Judy Wasylycia-Leis

Judy Wasylycia-Leis has more than 30 years of experience in electoral politics, parliamentary governance and status of women affairs.  She served as a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons between 1997 and 2010 when she resigned to run for the Mayor of the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba.  During her time as New Democratic Party MP for the constituency of Winnipeg North, Judy served in many positions including NDP spokesperson for Finance, Health, Immigration and Status of Women, as well as Chairperson of her party’s Caucus.  Prior to serving as a federal elected representative, Judy Wasylycia-Leis was a provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly which included time as a Cabinet Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Status of Women with the Manitoba NDP Government.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis has been a life-long advocate for increasing women’s  political participation, having worked as the Federal Women’s Organizer for the NDP which is currently the Official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament; served as the Coordinator of the Women’s Directorate for the Manitoba provincial government; is a founding member of the International Institute for Women’s Rights based in Manitoba; and has worked on dozens of women’s campaigns in addition to running herself in 13 elections. Her time in elected office was concurrent with the birth and upbringing of her two sons, now aged 28 and 24, one of whom lives with a major disability.  Married for 40 years, Judy and her husband Ron live in Winnipeg. 

Judy Wasylycia-Leis has a master’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa and an Honours B.A. in Political Science and French from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.

Nathan Evans

Nathan Evans is a senior program manager in NDI's West Bank and Gaza office. In that capacity, he serves as the Institute's representative in the Palestinian Territories and manages NDI's electoral and civil society support efforts there. Mr. Evans has served with NDI for seven years in the Middle East, West Africa, the Balkans and in Washington D.C. He has designed and implemented voter education, election monitoring, candidate debates, voter outreach, and organizational development projects in Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Yemen and the Palestinian Territories, and has observed elections in numerous countries. Before joining NDI in 2006, Evans worked as a journalist with Seacoast Newspapers, an award-winning newspaper company based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He wrote more than 1,000 news and feature articles on town and state government, education issues, crime, and human interest stories for the Portsmouth Herald, Exeter News-Letter, Rockingham News, and York Weekly.

Evans holds a graduate degree in international relations from San Diego State University, a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from the University of New Hampshire, and has received a professional certificate in executive leadership from Cornell University. 

Pamela Hart

Pamela Hart has a Masters Degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Non-Verbal behavior from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Trained in the art of public speaking, presentation and the use of words she has 20 years experience on the stage and screen in New York and throughout North America.

She is also a graduate of Oxford University and has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Before attending Harvard, Pamela entered the business world as media account executive there she directed and developed accounts in radio and television. She is owner and President of “Release your Voice” a successful public speaking firm that trains on the art of public speaking and powerful presentations.  Hart has worked extensively with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, public service and politicians. 

Susan Markham

Susan Markham joined NDI in 2010 as director of women's political participation supporting the aspirations of women around the world to be equal and active partners in shaping and leading democratic societies. NDI’s creative and wide-ranging programs engage women in legislatures, political parties and civil society as leaders, activists and informed citizens. These programs create an environment where women can advocate on matters of policy, run for political office, govern effectively, and participate meaningfully in every facet of civic and political life.

Ms. Markham started her political career in 1994 with Participation 2000, working on a statewide campaign as a fundraiser. Since that time she has served as the finance director for the Ohio Democratic Party, executive director of Participation 2000 (a multi-candidate political action committee) and campaign manager for four statewide campaigns. She also acted as director of Senate services at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Ms. Markham joined EMILY’s List in 2005 to manage its Campaign Corps program and later the Political Opportunity Program (POP) and the training department. In 2007, she was named deputy political director where she supervised the $2.5 million POP program recruiting, training and supporting women candidates running for statewide, legislative and local office in 35 states.

Most recently, she worked as a senior strategist at the Campaign Workshop, where she consulted for the Child Nutrition Initiative, California List and the New Organizing Institute.

Ms. Markham’s work has taken her to many countries around the world where she has conducted trainings, facilitated working groups, engaged political parties and addressed numerous conferences on the importance and best practices of increasing women’s involvement in the political process.

She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Ohio State University. She received her master's degree in public policy and women's studies from George Washington University.