at Harvard
University’s Kennedy School of Government. As a devoted father and author, Carn is currently
finishing his second book. In his spare time, he enjoys music and bike riding.
YEO Bios
Allyson Carpenter
ANC Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Commissioner Allyson Carpenter is the youngest elected official in the
history of the District of Columbia. Elected at 18, she serves the Advisory
Neighborhood Commission in Ward 1. Carpenter is a political science
major at Howard University. She currently serves as the deputy chief of
staff of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA). In addition,
she is the district leadership intern for the Office of the City Administrator.
Commissioner Carpenter is a native of Cleveland and has also served in the offices of U.S. Sen.
Sherrod Brown, both in Ohio and on Capitol Hill. @AllysnCarpenter
Jon Carpenter
State Representative
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jon Carpenter is serving in his second term as representative of Missouri’s
15th House District. He was elected to the position of vice chair of his
House political party caucus in 2014. While on a scholarship to attend
the University of Southern California, Carpenter interned for four-term
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and served as financial director and later
president of his college’s political party chapter. He graduated magna cum
laude with a degree in political science and a minor in international relations. Carpenter and his wife
Midori started Carpenter Communications, a marketing and advertising firm that partners with local
businesses and nonprofit organizations. Carpenter is a member of the Gladstone Area Chamber of
Commerce and his regional political party club.
Adam Carranza
Board of Education Clerk
El Monte, California
YEO National Convening | 2015
Adam Carranza serves as the clerk to the Mountain View Board of
Education, which serves a predominately Latino student population.
Carranza has advocated for stronger parent participation programs that
equip parents to be engaged in the education of their children. He is a
supporter of sustained professional development for teachers working with
English learners, and has overseen a dramatic rise in California English
Language Development Test scores district-wide. Carranza oversaw a Green Schools Initiative
designed to increase cost efficiency and environmentally friendly practices in the Mount View District.
He is involved in the El Monte Coalition of Latino Professionals, a local advocacy group that attempts
to pay for the first two years of a student’s tuition at partnering colleges. He also works as a research
interviewer at the University of Southern California. @adamcarranza
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YEO Bios
Fidel Cervantes
School Board Member
Delhi, California
Fidel E. Cervantes, 23, is the current president of the Delhi Unified School
District Board of Trustees. First appointed at the age of 19 and elected
to a full term in 2012, Cervantes has made it his mission to ensure that
economically disadvantaged communities have a fair opportunity to
succeed in our current political climate. An avid consensus-builder and
firm believer in ethical governance, he hopes to be part of a new generation
of leaders that places the needs of constituents over petty, partisan politics. (It also helps that he
doesn’t take himself too seriously, so feel free to introduce yourself with a joke.) Cervantes is a
proud graduate of the University of California, Merced, a Princeton Public Policy and International
Affairs Junior Summer Institute Fellow, and a member of the Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative. He
currently resides in the town of Delhi, California.
James Chang
Rent Board Commissioner
Berkley, California
James Chang is a Berkeley resident and current elected commissioner
on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. He also serves as the Northern
California vice-chair of the Asian Pacific Islander caucus for his political
party and the parliamentarian for the Asian Pacific Islander caucus for the
State of California for his political party, member of the East Bay Stonewall
Democrat Board, and member of the East Bay political party youth affiliate
group. Prior to being an elected official, Chang served as the 2013-14 vice President of external
affairs on the 2013 board of directors for the Berkeley Student Cooperative, a nonprofit that provides
affordable, cooperative, and quality housing and food services to low-income students. In 2010-11,
he served as Ventura County Community College District’s student trustee that represented students
across Moorpark, Ventura, and Oxnard College, and he also served as an openly LGBTQ student leader
that helped implement stronger anti-harassment policies.
Maria Chappelle-Nadal
State Senator
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St. Louis, Missouri
State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal was elected in 2010 to represent
part of St. Louis County in the Missouri Senate. Chappelle-Nadal previously
served as director of communications for Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell and as
Missouri’s senior advocate. In addition to her legislative duties, Sen.
Chappelle-Nadal is a director on the University City School Board. She is
a former member of her political party’s national committee, serving from
2005 to 2009. She also served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, from 2004
to 2010. She has received the MO Alzheimer’s Association Outstanding Leadership Award (2010),
St. Louis Hispanic Leaders Group Esperanza Award (2008), Missouri Association for Social Welfare
YEO Bios
Legislative Award (2008), and the St. Louis Freedom of Choice Award (2006). Chappelle-Nadal
graduated with a dual degree in political science and sociology from Georgia State University in
Atlanta, Georgia. @MariaChappelleN
Maurice Cheeks
Alderman
Madison, Wisconsin
Maurice Cheeks was elected to the Madison City Council in 2013. His
agenda is focused on ensuring that Madison is a national example to other
mid-sized cities on eliminating persistent opportunity gaps, increasing
citizen engagement, and intentional designing for anticipated population
growth. After just two years on the Council he was elected into leadership
by his colleagues, and serves as Council President Pro Tempore. Cheeks is
the current director of the Wisconsin Innovation Network, where he maintains a statewide network of
hundreds of companies dedicated to fostering the growth of the high-tech and high-growth industries
throughout Wisconsin. Cheeks earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and has
since continued his education through executive coursework at the UW-Madison School of Business.
He serves as a nonprofit board member for the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools and is a
founding executive board member of the Madison chapter of the New Leaders Council. @MoCheeks
Justin Chenette
State Representative
Saco, Maine
YEO National Convening | 2015
Justin Chenette is serving his second term in the Maine House of
Representatives. He is a member of the Criminal Justice & Public Safety
Committee, co-chair of the Bipartisan Youth Caucus, and continues to
serve as a YEO Network state director. In 2012, Chenette made history
by becoming the nation’s youngest openly gay legislator and Maine’s
youngest lawmaker at 21. Chenette is the owner of Chenette Media LLC,
a multimedia PR company. In 2013, he founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization, the Saco
Bay Center for Civic Engagement, and serves as its president/CEO. In 2014 he re-established his state
party’s youth organization and currently serves as its president. In high school, Maine’s governor
appointed him to the Maine State Board of Education as its first student member. Chenette earned a
B.S. in broadcasting with minors in political science and multimedia communications from Lyndon
State College. @justinchenette
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YEO Bios
Leland Cheung
City Councilor
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Leland Cheung is currently serving his second term on the Cambridge City
Council, where he has been a strong leader in economic development,
community building, and regional cooperation. In addition to being the
youngest member of the Cambridge City Council, Cheung is the first
currently enrolled student to be elected to the council, as well as the
first Asian American. Cheung was first elected in 2009 while pursuing a
master’s in public administration at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and an M.B.A. at the
MIT Sloan School of Management. Cheung earned a B.S. in physics, a B.A. in economics, and an M.S.
in aerospace engineering from Stanford University. Cheung previously worked as a senior associate
at Masthead Partners, a Cambridge-based venture capital firm focusing on digital media, mobile, and
internet infrastructure. @lelandcheung
Victor Cirilo
City Councilman
West Orange, New Jersey
Councilman Victor Cirilo was elected in 2012 to the township of West
Orange, New Jersey. He is the former chairman of both the Public
Library Board and the Valley Area Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Professionally, Cirilo is the executive director of the Housing Authority
for the city of Passaic, New Jersey. Cirilo has prioritized property tax
relief and economic development during his tenure as an elected official.
He graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in political science and from Rutgers
University with a master’s degree in public administration.
Enbar Cohen
City Commissioner
Aventura, Florida
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As city commissioner and vice mayor of Aventura, Florida, 26-year-old
Enbar Cohen is the youngest elected official in Miami-Dade County and the
youngest out lesbian elected official in America. Her passion for helping
others began in childhood: one of her first jobs was working as a youth
panelist for Safe Schools South Florida, a nonprofit that aims to end LGBT
bullying. Cohen teaches “street law” at the Miami-Dade County Juvenile
Detention Center, speaking to kids about employment, credit, housing, and their rights. In 2012, Cohen
ran for city commission; in a three-person race, she was elected with 62 percent of the vote. Cohen
is currently studying at Florida International University College of Law. The most fulfilling part of her
work, she says, is “being able to successfully navigate and collaborate in political circles to get the
best possible outcomes by serving as the vehicle carrying the voices of our community.”
@EnbarCohen
YEO Bios
Shane Cohn
Alderman
St Louis, Missouri
Shane Cohn has served as the alderman of the 25th Ward of the city of
St. Louis, Missouri since spring 2009. Cohn is the first openly gay elected
official in the city’s government and one of the youngest members of
the board of aldermen. Cohn has started various initiatives in his ward—
including a neighborhood ownership safety model, a juvenile intervention
program, and a youth social venture entrepreneurship program. He has
successfully introduced measures to update the city’s nondiscrimination laws and de-criminalize
marijuana. He is currently working on legislation to establish a minimum wage in St. Louis. Prior
to his election, Cohn worked as a human resources manager for Citi, where he organized an LGBT
organization known as Citi Pride. He serves on several boards including Planned Parenthood,
the National Conference of Community and Justice of Metro St. Louis, and the Gateway 180
Homelessness Reversed Coalition. @shanecohn
Antoine Collins
Alderman
Calumet City, Illinois
In April 2009, Antoine Collins became the third African American alderman
in the 120 year history of Calumet City to be elected to the city council.
Collins was re-elected in 2013. Presiding over the largest ward within the
city, Collins serves as the chairman of the Ordinances and Resolutions
Committee and is the former chairman of the Business Permits and
Licenses Committee. He is married to Danita Collins; they have three
children together. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in
public policy and administration. Collins was the 2011 Monarch Award Winner in the statesmanship
category and a Chicago Defender 2013 Men of Excellence Award Recipient. He is a member of
several civic organizations and serves as an officer on a number of boards. @aldcollins7
Dan Cullinane
State Representative
Dan Cullinane is a member of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, representing the 12th Suffolk District. Cullinane serves on
the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, Financial Services, and Health Care
Financing, as well as on the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.
Cullinane attended Providence College, where he earned a B.A. He is the
former vice president of the Cedar Grove Civic Association and a former
board member of Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD). He is married to Emily
Torres-Cullinane. @dannycullinane
YEO National Convening | 2015
Dorchester, Massachusetts
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YEO Bios
Courtney Curtis
State Representative
Berkeley, Missouri
State Representative Courtney Curtis was first elected to the Missouri
House of Representatives in November 2012, and was re-elected in 2014.
He was the president of the Freshman Caucus for his political party and
chair of the Freshman Bipartisan Issues Committee, leading him to be
named Associated Students of the University of Missouri Legislator of
the Year. Currently, he is the only member of his political party chairing a
committee, the Special Standing Committee on Urban Issues. He is also vice-chair of the Fannie Lou
Hamer Coalition, a member of the Joint Committee on Education, and the founder of North County
Forever which seeks to eliminate poverty in the St. Louis region. As a resident of Ferguson, Missouri,
Representative Curtis has been a vocal figure during the unrest over the killing of 18-year-old Michael
Brown. Mr. Curtis’ initiatives and legislation are aimed at protecting youth at risk and salvaging
communities that were undone by recent economic downturns.
Mark Cusack
State Representative
Braintree, Massachusetts
State Representative Mark Cusack has been serving in the Massachusetts
House of Representatives since 2011. He is a graduate of Braintree public
schools. He also attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and
the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Shamaine Daniels
City Councilperson
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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Shamaine Daniels is an immigration attorney in Harrisburg, PA. Prior to
opening her own practice she served low-income Pennsylvanians in classaction suits to remedy minimum wage and overtime violations, represented
tenants in uninhabitable housing, and challenged the Commonwealth’s
special education funding formula which had an adverse effect on lowincome Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Daniels is best known for her work
as plaintiff’s counsel in Lozano et. al. v. City of Hazleton. She is the president of the Harrisburg Area
National Organization for Women (NOW) and chair of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship
Coalition. She graduated with a B.A. in political science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania,
an M.A. in women’s studies from the University of Cincinnati, and a J.D. from the University of
Cincinnati College of Law. Daniels is the first immigrant to be elected to Harrisburg’s city council.
YEO Bios
Henry L. Davis, Jr.
City Councilman
South Bend, Indiana
Councilman Henry Davis Jr. is currently in his second term as a city
councilman for the city of South Bend, Indiana. Davis was first elected to
office in 2006 as a precinct committee chairman and state delegate. He is
a member of the Earlham College Alumni Council, chairman of the South
Bend Common Council Community Economic Development Committee,
and a council appointee for the South Bend Redevelopment Commission.
Councilman Davis successfully worked with the SEIU in 2009 in support of the Affordable Care Act.
He has authored and co-sponsored legislation to improve economic development incentives in the
high-tech field for nanotechnology, minority and women business enterprises, and improving local
labor relations for his community. @2nddistrictsb
Kady-Ann Davy
Mayor Pro Tem
Fayetteville, North Carolina
On December 2, 2013, Kady-Ann Davy was unanimously elected Mayor Pro
Tem of Fayetteville, North Carolina; she is the youngest and first African
American woman in this position. Davy made Fayetteville her home in
2005, and immediately became actively engaged in city and community
affairs. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor
in business from the University of Oregon, and obtained her project/
healthcare management MB.A. at Fayetteville State University. Her interest in politics was first
sparked in college when she was elected senator of the student body. Davy attends and ushers at
Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, is a member of the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; National Council of Negro Women; United Order of Tents; and
Order of the Eastern Star. Her civic and professional involvement includes being an International 2014
HERSTORY Recipient and serving on the Miss North Carolina Official Judges Panel.
Shawn Dickinson
Mayor Pro Tem
City Commissioner Shawn Dickinson is beginning his second term on the
Ottawa City Commission, currently serving as mayor pro tem. Dickinson is
involved in neighborhood revitalization and downtown development efforts,
which are central in helping keep rural communities like his viable. He is
also a proponent of health-related initiatives including the Ottawa Play Task
Force and Franklin County Healthy Communities. Dickinson is the founder
and executive director of the SWAN Arts Foundation, which provides arts education and enrichment
in rural areas. He is married to Meg Dickinson, and they have two sons, Liam and Finn. Shawn
received his B.S. degree in English and creative writing from Kansas State University.
@dickinsonshawn
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Ottawa, Kansas
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Marina Dimitrijevic
District Supervisor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Marina Dimitrijevic was elected to serve as chairwoman of the Milwaukee
County Board of Supervisors in April 2012. She is the youngest person
ever in the county and only the second woman to hold that position.
She has focused on supporting the needs of working families, adopting
higher energy and environmental standards, passing socially and fiscally
responsible budgets, and ensuring civil rights protections for LGBT
communities. She is an honors graduate of Marquette University where she earned a B.A. in political
science and Spanish. Prior to her election to the county board, Dimitrijevic worked as a paralegal at
Friebert, Finerty and St. John and as a public relations intern for the Milwaukee Common Council.
Dimitrijevic is an active member in over 30 civic organizations in her district and has been appointed
to serve on the city of Milwaukee’s Housing Trust Fund Task Force. @supervisormd
James Diossa
Mayor
Central Falls, Rhode Island
James Diossa is the mayor of Central Falls, currently in his second term.
Diossa, whose parents emigrated from Colombia, was born in Central Falls
and attended Becker State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice. His love for Central Falls brought him back, where he coached
youth soccer and eventually entered the world of electoral politics, winning
a seat on the city council. After serving two terms on the council, Diossa
successfully ran for mayor and was sworn into office in January 2013. As mayor, he has spearheaded
economic development efforts by his administration, leading the city in its recovery from bankruptcy.
Diossa is working tirelessly with its citizens and stakeholders in the community to build a brighter
future for the city of Central Falls. @JamesDiossa
Asa Dodsworth
Rent Board Commissioner
Berkeley, California
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Commissioner Asa Dodsworth was elected to the Berkeley Rent
Stabilization Board in 2010, the first Berkeley native to be elected to the
board in 30 years. Dodsworth discovered local politics in 2001, when the
code enforcement agency told him he couldn’t have fruit trees and garden
beds on his property and fined him thousands of dollars. Dodsworth
thought it was their way of saying, “We need more people like you involved
in developing municipal policy.” @AsaDodsworth
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Daniel Donahue
State Representative
Worcester, Massachusetts
Daniel M. Donahue is a member of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, representing the 16th Worcester District. He was
first elected to the chamber in a special election on September 10,
2013. Donahue is a member of the joint committees on Labor and
Workforce Development, Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy,
and Transportation, as well as House committee on Bonding, Capital
Expenditures and State Assets. He is the former director of policy and assistant chief of staff to
Mayor Joseph M. Petty of Worcester and political director to Lt. Governor Tim Murray. Donahue
attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and St. John’s High School, and earned a bachelor’s of art
from the College of Holy Cross. @RepDanDonahue
Anthony Duarte
School Board Member
La Puente, California
Anthony Duarte sits on the Board of Education to the Hacienda-La Puente
Unified School District (HLPUSD). Duarte is a product of HLPUSD and went
on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in history from the Loyola Marymount
University. Upon graduation, he began working for Liberty Mutual Insurance
Group as a senior consultant in the field of workers’ compensation. In
2009, Anthony joined the district staff of Representative Judy Chu. He is
the former chair of the La Puente planning commission and previously served on the city’s education
commission. He is also a regional director for his state’s political party and serves on his county
party’s central committee. He sits on the board of directors for the East Valley Boys & Girls Club, as
well as on the executive board for HONOR PAC, a group that supports and advocates for the political
empowerment of Latina/o communities. @LP_Duarte
Dusty Farmer
Trustee
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Dusty Farmer is a trustee of Oshtemo Township in Kalamazoo County,
Michigan. She was elected to the township board in 2012, appointed to
the Oshtemo Planning Commission in 2013, and appointed to the Human
Resources Committee earlier this year. Farmer taught high school English
and government for eight years before her current position as Technology
Integration Specialist with a local district. She holds a B.A. in secondary
education and an M.A. in educational technology, both from Western
Michigan University. Her beautiful daughter, Gwen, is 12 years old. @DustyFarms
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Jeremy Farmer
Mayor
Lawrence, Kansas
Jeremy Farmer, a native of Lawrence, KS, is the chief executive officer
of Just Food, the Douglas County food bank which provides food to
thousands of county residents each month through its food pantry and
40 community partners. Farmer is passionate about being an advocate
and a voice for those who are marginalized. After attending high school
in 2001 at Lawrence High, Farmer graduated from seminary and worked
at churches in California and Arkansas before moving back to Lawrence in 2011. He is very close to
his family and especially enjoys spending time with his two nieces, both born in 2013. Farmer is an
avid blogger, Mac junkie, storm chaser, and sports fan. Farmer authored a leadership program called
ELEVATE, which has been taught in nonprofits and churches across the country. @jeremyfarmerks
Wesley Farrow
Neighborhood Council Board Member
Los Angeles, California
Wesley Farrow serves as the executive director of Coro Southern California.
In 2006, Farrow moved to Southern California to become a secondary
special education teacher. After taking leave from LAUSD to accept a
Coro Fellowship, he helped launch a socially conscious language training
business. Prior to joining the team at Coro, Farrow worked as West Coast
manager at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
Farrow holds the honorary position of Director of International Affairs for Woman and Children’s
Agenda in Northern Uganda, and serves in various board capacities at the South LA Worksource
Center, the Leadership for Educational Equity Los Angeles’ Regional Strategy Team, and Powerline,
an innovative civic engagement platform. Farrow was elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2014 to serve
on the Del Rey Neighborhood Council in Southwest Los Angeles. Wesley is a proud graduate of the
University of Michigan. @wesleyfarrow
Michael Fisher
County Commissioner
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Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Michael Fisher serves on the board of commissioners in Isabella County,
Michigan. This is Fisher’s first elected position, but he has been involved in
local government through his work as an environmental scientist for the
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe since 2011. His policy interests include
encouraging sustainable development, maintaining fiscal responsibility,
and improving relationships between local governments, Central Michigan
University, and the Tribe. As a 26-year-old graduate student and a direct descendant of the Saginaw
Chippewa Indian Tribe, Fisher brings an important perspective to the board of commissioners. In
2011, Fisher participated in the Native American Political Leadership Program at George Washington
University and interned for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. He has a degree in
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environmental biology from Ferris State University, and he is currently finishing his M.P.A. at Central
Michigan University. Fisher shares a home with his fiancée, little sister, and two kitties.
Tina Fletcher
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Tina Fletcher serves as the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for
D.C.’s historic Anacostia district. She earned a B.A. in political science and
African American Studies from the University of Arkansas and an Ed.M.
in teacher education from Harvard University. Fletcher served as a U.S.
government teacher at Anacostia Senior High School, where she was
named the 2010 Teacher of the Year. Tina successfully fundraised over $20
million for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, fundraised for Lt. Governor Anthony Brown
of Maryland, and raised over $300 thousand for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of
the NB.A.’s Memphis Grizzlies. Fletcher is the manager of community engagement for D.C. Public
Schools, has interned with the Southern Education Foundation, the Congressional Black Caucus, and
in the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama. Fletcher was most recently named a Rising Political Star
by EmPower Magazine, and alongside her twin sister was named to the 93.9 WKYS Top 30 under 30
list. @PoliticalPearl
Mae Flexer
State Representative
Killingly, Connecticut
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Mae Flexer is Connecticut’s youngest female state senator. Elected to
the state House of Representatives in 2008 and the Senate in 2014, she
currently serves as chair of the Veterans’ Affairs and Aging Committees.
Flexer is one of the legislature’s strongest advocates for domestic violence
and sexual assault prevention. As chair of a task force on domestic
violence, Flexer passed an electronic monitoring pilot program for high-risk
offenders, improved enforcement of protective orders, funded 24/7 staffing at shelters, and reformed
the bail bond process. Flexer led unanimous passage of a bill mandating colleges institute sexual
assault policies and provide services to sexual assault survivors, and most recently helped pass a
bill requiring all of Connecticut’s public and private colleges and universities to establish ‘affirmative
consent’ as the threshold in sexual assault cases. Flexer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science
from the University of Connecticut.
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Patrick Flynn
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Patrick W. Flynn is an advisory neighborhood commissioner, a small
business owner, and a civic-minded person who hopes to improve the
Columbia Heights neighborhood. He came to the District of Columbia
in 2005 to attend Georgetown University with every intention to return
to Boston after earning his dual degrees in government and theater and
performance studies. However, from the moment he moved to his vibrant
neighborhood, he knew he wanted to make D.C. his permanent home. He loves his neighborhood and
would like to utilize his drive and team-building skills to be a leader for the community who addresses
important issues specific to Columbia Heights and ANC 1A06. Flynn received The People’s Counsel
DC Consumer Advocacy Award in 2014 and the Donn B. Murphy Award for Leadership and Initiative in
2010. @CoHiPa
Edmund Ford
City Councilman
Memphis, Tennessee
Councilman Edmund Ford, Jr. was elected to the Memphis City Council as
the District 6 representative in November 2007, making him the youngest
African-American ever to be elected to the Council at the age of 28. Dr.
Ford recently served as the 2013 Memphis City Council Chairman. He is
currently a mathematics teacher at Memphis Central High School where
he graduated in 1996 at the age of 16. Dr. Ford’s recent accomplishments
include serving as an advisory board member of the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic
Development Council (TREEDC), alternate director for the Tennessee Municipal League’s 8th District,
2011 Memphis Business Journal’s Top Forty under 40, and 2013 Tri-State Defender’s 50 Men of
Excellence. Councilman Ford, Jr. has an earned doctoral degree from Tennessee State University in
higher education administration and supervision. His dissertation was titled, “Faculty Perceptions of
Information Technology and Its Perceived Usefulness at a Public, Urban University in Tennessee.”
Jamal Fox
City Councilman
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Greensboro, North Carolina
In 2013, Jamal Fox became the youngest person ever to be elected to
the Greensboro City Council. He has a clear vision for his community
and works diligently to assist in meeting the city’s mission by working to
achieve economic wealth and developing opportunities that empower the
community. Fox received a bachelor’s degree in political science from North
Carolina A&T State University and masters of public administration from
Capella University. Fox is a founding member of the National African American Drug Policy Coalition,
a member of Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice, as well as other civic involvement
programs. Fox serves as a council liaison of Greensboro College Commission and is the chair of the
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Minority Affairs Caucus of North Carolina for his political party. Fox’s philosophy is to always believe
in yourself, your dreams, and to always strive to make a difference in the lives of others.
@JamalFoxGSO
Sean Garballey
State Representative
Arlington, Massachusetts
Sean Garballey is a member of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, representing the 23rd district. He was elected in a special
election in March 2008 after the incumbent won a 2007 special election for
a seat in the Massachusetts State Senate. Representative Garballey earned
his B.A. in political science from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell
and attended Suffolk University. He has been a member of his local political
party committee and serves on the Health Care Financing, Municipalities and Regional Government,
and Ways and Means Committees.
Carmelo G. Garcia
State Assemblyman
Hoboken, New Jersey
Carmelo Garcia was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly
in January 2014, representing the 33rd district which includes the
municipalities of Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, and Weehawken.
Assemblyman Garcia serves on the Transportation, Public Works/
Independent Authorities, Financial Institutions and Insurance and Human
Services Committees. He has earned certifications in human resource
management from Rutgers University and in leadership and organizational development from
Cornell University. Garcia was selected in 2012 by NeighborWorks of America to attend the Achieving
Excellence in Community Development Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of
Government. Assemblyman Garcia was the first minority representative to be appointed to serve as
the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Hoboken. @CarmeloGarcia
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Marita Garrett
Councilperson
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
As a newly elected council member, Garrett has implemented Ward
One Community Conversations, an initiative to connect and empower
residents in working together to improve neighborhoods. Garrett’s aim is
to increase civic engagement and encourage constituents to get involved
in the legislative process to ensure that their voices are being heard.
Garrett is the CEO and managing partner of Admintrinsic, which provides
administrative and community support consulting. She received a bachelor’s in psychology and a
graduate certificate in gerontology from University of Pittsburgh, as well as a master’s in counseling
psychology from Chatham University. Garrett was selected as a Jonas Salk Fellow, has been named
one of the New Pittsburgh’s Courier “Fab 40 Under 40,” and received the Rising African American
Leaders Award. She serves on the University of Pittsburgh Center for Health Equity’s Community
Research Advisory Board, and was appointed to serve as second vice chair of the executive
committee for the Congress of Neighboring Communities. @MaritaGarrett
Alex Garza
City Councilman
Taylor, Michigan
City Councilman Alex Garza serves on the Taylor, Michigan City Council.
Garza has previously worked as a legislative aide for Detroit City Council
President Charles Pugh, and for State Representative Rashida Tlaib.
Garza serves on Taylor’s downtown development authority and works as
a research and policy analyst. He most recently worked as a field director
for Organizing for America. Garza is seeking his bachelor’s degree in public
administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Briseida Gonzalez
School Board Member
Lynwood, California
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Briseida Gonzalez was elected to the Lynwood Unified School Board in
November 2011. She is the daughter of blue-collar Mexican immigrants
and was raised in the Southeast Los Angeles area. She is a graduate of the
University of California–Riverside, where she earned a bachelor’s of arts in
political science and sociology. She completed a master’s of social work at
the University of Southern California. Gonzalez’s commitment to improve
the lives of others led her to a career in early education and social work in the nonprofit sector. As a
school board member, Gonzalez is dedicated to promoting safe and nurturing learning environments
that provide students with the opportunity to develop to their maximum potential by creating a
network of support services. She takes pride in being part of the Young Parents and Pregnancy Fair,
Teen Dating Violence Awareness initiatives, and a stronger network of integrated support services.
@brisgonz
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Daniel Gordon
City Councilman
Bowling Green, Ohio
Daniel Gordon is city council president pro tem and 1st Ward councilman
for the city of Bowling Green, Ohio. First elected in 2011 after unseating
an incumbent and reelected in 2013, he is the city’s youngest elected
official. Gordon’s mission has been to improve quality of life for all
citizens by providing for social, economic, and environmental justice
through community development, neighborhood revitalization, and citizen
empowerment. Gordon spearheaded the creation of Ridge Park, the first public park in the history
of his district; established the City-University Relations Commission, whose mandate is to improve
relationships between student and permanent residents; and promoted Complete Streets legislation
to revamp transportation infrastructure. Gordon earned his bachelor’s in political science and
philosophy and master’s in public administration with a concentration in politics and public policy
from Bowling Green State University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
@dg4bg
Darcie Green
Board of Education Trustee
San Jose, California
Darcie Green is the vice president of the Santa Clara County Board of
Education and a passionate advocate for women, youth, and working
families. For over 15 years, she has dedicated both her professional and
personal life to social and economic justice, quality public education and
health care, and to building the pipeline of leadership for progressive
women, people of color, and youth. She has served as a grassroots
community organizer, political activist, nonprofit leader, legislative staffer, and policy maker working to
increase social power for underserved and underrepresented communities. At the Santa Clara County
Board of Education, Green champions the issues of child safety and student discipline reform, access
to quality early education for all children, increased partnership between charter and traditional public
schools, and engagement of business and community partners in the work of the board. Board
Member Green was recently recognized as an Emerge America 2013 Trailblazer Honoree.
Megan Green
St. Louis, Missouri
Megan-Ellyia Green was elected 15th Ward alderwoman in the City of St.
Louis in October 2014 and reelected in a primary election in March 2015.
Previously, Green was a Coro Fellow and has spent the last 10 years
working with underserved populations in the nonprofit and education
sectors in St. Louis. She holds a B.A. in political science from Pennsylvania
State University, an M.A. in educational leadership from St. Louis University,
and is in progress with her Ph.D. in education policy. Green also works with Child Care Aware of
Missouri to increase the supply of quality early care and education in her state. @MeganEllyia
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Alderwoman
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Jennifer Gregerson
Mayor
Mukilteo, Washington
Jennifer Gregerson is serving her first term as mayor after having been a
member of the City Council since 2004. Gregerson, a graduate of Kamiak
High School, has a bachelor’s degree in French from New York University.
She has established an expertise in community planning, earning her
master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Washington.
Mayor Gregerson learned the values of hard work and responsibility
growing up in a family-owned business. Watching her parents fight to preserve trees and wetlands
in Harbour Pointe, she learned the importance of getting involved, speaking out, and defending your
community. Jennifer is committed to Mukilteo and believes in service; she served two years as
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival President and volunteers with the Mukilteo Farmers Market. Today, she
makes her home with her husband, Jeff, in Mukilteo, a few miles from where she grew up.
@MayorGregerson
Jose Gurrola
City Councilman
Arvin, California
City Councilman Jose Gurrola Jr. serves on the on the Arvin City Council. His parents, both
immigrants from Mexico, instilled in him the values of honesty, dedication, and integrity. He graduated
from Arvin High School with honors in June 2011. Gurrola now attends Bakersfield College, majoring
in political science, with a certificate in communications. Councilman Gurrola ran for city council
because he wanted to help the community that he loved, be a voice for the voiceless, and restore
the people’s trust in government. On the council, he focuses on cohesiveness, a balanced budget,
economic development, and community partnerships. @JoseGurrolaJr
Dayvin Hallmon
County Board Supervisor
Kenosha, Wisconsin
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In 2008, County Board Supervisor Dayvin Martin Anthony Hallmon was first
elected to office at the young age of 23. Supervisor Hallmon is currently
pursuing a bachelor’s of arts in sociology along with a bachelor’s of arts
in humanities at the University of Wisconsin. His approach to his work
involves integrating multiple disciplines to enhance programs, policy,
and community development. In 2012, Hallmon was named chair of the
Kenosha County Human Services Committee, where he oversees the budgeting and other functions
of the health and human service programs. @dayvinhallmon
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Tiffany Hamilton
City Councilmember
Port Arthur, Texas
City Councilmember Tiffany Hamilton represents District 2 on the Port
Arthur City Council. She is also a partner at TLHamilton Enterprises, LLC.
Hamilton received a bachelor of business administration in marketing
degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, and received her M.B.A. from
American InterContinental University.
Matt Haney
Vice President, School Board
San Francisco, California
Vice President Haney has fought for public education over the past 10
years as an advocate, educator, organizer, and policy analyst. Haney
has introduced and passed new policies and initiatives related to school
discipline, student voice, diverse and relevant curriculum, African American
student achievement, computer science and technology, local contracting
and hiring, gun violence, and unaccompanied immigrant children. As the
director of policy for Dream Corps, he leads policy advocacy for #cut50, a bipartisan initiative to
cut the prison population in half in 10 years, and #YesWeCode, an initiative to create a pipeline for
100,000 low-opportunity youth to become coders, computer engineers, and designers. Haney serves
as an adjunct faculty member at the Stanford University d.school, where he uses human centered
design to incubate new ideas in education. Haney earned a B.A. from UC Berkeley, an M.A. from the
Stanford University School of Education, a J.D. from Stanford Law School, and an LL.M. in human
rights from National University of Ireland. @matthaneysf
Matt Hansen
State Senator
Lincoln, Nebraska
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State Senator Matt Hansen serves in the Nebraska Legislature,
representing District 26 in Northeast Lincoln. He was elected in November
2014 and serves on the Legislature’s General Affairs, Urban Affairs, and
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committees and is the Chair of
Enrollment and Review. A Lincoln native, he is a graduate of the University
of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University Of Nebraska College Of Law.
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Matthew Hanson
Selectman
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Matt Hanson currently serves as a member of the Chelmsford Board of
Selectmen. He was reelected in April 2013. Hanson is a lifelong Chelmsford
resident and a graduate of Chelmsford High School. After high school, Matt
attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he obtained
a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in regional
economic and social development. @MattHansonM.A.
Gary Hardie
School Board Member
Lynwood, California
Gary Hardie was born and raised in Lynwood, California, and graduated
from Lynwood High School in 2005. Hardie attended the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas and Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., where he majored
in English with a minor in marketing. Hardie is currently pursuing his MB.A.
at Pepperdine University. Hardie works as a high school after-school site
coordinator and serves as a vice president of the Lynwood Unified School
District Board of Education. Sworn in at the age of 27, Hardie is one of the youngest public officials
serving in California, and serves as a member of the city of Lynwood Personnel Commission. Prior to
pursuing a career in education, Gary Hardie worked as an executive for the Los Angeles Clippers. He
has an extensive background in athletics, having worked for the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, NCAA, and for
professional athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Chris Paul.
Karalee Hargrove
School Board Member
Twentynine Palms, California
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Karalee Hargrove is currently a school board member representing the
Morongo Unified School District. Hargrove has kept to her campaign
promises within the past six months, passing a two percent raise for all the
employees in her school district. Hargrove is also a delegate for the 42nd
Assembly District in California, a mother of five children, and a full-time
college student. She is active in the local club for her political party, the
County Central Committee, and is working toward starting a youth coalition for her political party.
Her current goals include working on the Morongo Unified Foundation, as well as working with the
superintendent on increasing test scores and improving overall employee morale. @karalee007
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Nichole G. Harris
Mayor
Tutwiler, Mississippi
Nichole Harris is the current mayor of the town of Tutwiler, where she has
lived most of her life. Harris is a 1997 graduate of West Tallahatchie High
School. After high school, she went to the army and received training as
a personnel administrative specialist. Harris is a two-time graduate of
Mississippi Valley State University, were she received a B.S. in biology and
a master’s in education. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Inc., and a 14-year educator who serves as the science department chair at West Tallahatchie
High School. Harris has served as a mentor and tutor at a local community center, an advocate for
education, and as a GED instructor at the Tutwiler Community Education Center. Harris also has a
passion for politics, helping with the campaign for the re-election of Congressmen Bennie Thompson
before she ran for her own office.
Tyron Harris
School Board Member
East Hartford, Connecticut
As a board of education member, Tyron Harris exemplifies passion and
commitment to education. This, along with his business experience, allows
him to bring a new effective voice to the board of education. Harris is a
life-long resident of East Hartford, but graduated from Berkeley College in
New York City in 2006 with a B.B.A. in general management and a minor in
human resources. Harris is working to ensure that every student has the
opportunity to succeed in high school, attend college, and succeed in life. He is committed to offering
a comprehensive high school experience, and providing each student support.
Duncan Harrison Jr.
Councilman At-Large
Trenton, New Jersey
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Councilman Duncan Harrison Jr., is known on a local and national level as
a strong advocate for empowering new leaders to engage in the political
process. Elected on July 1, 2014, he serves as the councilman at-large for
the City of Trenton, N.J. Harrison, 29, is also the youngest elected African
American in the City of Trenton’s 228 year history. Harrison is associate
executive director of UIH Family Partners, a nationally-recognized pioneer
in the emerging field of fatherhood programs. Duncan received his M.P.A. from Bernard M. Baruch
College, City University of New York and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
@BelieveNTrenton
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Daniel Hernandez
School Board Member
Tucson, Arizona
Daniel Hernandez, a recently published author, is a school board member in
the Sunnyside Unified School District. He first became politically engaged
in response to Arizona’s immigration policies and chose to work on Hillary
Clinton’s presidential campaign. Hernandez later began his studies in
political science at the University of Arizona. While attending college,
Hernandez served as a campaign manager for State Representative Steve
Farley. Hernandez was a member of Tucson’s City Commission on LGBTQ issues. He is an outspoken
advocate for gun control and immigration reform. @djblp
Omar Herrera
Village Trustee
Ossining, New York
Omar J. Herrera is a lifelong resident of Westchester County, N.Y. and
resides in Ossining. Herrera is the first in his family to graduate college. He
began his studies at Lynn University and completed his bachelor’s degree
in communications from Pace University. For the past 10 years Herrera
has been a member of the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department, board
member and public relations director of the Greater Ossining Chamber of
Commerce, legislative aide for the majority leader of the Westchester County Board of Legislators,
and past vice president of his county political party. He is currently Westchester County’s youngest
elected official. @omarjherrera
Tony Heyl
Borough Council Member
Bridgeport, Pennsylvania
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Tony Heyl was elected to Borough Council in Bridgeport, PA in 2013, where
he currently serves as council vice president. In addition to his role on the
council, Heyl is the director of communications and public policy at The
ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Before joining the council,
he worked in communications for SEIU Healthcare PA assisting campaigns
for nurses and has worked for campaigns ranging from city council to
Congress to Presidential caucuses in Iowa. In his year on the council, Heyl joined his colleagues in
passing recycling in the borough for the first time ever, initiated the borough’s social media presence
and assisted in parking issues. He lives with his wife Karyn and their son Andrew. @tonyheyl
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Ellie Hill
State Representative
Missoula, Montana
Representative Ellie Hill is a third-term legislator from the State of Montana,
named by Time Magazine as one of the “40 Under 40 Political Rising Stars”
in the nation. She was voted “Missoula’s Best Activist” for nine straight
years (2007-2015) for her advocacy for the impoverished and her political
engagement on progressive causes. She is a former national vice president
for her political party’s youth organization, was named by the Washington
Post as one of the best “state-based political tweeters,” is a state director for the YEO Network,
and a state director of WiLL (Women Legislators Lobby). In 2013, she received “Hero Award” from
the Montana Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for her legislative advocacy. Ellie is
married to Tyler Nations Smith; they live with their three sons near the banks of the Clark Fork River in
downtown Missoula. @elliehill
Jon Hoadley
State Representative
Kalamazoo, Michigan
State Representative Jon Hoadley (MI-HD-60) is in his first term
representing Kalamazoo and portions of Portage and Kalamazoo
Township. Hoadley serves on the Election Committee and the House
Appropriations Committee, where he also serves on the Judiciary
(Minority Vice Chair), Agriculture (Minority Vice Chair), and Higher
Education Subcommittees. He serves on the NCSL Standing Committee
for Redistricting and Elections, and won 2015 Michigan Young Democrat of the Year. Hoadley is
president of Badlands Strategies, a progressive public affairs firm, and consults nationally. He serves
as the vice president of CARES, an HIV/AIDS service organization in Southwest Michigan, and the
Executive Committee of his political party’s state chapter. Hoadley received the Norman Lear Alumni
Award from People For the American Way Foundation and regularly trains with the Front Line Leaders
Academy. A Michigan State University graduate, Hoadley lives in Kalamazoo with his partner, Kris,
and the world’s friendliest beagle, Benjamin. @jonhoadley
State Senator
Omaha, Nebraska
Sara Howard was elected to serve in the Nebraska legislature in November
of 2012. She is vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee
and is chair of the Access Nebraska Special Investigative Committee. She
currently serves as development director for OneWorld Community Health
Centers. Howard was previously a staff attorney at the Illinois Maternal
and Child Health Coalition in Chicago, where she advocated on behalf
of maternal and infant health policy while producing grants, founding chapters, and conducting
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Sara Howard
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research. She is a member of several civic organizations including the League of Women Voters and
volunteers for the Friends of the Omaha Public Library, Film Streams Ruth Sokolof Theatre, and the
Joslyn Castle Trust. Howard serves on the board of directors for LiveWell Omaha and the Omaha
Schools Foundation. She received her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with
specialty certificates in tax law and child & family law.
Anders Ibsen
City Councilman
Tacoma, Washington
Anders Ibsen is a lifetime resident of Tacoma, WA, and the youngest city
councilman serving on the council. Elected in 2011 at the age of 25, Anders’
signature accomplishments include successfully repealing over $13 million
in corporate tax breaks and leading the effort to pass the first paid sick and
safe leave law in an American city in 2015. His other accomplishments
include championing budget transparency, supporting sustainable mixeduse development, and working to provide dedicated funding for mental health services. Anders’
current priorities on the council include creating a loan program for residential solar installation,
controlling healthcare costs through municipal healthcare clinics, and leveraging anchor institutions
like hospitals and universities to build up the local economy. Off the council, Anders also works as a
residential real estate appraiser. His wife Beverly is an attorney and a JAG officer in the Army National
Guard.
Kaniela Ing
State Representative
Kihei, Hawaii
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Representative Kaniela Ing, born and raised in Maui, was elected to serve
the 11th House District in 2012. As the youngest member of the state
legislature at 24 years old, Representative Ing believes that in order to
bolster our local economy and advance a fair society, we must care for
disadvantaged populations, invest in education, and encourage sustainable
agriculture and energy. As a progressive, Representative Ing seeks to
usher in a new era of public service and to restore public trust in government by promoting clean
government and election reform policies. Representative Ing attended all public schools, specifically
the Kamehameha Schools Maui, Maui Community College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and
American University in Washington D.C. for graduate school. He has worked in various roles in the
community in the business, government, and the nonprofit sectors. @Votekanielaing
YEO Bios
Christine Ingrassia
Alderwoman
St. Louis, Missouri
Christine Ingrassia currently serves as the alderwoman of the 6th Ward in
St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to her election in April of 2013, she was a volunteer
for the Gate District East Neighborhood Association, as well as her local
political party organization. Ingrassia previously worked for the Vashon Jeff
Vanderlou Initiative as the director of community outreach where she was
responsible for managing community revitalization and stabilization efforts,
with a focus on serving and empowering low–to moderate-income residents. @chryssi
Christopher A. Johnson
Council Member
Yonkers, New York
Christopher A. Johnson obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science
from Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus in 2006, and immediately
joined Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ successful campaign for state senate.
Johnson first served as her community liaison and eventually as her
deputy chief of staff. In May 2011, Johnsonr completed his master’s
degree in education at Fordham University. After receiving support from
his political party, in September 2011 Johnson won a primary and a general election to become
the councilmember representing the 1st District on the Yonkers City Council. After taking office,
Johnson’s focus on the city council has been fighting for affordable housing and local jobs for people
in the community. Johnson was born and raised in the Bronx and is the eldest of three siblings. Today
Johnson lives in Yonkers, where several generations of his family lived before him, with his wife, Tai.
@HonChrisJohnson
Jamie Johnson
School Board Member
Fort Valley, Georgia
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Jamie Johnson’s political endeavors began January 2007, when he
became the youngest individual sworn in as a member of the Peach County
Board of Education and youngest board of education member in the state
of Georgia. Johnson is currently in his third term of office, in which he has
served as the vice-chair for two years and chairman for four years. He
was raised in the Middle Georgia area, attending school in the Houston
and Peach County school systems, and attended college at Fort Valley State University majoring in
political science. Johnson is the senior pastor of James Temple Miracle Center of Fort Valley and
works for the Georgia Department of Corrections as a chaplain. Johnson also serves as a Suffragan
Bishop to the United Covenant Churches of Christ based out of Brooklyn, NY, and received an
honorary doctorate of divinity from Saint Thomas Christian University located in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Shevrin Jones
State Representative
West Park, Florida
Representative Shevrin Jones is a senior research specialist of administrative operations at the
Broward sheriff’s office, as well as the director of expansion for City Year. Jones serves as founder
and chairman of L.E.A.D Nation, a youth leadership organization, and the South Florida Youth Summit.
Jones was a dual enrollment instructor at Florida Atlantic University School where he taught AP
high school chemistry, he also spent six years as a high school teacher in the Broward County public
school system. Jones is a past member of the School Board of Broward County Diversity Council, the
Eckerd Youth Alternatives Committee, the Executive Planning Committee for the South Florida Youth
Summit, the Urban League of Broward County’s Young Professional Network, and a current member
of Leadership Florida. Jones is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a degree in biochemistry
and molecular biology. He is a currently completing his graduate degree in educational leadership.
@shevrinjones
Adrian Jordan
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Adrian Jordan is a member of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission
5A (ANC 5A) in Washington, D.C. First elected in 2012, Jordan is currently
serving in his second term as a commissioner. In 2014, Jordan was able
to secure $250,000 in the FY15 city budget to develop a government
program that seeks to mitigate the sound and vibration damage caused by
commercial rail traffic commuting near residential communities.
@AJordan5A03
Nicholas Josefowitz
District Board Director
San Francisco, California
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Director Josefowitz was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (B.A.RT)
Board in 2014. He launched RenGen Energy, a company that developed
and built renewable energy power plants, and quickly grew the business,
building over $100 million of solar power plants that provide thousands of
homes and businesses with clean electricity. Josefowitz has been fighting
for a just and sustainable future ever since he first knocked on doors for
John Kerry’s presidential campaign in college. He was appointed by Mayor Ed Lee to San Francisco’s
Environment Commission, and helped bring low-cost loans to San Franciscans looking to upgrade
their homes to make them more comfortable and energy efficient. He volunteers with numerous
nonprofit and community groups –serving on the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council,
the California League of Conservation Voters, and as the founder of Leadership For a Clean Economy.
Josefowitz graduated from Harvard University and lives in Pacific Heights with his wife. @josefow
YEO Bios
Andy Katz
Utility District Board Member Director
Berkley, California
Andy Katz was first elected to the East Bay Municipal Utility District in 2006,
serving as board president from 2013-2014. Katz is an environmental,
public health, and workers’ rights attorney and is a former chair of Sierra
Club California. Prior to his election to the EBMUD Board, he served for
five years as a member of the City of Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board.
Katz supported EBMUD’s efforts to expand water conservation programs
and double recycled water projects, protect water quality, and efforts to protect climate, including
expanding solar energy and converting food scraps into renewable energy. He initiated the policies
protecting tenants in apartment buildings from water service termination, and addressed gaps which
led to the expansion of the Customer Assistance Program, which provides lifeline rates for lowincome households. He has a B.A. and Master of City Planning degree from U.C. Berkeley and a law
degree from Santa Clara University. @andykatz
Kevin Killer
State Representative
Pine Ridge, South Dakota
State Representative Kevin Killer is currently serving his third term in the
South Dakota State Legislature, where he serves on the Judiciary and
State Affairs Committee. Killer is the treasurer for the Native American
Caucus of State Legislators and on the State Agricultural and Rural Leaders
Association. He is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Killer has
worked for his state political party, South Dakotans Against Discrimination,
and the election campaigns for President Barack Obama, Senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson,
and Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin. Representative Killer is currently a trainer for the
Native American Leadership Program for Wellstone Action. Killer is a proud alumnus of the Young
People For fellowship program in addition to the YEO Network’s Front Line Leaders Academy.
@Kevinck04
Jeffery Demond Kilpatrick
Mayor
Mayor Jeffrey Kilpatrick was first elected to serve the city of Drew in 2005,
and re-elected for a second term in 2009. He earned a bachelor of science
in health physical education and recreation and a master of science in
criminal justice from Mississippi Valley State University. He is a graduate
of the Mississippi Police Academy. Kilpatrick rose through the ranks as a
correctional lieutenant at Mississippi State Penitentiary, where he has been
employed for the last 18 years. In 2007, he founded the Drew Boys and Girls Club, where he serves as
a role model and mentor for young men in the community.
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Drew, Mississippi
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Jane Kim
Board of Supervisors
San Francisco, California
Jane Kim is the first Korean American supervisor in the country,
representing a diverse district encompassing the majority of new
construction in San Francisco. She represents the highest and lowest
income residents, and her priorities include preserving and building more
affordable housing, funding public schools and parks, and addressing
homelessness. Kim’s landmark initiatives include The Fair Chance Act,
$15 minimum wage ballot measure, homeless shelter reform, and a housing balance plan. Kim is the
former president of the San Francisco Board of Education and civil rights attorney whose practice
at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights focused on combatting new Jim Crow voting laws in
California. Kim directed the youth empowerment program at the Chinatown Community Development
Center, an affordable housing developer. She was listed in 7x7 Magazine’s Hot 20 under 40 lists in
2010. Kim received her B.A. in political science and Asian American studies from Stanford University
and her J.D. from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law. @supejanekim
Laura Kleiner
School Board Member
Staunton, Virginia
Laura Kleiner is an alumna of Mary Baldwin College with a degree in
political science and dual minors in peacemaking conflict resolution and
studio art. At age 21, Laura ran for the Virginia House of Delegates, was
the field director of a congressional campaign at 23, and was elected to
the Staunton City School Board at 24. She currently serves as the Social
Services Advisory Board Chair for Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro.
She is a news anchor and an artist, serving many leadership and membership roles on various
committees, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Western State Psychiatric Hospital
Council, Allen Chapel AME Church Gospel Choir, and 6th Congressional District committee. She was
the previous co-director for YDA Faith and Values initiative. She graduated from University of Virginia’s
Sorensen Political Leadership Candidate Training and is starting school at Washington and Lee
University School of Law in the fall. @LauraKleiner
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Christopher Kloeppel
Board of Education Member
Savoy, Illinois
Chris Kloeppel is a board of education member for the Champaign
Community Unit 4 School District. At just 32, Kloeppel is the youngest
such member in recent memory. Kloeppel and his wife Tiffany live with
daughters Madison and Molly in Savoy.
YEO Bios
Michael Kushmerek
City Councilor
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Councilor Michael Kushmerek represents the downtown and university
district and is the youngest serving member of the City Council in
Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Kushmerek is also the director of annual giving
at Fitchburg State University. Kushmerek received his bachelor’s degree
in history and political science from Fitchburg State University in 2008,
after having spent his junior year studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence,
France. In 2013, he completed a master’s degree in history at Fitchburg State University, where his
studies focused on the history of industrial education and the economic development of Fitchburg. In
2013, Kushmerek ran for Ward 4 City Councilor and was elected to his first two year term. Currently,
he serves on the city’s Finance Committee, Public Works Committee, and Cultural District Site
Management Team. During his time in office, Kushmerek has focused on economic revitalization of
the Fitchburg’s downtown and fostering greater municipal and community collaboration.
Chris Larson
State Senator
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Larson was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate at the age of 29 after
defeating an incumbent from his own party during the 2010 fall primary.
Larson was one of the 14 Senators in his political party who bravely left the
state in February 2011 to stand up for the rights of workers, giving them a
voice in the legislative process as the governor attempted to shut them out.
Just two years later, he was elected to serve as his party’s Senate Leader
for the 2013-2014 legislative session. He was one of the youngest senate leaders in Wisconsin
history. Larson is a leading voice on education issues and has a strong background in finance,
progressive messaging, transportation, energy policy, and environmental issues. Previously, Larson
was a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor. He is married with two children. In his downtime, he trains
for marathons and is on his way to running one in each state. @chrisjlarson
Patrick Leahy
Board of Directors
In 2012, Patrick Leahy was elected to the Papio-Missouri River Natural
Resources District (NRD) Board. In that role, he helps manage a nearly
$90 million dollar public budget to help meet the NRD’s mission to reduce
flooding, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitats and more. Leahy
is a campaign manager for the Steier Group, a national public relations
and development firm that specializes in helping nonprofits with planning
studies and capital campaigns. Prior to joining Steier Group, Leahy worked for U.S. Senator Ben
Nelson as the eastern Nebraska field representative. Born and raised in Omaha, Leahy earned his
bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently working on his master’s
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Omaha, Nebraska
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degree in international relations at Creighton University. Leahy serves as a captain in the U.S. Army
Reserve and is currently assigned to U.S. Strategic Command. In his spare time he enjoys hockey,
tennis, and traveling.
Matthew Lesser
State Representative
Middletown, Connecticut
State Representative Matt Lesser is vice chairman of the Government
Administration and Elections Committee. First elected at the age of
25 as the state’s youngest legislator, Lesser successfully fought to
professionalize Connecticut’s elections laws following the disputed 2010
gubernatorial election. Lesser is working with Governor Malloy and the
secretary of state on pro-voter priorities: making voter intimidation and
harassment a felony, allowing election-day and online voter registration, and amending the state
constitution to allow early voting and expanded access to absentee ballots. In addition to his work on
election issues, Lesser serves on the Energy & Technology, Education and Public Health Committees.
Henry Lo
School Board Member
Monterey Park, California
Henry Lo has been a school board member for the Garvey Elementary
School District since 2003. During his 12 years on the board of education,
he has served as its president three times. He co-founded the Garvey
Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raised over $70,000
in mini-grants for district teachers and strengthened relations between
the Garvey School District and local area cities, community colleges,
water districts, and businesses. A believer of building collaborative partnerships, Lo has worked with
other public agencies to provide reclaimed water for district playing fields and jointly operate two
community gyms. He is also an elected delegate to his county political party and has been a member
for the past nine years. Lo is passionate about civil rights, social justice, education, the environment,
transportation, and civic engagement. A graduate of Colby College in Maine, Lo received his B.A. in
government and East Asian studies.
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Sonia Lopez
Community College Board Trustee
South Gate, California
Board Trustee Sonia Lopez was elected to the Compton Community
College District Board of Trustees in November 2013. She is a legislative
staff member for California State Senator Holly Mitchell, where she focuses
on issues pertaining to higher education. Lopez sits on the advisory
board for LAtinas and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation RBI Advisory
YEO Bios
committee. Lopez earned a bachelor’s degree in Chicano studies and political science from the
University of California, Riverside. @tweetsbysonia
Kelly Luxenberg
State Representative
Manchester, Connecticut
State Representative Kelly (Juleson-Scopino) Luxenberg is a first time
legislator serving Manchester’s 12th District. She was appointed to the
Committee on Children, Aging, and Labor & Public Employees Committees
for her first legislative session. Prior to becoming a state representative,
she served on the Manchester board of education. She has political and
legislative experience and currently does development work for a nonprofit
organization that focuses on youth issues. Luxenberg is fully engaged in her community and
maintains strong relationships with the people she serves. She prides herself on being a voice for the
voiceless, including animals and children. @K_Luxenberg
Maria G. Machuca
School Board Trustee-President
Mecca, California
Maria Machuca received a B.A. in social sciences with a minor in
Latino studies and a master’s in public administration from California
State University, San Bernardino. Since 2004, she has been serving her
community at the Mecca Family & Farmworker’s Service Center as a
community program specialist II for the county of Riverside’s Department
of Public Social Services. In 2003, Machuca was appointed by the Riverside
County Board of Supervisors to the Mecca Community Council. In 2008, she was elected to the board
of trustees for Coachella Valley Unified School District and in 2012, Machuca ran unopposed. In
2012, Machuca served as acting board president when voters passed Measure X, also known as the
Coachella Valley Unified School District Mobile Learning Initiative. Measure X is the first bond ($41
billion) by a public school district in the U.S. to fund the deployment of iPads to every student from
pre-K to 12th grade as well as to teachers (20,000 in all). @Meccapanther
City Councilmember
Mobile, Alabama
Rev. Levon Charles Manzie serves on the Mobile City Council. Previously,
Manzie was elected to the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners.
He is a fourth-generation minister, and is currently the assistant pastor of
the Saint Joseph Missionary Baptist Church of Whistler, Alabama. He holds
a bachelor’s in political science from Troy University and is working toward
a master’s degree in public administration. @lcmanzie06
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Levon Charles Manzie
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YEO Bios
Paul Mark
State Representative
Dalton, Massachusetts
Representative Paul Mark serves in the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, where he is vice chair of the Joint Committee on Higher
Education. Before his election, Mark worked for 10 years as a splice service
technician at Verizon. He is a member of the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, where he served as a union steward, press secretary,
executive board member, and political director. While working full-time,
Mark went back to school and completed an associate’s degree in telecommunications, bachelor’s
degree in economics, a master’s degree in labor studies, a law degree, and a doctorate in law and
policy. His doctoral dissertation, titled “Predicting Labor Law Reform,” is an analysis of why the
Employee Free Choice Act did not pass the 111th Congress, despite strong Democratic majorities in
both houses of Congress. Mark passed the Massachusetts bar exam in July 2009 and was sworn in
as an attorney in December 2009. @RepPaulMark
Nadeem Mazen
City Councilor
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Nadeem Mazen is a city councilor in Cambridge, Massachusetts, CEO of
Nimblebot, co-owner of danger!awesome, and partner in Trifecta Editions.
After moving to Cambridge for undergraduate and graduate work at MIT,
Mazen fell in love with the city and opened two small businesses in Central
Square. Both provide community access to cutting-edge technology,
services, and job training. Mazen also holds a faculty position at the School
of the Museum of Fine Arts, where he teaches entrepreneurship and small business practices to
emerging artists. @nadeemtron
Brandon L. McGee
State Representative
Hartford, Connecticut
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State Representative Brandon McGee, Jr. is serving his second term and
represents parts of Windsor and Hartford. McGee holds a B.A. in political
science from Alabama State University and a master’s of science in
management and organizational leadership from Albertus Magnus College.
He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Emergent Leaders
Network, and in 2009, McGee became the youngest recipient of the
National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Community Award. He was the Youth and College
Division NAAACP President for the state of Alabama from 2004-2006, through which McGee became
acquainted with Rosa Parks, whom he considers a friend and mentor. McGee serves the community
in various capacities, including with the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, NAACP of
Greater Hartford, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. McGee is a deacon and member of the board of
directors of the Citadel of Love Church. He lives in Hartford with his wife. @RepBMcGee
YEO Bios
Julian McTizic
City Councilman
Bolivar, Tennessee
Julian Anderson McTizic Sr. is a native of Bolivar, a small, rural town in
Hardeman County, T.N. Born in December of 1986, he is the youngest
African American to hold a seat as a city councilman in Hardeman County.
In addition to serving as a city councilman, McTizic is also a member of his
local Rotary chapter, the Bolivar General Hospital Healthcare Foundation,
and a proud representative of WoodmenLife (formerly known as Woodmen
of the World). While he is passionate about local politics, his favorite pastime is making memories
with his wife of seven years, Demetria, and their toddler boys Julian Jr., 3, and Jamison, 2. His love
for his family and people in general is what drives him to bring positive change to his community. His
favorite quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” encourages him to continue striving for
success in his political career.
Marlon McWilson
School Board Member
Oakland, California
School Board Member Marlon McWilson is a graduate of the University of
California, Berkeley, where he played football on an athletic scholarship.
During McWilson’s tenure at UC Berkeley, he realized his calling to
education, community work, and mentorship. McWilson was an integral
part of a mentoring program at McClymonds High School in West Oakland.
These experiences led him to enter the teaching profession in the Oakland
Unified School District, where he taught at the elementary and high school levels. Currently, McWilson
is a business owner in Oakland and the associate academic liaison for Cal Football.
Lacey Merica
School Board Member
Omaha, Nebraska
YEO National Convening | 2015
Lacey Merica was elected in May 2013 to represent Subdistrict 8 on the
Omaha Public Schools (OPS) Board of Education. OPS is the largest school
district in the state of Nebraska, educating around 46,000 students. She
serves on the Finance, Operational Services, and Claims Committee,
and is one of the OPS representatives on the Nebraska Association of
School Boards Board of Directors. She earned her B.S. in biology from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
@SouthOLacey
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Michael Mizzoni
School Board Member
Littleton, Massachusetts
Michael Mizzoni is a School Board Member on the Littleton School
Committee. He is a lifelong resident of Littleton and a product of its
schools. Mizzoni joined the student council in 4th grade and continued to
be involved in student council through serving as student council president
as a senior and class of 2007 co-president. After high school, Mizzoni went
to UMass Lowell, where he continued his service in student government.
Mizzoni was appointed by then-Governor Deval Patrick to represent all 265,000 students in public
higher education on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. After receiving his bachelor’s
degree, Mizzoni went on to pursue his J.D. from New England School of Law.
Derwin L. Montgomery
City Councilmember
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Councilmember Derwin Montgomery became the youngest member of
the City Council in 2009. He serves as the vice chair of the Public Works
Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee. Montgomery
comes from humble beginnings: his father is a Baptist pastor and retired
educator and his mother is a bookkeeper. As the youngest of three, he
learned early the value of community. He is a graduate of Winston-Salem
State University, an Eagle Scout, and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. Montgomery
currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the First Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, N.C.,
where he continues his outreach to the community. @JustDerwin
Alfonso Morales
School Board Member
Lynwood, California
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Board Member Alfonso Morales Jr. is the son of immigrants. Following his
high school graduation he attended Claremont McKenna College where he
received his degree in literature with a legal sequence. He then attended
the University of San Diego School of Law. Morales returned to Lynwood in
2004 following his legal education. He passed the California State bar exam
on his first attempt and entered the legal field as a medical malpractice
defense attorney. He changed fields in 2006 when he began to work for an immigration specialist.
In March 2008, he opened the Law Offices of Alfonso Morales in Lynwood, where he practices
Immigration law. He was elected school board member in 2005.
YEO Bios
Dominick Moreno
State Representative
Commerce City, Colorado
State Representative Dominick Moreno was born and raised in Commerce
City, Colorado. He attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.,
where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in American government. Less than
a year after his college graduation, Moreno was elected to the Commerce
City Council. He served on the council for three years and as mayor protem before being elected to the Colorado General Assembly representing
District 32. He serves as assistant majority leader and recently sponsored legislation to expand
school breakfast in low-income schools, raise the minimum wage, and increase the ability for rural
communities to invest in renewable energy. @domoreno
Adam Morfeld
State Senator
Lincoln, Nebraska
Adam Morfeld was elected to the Nebraska legislature in 2014. He is
a member of the Judiciary and Education Committees, and is the third
youngest member of the legislature. His focus is on strengthening
education, providing a strong voice for working Nebraskans, affordable
higher education, and ensuring quality of life and stability for seniors.
Morfeld graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.A.
in political science and earned his J.D. from the University of Nebraska-College of Law. Morfeld
founded and is the executive director of Nebraskans for Civic Reform (NCR), a nonpartisan, nonprofit
organization that engages youth through substantive community service and leadership programs in
schools. The organization also works to ensure elections are accessible for youth, low income, people
with disabilities, and seniors through voting rights investigations, litigation, research, and policy
advocacy. NCR works to create a more modern and robust democracy for all. In his free time Morfeld
enjoys Husker football, long distance running, backcountry traveling, and reading. @Adam_Morfeld
Nina Morris
City Councilmember
Nina Morris is serving in her third term on the Lancaster City Council.
Through her nonprofit organization, Persons In Need of Knowledge, she
motivates individuals to become leaders and encourages them to reach
their full potential. Dallas Weekly voted Morris one of the “top 25 people to
look out for in 2009” and a “mover and shaker in the community” in 2010.
She graduated from Southern Methodist University where she received her
B.A. in philosophy and also has a M.A. in forensic psychology from Argosy University.
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YEO Bios
Wendell Mosby
Community College Trustee
Chicago Heights, Illinois
In 2011, Wendell Mosby was the youngest person ever to be elected to the
board of trustees at the Prairie State College. As one of seven trustees,
he is responsible for hiring presidents and overseeing a $50 million
budget. Mosby serves as second vice president of the African American
Community College Trustees Association. He holds a bachelor’s in apparel
production management from the Iowa State University. He is the founder
of Just WIMP and lead facilitator for A Dream Achieved. As an empowerment speaker, Mosby
conducts workshops and presentations about leadership, bullying, and entrepreneurship. Mosby
is the Illinois state director for the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network and national chair for the
Young & Powerful Political Action Committee (YPPAC). @friendofwendell
Jeremy Moss
State Representative
Southfield, Michigan
State Representative Jeremy Moss is a lifelong Southfield resident in
Michigan’s 35th House District. He is a graduate of the public school
system and attended Michigan State University, where he graduated with
honors in journalism and political science. In November 2011, Moss was
elected to the Southfield City Council, becoming the youngest elected
official in Southfield’s history. While in college, Moss studied race relations
in South Africa and was a part of a pioneer group of students who established a children’s center to
assist at-risk children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Moss worked in the offices of Mayor Brenda Lawrence
and former State Representative Paul Condino and as the district director for State Representative
Rudy Hobbs. Moss was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014.
@JeremyAllenMoss
Shayla J. Nealy
City Councilwoman
Union City, Georgia
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Shayla J. Nealy is a councilmember in Union City, Georgia, and a water
resources engineer with Clayton County Water Authority. She has held
a variety of leadership roles within professional and community service
organizations. She was named as one of Georgia’s best and brightest
in the 2011 class of Georgia Trend’s “Top 40 Under 40,” as a 2012 New
Leaders Council (NLC) Institute Fellow, and as a Jewell Jackson McCabe
Emerging Leader. In her spare time Nealy enjoys nonprofit outreach, mentoring, and dance. Nealy has
a bachelor’s degree in biological systems engineering from Florida A&M University and a master’s of
public administration from Central Michigan University.
YEO Bios
Jeremy Nordquist
Former State Senator
Omaha, Nebraska
Jeremy Nordquist began serving as chief of staff to U.S Congressman
Brad Ashford on July 1, 2015. Prior to this position; Nordquist represented
District 7 in the Nebraska legislature from 2009 to 2015. Former Sen.
Nordquist was the chairman of the Nebraska Retirement Systems
Committee and served as a member of the Appropriations, State-Tribal
Relations, Rules and Children’s Behavioral Health Oversight Committees.
Nordquist served as the chairman of the Health Committee for the National Conference of State
Legislatures (NCSL) in 2010 and as a member of the NCSL Executive Committee. Nordquist led
successful efforts to increase the state’s minimum wage, allow DREAMers to get drivers’ licenses,
increase funds for early childhood education and higher education, reform state defined-benefit
pension plans, incentivize the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties, promote utilization
of natural gas as a transportation fuel, expand telehealth services, and establish school-based health
centers. Nordquist and his wife have one daughter. @NordquistNE
Kristy Pagan
State Representative
Canton, Michigan
Michigan State Representative Kristy Pagan is a first-term representative
from the 21st House District. She serves on the House Appropriations
Committee and the Oversight and Ethics Committee, serving on the
Department of Community Health Subcommittee and as minority vice
chairwoman of the Department of Education Subcommittee. Pagan
graduated from Salem High School and Western Michigan University.
Pagan then moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in child nutrition policy for a nonprofit
organization and took night classes to earn her master’s in political management from George
Washington University. Pagan then worked in education policy with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
In 2011, Pagan moved back Michigan starting her own business dedicated to civic and community
engagement, and worked at Wayne State University Law School. Pagan serves on the Canton
Community Foundation Board of Directors, the Advisory Council for the STEM program at Canton
High School, and is an advisor to Youth Leadership Canton. @kristypagan
City Council Member
Hyattsville, Maryland
Patrick Paschall is a member of the Hyattsville City Council. Elected in
2013, Paschall was proud to sponsor the Hyattsville Human Rights Act,
making Hyattsville the first city in the county and only the 5th jurisdiction
in Maryland to pass explicitly transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination
laws. His legislative priorities focus on expanding voting access, creating
smart local development, increasing recreation activities, and sustaining
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Patrick Paschall
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environmental sustainability. In his professional career, he serves as the in-house expert on regulatory
policy matters at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, working to advance the task force’s policy
priorities in federal administrative agencies and at the White House. He earned his law degree from
Hofstra University School of Law and his B.A. from Texas A&M University. @PatrickPaschall
Roy Paul
Former School Board Member
New York, New York
Roy Paul made history when he became the youngest African American to
ever be elected to public office in New York State at 19 years old. He served
for five years as a school board member in Middletown, N.Y. After leaving
office he served as an on-air political contributor for the ABC 7 affiliate in
New York City. In May and August of 2013, he moderated two forums with
New York City mayoral candidates and with the candidates running for
public advocate, comptroller, and speaker of the New York City Council that same year. He received
his bachelor’s degree from Queens College and his master’s degree from The New School University.
@RoyPaulReports
Eric Payne
Board Trustee
Fresno, California
Eric S. Payne is a Fresno, CA native and serves as a California YEO Network
state director. He brings a hard-working, problem-solving spirit to State
Center Community College District Board of Trustees with a commitment
of ensuring student success, access, and equity. Trustee Payne is a
successful small business owner and regulatory compliance officer for an
environmental engineering firm. Payne is a technical expert for the Joint
Center for Political and Economic Studies, a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a B.S. in
biology and M.S. in microbiology and holds a certificate in health policy and leadership from California
State University Fresno. He is an active member of the Association of Community College Trustees,
Community College League of California, Fresno Rotary, Valley Cultural Arts Coalition, United Negro
College Fund (UNCF), and the NAACP. @MrMagooooo
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Joshua Peters
State Representative
St. Louis, Missouri
Representative Joshua Peters represents portions of north Saint Louis City
(District 76) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He is the youngest
African American ever elected to the Missouri House. In 2010, he graduated
magna cum laude from Lincoln University, where he also became a member
of Pi Sigma Alpha, The National Political Honor Society. He served on the
YEO Bios
staff of Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. for three years and then was appointed by President
Barack Obama as a confidential assistant to the undersecretary of education. Representative Peters
serves as a board member of the United States Selective Service System and as a trustee for the
Missouri Arts Council. Representative Peters is currently a member of the Cathedral Basilica Parish of
St. Louis, Rotary International, Congressional Black Associates, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
@PetersSTL
Brittany Pettersen
State Representative
Lakewood, Colorado
State Representative Brittany Pettersen was elected in 2012 to represent
House District 28, which includes most of Lakewood. During the 2014
legislative session Rep. Pettersen focused on helping Colorado’s students
and working families. She sponsored bipartisan legislation to put $30
million into new tuition assistance programs to help more Colorado
students go to college. She also sponsored two bills to help working
families find quality affordable child care, while allowing parents to stay in the workforce and pursue
a career. Before launching her campaign for House District 28, she worked for New Era Colorado, a
nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging youth in government and politics. @RepPettersen
Quentin Phipps
City Treasurer
Middletown, Connecticut
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Quentin “Q” Phipps serves Middletown Connecticut as the city treasurer.
Phipps attended Bryant University of Smithfield, Rhode Island and earned
a bachelor of science in business administration. After graduating from
Bryant, he continued working in the banking sector. Phipps is involved
with numerous charitable and service organizations. He serves on the
Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater board of directors, the Mount Saint
John board of directors, the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council board of directors,
and as an active member of Cross Street Zion A.M.E. Church. In 2007, Phipps filled a vacancy on the
Planning and Zoning Commission, and in 2009 he was unanimously elected chair of the commission.
As city treasurer, Phipps develops strategies to provide tax relief, invest in local businesses, and utilize
best practices on the fiscally responsible use of bonding. @quewp1
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Emma Pinter
City Councilor
Westminster, Colorado
City Councilor Emma Pinter was elected to Westminster City Council in
November 2013. She is a small business owner of a technology company.
She serves on the Westminster Board of Building Code Appeals and is a
graduate of the Westminster Citizen Fire Academy. Pinter is also the former
president of the Westminster Mom’s Club and served on the committee for
the Colorado Bar Association high school mock trial competition.
@ehpinter
Meshea L. Poore
State Delegate
Charleston, West Virginia
Meshea L. Poore was sworn into the West Virginia House of Delegates in
2010. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard
University in Washington, D.C. While in the nation’s capital, Delegate Poore
worked for Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina and interned
at her party’s national committee. She went on to obtain a J.D. from the
Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Poore returned
to West Virginia in 2004 and began working as a public defender for Kanawha County. She left the
public defender’s office in November 2009 and is now the sole practitioner and owner of The Law
Office of Meshea L. Poore. Poore is the vice president of the West Virginia State Bar and a member
of the Alabama State Bar Association. @MesheaPoore
Britani Potter
School Board Member
Ottawa, Kansas
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Britani Potter is serving her first term on the USD 290 school board (Ottawa,
KS). She has been active in her community for many years through school
site councils, advisory boards, coaching youth recreation sports, and other
volunteer activities. She is married to David Potter and is currently staying
home with her three sons while she works on a master’s degree in family
financial planning. She holds a KS Funeral Director/Embalmer license and
a KS Insurance Producer license. She has earned three associates degrees from local community
colleges and a bachelor’s in business administration degree from Baker University. She is working to
change the culture in her community to support and encourage quality educational opportunities for
community members, regardless of their situation, through both traditional and nontraditional routes.
She believes education is the foundation of life and that what we don’t know today, we hope to learn
tomorrow.
YEO Bios
Alex Pratt
School Committee Member
Littleton, Massachusetts
Alex Pratt was elected to the Littleton School Committee in May 2013. He
is a college student at Northeastern University and a teaching assistant at
the Harvard University Extension School. Committee Member Pratt serves
as the co-chair of the Pursuit of Excellence Task Force and as the school
committee representative to the Permanent Municipal Building Committee.
He has testified before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Education on
bills impacting students’ well-being and performance, and he has published articles on education
policy in the Littleton Independent, the Lowell Sun, and the Boston Globe. While in high school, Pratt
advised the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on issues relating to Littletonarea public schools. He is currently studying sociology and economics at Northeastern University in
Boston. @alexdpratt
Andrés Quintero
Governing Board Member
San Jose, California
A lifelong resident of East San Jose, Andrés Quintero attended several
east side schools and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. After
graduating from Evergreen Valley College, Quintero transferred to San Jose
State University where he earned a B.A. in political science and a master
of public administration. Quintero began his career in public policy working
for former San Jose Councilmember Forrest Williams and for the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors in 2009. Quintero served as district director for the California State
Assembly, teaches political science, and serves as a representative on the Executive Board of AFT
Local 6157. Quintero also serves as chair of the San Jose International Airport Commission, and as
treasurer of the Latino Leadership Alliance. He also serves his community as member of the Alum
Rock Union Elementary School District (ARUSD) Governing Board. Quintero resides in East San Jose
with his wife and two children.
Khalif Rainey
County Supervisor
County Supervisor Khalif Rainey represents the 2nd District on the
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Rainey previously
worked as a staffer in the local district office of Congresswoman Gwen
Moore. Rainey’s policy priorities include efficient public transportation,
economic development, and senior care. He earned his bachelor’s degree
from Southern University in public policy and urban affairs. @khalif_rainey
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Jermaine Reed
City Councilmember
Kansas City, Missouri
Councilman Jermaine Reed represents over 78,000 residents on the
Kansas City Council. He is the youngest member of the council, and was
elected at the age of 26. Overcoming poverty and homelessness, Reed
continues to strive to be an example of what young people can achieve with
perseverance and dedication. Previously, Reed worked in Washington, D.C.
for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Shortly after, he returned
to Kansas City to serve as the community ombudsman for Congressman Cleaver’s green impact
zone, which focused on making the city’s east side the greenest urban core landscape in the country.
He is a first generation college graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and has a degree in
political science. @JermaineReed
Alma-Delia Renteria
School Board Member
Lynwood, California
Board Member 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. @MsRenteria4Kids
Chris Rey
Mayor
Spring Lake, North Carolina
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Chris V. Rey was elected as mayor of Spring Lake, North Carolina in 2011.
Rey grew up in the community and graduated from Pine Forest Senior High
as a track and field all-American. He attended East Carolina University on
an athletic scholarship and was also a chancellor leadership scholar. Rey
served as an information technology officer in the United States Army
and served in combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning the Bronze
Star. After being honorably discharged, Mayor Rey obtained a J.D. from the William and Mary School
of Law in 2010. He currently serves as executive director of Cumberland HealthNET, a nonprofit
organization that creates a coordinated system of care for the uninsured residents of Cumberland
County, North Carolina. @ChrisRey4NC
YEO Bios
Craig Rice
County Councilmember
Germantown, Maryland
Craig Rice is a county councilmember from Germantown, Maryland. He
is the current council president for the Montgomery County Council. His
political career began in fall 2006 when he was elected to the Maryland
House of Delegates, defeating a 12 year incumbent. In the legislature,
he served on the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and
Fiscal Revenue subcommittees. In 2010, Rice was elected to his current
position, which made him the youngest African American to ever serve on the nine member council,
and only the second African American man to ever serve in that role. On the council, he serves on
the Education and the Health and Human Services Committees. Prior to holding elected office, he
worked for Marriott International, Aramark Corporation, and as a business development manager for
the government of Puerto Rico. @RicePolitics
Mike Richards
County Board Member
Champaign, Illinois
County Board Member Mike Richards serves as the chairman for the
Champaign, Illinois county board. Previously he has worked as political
director for Congresswoman Robin Kelly in her 2010 State Treasurer
race, and campaign manager for David Gill in 2012. As a board member,
Richards has worked with the General Assembly to pass legislation which
expands early voting and makes possible same-day voter registration. He
is president of the Illinois Association of County Board Members and a vice president of his state
political party’s youth chapter. @mrocketrichards
Naima Ricks
Board of Education Member
Roselle, New Jersey
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Naima Ricks moved to Roselle, N.J., at the age of two and in 2014 was
elected as the youngest member of the Roselle Board of Education. She
is now the board’s vice president and serves as the chairwoman of its
Policy Committee and Buildings and Grounds Committee. Ricks earned
her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and her master’s
degree in college student personnel administration from Seton Hall
University. Ricks currently works at Fordham University as a counselor for the Collegiate Science
and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). These
programs are designed to prepare minority and economically disadvantaged scholars for careers in
scientific, technical, health-related and licensed professions.
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Daniel Riemer
State Representative
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Representative Daniel Riemer was elected to the Wisconsin State
Assembly in November, 2012. He represents the hard-working citizens of
the Seventh Assembly District. Representative Riemer serves on the Health,
Transportation, Ways and Means, and International Trade committees. He
graduated with honors from the University of Chicago while working as a
soccer coach, cafe clerk, and house painter, and is currently enrolled in law
school at the University of Wisconsin. @RepDanielRiemer
Hector Rodriguez
County Legislator
New Paltz, New York
Hector Rodriguez was elected to the Ulster County legislature representing
District 20 by an overwhelming margin in 2003, and is currently serving
his sixth term. Rodriguez has spent most of his adult working career in
public service, public advocacy, and policy making. He has worked at every
level of government covering a wide breadth of issues from environmental
protection to economic development in traditional downtowns. While in
college at Syracuse University, Rodriguez served as an intern in the White House Office of Legislative
Affairs during the Clinton Administration. Later he served as the personal assistant to state Senator
Robert G. Torricelli. As an economic development specialist for the City of Newburgh, he helped the
city secure $2 million, with the assistance of Congressman Maurice Hinchey, to fund infrastructure
for the West Street Medical Technology Park, providing nearly 100 high technology jobs in the
medical industry to the City of Newburgh.
Elizabeth Romero
Board of Education Member
Thermal, California
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Elizabeth Romero is a native of Coachella Valley. She began working as
Youth Promotora with Planned Parenthood while attending Coachella
Valley High School. After attending College of the Desert, Elizabeth
transferred to UC Riverside, earning a B.A. in political science and public
service, and then earned a master’s of politics, economics, and business
from Claremont Graduate University. Romero serves on the Riverside
County Board of Education, and served on the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of
Trustees from 2006-2010,where she was elected at age 23. In 2013, Romero was elected Treasurer
of the California County Boards of Education, and is one of the youngest county board of education
trustees in the state. She has served on the statewide board of directors of the California Latino
School Boards Association, is an alumna of the Women’s Policy Institute, and serves on the board of
directors of the Children’s Discovery Museum.
YEO Bios
Brandon Rose
Park Board Director
Fair Oaks, California
Brandon Rose was elected to the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District
in 2008 and currently serves as board chairman. He is also the elected
special districts representative of the Sacramento County Treasury
Oversight Committee. He volunteers for the Environment Council of
Sacramento, a broad based advocacy coalition nonprofit, and is currently
its president-elect. In addition to his elected and volunteer service, he works
for the California Air Resources Board, focusing on regulations to reduce air pollution emissions
from the transportation sector. Previously, he worked at the California Energy Commission with a
specialization in renewable energy. Director Rose holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental
policy analysis and planning, with a concentration in city and regional planning, from the University of
California, Davis.
Brian Rowland
City Councilman
Prairie View, Texas
Brian Rowland is in his second term as a city councilman in Prairie View,
Texas. He is currently enrolled as an educational leadership Ph.D. student.
On the council, Rowland has focused on restoring local college students’
right to vote. He has received the Young Champions of Justice award from
the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights, and has been actively involved
in the NAACP as the assistant treasurer for the Texas state conference
branches. Rowland is determined to achieve professional and personal growth as he strives to impact
the future of Prairie View and this country. He holds a B.S. in business administration from Tarleton
State University and a master’s of community development and business administration from Prairie
View A&M University. @Browlandspeaks
Jesus Rubalcava
School Board Member
Gila Bend, Arizona
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School Board Member Jesus Rubalcava serves on the Gila Bend Unified
School District in Gila Bend, Arizona. He is a member of the Gila Bend
Rotary International Club, the Gila Bend PTO, and serves as the treasurer of
the National Hispanic Caucus of the National School Boards Association.
Board Member Rubalcava is also the vice-chair of the Hispanic Native
American Indian Caucus of Arizona School Boards Association. He is a
special education teacher at Palo Verde Elementary and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program
with an emphasis on educational leadership at Northcentral University. @jebusrubal
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Natalia Rudiak
City Councilwoman
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak represents the Fourth District in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania where she serves as the chair of the Committee on Finance
and Law. She was named one of the 40 under 40 by PUMP and Pittsburgh
Magazine in 2009, voted Young Democrat of the Year in 2011, and was
named an Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman by the Pennsylvania
Federation of Democratic Women in 2012. Rudiak’s professional experience
is in management and technology. She previously worked at Deloitte Consulting, where she
implemented a state-wide information technology system, and has done press work for the United
States Senate in Washington, D.C. Rudiak earned her bachelor’s degree from George Washington
University and has studied at the London School of Economics, Carnegie Mellon University, as well as
the Jagiellonian University in Poland. Councilwoman Rudiak is the Pennsylvania state director of the
YEO Network and a board member of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. @nataliarudiak
Ryan Ruelas
School Board Trustee
Anaheim, California
Ryan Anthony Ruelas was born and raised in the city of Anaheim. He has a
B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an M.A. in
history from California State University, Fullerton. Ruelas has been teaching
history at Anaheim High School for 11 years. He is part of the executive
board for the Anaheim Secondary Teachers Association and is a California
Teachers Association State Delegate. He is the advisor to BROS, a studentrun organization that focuses on increasing the amount of Chicano/Latino male students at the
university level. In 2012, Ruelas was named AUHSD Teacher of the Year, as well as an Orange County
Teacher of the Year semi-finalist; this year, Ruelas received the Apple of Gold Excellence in Teaching
award from the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund. This November, Ruelas was elected as trustee
to the Anaheim City School Board.
Jacob Ryan
School Committee Member
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Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Jacob “Jacquelyn” Ryan was elected to the Tantasqua Regional School
Committee in April 2014. She ran at 18 as an openly transsexual candidate,
making her the first openly transsexual and youngest person to be elected
in Sturbridge, Massachusetts and to the regional school committee. She
has been active in politics since the age of 14, becoming the youngest
member of her political party’s town committee. Ryan became the
youngest chair of a study committee at the age of 18. She likes to jog and plans to pursue a career in
civil rights law. @JacobJRyan
YEO Bios
Rebecca Saltzman
Board Director
Oakland, California
Board Director Rebecca Saltzman was elected to the Bay Area Rapid
Transit (B.A.RT) District Board in November 2012. She chairs the Labor
Negotiations Review Committee and serves on the Environmental/
Sustainability Committee, Wayside Safety Committee, and the Capitol
Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board. Prior to her election, Saltzman spent
years as a public transit and policy advocate, coalition builder, grassroots
organizer, and manager of 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. Saltzman served as vice chair of the Oakland bicycle and pedestrian
advisory committee from 2011 to 2013, where she advised the city on pedestrian, bicycle, and
infrastructure policy. She graduated with a B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Beatriz Sanchez
City Councilmember
Coachella, California
City Council Member Beatriz “Betty” Sanchez was first elected to the city
council of the City of Coachella in 2014. Sanchez previously served as city
treasurer.
Sean Scanlon
State Representative
Guilford, Connecticut
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Sean Scanlon was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives
on November 4, 2014, and is currently serving his first term. The son of a
police officer and small business owner, Scanlon attended public schools
and graduated from Boston College. Prior to his election to the state
legislature, he served for six years on the staff of Congressman and nowSenator Chris Murphy and is currently the director of community affairs in
the Senator’s Hartford office. Scanlon was president of his state political party’s youth coalition from
2011-2013 and is currently the co-chair of the bipartisan Connecticut Young Legislators Caucus.
@seanscanlonct
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Warren Seay
School Board Member
DeSoto, Texas
A product of DeSoto’s public schools, Seay has a strong commitment
to their continued success. On the school board, Seay spearheaded
projects to increase alumni participation in the district and challenged the
administration to enhance instruction and rigor. In 2011, Seay was elected
as the school board president, making him the youngest person in the state
to chair the municipal school board. Seay led the district through balancing
the current budget, lowering taxes, the naming of a new superintendent, opening the new College and
Career Academics, and numerous other major initiatives. @warrenseayjr
Mary Sheffield
City Council Member
Detroit, Michigan
Mary Sheffield is a native Detroiter with a track record of service and
leadership in her community. In November 2013, Sheffield 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, the Neighborhood Angels Program, and the 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.
@MsMarySheffield
Carl Sherman, Jr.
School Board Trustee
DeSoto, Texas
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Carl Sherman, Jr. is a school board trustee for DeSoto Independent
School District. Elected in 2013, Sherman is a staunch proponent of early
childhood education and STEM learning. During his tenure, the district has
placed a strong emphasis on these issues. In 2014 the district initiated the
iSTEAM program for grades 6-8, which is a STEM-based curriculum that
incorporates the arts. In 2015 the district introduced elementary magnet
academies that will provide exposure to technology, agriculture, business, and the arts at an early
age. In 2016 the district will open an early childhood center to educate students as young as three
years old. In his professional career, Sherman is a small business owner of a company that provides
maintenance and janitorial services to commercial businesses. He earned his B.A. in business
administration from Northwood University. @Ambitiousfew
YEO Bios
Caroline Simmons
State Representative
Stamford, Connecticut
State Representative Caroline Simmons represents the 144th District
in Stamford, Connecticut. Simmons works at the Women’s Business
Development Council where she provides entrepreneurial, financial, and
professional development training programs for women. Previously,
Simmons worked at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
as director of special projects in the counterterrorism coordinator’s
office, supporting programs and overseeing the budget for its homeland security team in Kabul,
Afghanistan. Simmons interned at the U.S. Department of State for the Middle East Partnership
Initiative within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, where she assisted with economic empowerment
programs. Simmons co-chairs Connecticut’s Young Women’s Caucus for her political party, and is
a member of the Stamford League of Women Voters. She received a B.A. from Harvard University,
a M.A. in Middle East studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington
University, and studied at the American University in Cairo, Egypt and the Arabic Language Institute in
Fez, Morocco. @CSimmons3866
Jonathan Singer
State Representative
Longmont, Colorado
Jonathan Singer is in his second term representing House District 11,
in Colorado’s House of Representatives. Rep. Singer is vice chairman
of the Public Health & Human Services Committee and serves on the
Local Government and Appropriations Committees. Rep. Singer played
a key role in efforts to streamline and expandchild welfare services,
including establishing a statewide child abuse reporting hotline. He also
served on the legislative task force that helped to develop regulations for
recreational marijuana in Colorado. He has also championed disaster recovery legislation, worker
and environmental protection, and economic development bills to grow a green economy. Before
becoming a legislator, Rep. Singer was a social worker helping abused and neglected children. He
received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Colorado State University. He met
his wife, Allison, while volunteering at the Boulder Public Library, while they were both in high school.
City Council Member
Fresno, California
Esmeralda Soria serves on the city council in Fresno, California, where
she is the only woman and youngest councilmember. Soria was born
and raised in California’s rural Central Valley. She attended UC Berkeley
and earned her J.D. from UC Davis School of Law. Soria’s passion has
always been to give back and serve her community. She interned at the
White House under President Obama and worked for the California State
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Legislature and the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. She has championed water quality
and affordability issues along with other environmental justice issues impacting disadvantaged
communities. She continues to work to address issues of public safety, unemployment, workforce
development, youth engagement, and access to education. Soria is a professor at Fresno City College,
teaching constitutional law and Latino politics. She serves on the Board of Fresno Community
Development Financial Institution and is a member of the League of California Cities Latino Caucus.
@Esmeralda_Soria
Alejandro Soto-Vigil
Rent Board Commissioner
Berkeley, California
Rent Board Commissioner Alejandro Soto-Vigil was elected to the Berkeley
Rent Board in November 2012. Professionally, Soto-Vigil works as a
legislative aide to the Berkeley City Council where he focuses on policies
that support gender equity, disability rights, healthy living, equitable
taxation, and immigration causes. He has served on Berkeley’s Housing
Advisory and Public Works commissions, along with the Regional Transit
Accessibility Advisory Committee. He holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California,
Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of District of Columbia Law School. Soto-Vigil’s main policy
goals are concerned with supporting, enforcing, and supporting affordable housing for low-income
individuals in his community.
Mark Spreitzer
State Representative
Beloit, Wisconsin
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Representative Spreitzer represents Wisconsin’s 45th Assembly District,
serves as co-chair of his political party’s caucus in the Wisconsin Assembly,
and is a member of Jobs & Economy, Mining & Rural Development, Natural
Resources & Sporting Heritage, Public Benefit Reform, and Workforce
Development committees. Rep. Spreitzer previously served as president of
the Beloit City Council from April 2014 to April 2015. He was first elected
to the Beloit City Council in April 2011. Prior to taking office in the Assembly, Rep. Spreitzer worked
as assistant director of alumni & parent relations and annual support for Beloit College. He graduated
from Beloit College in 2009 with a B.A. in political science.
YEO Bios
Deanna Taylor
School Board Member
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Deanna Taylor is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. She graduated
from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor of science degree in
criminal justice, with a concentration in community and corrections. While
there, Taylor was a student athlete for the cheerleading team. She began
serving her community through her work in the Winston-Salem Forsyth
County school system. Taylor worked with students, teaching them reading
and comprehension skills, and mentored young women while serving as a high school cheerleading
coach. Taylor is a parent advocate and served on consecutive Parent Teacher Association Boards,
where she helped to raised funds to purchase school supplies and equipment within district schools.
She was elected to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board in 2014. Taylor currently serves
as a member of the Curriculum Committee, Policy Committee, Finance Committee, and Grievance
Committee. She is married to City Councilman James Taylor, Jr. and they have three children.
Grant Taylor
Township Trustee
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Grant Taylor went to Mercersburg Academy in south central Pennsylvania,
and then went on to study political science at DePaul University in Chicago.
Taylor stayed in Chicago and started studying accounting and finance in
graduate school at Robert Morris University. In 2009, he moved to his home
state of Michigan, where he got work as a financial director for a local state
senate campaign. In 2014, Taylor was elected to his local township board
as a trustee. Taylor is also the treasurer of his local political party, providing accounting, bookkeeping,
and compliance assistance for local officials and political action committees.
James Taylor
City Council Member
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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James Taylor was elected in 2009 to the Winston-Salem City Council,
where he currently serves as the chair of the Public Safety Committee
and a member of the Public Works Committee . A dedicated father and
community advocate, Taylor’s professional career has been centered on
working with the youth in his community through the Salvation Army Boys
and Girls Club, the Salvation Army Community Corrections Center, the
Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, and
Winston-Salem State University. Taylor was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is
a proud product of the Forsyth County public schools. He graduated cum laude from North Carolina
Central University with a B.S. in criminal justice. He was a three-year letterman and student athlete for
the North Carolina Central University football team.
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Kaying Thao
School Board Member
Roseville, Minnesota
Kaying Thao is a School Board Director for Roseville Area Schools, a district
with over 7,500 students. (Roseville is a first-ring suburb right outside of
the capital city of St. Paul, Minnesota.) Currently the only Hmong-American
woman in elected office in Minnesota, Thao holds a master’s degree in
public and nonprofit administration, and is a candidate for a doctorate in
education at Hamline University in St. Paul. In addition to her elected role,
Thao also serves as a human rights commissioner for the city, and is a state director for the Young
Elected Officials Network. Thao is a staff member at the Minnesota House of Representatives, and
has three children, ages 15, 13, and 12. @onlyoneky
Erica Thomas
State Representative
Austell, Georgia
Representative Erica Thomas represents the citizens of District 39, which
includes portions of southern Cobb County. She was elected into the
House of Representatives in November 2014, and currently serves on the
Juvenile Justice, Science and Technology, and Budget and Fiscal Affairs
Oversight Committees. Representative Thomas attended Oakwood College
where she studied politics and government. In addition to her legislative
duties, Representative Thomas serves as the executive director of Speak Out Loud, a nonprofit with
the vision of giving a voice to foster kids who have been silenced because of their circumstances.
Representative Thomas is the author of the children’s book, “It’s Erica.” In 2013, she received the
Ambassador for Peace Award from the Global Peace Foundation. Representative Thomas resides in
Mabelton, Georgia with her four-year-old daughter, Dakota. @EricaThomasHD39
Christian Torkelson
City Councilor
Little Canada, Minnesota
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Christian Torkelson serves as a City Councilor in the City of Little Canada,
Minnesota. Torkelson enjoys working with technology; his hobbies
include graphic design, photography, videography, and “do it yourself”
projects. Torkelson is currently employed by the Minnesota House of
Representatives as an information technology specialist.
YEO Bios
Nathan Triplett
Mayor
East Lansing, Michigan
Council Member Nathan Triplett serves as Mayor Pro Tem of the city of
East Lansing. He was first elected to the council in 2007. Triplett began
his service as a member of the city’s Human Relations Commission and
Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee. He authored
East Lansing’s first ordinance conditioning economic development
incentives on the advantages of green building practices, local purchasing
preference, and eligible individual benefits policies. Recently, Triplett has focused on a mandate
which calls for landlords to distribute voter registration forms and information to tenants within the
city. Triplett currently serves as a member of the Michigan Municipal League’s Board of Trustees,
as well as a member of its Legislative Governance and Land Use & Economic Development Policy
Committees. He holds a master of public policy from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from
Michigan State University. @NathanTriplett
Igor Tregub
Former Rent Board Commissioner
Berkeley, California
Igor is a former Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner and California
Delegation Chair of the YEO Network. He serves as a nuclear safety
specialist with the U.S. Department of Energy at the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory and is currently completing a special assignment at
the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Tregub is the cofounder and
principal at Charles and Tregub Consulting, a boutique firm specializing
in campaigns and land use, which enjoys a 75 percent win ratio for local and countywide races.
Tregub continues his public service as the vice-chair of the Berkeley Housing Advisory Commission,
a commissioner on the Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board, vice-chair of the San Francisco Bay
Chapter of the Sierra Club, and legislative liaison and Bay Area Regional Council member at Bend the
Arc: a Jewish Partnership for Justice. Tregub is a delegate to and legislative committee member of
his state political party. @igortregub
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YEO Bios
Melissa Turley
County Commissioner
Jackson, Wyoming
Commissioner Turley was elected to the Jackson Town Council in 2006,
receiving more votes than any other candidate. In 2009, she was appointed
vice-mayor and was re-elected to the council in 2010. During her tenure,
she served on the Energy Efficiency Advisory Board, Community Integration
Team, and as liaison to the Jackson Community Recycling and Jackson
Hole Community Pathways. Turley is fluent in Spanish and has worked
as a language development tutor for the Teton Literacy Program. She is a founding board member
of Womentum, a local nonprofit that seeks to promote meaningful social change for women, and
she owns MET Solutions, which performs research and outreach and focuses on development for
nonprofit organizations. @MelissaTurley
Travis Turner
School Board Member
Loves Park, Illinois
Travis Turner was elected to the Harlem School Board District 122 in 2013 and currently chairs the
board’s Education Committee. Turner is a diagnostic imaging engineer at GE Healthcare. He holds a
bachelor of science in electrical engineering technology, a master of business administration, and a
certificate in financial analysis. Turner serves as a board member of Illinois Fathers and volunteers for
various other nonprofit organizations.
Michael Unis
Board of Education Member
Verona, New Jersey
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The purpose of elected leadership is to promote dialogue and challenge the
status quo. Michael became involved in elected office early in life because
he believed progress is fostered by the relationships and trust we build
over time. Working together, he believes we can make sure communities
are informed, civilly engaged, and have the option to send their children to
receive an excellent education at their local public school. As a realtor, Unis
helps families build wealth through responsible choices around the purchase or sale of a home.
@michaelunis
YEO Bios
Zachary Vruwink
Mayor
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Zachary J. Vruwink was elected Wisconsin Rapids’ 22nd, and youngest,
mayor in a historic four-way election in 2012. He was re-elected for his
second term in 2014. Vruwink was born, attended school, and started
and grew a business in Wisconsin Rapids. Prior to his election, he
actively served his community on the board of directors for a number
of local non-profits. Vruwink is passionate about recreation, technology,
entrepreneurship, citizen engagement, and public service. @zachvruwink
Jennifer Wadsworth
Soil & Water Supervisor
Raleigh, North Carolina
In 2010—at age 21—Wadsworth made history when she was elected to the
Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors—
she’s the youngest woman ever elected to public office in North Carolina.
Hailing from a family farm, she advocated for agriculture and farmland
preservation. With her leadership, the district secured its first conservation
easement and partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps and NAVY to preserve
open space and restrict development under a vital military flight path. Re-elected in 2014, she now
serves as board vice-chair. Wadsworth works as a political and corporate consultant and is the
co-founder of a progressive nonprofit called New Leaders Council–North Carolina. She serves on
the NC School of Science and Mathematics Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, was appointed
to a statewide board to oversee NC State University Women’s Center, and speaks to international
delegations for the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program.
@jennawadsworth
Fawn Walker Montgomery
Councilwoman
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
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V. Fawn Walker Montgomery is a second term councilwoman in the City of
McKeesport. Walker Montgomery obtained a B.A. in political science from
one of the oldest historically black universities, Johnson C. Smith University,
and a M.S. in criminal justice administration from Point Park University.
Walker Montgomery serves on the McKeesport Recreation Board, is chair
of the McKeesport Downtown Business Authority, vice chair of the Home
Rule Charter Committee, and board member for Carnegie Library of McKeesport. Walker Montgomery
is the co-founder/lead organizer for the group Take Action Mon Valley, member of Mon Valley People’s
Action Committee, and member of the African-American Elected Officials of Allegheny County. She is
a Christian and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was recognized as a 2013 Mon Valley
Women of Achievement and 2012 Outstanding Councilwoman by Voice of Vision Outreach Ministries.
Walker Montgomery is married to George Montgomery and they have one daughter.
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Lea Webb
City Council Member
Binghamton, New York
Lea Webb is an award-winning activist who has successfully bridged the
gap between the community and government agencies to bring about
positive and lasting change in her community. In 2008, Webb became
the youngest and first African-American member of the Binghamton City
Council. She has 15 years of experience as a community organizer leading
efforts on various social justice issues including quality education, health
care, and access to fresh foods. She has also served on community boards and created task forces
to address cultural competency and anti-racism. Through her consulting firm she is working with
Southern Tier, New York, schools in creating culturally responsive trauma informed schools. 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. @leawebb1014
Jason West
Former Mayor
New Paltz, New York
Jason West is the former Mayor of New Paltz, New York. First elected
mayor in 2003 at the age of 25, West was criminally prosecuted for
performing the first same-sex weddings in New York in 2004. The youngest
mayor in New Paltz history, and the first Green Party member elected to
office in New York State, he is the recipient of numerous civil rights and
environmental awards. West is known in his community for numerous
public works and green infrastructure projects as well as articulating a vision for the future beyond
the usual potholes and sewer lines of local government. Elected to two terms, Mayor West served
from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015.
Dr. Brandon Whipple
State Representative
Wichita, Kansas
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State Representative Brandon Whipple represents the 96th district, the
south side of Wichita, Kansas. Prior to serving in the Kansas legislature,
Whipple was the vice chair and chair of the Sedgwick County chapter of his
political party. He has represented Kansas as the national committeeman
to the Young Democrats of America and as a delegate to the 2012
Democratic National Convention. Whipple is a graduate of Wichita State
University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Masters of Arts in liberal studies
which focused on cross-cultural studies and public administration. Whipple completed a doctorate
of arts in leadership studies at Franklin Pierce University in May 2014. His dissertation focused on
organizational and political leadership. Whipple has taught at the college level since 2008, where he
currently teaches both liberal arts and social sciences. @bwhippleks
YEO Bios
Alan Williams
State Representative
Tallahassee, Florida
Alan Williams ran for the Florida House of Representatives and was elected
in November 2008. In 2013, Williams was invited to the White House by
President Obama to meet to discuss the reauthorization of the voting
rights act. He has served on statewide and national policy panel sessions
on education, voting rights, stand your ground laws, and affordable
healthcare. While in college, Williams served as a student senator where
he helped re-establish FAMU’s College of Law and establish the university’s first intercampus
transportation system. In 2006, he founded MW Land & Investments, a property management and
business development firm that promotes business ownership and drives business back into the
local community. MW Land & Investments also actively recruits local youth and young professionals
to provide them with hands on experience to teach the importance of business, property, and stock
ownership. The program also helps youth gain financial independence and create generational
wealth.
Faith Winter
State Representative
Westminster, Colorado
State Representative Faith Winter was previously the mayor pro-tem of
Westminster, Colorado. She currently serves as the program director for
Colorado Conservation Voters. Winter has spent her entire career inspiring
people to action, training thousands of women to run for office at the White
House Project, and engaging her constituents on important issues facing
Westminster. In 2004, she was named winner of Youth Vote 30 people
under 30. In 2008, she was named one of the top 10 most influential women in Denver by the Denver
Examiner, and in 2010 she was named woman of the year by Colorado Business and Professional
Women–Northwest Chapter. Winter loves organizing because she believes the best way to create
change is by building power through people. @FaithKWinter
Robert Wittenberg
State Representative
Robert Wittenberg is in his first term representing Michigan’s 27th House
District. Wittenberg was raised in Huntington Woods, attended Berkley
High School and currently resides in Oak Park. He graduated from Indiana
University with a B.S. in business management, and while at IU, he served
as Speaker of the House for the Indiana University Student Association,
founder and president of the Hillel Business Leadership Initiative, and the
Dean of Students’ appointee to the Commission on Multicultural Understanding. Before joining the
legislature, Wittenberg worked for more than nine years as a licensed life and health insurance agent,
helping to enroll businesses and individuals on health insurance plans, most recently those that are
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Oak Park, Michigan
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compliant under the Affordable Care Act. He remains actively engaged in the community through
organizations such as Tri-Community Coalition of Berkley, Huntington Woods and Oak Park, the
Berkley Holiday Lights Parade, and the Oak Park Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit.
Patrick Wojahn
City Councilmember
College Park, Maryland
Patrick Wojahn serves as a City Councilmember in College Park, Maryland,
where he serves as representative to the Transportation Planning Board
and the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for the National
Capital Region. Wojahn works as director of government relations at Railsto-Trails Conservancy (RTC), which works to transform unused railroad
corridors into recreational trails and build safe networks for bicycling
and walking to promote healthy lifestyles. Before coming to RTC, Wojahn provided legal services
for people with disabilities in the D.C. metro area and advocated in Congress for better services for
people with disabilities. He grew up in Wisconsin and moved to the Washington, D.C. area to go to
law school. He has lived for 12 years in College Park with his husband. While on City Council, Wojahn
worked to promote smart growth, sustainability, quality redevelopment, and better university relations
to enhance the quality of life of residents. @plwojahn
Thomas Wong
Utility District Board Member
Monterey Park, California
Thomas Wong was elected in 2012 to the board of directors of the San
Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves 200,000 residents
in the Los Angeles, CA area. In addition to addressing the impacts of the
state’s historic drought, Wong is working to highlight and address local
environmental and quality of life issues. Wong received his B.A. from UCLA
and his master of public administration from USC.
Greg Young
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Ward Supervisor
Gloversville, New York
Gregory Young is a ward supervisor for the city of Gloversville, New York.
He enjoys sharing his passion for political and cultural awareness and
involvement. In addition to teaching courses in local, state, and national
government at Finger Lakes Community College, he has also worked with
the New York Council for the Humanities to develop a variety of programs
to encourage lifelong civic engagement and the advancement of public
humanities. Young holds volunteer and leadership positions in a variety of causes and community
organizations in the Rochester, NY area and beyond. He holds a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude)
YEO Bios
and a master’s degree in history and political science from the College of Saint Rose and is currently
completing a Ph.D. in American studies at the University at Buffalo. He is a proud graduate of the
Front Line Leaders Academy. @bluegreg
Joshua Young
City Commissioner
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Commissioner Joshua Young ran for Township Commissioner in Caln
Township at the age of 23. As a commissioner, he serves as chair of
the Parks and Recreation Committee, the King’s Highway Park Master
Plan Committee, the Caln Community Day Committee, and the Green
Taskforce. He is co-chair of the Finance Committee and member of the
Police Pension Committee. Young is a founding member and vice president
of the Western Chester County Council of Governments, and serves as a trustee at Slippery Rock
University of Pennsylvania, appointed at the age of 25. He is a 2004 graduate of Slippery Rock with a
B.A. in political science and is currently vice president of Young’s Garage Inc., which his grandparents
started.
Tiffinni A. Young
City Councilwoman
Dallas, Texas
Tiffinni A. Young was elected to the Dallas City Council in May of 2015.
Young graduated from Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet High
School in South Dallas and is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University.
She attended University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Law School for two
years and spent her last year of law school as a visiting student at Texas
Wesleyan School of Law. She was appointed by former City Councilwoman
Barbara Mallory Caraway to serve on the inaugural City of Dallas Youth Commission in 1994. In 2007,
she was appointed by Councilman Dwaine R. Caraway to the Park & Recreation Board, and was
appointed again in 2012 by Councilwoman Carolyn Davis. Young currently works as a consultant.
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YEO Bios
Josh Zakim
City Councilor
Boston, Massachusetts
Josh Zakim was elected to the Boston City Council on November 5,
2013. As chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Civil Rights, Josh
led the council’s efforts to address issues of equity and fairness. He
authored the Boston Trust Act to improve trust and cooperation between
immigrant communities and law enforcement. Zakim led a series of
hearings to investigate serious health and safety concerns faced by Boston
residents in rental housing, improving landlord accountability and maintenance. He successfully
introduced an ordinance extending protections for apartment tenants, whose homes are converted
to condominiums or co-ops, including increased financial safeguards for elderly, disabled, and lowincome tenants. Most recently, Zakim has convened hearings to address the challenges faced by
seniors in the LGBT community in finding affordable, welcoming housing. Zakim graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania and Northeastern University School of Law. @joshzakim
Claire Zautke
School Board Director
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Claire Zautke was elected to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors
in April 2013. Zautke has years of experience in issue and community
advocacy, in addition to working in the administration of Milwaukee
County. Zautke has also worked as a field director, volunteer coordinator,
and project consultant for community and faith-based organizations in
Milwaukee. Raised in the community she now represents, as the daughter
of a county employee and city of Milwaukee fireman, Zautke set the goal of a career in public service
at an early age. Zautke attended Milwaukee Public Schools before going on to graduate magna cum
laude from Carthage College with a B.A. in political science. She believes Milwaukee Public Schools
provided her with opportunities that no other schools could and will work hard to ensure that those
opportunities always exist for Milwaukee’s children. @ClaireZautke
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