Audrey Henson
Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives (R-FL-13)
Founder, College to Congress

What was the most valuable thing you learned from WeLead?
I had thought that working in politics and making an impact in your community could only exist in a partisan world.  WeLead took me out of my bubble and showed me that women on opposite sides of the aisle could not only be friends, but we could achieve common goals.

What advice would you give to the current WeLead class? 
Like most things in life, opportunity is what you make of it.  I would encourage this current class to create relationships with the speakers and classmates outside of the program.  I graduated from the program five years ago and my classmates and I still support each other in our careers and beyond.

At 26, Henson founded College to Congress, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to create a more inclusive and effective Congress by empowering the next generation of public servants.  On her decision to start the organization she said “WeLead heavily influenced my decision to make College to Congress an organization that has leadership from both sides of the aisle and empowers students of all political ideologies.”

In just two years, College to Congress has partnered with over 50 Members of Congress and provided 19 fully-funded internships to high achieving, low income students from diverse political backgrounds.  Henson has been featured in The New York Times, CBS News, The Washington Business Journal, Politico and more. 

Henson volunteered in media relations at the 2016 Republican National Convention, successfully coordinating TV interviews with RNC surrogates on FOX, CNN, and Bloomberg TV.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government from the University of South Florida.  

Henson announced her run to represent Florida's 13th district in September 2021.