National Convening Program Books 2014 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 74
YOUNG ELECTED OFFICIALS
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Melissa Turley
County Commissioner
Jackson, Wyoming
Commissioner Turley was elected to the Jackson Town Council in
2006, receiving more votes than any other candidate. In 2009, she was
appointed vice mayor and was re-elected to the council in 2010. During
her tenure, she served on the energy efficiency advisory board, on the
community integration team, and as the liaison to the Jackson Community
Recycling and Jackson Hole Community Pathways. Turley is fluent in Spanish and has worked as
a language development tutor for the Teton Literacy Program. She is a founding board member
of Womentum, a local nonprofit that seeks to promote meaningful social change for women.
She is also the owner of MET Solutions, which performs research and outreach and focuses on
development for nonprofit organizations. @MelissaTurley
Jenna Vendil
School Committee Member
Portland, Maine
School Committee Member Jenna Vendil was elected to the Portland
Public School Board in 2009. Shortly after graduating from college in
2006, Vendil worked with Opportunity Maine to organize college students
and working families to advance groundbreaking legislation that would
make college more affordable. During her time with the League of Young
Voters as field director in Maine, she worked to empower young people to be involved in
the political process and to get progressive candidates elected. Since 2006, she has spoken
at leadership trainings, conferences, and events that have impacted over 300 young people
across the state. During her tenure in office, Vendil has strived to create stronger pathways for
student learning in the classroom and in the community. In addition, Committee Member Vendil
coordinates field outreach for Fair Share Now, a coalition of progressive organizations and labor
unions advocating for tax fairness and economic justice. @jennavendil
Keisha Waites
State Representative
Atlanta, Georgia
State Representative Keisha Waites was elected in November 2012 to the
Georgia General Assembly. Waites is a member of the juvenile justice,
transportation and public safety, and homeland security committees. She
has taken special interest in working with at-risk youth in her community.
Waites has worked to secure in-kind sponsorships for socio-economically
disadvantaged youth from sponsors in the greater Atlanta area. Prior to her election, Waites
worked for the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. She
currently serves on a contract basis with the legislative affairs division of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and has utilized her experience and role in the legislature to provide
domestic support for national and international incidents. Waites’ main policy focuses are on
regional job training and eradicating poverty.
2014 Young Elected Officials Network National Convening