The nomination period for the 2021 Diversity Caucus Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for the candidates standing for election. We will elect two Co-Chairs for the Diversity Caucus.
The voting period begins now and will continue through the end of our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which takes place on March 6th at 1PM. Candidates will give speeches at the AGM prior to the close of voting and tabulation. Results will be announced at the end of the meeting. RSVP here to attend.
New members are welcome to vote — tell a friend! New members should join DA and the Diversity Caucus by Friday March 5th to vote. To join DA go to: www.democratsabroad.org/join. To join the caucus email us at [email protected]. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 2, 2021.
If you are a member of the caucus and cannot access the online ballot, please contact the DAF Diversity Caucus Election Board [email protected].
DAF Diversity Caucus Election Board
Tanya Dohoney
Jean Guo
Khalid Leese
DIVERSITY CAUCUS CO-CHAIR CANDIDATE
REED KENNEDY
My name is Reed Kennedy. I am running for re-election as Co-Chair of the Diversity Caucus of Democrats Abroad France because I would like to continue my work engaging the American community in France on issues of importance to people of color.
Since 2017 I have served in several roles in Democrats Abroad including Member-At-Large on the National Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the Diversity Caucus and Chair of the Paris Chapter. In each of these roles I feel I have made a meaningful contribution.
I am particularly proud of my work with the Diversity Caucus, where we have grown our membership through improved communication and events. We now have a Steering Committee to further expand our programming and reach. Over the past four years we have had great success bringing together people of every ethnicity for political, cultural and social events including our MLK tribute at the American Church and the curated tour of the Modéle Noir exhibit at the Musée d’Orsay.
For me the caucus has been an amazing platform to support the community and energize voters. I would like to build upon my experience and continue serving the organization. I appreciate your consideration and vote.
DIVERSITY CAUCUS CO-CHAIR CANDIDATE
VERONICA POLLARD
I am a member of Democrats Abroad France and have been an active participant in DAF since moving to Paris in 2012. For the past 18 months, I have been co-chair with Reed Kennedy of the DAF Diversity Caucus and am a member of DAF’s Executive Committee. I am running for another term as Caucus co-chair because I want to continue to help create programs and strategies that grow and engage a diverse membership and ensure that all voices within our organization are represented and heard. We have established a Caucus Steering Committee of members of various backgrounds and have created programs to reflect this diversity, most recently a virtual celebration of Lunar New Year and an upcoming Black History Month event, with more planned for the future.
My professional background is in marketing, communications and journalism. I have held executive leadership roles in for-profit and non-profit organizations, including ABC, Inc.; Toyota Motor North America; and UNICEF USA. I was a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, worked for Newsweek magazine and have served on non-profit boards in the United States and France.
If elected, I will work to increase the outreach and impact of the Diversity Caucus as well as the voice of Democrats Abroad France. Thank you for your consideration.