Accomplishments
Leadership
Provided leadership support and strategic direction to achieve approval status of the DPCA Delegate Selection Plan (DSP) by the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee. The DSP was successfully executed, starting with the GPP, followed by the election of Convention Delegates at the Global Convention and the appointment of Standing Committee members, concluding with our delegation representing Democrats Abroad at the 2024 DNC Nominating Convention in Chicago.
Provided leadership support to five global teams of skilled, talented, and committed individuals, who persevered through numerous obstacles to bring technological advancements to the Global Presidential Primary. These efforts resulted in:
Improved GPP training programs for CC leadership and Voting Center Managers
Increased ballot completion rates
Minimized ballot errors
Significantly reduced voter support requirements
Simplifying the process for Voting Centers, and
Reduced operating costs for CCs
Served as DA liaison with presidential campaigns, coordinating GPP ballot access requirements and candidate town halls.
Served as Interim Americas RVC for six months, providing leadership continuity to the region
Ensured ExCom officer support was available for the Asia/Pacific Region during the sleeping hours for most Global ExCom officers
Provided key logistical leadership and operational support for:
2024 Costa Rica Global Convention
2024 DNC Nominating Convention
2025 Global Meeting
Member, Global Fundraising team, which raised $1M
Member, Global GOTV team
Member, Defending Democracy team
Member, Global LGBTQ+ Caucus Steering Committee
Steve, voting in the 2024 Global Presidential Primary at the Toronto Voting Center
Steve with Rep Elisa Slotkin (MI-07), and Int'l Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh at the Amb Heyman hosted fundraiser for Democrats Abroad in Chicago
The position of International Vice Chair comes with the least descriptive responsibilities for an officer in the DPCA Charter, presenting an opportunity to make it your own and have a meaningful impact. As the International Vice Chair, over the past two years, Steve's role has at times been that of leader, supporter, coach, listener, strategist, and brand ambassador.
GOTV
Solicited state parties to place a VoteFromAbroad pop-up for non-U.S. IP addresses. With WI, MN, MI, and NE setting the path, this has now become a commitment from the ASDC and DNC for implementation with all state party, DC, and IWILLVOTE websites.
Produced & hosted “Empowering Our Vote” panel discussion on the opportunities for MI voters in the SW Ontario, Canada region. Panelists: Int’l Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh, MI Democratic Party Chair, Lavora Barnes, and DNC Environmental & Climate Crisis Council Chair, Michelle Dietrick.
Developed and implemented innovative first time GOTV efforts in Windsor, Canada, which has a significant percentage of MI and OH voters. With a Community Outreach Coordinator and a core team of a dozen local leaders and volunteers, we canvassed 4,000 doors likely to have U.S. citizens, or Canadians who knew a U.S. citizen, with the VoteFromAbroad message. The team then partnered with the MI Democratic Party to assist with last minute canvassing in the Detroit area.
Coached state teams' leadership to increase focus on external organizations to amplify the VoteFromAbroad message, to reach voters who are not members. In a random encounter with the Executive Director of Wisconsin Voices, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing civic engagement and empowerment in underrepresented communities, Steve realized how their story would be a perfect match for the Blue Vote Café. After recording the podcast, the ED obtained the contact details for 300 Black Wisconsin voters living abroad. Wisconsin Voices contacted each voter, amplifying the VoteFromAbroad message.
Coordinated discussions with DA Canada and Swing Left, setting the foundation for future collaboration for supported Study Abroad efforts in SW Ontario.
With the objective of reaching new voters, Steve communicated the VoteFromAbroad message to over 100 “xxxx for Harris” affinity groups within the Unite for America network.
Steve with MI Dems Chair Lavora Barnes, Int'l Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh, DNC ECCC Chair Michelle Deatrick, and DA Windsor Chapter Chair Michael Breshgold at Empowering Our Vote in Windsor, Canada
Voter and Member engagement
Champion with Global Comms for priority development of newsletter templates for global teams & CCs to elevate our content to industry standards, which will result in increased reader engagement and tangible data on reader behavior.
Currently collaborating with Heidi Burch and TransPacific Communications to build a case for support to secure external funding for translation of VoteFromAbroad into the top ten global languages.
Building on the example of DAFrance, Steve is collaborating with Twilio to build a case for support to secure external funding to implement globally, in-country calling for U.S. citizens to reach their members of Congress.
Steve with DNC Vice Chair Ken Martin, and former Int'l Chair Ken Sherman
Representing Democrats Abroad & the voices of
U.S. citizens living abroad
Participated in quarterly ASDC leadership meetings in-person, plus monthly virtual meetings.
Participated in DNC Member meetings and the DNC Nominating Convention.
Conducted numerous digital, radio, print, and television media appearances representing Democrats Abroad during the 2024 election cycle
Recruited Rep Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Rep Nakema Williams (GA-05) to join the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus.
Appointed as a Co-Chair of the ASDC Technology Committee, which gives Steve advanced exposure to emerging technology in GOTV. This position also brings the Democrats Abroad perspective to the ASDC Executive Committee conversations.
