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.
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
MAUREEN MCINERNEY | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Hometown: Syracuse, NY and Boston, MA | Current City: Alexandria, VA
Maureen is responsible for fundraising and development at WPLN. Before joining WPLN, Maureen worked for the ReflectUS coalition as well as political campaigns in Massachusetts. Prior to her political work, she worked in public affairs for Boston-based think tank MassINC, focused on state and local policy impacting Gateway Cities, education, and the criminal justice system. Maureen currently serves as the Vice President of the Log Cabin Republicans of Greater Boston chapter. She is a Syracuse, NY native and has a degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Northeastern University.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
I have seen firsthand how women can elevate themselves and others in the workplace, school, on campaigns, and in government. I have also too often been the only woman in the room on campaigns and want to encourage and train more women to engage in politics. Focusing on center- and right-leaning women is especially critical because we need more diversity of thought and experience among women in leadership to reflect the diverse concerns of women in America.
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
Ambassador Nikki Haley, Governor Jane Swift, Coach Pat Summitt, Melinda Gates
Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn
KATELYN CONDREY | 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 didn’t initially go to college to get involved in politics, but in my freshman year, I was randomly assigned to an American Government and Politics class for my journalism concentration. 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 Lt. Gov. 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 little 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?
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
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
SUNITA THEISS | COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Hometown: Atlanta, GA | Current City: Lawrenceville, GA
Sunita leads the communications, marketing, and media outreach efforts for Women’s Public Leadership Network—connecting women across the country to the resources they need, amplifying state-based training partners’ messaging and outreach, and seeking to engage more women in the political process. She brings over a decade of experience in a number of industries—including B2B software, trade shows, health communications, and nonprofit content strategy. Sunita is actively involved in grassroots efforts and coalition-building to engage millennial women in the political process in metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia, where she lives with her family.
Why is it important to you to do this work?
I think it’s important to make seeking public office an accessible and approachable option for everyone who’s interested, especially women. We have to create the space for women to get the resources they need and feel empowered to go after their goals. I want to be a part of dispelling the notion that there has to be a perfect set of circumstances for a woman to run for office—it can happen for you at any life stage with the right support.
Who are the women leaders you admire most?
Nikki Haley, Condoleezza Rice, Margaret Thatcher, Abigail Adams, Maya Angelou
Connect with sunita on linkedin