Meet the new officers:
Mindy Wara Maciolek, Secretary/Treasurer
Since being elected secretary of the Madison chapter of the National Organization for Women, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most passionate advocates and legislators in the Madison Area. Their energy inspires me to learn more, be more, and do more for our community and our state. I recently completed the Wisconsin Women’s Network Policy Institute to gain a more sophisticated understanding of the legislative process and to strategically work with lawmakers to influence policy. As a committed intersectional feminist, I will not only advocate for changes to Wisconsin’s alarmingly restrictive reproductive healthcare laws, but will educate Wisconsinites about how these issues, and all issues that NOW champions, disproportionately impact people of color and impact the LGBTQ community in ways that are not often part of the conversation. During this crucial election year, I look forward to endorsing candidates who speak directly to NOW’s core issues, and canvassing for progressive candidates beyond Dane County to get out the vote in Wisconsin.
Debbie McNulty, Executive VP
My name is Debbie McNulty and I’m running for the office of Executive VP. I’ve lived in the Madison area my whole life and I’ve raised four children here. Now that I have an empty nest I have turned my attention and energy towards working to make my community a better place for all people. I love the state of Wisconsin and through working with Wisconsin NOW I hope to bring awareness to the issues that affect all women throughout the state. I believe that through shining a light on women’s issues, education, and supporting the work of women around the state Wisconsin NOW can have a positive impact.
Heather Huber, Vice President of Action
My name is Heather Huber (pronouns: she/her) and I am running for Wisconsin NOW’s Vice President of Action. I work in IT as a Business Analyst, have an MBA from Edgewood College, and have interests in politics and intersectional feminism. Although these interests were first sparked in college, the 2016 election motivated me to get actively involved beyond just going to the polls on Election Day. This year, I would like to see Wisconsin NOW revive and build chapters across the state. As this is an election year, there is an energy and opportunity to engage with people to help elect candidates and advance policies that are progressive, inclusive, and counteract the last eight years in this state. Wisconsin NOW can be an important part of maintaining that energy and focus beyond November.
Lindsay Lemmer, running for Wisconsin Chapter President
Since becoming president of the Madison chapter last year, I’ve worked to cultivate a resurgence around feminism, with an inclusive and intersectional focus. I’ve ensured all of our events have a fun element and that has driven engagement and interest. The Madison chapter membership has quickly grown, and attendance continues to increase at our monthly meetings and events. Madison NOW has more visibility than it has had in some time, and I want to bring my success in elevating local feminism to the state chapter. There is an energy and a desire throughout the state for an intersectional feminist movement, and that combined with 2018 being such a critical election year provide a prime opportunity for the state chapter president. My vision is to support the establishment of local chapters throughout the state, and to implement a statewide strategy for furthering NOW’s core values, that includes getting out the vote this year.
My background involves community activism and civic engagement, including managing communications for the local anti-Keystone XL pipeline effort and chairing communications for the Dane County Voter ID Coalition, a coalition led by the League of Women Voters and the NAACP. I completed Emerge Wisconsin in 2016, which is a six month program that trains women to achieve public office. Outside of activism, I have a marketing MBA and am a senior marketing and communications strategist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Information Technology.