Name: Lissette Wright
Gender: Female
Office: Treasurer
Member since: 2015
Residence: Canada
Biography:
I'm honoured to be nominated as International Treasurer of the DPCA. I'm a bilingual (English/Spanish) accounting & finance professional with an understanding of cross- cultural communication.
Upon relocating to CAN in 2012, I've been working as Treasurer/Bookkeeper for an IT professional services & digital photography company. Previously, I worked for over a decade at International Planned Parenthood Federation/WHR in NYC. I began my accounting & finance career at IPPF/WHR as fund coordinator for the Endowment Fund for Sustainability, later promoted to grants officer in Programs, and then became manager of budgeting & grants management in Finance.
I'm a strong believer in Affordable Housing to end the cycle of poverty for low-income working families. Since 2012 I've served as Family Partner & Treasurer on the Steering Committee of the Habitat for Humanity Chapter in Ontario. I'm dedicated to community engagement & helping families build strength, stability & independence through affordable homeownership.
Links to MYC video.
Links to any Website/Blog/Facebook/YouTube sites.
*Twitter: @WrightLissette
*Website: https://about.me/lissettefwright
*WMW Interviews:
[1] http://www.citynews.ca/video/2017/01/22/video-canadian-demonstrators-from-womens-march-on-washington-return/
[2] http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1040509
Describe your volunteer work with DA and cite your greatest DA accomplishment.
CHAPTER
*Appointed Vice-Chair of DA Ottawa-Gatineau Chapter
*Revived DA Ottawa-Gatineau
*Organized DACA Delegation to welcome President Barack Obama on his last official visit to Ottawa
*Coordinated DA TO & OG Chapters’ effort to honour & remember #OrlandoPulse at #OttawaCapitalPride
*Facilitated GOTV efforts via general election events & phone banking
COUNTRY
*Appointed Treasurer of DACA Board
*Member of Fundraising Committee & Chair of Membership Verification Committee
*Organize the DACA Delegation to welcome President Barack Obama on his last official visit to Ottawa
*GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Co-organizer of DACA Delegation to the WMW – Jan 2017
GLOBAL
*Proudly voted for the Americas Sanders Delegate - 2016 DNC Convention
*Enlisted in the DA’s Global Action Team in charge on political issues of the day at a global level
*One of many DA Women who answered the challenge of activism for the protection of our basic human rights threatened by 45th POTUS, his administration & GOP
Why are you running for this office?
I want to make a greater contribution to Democrats Abroad worldwide. As International Treasurer, I will safeguard the treasury, file timely financial reports and manage financial resources effectively and efficiently so the DPCA can plan, advocate and execute progressive global civic actions.
I also want to replicate my experience of co-organizing the DACA Delegation to the Women’s March on Washington in January 21, 2017. I was fortunate to share this transformational experience with an amazing group, including two mothers and their young daughter, various DACA women leaders, one of my DA mentors (Ken Sherman), a mother, her teenage son and a young feminist friend, other mothers, daughters and one feminist whose ancestors were activist dating back to the American Revolution. We all came together to march not only for women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health rights but also human rights for all. Since WMW 2017, I believe everyday is a day for unity and civic action.
In unity we can also effectively raise money to cover the cost of the various social media tools necessary for DA GOTV activities and new member outreach, as well as global efforts to reclaim and communicate the progressive values of the Democratic Party.
How will your skill sets and experience contribute to DA’s success?
My accounting and finance expertise in budgeting and grants management make me the perfect candidate to safeguard the treasury, file timely financial reports and manage financial resources effectively and efficiently so the DPCA can plan, advocate and execute progressive global civic actions.
My skillset can contribute to the effective operation of the DPCA treasury and ensure an efficient budget process, donor grant proposals, donor financial compliance and ensure compliance with policies, procedures and internal controls, including FEC rules regarding permitted and unpermitted activities.
My supervisors have applauded my work ethic, fiscal protocol, agreeable disposition, as well as my polished communication skills and positive interactions. My fluency in English and Spanish will be an asset in our effort to engage DA Spanish speakers in the Americas Region.
If elected what are the three top issues within DA you will work to affect and how?
If I am fortunate enough to be elected International Treasurer the three top IAAA I will work to effect are reform FATCA, return to residence based taxation and amend Medicare portability by partnering with DA leaders in charge of these issues in order to assess and identify effective techniques. At the very least, I will call congress and leverage our upcoming door-knocking efforts to voice the urgency for constructive solutions to IAAA.
What three planks/issues are you most passionate about to include in the DA 2020 Platform and why?
The three planks/issues that I’m most passionate about to include in the DA 2020 Platform are: sexual and reproductive health and human rights because every individual no matter their sexual orientation needs access to SRH&R, voting rights because without the right to vote U.S. citizens do not have a voice, and campaign finance reform because the U.S. urgently needs a coherent and transparent system of campaign finance, such as a cap and limits on financial contributions to politicians and political parties, so we can remove the money influence and reclaim our Democracy.
What can Democrats Abroad do to increase its profile among voters globally better work to elect Democrats?
DA needs to leverage social media more effectively by keeping DA members informed and engaged through Twitter and Facebook. Also, DA can used these and new platforms to actively recruit new members.
How can DA work best with the Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee to represent the issues of Americans living abroad? What can be enhanced or improved in this relationship?
A great example of what works best with the Democratic Party and the DNC is the recent DA Town Hall with Keith Ellison. DA needs to continue these dialogues with all levels of the party. I also agree with Rep. Ellison that DA must continue reaching out to the DNC and participating in fresh and informative meetings like Democrats Live.
What will you do to grow DA and ensure greater overall participation by Chapter Members?
As mentioned above, I will push for DA’s active use of social media to reach new members and further engage existing members. I will also push for DA to continue voter engagement via video and digital communication, grassroots efforts and a progressive dialogue.
Endorsement from Peggy Hamilton
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to endorse Lissette Wright as candidate for DPCA Treasurer. Lissette joined the DA Canada Executive Committee as Treasurer in February 2016 and quickly became one of the most valuable members of our team. Lissette works to a very high standard of professionalism and integrity and brings a degree of passion to her work that is very inspirational. She’s a real team-player and doesn’t shy away from hard work – if she sees that something needs to be done, she goes to work, and has a delightful sense of humour! DA Canada has also been challenged this past year with a variety of difficult issues and Lissette’s abilities proved invaluable as she provided a clear and fair perspective, and the ability to skillfully deal with tough situations. Lissette embodies the true, basic values of the Democratic Party and demonstrates a genuine commitment in her day-to-day work as well as in her leadership roles. And last but not least, when Lissette became Treasurer for DA Canada, we started to see what professional, top-notch Treasurer’s reports looked like!
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Peggy Hamilton
Membership Secretary, Democrats Abroad Canada
WebEx Coordinator, Americas Region