LARISSA MARTINEZ | FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Hometown: Carmichael, CA, and 4 other states | Current City: Alexandria, VA
Larissa is a policy expert and skilled political strategist with a proven track record of delivering winning, multifaceted strategies by combining policy, communications and grassroots organizing expertise. An adept navigator of the political landscape with over a decade of leadership experience on Capitol Hill, Larissa has served as a senior Government Relations professional at Washington, DC-based government relations firm, Invariant, and on the transition team for President Trump. She received an MPA in Public Administration and Political Management from the University of Southern California and a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia. Larissa is also an Advisory Board Member, IRI’s Women’s Democracy Network; an AEI LN member; Vice Chair, UGA SPIA Alumni Board, and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
There are so many women across our country with great ideas, unique perspectives, and the passion to make their communities better who feel as though it's too hard to have their voices heard where decisions are being made. Having worked in the political world for almost 20 years, I know it's hard - but there are ways to make it easier to at least get your ideas in front of your community. WPLN offers free educational resources to learn the process, learn about the different positions available, to learn what you need to put your name in the ring. We also offer a support network of like-minded men and women across the country who want to help, provide in-person trainings, mentor, provide advice. It's amazing what a little help can do.
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
I admire our state partner leaders so much. They are working tirelessly, sometimes in a volunteer capacity, to ensure more women are able to be civically engaged. These leaders are up against many challenges but continue to persevere because of their passion for having a more representative and healthier democracy.
Connect with Larissa on LinkedIn
ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Hometown: Davidsonville, MD | Current City: Chantilly, VA
Elizabeth is WPLN's Chief Operating Officer. Filling this key role allows her the opportunity to focus on her passion for operational efficiency and impact-driven work. Prior to WPLN, Elizabeth’s career centered on international project and operations management in the non-profit and government sectors for 17 years. During her time at the International Republican Institute (IRI), she served in several leadership positions, including the Deputy Director of the Women’s Democracy Network, working globally to increase women’s participation in public life. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the Catholic University of America and Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute. She is also a graduate of the Heritage Foundation’s George C. Marshall Fellows program, the Campaign School at Yale, and American University’s WeLead training program.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
In my time working for IRI’s Women’s Democracy Network, I saw firsthand that many of the barriers that women face to participation in public life are the same worldwide, and I also witnessed how these challenges can effectively be overcome. Throughout my career, I’ve learned the unique perspectives and approaches that women bring to all issues, and thus the importance of their participation as part of any leadership team. Often though, because of the unique challenges women face and their desire to ensure they are “qualified”, they are hesitant to take the leap into public life. WPLN has worked creatively to build a diverse network across the country to ensure women can access key resources to build their confidence. We help them see the value they add to the political landscape, increasing their likelihood to answer the call to public service with a "Yes"!
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
I’ve never had to look very far to find the women leaders I admire most. My earliest memories include watching my mother balance a family of four children and a full-time job. Additionally, I spent time with my grandmother who, beyond teaching me how to be resourceful having lived through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, earned her Ph.D. at 70 years old. From there, I’ve gone on to work for, alongside, and managed tremendous women leaders who are boldly taking on roles to lead – whether that be within a company, in government, in politics or in their community.
KATELYN CONDREY KIDD | PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Hometown: Montpelier, VA | Current City: Richmond, VA
Katelyn serves as the Program Associate for WPLN. Before joining WPLN, Katelyn interned with Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and worked for her alma mater, Regent University, in their events management department. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in International Relations & Foreign Policy from Regent, where she was a department head for both the campus newspaper and a campus organization raising awareness for the issue of human trafficking.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
I've always had a love for learning and meaningful discussions, but the catalyst for me was in my freshman year of college when I took my first American Government and Politics class. Although it took me some time to pick up on the language and learn the ins and outs of American government, I found out through this class that I had a strong passion for politics. In my time working for Virginia Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears, I witnessed how powerful it is when someone who doesn’t fit the stereotype runs for and holds office. This work is important to me because I want every young girl growing up in the next generation to know that she has a voice equal to that of her male counterparts and that she has the ability to use that voice to create change in her community and country.
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
Former Ambassador Nikki Haley, Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Astronaut and Astrophysicist Sally Ride
SARAH QUINLAN | SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Hometown: All over the East Coast | Current City: Arlington, VA
Sarah curates WPLN's social media and monthly newsletter. A former front-page contributor for RedState with bylines in the National Review, the Bulwark, and USA Today, Sarah is a columnist at the online opinion publication, Arc Digital. She completed her undergraduate degree at the College of William and holds an MBA from NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, where she works for a non-profit on behalf of free expression and tolerance.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
Different people have different life experiences and in order to craft effective policy on behalf of an increasingly diverse nation, we need people who have lived and understand those experiences. Women comprise half of our nation's population, but our government doesn't reflect that, which is a missed opportunity.
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
Harriet Tubman, Margaret Chase Smith, Carly Fiorina, Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa