WeLead Training Recaps Class of 2019-2020
Apr 18: The sixth and final WeLead session of 2019-2020 featured Capitol Hill veterans Amanda Fuchs Miller and Kathryn Lehman on Lobbying & Government Relations, followed by SBDigital Partner Sulli Norris-Cole and Vice President Zandria Haines on Grassroots Campaigning and GOTV. The experts shared strategic thinking about messaging and reaching voters, while also drilling down to tips about execution and pricing. Read More
Mar 7: This session featured coach Lisa Montenegro explaining how the inner game (assumptions, judgments and feelings) shapes your ability to be effective in the outer game. Next, experts Molly Murphy, Kim Alfano, Julie Greene Collier. and Brin Frazier, shared lessons learned and best communications practices. Read More
Jan 25: The session focused on the skills, talents and tips for running a successful campaign. Speakers included Kristin Davison, Allison Teixeira Sulier, Niccara Campbell, Aly Higgins Wheeler, and Rep. Barbara Comstock.
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Nov 16: The session began with long-time fundraiser and founder of The LS Group Lisa Spies, emphasizing 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 with a dynamic talk from D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (SPA/MPP '06). The class learned how to maximize the value of WeLead from successful alumnae Katie Smith, Anne Hedgepeth, and Caren Street. Read More.
Class of 2018-2019
May 8: After a year of hard work and dedication, WPI was pleased to graduate 28 members of the 2018-2019 WeLead class in the D.C. 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
Apr 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
Mar 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: Expert practicioners Atima Omara of Omara Strategies Group, LLC and Cherisse Eatmon of Millennial Action Project spoke about the importance of grassroots organizing, and 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
Gender on the Ballot
- 5 Questions Reporters and the American Public Should Not Ask of Joe Biden’s Vice Presidential Pick
Amanda Fuchs Miller, July 22, 2020 - Reflections from a Former Congressional Candidate
Rhonda Foxx, Jun 25, 2020 - Do Not Underestimate the Importance of Women Members of Congress in These Difficult Times
Amanda Fuchs Miller, Apr 29, 2020 - “Gender-Neutral” Policies are Often Not What They Seem
Amanda Fuchs Miller, Apr 1, 2020 - No Country for Women Presidents
Atima Omara, Mar 26, 2020 - Lean In, They Said
Zandria Haines, Mar 19, 2020 - 1 in 4 Have a Disability - It's Time to See More in Public Office
Sarah Blahovec, Jan 9, 2020 - When Losing is Winning: What Returning Female Candidates Gain From Previous Campaigns
Tonia Bui, Oct 17, 2019