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Executive Officers

Jovan C. Richards

Jovan Richards

President

YDA Association of Charted Unit Presidents Chair

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 Northeast Regional Director 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 Scotland and London.

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.

Christina Cramer

Christina Cramer

Treasurer

Broome County Young Democrats President

Christina first jumped into local politics as Deputy of Operations with Tarik Abdelazim for City of Binghamton Mayor. She has since become an active committee member on the Broome County Democratic Committee. She has managed, advised, and volunteered on multiple campaigns per election cycle – from legislative and village races to Anthony Brindisi for Congress. She currently serves as President of Broome County Young Democrats, Central Region Vice President for NYSYD, and Northeast Region Director with the Young Democrats of America Rural Caucus.

Professionally, Christina is the Program Coordinator at the Broome County Department of Planning. In this role, she focuses on housing and community services, specifically advocating for racial and economic equity. This work ranges from direct casework with local service providers to grant writing to coordinating across municipalities on specific projects. Christina also serves as a representative and primary liaison to a number of local boards and strategic initiatives, such as the Broome County Safe Housing Task Force, the Broome County Land Bank, and the Ross Park Zoo Board of Directors.

Christina holds a Master of Public Administration from Binghamton University. She enjoys traveling, Harry Potter, and Korean pop music.

Melissa Wyner

Melissa Wyner

Secretary

Coming soon.

Stephanie Campanha Wheaton

Stephanie Campanha Wheaton

National Committee Member

YDA DNC Representative

Coming soon.

Andre Mozeak

Andre Mozeak

National Committee Member

Coming Soon

Naishaly Velez Galan

Naishaly Velez Galan

Capital Region Vice President

Coming soon.

Colton Mennig

Colton Mennig

Central Vice President

Coming soon.

Brian Garcia

Downstate Region Vice President

Brian is a member of the Queens County Young Democrats, and was previously a member of the Broome County Young Democrats.

Brian previously served as the NYSYD Secretary and Central Region VP and as President of the Binghamton University College Democrats. His passions include healthcare access, education, and LGBTQ issues.

Zak Constantine

Zak Constantine

Hudson Valley Region Vice President

Zak Constantine was raised in Orange County and is a proud graduate of Goshen Central High School, where he was the President of the State Championship winning Mock Trial Team, a member of the Varsity Cross Country Team, and the Student Representative to the Board of Education. Currently, he is finishing his studies in Public Policy and Management at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs. Throughout his schooling, Zak has lived and worked full time in Orange County–focusing on community development and activism.

Zak is the President of the Young Democrats of Orange County and a Vice-Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee. Previously Zak served as Community Outreach Coordinator to NYS Senator Jen Metzger, where he oversaw her office’s robust events and awards programs while specializing in connecting constituents, organizations, and community leaders with their representative in Albany. He served as her Deputy Campaign Manager for her 2020 re-election campaign, and he has also managed several county-wide and local campaigns throughout the Hudson Valley. Currently, Zak serves as a strategic advisor to candidates and organizations that seek to uplift and empower the working families of New York State. His true passion is helping his fellow young leaders find a passion for public service. Keeping with his commitment to our next generation of leaders, Zak served as a Project Manager for the Leadership Orange Class of 2021’s class project, where they developed the Larkin Family Young Professionals Program. He currently serves on their advisory committee.

In his free time, Zak is an avid hiker, runner, cyclist, and coffee enthusiast who frequently enjoys exploring new corners of the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions. You can follow his travels on Instagram @zakconstantine; or reach him by email at zmconstantine@gmail.com.

Reed Cleland

Reed Cleland

Southern Tier Region Vice President

Reed is a graduating senior at Colgate University, where he is currently completing two honors theses for his double major in Political Science and Theater. He is a lifelong resident of Central New York and a firm believer in the American Creed of hard work, fair play, and individual liberty. He concurrently serves as the Development Director for the College Democrats of New York and intends to pursue graduate studies in public administration. He is committed to pushing the Democratic Party and its agenda down a more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate path, particularly for those who have been alienated and disillusioned from politics.

Robert Drumm

Robert Drumm

Northern Region Vice President

Herkimer County Young Democrats President

Robert Drumm is a member of the Herkimer County Young Democrats. He is an election expert and advocate for Democratic issues in rural communities.

Kat Achibar

Kat Achibar

Western Vice President

Kathleen, who also goes by Kat, started her journey in politics in 2017, working on a Judicial re-election Campaign for Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres, the first Latina to serve on the Buffalo City Court bench appointed by Mayor Byron W. Brown. During her time in politics, Kathleen has worked on numerous political campaigns in Western New York at the Federal, State, and Local level. As a political staffer, she has worked for New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. She is now a Senior Associate at Bolton St. Johns LLC.

Kathleen was raised in Syosset, NY, and is a graduate of the University at Buffalo. She is the WNY VP of the New York State Young Democrats and serves on the Eleanor’s Legacy Innovation Council.

Jacob Tyson

Jacob Tyson

Legal Director

Coming soon