Britt Cocanour

Chief of Staff

As chief of staff, Britt Cocanour oversees the daily operations and management of EMILY’s List.

Britt has over 15 years of experience in progressive politics. She joined EMILY’s List in 1999 as the director of the campaign staff training program, which is widely viewed as one of the best training programs in Democratic politics.

In 2003, Britt was promoted to deputy political director, combining her management and fundraising experience to engineer and oversee two vital new EMILY’s List political programs. One of these is Campaign Corps, formerly known as Participation 2000, which recruits talented recent college graduates, trains them on political strategy, and places them on campaigns. Britt herself is a member of the Participation 2000 class of 1994.

Britt is also the architect and enthusiastic nurturer of EMILY's List Political Opportunity Program (POP), which is helping create the next generation of women candidates. POP recruits, trains and supports women running for state and local office, and has greatly enhanced EMILY’s List’s profile among women nationwide.

Before joining EMILY’s List, Britt was the political finance coordinator for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), then the third-largest union in the AFL-CIO. She launched her career in the political department of the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Britt holds a B.A. in political science from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

1. What blog do you read everyday?

Salon's Broadsheet, Go Fug Yourself, Real Clear Politics

2. How did you end up working at EMILY’s List?

It really was a natural fit for me. I was a Campaign Corps alum, my first race was for an EMILY's List candidate, and I graduated from the EMILY's List campaign training program. It made perfect sense that I'd end up here.

3. What is your most memorable moment in politics?

In 1992, I watched the Democratic National Convention on TV while I was in college. There was such an incredible lineup of women who were running for office that year. I just kept thinking, 'If I could just meet one of those women or work for one of those women...' And now, I get to do that -- help them get elected, see them become leaders in Congress -- as part of my job every day.

4. What's the best advice you've ever received?

Your first defeat in politics is always the hardest, but life goes on.

5. Who are the people you most admire?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ann Richards, Betty Ford

6. What do you think is in store for the 2010 election cycle?

It's still too early to predict exactly what will happen. The economy, health care, and other big issues of the day will all be driving forces for the 2010 elections. One thing we do know is that Republicans will come at Democrats with everything they've got. We've got our work cut out for us.

Democrats have a lot to be proud of from 2008, but now we'll have to work to protect everything we accomplished.