Melissa Williams runs the EMILY’s List independent expenditure arm, WOMEN VOTE!. In this role, she oversees the organization’s efforts to research, persuade, and mobilize women voters; and works to strengthen partnerships with progressive allies nationally. In 2018, EMILY’s List launched a record independent expenditure campaign. We helped elect 34 new women to the House, including 24 red-to-blue victories; enough seats to have delivered the U.S. House majority alone.

Melissa also serves as the Executive Director of American Women, an affiliated organization of EMILY’s List. American Women works to amplify women’s voices across the country. In this role, she leads the organization’s strategic vision, research, and outreach with allies and partners.

Prior to joining EMILY’s List, Melissa was the National Political Director for the Sierra Club. While at the Sierra Club, she oversaw the electoral program, running independent expenditures, membership communications, and coordinated campaigns nationwide. Melissa has worked on independent expenditure and membership programs for a number of progressive organizations and labor unions. She holds degrees in Government and Women’s Studies from Harvard. She also holds an M.S. in International Political Economics.