Monika Konrad (Candidate for President)

Throughout my time in WCSA over the last couple of years, it has truly been an incredible experience rooted in bipartisan and bicameral relationships. This community has created a space for supporting women’s careers through professional development opportunities and so much more. Being a part of the e-board as Treasurer and now Vice President, and as a summer conference chair before that, has been a true blessing and I’m excited to hopefully lead WCSA in the next term to grow it into something even more special than it already is. I hope to continue encouraging bipartisanship and bicameralism within the association, help curate a lineup of events that people find impactful, encourage more senior staff to be a part of the association, and to expand our professional development reach throughout the year. I’m hopeful and looking forward to seeing what WCSA can do this next year and can’t wait to have an incredible board to work alongside in these goals.

Meghan Gilkes (Candidate for Vice President)

My name is Meghan Gilkes, I am running to be WCSA’s Vice President. I currently serve Senator Patty Murray as the Director of Operations & Logistics for her Office of the President Pro Tempore. As of January 2023, Senator Murray is the first woman to ever serve as the PPT and it has been such an honor to come set this office up for her and learn the ins and outs of this unique position; from handling her new security detail to signing all the legislation before it heads to the President to become law (or get vetoed!). For the past 6 years, I served Senator Murray in capacity of her Director of Scheduling & Executive Assistant and her Deputy Scheduler before that. Getting to work for a female Senator who continues to shatter glass ceilings (first female SVAC chair? First female Budget chair? First female Senator to cast 10,000 votes? I could keep going…) allows me to foster my desire to improve the lives of women. This includes women staffers! Bringing the unique perspective of the operations world & the Senate side, as well as, my past year serving as an Events & Activities Co-Chair and the last few months as Acting Secretary to the WCSA Executive Board would allow me to continue serving women staffers and build upon the growth in WCSA that I have seen and been a part of. Women are the backbone of Capitol Hill; often working the most unforgiving jobs in operations, scheduling, & admin, and I would be honored to serve as the next Vice President of the Women’s Congressional Staff Association!

Julianna Garcia (Candidate for Secretary)

My name is Julianna Garcia, and I am hoping to be WCSA’s Secretary! I am currently the Digital Content and Correspondence Director for Rep. Juan Vargas. I started my journey on the Hill as an intern for Rep. Katie Porter, and I knew I had to come back as soon as I could. Before coming to the Hill, I served on the CA Board of Education and multiple non-profit boards of directors. I was very involved in local government but quickly fell in love with the faster pace of the Hill. Following my internship, I made the decision to move across the country alone. I was seeking friends and, more importantly, powerful and supportive women who understood life on the Hill. Thankfully, I found WCSA to be the perfect community. I am committed to helping WCSA expand its reach to more women on the Hill and showcasing the incredible support and opportunities it offers. As a founding member and an executive board member of a global non-profit managing over thousands of organizers, Diversify Our Narrative, I learned everything about organization and the importance of institutional record keeping. Given my experiences in operations, management and documentation, I think I would be a great fit to be WCSA’s secretary!

Bea Valenti (Candidate for Treasurer)

When I reflect on my adult life and the positions I have held, it is clear to me that women in leadership and mentorship roles were pivotal in my success. I know firsthand how big the of impact having a coffee, mock interview, cold-call, or recommendation from someone is when you are competing in the D.C. workforce. When I transitioned to Capitol Hill, I knew only a handful of staffers and quickly decided I needed to expand my network of women I could rally with! I was so thankful that my research led me to WCSA. As a member, I have loved every community event we have done, the fellowship we have achieved, and the new relationships I have made. I am most proud to be currently serving as one of your summer conference co-chairs. Our team has put so much time and effort into the success of this conference and I am so excited for you all to experience it! Realizing that role will soon be coming to an end, it made me sad to think I  would not have the same level of engagement with WCSA as I did in that role. That is why I am running for Treasurer of WCSA and am humbly asking for your vote.

Janey Green (Candidate for Membership Services Director)

My name is Janey Green and I am interested in being Membership Services Director of the Women's Congressional Staff Association. After just over 4 years of being on Capitol Hill I understand the importance of mentorship especially between women staffers. I have enjoyed being the membership services director for the past 1.5 years and want to continue to help the organization grow.

Moira Flath (Candidate for Communications Director)

I am writing to nominate myself for the Communications Director position on the Women’s Congressional Staff Association board. I am grateful for the mentors, resources, opportunities, and friends that WCSA has given me throughout the past year of my membership, and I am eager to continue my commitment to our organization while advancing my own career as a communications professional. I believe my personal career timeline, WCSA experience, and understanding of Senate media compliments the role well. WCSA introduced me to a community of strong women professionals from across the aisle and across the Dome, but with a shared passion for creating safe and empowering spaces for all women. I believe the primary goal of communications in our organization is to allow more staffers, members and nonmembers alike, to see the strength of this community for themselves. From managing administrative communications responsibilities to getting creative on social media and collaborating with fellow staff associations, I hope to allow for a creative communications strategy that expands our reach and exceeds the expectations of our members. Given my considerable familiarity with our team’s work, priorities, and goals, I feel uniquely positioned and prepared to take on a greater role on this team and serve WCSA as Communications Director. Thank you for considering my nomination for this role. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and commitment to WCSA can contribute to the continued success of the organization.

OPEN (Candidate for Deputy Communications Director)

Barkat Dhaliwal (Candidate for Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair)

Hello! I consider it both an honor and privilege to have been serving on Capitol Hill since September of 2023. Starting my career as a legislative intern, and now a staff assistant, I have learned so much about what it means to be a public servant. I feel extremely grateful to have gotten in touch with so many brilliant ladies through WCSA. Showcasing diversity and promoting inclusive hiring practices is essential for creating an equitable workforce, in any field. As a first-generation Sikh-American woman, I notice the necessity to foster an inclusive environment that can benefit everyone while driving innovation. As a staff assistant and intern coordinator, I always aim to hire interns that come from a diverse background to bring in fresh perspectives. If given the opportunity to be this organization's DEI co-chair, I would make it my mission to include women from underrepresented groups to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, and respected through organizational support and recruiting. It is an honor to be a member of WCSA, where we strengthen women to become the best version of themselves both personally and professionally. I would be honored to serve as the DEI co-chair, and home to accomplish any and all goals we set!

Julia Rodriguez (Candidate for Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair)

My name is Julia Rodriguez and I am a Legislative Aide in Congresswoman Stansbury’s office. I am interested in running for the Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair position for the Women's Congressional Staff Association Board. Being a Hispanic woman from New Mexico, I know first hand how important diversity and inclusion is. I am a strong believer that ensuring that diverse individuals not only see themselves in staff positions on the hill but in leadership positions on staff associations is key to ensuring that the work we do in these positions is inclusive to all. As a Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair I will amplify the work of WCSA to the various staff associations that represent minorities on the hill and do my part to engage and recruit individuals who want to be more involved in WCSA. Additionally as a Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair I will work diligently to ensure that WCSA is a staff association reflective of all women who work on the hill and I believe that my experiences being a Hispanic woman will serve me well in accomplishing that goal!

Anna Beaulieu (Candidate for Professional Development Co-Chair)

My name is Anna Beaulieu, and I am running to be considered for another year as Professional Development Co-Chair on the Women's Congressional Staff Association's board. I am a Legislative Correspondent in the office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) handling health care and education issues. My passion for building relationships and meaningful connections with constituents and other stakeholders in my home state of Rhode Island drew me to this role, where I have been lucky to live out my desire to help generate positive, sustainable change in the lives of Rhode Islanders. My inclination to foster impactful relationships and connections made me excited about this position, and I hope to continue to hone these skills to aid fellow staffers in their career development for another year. My personal experience from multiple job searches, mentoring disposition, and prior term serving in this role will prepare me even more as I help folks build out their networks, establish support systems for job application processes, and advance long-term goals. As proud WSCA member, I would be honored to continue to serve in this role and continue this empowering work

Ella Yard (Candidate for Professional Development Co-Chair)

Since first stepping onto the Hill several years ago to begin an internship with my district representative, I knew this was only the beginning. After three congressional internships, and now a full-time career on Capitol Hill, I continue to love the work I do and the constituents I help daily. Professional development has played a crucial role in shaping my career thus far and I have learned that investing in networking opportunities and finding a mentor are some of the best ways to improve career outcomes. Not only has my mentor been a helping hand to me, but she is also someone I admire and look to for professional advice. She has inspired me to help others which has led me to mentor interns on the Hill. Every semester I am matched with someone new (regardless of party affiliation) and guide them the way my mentor has guided me over the years. This program has been a highlight for me during my time here and I hope to use these skills in the professional development co-chair role. If elected, I would prioritize both professional and social networking events, as well as workshops and panels, allowing members to experience all aspects of professional development. WCSA has always been a welcoming environment and I hope to continue my passion for helping others in this role.

Bridget Henne (Candidate for Outreach & Community Service Co-Chair)

My name is Bridget Henne, and I am interested in running for WCSA Community Service Co-Chair. Being a part of WCSA over the past year has been inspiring to say the least. I have loved finding a community of women who support each other’s career goals as much as their well-being. In my first year of living in DC, I can honestly say that WCSA has provided me with amazing opportunities and friendships. This organization made DC feel less lonely, whether it was seeing a fellow member at a reception and knowing you had someone to talk to or having something fun to do after work. One of my mottos has always been “Leave places better than you found them”. This saying has continuously motivated me to search for ways to help people and grow communities. Volunteering has been a lifelong passion of mine and the opportunity to showcase the amazing work of WCSA in the DC community excites me. I truly believe through acts of service we can make the world a better place for all.

Ja’nique Jules (Candidate for Outreach & Community Service Co-Chair)

Since I began my professional journey on Capitol Hill as an intern, I have always admired the unique ways the Women's Congressional Staff Association (WCSA) engages with staffers on the Hill. I was eager to become a part of such a great organization. This past year, I had the honor of serving on the executive board as a Co-Chair for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and now I am excited to submit my candidacy for the Community Service Co-Chair position. WCSA's mission to foster professional and personal development and strengthen support systems for women staffers is one I am passionate about. I would be grateful to contribute to this mission for another year. In this role, I plan to continue working towards achieving the WCSA's goals and bring new ideas to the table for the organization's growth and development. Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with my colleagues to advance the WCSA's objectives.

Xylene Rodriguez (Candidate for Events & Activities Co-Chair)

My interest in applying for the events chair with the Women's Congressional Staff Association comes from my eagerness to engage in personal and professional growth opportunities alongside other women. The Women's Congressional Staff Association (WCSA) has been known for their dedication to developing the next generation of women leaders. Being able to be a part of the expansive network and resources I hope to continue engaging and serving the community. In the events chair, I hope to plan events that foster an active social community with our members and allow for them to find community here on the hill. As events chair, I'm excited to partner with other staff associations to build our relationships with women of all backgrounds. I believe the events chair is an important part of the board because it helps recruit and retain new members. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as WCSA’s next events chair. Thank you.

Eva Brady (Candidate for Events & Activities Co-Chair)

My name is Eva Brady, I am interested in being the Events & Activities Co-Chair.  I recently joined the hill in February 2024 as scheduler in Congressman Ferguson’s office (GA-03), and find it an exciting place to grow and build a career.  I now work as a Staff Assistant/Deputy Scheduler with issue areas in Foreign Affairs/Animal Rights.  Love a retiring office! I love WCSA’s mission of connecting women across the Hill to be able to learn from each other and build one’s network.  I look forward to being able to work to create more opportunities for WCSA members to find a community where they have the access to learn from others no matter what career or policy field they are interested in.  I’ve learned a lot serving in different positions in my office and am excited to bring that knowledge to this position in WCSA.