About

We Support & Elect Minnesota’s Pro-Choice Women

By electing pro-choice women, we create an equitable, just Minnesota. We are changing the face of power.

Our Mission

Women Winning’s mission is to encourage, promote, support, and elect pro-choice women to all levels of public office.

Women Winning is a dynamic and trailblazing organization dedicated to supporting pro-choice women in Minnesota to take charge and make a lasting impact in the political arena. Our mission is to encourage, promote, support, and elect pro-choice women of all political parties to all levels of public office, believing that they bring unique perspectives and drive positive change.

Campaign Support

We provide unwavering campaign support to pro-choice women candidates at every stage of their journey. From campaign promotion support to navigating shifting political landscapes, our team ensures candidates have the tools and resources they need to run successful campaigns.

Financial Support

Finances should never be a barrier to leadership. Through our programs, we provide financial support and resources to pro-choice women running for office, ensuring equal access to opportunities without unnecessary financial stress.

Removing Barriers

We are staunch advocates for increasing the representation of women, particularly those from marginalized communities, in public office. Our organization tirelessly works to dismantle systemic obstacles, promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and equity.

One-on-One Coaching

Our personalized one-on-one coaching sets Women Winning apart. Our expert political team offers tailored guidance and mentorship, empowering pro-choice women to navigate the challenges of their campaigns with confidence.

Fostering Leadership

At Women Winning, we are not just training candidates; we are fostering leaders. Our programs focus on nurturing a new generation of women leaders who deeply understand the importance of reproductive justice and drive positive change in their communities.

Who we elect matters. From park board to President of the United States, elected leaders make decisions that impact the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and our communities as a whole. Pro-choice women are our best advocates and their voices must be heard at every level of government.

Whether it be access to political information or the financial burden of running for office, Women Winning is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent women — especially BIPOC women, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities — from engaging in the political process. Through our formal training series, one-on-one candidate coaching, and boots-on-the-ground organizing, Women Winning makes sure pro-choice women have the tools and support to run successful campaigns — and win.

A Lasting Impact

We’re only just getting started on our journey

2000+
Training Alumni Network
800+
Candidates Coached
$7M+
Raised For Candidates Services
2,300+
Races Endorsed

Our History

A Lasting Legacy

When a bipartisan group of 25 women established the Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund in 1982, only 14% of Minnesota legislators were women. Recognizing the urgent need to elect a more representative government, our founders gathered in living rooms and around kitchen tables to organize early support for pro-choice women candidates. Encouraging women to run, recruiting volunteers, and getting involved in campaigns across the state, the organization continued to grow in size and scope.

In 2007, we became Women Winning and today are Minnesota’s largest and most influential women’s political organization. Women Winning has trained and endorsed thousands of pro-choice women candidates across the state and for all levels of office, and has more than tripled the number of pro-choice women state legislators, county commissioners, and mayors. We’re not slowing down — pro-choice women continue to rise up to run for office, and Women Winning will be with them at every step on the campaign trail.

Staff

Nevada Littlewolf
Executive Director
With over 25 years of experience, Nevada has held leadership roles in foundations,
government, nonprofits, and campaigns. Nevada has transitioned a number of
community foundations through important and vital changes as both as a board member and as President/CEO. She is President and Co-founder of Seven Teachings, a small business that focuses on racial justice, food sovereignty, and systems change. Nevada is a citizen of Leech Lake Nation and has spent her life working with women, communities of color, and Indigenous people building power.
Nevada is a former elected official serving on the Virginia, MN, City Council from 2008- 2018.
She has served as Women Winning’s Political Director, and in 2020, she led the
Biden/Harris campaign to victory in Minnesota as the state’s Political Director. Most recently, Nevada served as Executive Director of Our Children and the Campaign Manager of the Page Amendment.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Britta Moen
Political Director
Britta Moen, originally from Wadena, Minnesota, is a dedicated advocate for reproductive rights and a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Her extensive political experience includes working as the Minnesota DFL Coordinated Campaign Organizing Director in 2022, where she played a key role in electing pro-choice candidates to the Minnesota House and Senate, as well as re-electing Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan. Prior to this, she served as the DFL Rural Organizing Director in 2021, collaborating with activists and stakeholders in rural and small-town areas to engage voters. Britta’s commitment to reproductive care stems from her belief in personal freedom, economic freedom, and bodily autonomy, recognizing their essential role in enabling women to thrive. She resides in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill with her partner and their rescue dog, Summit, and is excited to contribute to Women Winning’s mission of electing pro-choice women throughout Minnesota.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Brettina Davis
Development and Marketing Director

Brettina Davis has a solid digital marketing and communications background with Ready Set Rocket, Meda, and Carmichael Lynch. She has a passion for research and innovative digital concepts. Alongside coworkers and in partnership with Pollen, she co-led her team in organizing Meda’s first-ever all-digital Annual meeting and garnered over 300 attendees to the event.  After Jamar Clark was murdered in North Minneapolis, Brettina, along with her mentor Mel Reeves, local vegan advocate Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan, and other local activists, created Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar and organized a community gathering with over 10,000 responses. Brettina is also an actress and model who loves theater and being onstage.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Flannery White
Office Administrator

Flannery White, a graduate of the College of St. Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Music, possesses a unique blend of skills and experiences at the intersection of systems change and art. He previous experience includes working as a Legal Assistant for Johnson Becker PLLC, a personal injury law firm in St. Paul, MN, Flannery’s diverse background includes roles such as Hynes Scholars Program Coordinator, Projects Intern at the Minnesota Justice Foundation, Impact Team Intern at Hot Bread Kitchen (HBK) in New York City, and Kitchen Porter at The New Scenic Café in Duluth, MN. During her time at the College of St. Benedict, she actively organized events for the Women’s Center and played a key role in establishing the Queer and Trans Office on campus. With a wide range of experiences spanning from rural areas like St. Joseph to urban settings like New York City and the Twin Cities, Flannery brings valuable expertise in door knocking, voter outreach efforts, and donor research to support the Political and Development/Marketing Teams.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Board of Directors

Cynthia Bauerly
Chair

Cynthia Bauerly has extensive experience in law, management, and public policy, serving in key public sector leadership and management roles in Washington D.C. and in Minnesota. She has also worked and volunteered for national, state, and local campaigns and recounts for over thirty years.

Most recently, Cynthia served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue from 2015 to 2020. She led over 1,400 employees as they helped Minnesotans access the economic opportunities of the tax code and collected over $23 billion annually to fund state services. Prior to joining Revenue, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) where she led the department’s work of providing economic security for transitioning workers and workforce training and readiness.

From 2008 to 2013, Bauerly served as a Commissioner of the United States Federal Election Commission and as Chair of the agency in 2011. She also served as Legislative Director for Senator Chuck Schumer developing and implementing a broad policy agenda that included working with the Senate Rules, Judiciary, and Finance Committees and the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. She has also worked in private practice in both Minnesota and Washington, D.C.

Bauerly earned a B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington, and a M.P.A. from Indiana University’s School of Environmental and Public Affairs. She grew up in central Minnesota and now lives in Minneapolis with her husband and their dog, Kiko.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Kathy Heltzer
Vice Chair

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Kathy Murphy
Treasurer

Kathy Murphy is a retired business consultant with Andersen Consulting and Accenture, and a former account representative for a software company based in Silicon Valley. Kathy holds a BS in Economics and Statistics and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

With a passion for community, Kathy is an engaged leader and volunteer. Kathy has assumed leadership roles with University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minneapolis Institute of Art Friends Board, and the Wayzata and Minnetonka Garden Clubs.

Kathy has two adult daughters and lives in Woodland with her husband, Norm Rickeman.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Babette Apland
Board Member

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Emma Faris
Board Member

Emma Faris was born and raised into a political family that taught her that “showing up” was the duty of every woman. She has been attending Women Winning events since she was a little girl and understands the importance of putting her strengths to work. Since 2010 (when she became one of the first members of Women Winning’s LAUNCH Committee), she has simply continued to put one foot in front of the other, showing up to support all of the powerful and impactful things Women Winning does to protect our reproductive rights in the state of Minnesota and beyond. She has been a Realtor for 20+ years and is very honored to be in a leadership position with this organization! Emma is currently a Real Estate Agent with Compass and spends her “free” time enjoying her son, Mason.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Dr. Annie L. Baietto
Board Member

Dr. Annie Lili Baietto is a board certified doctor of chiropractic. She has been providing holistic health care to families in the twin cities since 2019. Her experiences in women’s health fuels her passion for equal health care rights for all genders. She is an avid supporter of women’s reproductive rights, and believes that as a health provider, it is her duty to provide the best care and support to her patients.

Born and raised in China until the age of 10, she immigrated to the United States with her mother in hopes of finding more opportunities that can be earned by anyone through hard work. Prior to becoming a doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Baietto worked in the art world with auction houses and art dealers in New York, and later museums and galleries in the twin cities. Finding her true calling to serve others in her thirties has given Annie the world view of “it’s never too late”. She will carry this mantra forward into all future endeavors.

As one of the newest board members, she is looking forward to the guidance and mentorship from tenured, passionate women who make up this team. Her eagerness to learn and grow alongside this organization during a pivotal moment in our nation’s history will translate to future opportunities to provide the same mentorship and leadership shown to her through this board of accomplished women.

Annie lives in the Twin Cities area with her husband, Jon and their son, Ethan.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Kim Isenberg
Board Member

Kim has significant political, policy and advocacy experience. She works with healthcare advocacy organizations to maintain open access to life saving therapies for people living with rare disease. Kim’s career began in youth leadership development. Her passion for working to make a difference led her to a career in public policy. Kim was a candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1992. Her past positions have included roles in federal and state government, the University of Minnesota, pharmaceutical associations, biopharmaceutical manufacturers and public relations firms.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Ashleigh Leitch
Board Member

Ashleigh is a lawyer at Best & Flanagan LLP and focuses on labor and employment law, appellate advocacy, and general civil litigation. She has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Minnesota Supreme Court. She was recently recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers. Ashleigh graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and the College of Saint Benedict. She got her start in politics by interning in the White House during the Obama Administration, for Senator Amy Klobuchar, and for the City of Minneapolis. Ashleigh also serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Justice Foundation.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Karen Hudson
Board Member

Karen Hudson is the chief sales officer for Grant Thornton. She leads the firm’s national business development team, which is responsible for building long term client relationships, understanding client business challenges and bringing the breadth of Grant Thornton expertise and services to provide client value. Her role also encompasses sales recruiting, training, enablement, and compensation as well as advising on broader growth strategies and initiatives. Before joining Grant Thornton, Karen held a variety of sales, technical and executive roles at IBM. In addition to Women Winning, Karen also serves on the board of directors of the Center for Economic Inclusion and the Minnesota Technology Alliance. Karen lives in St Paul with her husband, Harley Gee, and has three young adult children. She enjoys door knocking and phone banking for Women Winning candidates.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Jackie Statum Allen
Board Member

Jackie joined the Bush Foundation as the Education Portfolio Director in 2018. She manages the strategy, programs, and partnerships for the Foundation’s education initiative, which focuses on making education more relevant for students in terms of who they are, how they learn, and where they want to go.

Prior to the Bush Foundation, Jackie spent over a decade working in public school district administration. Most recently, she led the Office of Strategic Planning, Policy and Grants Development for Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). In that role she led several high-impact projects including developing and implementing multiple district strategic plans, developing inclusive policies, and managing informational campaigns for two successful referendum ballot issues. Prior to SPPS, she worked in operations and budget management with Chicago Public Schools. She also has experience working in brand marketing and manufacturing engineering.

Jackie currently serves on the board of Genesys Works – Twin Cities (GWTC). GWTC works with over 350 high school and college students, most of whom are from low-income households and/or are first gen college students. The students receive training and are placed in year-long internships in information technology. She is also on the Executive Committee for Generation Next, which uses a collective impact model to improve outcomes for students at SPPS and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS.)

Jackie is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. She has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two young daughters.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Betsy Sitkoff
Board Member

Betsy Sitkoff is a consultant with Process for Peace, LLC, a practice she founded in 2013. Process for Peace provides leadership to organizations, community groups, and schools addressing a broad range of needs including support for immigrant and refugee families, and family and community violence.

Betsy is community activist and a past board president of the National Council of Jewish Women MN.

Betsy holds a BS in Child Psychology and a Parent Education License from the University of Minnesota, and a MA in Public Administration from Hamline University. In 2016 Betsy completed her 230-hour yoga teacher training certificate.

Betsy has two children and lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Steve.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Makeda Zulu
Board Member

Makeda Zulu is the University of Minnesota Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center’s (UROC) chief executive officer. She provides executive oversight of strategic planning, revenue generation, financial stewardship, organizational development, staff management, and operational activities. She has been a part of this University-community place-based innovation since 2006.

Over the last 25+ years Zulu has served her community personally and professionally. She has served on boards of Juxtaposition Arts and Towerside Innovation District. Makeda is a former Senate District 59 party chair, and has been instrumental in a few campaigns for office. She is currently a board member of Parents in Community Action Head Start and Black Storytellers Alliance. Her impact spans work in youth development, childcare and family programming for almost a decade with the Twin Cities YMCA, then added community development, as an organizer for the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council. The University awarded her the Outstanding Community Service Award (2014).

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Grambling State University and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Makeda believes in Ubuntu – I am because we are; self-determined people who work collaboratively in purpose and creativity to make positive change. She lives in North Minneapolis.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Lorrie Janatopoulos
Board Member

Lorrie Janatopoulos recently retired from the State of Minnesota as the CareerForce Director at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), a job she has held for nearly four years. CareerForce focuses on helping people connect to a career path leading to quality jobs and assists employers find the workforce they need.  As a lifelong resident of Greater Minnesota, Lorrie has been active in public work her entire career with over three decades of experience in workforce and community development.  Most of her career was spent as the Planning Director at Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), a community action agency headquartered in Virginia, Minnesota.  At AEOA, Janatopoulos was responsible for developing programs that met the needs of people experiencing poverty.  As Lorrie describes, “I’ve created housing for youth and adults facing homelessness. I developed an employment training program for women in non-traditional fields. I led the northeastern region of Minnesota in “It’s Time Minnesota,” a grassroots advocacy campaign to include sexual orientation in the Minnesota human rights act. I have run for public office twice.  My life’s work and passion has revolved around equity and inclusion. As a white woman, I strive to recognize and undo my racism. As a Lesbian living in a socially conservative place, I know the challenge of being seen, the persistence required for recognition, and the fear of dancing publicly with my wife”.  Janatopoulos holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In 2016, Janatopoulos was named a Bush Foundation Fellow.  She is also a recipient of AARP’s 50 over 50 award in the disrupter category, a moniker she wears proudly.  Life accomplishments that Lorrie is most proud of include her 1992 “marriage” to her wife, Sharon Chadwick that caused a bit of stir in the City of Virginia; development of the Virginia Youth Foyer, permanent housing for youth facing homelessness in the City of Virginia; running for office and helping other women run; obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree at age 40 and her Master’s Degree at age 60, and changing delivery of DEED CareerForce services to meet job seekers where they are, reaching out to those who too frequently have been left out and left behind.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Mary McKinley
Board Member

Mary McKinley is the Executive Director of Heartland Democracy, a nonprofit that works to bring discussion and skills of deep and personal community building, civic engagement, and connection to people in the Midwest. Working with community leaders, educators, parents, young people, and national and international experts, Mary has incorporated current research, community voices, and best practices into Heartland’s evolving set of curricula to find ways to help Minnesotans address complex issues in our community. She worked for the Open Society Institute in Budapest and Washington, spent several years at the Aspen Institute working on foreign policy programs, and was associate director of the Markle Foundation’s Task Force on National Security in the Information Age, among other positions. Raised in the Midwest, Mary left after college and lived in Eastern Europe, Washington, DC, and New York City before returning to Minneapolis with her family in
2010.

2022 Election Report Card

In the 2022 election, Minnesotans sent a clear message about their values and about who they trust to govern. For the first time in state history, Minnesota has a pro-choice trifecta. Pro-choice women were critical in securing this historic victory. 

Trailblazers & Changemakers

Women Winning is proud to have supported some of the most trailblazing, influential women in Minnesota’s history.

Our work never ends, but we always take time to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of our work since 1987.