Check out our national network of trainers drawing expertise from campaign, non-profit, and grassroots organizing leadership.

Marcia Avner

Marcia Avner

Position Title: 
Board Member/ Senior Trainer
Marcia Avner is Public Policy Director with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Her work includes advocacy and civic engagement training and education as well as lobbying on election reform and other issues that are important to nonprofits and the people they serve.
Marcia Avner is involved in: Camp Sheila Wellstone • Camp Wellstone

Carmen Berkley

Carmen Berkley

Position Title: 
Trainer
Carmen, Field Director of Choice USA, leads the dynamic field & trainings department, which trains, develops and mobilizes youth reproductive justice leaders.
Carmen Berkley is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Siobhan Brewer

Siobhan Brewer

Position Title: 
Trainer
Siobhan is a passionate youth educator currently residing in Minneapolis, MN. With a degree in Social Science Secondary Education from Boston University and a background as a community activist, Siobhan has worked with youth of various ages in academic and non-academic capacities as a mentor, trainer, facilitator, and teacher
Siobhan Brewer is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Jamarr Brown

Jamarr Brown

Position Title: 
Trainer
Jamarr Brown has over 5 years of political organizing, training, and leadership experience. He recently completed a term as the Third Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, where he was the youngest elected member of the 103-member State Executive Committee.
Jamarr Brown is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Cynthia Campos

Cynthia Campos

Position Title: 
Trainer
Cynthia Campos grew up in a bi-lingual/bi-cultural community on the west side of San Antonio, Texas.  Prior to relocating to Minnesota, Cynthia worked in New York City for the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) a public university staff union of 19,000 members.
Cynthia Campos is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program • Movement Building Project

Seiji Carpenter

Seiji Carpenter

Position Title: 
Trainer
Seiji Carpenter is currently working on strategy and messaging for the Obama White House, a continuation of his work during the Obama For America campaign.
Seiji Carpenter is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Charlene Carruthers

Charlene Carruthers

Position Title: 
Trainer
Charlene Carruthers is a New York City-based organizer, activist and writer. Charlene currently works with at the Women's Media Center and focuses on advocacy-based campaigns.
Charlene Carruthers is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter

Position Title: 
Trainer
Melvin W. Carter III was elected in 2007 to the St. Paul City Council.
Melvin Carter is involved in: Camp Wellstone

Veronica Castro

Veronica Castro

Position Title: 
Trainer
Veronica Castro was born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, IL. She is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, where she received her bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice.  
Veronica Castro is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Juana Rosa Cavero

Juana Rosa Cavero

Position Title: 
Trainer
Juana Rosa Cavero has dedicated her career to ensuring that women and their families have the information, power and access to make informed decisions about their health and lives.
Juana Rosa Cavero is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Victoria Cepeida-Mojarro

Victoria Cepeida-Mojarro

Position Title: 
Trainer
Victoria D. Cepeida-Mojarro is currently the USAS (United Students Against Sweatshops) Development Coordinator. She began working for USAS in December of 2006.
Victoria Cepeida-Mojarro is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Anathea Chino

Position Title: 
Trainer

Anathea Chino, an enrolled member of Acoma Pueblo, NM, currently serves as the Manger of Partner Services and Investment Advisor at Democracy Alliance based in Washington, DC.

Anathea Chino is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Kurston Cook

Kurston Cook

Position Title: 
Trainer
Kurston is the Deputy Director for the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, a public policy organization.
Kurston Cook is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Andrea Cooper

Andrea Cooper

Position Title: 
Trainer
Andrea Cooper serves as a lobbyist for the Oregon Education Association, a union of 47,000 educators in Oregon's public schools and community colleges.
Andrea Cooper is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Camille Cyprian

Camille Cyprian

Position Title: 
Trainer

Camille Cyprian is currently the SNAP Outreach Manager at Second Harvest Heartland, where she works with the government and organizations to assist families and individuals gain access to food.

Camille Cyprian is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Campus Camp Wellstone

Jamie Ebert

Jamie Ebert

Position Title: 
Trainer
Jamie Ebert has spent the last five years determined to engage and develop the next generation of voters.
Jamie Ebert is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Howard Franklin

Howard Franklin

Position Title: 
Trainer
Howard has made a career of helping young people understand and embrace politics.
Howard Franklin is involved in: Camp Wellstone

Anna Galland

Anna Galland

Position Title: 
Trainer
Anna Galland's organizing and electoral work began at Brown University in Providence, RI.
Anna Galland is involved in: Labor Training Program

John Gilbert

John Gilbert

Position Title: 
Trainer
John Gilbert has spent the last 4 years working as an organizer on political campaigns in Nevada.
John Gilbert is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Dustina Gill

Position Title: 
Trainer
Dustina Gill hails from the Wahpekute band and is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.  Prior to her years of being a tribal employee Dustina has always been involved in community organization, particularly with the youth.
Dustina Gill is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

George Goggleye

George Goggleye

Position Title: 
Trainer
Wahwahtay Benais grew up on the Leech Lake reservation, raised by his mother and deeply influenced by the traditional teachings given to him by his grandparents and other spiritual leaders in the community.  He currently works with the "Tobacco Prevention" program located in Cass Lake, MN which aims to preserve Native culture and educate youth about the effects of commercial tobacco.
George Goggleye is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Emma Greenman

Emma Greenman

Position Title: 
Trainer
Emma Greenman is an accomplished political manager with extensive political and community organizing experience.
Emma Greenman is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program

Ryan Greenwood

Ryan Greenwood

Position Title: 
Senior Trainer

Ryan Greenwood has eleven years of community, political and union organizing experience.

Ryan Greenwood is involved in: Advanced Campaign Management School • Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program • Movement Building Project • Native American Leadership Program

Pakou Hang

Pakou Hang

Position Title: 
Trainer
Pakou Hang is the Principal in an immigrant- and women-owned consulting firm that works with community and grassroots organizations to access power and resources. The firm focuses on strategic and logistical planning, civic and voter engagement, and legislative advocacy.
Pakou Hang is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program • Movement Building Project

Amy Hang

Amy Hang

Position Title: 
Trainer
Amy currently serves as a Consultant with WGH Holdings, a strategic consulting firm serving new Americans and people-of-color communities nationwide.
Amy Hang is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Margarita Hernandez

Margarita Hernandez

Position Title: 
Trainer
Margarita Hernandez is the Organizing Director for the Grassroots Institute of New Jersey and the New Jersey Working Families Alliance.
Margarita Hernandez is involved in: Movement Building Project

Carlos Jimenez

Carlos Jimenez

Position Title: 
Trainer
Raised in a working-class immigrant family in Los Angeles, Carlos first became politically active in high school when he joined M.E.Ch.A.
Carlos Jimenez is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Anne Johnson

Anne Johnson

Position Title: 
Trainer
Anne Johnson is a Senior Fundraiser for the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. Anne served as the first director of Campus Camp Wellstone and also helped organize Wellstone Action's national members around progressive issues.
Anne Johnson is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program

Kevin Killer

Kevin Killer

Position Title: 
Trainer
Kevin is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a student at Oglala Lakota College.  He is president of student senate and a member of the board of trustees for his college. 
Kevin Killer is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone • Native American Leadership Program

Suzanne Koepplinger

Suzanne Koepplinger

Position Title: 
Trainer
Suzanne is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. She has a background in international project development and management, communications, domestic violence advocacy, and fundraising.
Suzanne Koepplinger is involved in: Camp Sheila Wellstone

Jen Kottler

Jen Kottler

Position Title: 
Trainer
Reverend Jennifer Kottler is the Associate Pastor at Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan, NY.
Jen Kottler is involved in: Camp Wellstone

Donna LaDuke

Donna LaDuke

Position Title: 
Trainer

The injustice Steve and Donna faced in the justice system inspired Donna to
make a commitment to others who may find themselves adrift in a system that
protects the rights of the convicted, rather then the innocent or deceased.

Donna LaDuke is involved in: Camp Sheila Wellstone

Nevada Littlewolf

Nevada Littlewolf

Position Title: 
Trainer
Nevada has been an advocate for youth, American Indian people, and her community for years.  She serves on the Virginia, MN City Council.
Nevada Littlewolf is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Bill Lofy

Bill Lofy

Position Title: 
Trainer
Bill Lofy is a communications strategist and trainer based in northern Vermont currently serving as deputy political director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Bill Lofy is involved in: Advanced Campaign Management School • Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program

Karen Lopez

Karen Lopez

Position Title: 
Trainer
Karen Lopez is a 24 year-old Latina immigrant from Colombia who grew up in the Bay Area and now lives and organizes in NYC. Karen has been organizing immigrant workers, womyn of color, urban youth of color, low-income families and young voters for over 6 years.
Karen Lopez is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Rudy Lopez

Rudy Lopez

Position Title: 
Board Member / Senior Trainer
Rudy is the Deputy Director of Politics for the Center for Community Change.
Rudy Lopez is involved in: Camp Wellstone

Bill Mendoza

Position Title: 
Trainer
William (Bill) Mendoza, an Oglala-Sicangu Lakota grew up on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Sioux reservations.  He is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Bill Mendoza is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Steven Montoya

Steven Montoya

Position Title: 
Trainer
Steven Montoya is currently working on the transition from campaign to elected office for Julian Castro, the newly-elected mayor of San Antonio, TX on whose campaign he served as the Field Director.
Steven Montoya is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Van Nguyen

Van Nguyen

Position Title: 
Trainer
Van is a lead organizer for the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU, the oldest and largest housestaff union that represents over 13,000 interns and residents nationally.
Van Nguyen is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Maralyn O'Brien

Maralyn O'Brien

Position Title: 
Labor Program Trainer
Maralyn got her start in politics at the grassroots level, through volunteering on a local campaign in 2002 and has stayed politically engaged since.  She joined Wellstone Action's Labor Program in 2009 after a tenure in Washington D.C. working at SEIU International where she was vital in developing two programs for members to run for office and lobby Capitol Hill. 
Maralyn O'Brien is involved in: Labor Training Program

Jessica Pierce

Jessica Pierce

Position Title: 
Trainer
This Bay Area native's passion for student organizing started at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she was elected as Student Union Assembly President for two consecutive terms.
Jessica Pierce is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Laura Ross

Position Title: 
Trainer
Laura Ross continues to split her wild side between Minnesota and South Dakota and is utterly jazzed to be helping out on some exciting new project work at the Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center.
Laura Ross is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Courtney Ruark-Thompson

Courtney Ruark-Thompson

Position Title: 
Trainer
Courtney Ruark-Thompson is a member of the Cherokee Nation and has a wide-range of nonprofit, political, and policy experience.  She has worked on a Presidential campaign, worked as a consultant, and worked with party organizations.
Courtney Ruark-Thompson is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Susan Savage

Position Title: 
Trainer
Susan Savage currently works as a Regional Political Organizer for the California Teachers Association, responsible for working with local associations on school board, school bond, and local legislative races in California's Central Valley from Yreka to Bakersfield.
Susan Savage is involved in: Labor Training Program

Meredith Schonfeld Hicks

Meredith Schonfeld Hicks

Position Title: 
Trainer
Meredith S. Hicks is a passionate advocate for adolescent sexual health and rights. While working at Advocates for Youth in Washington, D.C. she led a youth organizing initiative for sex education policy change at the state and local level.
Meredith Schonfeld Hicks is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth Scott

Position Title: 
Trainer
As the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's governmental affairs local community coordinator, Elizabeth Scott travels around Minnesota encouraging civic engagement among the state's American Indians. 
Elizabeth Scott is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Sam Seidel

Sam Seidel

Position Title: 
Trainer
Sam Seidel is the author of Hip Hop Genius: Remixing High School Education. He has taught in a variety of settings, from first grade to community college, and directed arts programs for young people affected by incarceration.
Sam Seidel is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Prairie Rose Seminole

Prairie Rose Seminole

Position Title: 
Trainer

Prairie Rose Seminole is a enrolled tribal member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of ND, descendent of the Sahnish/Arikara, Northern Cheyenne, Mandan and Lakota Nations.  She is the Coordinator for the Native American Center Project in Fargo, North Dakota.

Prairie Rose Seminole is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Theresa Sheldon

Theresa Sheldon

Position Title: 
Trainer
Theresa Sheldon is a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes.  She is currently the Co-Chair for both Native Vote Washington and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote Committee.
Theresa Sheldon is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

William Shiebler

William Shiebler

Position Title: 
Trainer
While a student at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Bill was involved in student organizing on both the campus and statewide levels around higher education access, economic justice, and voting.
William Shiebler is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Daniel Silva-Alvarez

Daniel Silva-Alvarez

Position Title: 
Trainer
Daniel Silva-Alvarez was born and raised on the Southwest Side of Chicago in the community of Little Village. Growing up in a family deeply involved in grassroots organizing and local politics, he learned to work for social change as soon as he could walk and talk.
Daniel Silva-Alvarez is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Matt Smriga

Matt Smriga

Position Title: 
Trainer
Matt Smriga has a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the Hamline University School of Law. He has spent most of his life in Minnesota, and considers himself a proud Minnesotan, but was actually born in the jewel of the north, Canada.
Matt Smriga is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Maya Torralba

Maya Torralba

Position Title: 
Trainer
Maya Torralba is Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita. She lives in Anadarko, Oklahoma with her husband Brian Daffron and their three children, Chado, Matthias, and Kateri. She founded the Anadarko Community Esteem Project (ACEP) as her Young People For Fellowship project in 2008 and has since continued as its director.
Maya Torralba is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Cristina Uribe

Cristina Uribe

Position Title: 
Trainer
Cristina Uribe is a veteran political strategist, manager and organizer. She is the founder and principal of Next Rung Strategies
Cristina Uribe is involved in: Camp Wellstone • Labor Training Program

Yusufi Vali

Yusufi Vali

Position Title: 
Trainer
Yusufi Vali is an organizer for the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation.
Yusufi Vali is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

CoCo Villaluz

CoCo Villaluz

Position Title: 
Trainer
Nicole (CoCo) Toves Villaluz is a Community Development Manager for ClearWay Minnesota.  She is an enrolled Hidatsa from the Three Affiliated Tribes, but also has heritage from the Assiniboine Tribe and Chamorro people.  She has over 15 years of experience in all phases of community development, capacity and mobilizing. 
CoCo Villaluz is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Jennifer Waltman

Jennifer Waltman

Position Title: 
Trainer
As a strategic consultant, Jennifer has been advising businesses and non-profit organizations for over a decade.  Her consulting work has ranged from small start up businesses to Fortune 100 companies like Intel, Medtronic, Preferred One, Nike, Goldman Sachs, PetSmart, and P.F. Changs.
Jennifer Waltman is involved in: Native American Leadership Program

Calvin Williams

Calvin Williams

Position Title: 
Trainer
Calvin Williams is the Fellowship Coordinator at Young People For (People For the American Way Foundation). Calvin holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from LaGrange College, where he was a student government programming board member, Hilltop News contributor, and campus panel organizer.
Calvin Williams is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Causten Wollerman

Causten Wollerman

Position Title: 
Trainer
Most of Causten’s work and activist experiences have been in broadly in the social, racial, and reproductive justice movements.
Causten Wollerman is involved in: Campus Camp Wellstone

Daniel Yang

Position Title: 
Trainer
Daniel Yang is a Community Organizer with the Native American Community Development Institute in Minneapolis, MN.  He grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, reflecting his multi-cultural heritage of both Hmong and Anishinabe (Ojibwe) ancestry.
Daniel Yang is involved in: Native American Leadership Program