Vote Run Lead, the nonprofit that trains women to run for political office and win, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mayra Jacqueline Ferreira (Jacquie), as chief operating officer (COO). Ferreira will work hand-in-hand with founder and CEO Erin Vilardi, along with the entire leadership team, and help lead the organization through its next phase of growth as the 2024 election cycle gets underway.
“We are really excited to have Jacquie on board as our new COO at Vote Run Lead,” Vilardi said. “We already feel confident and inspired that Jacquie’s expertise in developing programs, building organizational infrastructure, risk mitigation, strategic and operational planning, human resources and personnel management will be invaluable. She’s also just about the warmest and most charismatic person you could ask for, and we’re lucky to have her aboard.”
Ferreira comes to Vote Run Lead after a 13-year tenure at Physicians for Reproductive Health (PRH), a provider-led organization that works to improve access to high-quality reproductive health care. As their COO and acting Chief Executive Officer, Ferreira leveraged her tactical leadership skills and people-centric approach to improve operations, promote DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) initiatives, and reduce costs while expanding programmatic offerings. She is a respected and dynamic leader in the public health field and a pivotal strategist.
Raised in the Dominican Republic, Ferreira has valuable lived experience and a passion for creating a more just world — having witnessed economic disparity firsthand. Ferreira has also engaged with complex issues since her youth and migrated to the United States in hopes of becoming part of a movement to enact large-scale change in the world. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, she went on to earn her master’s degree in Public Health and took on several medical education and executive leadership roles.
“As the Chief Operations Officer of Vote Run Lead, my first priority is to listen intently,” Ferreira said. “I want to hear from the women running for office what their biggest concerns and obstacles are, and then help the organization tackle those challenges. Our goal is to provide programs and services that meet the needs of women who come to our organization to learn and ensure they are empowered to run for office and succeed.”
As some of Ferreira’s first actions as COO, she is conducting one-on-one interviews, data analysis, and other assessment activities so that all stakeholder perspectives are incorporated to craft an inclusive and viable vision for Vote Run Lead’s operations. She believes passionately in using proven techniques to improve organizational impact. She also credits Dr. Toni Bond and Loretta Ross, two founding mothers of the Reproductive Justice movement, and her own indomitable mother as important role models and leadership influences.
“I’m an integrator who is best at bringing people together,” Ferreira said. “I’m excited to really make a difference with Vote Run Lead.”
Vote Run Lead trains women to run for office and win. With more than 55,000 women trained to run for office, Vote Run Lead is the largest and most diverse nonprofit training and campaign leadership program in the country and is focused on improving women’s representation in America’s statehouses. Vote Run Lead was founded by Erin Vilardi, formerly of The White House Project, and the organization seeks to unleash the political power of women as voters, candidates and leaders to create an equitable democracy.
To learn more, visit voterunlead.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram, all @VoteRunLead.
