Susannah Wellford
About Susannah Wellford
Susannah Wellford is the CEO and Founder of Running Start, an organization focused on empowering young women in politics. She has received several accolades for her advocacy work, including the ExCelHonors Youth Advocate Award in 2019 and the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service in 2020.
Work at Running Start
Susannah Wellford serves as the CEO and Founder of Running Start, a position she has held since 2007. Under her leadership, the organization focuses on empowering young women to engage in politics and public service. Running Start offers programs that provide training and resources to help women develop leadership skills and gain confidence in their political pursuits.
Education and Expertise
Susannah Wellford earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College, where she studied from 1986 to 1990. She later obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, completing her studies from 1995 to 1998. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Affairs at American University, teaching Women & Political Leadership since 2020.
Background
Wellford has a diverse professional background that includes significant roles in government and advocacy. She worked at The White House as part of the Health Care War Room Staff from 1993 to 1994 and contributed to Hillary Clinton’s Health Care Task Force. Additionally, she co-founded the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC) in 1999 and led it for five years.
Achievements
In 2019, Susannah Wellford received the ExCelHonors Youth Advocate Award for her contributions to youth advocacy. She also received the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service from Davidson College in 2020. Wellford has lectured internationally in various countries, sharing her expertise on political leadership and women's issues.
Professional Contributions
Wellford has contributed to various platforms, including serving as an opinion contributor for US News and World Report, focusing on gender and politics. She has also coauthored a chapter in the book 'Feminist Pedagogy, Practice and Activism: Improving Lives for Girls and Women.' Her experience includes working as a Speakers Bureau Expert Trainer & Speaker at the U.S. Department of State since 2007.