Emerge America

Emerge America is the premier training program for Democratic women.

We inspire women to run, we hone their skills to win.

Our goal is clear: to increase the number of Democratic women in public office.

Emerge America Staff

Karen Middleton, President

Karen Middleton joined Emerge as its president on September 1, 2010. She brings her experience as an elected official, campaign organizer, small business owner, trainer and political leader to Emerge and is committed to the vision of bringing Emerge into all 50 states.

Karen served in the Colorado State Legislature from February 2008 through 2010, where she was in a leadership position as Majority Caucus Chair and a member of the Education and Business Affairs and Labor Committees. From November 2004 - February 2008, she served on Colorado's elected State Board of Education representing the 7th Congressional District.

In addition to six years as an elected official, Karen's work includes teaching political science, serving as a trainer for the White House Project and the Center for Progressive Leadership, creating the Colorado Legislative Women's Caucus, and serving as a county chair for the Democratic Party. She worked for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), eCollege, and as Assistant Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. While at WICHE, she was instrumental in establishing the North American Council for On-Line Learning, an international association of online K-12 schools. In Washington DC, Karen was the Manager of Development Programs at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

Karen received a 2007 "Colorado's Movers and Shakers Award" from The Colorado Statesman. She brings a range of critical experience to our organization, from working directly with candidate and leadership training programs to political organizing, leadership, non-profit management and fundraising.

Karen holds a B.A. degree from Mount Holyoke College in Women's Studies and Politics, an MA in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver, and an MA in Higher Education Organization and Governance at the University of Denver. Originally from Massachusetts, and after eighteen years in Colorado, Karen and her family recently relocated to Danville, California. Her husband, Larry Beer, served four years on the Aurora City Council in Colorado. They have a daughter, Zoe Grace (3). Karen's stepdaughters, Molly (17) and Katie (14), now divide their time between Denver and Danville.

Karen can be reached via email at kmiddleton@emergeamerica.org.

Judy Neufeld, Vice President

Judy Pineda Neufeld began her tenure as Vice President in January 2013, and is an alumna of the Emerge Massachusetts Class of 2009. Prior to her current role, Judy served as the Executive Director of Emerge Massachusetts for nearly three years. As Executive Director, Judy increased the size and diversity of the program members in the Emerge Massachusetts classes and successfully designed and implemented a pilot candidate training bootcamp program in May 2012.

Before starting as the Executive Director of Emerge Massachusetts, she was the Manager of Recruitment and Community Partnerships at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, the largest and oldest mentoring organization in Greater Boston exclusively serving girls. While at Big Sister, Judy managed all volunteer and child recruitment for the agency, developed a Diversity Council to recruit more women of color, and created a thriving Alumnae Association.

Judy Neufeld has worked on numerous political campaigns in Massachusetts. She managed Marty Walz's successful run for State Representative in the 8th Suffolk District in 2004 and was Deputy Campaign Manager for Marty Martinez's city-wide campaign for Alderman at Large in Somerville in 2007. She is the former Co-President for the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women and chaired their Political Action Committee in 2010. Judy has also served as the Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville.

Judy can be reached at judy@emergeamerica.org.

Alisha Woodward, National Director

Alisha Woodward came to Emerge America in March 2010 and is currently Emerge America's National Director.   Alisha started her political career as the Training Assistant for EMILY's List during the 2008 election cycle. While at EMILY''s List she helped manage their job bank and coordinated their endorsement logistics for 284 candidates in the Political Opportunity Program (POP) which helps pro-choice Democratic women run for and win state and local office. Before coming to Emerge, she was on the finance team for a U.S. Senate campaign where she managed the call time and low dollar fundraising program.   Alisha graduated from the University of San Diego in 2002 with a B.A in Political Science and has a deep seated passion for politics and getting more women elected to all levels of office.

Alisha can be reached via email at alisha@emergeamerica.org.