The VAJD Executive Board has spent the first half of this year actively recruiting and interviewing candidates to join our executive team in hopes of expanding our reach across Virginia. So far, we’ve brought on three talented individuals who are ready to activate across Virginia for progressive values.
Over the next few months, we want to take the time to introduce our new (and original!) Board members to you all so you can get to know all of the proactive individuals who are committed to our cause. This month, we’re so excited to introduce to you our new Communications Director, Alyssa Batchelor, who will oversee our narrative strategy, message development, and managing internal and external communications. We recently sat down with Alyssa to ask her some questions about her journey to VAJD.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Sure! I’m a strategist, organizer, and researcher that’s spent my career working in campaigns and government to elect policymakers and pass progressive legislation. I started volunteering on political campaigns when I was in high school and never looked back!
Why did you decide to join VAJD?
I wanted to join the VAJD Executive Board to help amplify the strengthen the message of the progressive movement across the Commonwealth and help fight back against the right-wing extremism that continues to threaten vulnerable communities.
What is the most important progressive issue to you?
I think it’s probably too cliche to say that I care about all progressive issues, so I think the one that I am most fired up about is Housing. Virginia has consistently had five out of the top ten cities in the country with the highest eviction rates and the lack of affordable housing, affordable rent, the availability of housing, and the quality of housing are huge problems for the state.
Outside of politics, what are your favorite activities?
There’s so much! I’m a reader, so every year I pick a theme of the types of books I want to read and come up with a list, but I limit myself to reading 15 books. It’s a far cry from the people who are hitting one-hundred books, but it gives me time to really reflect on what I’m reading.
Also, I’m also a cozy gamer so I love playing The Sims 4. I’m currently working on rebuilding an entire save file from scratch! It’s a really fun way to be creative and detach from politics.
Lastly, my fiance Anwar & I really like to do simple things together like visit new restaurants, listen to free local live music, and we even started going to the movies regularly again. We also love hanging out on the couch with our cat, Blaze.
If you have any questions regarding press, newsletters, or any other communications related issues feel free to contact her at alyssa@vajusticedemocrats.com