Emerge Wisconsin Class of 2010

Carol works as Deans Assistant at UW Platteville and is an active AFSCME member.  She is also a current County Board Supervisor and Chair of the Grant County Democratic Party.  Carol has also been involved in multiple campaigns, in addition to hers, including Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, US Senator Russ Feingold, US Representative Ron Kind and State Representative Phil Garthwaite to name a few.  Carol also serves as Chair and volunteer member of the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Badger Camp, a camp for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Her involvement includes fund raising activities and promoting the work of the camp throughout the state.

Noelle has 20 years of diverse business experience where she has developed her expertise in leadership, organizational relations, management and fund raising.  She has spent the last 12 years in the nonprofit industry in management and senior management positions.  Most recently, Noelle has also consulted with local nonprofits in the area of fundraising, marketing and organizational development.  Noelle is currently serving on the Board of Directors of The Park People and Vice President of PTO at her children’s school, College Park Elementary School.  Noelle has worked on various political campaigns including Tom Barrett for Mayor. She recently earned her MBA for Alverno College and is currently running for Village Trustee in the Village of Greendale.

Sarah is the Global Warming Program Associate for Clean Wisconsin and staffs the Global Warming Solutions Working Group of REAMP.  She works on a variety of tasks including research, analysis and organizing work related to global warming solutions.  Her prior experience includes a legislative internship with WISPIRG working on a textbooks campaign, canvassing and running a summer campaign office for the Fund for Public Interest, and various other public mobilizations efforts.  Sarah is a graduate of UW-Madison where she received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science.

Tara is currently serving in her fifth term on the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors where she serves as First Vice Chair.  In 2008, Tara was the Democratic candidate for the 32nd State Senate race.  Prior to entering the local politics, Tara enjoyed a fifteen year career in the United Way movement.  She also maintains her ongoing community activism by serving in various roles with organizations such as Western Wisconsin Cares, La Crosse Public Education Foundation and the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission.  Tara and her husband, Tim are the parents of a 13 year old son and an 11 year old daughter.

Ellen is an RN by occupation and training, and is a member of AFSCME.  Since 1993, she has served as a School Board Member for Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.  Ellen is also involved in other organizations such as Friends of the Middleton Public Library, Friends of Pheasant Branch and Soujourners.  Her political campaign experience includes President Obama, Senator Feingold and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin to name a few. 

Janice works for the City of Kenosha Department of Public Works and is a graduate of the Wisconsin Women in Government Graduate Seminar.  Janice is a life-long Democrat, a member of the Kenosha County Democrats and a member of the steering committee of Leadership Kenosha. 

Vanessa currently works in the capitol for State Representative Pedro Colón (D – 8^th AD).  She is originally from the south side of Chicago.  Vanessa has been involved in various campaigns, including Representative Colon’s re-election campaign and Barack Obama’s campaign for president.  She is also active in the Latino community, including working with immigration rights organization Voces de la Frontera. 

LaShawndra is employed by Community Advocates, but is busy in various other volunteer and work activities, including Restorative Justice Collective and Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health.  She has also been involved with 9 to 5 Milwaukee and Make It Work! Milwaukee.  LaShawndra also is a professional singer who uses her music to promote the causes she believes in.