National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 73

YEO Bios
Michael Kushmerek
City Councilor

Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Councilor Michael Kushmerek represents the downtown and university
district and is the youngest serving member of the City Council in
Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Kushmerek is also the director of annual giving
at Fitchburg State University. Kushmerek received his bachelor’s degree
in history and political science from Fitchburg State University in 2008,
after having spent his junior year studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence,
France. In 2013, he completed a master’s degree in history at Fitchburg State University, where his
studies focused on the history of industrial education and the economic development of Fitchburg. In
2013, Kushmerek ran for Ward 4 City Councilor and was elected to his first two year term. Currently,
he serves on the city’s Finance Committee, Public Works Committee, and Cultural District Site
Management Team. During his time in office, Kushmerek has focused on economic revitalization of
the Fitchburg’s downtown and fostering greater municipal and community collaboration.

Chris Larson
State Senator

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Larson was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate at the age of 29 after
defeating an incumbent from his own party during the 2010 fall primary.
Larson was one of the 14 Senators in his political party who bravely left the
state in February 2011 to stand up for the rights of workers, giving them a
voice in the legislative process as the governor attempted to shut them out.
Just two years later, he was elected to serve as his party’s Senate Leader
for the 2013-2014 legislative session. He was one of the youngest senate leaders in Wisconsin
history. Larson is a leading voice on education issues and has a strong background in finance,
progressive messaging, transportation, energy policy, and environmental issues. Previously, Larson
was a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor. He is married with two children. In his downtime, he trains
for marathons and is on his way to running one in each state. @chrisjlarson

Patrick Leahy

Board of Directors

In 2012, Patrick Leahy was elected to the Papio-Missouri River Natural
Resources District (NRD) Board. In that role, he helps manage a nearly
$90 million dollar public budget to help meet the NRD’s mission to reduce
flooding, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitats and more. Leahy
is a campaign manager for the Steier Group, a national public relations
and development firm that specializes in helping nonprofits with planning
studies and capital campaigns. Prior to joining Steier Group, Leahy worked for U.S. Senator Ben
Nelson as the eastern Nebraska field representative. Born and raised in Omaha, Leahy earned his
bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently working on his master’s

YEO National Convening | 2015

Omaha, Nebraska

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