Twenty-four Democratic women from across Indiana chosen to participate in leadership program
Indianapolis, Ind. — Hoosier Women Forward is excited to announce our Class Eight participants.
Each year, Hoosier Women Forward (HWF) selects a diverse group of women to participate in a political and civic leadership training program designed to empower Democratic women to become more active participants in politics and leaders in their communities.
“This year’s class of 24 outstanding women truly looks like Indiana, ranging in age from 26 to 60, coming from 14 counties, and including ethnicities and cultures that well represent our diverse and beautiful state,” said Amy Levander, executive director of HWF. “Their experience and commitment to lead in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, while also focusing on equity and access that ensures all Hoosiers have an opportunity to thrive, exemplifies the fundamental principles of our program.”
Founded in 2017, HWF is the premier leadership development program for Democratic women wanting to make a difference in Indiana. With 155 alumnae, HWF is a growing network for women helping women. Since its inaugural class, 73 percent of alumnae who stepped up to run for office won their elections.
“The selection process for our class members continues to be highly competitive,” said Cynthia Johnson, chair of the HWF Board of Directors. “The longstanding interest in HWF validates our original intent, and also shows that people across the state want to reshape our public policy and leadership to better reflect what Hoosiers actually want, rather than what has been dictated to us by the supermajority.”
HWF’s incoming Class Eight participants are:
- Maria Egnatz Alexander, Anderson (Madison County)
- Jessica Bailey, Valparaiso (Porter County)
- Racheal Bleicher, Westfield (Hamilton County)
- Meg Carlson, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Natalie Clayton, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- UnoBlessed Coons, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Ranissa Dycus, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Stephanie Gilliland, Peru (Miami County)
- Summer Gladden, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Beth Harrick, Richmond (Wayne County)
- Jimena Holguin, Bloomington (Monroe County)
- Ariah Leary, Evansville (Vanderburgh County)
- Katie Lugar, Terre Haute (Vigo County)
- Katie Morgan, Clarksville (Clark County)
- Alicia Myers, Dyer (Lake County)
- Iris O’Donnell Bellisario, West Lafayette (Tippecanoe County)
- Jenny Okamoto, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Amy Huffman Oliver, Nashville (Brown County)
- Erin Retif, Carmel (Hamilton County)
- Hannah Riffle, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Anne-Therese “AT” Ryan, Terre Haute (Vigo County)
- Sherie Scott, Indianapolis (Marion County)
- DaVanna Seifert, Fort Wayne (Allen County)
- Alexis Watts, Indianapolis (Marion County)
A Section 527 nonprofit political organization, Hoosier Women Forward raises funds through private donations and fundraising events. To learn more about the nonprofit, please visit www.hoosierwomenforward.org, or visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.