Manager Confessions: Challenges and Lessons Learned from the Frontlines
Session Type(s): Training, Professional Development Training
Training Tag(s): Operations
Starts: Friday, Jul. 14 9:00 AM (Central)
Ends: Friday, Jul. 14 10:15 AM (Central)
Room: PDR #2
“If you’re comfortable while you’re doin’ it, you’re probably doin’ it wrong.” If you scoured every Ted Lasso episode for lessons on management, this session is for you. Experienced managers will talk about their biggest challenges from the last year, what they learned, and the importance of management as a skill set—not just a job title. Then we’ll have space to discuss challenges and concerns in your own management jobs. Whether you’re new to management or have been in a role for years, this session will provide a safe space to discuss your questions and challenges with other managers.
Trainers
Malinda Frevert
Malinda Frevert has 13 years’ experience running digital programs for political organizations and campaigns. She cut her teeth organizing farmers, ranchers, and city folks against the Keystone XL pipeline at BOLD Nebraska. Since then she’s worked on electoral campaigns in Minnesota and Ohio, organized hundreds of thousands of feminists online with UltraViolet, been email director at EMILY’s List, and served as deputy digital director at the DSCC.
She’s been managing teams for 7 years and organizing Manager Confessions panels at Netroots for the last 5 years. Her favorite soapbox is that we need a lot more support for managers in the progressive movement.
Nicole Lewis
Nicole Lewis joined EPI in March 2022 as deputy communications director. Lewis has over two decades of communications and project management experience including in Congress, where she worked as a staff assistant to former Senator Charles Robb (D-Va.), and at Lehman Brothers and Altria Client Services, where she provided communications and project management support to senior leadership in their efforts to build coalition and legislative support from the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and other advocacy organizations. She has also worked as a communications consultant on elections in the D.C. metro area.
Alejandra Montoya-Boyer
Alejandra Montoya-Boyer (she/her/ella) is the Director of Policy at Prosperity Now where she oversees the development of federal, state, and local policies that seek to create systemic change that allows for everyone—especially low-income, BIPOC communities—to build wealth, prosper and thrive with the full dignity of racial economic justice.
She has a diverse background in policy, grassroots advocacy and campaigning, and deep content expertise in economic justice, tech policy, workforce development, and racial equity with experience in government, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Alejandra is an avid book lover who uses social media to advocate for more BIPOC voices from both authors and reviewers, to uplift diverse books, especially by Latinas, and for a fun outlet and self-care activity outside of work. Alejandra calls Albuquerque, New Mexico home, and is a fan of the best green chile, hot air balloons, and hikes up the Sandia Mountains.
Yumhee Park
Yumhee Park is Director of Marketing & Campaigns at Prosperity Now where she leads and develops organization-wide strategies and initiatives to build up Prosperity Now’s profile and deepen engagement with key audiences. In this role, she works to grow and strengthen relationships with supporters, partners, donors, influencers, and other stakeholders.
Yumhee brings nearly a decade of experience in communications, issue advocacy, and digital strategy. With deep experience managing diverse coalitions, her collaborative approach grounds and centers campaigns on those most impacted by social injustice. Yumhee has consistently spearheaded successful digital campaigns that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of actions, social media reaches of over 30 million, and broad support from allied organizations. She is also skilled in developing values-based messages that move public opinion and shift narratives — with insight and experience in training grasstops audiences, including members of Congress, on how to articulate their values in their communications. As a dedicated advocate, Yumhee seeks to highlight the human stories behind issues to build support and power for all communities to thrive and live with dignity.