Stephanie Campanha Wheaton is a first-generation American, raised in New Jersey and Pennsylvania but very much a New Yorker. Her middle name means “campaign” in Portuguese and she got her start rallying for candidates in her parent’s home country of Brasil and eventually went on to study political science at Boston University. She has served on the board of her home chapter of the Brooklyn Young Democrats and as National Committee Representative and Meetings Director for the New York State Young Democrats. She also served as Meetings Director for YDA from 2019-2021 and acted as the Chair of the Convention Planning Committee for the Cincinnati Convention.
She is dedicated to public service and has worked in government for the majority of her career – mostly for Attorney General Letitia James. She also worked as the Senior National Surrogate Scheduler on the Bernie 2020 Presidential campaign – the first national campaign to unionize their staff. She is currently a member of SSEU 371 and works in the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. She is deeply dedicated to progressive politics and ensuring a lasting legacy for YDA because she knows that we must leave this organization better for those who come next.
She resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, a paramedic for the Fire Department of New York, and her two cats, River and Rio.
Jovan C. Richards is an Entertainment, Political, and Hospitality Professional. He specializes in government relations, communications, political consulting, non-profit advocacy and volunteerism, and the art of mixology.
Jovan currently serves as the Media & Government Relations Manager for the NYS Society of CPAs; the President for the NYS Young Democrats; the Executive Director for the Westchester County Democratic Committee; the Vice President of Operation Prom National Network; and the Chair of the Association of Chartered Unit Presidents (ACUP) for the Young Democrats of America.
Before becoming active in politics, Jovan spent a majority of his time dedicated to the arts. He has performed all over the world, including in the United Kingdom.
Jovan also has an extensive career in the radio, film, and television industries. He has worked in front of and behind the camera for commercials, films, and sitcoms. Jovan has hosted numerous radio talk shows and podcasts throughout the New York Metro area.
Jovan has worked with or been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the New York Post, City & State New York, Spectrum News, Broadway World, the Journal News (LoHud.com), News 12 Westchester, News 12 Long Island, Fios 1 News Hudson Valley, Patch.com, WVOX-AM, WVIP-FM, Westchester Radio, Westchester Talk Radio, and Public Access Channels throughout the Hudson Valley.
Outside of Jovan’s work in politics and the arts, Jovan is a Mixology Expert and a training Sommelier. He has had the honor of working with spirit brands such as Bulliet Bourbon, Tres Agaves Tequila, Goslings Rum, Shipwreck Rum, and White Girl Rosé. He has also designed cocktail menus for places like Yankee Stadium, the Prudential Center, and Hilton Hotels.
Jovan studied Film and Video at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York.
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Seamus Campbell is a native Brooklynite who currently serves as NYSYD Disability Issues Caucus Chair and YDA Technology Support Coordinator. Seamus began his tenure in the Young Democrats by co-founding the current iteration of the Brooklyn Young Democrats and serving as its founding Secretary. Since then, he has served in various state and national Young Democrats positions including New York State Young Democrats (NYSYD) Deputy Director of Communications, NYSYD Press Secretary YDA Northeast Regional Communications Director YDA Disability Issues Caucus Treasurer, and NYSYD Disability Issues Caucus Chair (for three non-consecutive terms), YDA Disability Issues Caucus Chair. He has also served as Webmaster of the New York State Democratic Committee and a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Seamus is also a member of the Kings County Democratic Committee, from the 52nd Assembly District – which consistently has the highest voter turnout in the state – and is a board member of the Democratic club for the district – the Independent Neighborhood Democrats.
Seamus has worked for numerous candidates and elected officials, as a web programmer and communications consultant, including former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senate and Assembly candidate Jason Otaño, Orangetown Receiver of Taxes and Town Council Candidate Christopher Smith, State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn District Attorney candidate Anne Swern, Democratic State Committeeman and New York City Council candidate Kevin Peter Carroll, and (most recently) State Senate candidate Mike Corbett. Seamus works full-time as the Website Coordinator at The City College of New York where he has developed a sub-specialty in developing websites and digital content that are accessible for persons with disabilities.
In 2010, Seamus was named a “Hero of Reform” by Bill Samuels, founder of the New Roosevelt Initiative and EffectiveNY; and, in 2012, he was named a “Buffoon of the Week” by the Brooklyn GOP.
Seamus holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Science from Fordham University and a master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, where he is a member of the Golden Key honor society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
As the President of New York State Young Democrats, Patrick Jordan brought a wealth of experience to the New York State Young Democrats. Previously having served the Political Director and Downstate Vice President of NYSYD and as the Executive Vice President of the Queens County Young Democrats, where he was, to date, the longest-serving Executive Board member.
Patrick has worked on Democratic campaigns all over the state – ranging from city council all the way to congressional races. One of his proudest moments was working as Campaign Manager for former Queens Council Member Mark Weprin.
Currently, he serves on the re-election campaign of Council Member Paul Vallone. Prior to that, Patrick worked as the Field Director for State Senator Todd Kaminksy’s 2016 re-election campaign, and has worked in the Office of the NYC Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James as an Outreach Coordinator with a focus on Queens.