Wanda Williams is currently the President and CEO of Catskill Off Track Betting Corporation, a public benefit corporation serving 13 counties in New York’s Catskill region. She has an extensive background in labor union leadership, having served as Special Assistant to the President of Local 1549 under District Council 37 (DC37), AFSCME, which represents thousands of municipal employees across New York City. Her career includes over two decades at DC37, where she directed political action and legislative efforts on federal, state, and city levels. 

Before her work with DC37, Williams held significant roles internationally and domestically, including Country Director for the National Democratic Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on women’s political participation, and consultant positions with USAID on projects in Lebanon. She also led a Washington, DC-based political consulting firm that worked with prominent organizations such as the National Women’s Political Caucus and Planned Parenthood. Domestically, she was politically active in major Democratic campaigns from the 1980s through the 1990s, including roles in the Mondale, Dukakis, and Clinton-Gore campaigns. 

Williams’ academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Labor Studies from CUNY and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Mercy College. She is a graduate of Cornell University’s Union Leadership Institute and Harvard Law School’s Trade Union Program. Recognized for her influence and leadership, she has been featured in City Hall News and City and State magazine and has contributed academically by lecturing and serving as faculty in residence at various institutions. Additionally, she has served on multiple boards related to labor and health advocacy. 

Brenda Walker is a committed community activist, mother of five, and grandmother of two who has dedicated her life to advancing the Black radical political movement for the liberation of people of the African diaspora. She holds diverse educational credentials, including studies in Labor at Cornell University, Advertising Art & Design, Office Techniques, and a Life Insurance license. Brenda currently co-chairs Operation Power and has served in leadership roles there for many years, focusing on issues affecting political prisoners and keeping the community informed about their struggles. 

Her activism extends deeply into education and labor rights. Brenda has been involved in founding and leading several coalitions aimed at improving public education and ending mayoral control, as well as serving on education committees within the NAACP and other local organizations. Her labor movement involvement includes work with the May 1st Coalition and DC37, where she held multiple union leadership positions before facing internal political challenges that ended her tenure abruptly. 

Beyond organizing and advocacy, Brenda channels her creativity into various artistic pursuits such as jewelry making, painting, and writing, which she considers therapeutic. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards recognizing her service to children, families, and the broader New York community, while continuing to speak out on critical issues like healthcare for seniors and labor rights. 

Aurea Mangual is originally from Puerto Rico and identifies as a Nuyorican, having spent most of her life living in the Bronx before currently residing in Manhattan. Her deep roots in these communities have shaped her personal and professional journey. She dedicated 27 years of her career working as a Community Board Coordinator in the Bronx, where she was an active member of Local 371 and retired in 2015 as part of DC37. 

Throughout her career and beyond, Aurea has been heavily involved in political activism and labor movements. She contributed to PEOPLE, the Federal Political Action Committee (PAC) for AFSCME, and served as a delegate for the Central Labor Council (CLC). Her commitment to community engagement extended into event planning, where she played key roles in organizing SummerStage events and Puerto Rican cultural celebrations both in the U.S. and Puerto Rico through SOMOS. 

In addition to her activism and coordination work, Aurea spent a decade collaborating with Father Louis R. Galante in efforts to rebuild the Bronx following the devastating fires that affected the borough. This work highlights her dedication not only to cultural and political causes but also to tangible community revitalization projects that helped restore and strengthen the Bronx.