Meet more of the staff.

Amy Shutt, executive assistant to the LWVUS president and executive director, and Chandrima Das, administrative services coordinator, are two exceptional young women whose dedicated energy play a vital role in the smooth operation of the League offices here in Washington, DC.

Amy Shutt came to the League two years ago. As her title suggests, she does whatever is necessary to maintain the efficiency of both the LWVUS president and executive director in their many duties, including handling their schedules. A native of Baltimore, Amy commutes by train. True to the League's mission and spirit, she is passionate about community development and empowerment, and maintains involvement in Baltimore civic organizations. Amy received her B.A. degree in Creative Arts from Bradford College in Massachusetts. In her spare time, she knits, makes art on occasion and is known to moonlight as a flamenco dancer.

Chandrima Das, a proverbial "energizer bunny," joined the LWVUS in late 2003, taking on two tasks--all aspects of publication sales and being the first voice to greet callers. She also assists Zaida Arguedas, director of the Global Democracy Program, on research for current and upcoming projects; and gives freely of her time to support local Leagues as well as LWVUS/EF activities that occur beyond the normal work day. She received her degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and has a keen interest in foreign policy and politics. In her spare time, Chandrima enjoys movies, reading a good book and trying new recipes.

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In 2004, we said good-bye to three staff members--Melanie Acostavalle, Lyndsey Farrington and Diana Onken. In late summer and early fall, we welcomed three new staff members who have provided a seamless transition--Lauren Frank, Sara Conrath and Angela Canterbury.

Lauren Frank, manager for major gifts and planned giving, came to the League in late summer. She has worked in development since 1997, holding major gifts and other fundraising positions with the American Heart Association, the National Association for Public Interest Law and Food & Friends (a DC charity). Prior to that, Lauren practiced international trade law with private Washington, DC law firms for 10 years. She attended Tufts University in Massachusetts and received her JD and Masters in International Studies at the Washington College of Law and the School of International Service at American University. Lauren, a native of Rochester, NY, remains an avid upstate New York sports fan, especially the Buffalo Bills. She describes herself as a "slow but enthusiastic" runner.

Sara Conrath, communications coordinator, joined the League in September 2004 and immediately took on the editorship of the League e-newsletter and all communications support activities. She has served as field coordinator for a U.S. Senate campaign, and most recently was a sports writer for the Northern Virginia Journal. Sara earned a B.A. in English from Princeton University in 2002. A native of the DC area, she grew up in Alexandria, VA, and now lives on Capitol Hill. In her free time, Sara loves reading, biking and watching any kind of sport.

Angela Canterbury, grassroots lobbyist, recently joined our staff in the busy pre-election season. A former campaign manager, Angela brings to the League her experience with political consulting and advocating for nonprofit organizations. In 2003, Angela returned to the U.S. from four years in Ukraine, where she worked with Ukrainian nongovernmental organizations on advocacy, elections and public relations. As an alum of the LWVUS Lobby Corps and a member of the LWV of Montgomery County, Angela also brings a working knowledge of the League's advocacy efforts. Angela lives with her husband and two children, ages five and four, in Silver Spring, MD.