YEO Policy Academies Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Pol. Academy | Page 56
YEO Staff
Tallahassee, Fla. Mayor Andrew D. Gillum
YEO Network 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 programs director for 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
YEO Network Team: Communications and Programs
Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Policy Academy | 2016
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Matthew Despard is the communications and programs associate for
the YEO Network. Prior to joining the D.C. office, he cultivated editorial
work experience for 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 with Green America and his state party,
and internship with the Animal Welfare Institute, stems 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 mdespard@
pfaw.org.