Maryellen Hamel (Deckard)
Pittsburgh PA
Summary
Experienced community organizer and campaign leader with 20+ years of success in voter engagement, grassroots organizing, and leadership development. Founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, including grant writing, fundraising, membership recruitment, and leadership training initiatives. Highly skilled in phone banking, volunteer coordination, and turnout operations, with a strong commitment to Democratic values and expanding voter participation. Proven ability to build and lead teams, develop community partnerships, and scale outreach efforts. Seeking a remote phone banking and canvassing role with a pathway to a supervisory position.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Organizer & Founder
ANEW/ACORN
2014 - Current
- Lead grassroots organizing campaigns focused on economic justice and community empowerment
- Recruit, train, and manage volunteers and community leaders
- Coordinate outreach efforts including direct voter contact and issue-based campaigns
- Build relationships across diverse communities to increase participation and engagement
- Develop scalable organizing models for community-based initiatives
- Raise funds and manage resources to support campaign goals
PA State Director, Campaign & Development Organizi
ACTION United
2013 - 2014
- Directed statewide organizing campaigns and voter engagement initiatives
- Developed and led trainings for staff, volunteers, and community members
- Built and managed fundraising and membership programs
- Organized issue-based campaigns impacting working families
- Increased member participation through targeted outreach strategies
Western PA Regional Director
ACTION United
2010 - 2013
- Managed regional organizing efforts and coordinated campaign activities
- Led volunteer recruitment and turnout efforts for events and actions
- Built coalitions and partnerships to expand campaign reach
- Trained emerging leaders and supervised staff and volunteers
Head Organizer
ACORN
2001 - 2009
- Organized large-scale grassroots campaigns focused on housing and economic justice
- Mobilized community members for advocacy and voter participation
- Led leadership development and volunteer engagement efforts
Nursing Home Organizer
1199P SEIU
2000 - 2001
- Organized workers and successfully supported union campaigns
- Built strong relationships with members to drive collective action
Assistant to the President
Pittsburgh Musicians’ Union
- Member recruitment, event coordination, and leadership support
Education
ACORN
Pittsburgh PANursing Home Organizing Training -
SEIU 1199P
Pittsburgh PAFundraising And Development Training -
Thomas Merton Center
Pittsburgh, PASociology
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PAGED -
High School Equivelency Diploma
Pittsburgh, PACertification
- Voter Outreach and Get-Out-The-Vote Operations
- Phone Banking and Voter Communication Strategies
- Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Retention
- Campaign Strategy and Field Operations
- Community Organizing and Grassroots Engagement
- Organization Building
- Leadership Development and Team Management
- Data Tracking, Reporting, and Goal Achievement
- Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Donor Engagement
- Managing an Annual Budget
Timeline
Head Organizer & Founder
ANEW/ACORN
2014 - Current
PA State Director, Campaign & Development Organizi
ACTION United
2013 - 2014
Western PA Regional Director
ACTION United
2010 - 2013
Head Organizer
ACORN
2001 - 2009
Nursing Home Organizer
1199P SEIU
2000 - 2001
Assistant to the President
Pittsburgh Musicians’ Union
ACORN
Nursing Home Organizing Training -
SEIU 1199P
Fundraising And Development Training -
Thomas Merton Center
Sociology
University of Pittsburgh
GED -
High School Equivelency Diploma