Nov 16: The session began with long-time fundraiser and founder of The LS Group Lisa Spies, emphasizing curiosity and generosity over a more transactional approach, followed by panelists Liesl Hickey, Ali Lapp, China Dickerson and Betsy Fischer Martin who explained PACs, SuperPACS and Independent Expenditures. Read More

Oct 26: WeLead’s Communications & Messaging session highlighted political and campaign communications careers at all levels of government - from Ashley Fox at D.C. City Council, Meredith Kelly of Gillibrand 2020, and long-time Republican Strategist Pamela Stevens. Read More

Sept 21: WPI launched the 2019-20 WeLead program year with a dynamic, authentic and inspirational talk from D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (SPA/MPP '06).  After lunch, the class learned how to maximize the value of WeLead from successful alumnae Katie Smith at AFSCME, Anne Hedgepeth at Child Care Aware of America, and Caren Street, newly-named Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus. Read More

May 8: After a year of hard work and dedication, WPI was pleased to graduate 28 members of the 2018-19 WeLead class in the DC offices of MacAndrews & Forbes. Several WeLead alumnae, American University faculty and representatives of Congress joined WeLead alumna Representative Lauren Underwood in congratulating and imploring the graduates to join other women in closing the gender gap in political leadership. Read More

April 13: Dynamic, successful, young female Campaign Managers Kristin Davison, Anne Caprara, and Keenan Austin Reed entertained and educated WeLeaders in the final of six sessions for the 2018-2019 program year. Read More

March 23: Former ED of Emily's List Jess O'Connell and Neri Martinez of the RNCC explained the priorities and procedures of candidate recruitment from advocacy groups and committees, while Zandria Haines of Hustle introduced an extremely cost-effective campaign tool - direct voter outreach via texting. Read More

Feb 23: February's program featured experts in the core elements of a campaign - Bailey Childers of H&R Block on field operations, Ashley O'Connor on advertising and messaging, Molly O'Rourke on polling, and former Bush speechwriter Michele Nix on speechwriting. Read More

Nov 10: Two different panels discussed two important pieces of winning and staying in office. Atima Omara of Omara Strategies Group, LLC and Cherisse Eatmon of Millennial Action Project spoke about the importance of grassroots organizing. In the afternoon, Amanda Fuchs Miller of Seventh Street Strategies and Jennifer Bell of Chamber Hill Strategies discussed the role of lobbying in politics. Read More

Oct 13: The WeLead special project on Fundraising was introduced at the October session.  To help the teams develop strategies and meet fundraising goals, the class heard from professional coach Lisa Montenegro about branding, leadership and teamwork, and from Congressman Jesse Colvin's wife Jordan Colvin, Rhonda Foxx in Representative Alma Adams' office, Alexandra Raposa from Emily's List, and Megan Sowards of Jones Day. Read More

Sept 22: The WeLead Class of 2018-19 spent the first session learning about Communications & Messaging from media and press experts.  Speakers included Lindsey Mask of Ladies America, Ilana Drimmer of NBC News/Meet the Press, Abby Livingston, Texas Tribune, Julia Manchester of The Hill, Antonia Ferrier in Senator Mitch McConnell's office, and Miranda Margowsky in Senator Debbie Stabenow's office.  The session concluded with a social reception for students and alumnae. Read More