WeLead Training Recaps WeLead2025

large group of women standing around professional banner

Sep 21: WeLead2025听launched the program year with advice and inspiration about women running, winning and leading from Political Strategist听Kate Black听and Bowie, MD Councilmember Roxy Ndebumadu. Black co-wrote 'REPRESENT: The Woman's Guide to Running for Office & Changing the World.'听The class also heard BLFF Executive Director Amanda Hunter present 'What Women Candidates Need to Know' based on 20+ years of research from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation.听

WeLead2024

welead grad alyssa morrissey holding certificate wtih speaker and program leaders

Feb 28: WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin and WeLead Program Director welcomed more than 60 friends, family and graduates at the National Press Club to celebrate the amazing women in the class of WeLead2024 who are now ready to run for office! We were honored to hear from Cheverly, MD Mayor about her journey to elective office. Pictured: WeLead2024 graduate Alyssa Morrissey with the speaker and hosts.听

16 women graduates of welead standing outside on steps

Feb 24:听The final session of the program year focused on best practices in key Elements of a Campaign.听 of Bellwether Research, Niccara Campbell of Rolling Sea Action Fund, of Compel, and Jeannie Carlson of Blue Nation Strategies shared targeted tips and strategic advice for听Polling, Field, Media and Direct Mail, respectively. Having far exceeded their goal for the WeLead2024 Fundraising Challenge, the cohort earned professional head shots, which we took along with this class photo.听

Jan 20:听This session featured听Rhonda Foxx who ran for Congress听in 2020 (NC-6). With extensive experience on Capitol Hill and fundraising, Foxx emphasized that no candidate will ever be perfect, so听she hopes women begin to focus more on 'why not run' than perfecting their 'why.' Veteran campaign managers Jessica DeLoach and China Dickerson followed Foxx with a bigger-picture view of the rhythm and cycles of campaign life, and how they tend to see fewer egos in women-led campaigns.听

welead alumni felicia donnellson and elizabeth burdett seated at a table

Dec 9:听Learning from fundraising experts, phone and texting specialists, and outside funding groups paved the runway听to launch the WeLead2024 Fundraising Challenge. The Challenge gives participants the skills and confidence to successfully fund a run for office. Funds raised in the Challenge help听WPI close听the gender gap in the political arena by continuing to offer WeLead at no cost to admitted applicants. Pictured: Felicia Donnelson WeLead2021 and Elizabeth Burdett WeLead2020, who shared winning strategies and messaging from their Challenges.

Nov 4:听Research shows that women and marginalized communities are especially uncomfortable with self-promotion, so this session focused on 1/building a professional and political brand, 2/developing a digital presence for candidates and elected officials, and 3/credentialing yourself through earned media and op-eds. Trainer and coach Jackie Gulley stressed the importance for women candidates and leaders of sticking to a brand as insulation against sexism, critics, and opponents.听

welead students seated at tables

Oct 14: WeLead2024 kicked off with a deep dive on why we need more women in elected office from veteran political advisor听Kate Black. Black is the co-author of REPRESENT: The Woman's Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World. We also explored leadership styles and strategies with professional coach Hannah Malvin听WeLead2013. Finally, we were inspired by a case-study on the authentic, bold and effective local leadership of D.C. Councilmember and 国产小呦女alum Brianne Nadeau.

WeLead2023

collage of pictures from welead2023 graduation

Apr 18:听Over 60 friends, family and graduates gathered at the National Press Club to celebrate听the brave, curious and generous class of WeLead2023. We were honored to hear inspiring words of support from former Congresswoman听Mimi Walters听and Montgomery County MD Councilmember Kate Stewart.听Pictured from top left: Stewart, WeLead Program Manager Julie Russell, WeLead2023 graduate Michelle Meza, WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin, and Walters

Apr 15:听We explored different elements of a successful campaign in the final session of the WeLead2023 program year, including Direct Mail & Targeted Media, Field/Get Out The Vote, Polling, and Television & Mass Media. Many thanks to expert practitioners and repeat speakers Kim Alfano, Jeannie Carlson, and Molly O'Rourke听- and thanks for sharing best practices in the Field on your recent wins听Ellen Walter听(Youngkin for VA Governor 2022) and Janice Rottenberg听(Biden for President 2020).听

six women standing beside a banner

Mar 4:听Research shows that women and marginalized communities are especially uncomfortable with self-promotion, so we devoted an entire session to 'Getting Comfortable with Self Promotion,' including 1/building a professional and political brand, 2/developing a digital presence for candidates and elected officials, and 3/practicing outward-facing skills for podcasts, live interviews, taped interviews, launch videos, and stump speeches. Pictured next to the banner are trainers WPI ED听 and Stand for America Digital Marketing Director .听Read More

Jan 28:听Campaign communications reflect not just听a candidate's resume or talking points, but rather a 'value statement.' On top of that, an effective strategy considers 1/timing 2/context 3/platform and 4/media relationships.听Read More

two women standing next to a wpi banner

Dec 10:听We introduced the and explored the fundamentals of fundraising with Heather Colburn, State Representative Lisa Borowski (PA-168), WeLead2017 alum Nicole Tardif and NARAL's Neisha Blandin. According to Colburn, "Fundraising is nothing more than inviting other people to make the world a better place." Borowski (pictured left) agreed saying, "You're raising money to make a difference." Read More

Nov 19:Amanda Hunter presented research听that women running for office should focus their messaging on 1/Issue Knowledge and 2/Qualifications. Later in the听Campaign Manager panel, China Dickerson added that women candidates will be successful if they are "authentic, confident, and do the work." Read More

three welead alumni standing next to banner

Oct 15: WeLead2023 launched the program year with training and advice about women running for office and leading from an alumni panel (pictured left), a leadership coach, and former EMILY's List executive Kate Black. The panel听included WeLead graduates in advocacy, communications, and digital. Read More

WeLead2022

May 10: The Women & Politics Institute, along with honored guest , congratulated 23 women on the successful completion of the WeLead2022 campaign training program and fundraising challenge.听

WeLead2022 grad standing next to WPI sign

Apr 9: Gaining media attention and tracking is critical for an unknown or first-time candidate to be successful, so we reviewed how to work with local print media, the art of the soundbite, and earning media coverage for the candidate or her campaign in our final session of the program year. We also took professional headshots, which the class earned by exceeding its fundraising goal by more than 10%. Pictured is听听#WeLead2022.听Read More

WL speaker Neisha Blandin w group

Mar 5: Field expert Bailey Childers, consultant Rissa Martinez, and Neisha Blandin听(pictured, center) shared dozens of strategies and examples of how to add capacity to a campaign via messaging, volunteers, endorsements, party support, and consultants. Childers made it real simple. "What does it take to win? 50%+1 vote!".听Read More

Jan听22: The WeLead session on Fundraising included practical and inspirational ideas around how to raise enough money to run for office, and how to spend the money to win. Fundraising expert Heather Colburn, 国产小呦女alum Ashley Eason, and researcher Amanda Hunter shared their insights. Read More

expert speakers at welead 110621

Nov 6: The WeLead session on Campaigns covered the basics of developing a platform and consistent message, rallying support and building coalitions, and integrating digital marketing into more traditional advertising and mail strategies. The session wrapped with a view from 10,000 feet from veteran campaign managers Kristin Davison and Bettina Weiss. Pictured are Tracey Lewis, Davison, Weiss, and Jen Daulby.听Read More

WL Expert Speaker Kate Black with two students

Oct 2: WeLead2022 launched the program year with training and advice about women running for office and leading from a WeLead Alumni Panel, a leadership coach, former EMILY's List executive Kate Black (pictured, center), and State Representative Melissa Shusterman (PA-157). Read More

WeLead2021

welead group 2021

May 15:听WPI conferred diplomas on 27 members of WeLead2021 on the campus of 国产小呦女 in Washington, D.C. Participants听who joined the virtual program from outside the D.C. metropolitan area received their diplomas by mail.听

Apr 10:听WeLead2021听concluded the program year with a wide-ranging discussion with 听(D-TX-7), who reflected on the gains made by women in the U.S. Congress in 2018 and 2020, as well as how and where women can lead in the future.听Read More

welead fundraising panel on zoom

Mar听18:听听Over 50 supporters of WeLead were inspired by the 'Powerful Women Championing Political Change' panel, including Mayor Ellen Kamei #WeLead2009, White House Advisor Carissa Smith #WeLead2019, Councilmember Leadra Craft, Honorable Delia Garcia, and Councilmember Christina Henderson. Advice from the panelists coalesced around the ideas of investing and believing in yourself, surrounding yourself with people you trust, and always remembering the importance of serving others.听

Mar 6: 听WeLead's Campaign Management session covered pre-launch decisions and checklists to staffing the polls on Election Day - and everything in between. A panel of experts shared such quality advice that one WeLeader said she was "...more confident than ever about running for office." Following the panel,听听led a breakout session on Digital Marketing, and Keynote Speaker听听stressed that a campaign platform should reflect "why and how government resources will work for your constituents. It is always about advocating for the voter."听听Read More

Jan 30: 听In WeLead's Fundraising session, expert practitioners Niccara Campbell, Micah Yousefi and Helen Milby shared best practices around outside fundraising support. Tips for successful women candidates include 1/ using more data with supporters and 2/ making sure to share updates, thank yous and free events, in addition to asking for support. In terms of a career in this space, all agreed that "fundraisers are usually the first hired and the last fired." 听Read More

welead speaker melanie roussell newman on zoom

Nov 14: In WeLead's Media & Messaging session, expert practitioners Antonia Ferrier and Melanie Newman shared best practices and pitfalls around candidate introductions, campaign communications, policy messaging and crisis response. According to Newman, at the highest level, communications is about education. "Being a smart news consumer, knowing the audience, and understanding policy will help a candidate and her team avoid mistakes and missteps."听听Read More

Oct 17: WeLead Expert Speakers Amanda Hunter and Lisa Montenegro explored the question of why there aren't more women in public office by looking at self. others, and trends in gender politics. Hunter shared research on women overcoming obstacles and getting elected, as well as on women leading effectivley in a crisis. Montenegro encouraged these emerging leaders to "Do the work to discover your authentic self. Then double down on your strengths. Identify and fix your fatal flaws.听Ignore the rest."听听听Read More

Sept 19: WeLead Expert Speaker Kate Black听helped launch WeLead 2021 with a broad overview of how, why and when to run for office. Black is the co-author of听REPRESENT. With regard to the question of why, Black said women 鈥渢end to run to solve problems in their communities.鈥 听Black also answered questions about timing, authenticity, and double standards. 听Read More

WeLead2020

Virtual WeLead session in Zoom gallery view

Apr 18: The sixth and final session of WeLead2020 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听down to tips about execution and pricing. Read More

Mar听7: 听This听session featured leadership 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听and Brin Frazier, shared lessons learned and best practices in core Campaign Elements. Read More

Kristin, Allison, Niccara, and Aly seated on the panel.

Jan听25: The Campaign Management session听focused on the skills, talents and tips needed to run a successful campaign. Speakers included Kristin Davison, Allison Teixeira Sulier, Niccara Campbell, Aly Higgins Wheeler, and Rep. Barbara Comstock. Read More

Nov 16: The Fundraising session began with long-time fundraiser and founder of The LS Group Lisa Spies, emphasizing听generosity and curiosity 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鈥檚 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

Ashley Fox, Anne Hedgepeth, Betsy Fischer Martin, and Caren Street

Sept 21: WPI launched WeLead2020 with a dynamic听talk from Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (SPA/MPP '06). The class learned how to maximize the value of WeLead from successful alumnae Katie Smith,听Anne Hedgepeth, and Caren Street. Read More.

WeLead2019

Congresswoman Underwood addressing the graduating class of WeLeaders

May 8: WPI graduated 28 members of WeLead2019 in the D.C. offices of MacAndrews & Forbes. WeLead alumnae, 国产小呦女 faculty, and representatives of Congress joined WeLead2012 alumna Representative Lauren Underwood听in congratulating and imploring the graduates to help close the gender gap in political leadership. The ceremony was followed by a reception, generously co-sponsored by MacAndrews & Forbes.听Read More

Apr听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 of the program year. Read More

Mar听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

The WeLead cohort wearing white during the February training session

Feb 23: February's program featured experts in the core Elements of a Campaign - Bailey Childers听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听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 WeLead2019听Fundraising Challenge was introduced at the October session.听To help the teams develop strategies and meet fundraising goals, the emerging leaders worked with executive听coach Lisa Montenegro on 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

Welead 2018-2019 class stands in group.

Sept 22: WeLead2019 spent the first session learning about Communications & Messaging from media and press experts. 听Speakers included Lindsey Mask of Ladies America, Ilana Drimmer of NBC News/Meet the Press, Abby Livingston听of The Texas Tribune, Julia Manchester of The Hill, Antonia Ferrier in Senator Mitch McConnell's office, and Miranda Margowsky in Senator Debbie Stabenow's office. 听The session concluded with a social reception for students and alumnae. Read More

gender on the ballot