Gwen Mandell is in constant dialogue with independents looking to defeat partisanship and renew our democracy. As Director of National Outreach of IndependentVoting.org, Mandell met, guided, and trained thousands of independents, many new to politics, and helped them develop as leaders in their communities. She organized outreach campaigns and works with activists who want to build networks of independents by giving them tools and support. She is the chief organizer and convenor of the highly successful Spokesperson Training program for independents and especially excited about bringing this program to Open Primaries, where she will be Director of Leadership Development. At Independent Voting, Mandell created and edited The Hub, IndependentVoting.org’s online newsletter. She became active in 1979 at the age of 18 organizing on the streets of New York City and in welfare centers with the New York City Unemployed and Welfare Council. She travelled the country on independent petitioning drives, including for Dr. Lenora Fulani’s historic 50-state presidential campaign and booked independent activists and innovators on national media and speaking tours. Gwen is an amateur flutist, lover of music and sports and in the last few years has become an avid international traveler.