Our Team

President and Founder, Mandela Barnes

Mandela Barnes, the founder and President of Forward Together Wisconsin, has carved a distinguished path rooted in his dedication to community organizing and advocacy to address climate change. Born in Milwaukee in 1986, Barnes’s journey into public service was inspired by his parents—a public school teacher and a United Auto Workers member—instilling in him the values of economic justice, racial equity, and sustainability. His professional life began early, working as a political field organizer during President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, later serving as a community organizer with Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied with Hope (MICAH), and eventually representing the 11th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2013 to 2017. His tenure as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023 marked him as the first African American to hold the position, reflecting his commitment to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive progress. Beyond his political roles, Barnes’s leadership in Forward Together Wisconsin signifies his ongoing commitment to empowering communities, defending freedoms, and mobilizing communities across the state, especially focusing on diverse communities like Milwaukee. His work, characterized by a blend of grassroots strategy and effective communication, aims to energize voters and advocate for working-class champions, underscoring his belief in organizing as a continuous, year-round effort to amplify community voices and effect change.

Executive Director, Peter Drummond

Peter Drummond has spent more than 17 years working to advance progressive and pro-worker causes. He spent 3 years traveling the country from Iowa to Nevada to Virginia working on political campaigns for progressive candidates before moving to Wisconsin to begin a decade-long career working for organized labor, including almost 5 years at the National AFL-CIO covering their 13-state central region. Peter led Wisconsin’s largest independent field effort between 2019-2023 as the state director of For Our Future Wisconsin before joining Forward Together Wisconsin as Executive Director in August of 2023. 

Peter has worked on the ground in more than 19 states. He currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and two daughters.

Technical Assistance Director, Nick DeMarsh

Nick DeMarsh is the Forward Together Wisconsin Technical Assistance Director. He is a PhD candidate in Urban Planning at UW-Madison. He has worked with community-based organizations in Milwaukee and across the state over the past two decades.

In his role with Forward Together Wisconsin, Nick is working with organizations, businesses, faith communities and government agencies to navigate federal funding opportunities to support investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Western Wisconsin & Tribal Coalitions Manager, Christy Jackson

Christy Jackson is the Forward Together Wisconsin Western WI and Tribal Coalitions Manager. In her previous role, she led government-to-government relations and communications with the 11 federally recognized tribes of Wisconsin to foster and support current and future land and economic development with WisDOT. Christy was also the Business Development Executive for a tribally owned construction company that managed state and federal projects. For more than 12 years she has worked with tribal governments, businesses, programs and organizations. Christy is an enrolled tribal member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a first descendant of the Lac du Flambeau Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Christy studied Business Management at UW-Stout and Marketing at Nicolet and Madison colleges. She served in the U.S. Army and is also active with the VFW/American Legion doing Honor and Color Guards, fundraising, and PTSD awareness. Christy currently resides in Lodi with her son.

Education Coalition Manager, Daniel Joglar

Daniel Joglar is Forward Together Wisconsin’s Coalition Manager for Education. Daniel has been a community organizer for the better part of a decade and has found real passion in working with educators. A product of public education himself, Daniel believes in a strong and forward-thinking education system. He works tirelessly to ensure our education system is not only protected, but thriving.