NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO BE ELECTED AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON MARCH 30
The DA Switzerland 2025 Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce that the Election of the 2025-2027 Executive Committee will take place during the 2025 Annual General Meeting, on Sunday, March 30th, at the Volkshaus Zürich or online via Zoom. We hope you will attend to hear our annual reports, to show support for the nominees, and, most importantly, to vote for the candidates of your choice. The offices to be elected are:
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Chair
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Vice Chair
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Secretary
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Treasurer
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Members-at-Large (4)
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DPCA Voting Representatives (4)
- DPCA Alternates (4)
We thank all those who came forward to present themselves as candidates. See their names and statements below, as well as offices still seeking candidates.
VOTING METHOD
Meeting attendees who are DA members as of Friday, March 28th may vote. Ballots will be distributed to attendees at the meeting.
If you cannot participate live during the event, it is possible to vote by proxy: Request a proxy form from [email protected], identify a member you know who will attend, send a copy of your completed and signed proxy form to us by March 28th, and give the form to the attending member before the AGM. Any voter at the meeting may hold at most two proxies.
Voting by advance ballot will not be available.
ELECTION PROCESS
At the meeting, the sixteen (16) positions will be elected one by one, in the order shown above. For offices with zero nominees (only), nominations for office may be made from the floor, as write-in candidates. Floor nominees may be listed candidates who did not win their announced race and wish to run in another. All candidates will be given two minutes to address the members.
LIST OF CANDIDATES
Candidates are listed here within each office in alphabetic order by last name.
OFFICE: CHAIR (1)
- Katie Wright (Basel)
Like a lot of Democrats, I believe government can be a force for good in the world and good policy can improve people’s lives. But as is always the case, there is no governing if you don’t win. We need to win!
I believe there is potential for the Democratic Party to learn from the past and craft a winning strategy for 2026 and beyond, at all levels of government. We must take stock of what went wrong, not only in the last election, but in recent decades. We need to listen more to Americans from all walks of life, from all parts of the country, to better understand their lives. We need to be open to hearing and operationalizing constructive criticism without compromising our values. We need to develop and articulate an alternative vision for the future and find creative ways to reach people in a fractured media environment. All while fighting the Trump Administration’s assault on our government, our democracy, and our lives.
It’s a tall order, and an urgent one. As Democrats living in Switzerland, we can help win critical races for the House, Senate, state legislative seats, and governorships. Our votes in 2026 could be the difference between another two years of unchecked presidential power and the House majority.
It has been a privilege to serve as a member-at-large of the Basel chapter organizing, fundraising, and helping Democrats living in Switzerland register to vote and cast their ballots.
If elected Chair, I hope to work with you to chart our path forward. Together, we can build our membership, increase our volunteer engagement, and lay the groundwork to reach and turn out as many Democrats as we can to help win special elections this year and in the midterms. I want to better understand what you are hoping for from DACH and make it even more responsive to your needs and concerns. I want to ensure we regularly offer concrete ways to act, and that any action or volunteer opportunity we offer will be a productive and meaningful use of your limited free time. There is so much solace to be found in community, especially in these times, and as Americans living abroad. I hope to help foster a DACH community that is a source of connection, renewal, enrichment, and fun in your life.
I have dedicated my career to public service. I have spent many years in Washington developing and advancing policy solutions that would improve people’s lives as a senior staffer to Democratic members of Congress. But more importantly, I am an American, and I take my civic duty seriously. I’m a mom. I care about the country’s future and want to do something about it before it’s too late. Let’s channel our passion and outrage into action that helps us win.
OFFICE: VICE CHAIR (1)
David Heaps (Basel)
By way of background, I was raised in the metro New York area, until I moved to Europe (Paris) during the Regan years. Since then, I have been resident in France, the UK and again in France since 2020. I am a Colorado voter.
OFFICE: SECRETARY (1)
Annette Fay (Suisse Romande)
My name is Annette Fay and I moved to Switzerland (La Chaux-de-Fonds) from Senegal in 2023. I work in international development (access to water and sanitation), generally in sub-Saharan Africa. I follow US politics closely and have been active via phone banking or other volunteer events for every presidential election since 2004. I joined Democrats Abroad as soon as I moved here and my US voting location is Connecticut. Since January 27th I've been calling my senators and representative numerous times a week to make sure my voice is heard - but I know that's not enough. I'm very worried about the current political situation back home and would like to work with other like-minded Americans living in Switzerland to make sure our institutions are protected. I look forward to becoming a more active member of Democrats Abroad Switzerland and using our network to effect change.
OFFICE: TREASURER (1)
Michael Williams (Suisse Romande)
I joined DACH in 2021. I currently serve as Member-at-Large and Media Coordinator, and I am also active in the Suisse Romande chapter. I have therefore been participating in Executive Committee meetings, which has given me an understanding of how the organization works. I am comfortable with finance and accounting, having worked as a financial journalist in the 1980s. I also took a graduate accounting course and other business and economics courses.
I vote in Jerome Nadler’s district in Manhattan. I moved to Geneva in 1988. I worked for three years at the World Economic Forum and then for 26 years at the UN Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization (where I managed budgets of hundreds of thousands of francs). My adult children live in Australia, Spain and the US. My wife and I recently moved to the Valais for our retirement.
I look forward to continuing to contribute to DACH in practical ways during the very difficult years that lie ahead of us.
OFFICE: 4X: MEMBER-AT-LARGE (2)
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Melissa Enge (Basel)
Hi, my name is Melissa, and I’m interested in becoming the Global Relations Lead for Democrats Abroad [Switzerland].
My motivation for getting involved stems from a deep concern shared by many fellow expats and compatriots about the current state of affairs in the U.S. and its ripple effects abroad. I chose to pursue the Global Relations Lead position because it best aligns with my background and passions.
I grew up in a rural farming community but was always drawn to all things international: different languages, food, history, cultures and of course politics. I earned a degree in International Relations with Economics, followed by a Master’s in Business, and have spent many years in International Sales and Account Management for global companies. My expertise lies in bringing people together across geographical, linguistic, and cultural boundaries, making this role a natural fit for my skill set.
- Debra Turchin Hitti (Suisse Romande)
My name is Debra Hitti. I am throwing my proverbial hat into the ring for the position of Member at Large - Media Relations. I am originally from Chicago though I spent the majority of my life in California, with some time in Florida and NY as well. I have been living in Switzerland for 9.5 years- the first 1.5 in Valais.
OFFICE: 4X: DPCA VOTING REPRESENTATIVE (2)
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Liz Voss (Basel)
Gender / Pronouns: Female / she/her
About: Grad student at University of Basel, "trailing spouse," mom to a 13 y/o, dog mom to a Greek rescuePersonal Statement: I have been involved with Democrats Abroad Switzerland since 2017. In the past 7.5 years, I have officially served as national Vice Chair and Secretary, Chapter Chair, DPCA Voting Representative, and Delegate-at-Large to the 2024 DNC. I have unofficially served as national Secretary and Treasurer, while officially serving as Vice Chair (which I do not recommend!) I have attended an International AGM in Tokyo and Regional AGMs in Madrid, Athens, and Alicante.I got involved with Democrats Abroad Switzerland after the previously-unimaginable happened and I told my husband we couldn’t move back to the US for at least four years. I have stayed involved with Democrats Abroad because I believe in the mission and have found a group of people who share my values and help make living abroad feel more like home. I have spent the last few years learning more about voter registration, fundraising, and organizing than I ever thought I would, but I think that the work that DA does is infinitely valuable and I want to continue being a part of it.Should I be elected for the 2025-27 term, I want to continue representing Switzerland to DA at the global level. Although we are a small country committee, we have consistently shown up at the regional and global meetings with ideas, funds, and energy; I would love to continue contributing in these ways.
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Tory Mallett (Basel)
As Democrats Abroad Switzerland's Country Committee Chair and Chair of the Global Progressive Caucus, I have direct experience advancing member interests at both national and global levels. I am running for DPCA Voting Representative to further strengthen our Swiss members' voices within the broader Democratic Party structure.
My vision for this role centers on three core commitments:
Active Representation: Having led initiatives within Democrats Abroad at local, national, and global levels, I understand the diverse needs of our membership. I commit to proactive engagement with members before key votes, ensuring decisions reflect our community's priorities. My experience in campaign management, legislative work, and progressive advocacy has taught me the importance of responsive representation and strategic coalition building.
Strategic Collaboration: My leadership of the Global Progressive Caucus, combined with my background in democratic reform research and practical political experience, positions me to build effective coalitions within the DPCA. I will work to strengthen our influence by fostering partnerships with other country committees and leveraging our collective voice to advance shared priorities.
Member-Focused Leadership: As your representative, I pledge to maintain transparent communication about DPCA activities and decisions. I will regularly seek input from our membership and executive committee to ensure our voting positions align with Swiss members' interests. My academic research on democratic processes has reinforced my commitment to inclusive decision-making and accountable leadership.
I bring to this role a proven track record of global leadership within Democrats Abroad, combined with practical political experience and a deep understanding of democratic institutions. As your DPCA Representative, I will work to advance DACH members' interests and strengthen our voice within the Democratic Party's global structure.
Confirming Chapter Chairs
We will also vote to confirm the chapter chairs who will have been elected at the Chapter AGMs.
- Zürich - Apolonio Huerta
- Basel - Liz Voss
- Suisse Romande - AGM on March 9
We encourage all Democrats to attend the election meeting on Sunday, March 30th, and to consider standing for one of the unfilled positions:
- Member-at-Large (2 positions available)
- DPCA Voting Rep (2 positions available)
- DPCA Alternates (4 positions available)
The DACH Nominations and Elections Committee
Questions? Write [email protected]