The LWVUS Nominating Committee is pleased to present the slate of officers, directors, and nominating committee members for 2022-2024.

Officers

President: Deborah Turner

she/her | Nebraska

Dr. Turner is currently serving as the LWVUS National Board president. She has served on the LWVUS National Board from 2016-present. She served as vice president of LWV Iowa from 2011–2015 and President of LWV Des Moines Metropolitan from 2010–2015. Prior to her presidency, Deborah was the Chair of the LWVUS DEI Committee and a member of the LWVUS Governance Committee. She obtained her JD from Drake University and her MD from University of Iowa. She has been a Gynecologic Oncologist for 30 years. Deborah served on the Board Regents for the State of Iowa (1999-2006) and was entered into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

"I believe no child should be restrained by the circumstances of their birth. The League, through our leadership in the democracy space, can make this dream a reality."

Vice President: Sania Irwin

she/her | Illinois

Dr. Sania Irwin is a member of the League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn (Illinois) and spearheaded the Get Out the Vote effort for the 2018 general election. She is co-founder and President of One Community, a 501c3 charitable organization that raises awareness, acceptance, and involvement of all neighbors. An accomplished technology executive, Sania is Senior Vice President of Systems Engineering at EagleRail Container Logistics and has served in leadership positions at Motorola/Nokia, General Motors, and Xerox.

"I am passionate about empowering diverse voices and ensuring everyone’s access to the ballot – for an equitable and inclusive democracy."

Secretary: Toni Monette

she/her | Nebraska

Toni first came to the league in 2014 when coordinating voter registration at a local university. In 2018, Toni worked with the same league on the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Thereafter, she became a member of the LWV Greater Omaha and was Voter Services Co-Director for both the local/state of NE league. Most recently, she served as Co-President of the LWV of NE from May 2021 - April 2022. She is a Training Facilitator for a Department of Education contractor and also volunteers with her sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

“I believe that the most equitable and impactful form of democracy ensures access to its promises of freedom, liberty, and justice to all people - I believe we, the people, in community with each other, have the power to make this so.”

Treasurer: Leah Edwards

Leah Edwards began volunteering with the League of Women Voters of San Francisco in 2014 and joined the Board of Directors later that year. She managed LWVSF’s Voter Services programs before serving as President from 2017 to 2020. As President, Leah focused on growing LWVSF’s impact through partnerships and implementing technology to streamline operations. She also represented the League of Women Voters as a delegate at the United Nations 63rd Commission on the Status of Women.  

Leah is currently an MBA student at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Previously, she led initiatives related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing at the investment management firm Dodge & Cox.

Directors

Melissa Breach

she/her | California

Melissa Breach served eight years as Executive Director for LWV California where she advanced equity initiatives and modernized operations—including launching Voter’sEdge and MyLO. She served on LWV’s Transformation Steering Committee, is a founding member of Future of California Elections, and fights to end the housing crisis as COO of CAYIMBY.

"Making Democracy Work has a new immediacy. Our success requires vigilance, courage, and a shared commitment to meaningful representation in all we do."

Kimberly A. Hamlin, PhD

she/her | Ohio

A member of the League of Women Voters of Cincinnati Area (LWVCA), Kimberly is a historian who specializes in the U.S. women’s rights movement. Her most recent book, Free Thinker: Sex, Suffrage, and the Extraordinary Life of Helen Hamilton Gardener (2020), profiles the suffragist credited with securing congressional passage of the 19th Amendment. Hamlin is an award-winning scholar, teacher, and public speaker who regularly contributes to the Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, and other media. She is the James and Beth Lewis Professor of History at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and she lives with her family in Cincinnati.

“Throughout our history, women have shaped our democratic ideals and demonstrated the power of the vote. Now, more than ever, we need to protect and expand voting rights, the foundation of our democracy. On these vital issues, the LWV leads the way.”

Vedna Heywood

she/her | Massachusetts

Vedna joined her local league in early 2018 and served on the Plymouth Area Board on the Voter Services Committee from 2018-2021.  In 2020 she was appointed to LWV Massachusetts State Board of Directors serving as the Co-Chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.  She helped draft the Social Justice Resolution for LWVUS which was adopted in 2020. In January of 2021, she became a member of the LWVUS Advocacy and Litigation Committee. Vedna is a Surgical Trauma ICU Nurse at Brigham & Women’s in Boston, MA. She has served on several boards and committees on the local and state level and is currently an elected  School Board member for the town of Plymouth.

“Democracy is an integral part of our constitutional well-being and the League of Women Voters stand as the purveyors of our basic foundational truths of equality, liberty, life and justice for all.” 

Joan Hunault

she/her | Michigan

Joan Hunault was Advocacy VP of the Michigan LWV, and Secretary of the LWV of Leelanau County. She worked 34 years in Michigan’s Legislature, served 10 years on her City Council, and was the city’s first woman mayor. Joan holds BA and MPA degrees. Her home overlooks beautiful Lake Michigan.

"I am committed to the League of Women Voters—to keep our Democracy open; to allow freedom for responsibility; to ensure power to the powerless."

Alexis Juday-Marshall

she/her | California

Alexis Juday-Marshall joined the League of Women Voters in late 2018. During her time in the Washington State League and King County/Seattle League, Alexis was a member of the Observer Corps and Environmental Committee, which presented an opportunity to promote transparency and accountability in government and increase public engagement on climate change. As a member of the Washington State DEI Working Committee, she helped update LWV policies, programs, and League positions that were serving as barriers to participation by persons from under-represented groups. She also served as a Delegate for the LWVUS for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Alexis has earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Seattle University in Journalism and Public Administration, respectively. She is currently a Social Justice Fellow for Adasina Social Capital.

In her free time, Alexis enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her partner and dog, Nugget. 

“The League works to inform citizens about issues, helping them feel empowered as voters while also providing an outlet for continued civics education and deepened conversations. When we can hear and celebrate all voices, democracy is better defended, and voters can create the equitable change we all need so badly.” 

Allison Riggs

North Carolina

Allison Riggs leads the voting rights program at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, an organization she joined in 2009. Her voting rights work at SCSJ has been focused on fighting for fair redistricting plans, fighting against voter suppression, and advocating for electoral reforms that would expand access to voting. In 2018, she argued the Texas redistricting case in the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 2019, she argued the North Carolina partisan gerrymandering case in the Supreme Court. Allison works closely with grassroots organizations as they seek to advance their political and civil rights.

"Partnering with the LWVNC in its efforts to protect and expand voting rights in my home state has been an enormous honor for me, and I’m delighted to be able to serve the organization in this role."

Monica Skoko-Rodríguez

she/they | Florida

Monica joined the League in 2018 and began her board service in 2019 as the Miami-Dade County Voter Services Chair. She led the Miami-Dade League as President from 2020-2021. They are currently the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women, working to advocate for and create policies that will improve the status of women in Miami. Monica is a nurse and public health expert, currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Duke University.

“It is vital for us all to not only fight for the people who don’t have seats at the table but to also flip the table when needed. The League is deeply invested in transformational organizing, true democracy, and occasional table flipping.”

Dianna Wynn

she/her | North Carolina

Dianna joined the League in 2013 and is the immediate past president of LWV-Wake in North Carolina where she chaired numerous committees including strategic planning, communications, and redistricting. Dianna is also a past president of the ACLU of North Carolina. She has served as a guest speaker on various issues, has been interviewed by local and state media outlets, and has presented public comment at the state legislature and other government entities. Dianna is a communication consultant and former college professor in communication studies. She is the co-author of several college textbooks including Working in Groups and THINK Communication.

“I value the League’s thoughtful and nonpartisan approach to advocacy and positions on issues. League members’ dedication to our mission is a continuing source of inspiration. I believe in the extraordinary potential of well-informed, empowered, and persistent women to build a better democracy for all.”

Nominating Committee Slate

Nominating Committee Chair

Melissa Currence

she/her | Ohio

Melissa Currence joined the Cincinnati Area League of Women Voters in 1997 while in college and served on the LWVUS Board of Directors from 2018-2022. Her League expertise revolves around fundraising, online voter guides, social media, board restructuring, and coaching and mentoring.

In Cincinnati, Currence served in many roles. As a board member for LWV Ohio (2009-2010), she launched the state’s social media presence. In 2013, Currence founded a young people’s membership program, Act One: Hands-On Civics for Cincinnati, and served as co-chair of the LWVUS Young People’s Taskforce from 2014-2016. From 2015-2018, she coached Illinois, Michigan, and New York as a Ruth. S. Shur Fellow for LWVUS. Additionally, Currence was the co-host and producer for What Would Alice Paul Do?, a podcast created for LWV members.  

"As a LWV member for more than two decades, I believe in empowering voters and defending democracy. We must continue to lead the path for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive League and nation."

Nominating Committee Members

Hannah E. Parker

she/her | South Carolina

Hannah E. Parker first joined the League in 2008 as a member of the LWV of Greenville County. As the LWV South Carolina State Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, she is now an active member of the Florence Area League and serves as the Second Vice President where she routinely wears many hats to support league activities. 

Hannah is Founder and Principal HR Consultant for her own career management firm, HE Consulting, LLC; and also serves on the board for Friends of the Florence County Library, is a member of Florence County Clemson Extension Advisory Committee, and a Life Member of the Greenville County NAACP. 

“To whom much is given, much is required. We must all be good stewards of democracy in America and abroad through civil, diverse, equitable and inclusive education and accountability.”

Marnita Robertson

she/her | New Jersey

Marnita joined the League in 2018 as a member of the LWV Northern Valley (New Jersey). She served as a board member and co-chair of Voter Services from 2019-2020. She is a managing partner of Robertson Law, LLC and also volunteers as a board trustee for ACLU-NJ. 

“I believe that the strength of any democracy is reflected in the level of participation of all members of society which gives individuals the power to create effective change. The LWV is instrumental in increasing voter participation which makes our democracy stronger.”