DGA Announces Additional 2026 Leadership Appointments

DGA Announces Additional 2026 Leadership Appointments

Today, the DGA announced that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey will continue to serve as Chair of the Women Governors Fund, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will serve as DGA Finance Chair, and California Governor Gavin Newsom will continue to serve as DGA Policy Chair. The appointments are for one year and were made official at a meeting of Democratic governors in Washington, DC last week.

The DGA also announced Catherine "Kiki" McLean will continue to serve as Treasurer, Melissa Ceriale will continue to serve as the DGA's Women Governors Fund Finance Chair, and Josh Wachs will continue to serve as the DGA's Governors' Cabinet Chair. All are unpaid, volunteer positions.

"I am thrilled to announce that my friends and colleagues, Governors Healey, Newsom, and Walz will serve in key leadership roles that will build on the DGA's winning record of electing Democratic governors across the country," said DGA Chair Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. "This is a group of Governors who are getting big things done for their states and are unified in working to re-elect our 10 incumbents and add even more Democratic governors to our ranks this November."

DGA Women Governors Fund Chair Governor Maura Healey said: "I was proud to be part of the DGA's historic wins in 2022 when we elected a record of eight Democratic women governors - and I've been honored to build on those efforts to add Governors Sherrill and Spanberger to our ranks in 2025 as Women Governors Fund Chair. We're going to keep getting after it and break more records for women in executive leadership this fall."

DGA Finance Chair Governor Tim Walz said: "Democratic governors are the last line of defense for our freedoms and the best path forward to tackle the biggest issues facing voters, like lowering costs, protecting health care, and improving public education. As the former Chair of the DGA, I'm excited to step into the role of Finance Chair and ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to grow our ranks, win more races, and continue delivering for hardworking families across the country."

DGA Policy Chair Governor Gavin Newsom said: "Democratic governors have a record of fighting tirelessly for the people of their states, and now more than ever, we need more strong leaders who will lower costs, protect our communities, and defend our freedoms. Our nation's 24 Democratic governors represent the majority of Americans, and with nearly 80% of the country casting their ballot for governors this November, I look forward to continuing working alongside DGA leadership to elect even more governors who will deliver real results for families across the country."

BACKGROUND:

Gov. Maura Healey made history in 2022, becoming the first woman and first openly gay person elected Governor of Massachusetts, as well as the first openly lesbian governor elected in American history. Since taking office, Governor Healey has focused on making life more affordable for people and businesses by becoming the first Massachusetts Governor to cap health care copays and deductibles, taking on the utility companies to lower energy bills, and getting 100,000 new homes in the pipeline. In her role as the Women Governors Fund's chair, Governor Healey will continue to spearhead the only no-overhead fundraising account dedicated solely to electing women governors, and focus on growing the DGA's resources to add to the nation's 10 women Democratic governors.

Gov. Tim Walz has always fought for the bright future all Americans deserve. As Governor, he's delivered real results for working families - expanding free school meals, paid family and medical leave, and codifying reproductive rights. As the former Chair of the DGA, Governor Walz is continuing his work to move Minnesota forward, stop GOP efforts to take us backward, and fight for our shared future. In his role as Finance Chair, Governor Walz will help the DGA ensure it has the resources it needs to make strategic investments and elect more Democratic governors across the country.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has guided California through natural disasters, tackling the housing crisis head-on, growing the economy to record levels, fighting back against climate change, keeping communities safe, and protecting reproductive freedom. He has established himself as a leader at the forefront of policy initiatives in arenas such as gun safety, education affordability and access, criminal justice reform, climate action, and universal health care. In his role as Policy Chair, Governor Newsom will continue to promote and further the priorities Democratic governors are championing, including protecting fundamental freedoms.

Kiki McLean is a leading public affairs and political strategist. She is recognized for her experience leading advocacy and communications strategies for business, political, and non-profit leaders and organizations. Prior to the DGA, she served as a senior executive for a private family office, and leading public affairs firms Porter Novelli and Dewey Square Group. She is a presidential campaign veteran. In the past, she has held senior positions at the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic National Convention Committee. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Austin College and has previously served on the boards of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Polaris, the leading anti-human trafficking organization.

Melissa Ceriale brings to this role her passion for supporting women in leadership positions, and is excited to continue her role as Finance Chair for the Women Governors Fund, a position she was asked to take on by Governor Maura Healey. Melissa serves on the Executive Board of Trustees with the Florida Democratic Party and is on the board of the Palm Beach Democratic Club. You may also find Melissa working on home renovation projects, planning weddings for 2 daughters, working hard to register Florida voters and hosting way too many friends and family that never seem to stop coming.

Josh Wachs is the President of Wachs Strategies, a social impact consulting firm in Washington, DC that works to move the needle on pressing social problems while elevating visibility and achieving business objectives of clients. Josh has been working for over two decades in the private, government, and non-profit sectors helping clients deliver social change. He has also been the Vice President for Community Relations at the NBA and WNBA, where he managed the strategy, partnerships, and marketing for the league's philanthropic and public service platform, NBA Cares. He also served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Share Our Strength, where he launched the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Josh launched Wachs Strategies to share his nonprofit, corporate, academic and political sector expertise with the next generation of social impact players and thought leaders.

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