National Convening Program Books 2016 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 48
YEO Bios
JENNI DYE County Supervisor
Dane County, Wisconsin
An attorney, Jenni Dye serves on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, having first been elected
in 2012. Jenni is also the research director for One Wisconsin Now where she works on issues
related to economic opportunity, including student loan reform and public education. Dye is a
2013 alumna of the Emerge program.
MAE FLEXER State Senator
Killingly, Connecticut
Mae Flexer is Connecticut’s youngest female state senator. Elected to the state House of
Representatives in 2008 and the Senate in 2014, she currently serves as chair of the Veterans’
Affairs and Aging committees. Flexer is one of the legislature’s strongest advocates for domestic
violence and sexual assault prevention. As chair of a task force on domestic violence, Flexer
passed an electronic monitoring pilot program for high-risk offenders, improved enforcement
of protective orders, funded 24/7 staffing at shelters, and reformed the bail bond process.
Flexer led unanimous passage of a bill mandating colleges institute sexual assault policies and
provide services to sexual assault victims, and most recently helped pass a bill requiring all of
Connecticut’s public and private colleges and universities to establish “affirmative consent” as
the threshold in sexual assault cases. Flexer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the
University of Connecticut.
DOMINIC FOPPOLI Councilmember
Windsor, California
Dominic Foppoli is the co-owner and head of a plethora of local businesses. With over 100
years of grape growing in America and centuries of wine history in Italy, Dominic represents
generations of family wine passion. He is one of only a hand full of Americans to hold a master’s
degree in the business of wine. Foppoli is the co-founder and owner of Russian River wine
producer Foppoli Wines, Dry Creek valley focused Dom Whitney Wines, Napa producer
Benevolo Wines, Windsor’s “Tasting Lounge”, and Sonoma County Beer producer Old Redwood
Brewing Co. Foppoli and partners also recently completed the purchase of Sonoma County’s
iconic winery and estate, Christopher Creek. Foppoli is an active leader in the Russian River
Valley Millennial Council which represents the face and voice of the next generation of wine in
Russian River. Foppoli is passionately involved in the youth service charity organization Active
20-30. He is also proud of his life in public service as Windsor’s newest councilmember.
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YEO BIOS