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Press Releases on Staff and Organization
DNC PRESS RELEASES ON STAFF AND
ORGANIZATION, 2021-22
https://medium.com/@chrislert/dei-the-dnc-573061e95a0
June 2, 2022 by Tamara Chrisler
DEI @ the DNC
Authenticity. Belonging.
Intentionality. These elements are the cornerstones of
a workplace where staff are performing at their best,
are professionally fulfilled, and are producing
significant results for their employer. These elements
are also the foundation of a strong diversity, equity,
and inclusion (DEI) program: a perfect conglomerate of
singular building blocks that, cultivated
individually, produce significant results
collectively. That’s what we’re building at the
Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The first building block, diversity, is not merely a reflection of staff numbers, though the numbers at the DNC are impressive and only improving, with 44% people of color and 57% women staff. Besides the number of diverse staff, diversity within an organization also means creating opportunity early in the recruitment process, and considering efforts to attract diverse talent, whether it’s creating a pipeline of diverse talent for future sustainability, ensuring vacancy announcements and RFPs are written inclusively and shared broadly, or asking applicants to share their demographics so that a more focused approach to attracting diverse candidates can be created. That’s the approach we have taken at the DNC. Once we revised our internship program to offer paid internships, we saw an increase of diverse candidates interested in and hired for our internship program, with our most recent class of interns being 63% people of color and 71% women. The DNC has also instituted a paid train-to-hire bootcamp program for its Campaign Readiness Project, which is designed to create a pipeline for state parties to recruit diverse local talent for coordinated campaigns.
We are improving hiring practices at headquarters, and have developed best practices in hiring guidance for our state parties to support them in their consideration of diverse candidates and vendors — from the very beginning of the hiring/scoping process through the interview and selection process, as well as the support staff receive once hired.
The second building block, equity, centers around ensuring that the opportunity that was created in the foundational block of diversity is actualized through the creation and implementation of fair processes, such as interviewing and contracting procedures. That is precisely why hiring managers collaborate with human resources and our DEI team when looking to fill positions and when working to retain our staff. The DNC has also revised its contracting process to ensure equal opportunity for diverse vendors. In the fall of 2021, the DNC held a diverse vendor symposium (with sister committees DCCC, DSCC, and DGA) and from there created a Diverse Vendor Directory for contracting opportunities. Our work to ensure transparent processes is a key component to ensuring equity in our workplace.
In addition to ensuring fair policies and procedures, the DNC has developed robust training programs for staff at every level of the organization in order to ensure staff are equipped to build and contribute to a fair and welcoming work environment. Specifically, the DNC has instituted a training program for all employees — new hires as well as current staff — that requires completion of nine separate modules around DEI principles. This training is also available to our state parties and funded coordinated campaign staff, and is designed to give staff a baseline understanding of the elements of DEI, including how biases may show up in the workplace and how to counteract them if they do. Along with this proactive course content, we provide live, interactive training to all of our managers, including senior leadership, to strengthen supervisory skills in areas such as communication, conflict resolution, delegation and project management. These trainings work together to form a work environment where equity is practiced at every turn.
The third building block is more subtle than the first two and could be overlooked if not working intentionally to build a solid DEI program: inclusion. This block is essential to creating space for staff to be seen and heard, which is key to belonging. Again, diversity numbers only tell part of the story: We want to not only hire staff of varying backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives; we also want to 1) make sure these staff are in leadership and decision-making roles and 2) create systems to otherwise allow for staff input and voice.
The DNC has engaged in a number of efforts to ensure staff are reflected at all levels of the organization and have a voice in the process. We have established a DEI Steering Committee made up of diverse staff from across the organization, where staff have visibility and input into the DEI work. A group of senior leaders dedicated to advance DEI at the DNC make up a Senior Advisory Council to support and advise the important work of the Steering Committee. We have also instituted a process for the creation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to allow staff the opportunity to commune together, aimed at promoting and supporting versatility and inclusivity in the workplace. We have approximately half a dozen groups that have expressed an interest in creating an ERG, including young professionals, parents, Black staff, Jewish staff, and LGBTQ staff.
Another initiative we have instituted to create a culture of inclusion is heritage month programming. For each heritage month, we provide programming for its recognition: thus far commemorating Black History in February, Women’s History in March, Arab American Heritage in April, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage in May. Staff have welcomed and supported the activities during these months, and we will continue to offer this programming to strengthen inclusivity and belonging.
Additionally and significantly, after DNC employees expressed their desire for union representation, we voluntarily recognized SEIU Local 500 as the mutually agreed-upon bargaining unit for our employees. The DNC welcomes Local 500 and its employee representatives in strengthening our labor-management relationship.
These building blocks are key to a strong DEI program, whether the program is being built in an organization where a culture shift is needed to effectively support its work, or one like the DNC’s, whose values of equity and inclusiveness already align with DEI work. The individual components of diversity, equity, and inclusion are distinct entities that need attention individually to build, but work collectively to foster belonging for staff. When we create an environment where staff belong, they inevitably will bring their authentic selves to the workplace, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and productivity, high retention, and mission success.
At the DNC, we follow DEI principles because they align with our core values as the party of inclusion. DEI is woven into the fabric of everything we do: from our programming to reach voters, to the equal opportunity we are creating for vendors, to our staffing and work environment, both nationally and for our state parties. The entire leadership of the DNC — our chair, executive director, and senior leadership team — puts DEI work at the forefront of our operations and our programming and is focused on ensuring that staff are diverse and belong.
There is an intrinsic component to DEI work that gives it truth: People want to see themselves in the places that matter to them: school, work, community, politics. Knowing that we can relate to the people engaged in the issues we care about connects us to those issues and builds trust.
The DNC wants our supporters to see themselves in the Democratic Party: in the staff who perform the work, the vendors who support the mission, the leaders who are making decisions, and the candidates who reflect our values and will represent us in office. Living our values is how we meet our mission to elect Democrats up and down the ballot all across the country and continue building a better America.
The first building block, diversity, is not merely a reflection of staff numbers, though the numbers at the DNC are impressive and only improving, with 44% people of color and 57% women staff. Besides the number of diverse staff, diversity within an organization also means creating opportunity early in the recruitment process, and considering efforts to attract diverse talent, whether it’s creating a pipeline of diverse talent for future sustainability, ensuring vacancy announcements and RFPs are written inclusively and shared broadly, or asking applicants to share their demographics so that a more focused approach to attracting diverse candidates can be created. That’s the approach we have taken at the DNC. Once we revised our internship program to offer paid internships, we saw an increase of diverse candidates interested in and hired for our internship program, with our most recent class of interns being 63% people of color and 71% women. The DNC has also instituted a paid train-to-hire bootcamp program for its Campaign Readiness Project, which is designed to create a pipeline for state parties to recruit diverse local talent for coordinated campaigns.
We are improving hiring practices at headquarters, and have developed best practices in hiring guidance for our state parties to support them in their consideration of diverse candidates and vendors — from the very beginning of the hiring/scoping process through the interview and selection process, as well as the support staff receive once hired.
The second building block, equity, centers around ensuring that the opportunity that was created in the foundational block of diversity is actualized through the creation and implementation of fair processes, such as interviewing and contracting procedures. That is precisely why hiring managers collaborate with human resources and our DEI team when looking to fill positions and when working to retain our staff. The DNC has also revised its contracting process to ensure equal opportunity for diverse vendors. In the fall of 2021, the DNC held a diverse vendor symposium (with sister committees DCCC, DSCC, and DGA) and from there created a Diverse Vendor Directory for contracting opportunities. Our work to ensure transparent processes is a key component to ensuring equity in our workplace.
In addition to ensuring fair policies and procedures, the DNC has developed robust training programs for staff at every level of the organization in order to ensure staff are equipped to build and contribute to a fair and welcoming work environment. Specifically, the DNC has instituted a training program for all employees — new hires as well as current staff — that requires completion of nine separate modules around DEI principles. This training is also available to our state parties and funded coordinated campaign staff, and is designed to give staff a baseline understanding of the elements of DEI, including how biases may show up in the workplace and how to counteract them if they do. Along with this proactive course content, we provide live, interactive training to all of our managers, including senior leadership, to strengthen supervisory skills in areas such as communication, conflict resolution, delegation and project management. These trainings work together to form a work environment where equity is practiced at every turn.
The third building block is more subtle than the first two and could be overlooked if not working intentionally to build a solid DEI program: inclusion. This block is essential to creating space for staff to be seen and heard, which is key to belonging. Again, diversity numbers only tell part of the story: We want to not only hire staff of varying backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives; we also want to 1) make sure these staff are in leadership and decision-making roles and 2) create systems to otherwise allow for staff input and voice.
The DNC has engaged in a number of efforts to ensure staff are reflected at all levels of the organization and have a voice in the process. We have established a DEI Steering Committee made up of diverse staff from across the organization, where staff have visibility and input into the DEI work. A group of senior leaders dedicated to advance DEI at the DNC make up a Senior Advisory Council to support and advise the important work of the Steering Committee. We have also instituted a process for the creation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to allow staff the opportunity to commune together, aimed at promoting and supporting versatility and inclusivity in the workplace. We have approximately half a dozen groups that have expressed an interest in creating an ERG, including young professionals, parents, Black staff, Jewish staff, and LGBTQ staff.
Another initiative we have instituted to create a culture of inclusion is heritage month programming. For each heritage month, we provide programming for its recognition: thus far commemorating Black History in February, Women’s History in March, Arab American Heritage in April, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage in May. Staff have welcomed and supported the activities during these months, and we will continue to offer this programming to strengthen inclusivity and belonging.
Additionally and significantly, after DNC employees expressed their desire for union representation, we voluntarily recognized SEIU Local 500 as the mutually agreed-upon bargaining unit for our employees. The DNC welcomes Local 500 and its employee representatives in strengthening our labor-management relationship.
These building blocks are key to a strong DEI program, whether the program is being built in an organization where a culture shift is needed to effectively support its work, or one like the DNC’s, whose values of equity and inclusiveness already align with DEI work. The individual components of diversity, equity, and inclusion are distinct entities that need attention individually to build, but work collectively to foster belonging for staff. When we create an environment where staff belong, they inevitably will bring their authentic selves to the workplace, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and productivity, high retention, and mission success.
At the DNC, we follow DEI principles because they align with our core values as the party of inclusion. DEI is woven into the fabric of everything we do: from our programming to reach voters, to the equal opportunity we are creating for vendors, to our staffing and work environment, both nationally and for our state parties. The entire leadership of the DNC — our chair, executive director, and senior leadership team — puts DEI work at the forefront of our operations and our programming and is focused on ensuring that staff are diverse and belong.
There is an intrinsic component to DEI work that gives it truth: People want to see themselves in the places that matter to them: school, work, community, politics. Knowing that we can relate to the people engaged in the issues we care about connects us to those issues and builds trust.
The DNC wants our supporters to see themselves in the Democratic Party: in the staff who perform the work, the vendors who support the mission, the leaders who are making decisions, and the candidates who reflect our values and will represent us in office. Living our values is how we meet our mission to elect Democrats up and down the ballot all across the country and continue building a better America.
Tamara E. Chrisler, Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Democratic National Committee
January 4, 2022
DNC Union Officially Joins SEIU Local 500
After a review by an independent
arbiter, DNC staff officially join DC’s
fastest-growing union
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- By an overwhelming
margin, staff at the Democratic National Committee
(DNC) have officially joined SEIU Local 500. Today,
former Congresswoman Donna Edwards – an independent
neutral observer selected by both DNC staff and
management – determined a majority of eligible staff
have officially signed cards to unionize.
“We are incredibly excited to join SEIU Local 500 to live our Democratic values at our workplace,” said DNC Staffer and Union Leader Alison Goh. “Throughout this process, our aim has been not only to improve the lives of current and future staff at the DNC, but to ensure our staff, no matter where they live, are protected and given the resources they need to thrive in their careers and succeed in our mission to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As we work on our first contract with management, we thank Chair Harrison and DNC leadership for their vocal support of collective bargaining rights both inside and outside of the DNC Headquarters – now, let's get to work.”DNC staff have joined SEIU Local 500, the fastest growing union in greater Washington, D.C. and a local that already represents employees of several progressive non-profits in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. metro area. Now, a select committee of staff will work with management to draft the first contract. While unionization efforts historically stem from workplace disputes, that is not the case at the DNC. Staff and management in fact agree that unionizing the workplace is a real-life adoption of Democrats’ shared values. As a result, this process has been collegial, efficient, and productive.
“The DNC is strong and only getting stronger because of our smart, diverse, and resilient staff,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Today, the DNC is proud to voluntarily recognize SEIU Local 500 after a majority of DNC employees expressed their desire for union representation in a mutually agreed-upon bargaining unit. The DNC looks forward to meeting with LocaI 500 and our employee representatives to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement in the near future. I am inspired by the incredible DNC team, and that’s especially true today as they live the values we hold dear as Democrats.”
###
December 1, 2021
DNC Announces New Hires in Coalitions and Communications Departments
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and
Executive Director Sam Cornale announced the hiring of
new staff in the DNC’s Communications and Coalitions
departments. In Communications, Maria Casado will
serve as Director of Hispanic Media, Karely Hernandez
will be West Regional Press Secretary and Noelle
Rosellini will serve as East Regional Press Secretary.
In Coalitions, Gabriela Cristobal has been hired as
Women’s Outreach Director, and Ariel Garayar and Damon
Ngo will be Coalitions & Community Engagement
Managers with Garayar also taking on the department’s
youth portfolio.
María Carolina (Maca) Casado will spearhead the DNC Hispanic media outreach. She most recently served as Hispanic Media Director at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and in Commissioner Nikki Fried’s office. Before that she was the regional Press Secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign in South Florida. Casado worked as Press Secretary for former U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala’s 2018 campaign, and as Hispanic Media and Latin-American Issues Consultant in Shalala’s congressional office, before that she worked as the Hispanic communications Director for David Richardson’s congressional campaign. In the past, she also worked as a Senior Producer for TV Venezuela in Miami and as Chief Editor of International News for Globovisión in Caracas, Venezuela. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the Universidad Santa María in Caracas, Venezuela.
Karely Hernandez is an experienced communications strategist who has served as a bilingual spokesperson for non-profit organizations, electoral and issue-based campaigns, and elected officials. Karely joins the DNC from FWD.us and prior to that she drove media efforts for an array of civil rights issues at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. While working in the U.S. Senate, Karely served as Senator Harry Reid’s Press Secretary for Hispanic media, and then moved on to help shape narratives for the Hillary for America campaign on the coalitions communications team. Karely hails from Los Angeles, California, and takes immense pride in being first-generation Mexican-American.
Noelle Rosellini served as the Press Secretary on Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s 2020 re-election race in New Hampshire, and has worked in Congress and on campaigns across the country. She was Communications Director for Rep. Salud Carbajal in the U.S. House and for Gina Ortiz Jones’ 2018 race in Texas. She has worked on communications and speechwriting for Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and served on advance teams for the Biden-Harris administration and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Noelle is a graduate of Penn State University.
Coalitions Department
Gabriela Cristobal is originally from Wisconsin and joins the DNC as the new Women's Coalition Director. Previously, she was the Director of Programs & Strategic Engagement at United State of Women, a nonprofit born out of the Obama administration's White House Council on Women and Girls and has also served on the United Nations Foundation's Global Health Advocacy Team.
Ariel Garayar previously worked for the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights where she helped advocate for a better quality of life for immigrant and refugee communities. She has mobilized communities to vote as a Deputy Coalitions Director in Virginia during the Biden for President campaign and while serving on the board of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (DLOV), the Latino caucus of the Democratic Party of Virginia. She has previously held roles in the offices of Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) and Senator Tom Udall (NM). Ariel is the daughter of Peruvian immigrants.
Damon Ngo is a recent graduate from the University of Utah. As a student, Damon served as the Senate Chair and Assembly Treasurer of the Associated Students of the University of Utah, working toward creating a safer campus community amidst much controversy surrounding the lack of measures accommodating students of color and women. Additionally, he oversaw the distribution of $260,000 to hundreds of student organizations. In the community, he worked with Salt Lake County on opening new resource centers to serve those experiencing houselessness, as well as assisting small businesses in applying for federal COVID-19 relief grants. Born to two Vietnamese refugees, he was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Our party is stronger when we have talented, diverse staff at the table,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “This group of new hires will deepen our work with key coalitions, further our amplification of the president’s successes across the country, and help us win races up and down the ballot in years to come. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome them to the DNC family.”Communications Department
“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “We believe our diversity is our greatest strength and are committed to building a party organization that reflects that. These new staff hires represent some of the best talents our party has to offer and I couldn’t be more excited to bring them on board.”
María Carolina (Maca) Casado will spearhead the DNC Hispanic media outreach. She most recently served as Hispanic Media Director at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and in Commissioner Nikki Fried’s office. Before that she was the regional Press Secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign in South Florida. Casado worked as Press Secretary for former U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala’s 2018 campaign, and as Hispanic Media and Latin-American Issues Consultant in Shalala’s congressional office, before that she worked as the Hispanic communications Director for David Richardson’s congressional campaign. In the past, she also worked as a Senior Producer for TV Venezuela in Miami and as Chief Editor of International News for Globovisión in Caracas, Venezuela. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the Universidad Santa María in Caracas, Venezuela.
Karely Hernandez is an experienced communications strategist who has served as a bilingual spokesperson for non-profit organizations, electoral and issue-based campaigns, and elected officials. Karely joins the DNC from FWD.us and prior to that she drove media efforts for an array of civil rights issues at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. While working in the U.S. Senate, Karely served as Senator Harry Reid’s Press Secretary for Hispanic media, and then moved on to help shape narratives for the Hillary for America campaign on the coalitions communications team. Karely hails from Los Angeles, California, and takes immense pride in being first-generation Mexican-American.
Noelle Rosellini served as the Press Secretary on Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s 2020 re-election race in New Hampshire, and has worked in Congress and on campaigns across the country. She was Communications Director for Rep. Salud Carbajal in the U.S. House and for Gina Ortiz Jones’ 2018 race in Texas. She has worked on communications and speechwriting for Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and served on advance teams for the Biden-Harris administration and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Noelle is a graduate of Penn State University.
Coalitions Department
Gabriela Cristobal is originally from Wisconsin and joins the DNC as the new Women's Coalition Director. Previously, she was the Director of Programs & Strategic Engagement at United State of Women, a nonprofit born out of the Obama administration's White House Council on Women and Girls and has also served on the United Nations Foundation's Global Health Advocacy Team.
Ariel Garayar previously worked for the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights where she helped advocate for a better quality of life for immigrant and refugee communities. She has mobilized communities to vote as a Deputy Coalitions Director in Virginia during the Biden for President campaign and while serving on the board of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (DLOV), the Latino caucus of the Democratic Party of Virginia. She has previously held roles in the offices of Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) and Senator Tom Udall (NM). Ariel is the daughter of Peruvian immigrants.
Damon Ngo is a recent graduate from the University of Utah. As a student, Damon served as the Senate Chair and Assembly Treasurer of the Associated Students of the University of Utah, working toward creating a safer campus community amidst much controversy surrounding the lack of measures accommodating students of color and women. Additionally, he oversaw the distribution of $260,000 to hundreds of student organizations. In the community, he worked with Salt Lake County on opening new resource centers to serve those experiencing houselessness, as well as assisting small businesses in applying for federal COVID-19 relief grants. Born to two Vietnamese refugees, he was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.
###
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 3, 2021 -- Employees at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will likely soon join as members of SEIU Local 500, the fastest growing union in greater Washington, D.C. and a local that already represents employees of several progressive non-profits in the District.
DNC staff see unionizing as not just an act of principle, but a reaffirmation of solidarity among workers and the key role of unions in building the middle class. While unionization efforts often stem from workplace disputes, that is not the case at the DNC. Staff and management in fact agree that unionizing the workplace is a real-life adoption of Democrats’ shared values and are taking the final steps to voluntarily recognize SEIU Local 500.
###
August 3, 2021
JOINT RELEASE: STAFF OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE SET TO UNIONIZE
DNC staff set to join the fastest growing union in the greater Washington, D.C. area.WASHINGTON, D.C., August 3, 2021 -- Employees at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will likely soon join as members of SEIU Local 500, the fastest growing union in greater Washington, D.C. and a local that already represents employees of several progressive non-profits in the District.
DNC staff see unionizing as not just an act of principle, but a reaffirmation of solidarity among workers and the key role of unions in building the middle class. While unionization efforts often stem from workplace disputes, that is not the case at the DNC. Staff and management in fact agree that unionizing the workplace is a real-life adoption of Democrats’ shared values and are taking the final steps to voluntarily recognize SEIU Local 500.
“The DNC has the ability to be a powerful agent of positive change for working Americans,” said DNC Sustaining Donor Manager Christen Sparago. “We organized because we believe when workers are strong, America is strong — and this is an opportunity for the DNC to live its values. This is an important step that will best serve the interests of the Democratic party and DNC staff, especially our BIPOC staff, LGBTQ+ staff, staff living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, staff with children, and cycle hires. We are eager to begin negotiations, and we hope this will offer our staff the support we need to fight hard and continue electing Democrats up and down the ballot in 2022 and beyond.”For additional information, please contact Lucas Acosta at press.dncunion@gmail.com or at 347-834-5063 or Adrienne Watson at dncpress@dnc.org.
“My Grandmother came to this country 50 years ago as an immigrant and for 30 years was a teacher’s aide and a proud union member,” said Video Research Associate Thaha Sherwani. “I’ve seen firsthand how valuable unions are and I know that my colleagues share the conviction that unions are a positive force for our country and our workforce. We’re excited to move forward.”
“The DNC’s employees are smart, diverse, resilient and inspirational, and I am honored to lead this team in our critical work to elect Democrats,” DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale said. “As the DNC told SEIU, if a majority of D.N.C. employees in a mutually agreed-upon bargaining unit express their desire to form a union, we will be proud to voluntarily recognize that union.”
“Democrats strongly believe in the positive value of unions and respect the rights of employees to have a union wherever a majority of the workforce wants one, including at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison.
###
July 20, 2021
In the Mobilization Department, Andrew Gauthier has been hired as Creative Director. Christian Richard has been promoted to serve as Design Director and Hal Irish has been hired as Digital Advertising Director. Olivia Hill has been promoted to Director of Grassroots Donor Relations and Erin Conway has been promoted to Direct Mail and Telemarketing Director.
In the Special Projects Department, Mansoor Khadir has been promoted to serve as Special Projects Director. Chelsey Cartwright will serve as Deputy Special Projects Director and Malik Haughton will be Special Projects Manager.
Ebony Baylor previously served as Black Outreach Director for the DNC. Prior to joining the DNC, Ebony served as the Director of Civic Engagement for the National Urban League. She also worked as the Outreach Coordinator for the Louisiana Democratic Party. She is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and has worked in state legislative politics and grassroots organizing for candidates and issue advocacy campaigns for more than a decade. She is a proud graduate from Southern University A&M College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master’s of Public Administration with a Non-Profit Management Concentration.
Brencia Berry most recently led PL+US (Paid Leave for the United States) national outreach program as Vice President of Equity and Political Strategy. In 2020, Brencia served as National Deputy Director of Public Engagement, overseeing policy and coalitions outreach for Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign. Before joining Senator Warren's team, Brencia was the first Black woman to serve as Chief of Staff for a Council Member in San Antonio. Additionally, Brencia is a Hillary for America national advance team veteran and has experience working in state and local government in Louisiana and Texas. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Helen Brosnan previously worked with Justice Democrats, where she helped elect Rep. Jamaal Bowman to Congress. She served as Regional Political Director on Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential race, mobilizing key supporters in 15+ states. Before that, she was organizing immigration justice campaigns at the National Domestic Workers Alliance and fighting for Medicare for All with healthcare activist Ady Barkan at Be A Hero. In her spare time, Helen organizes with New York City Care Coalition, a coalition of domestic workers, caregivers, and employers building political power in NYC.
Atoyia Deans previously served as Special Assistant to the Political and Organizing Director. Atoyia has also worked as a photojournalist at one of the nation’s largest news publications, the Tampa Bay Times. She is a graduate of Howard University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Maria Martinez previously served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Comptroller Stringer’s NYC mayoral campaign. Prior to that, she was Deputy Political Director at Climate Power 2020 where she led the campaign’s Latinx outreach and strategy. In June 2019, she joined Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign as the Southwest Organizing Director before becoming the campaign’s National Latinx Engagement Director. She has also served on the staffs for 32BJ SEIU, the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. Maria is a native of Newburgh, NY and a daughter of Mexican immigrants.
Eric Salcedo previously worked as the Midwest Regional Coalitions Director for Biden for President. Afterwards, he served as the Agency Engagement Liaison on the EPA Agency Review Team for the Biden-Harris Transition. Prior to 2020, Eric was the National Field Director at APIAVote, a national nonpartisan organization that promotes the civic and electoral engagement of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. He had also served as the Community Outreach Director at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
Theresa Sheldon joined the DNC in August 2019 as Native American Political Director. Previously, she worked at EMILY’s List to create their first Native American Run-to-Win Training for Native women seeking to run for political office. She has served as an elected representative, member of the Board of Directors and Policy Analyst for the Tulalip Tribes. She has worked a co-chair for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote since 2008 and is a founding member and co-chairperson for Native Vote WA.
Mobilization Department
Erin Conway has been a part of the DNC's direct mail and telemarketing programs since 2018. During her time here, she has raised over $130 million for the DNC and Biden Victory Fund and played a key role in building out the marketing team's digital integration programs. Prior to joining the DNC, Erin worked on the direct mail and telemarketing programs at EMILY's List.
Andrew Gauthier has spent a decade working at the forefront of digital media. After seven years at BuzzFeed, where he was Head Of BuzzFeed Video, he moved to politics in advance of the 2020 election. He was Director of Digital Content for the Kamala Harris primary campaign, and Director of Video for the Biden campaign during the general election. While at BuzzFeed, he launched the popular digital food brand Tasty and also worked for NBC on digital coverage of the 2016 and 2018 Olympics. He recently joined the DNC as Creative Director, overseeing brand identity for the Democratic party and managing its digital content teams.
Olivia Hill has been working with grassroots donors at the DNC since 2019 and this past cycle she raised more than $400,000 while bringing virtual town halls into the 21st century. Since joining the DNC, Olivia has been an integral part of leading efforts to join together Democratic Party leadership and grassroots donors through virtual events, individual relationships, and everything in between. Prior to joining the DNC, Olivia worked in fundraising at EMILY’s List.
Hal Irish joined the DNC in June as the new Digital Advertising Director. Most recently, he served as an Associate Director of Advertising at Authentic Campaigns overseeing online ad programs for Democratic campaigns and organizations. Hal is a DC native, pet dad and amateur photographer. He is passionate about his work in digital Democratic politics because of a strong belief in social change through storytelling, and a deep desire to connect communities online.
Christian Richard is a Virginia native who joined the DNC in 2018 as a Senior Designer after working at Bully Pulpit Interactive, collaborated with the Biden-Harris design team during the 2020 campaign season, and is now leading design at the DNC. In his spare time, you can catch him eating crab legs, riding his bike around some of the trails in the DMV area, and reading comic books.
Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Tamara Chrisler is a licensed attorney who has spent her decades-long career ensuring fair and just administration of the law as a criminal prosecutor in Chicago, and advancing workplace rights as a labor and employment attorney, within the Department of Justice and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, Tamara served as Senior Advisor for Organizational Compliance and Development at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Tamara has spoken globally and provided Congressional testimony on addressing and preventing discrimination in the workplace and the importance of strong diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Tamara currently serves on the Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Special Projects Department
Chelsey Cartwright served as Northeast Regional Political Director on the Biden-Harris 2020 Presidential campaign. During the 2020 Presidential Primary, she served as Southern Regional Political Director at Warren for President. Previously, she held roles of Deputy Political Director on Warren’s Senate re-election bid and Director of Constituent Services for former Boston City Councilor At-Large, and current Congresswoman Ayanna S. Pressley. Cartwright began her career in the administration of former Governor Deval L. Patrick.
Malik Haughton previously served as the Democratic Lawyers Council Finance Director at the DNC. In that role, he managed and led multiple major donor fundraising events that supported the DNC and the Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Malik worked in the battleground state of Florida as a fundraiser for the Florida Justice Association. In 2014, he successfully ran the Get Out The Vote operations for a Red-to-Blue Congressional campaign in the Sunshine State, sending the first woman to represent North Florida to Congress. In 2012, Haughton worked in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on the re-election campaign for President Barack Obama.
Mansoor Khadir previously served as Senior Advisor to the Political and Organizing Department at the DNC. Prior to joining the DNC, Mansoor was part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's national field team. He was part of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign and was a Resident Political Party Trainer for the National Democratic Institute in Egypt helping organize activists in the aftermath of the Arab spring. He has more than a decade of experience working on political campaigns in the United States including coordinated campaigns in New Mexico, Iowa, and Connecticut.
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DNC Announces New Coalitions Department, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Other Hires
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced the creation of the Coalitions and Community Engagement Department, the creation of the Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position and new hires to both the Coalitions and Mobilization Departments. Brencia Berry will lead the newly created department as Director of Coalitions and Community Engagement. Ebony Baylor has been promoted to serve as Deputy Director of Coalitions, Community Engagement and Black Coalition Director. Eric Salcedo will be AAPI Coalition Director. Maria Martinez has been named Latinx Coalition Director. Theresa Sheldon will be Native American Coalitions Director. Helen Brosnan has been hired as Progressive Coalitions Director and Atoyia Deans will serve as Coalitions Manager. Tamara Chrisler will serve as Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a newly created position reporting to Chief Operating Officer Monica Guardiola. LGBTQ and Women’s Coalitions Directors will be announced in the near future.In the Mobilization Department, Andrew Gauthier has been hired as Creative Director. Christian Richard has been promoted to serve as Design Director and Hal Irish has been hired as Digital Advertising Director. Olivia Hill has been promoted to Director of Grassroots Donor Relations and Erin Conway has been promoted to Direct Mail and Telemarketing Director.
In the Special Projects Department, Mansoor Khadir has been promoted to serve as Special Projects Director. Chelsey Cartwright will serve as Deputy Special Projects Director and Malik Haughton will be Special Projects Manager.
“These hires, and our deepened focus on coalitions work, will ensure the DNC leaves nothing on the table as we fight to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in the months and years ahead,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “Each and every one of these staff members is among the strongest talents in our party and will bring deep experience and unique perspective to the work we do. I could not be more excited to welcome them to the DNC family and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”Coalitions and Community Engagement Department
“The DNC continues to recruit top talent to meet the moment,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “The fight for 2022 will live or die on our ability to message and organize voters key to rebuilding the Biden coalition, especially voters of color and younger voters. Our team keeps getting stronger, and come 2022, our deep experience and early investments will help to ensure our party builds on our successes.”
Ebony Baylor previously served as Black Outreach Director for the DNC. Prior to joining the DNC, Ebony served as the Director of Civic Engagement for the National Urban League. She also worked as the Outreach Coordinator for the Louisiana Democratic Party. She is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and has worked in state legislative politics and grassroots organizing for candidates and issue advocacy campaigns for more than a decade. She is a proud graduate from Southern University A&M College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master’s of Public Administration with a Non-Profit Management Concentration.
Brencia Berry most recently led PL+US (Paid Leave for the United States) national outreach program as Vice President of Equity and Political Strategy. In 2020, Brencia served as National Deputy Director of Public Engagement, overseeing policy and coalitions outreach for Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign. Before joining Senator Warren's team, Brencia was the first Black woman to serve as Chief of Staff for a Council Member in San Antonio. Additionally, Brencia is a Hillary for America national advance team veteran and has experience working in state and local government in Louisiana and Texas. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Helen Brosnan previously worked with Justice Democrats, where she helped elect Rep. Jamaal Bowman to Congress. She served as Regional Political Director on Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential race, mobilizing key supporters in 15+ states. Before that, she was organizing immigration justice campaigns at the National Domestic Workers Alliance and fighting for Medicare for All with healthcare activist Ady Barkan at Be A Hero. In her spare time, Helen organizes with New York City Care Coalition, a coalition of domestic workers, caregivers, and employers building political power in NYC.
Atoyia Deans previously served as Special Assistant to the Political and Organizing Director. Atoyia has also worked as a photojournalist at one of the nation’s largest news publications, the Tampa Bay Times. She is a graduate of Howard University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Maria Martinez previously served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Comptroller Stringer’s NYC mayoral campaign. Prior to that, she was Deputy Political Director at Climate Power 2020 where she led the campaign’s Latinx outreach and strategy. In June 2019, she joined Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign as the Southwest Organizing Director before becoming the campaign’s National Latinx Engagement Director. She has also served on the staffs for 32BJ SEIU, the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. Maria is a native of Newburgh, NY and a daughter of Mexican immigrants.
Eric Salcedo previously worked as the Midwest Regional Coalitions Director for Biden for President. Afterwards, he served as the Agency Engagement Liaison on the EPA Agency Review Team for the Biden-Harris Transition. Prior to 2020, Eric was the National Field Director at APIAVote, a national nonpartisan organization that promotes the civic and electoral engagement of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. He had also served as the Community Outreach Director at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
Theresa Sheldon joined the DNC in August 2019 as Native American Political Director. Previously, she worked at EMILY’s List to create their first Native American Run-to-Win Training for Native women seeking to run for political office. She has served as an elected representative, member of the Board of Directors and Policy Analyst for the Tulalip Tribes. She has worked a co-chair for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote since 2008 and is a founding member and co-chairperson for Native Vote WA.
Mobilization Department
Erin Conway has been a part of the DNC's direct mail and telemarketing programs since 2018. During her time here, she has raised over $130 million for the DNC and Biden Victory Fund and played a key role in building out the marketing team's digital integration programs. Prior to joining the DNC, Erin worked on the direct mail and telemarketing programs at EMILY's List.
Andrew Gauthier has spent a decade working at the forefront of digital media. After seven years at BuzzFeed, where he was Head Of BuzzFeed Video, he moved to politics in advance of the 2020 election. He was Director of Digital Content for the Kamala Harris primary campaign, and Director of Video for the Biden campaign during the general election. While at BuzzFeed, he launched the popular digital food brand Tasty and also worked for NBC on digital coverage of the 2016 and 2018 Olympics. He recently joined the DNC as Creative Director, overseeing brand identity for the Democratic party and managing its digital content teams.
Olivia Hill has been working with grassroots donors at the DNC since 2019 and this past cycle she raised more than $400,000 while bringing virtual town halls into the 21st century. Since joining the DNC, Olivia has been an integral part of leading efforts to join together Democratic Party leadership and grassroots donors through virtual events, individual relationships, and everything in between. Prior to joining the DNC, Olivia worked in fundraising at EMILY’s List.
Hal Irish joined the DNC in June as the new Digital Advertising Director. Most recently, he served as an Associate Director of Advertising at Authentic Campaigns overseeing online ad programs for Democratic campaigns and organizations. Hal is a DC native, pet dad and amateur photographer. He is passionate about his work in digital Democratic politics because of a strong belief in social change through storytelling, and a deep desire to connect communities online.
Christian Richard is a Virginia native who joined the DNC in 2018 as a Senior Designer after working at Bully Pulpit Interactive, collaborated with the Biden-Harris design team during the 2020 campaign season, and is now leading design at the DNC. In his spare time, you can catch him eating crab legs, riding his bike around some of the trails in the DMV area, and reading comic books.
Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Tamara Chrisler is a licensed attorney who has spent her decades-long career ensuring fair and just administration of the law as a criminal prosecutor in Chicago, and advancing workplace rights as a labor and employment attorney, within the Department of Justice and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, Tamara served as Senior Advisor for Organizational Compliance and Development at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Tamara has spoken globally and provided Congressional testimony on addressing and preventing discrimination in the workplace and the importance of strong diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Tamara currently serves on the Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Special Projects Department
Chelsey Cartwright served as Northeast Regional Political Director on the Biden-Harris 2020 Presidential campaign. During the 2020 Presidential Primary, she served as Southern Regional Political Director at Warren for President. Previously, she held roles of Deputy Political Director on Warren’s Senate re-election bid and Director of Constituent Services for former Boston City Councilor At-Large, and current Congresswoman Ayanna S. Pressley. Cartwright began her career in the administration of former Governor Deval L. Patrick.
Malik Haughton previously served as the Democratic Lawyers Council Finance Director at the DNC. In that role, he managed and led multiple major donor fundraising events that supported the DNC and the Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Malik worked in the battleground state of Florida as a fundraiser for the Florida Justice Association. In 2014, he successfully ran the Get Out The Vote operations for a Red-to-Blue Congressional campaign in the Sunshine State, sending the first woman to represent North Florida to Congress. In 2012, Haughton worked in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on the re-election campaign for President Barack Obama.
Mansoor Khadir previously served as Senior Advisor to the Political and Organizing Department at the DNC. Prior to joining the DNC, Mansoor was part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's national field team. He was part of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign and was a Resident Political Party Trainer for the National Democratic Institute in Egypt helping organize activists in the aftermath of the Arab spring. He has more than a decade of experience working on political campaigns in the United States including coordinated campaigns in New Mexico, Iowa, and Connecticut.
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July 8, 2021
Vice President Harris Announces $25 Million
Expansion of DNC’s ‘I Will Vote’ Initiative
Today, Vice President Harris announced
a dramatic expansion of the Democratic National
Committee’s ‘I Will Vote’ initiative to address and
overcome efforts across the country to make voting
more difficult and burdensome. The DNC will invest $25
million in voter education, voter protection, targeted
voter registration, and technology to make voting more
accessible and to fight back against Republicans’
unprecedented voter suppression efforts.
Below are key components of the ‘I Will Vote’ expansion. The $25 million announced today is in addition to the initial $20 million investment that Chair Harrison has already announced the DNC will make before the general election in 2022 and does not reflect the totality of our midterm commitment.
VOTER REGISTRATION: The ‘I Will Vote’ expansion will include millions in funding, including with partners, to register voters, a reflection of the Biden-Harris team’s commitment to those who are doing some of the strongest work on the ground in communities that deeply need additional investment.
As we fight back against some of the most egregious attacks on voters and voting rights in decades, it’s critically important that the party apparatus also invest in targeted voter registration efforts where specific needs are identified, where voters from particular backgrounds have been targeted with difficult registration requirements, or where states have made it more difficult for nonprofit organizations to be involved.
VOTER PROTECTION: ‘I Will Vote’ will fund the largest Voter Protection team ever assembled at the DNC, which for the first time will include state-level coverage and analytics capacity.
The Biden-Harris team and the DNC have a strong history of fighting to protect the right to vote, using the courts to ensure access to the polls, and defending the rights of voters, including numerous lawsuits brought to mitigate election laws that disproportionately affect people of color. In the wake of the 2020 election, we also worked to defeat challenges to the validity of the election. We will continue to use litigation as a tool to protect voters and to support our democracy.
VOTER EDUCATION: The DNC will commit millions to television and digital advertising, especially digital communications, to better educate voters on how to participate — how to register and where and when to vote. In an effort to reach new and younger voters and diverse constituencies, the DNC will partner with social media creators across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to highlight what President Biden and Democrats have achieved, and what they can do to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY: The Biden-Harris team will fund the largest tech team in the history of the DNC. The team will use data and other tools to identify and contact voters affected by suppression efforts and voter roll purges, to ensure that all eligible voters have the information they need to cast a ballot. These investments will make sure that staff across the country have easy-to use-and actionable information on voters who have been moved to inactive lists or removed from voter rolls.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the Democrats are making a $25 million investment to expand the ‘I Will Vote’ campaign. This campaign is grounded in the firm belief that everyone’s vote matters. … The people must be able, without hindrance, without obstacle, to decide our country's future,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.The whole-of-party effort by the Biden-Harris team demonstrates its unprecedented commitment to innovation at the DNC and across the Democratic Party. Most importantly, this initiative will deploy every asset available at the regional, state, and local levels to ensure we are communicating directly with potential voters about their rights and the rules around voting.
“Republicans know that their policies are unpopular — and that the only way for them to hold on to power is to attack the constitutional right to vote, held by the people they swore to serve. That’s why the Republican Party has made outrageous efforts to keep people from voting. But all across the country — from Democratic state legislators in Texas to the DNC’s recent case before the Supreme Court — Democrats have shown we are fighters and we will not give up our right to vote. I’ve said time and again that the ‘D’ in Democrat stands for deliver, and today we are delivering innovative and historic resources to protect this fundamental part of our democracy,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison.
Below are key components of the ‘I Will Vote’ expansion. The $25 million announced today is in addition to the initial $20 million investment that Chair Harrison has already announced the DNC will make before the general election in 2022 and does not reflect the totality of our midterm commitment.
VOTER REGISTRATION: The ‘I Will Vote’ expansion will include millions in funding, including with partners, to register voters, a reflection of the Biden-Harris team’s commitment to those who are doing some of the strongest work on the ground in communities that deeply need additional investment.
As we fight back against some of the most egregious attacks on voters and voting rights in decades, it’s critically important that the party apparatus also invest in targeted voter registration efforts where specific needs are identified, where voters from particular backgrounds have been targeted with difficult registration requirements, or where states have made it more difficult for nonprofit organizations to be involved.
VOTER PROTECTION: ‘I Will Vote’ will fund the largest Voter Protection team ever assembled at the DNC, which for the first time will include state-level coverage and analytics capacity.
The Biden-Harris team and the DNC have a strong history of fighting to protect the right to vote, using the courts to ensure access to the polls, and defending the rights of voters, including numerous lawsuits brought to mitigate election laws that disproportionately affect people of color. In the wake of the 2020 election, we also worked to defeat challenges to the validity of the election. We will continue to use litigation as a tool to protect voters and to support our democracy.
VOTER EDUCATION: The DNC will commit millions to television and digital advertising, especially digital communications, to better educate voters on how to participate — how to register and where and when to vote. In an effort to reach new and younger voters and diverse constituencies, the DNC will partner with social media creators across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to highlight what President Biden and Democrats have achieved, and what they can do to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY: The Biden-Harris team will fund the largest tech team in the history of the DNC. The team will use data and other tools to identify and contact voters affected by suppression efforts and voter roll purges, to ensure that all eligible voters have the information they need to cast a ballot. These investments will make sure that staff across the country have easy-to use-and actionable information on voters who have been moved to inactive lists or removed from voter rolls.
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April 28, 2021
DNC Announces Unprecedented Midterm Investments
In remarks made to the National Press
Club moments ago, Democratic National Committee Chair
Jaime Harrison announced the first round of the DNC’s
investments in 2022. The DNC will play a bigger role
in midterms than ever before, and will put its cash to
work early to double the time that DNC programs have
to engage voters.
The DNC will invest $20m in states well before the 2022 general election begins. Our investments will focus on top 2022 electoral targets, many of which also lay a vital foundation for 2024.
The DNC will invest $20m in states well before the 2022 general election begins. Our investments will focus on top 2022 electoral targets, many of which also lay a vital foundation for 2024.
- As part of this investment, the DNC will launch our biggest ever voter protection program. The DNC will place voter protection embeds in critical states, including Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada and Pennsylvania–ultimately funding dozens of voter protection staffers across the country in 2022.
- In key states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, we will invest millions in early distributed organizing programs and will fund communications embeds. Our top priority will be to lift up grassroots voices and help to define and localize Democratic accomplishments.
- We will build on successful virtual organizing efforts in 2020. We have 200k active online volunteers who we will begin to deploy in 2021 elections (VA, NJ, specials, etc.) and early voter re-engagement to expand the Biden coalition in 2022.
- We’ve already been laying groundwork in key races. In Virginia, where we’re focused on holding the House of Delegates and keeping a Democrat in the governor’s mansion, we’ve made a six-figure investment to help launch the “VA Turnout Project,” an important foundation for the GE coordinated campaign. These funds will strengthen organizing efforts in targeted HoD districts, while also helping to build a diverse talent pipeline - the VA team is 57% BIPOC with broad representation of Black, AAPI, and Latino staff.
- We will invest more money in the 50-state strategy than ever before. We will also do everything we can to support every state party and every party committee.
- We also are re-imagining coalitions organizing; traditionally campaigns start with a statewide program and add coalitions work at the end for GOTV - instead we’re going to start with the coalitions and build out statewide from there. Developing and driving on-the-ground relational organizing tactics from the ground up, instead of top-down.
- We want to build on the diverse, local talent pipelines we started in 2019-20 - both continuing the entry-level foundations and also continuing to move diverse, local talent up the organization to develop the next generation of campaign leadership for 2022, 2024 and beyond. Our talent pipeline programs in 2020 trained over 1,000 prospective staff and helped ensure every battleground state team was more diverse than its electorate - and was majority local.
- We will continue to invest in our Tech team, the largest in DNC history, to fuel the long-term and innovative infrastructure needed to win elections, and that will benefit the larger Democratic ecosystem with state-of-the-art tools, tech, data, analytics, and more.
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April 22, 2021
These new hires will join Cassidy Geoghegan, who has been promoted to Deputy States Communications Director; Daniel Wessel, who has been promoted to Deputy Communications Director; and Enrique Gutierrez, who has been promoted to Regional Press Secretary and Hispanic Media Adviser.
Allyson Bayless was previously a Press Assistant for the DNC War Room, where she supported the party's rapid response efforts during the 2020 election.
Adonna Biel most recently served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina, after joining the communications team and helping lead Biden to victory in the primary election. Prior to that, she worked on the campaign communications team at EMILY’s List.
Cassidy Geoghegan previously served as the DNC’s battleground press secretary covering Southern states. Prior to joining the DNC, Geoghegan led communications and outreach efforts for Priorities Wisconsin, and was deputy press secretary at Everytown for Gun Safety.
Enrique Gutierrez joined the DNC in 2018 and previously served as Hispanic Media Director. Prior to joining the DNC, he has served as communications director for Voto Latino and the Arizona Democratic Party.
Brooke Goren previously served as a Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Prior to joining the DCCC, Brooke was Deputy Communications Director at the Missouri Democratic Party during the 2018 midterms and worked on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign in Brooklyn.
Hyma Moore served most recently as the Southern Regional Communications Director for the Biden-Harris campaign, leading teams in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris campaign, Hyma was the Vice President of External Affairs for Greater New Orleans, Inc, held official City government positions with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and served on Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.
Ammar Moussa has previously served in communications roles for Senators Jon Ossoff and John Hickenlooper’s campaigns for Senate as well as for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
Darcy Palder is a recent graduate of Georgetown University. She was previously an editorial intern at The Hill.com, a podcast producer at Foreign Policy Magazine and a news intern at BBC News. Originally from Chicago, she is returning to the DNC four years after serving as a communications intern.
Daniel Wessel joined the DNC in 2017 and previously served as Deputy War Room Director throughout the 2020 cycle. Prior to joining the DNC, Daniel served as Press Secretary for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Virginia.
Background on DNC Hires
The Democratic National Committee is building a robust and diverse communications team to hold Republicans accountable in 2022 and 2024, and promote the accomplishments of the Biden administration.
Over the course of the past month, the DNC communications team has executed an aggressive campaign to make sure Americans know help is here, thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress. Using earned and paid media, the DNC has driven home the clear contrast between Democrats, who delivered on their promise to get checks in banks and shots in arms, and Republicans, who opposed the most consequential piece of legislation for working families in modern American history.
The DNC produced a shareable guide to promoting the American Rescue Plan that includes message guidance, state-by-state and constituency fact sheets, state-by-state graphics, social media content, and more, billboards in Times Square and across the country, and dozens of training sessions for Democratic communicators.
The DNC’s work has been praised by pundits, the media, and voters. As Rachel Maddow said, “This marks kind of a new vibe for Democrats. For whatever reason, this time around, they want people to know who it is that's getting stuff done. They're trying to make sure the public also knows who isn't helping, trying to increase the political cost for Republicans who are voting no against everything.”
April 8, 2021
Jean Doherty recently assisted the DNC leadership with the transition of Chairs Perez and Harrison. Before this role, she served as the Senior Director of Housing and Credentials for the 2020 Democratic National Convention -- her fourth Convention. Jean’s experience includes the Operations Director for the Massachusetts Democratic State Party, Massachusetts Nurses Association Safe Patients Ballot initiative, and state government roles during the Gov. Patrick administration. The Secretary’s Office is a familiar role for her, having served as the director from 2007-2011.
Anatole Jenkins most recently served as the National Director of States Organizing for Joe Biden for President, and as a Fellow at Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. Prior to that, he served as National GOTV Director at the DCCC and as National Organizing Director for Kamala Harris For The People and Organizing Together 2020. He served in many leadership positions for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, and led efforts for the winning candidate in the most expensive local race in US history, a Los Angeles County School Board race. Anatole got his start organizing for President Obama’s reelection campaign in Nevada before serving as the Coordinated Campaign Field Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party in 2014.
Juan Ortega previously served as Traveling Chief of Staff for Chair Tom Perez and led the DNC’s general election Latino outreach. Juan joined the DNC in 2018 as Personal Aide and Director of Travel and Advance. He has over 10 years of experience serving in political, communications, and advance roles for Democratic leaders and progressive causes at the local and national level. In addition to politics, Juan has years of experience working closely with talent during major television productions, including most recently serving as Talent Producer for the 2020 Latin GRAMMY and 2021 GRAMMY Premiere Ceremonies.
Roger Lau comes to the DNC from Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office, where he served as a senior advisor. Roger first began working for Senator Warren on her 2012 Senate campaign and more recently became one of the first Asian Americans to manage a presidential campaign during her 2020 bid. Prior to his time with Senator Warren, Roger served in many roles on John Kerry’s senate staff and campaigns. Roger has managed campaigns for several Senate and House congressional races in New England and also served in the Commerce Department during the Obama Administration.
Clay Middleton is a veteran political operative, military combat veteran, and long time friend and trusted advisor of Chair Harrison. Like Harrison, Clay is a former aide to Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. His vast experience covers everything from being a South Carolina Regional Field Organizer during Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to his work as a member of the Biden-Harris transition team. He is an Obama campaign alum, former Obama/Biden Administration appointee, former Secretary Hillary Clinton's 2016 South Carolina State Director and Regional Political Director in Florida, and Senior Advisor for Senator Cory Booker's 2020 presidential campaign.
Alana Mounce previously served as the Chief of Staff for the Presidential Inaugural Committee and delivered Nevada for President Joe Biden, where she served as State Director. Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party, where she oversaw the most successful midterm election in recent memory, flipping six statewide seats. Additionally, Alana has served in battleground states for both President Obama and Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns.
Jose Nunez previously served as Director of Digital Organizing for the Biden-Harris campaign where he developed and directed the campaign's national digital and distributed organizing programs. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris campaign, Jose directed programs at Organizing Together 2020, Vice President Kamala Harris' primary campaign, and the Democratic National Committee.
Patrice Taylor has spent more than 15 years working to improve, reform, and strengthen the Democratic Party. As a critical member of the management team of the DNC, she has successfully managed the Party's internal rules and nominating process. Patrice's elevation to Senior Advisor will ensure a continued emphasis on maintaining a well run organization, team, and party processes.
Lauren Williams previously served as the DNC’s Direct Marketing Director overseeing direct mail, telemarketing, mid-tier donor, sustaining donor, and merchandise fundraising programs. In that time she has raised over $150 million for the DNC and Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Lauren managed the direct mail and telemarketing programs at EMILY's List.
May 12, 2021
DNC and State Parties Announce Historic Agreement
Agreement includes over $23 million in direct investments to state parties and grassroots infrastructure during 2022 election cycleToday, the Democratic National
Committee (DNC) and Democratic state parties
announced an historic four-year agreement that will
guarantee more investment into Democratic state
parties and grassroots infrastructure than ever
before. At a minimum, this investment will provide
$23 million to state parties as part of the DNC’s
2022 midterm strategy, and creates a
first-of-its-kind program to focus additional
investments in historically red states to build on
Democrats’ 57 states and territories strategy.
As part of the agreement, the DNC will establish a brand-new, seven-figure “Red State Fund” to put Republicans on defense and build tailored programs for traditionally Republican states. The Red State Fund includes $2 million in direct investments and grants for states that meet two of the following criteria: no Democratic senator or governor, less than 25% of the congressional delegation are Democrats, and a supermajority of Republicans in their state legislature.
The contract also includes a data sharing agreement that increases investment in down-ballot races, solidifies another four years of historic investment in Democratic data, and anchors the DNC and state parties as the central hub of the Democratic data ecosystem.
“As a former state party chair, I know firsthand how critical it is that we invest in the grassroots to strengthen the Democratic Party as a whole — and we can’t leave a single community behind,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “With this agreement, the DNC’s new ‘Red State Fund’ will allow us to take the fight to Republicans as they fight among themselves by providing unprecedented resources to Democrats organizing in every corner of the country.”
“I am thrilled that the agreement announced today will empower state parties across the entire country to organize early and in the smartest way possible. This historic agreement will build the critical infrastructure we need to win up and down the ballot this year, next year, and beyond,” said ASDC President Ken Martin.
Additional investments in the agreement include:
As part of the agreement, the DNC will establish a brand-new, seven-figure “Red State Fund” to put Republicans on defense and build tailored programs for traditionally Republican states. The Red State Fund includes $2 million in direct investments and grants for states that meet two of the following criteria: no Democratic senator or governor, less than 25% of the congressional delegation are Democrats, and a supermajority of Republicans in their state legislature.
The contract also includes a data sharing agreement that increases investment in down-ballot races, solidifies another four years of historic investment in Democratic data, and anchors the DNC and state parties as the central hub of the Democratic data ecosystem.
“As a former state party chair, I know firsthand how critical it is that we invest in the grassroots to strengthen the Democratic Party as a whole — and we can’t leave a single community behind,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “With this agreement, the DNC’s new ‘Red State Fund’ will allow us to take the fight to Republicans as they fight among themselves by providing unprecedented resources to Democrats organizing in every corner of the country.”
“I am thrilled that the agreement announced today will empower state parties across the entire country to organize early and in the smartest way possible. This historic agreement will build the critical infrastructure we need to win up and down the ballot this year, next year, and beyond,” said ASDC President Ken Martin.
Additional investments in the agreement include:
- $15.5 Million for State Partnership Program (SPP): The new agreement increases monthly SPP funding for 50 state parties and DC by 25% to fund critical party infrastructure including staff, tools, and programming in the states.
- $5.5 Million for State Party Innovation Fund Grants: These grants will ensure innovation and early organizing by putting more boots on the ground throughout the country to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket in 2022. The program includes $5 million in funding for all 50 state parties plus the District of Columbia, along with an additional $500,000 for Dems Abroad and the territories. These competitive grants will primarily be used to hire staff in state to develop and implement innovative programs tailored for each state.
- Reestablishes the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund: The agreement is contingent on the Democratic state parties rejoining the joint fundraising agreement that propelled the DNC to record-breaking major donor fundraising over the last four years, and allows the DNC to collect up to $875,000 per individual per year.
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April 22, 2021
DNC Announces New Communications Staff Hires
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced additions to the Democratic National Committee’s communications team. Ammar Moussa has been hired as Rapid Response Director, and Adonna Biel has been named Deputy Rapid Response Director. Lucas Acosta has been brought on as Coalitions Director and Senior Spokesperson, and Brooke Goren has been named States Communications Director. Hyma Moore will be Regional Press Secretary, Allyson Bayless will serve as a Communications Associate, and Darcy Palder will serve as Press Assistant.These new hires will join Cassidy Geoghegan, who has been promoted to Deputy States Communications Director; Daniel Wessel, who has been promoted to Deputy Communications Director; and Enrique Gutierrez, who has been promoted to Regional Press Secretary and Hispanic Media Adviser.
“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “These new staff hires are among the best our party has to offer and will bring diversity, experience and strength to the Democratic Party. They will help us to deliver our message to the American people and expand on our success in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”Lucas Acosta returns to the DNC after serving as Deputy Communications Director for Politics at the Human Rights Campaign. Previously, he led the DNC's television and radio outreach as Director of Broadcast Media and served as National Radio Broadcast Manager for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.
"The DNC continues to recruit top talent to meet the moment,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Our success as a party will depend in no small measure on our ability to message to the American people. The Democratic Party is the only party working on behalf of the American people, and these experienced communications staffers will help us to make that clear to voters in the months and years ahead.”
Allyson Bayless was previously a Press Assistant for the DNC War Room, where she supported the party's rapid response efforts during the 2020 election.
Adonna Biel most recently served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina, after joining the communications team and helping lead Biden to victory in the primary election. Prior to that, she worked on the campaign communications team at EMILY’s List.
Cassidy Geoghegan previously served as the DNC’s battleground press secretary covering Southern states. Prior to joining the DNC, Geoghegan led communications and outreach efforts for Priorities Wisconsin, and was deputy press secretary at Everytown for Gun Safety.
Enrique Gutierrez joined the DNC in 2018 and previously served as Hispanic Media Director. Prior to joining the DNC, he has served as communications director for Voto Latino and the Arizona Democratic Party.
Brooke Goren previously served as a Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Prior to joining the DCCC, Brooke was Deputy Communications Director at the Missouri Democratic Party during the 2018 midterms and worked on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign in Brooklyn.
Hyma Moore served most recently as the Southern Regional Communications Director for the Biden-Harris campaign, leading teams in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris campaign, Hyma was the Vice President of External Affairs for Greater New Orleans, Inc, held official City government positions with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and served on Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.
Ammar Moussa has previously served in communications roles for Senators Jon Ossoff and John Hickenlooper’s campaigns for Senate as well as for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
Darcy Palder is a recent graduate of Georgetown University. She was previously an editorial intern at The Hill.com, a podcast producer at Foreign Policy Magazine and a news intern at BBC News. Originally from Chicago, she is returning to the DNC four years after serving as a communications intern.
Daniel Wessel joined the DNC in 2017 and previously served as Deputy War Room Director throughout the 2020 cycle. Prior to joining the DNC, Daniel served as Press Secretary for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Virginia.
###
Background on DNC Hires
The Democratic National Committee is building a robust and diverse communications team to hold Republicans accountable in 2022 and 2024, and promote the accomplishments of the Biden administration.
Over the course of the past month, the DNC communications team has executed an aggressive campaign to make sure Americans know help is here, thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress. Using earned and paid media, the DNC has driven home the clear contrast between Democrats, who delivered on their promise to get checks in banks and shots in arms, and Republicans, who opposed the most consequential piece of legislation for working families in modern American history.
The DNC produced a shareable guide to promoting the American Rescue Plan that includes message guidance, state-by-state and constituency fact sheets, state-by-state graphics, social media content, and more, billboards in Times Square and across the country, and dozens of training sessions for Democratic communicators.
The DNC’s work has been praised by pundits, the media, and voters. As Rachel Maddow said, “This marks kind of a new vibe for Democrats. For whatever reason, this time around, they want people to know who it is that's getting stuff done. They're trying to make sure the public also knows who isn't helping, trying to increase the political cost for Republicans who are voting no against everything.”
April 8, 2021
DNC Announces New Staff Hires
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced several new additions to the Democratic National Committee’s team. Anatole Jenkins has been named Chief of Staff of the Political Department, and Shelby Cole has been hired as Deputy Chief Mobilization Officer for Content and Creative. Jean Doherty has been brought on to serve as Director of the Secretary’s Office, and Juan Ortega has been promoted to serve as Director of Surrogate Strategy for the DNC.“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “These new staff hires are among the best our party has to offer and will bring experience, diversity and strength to the Democratic Party. These new additions to our team will help us to continue to grow our party, and elect more Democrats in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”Shelby Cole is a nationally recognized digital strategist with nearly 10 years of experience building teams and directing unique online campaigns for Democrats. Prior to joining the DNC, she served as Digital Director for Vice President Kamala Harris, both on the Biden-Harris campaign and on Vice President Harris’ presidential primary campaign. Shelby led Beto O’Rourke’s digital program for his 2018 U.S Senate campaign, breaking national fundraising records and winning the AAPC’s Campaign Excellence Award for Fundraiser of the Year. In 2016, she served as digital fundraising director for Russ Feingold’s U.S. Senate campaign—the top-raising Senate campaign of the cycle.
"Republicans beware: Joe Biden’s DNC is strong and only getting stronger — and the continued top talent we're bringing on is yet another proof point,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Democrats nationwide will benefit from the talent of these new hires as we continue to grow and strengthen our party. With their help, we can build on our successes, elect more Democrats, and — most importantly — deliver for the American people.”
"I'm excited to welcome these new hires to the building and am really impressed with the team we’re building under Chair Harrison,” said DNC Secretary Jason Rae. “In particular, I’m thrilled to have Jeannie join the team as the new Director of the Office of the Secretary. She brings a wealth of experiences and connections that will prove instrumental as we continue to engage DNC members and build back better.”
Jean Doherty recently assisted the DNC leadership with the transition of Chairs Perez and Harrison. Before this role, she served as the Senior Director of Housing and Credentials for the 2020 Democratic National Convention -- her fourth Convention. Jean’s experience includes the Operations Director for the Massachusetts Democratic State Party, Massachusetts Nurses Association Safe Patients Ballot initiative, and state government roles during the Gov. Patrick administration. The Secretary’s Office is a familiar role for her, having served as the director from 2007-2011.
Anatole Jenkins most recently served as the National Director of States Organizing for Joe Biden for President, and as a Fellow at Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. Prior to that, he served as National GOTV Director at the DCCC and as National Organizing Director for Kamala Harris For The People and Organizing Together 2020. He served in many leadership positions for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, and led efforts for the winning candidate in the most expensive local race in US history, a Los Angeles County School Board race. Anatole got his start organizing for President Obama’s reelection campaign in Nevada before serving as the Coordinated Campaign Field Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party in 2014.
Juan Ortega previously served as Traveling Chief of Staff for Chair Tom Perez and led the DNC’s general election Latino outreach. Juan joined the DNC in 2018 as Personal Aide and Director of Travel and Advance. He has over 10 years of experience serving in political, communications, and advance roles for Democratic leaders and progressive causes at the local and national level. In addition to politics, Juan has years of experience working closely with talent during major television productions, including most recently serving as Talent Producer for the 2020 Latin GRAMMY and 2021 GRAMMY Premiere Ceremonies.
March
9, 2021
Kate DiLello has served as the DNC's Deputy National Finance Director since June 2018. During her tenure as Deputy, the Finance team has had record-breaking fundraising years in 2018, 2019 and 2020, raising over $550 million for the DNC and the Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Kate served as Director of Development for City Year Washington, D.C.
Sarah Hasenfuss has served as the DNC's Finance Chief of Staff since July 2020. She currently manages the daily operations for the Finance team, which includes streamlining and implementing new processes to make fundraising easier and more efficient. Prior to joining the DNC, Sarah helped manage event and fundraising operations for the Human Rights Campaign, Hillary for America, and EMILY's List.
Raymond Pham previously served as the Coalitions Finance Director for the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee and Biden for President, overseeing the national constituency fundraising portfolio and raising a record-breaking amount for the campaign. In addition to previously serving as a legislative Chief of Staff, Raymond served on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania. Raymond is a son of refugees and an immigrant to the United States from Australia.
Michael Pratt has been a political fundraiser for almost two decades. Most recently, he served as a senior adviser to the Biden Harris Campaign and the DNC. Before that, Pratt served as Tri-State Development Director for The Obama Foundation, and was a consultant to the DSCC, Senator Kamala Harris, and Reps. Katie Porter and Lauren Underwood. He was also a longtime aide to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
February 23, 2021
DNC Announces New Finance Staff Hires
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced several new additions to the Democratic National Committee’s finance team. Michael Pratt has been named Finance Director of the DNC. Colleen Coffey has been hired as Deputy Finance Director, and Raymond Pham will serve as Director of Coalitions Fundraising. These new hires will join Kate DiLello, who currently serves as Deputy Finance Director, and Sarah Hasenfuss, who serves as Chief of Staff.“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “These new staff hires are among the best our party has to offer and will bring experience and strength to the Democratic Party. They will help us to grow our party infrastructure, implement our 50-state strategy, and defend our victories in the months and years ahead.”Colleen Coffey previously served as a senior adviser to the Biden-Harris Campaign and the DNC. She was also Finance Director for Senator Ed Markey, and a consultant to the DSCC, Senator Kamala Harris, and Reps. Katie Porter and Lauren Underwood. She was also a longtime aide to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
"The DNC continues to recruit top talent to meet the moment,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Our success as a party will depend in no small measure on our ability to raise the resources we need to win. The DNC just had a record January fundraising in an off-cycle year and built on a historic year for Democrats in 2020, but we are going to get even stronger. These accomplished fundraisers will allow us to continue to grow our party and build on that success in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”
“In my 26 years of being involved with the DNC fundraising efforts, there’s never been a team that had this kind of experience,” said DNC Finance Chair Chris Korge. “We’re going to need that experience to compete against Donald Trump’s fundraising apparatus and continue to win up and down the ballot.”
Kate DiLello has served as the DNC's Deputy National Finance Director since June 2018. During her tenure as Deputy, the Finance team has had record-breaking fundraising years in 2018, 2019 and 2020, raising over $550 million for the DNC and the Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Kate served as Director of Development for City Year Washington, D.C.
Sarah Hasenfuss has served as the DNC's Finance Chief of Staff since July 2020. She currently manages the daily operations for the Finance team, which includes streamlining and implementing new processes to make fundraising easier and more efficient. Prior to joining the DNC, Sarah helped manage event and fundraising operations for the Human Rights Campaign, Hillary for America, and EMILY's List.
Raymond Pham previously served as the Coalitions Finance Director for the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee and Biden for President, overseeing the national constituency fundraising portfolio and raising a record-breaking amount for the campaign. In addition to previously serving as a legislative Chief of Staff, Raymond served on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania. Raymond is a son of refugees and an immigrant to the United States from Australia.
Michael Pratt has been a political fundraiser for almost two decades. Most recently, he served as a senior adviser to the Biden Harris Campaign and the DNC. Before that, Pratt served as Tri-State Development Director for The Obama Foundation, and was a consultant to the DSCC, Senator Kamala Harris, and Reps. Katie Porter and Lauren Underwood. He was also a longtime aide to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
February 23, 2021
DNC Announces New Senior Staff Hires
Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced several new additions to the Democratic National Committee’s senior leadership team. Roger Lau has been named Deputy Executive Director of the DNC. Alana Mounce has been hired as Political Director, and Monica Guardiola will serve as Chief Operations Officer. Clay Middleton has been brought on as Senior Advisor to the Chair, and Jose Nunez will be Deputy Chief Mobilization Officer for Organizing. Patrice Taylor has been promoted to Senior Advisor, and Lauren Williams has been promoted to Deputy Chief Mobilization Officer for Grassroots Fundraising.“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “These new staff hires are among the best our party has to offer and will bring diversity, experience, and strength to the Democratic Party. These new additions to our team will help us to continue to grow our party, build on our successes, and defend our victories in the months and years ahead.”Monica Guardiola previously served as Deputy Chief Operations Officer at the DNC, helping build and support a diverse coordinated campaign, collaborate with state parties, and win up and down the ballot. In 2016, she served as Deputy General Counsel at Hillary for America. Prior to working on campaigns, Monica practiced employment law in various law firms in Denver, Colorado. Monica, a first generation Mexican-American, has been involved in campaigns since 2012.
"The DNC continues to recruit top talent to meet the moment,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “We are committed to building an organization reflective of the diversity of our party that will fight tirelessly to improve the lives of every American. These new hires serve as a down payment on that commitment and will help to strengthen our party and build on our successes in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”
Roger Lau comes to the DNC from Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office, where he served as a senior advisor. Roger first began working for Senator Warren on her 2012 Senate campaign and more recently became one of the first Asian Americans to manage a presidential campaign during her 2020 bid. Prior to his time with Senator Warren, Roger served in many roles on John Kerry’s senate staff and campaigns. Roger has managed campaigns for several Senate and House congressional races in New England and also served in the Commerce Department during the Obama Administration.
Clay Middleton is a veteran political operative, military combat veteran, and long time friend and trusted advisor of Chair Harrison. Like Harrison, Clay is a former aide to Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. His vast experience covers everything from being a South Carolina Regional Field Organizer during Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to his work as a member of the Biden-Harris transition team. He is an Obama campaign alum, former Obama/Biden Administration appointee, former Secretary Hillary Clinton's 2016 South Carolina State Director and Regional Political Director in Florida, and Senior Advisor for Senator Cory Booker's 2020 presidential campaign.
Alana Mounce previously served as the Chief of Staff for the Presidential Inaugural Committee and delivered Nevada for President Joe Biden, where she served as State Director. Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party, where she oversaw the most successful midterm election in recent memory, flipping six statewide seats. Additionally, Alana has served in battleground states for both President Obama and Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns.
Jose Nunez previously served as Director of Digital Organizing for the Biden-Harris campaign where he developed and directed the campaign's national digital and distributed organizing programs. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris campaign, Jose directed programs at Organizing Together 2020, Vice President Kamala Harris' primary campaign, and the Democratic National Committee.
Patrice Taylor has spent more than 15 years working to improve, reform, and strengthen the Democratic Party. As a critical member of the management team of the DNC, she has successfully managed the Party's internal rules and nominating process. Patrice's elevation to Senior Advisor will ensure a continued emphasis on maintaining a well run organization, team, and party processes.
Lauren Williams previously served as the DNC’s Direct Marketing Director overseeing direct mail, telemarketing, mid-tier donor, sustaining donor, and merchandise fundraising programs. In that time she has raised over $150 million for the DNC and Biden Victory Fund. Prior to joining the DNC, Lauren managed the direct mail and telemarketing programs at EMILY's List.
January 21, 2021
DNC Announces First Senior Staff Hires
Today the Democratic National
Committee is announcing its first senior staff hires
following President Biden’s inauguration and the
selection of DNC Chair Jaime Harrison: Sam Cornale
will serve as Executive Director, and Mary Beth Cahill
will continue her service to the party as Senior
Advisor.
At the DNC, this leadership team will work to grow President Biden’s political operation and infrastructure, advance the agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, and lay the groundwork for a successful midterm election for Democrats at every level of the ballot.
The DNC will announce additional senior staff in the weeks ahead -- continuing the Committee's commitment to building a senior leadership team which reflects the Democratic Party and incorporates its top political talent.
“Under Mary Beth’s leadership the DNC played a critical role in electing President Biden and Vice President Harris, and their continued work with Sam at the helm will ensure President Biden’s commitment to a strong DNC and Democratic party infrastructure is fulfilled,” said former Biden Campaign Manager Jen O’Malley Dillon. “With incoming Chair Harrison, this team will continue to support the vital work of grassroots Democrats, advance the priorities voters endorsed by electing the Biden-Harris administration, and set the stage for Democrats’ continued success in the campaigns ahead.”
“These battle-tested leaders know how to win, build a political operation that is second to none, and I’m excited they will lead the critical work of the DNC,” said incoming DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “Their continued work will help fulfill the mission of the DNC: growing Democrats’ infrastructure in every part of every state, standing up for the principles we believe in, and marshalling the full resources of the Democratic Party in support of the Biden-Harris administration.”
“In 2020 a revitalized DNC helped President Biden and Vice President Harris win a historic race for the White House -- and helped Democrats flip the Senate, hold the House and strengthen our party at every level. This work is important, not just to winning elections but to improving people’s lives,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “President Biden and my friend incoming Chair Harrison are committed to investing in state parties and our grassroots, building a top-notch political infrastructure in every zip code, and making sure our organization reflects the diverse voices of our great Democratic family. I look forward to working with Chairman Harrison to build a team reflective of the diversity of our party, and one that will work tirelessly to make these goals a reality and lead Democrats to future success.”
“The effective, hard work done at the DNC helped win the White House and secure Democratic victories up and down the ticket -- now we need to redouble our efforts,” said DNC Senior Advisor Mary Beth Cahill. “A well run and strategic DNC is the foundation for Democrats’ success everywhere, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue this important work in support of the Biden-Harris administration and the entire Democratic Party.”
“These leaders will build on the successes of the DNC during the last four years, and take our party forward with the purpose, tactics and values that all Democrats will be proud of,” said outgoing DNC Chair Tom Perez. “Along with Jaime and our new DNC officers, they will bring their invaluable experience and dedication to the task of growing and leading a strong, vibrant Democratic Party under President Biden and Vice President Harris. This week during his inauguration, Americans saw again that President Biden is our Healer in Chief and represents the best of our party’s values -- a focus on making life better, more fair and more prosperous for more Americans. I know this team will continue to do everything in their power to fight alongside this administration for these principles.”
Biographies are below:
Sam Cornale
Sam Cornale is one of the top political, communications and campaign strategists in the Democratic Party, with more than a decade of experience on campaigns and across the Federal government. Cornale currently serves as the Deputy CEO at the Democratic National Committee, overseeing the operations of the DNC's communications, opinion research, fundraising, and data and technology work. Prior to serving the DNC, Cornale managed DNC Chair Tom Perez’s successful campaign to lead the Democratic Party, an effort that raised a seven figure sum in just six weeks and resulted in a come-from-behind victory. Cornale is a veteran of the Obama Administration, having served multiple cabinet secretaries as a speechwriter and as the Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Labor Secretary Tom Perez. Cornale is also a veteran of the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns, with experience in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and the 2016 campaign of Secretary Hillary Clinton in North Carolina.
Cornale earned his degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, and an obsessive follower of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. Cornale serves as a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin, teaching a political science course on the evolution of media and its impact on presidential campaigns and governance. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his two-year-old Ridgeback, June.
Mary Beth Cahill
Mary Beth Cahill has spent her professional life in public service, has established herself as a leader in Democratic politics, and is currently the DNC’s CEO. She served as Campaign Manager for John Kerry for President, Chief of Staff to Senator Edward Kennedy, and prior to that, as Assistant to the President and Director of Public Liaison in Bill Clinton's White House.
Cahill successfully managed Edward J. Markey's campaign for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, and then went on to manage Senate campaigns for Patrick Leahy in Vermont, Claiborne Pell in Rhode Island and Les AuCoin in Oregon. In between campaign activity, Cahill served in various positions for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Director of Federal-State Relations under Governor Michael Dukakis and Director of the Governor's Personnel Office.
Cahill is recognized as an expert on Women and Politics. For over five years, she served as Executive Director of EMILY's List, and has trained female candidates for political office across the globe.
Cahill has received numerous awards and honors. She was named a "Mover and Shaker" by Campaigns and Elections magazine, and recognized as one of the POLITICS "Fabulous Fifty" by Roll Call. Cahill also was honored as one of the Top Political Action in Leaders in America by Campaigns and Elections. After graduating from Emmanuel College, she began her political career as a staff associate and receptionist for former Congressman Robert F. Drinan (D-Mass.).
At the DNC, this leadership team will work to grow President Biden’s political operation and infrastructure, advance the agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, and lay the groundwork for a successful midterm election for Democrats at every level of the ballot.
The DNC will announce additional senior staff in the weeks ahead -- continuing the Committee's commitment to building a senior leadership team which reflects the Democratic Party and incorporates its top political talent.
“Under Mary Beth’s leadership the DNC played a critical role in electing President Biden and Vice President Harris, and their continued work with Sam at the helm will ensure President Biden’s commitment to a strong DNC and Democratic party infrastructure is fulfilled,” said former Biden Campaign Manager Jen O’Malley Dillon. “With incoming Chair Harrison, this team will continue to support the vital work of grassroots Democrats, advance the priorities voters endorsed by electing the Biden-Harris administration, and set the stage for Democrats’ continued success in the campaigns ahead.”
“These battle-tested leaders know how to win, build a political operation that is second to none, and I’m excited they will lead the critical work of the DNC,” said incoming DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “Their continued work will help fulfill the mission of the DNC: growing Democrats’ infrastructure in every part of every state, standing up for the principles we believe in, and marshalling the full resources of the Democratic Party in support of the Biden-Harris administration.”
“In 2020 a revitalized DNC helped President Biden and Vice President Harris win a historic race for the White House -- and helped Democrats flip the Senate, hold the House and strengthen our party at every level. This work is important, not just to winning elections but to improving people’s lives,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “President Biden and my friend incoming Chair Harrison are committed to investing in state parties and our grassroots, building a top-notch political infrastructure in every zip code, and making sure our organization reflects the diverse voices of our great Democratic family. I look forward to working with Chairman Harrison to build a team reflective of the diversity of our party, and one that will work tirelessly to make these goals a reality and lead Democrats to future success.”
“The effective, hard work done at the DNC helped win the White House and secure Democratic victories up and down the ticket -- now we need to redouble our efforts,” said DNC Senior Advisor Mary Beth Cahill. “A well run and strategic DNC is the foundation for Democrats’ success everywhere, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue this important work in support of the Biden-Harris administration and the entire Democratic Party.”
“These leaders will build on the successes of the DNC during the last four years, and take our party forward with the purpose, tactics and values that all Democrats will be proud of,” said outgoing DNC Chair Tom Perez. “Along with Jaime and our new DNC officers, they will bring their invaluable experience and dedication to the task of growing and leading a strong, vibrant Democratic Party under President Biden and Vice President Harris. This week during his inauguration, Americans saw again that President Biden is our Healer in Chief and represents the best of our party’s values -- a focus on making life better, more fair and more prosperous for more Americans. I know this team will continue to do everything in their power to fight alongside this administration for these principles.”
Biographies are below:
Sam Cornale
Sam Cornale is one of the top political, communications and campaign strategists in the Democratic Party, with more than a decade of experience on campaigns and across the Federal government. Cornale currently serves as the Deputy CEO at the Democratic National Committee, overseeing the operations of the DNC's communications, opinion research, fundraising, and data and technology work. Prior to serving the DNC, Cornale managed DNC Chair Tom Perez’s successful campaign to lead the Democratic Party, an effort that raised a seven figure sum in just six weeks and resulted in a come-from-behind victory. Cornale is a veteran of the Obama Administration, having served multiple cabinet secretaries as a speechwriter and as the Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Labor Secretary Tom Perez. Cornale is also a veteran of the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns, with experience in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and the 2016 campaign of Secretary Hillary Clinton in North Carolina.
Cornale earned his degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, and an obsessive follower of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. Cornale serves as a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin, teaching a political science course on the evolution of media and its impact on presidential campaigns and governance. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his two-year-old Ridgeback, June.
Mary Beth Cahill
Mary Beth Cahill has spent her professional life in public service, has established herself as a leader in Democratic politics, and is currently the DNC’s CEO. She served as Campaign Manager for John Kerry for President, Chief of Staff to Senator Edward Kennedy, and prior to that, as Assistant to the President and Director of Public Liaison in Bill Clinton's White House.
Cahill successfully managed Edward J. Markey's campaign for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, and then went on to manage Senate campaigns for Patrick Leahy in Vermont, Claiborne Pell in Rhode Island and Les AuCoin in Oregon. In between campaign activity, Cahill served in various positions for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Director of Federal-State Relations under Governor Michael Dukakis and Director of the Governor's Personnel Office.
Cahill is recognized as an expert on Women and Politics. For over five years, she served as Executive Director of EMILY's List, and has trained female candidates for political office across the globe.
Cahill has received numerous awards and honors. She was named a "Mover and Shaker" by Campaigns and Elections magazine, and recognized as one of the POLITICS "Fabulous Fifty" by Roll Call. Cahill also was honored as one of the Top Political Action in Leaders in America by Campaigns and Elections. After graduating from Emmanuel College, she began her political career as a staff associate and receptionist for former Congressman Robert F. Drinan (D-Mass.).
###
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