Board Members
This Wisconsin Women's Network brings together women from diverse backgrounds. It was formed to ensure that women from all walks-of-life have a voice in the policy making process in Wisconsin, and the women on the Board and committees continue to work towards empowering future generations.
Shauntay Nelson, Board President
Shauntay is a strategist who has spent her career developing emerging and executive leaders through the concept that social empowerment is foundational in fostering growth. Prior to joining All Voting is Local’s national team, she served as All Voting is Local’s Wisconsin state director, where she initiated, developed, and co-led the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition (WVRC) to ensure access to the ballot. Nelson believes that it takes a combination of creativity and strategy to effectively provide tools designed to cultivate power where it belongs: with the people. Nelson has historically promoted expansion to the ballot through voter education and advocacy. Some of her accomplishments include lobbying for the expansion of early voting locations in the City of Milwaukee, influencing legislative action statewide, and serving as a national spokesperson on the need for voter expansions.
Nelson is a thought leader within her community, a strategist, a public policy guru, and a prolific speaker. She was selected as one of the TEDx Talk speakers for Marquette University in 2019. She has been quoted by NPR, Urban Milwaukee, Milwaukee Community Journal, the Shepherd Express, and was a guest on Milwaukee PBS’s “Black Nouveau.” She has an appreciation for nature and enjoys taking long walks to admire creation when she travels.
Bianca Shaw, Past PresiDent
Bianca is an innovative Director, Policy Advisor, and Senior Strategist with more than 16 years of leadership experience and progressive public service in non-profit, state and local governance.
Bianca has designed and managed social service, economic development, and community advocacy programs. She is an Executive Consultant who has influenced both state and local policy programs.
She is adept at crafting and executing a vision to transform communities and create effective social change. Bianca's mission is to help individuals move from poverty and low - income situations to middle income and stability. She is a proud graduate of the WI Women’s Network Policy Institute 2017 cohort.
Haley Swanson, Treasurer
Haley fell in love with Wisconsin, flaws and all, when she moved to Madison as an undergraduate accounting student. Since graduating, she’s worked in the finance space, first as an auditor for PwC and later with Exact Sciences. In 2020, she enrolled in Americorps to assist self-represented litigants with the complex legal system. Currently, Haley is pursuing her J.D at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She hopes to use her law degree, and prior background in finance, to work on economic justice issues here in Wisconsin. Haley joined the Wisconsin Women’s Network in 2022. Outside of work, you can find her discovering new neighborhoods with her dog & exploring every aisle of the grocery store.
Jennifer Lien, Advancement ChaiR
Jennifer is an arts and museum administration professional with experience in operations management, fundraising, relationship building, and event planning. After participating in WWN's accelerated policy institute and mentorship program, Jenni became involved with the network by volunteering as a grant writer in 2019 and joined the board in 2022. Jenni is happy to support the WWN because she has personally experienced the positive impact of both the mentorship program and the policy institute in promoting the advancement of women and girls in Wisconsin. She is a proud double badger with her Masters in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership from the University of Wisconsin School of Business, and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Art History and with Certificates in Material Culture and Archaeology. On Wisconsin!
MARTHA COLLINS, COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Martha is a seasoned public affair professional with extensive experience in legislative communications, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as Communications Director and Advanced Legislative Assistant for a Wisconsin State Senator, where she manages media relations, crafts press releases, oversees digital communications, and provides in-depth policy research to support legislative priorities. Prior to her current role, Martha’s commitment to civic engagement is evident in her tenure with the Democratic National Committee as Women’s Coalition Director. In this capacity, she designed and implemented outreach strategies to mobilize women voters and partnered with campaigns to shape targeted engagement efforts nationwide.
Martha is a dynamic facilitator, political engagement trainer, and public policy mentor. With a background rooted in structure, perseverance, and justice, Martha combines precision and empathy in her work. Her friendly, trust-building leadership style helps organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals overcome self-doubt, while her commitment to justice keeps them rooted in values important to their communities. Guided by facts and logic, she empowers women to step into politics equipped with strategies that can withstand pressure and misinformation.
Katie Lee, Mentorship Chair
Katie joined the Wisconsin Women’s Network in 2019, working with the Mentorship Program committee. Mentored by many bold and brilliant women herself, Katie is committed to helping others create networks of strong women that embrace and stretch each other’s voices, confidence, and perspectives. Originally from Michigan, Katie leads Events, Design, Recruiting, and Culinary teams at Epic, a healthcare software company based in Verona, WI. She is a mother of two, a stepmom of two, a wife, a lover of travel and nature - and is grateful for the opportunities to contribute to her communities.
APRIL SCHULTZ Special Events Chair
April is the Director of Business Services at Impact Association Management, an association management company that provides specialized administrative, operational, and strategic services to non-profit trade and professional associations. In her role, April oversees internal operations, marketing, and team management, ensuring that associations can focus on achieving their goals while Impact AMC handles their day-to-day operations.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, April is a dedicated volunteer with the Wisconsin Women's Network, where she plays a crucial role on the Mentorship Program Committee. She helps match women across Wisconsin with mentors who can best support their personal and professional growth. April is also actively involved in planning events like the Women’s Equality Day celebration, creating spaces where women can connect, learn, and be inspired. Her passion for empowering women and fostering community is evident in all aspects of her work and volunteer efforts.
CHandra Cooper, Member at large
Chandra Cooper is a dynamic leader, media strategist, and social entrepreneur dedicated to cultural preservation, community empowerment, advocacy and social impact. As the Founder & President of the Muddy Waters Mojo Museum, she secured over $1 million in funding to restore a historic Chicago landmark. She also leads Grateful Girls, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit advocating for girls and young women escaping human trafficking, by creating housing, mentorship, and educational programs that have impacted thousands.
With a background in broadcasting, Cooper has worked as a journalist for NBC 5 Chicago and CBS 58 Milwaukee, amplifying critical community stories. She is the CEO of Mojo Communications Group, producing documentaries and media campaigns that drive awareness and change. A Harvard-trained nonprofit strategist, she excels in fundraising, advocacy, and program development. Cooper’s work has shaped policy, empowered at-risk communities, and preserved cultural legacies, making her a transformative force in nonprofit leadership and in the media.
Namāēwkūkiw Rachel Fernandez, Member at Large
Namāēwkūkiw Rachel Fernandez is a dedicated advocate, community leader, and driving force behind Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak, Woodland Women. Woodland Women are elder led and empowered through cultural care and cultural advocacy. Rachel is a lived experience expert on gender-based violence, survivor and thriver. She is a former Menominee Tribal Legislator who Governor Tony Evers appointed to the Wisconsin Women’s Council where she serves on the Executive Committee. She is also the Data Sub-Committee Co-Chair for the WI MMIW/R Task Force. She is rooted in community and passion to end gender-based violence and violence against Mother Earth and to uplift connection to culture and life way teachings.
Adrienne Gilbert Ramirez, mEMBER AT LARGE
Adrienne worked in a variety of legislative offices over the past few decades, wrapping up her legislative career as Chief of Staff for Assembly Speaker Pro Temp Tony Staskunas. While in the legislature she worked on numerous judiciary and criminal justice initiatives. In 2016 she joined the Wisconsin Women’s Network as a volunteer mentor for the Policy Institute and was energized by the enthusiasm and sisterhood the institute provided. She has enjoyed a variety of other volunteer opportunities from food preservation for a local food pantry, to committee membership for DAIS. She currently works in government affairs for a multi-state utility. She became a board member in 2019.
Leah Ujda, MEMBER AT LARGE
Leah has been an active member of the Wisconsin Women's Network community since 2018 - attending Feminism on tap happy hours, participating in the Professional Mentorship Program, and joining the Board as Member at Large in 2021.
Leah grew up in Wisconsin and has lived in Madison for over 15 years. She leads the User Experience team at a global software company and is passionate about advocating for women's opportunities in software and technology careers.