Posted by Alejandra Roman
February 27, 2025

National IT/Database Officer, DA France

The DA France Grenoble Election Board is pleased to announce the candidates for DAFR Grenoble Chapter leadership!

Members of the DA France Grenoble Chapter area will receive a ballot by email. Early voting will end on March 15 at midnight.

For questions, please contact the Grenoble Election Board at [email protected].

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These are the positions that were advertised: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 Members at Large.

Candidate Statements

Candidate for Chair

Gretchen Meyerhoff Pascalis

I have been chair of the Grenoble chapter of Democrats Abroad France several times and was involved in the creation of the chapter. In the last election, I was elected Vice Chair but became chair as ours had to step down. For the past few times I have been chair, I've also had national responsibilities. This time, I plan to work only at my local level. As Chair, I would like to create greater cohesion and activism in my local chapter, have regular meetings, and work with Mickey Farrance to organize meetings where we can inform and engage in political activism. I also plan to have meetings in other areas of my chapter where there are clusters of Americans to strengthen our chapter and our leadership team and increase volunteer engagement.

Candidate for Vice Chair

Ken Tomlinson

I joined Democrats Abroad last year in order to become a campaign volunteer, as part of the phonbanking efforts. That was my first ever involvement in a US campaign, which I felt was crucial given the stakes involved.

I have been involved in civil society and various associations for over 15 years. My longest involvement was with Project Management Institute France, which I presided for 2 years. I also held various roles such as secretary General and deputy treasurer (budget of circa 300 K euros). I was in Rotary for about 9 years and am currently the president of a neighborhood association in Meylan (AMPF).

I consider myself to be a principled person and dependable in all activities to which I commit.

You can see more about me on LinkedIn if needed.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentomlinson

Candidate for Secretary

Jennifer Mellgren

I would like to submit my candidacy for the position of Secretary of Democrats Abroad Grenoble chapter. During my three decades as a member of Democrats Abroad, I’ve held various posts in two countries. As a founding member of DA Rhone Alps, we worked with the challenges of awareness, events and voting covering an extensive geographic region. Now as a Grenoble chapter, I’d like to help extend our involvement in Savoie area towards Geneva. Informing, engaging and representing overseas Americans with optimism through events, voting registration and communication to ensure that our voices are heard. Today I am even more motivated to work with our current challenges by continuing my current role of Secretary of Democrats Abroad Grenoble chapter.

Candidate(s) for Members at Large (in alphabetical order)

Laurence Badault

I am applying for a Member-At-Large position in the Grenoble Chapter for Democrats Abroad because I am determined to prevent someone like Trump taking power again, and to advance policies that ameliorate some of the gross inequalities that exist in American society. Being a Member-At-Large of Democrats Abroad is, I believe, the best way for me to achieve this goal.

On a personal note, I have taught English at the University of Grenoble for the past 25 years. Prior to that, I lived and worked both in Boston and Washington DC as an English teacher and a theater performer. I am very outgoing and consider myself a good team player, a quick learner and a detail-oriented person. I believe that all these qualities would be an asset for me and my colleagues as a Member-At-Large. In addition, I retired three years ago and so have ample time to devote to any activity that is required of me.

Colette Berset-Price

As a student myself (third year, Sciences Po Grenoble), I meet many American exchange students who are drawn to our vibrant city due to its internationalism, high English fluency, and incredible ski domains. During this last election cycle, most of the young Americans I met had incorrect notions about the process of voting from abroad and abandoned the idea due to perceived inconvenience, rather than contacting resources such as your organization, due to a lack of awareness. I believe that exchange students are a very important demographic for Democrats Abroad to target, especially after they’ve lived several months in a country with such extensive social safety nets—many people I’ve spoken with have felt invigorated by the experience.

I am a highly driven and proactive person who is passionate about continued engagement in politics from abroad. I participated in Congressman Jamie Raskin’s “Democracy Summer” youth engagement program. I’m a risk analysis specialization student, and have internship experience in the field. Legal research and analysis is of great interest to me, especially as it relates to tracking Trump’s “Agenda 47”. Additionally, I have experience as a proofreader and technical writer, which would make me a good fit for the communications apparatus.

Nancy Heady

I am pissed. I am disturbed. I am in disbelief. Shocked. Unmuted. Unhappy. Horrified. Disgusted.……

I could WRITE 200 words + a novel along those lines to propose my candidature to any roles that need energy.

But more importantly I NEED to do more about the WAR / GUERRE on our democracies.

I am a retired person, HR management, International organizations, FR & CH. I have lived in France since 1984. I have 2 daughters, one who lives in Richmond, Va. with a 6 yr old daughter. NOTHING is more important to me than maintaining their Human Rights. OUR human rights.

I marched at the Woman’s March 01/2017 DC.

I marched at the People’s March 01/2025 DC.

I voted! I ALWAYS VOTE! I go home to Virginia to stand in line with my mother to cancel out her vote. She is 90 and there is no hope she will change her mind.

If I can be of any LOUD energetic assistance please let me help!

Aleta ROSSI-THOMAS

I would like to nominate myself for Member At Large for the Grenoble Chapter of Democrats Abroad.

I am deeply concerned about our government right now. I believe we need to do as much as possible to 'get the word out'. ALL HANDS ON DECK sense of urgency right now.

I'm willing to do whatever is needed, whatever it takes to help fight for Democrats Abroad, and against the 'dictatorship' that is trying to take over the US. If they win there, they will win in the world.

I can help where needed, calling voters, organizing events, helping with social media (I spend way too much time on social media lately -- lol).

We have to fight the 'evil' now , democracy and freedom is on the line.