National Convening Program Books 2016 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 84

YEO Network Staff MAYOR ANDREW D. GILLUM Executive Director Andrew Gillum, executive director and founder of the YEO Network, is an alumnus of Florida A&M University (FAMU), former president of the Student Government Association, and FAMU’s first student member of the Board of Trustees. He became the youngest person ever elected to the four-member Tallahassee City Commission in February 2003. Gillum has held prominent leadership roles on the commission, including mayor pro tem, chairman of the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, and lead commissioner for the Long Range Community Based Target Issue Committee. He has championed several community initiatives including the Nims Middle School Digital Harmony Pilot Program, the Landlord Tenant Mediation Program, the Code Enforcement Amnesty Program, and the creation of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Park. He served as Field Organizer and statewide Director of the “Arrive With 5” program with People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF). He organized the largest “Arrive With 5” get-out-the-vote campaign in Florida’s history. He has also served as political director of his state party. Currently, Gillum serves as director of People For the American Way Foundation’s Youth Programs as well as his role with the YEO Network. Contact Andrew at [email protected]. MATTHEW DESPARD Communications and Programs Matthew Despard is the communications and programs associate for the YEO Network. Prior to joining the organization, he gained editorial experience at both print and digital publications, including The American Scholar and Jewish Quarterly. As production manager for his college’s independent newspaper, he implemented a redesign of its departments and oversaw the addition of a special student elections supplement. His volunteer work and internships—with Green America, his state party, and the Animal Welfare Institute—stem from a lifelong passion for progressive policy. He has a strong interest in graphic design and emerging media platforms. Despard is a native Washingtonian and a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he studied history. Contact Matthew at [email protected]. DAWN HUCKELBRIDGE Managing Director Dawn Huckelbridge, the YEO Network managing director, has professional and academic expertise in progressive public policy, as well as broad experience recruiting, training, and supporting candidates and elected officials. Most recently, she served as senior policy consultant to the Center for Women Policy Studies, providing policy support and technical assistance to a network of elected officials at both the state and international levels. She previously served as deputy director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation and Political Office, supporting women’s political leadership through research, training, education, and civic engagement projects. She also has worked in political and issue communications with GMMB and has consulted on a number of international political and public interest projects. She has served on the board of Emerge Massachusetts, an organization that trains progressive women candidates. She graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a master’s degree in gender and social policy. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where she studied communications and political science. Contact Dawn at [email protected]. 78 YEO STAFF