Randi Schmidt Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Volunteer Consultant for organizations looking for expertise on how to engage people with lived experience in public policy efforts, including grassroots activities, direct lobbying, and public speaking. I also assist individuals, including immigrants and individuals with disabilities, with navigating state and federal agencies to ensure receipt of public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutritional Assitance Program, Medicaid, Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, and Social Security Disability. And I connect individuals with their elected leaders to help them receive casework assistance.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Establish objectives and lead 57-member organizations in executing mission-driven strategies to support, protect, and improve federal investments in children’s health, nutrition, early care and education, child welfare, and economic security. Energize and lead a coalition of nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations in advocating for the needs of children from birth to adolescence. Engage members through direct outreach, effective advocacy-issue education, and communication initiatives. Direct lobbying.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Analyzed, researched, and reviewed federal economic, anti-poverty and anti-violence against women policies and programs in support of 240 YWCAs across the nation. Cultivated relationships with the White House, federal agencies, and Congress to advocate for and advance YWCA economic policy priorities. Developed and executed community organizing strategies focused on engaging grasstops and grassroots advocates nationwide. Fostered and engaged in strategic relationships and partnerships with national organizations and allies on economic issues, legislation, and advocacy efforts. Delivered presentations and speeches to champion the organization’s vision. Planned and coordinated YWCA Hill briefings, Week Without Violence events, YWCA USA Annual Meetings, and Capitol Hill Day. Represented the organization at White House, congressional, and Hill events. Established advocacy, policy vision, and agenda strategies. Consulted and advised YWCA USA National Coordinating Board and YWCA USA leadership on advocacy and policy strategy.

Researched and analyzed higher education legislative proposals in support of Wisconsin State Legislators. Wrote comprehensive responses to requests for legislative and budgetary information from Wisconsin State Legislators, university officials, and member campuses. Researched higher education issues with a special emphasis on merit- and needs-based scholarships. Identified methods to attract and retain highly educated workers to the state. Performed in-depth analysis of biennial state budget proposals and annual University of Wisconsin system budget requests.

Conducted research, reviewed, and monitored legislation associated with welfare reform, poverty, education, and criminal justice. Assessed legislative options for domestic violence victims under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program. Began my career as a staff assistant with Kids Forward, formerly the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, supporting the organization by transcribing interviews with welfare recipients and drafting letters in support of legislative initiatives for distribution to Wisconsin State Legislators. Experience working directly with low-income, single mothers on and transitioning off welfare.

Master Of Social Work - Msw, Field Of Study: Law, Public Policy, Direct Practice With Children And Families

Bachelor Of Arts, Social Welfare And English, Field Of Study: Social Work And Non-Fiction Creative Writing/Storytelling