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].
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YEO STAFF