Office of the Chairwoman
Susan Swecker, Chairwoman
Executive Department
Shyam Raman, Executive Director
Shyam joined the DPVA in June 2015. Shyam’s political career has taken him from Iowa to Nebraska to what is now his home here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He’s a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals and Tottenham Hotspur fan and enjoys cooking, watching soccer, playing golf, and playing with his dogs Charlotte and Artoo. Fun fact, he met Charlotte and his wife Julie at the dog park. The dogs take all the credit for their meeting.
shyam@vademocrats.org
Data
Brenner Tobe, Deputy Executive Director, CTO
Brenner has been working to help elect Democrats for the past 20 years. Having served as the State IT Advisor for the DNC, Brenner came to Virginia in 2001 to implement one of the first statewide online voter files in the country for Mark Warner’s campaign. Since then, he has continued to bring new, innovative and technological tools to help our candidates meet the changing demands of today’s campaigns. Brenner lives in Richmond with his wife Kelly, and daughters Caroline, Isabelle, and Annika. brenner@vademocrats.org
Katie O’Grady, Data Director
Katie O’Grady grew up in Wisconsin and was drawn into politics during the 2011 attempted recall of Governor Walker. As Quality Control Director for a political consulting firm, she worked on ballot initiatives, voter registration drives, and getting out the vote for Democrats across the country. After moving to Virginia in 2015, she managed a Virginia Senate campaign and went on to work as a legislative aide in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. katie@vademocrats.org
Communications
Kelsey Carolina, Press Secretary
With a background in political journalism and nonprofit media relations and storytelling, Kelsey manages the DPVA’s external communication strategy. Kelsey previously managed media relations and storytelling at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Prior to IFES, she wrote a newsletter on U.S. politics at The Hill and had stints reporting on Congress for state outlets including the Texas Tribune and the Durango Herald. Originally from Philadelphia, Kelsey moved to Washington, where she attended American University to study journalism and political science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, crocheting, or trying out a new coffee shop. kelsey@vademocrats.org
Finance
Vicki Daguerre-Bradford, Finance Director
Vicki grew up in Connecticut and went to school at Roanoke College. She began her career in politics as a Field Organizer in 2017. In 2019, she became the Finance Associate for The Way Ahead PAC, working directly for Governor Ralph Northam. She has worked for Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA). Vicki loves to travel — she spent a few years after college exploring Thailand and Mozambique. When she’s not raising millions for politicians or traversing the globe, you can find Vicki in the gym or in her kitchen making a good soup. vicki@vademocrats.org
Operations
Britney Jenkins, Operations Director
A Suffolk native, Britney is passionate about community service & activism. Through the education and food programs that she has helped to create with various non-profits, Britney strives to equip communities with the knowledge and resources to live and thrive.
Britney was an Organizer for the DPVA in 2012 & 2016 and recently served as the Deputy Operations Director for the Virginia Coordinated in 2023. She brings 10 years of experience in both the private/public sector working in operations & business management. britney@vademocrats.org
Political
Emily Hamm, Political Director
Originally from Sacramento, California, Emily has worked in Democratic Politics for over 10 years. She was most recently Field Director for former Congresswoman Elaine Luria, and ran a field program statewide in the 2021 primary. Before coming to Virginia, Emily worked on races in Florida, Maryland and New Jersey. In her free time, you can find her in your local dive bar or concert venue, or crocheting for herself at home.
Victoria Morales, Deputy Political Director
Richmond native Victoria Morales is a graduate of the College of William & Mary. Victoria started her career in politics on the legislative side of Virginia politics. She interned in the House of Delegates for Delegate Mike Mullin and then went on to become a Session Aide for Delegate Kathleen Murphy. During her free time, she enjoys keeping up with sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, and going to concerts.
Training
David Bonilla, Deputy Training Director
David grew up in Kentucky and began his career in 2012 as an organizing fellow for OFA in Colorado. Since then, he’s helped organize in nearly every cycle across various states and came to deliver training curriculum for Organizers as a coach with Organizing Corps 2020. Most recently, David has worked in organizing leadership with For Our Future and Alianza for Progress in Florida and Pennsylvania.
In his spare time, David enjoys puzzles, playing Catan with friends, and finding new gaming groups to join.
Voter Protection
Nico Walker, Leader Voter Access Attorney
The DPVA is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The DPVA is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or physical disability, or any other legally protected basis. The DPVA will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.