CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPRING 2020

BETTER WYOMING GRASSROOTS INSTITUTE GRADUATING CLASS! 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPRING 2020

BETTER WYOMING GRASSROOTS INSTITUTE GRADUATING CLASS! 

The Spring 2020 Grassroots Institute was a focused four-week deep dive into the world of voter mobilization. Through discussion and practice, GRI fellows learned knowledge and skills related to voter education, relational organizing, digital tools, messaging, and how to increase voter turnout in Wyoming—even in a pandemic! Keep an eye out for these impressive graduates and their work in the months and years to come.

 

Grads, you’re the future Wyoming needs!

The Spring 2020 Grassroots Institute was a focused four-week deep dive into the world of voter mobilization. Through discussion and practice, GRI fellows learned knowledge and skills related to voter education, relational organizing, digital tools, messaging, and how to increase voter turnout in Wyoming—even in a pandemic! Keep an eye out for these impressive graduates and their work in the months and years to come.

Grads, you’re the future Wyoming needs!

Hunter Bullard is the Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Activists, a driver for the University of Wyoming’s Demand Response Services (SafeRide, Dial-A-Ride, and Paratransit), and a senior at the University of Wyoming. Moving forward, she hopes to attend law school and specialize in immigration law. Her goal is to help people, which she looks forward to continuing doing through the WAA and her life’s work.

Hunter Bullard is the Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Activists, a driver for the University of Wyoming’s Demand Response Services (SafeRide, Dial-A-Ride, and Paratransit), and a senior at the University of Wyoming. Moving forward, she hopes to attend law school and specialize in immigration law. Her goal is to help people, which she looks forward to continuing doing through the WAA and her life’s work.

Cheyenne Buyert is a recent graduate from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She is a young entrepreneur and advocate in her community and throughout the state, working closely with the American Heart Association since her year of service as Miss Wyoming 2017. Cheyenne is passionate about anti- big tobacco legislation, increasing voter turnout, feminism, and healthcare. When she’s not managing campaigns or launching business ventures, she enjoys painting, writing, and hiking in the mountains with her dog, Bentley.

Cheyenne Buyert is a recent graduate from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She is a young entrepreneur and advocate in her community and throughout the state, working closely with the American Heart Association since her year of service as Miss Wyoming 2017. Cheyenne is passionate about anti- big tobacco legislation, increasing voter turnout, feminism, and healthcare. When she’s not managing campaigns or launching business ventures, she enjoys painting, writing, and hiking in the mountains with her dog, Bentley.

Eric Dalton grew up as a military brat and then joined the Air Force. As a result, he’s lived all over the world and in too many states to keep track of. He’s lived in Cheyenne since 2014–longer than anywhere else in his life. He works at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. His travels led him to value democracy, equality of opportunity, public lands, and the fortune of being born an American. At the same time, he has watched America change over the last few decades and become more divided into haves and have nots. He hopes to be an engaged citizen in a participative democracy that can work as one (e pluribus unum) on global threats like climate change.

Eric Dalton grew up as a military brat and then joined the Air Force. As a result, he’s lived all over the world and in too many states to keep track of. He’s lived in Cheyenne since 2014–longer than anywhere else in his life. He works at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. His travels led him to value democracy, equality of opportunity, public lands, and the fortune of being born an American. At the same time, he has watched America change over the last few decades and become more divided into haves and have nots. He hopes to be an engaged citizen in a participative democracy that can work as one (e pluribus unum) on global threats like climate change.

Andrée Dean has lived in Jackson, WY since 2013. She recently graduated with her MBA from UNC Business School, concentrating in Marketing and Data Analytics. Andrée has a background in Museums and non-profits with roles in events, fundraising, community relations, and marketing strategy. In her free time she enjoys getting outside to hike and registering people to vote. If anyone in the Teton/Sublette/Park/Fremont/Lincoln counties would like to volunteer, please reach out on LinkedIn!

Andrée Dean has lived in Jackson, WY since 2013. She recently graduated with her MBA from UNC Business School, concentrating in Marketing and Data Analytics. Andrée has a background in Museums and non-profits with roles in events, fundraising, community relations, and marketing strategy. In her free time she enjoys getting outside to hike and registering people to vote. If anyone in the Teton/Sublette/Park/Fremont/Lincoln counties would like to volunteer, please reach out on LinkedIn!

Izzy Dickinson is originally from Sheridan and is currently a sophomore at Michigan State University where she is double majoring in Creative Advertising and Social Relations And Policy. She currently works as the field organizer for the Wyoming AFL-CIO. In the future, Izzy aims to work in policy creation or in communications and media for pro-labor organizations.

Izzy Dickinson is originally from Sheridan and is currently a sophomore at Michigan State University where she is double majoring in Creative Advertising and Social Relations And Policy. She currently works as the field organizer for the Wyoming AFL-CIO. In the future, Izzy aims to work in policy creation or in communications and media for pro-labor organizations.

Anna Edwards is a grant writer who dabbles in policy and nonprofit advocacy. She is known for her love of reading, but is also crazy about yarn, hiking, owls and overly complicated crossword puzzles. She previously served as the executive director of the Wyoming affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and lives in Sheridan.

Anna Edwards is a grant writer who dabbles in policy and nonprofit advocacy. She is known for her love of reading, but is also crazy about yarn, hiking, owls and overly complicated crossword puzzles. She previously served as the executive director of the Wyoming affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and lives in Sheridan.

Calvin Gilmer is an undergraduate at the University of Wyoming majoring in political science. Aside from being a student, Calvin is active on the UW policy debate team and in several student organizations such as the Wyoming Inclusivity Network and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Calvin is an advocate for intersectionality, education, and increased civic engagement.

Calvin Gilmer is an undergraduate at the University of Wyoming majoring in political science. Aside from being a student, Calvin is active on the UW policy debate team and in several student organizations such as the Wyoming Inclusivity Network and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Calvin is an advocate for intersectionality, education, and increased civic engagement.

Rachel Lavach is a Wyoming native who has always felt passionate about being a voice for her community and natural surroundings. She started getting involved with various environmental advocacy groups and that has grown into activity with Better Wyoming and the League of Women Voters. Rachel hopes to inspire involvement in others, beginning with education and voting and growing into active conservation and community development.

Rachel Lavach is a Wyoming native who has always felt passionate about being a voice for her community and natural surroundings. She started getting involved with various environmental advocacy groups and that has grown into activity with Better Wyoming and the League of Women Voters. Rachel hopes to inspire involvement in others, beginning with education and voting and growing into active conservation and community development.

Bryon Lee is a Wyoming native who enjoys hiking, biking, dog walking, and talking to community members outside here in Wyoming. He has degrees from the University of Wyoming in Criminal Justice and Counseling Education. He’s worked as a juvenile probation officer and currently serves in the role as one of Laramie High School’s counselors. He is also politically invested in Wyoming and has worked on several local, statewide, and national campaigns. He lives with his wife, two dogs, and a cat at 7200 feet in Laramie, WY.

Bryon Lee is a Wyoming native who enjoys hiking, biking, dog walking, and talking to community members outside here in Wyoming. He has degrees from the University of Wyoming in Criminal Justice and Counseling Education. He’s worked as a juvenile probation officer and currently serves in the role as one of Laramie High School’s counselors. He is also politically invested in Wyoming and has worked on several local, statewide, and national campaigns. He lives with his wife, two dogs, and a cat at 7200 feet in Laramie, WY.

Ashley Phillips is from Sheridan, WY and currently lives in Laramie, WY. There, she is a student at the University of Wyoming, and is getting dual degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Ashley will be working as an organizer on local campaigns during the 2020 election cycle, helping to get more people involved in the process of electing state lawmakers. Outside direct campaigning, Ashley does Get Out The Vote work and wants to improve civic education to increase engagement.

Ashley Phillips is from Sheridan, WY and currently lives in Laramie, WY. There, she is a student at the University of Wyoming, and is getting dual degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Ashley will be working as an organizer on local campaigns during the 2020 election cycle, helping to get more people involved in the process of electing state lawmakers. Outside direct campaigning, Ashley does Get Out The Vote work and wants to improve civic education to increase engagement.

Edie Phillips retired from the library in Cody in 2017. She agreed to be secretary of Wyoming Rising, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group in Park County which advocates for civil liberties, quality public education, affordable health care, protection of the environment, and participation in government. She has recognized through the Grassroots Institute that it’s a daunting task to be a successful advocate but there is an organization, Better Wyoming, that can help. She was grateful to meet people online who are trying to help others overcome the challenges of life in Wyoming with their work. “It’s good to feel we’re not alone up here in the northwest corner of the state.”

Edie Phillips retired from the library in Cody in 2017. She agreed to be secretary of Wyoming Rising, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group in Park County which advocates for civil liberties, quality public education, affordable health care, protection of the environment, and participation in government. She has recognized through the Grassroots Institute that it’s a daunting task to be a successful advocate but there is an organization, Better Wyoming, that can help. She was grateful to meet people online who are trying to help others overcome the challenges of life in Wyoming with their work. “It’s good to feel we’re not alone up here in the northwest corner of the state.”

Clare Stumpf has lived in Jackson on and off for eight years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Rochester and an environmental policy Master’s degree from the University of Colorado. Currently, she is working as a staffer for the Teton County Historic Preservation Board, a grassroots organizer for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, and a coordinator for Shelter JH. Clare looks forward to cultivating the relationships she made through GRI to build a network of progressive activists in Wyoming.

Clare Stumpf has lived in Jackson on and off for eight years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Rochester and an environmental policy Master’s degree from the University of Colorado. Currently, she is working as a staffer for the Teton County Historic Preservation Board, a grassroots organizer for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, and a coordinator for Shelter JH. Clare looks forward to cultivating the relationships she made through GRI to build a network of progressive activists in Wyoming.

Leah Vader was born in Kansas City, grew up in Minneapolis, and has made her home in Gillette since 1997. Interest in religious studies and social justice shaped her years at the University of Minnesota, and her work on corporate responsibility campaigns, in prevention education/advocacy, in hospitality and at county recycling. She spent the last decade as a field biologist/environmental educator in the Sonoran Desert and hike leader/housekeeper at a retreat center near Dubois.  Leaving remote seasonal work has led to many new opportunities close to home, including assisting her partner Lynne Huskinson with her first state house run, and gaining knowledge, skills and inspiration with the Better Wyoming Grassroots Institute.

Leah Vader was born in Kansas City, grew up in Minneapolis, and has made her home in Gillette since 1997. Interest in religious studies and social justice shaped her years at the University of Minnesota, and her work on corporate responsibility campaigns, in prevention education/advocacy, in hospitality and at county recycling. She spent the last decade as a field biologist/environmental educator in the Sonoran Desert and hike leader/housekeeper at a retreat center near Dubois.  Leaving remote seasonal work has led to many new opportunities close to home, including assisting her partner Lynne Huskinson with her first state house run, and gaining knowledge, skills and inspiration with the Better Wyoming Grassroots Institute.

Jenna VonHofe is originally from Texas, where she earned Bachelor degrees in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked in the journalism and nonprofit sectors in Wyoming and both experiences have furthered her passion for the open spaces and individuals that make Wyoming home. She will be pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree at The University of Wyoming in the fall.

Jenna VonHofe is originally from Texas, where she earned Bachelor degrees in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked in the journalism and nonprofit sectors in Wyoming and both experiences have furthered her passion for the open spaces and individuals that make Wyoming home. She will be pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree at The University of Wyoming in the fall.