VERMONT DEMOCRATS
VDP Staff
Jim Dandeneau
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jim Dandeneau returns to the VDP as Executive Director after stints as the Party’s House Campaign Director and Political Director. As House Campaign Director, Jim oversaw a program that recruited, trained, and supported more than 120 candidates around Vermont and raised over $200,000 to support them. The Democratic team won 12 additional seats that year, garnering a supermajority coalition that helped override vetoes to provide a minimum wage increase and critical climate change protections to Vermonters. Prior to that, he worked as the Field Director for Sue Minter’s campaign for Governor. Before relocating to Vermont with his wife, Jim spent 15 years in New York City politics, working on campaigns for City Council, state Assembly and Senate, and County Legislature. Jim is excited to draw on his long campaign and political experience to build a stable, professional VDP as a foundation for all Vermont Democratic campaign work for years to come.
Shelden Goodwin
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Shelden returned to the Vermont Democratic Party in July 2022. She comes with a strong background in fundraising, campaign finance and political organizing and has built a statewide network in her years working in Vermont. Most recently, she was the Political Outreach Director for Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) and had worked for VCV since 2019. Previously, Shelden worked for the Vermont Democratic Party as the highly effective Field Organizer for Chittenden/Grand Isle/Franklin Counties for the 2018 campaign. She graduated with a masters degree in Public Policy with a focus on municipal policy from Simmons University in Boston, MA. She lives in Burlington and when not working can be found trying out local coffee shops around town. Shelden is passionate about building a financially secure and professional Vermont Democratic Party.
Emily Bowers
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Emily joined the Vermont Democratic Party in August 2022 as the Communications Director. Emily brings expertise in communications strategy across all platforms, campaign management, and event planning. A new Vermonter, she moved here from Florida at the start of the summer to work as Deputy Campaign Manager for AG Democratic Candidate Charity Clark. Previously, she worked as a Field Organizer for Joe Biden and the Florida Democratic Party in 2020. Emily looks forward to expanding the VDP brand and working closely with candidates in the general election and beyond.
Kate Lapp
DATA DIRECTOR
Kate joined the VDP team in July 2022 as Data Director. A lifelong Vermonter, she has spent over a decade in the #VTPoli landscape, getting her start in the 2010 Coordinated Campaign’s Rutland office, as a high school intern. Kate has since managed several campaigns at the municipal, county, and statewide levels - most recently, Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale’s Congressional Primary. Her skills also include political fundraising, field directing, campaign budgeting, data management, and issue-based advocacy in campaign finance and government reform. She double-majored in political science and economics at the University of Vermont, and currently resides in Burlington with her partner, Annie and dog, Ira. Kate is passionate about data-driven power building, and protecting our democracy and fundamental rights at a time when they are under unprecedented attack.
Kate Lapp
DATA DIRECTOR
Kate joined the VDP team in July 2022 as Data Director. A lifelong Vermonter, she has spent over a decade in the #VTPoli landscape, getting her start in the 2010 Coordinated Campaign’s Rutland office, as a high school intern. Kate has since managed several campaigns at the municipal, county, and statewide levels - most recently, Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale’s Congressional Primary. Her skills also include political fundraising, field directing, campaign budgeting, data management, and issue-based advocacy in campaign finance and government reform. She double-majored in political science and economics at the University of Vermont, and currently resides in Burlington with her partner, Annie and dog, Ira. Kate is passionate about data-driven power building, and protecting our democracy and fundamental rights at a time when they are under unprecedented attack.
Liam O'Sullivan
HOUSE DIRECTOR
Liam joined the VDP in March of 2022 as the House Caucus Director. He comes with years of experience in fundraising, advocacy, and organizing at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). As an advocate, Liam cultivated long-lasting relationships with legislators and organizations around Vermont and helped pass millions of dollars in climate-related infrastructure investments. Liam was also the Operations Director for the VPIRG Canvass for three years – activating thousands of Vermonters and raising millions of dollars on behalf of strong, environmentally conscious legislation. In addition, Liam directed the ground-game for VPIRG Votes during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. He recruited, trained, and managed a team of canvassers on behalf of endorsed candidates across Vermont. He graduated from UVM with a dual degree in political science and environmental studies, and currently resides in Burlington. Liam is looking forward to using his experience to support and help elect House Democrats during the 2023 – 2024 election cycle.
Justin Srsic
SENATE DIRECTOR
Justin came on as Senate Caucus Director in March 2023. Prior to this, he was heavily involved with the Vermont Democratic Party as a Field Organizer for Chittenden County during the 2022 elections, and later as Municipal Organizing Director for both the 2022 Burlington CIty Council special election and the 2023 Burlington City Council election. After those successful election cycles, Justin is eager to continue bringing his field, relationship-building, and advocacy skills to the party. He currently resides in Essex town and can be found hiking and exploring new trails outside of work.