Northern District

Lesly Bunnel 

I love RI NOW & National NOW. I’m thrilled there is new leadership in place that values transparency, kind leadership, and integrity. When I first joined NOW, I found the National organization to be extremely obtuse and discourteous. Therein, I set out to make sure my chapter was empathetic, fun, and most importantly, dedicated to the work. We are a small chapter, but we are well woven into the culture of advocacy in Rhode Island, and continue to be. 

Professionally, I am a nonprofit professional (grant writer) and novice candidate for State Representative of my district in Providence. I was raised by Leftist parents who instilled in me a passion for standing up for what is right and just for my community; not selfishly, but because a (man) who stands for nothing will fall for everything. I am a queer, Black single mom whose identity and life’s circumstances are grossly underrepresented in advocacy and legislative spaces.

I strive to speak up and out for disenfranchised people, of any kind. I believe that when any folks are oppressed, yes, it affects their quality of life, but also strips them of their dignity. I strive to bring my energy, expertise, creativity, and resourcefulness to my service on the National NOW Board. 

Carolyn Maloney 

Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), was elected to Congress in 1992, “Year of the Woman.” She was the first woman to represent her Congressional district and City Council district; and the first woman to chair the Government Reform and Oversight Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. She authored over 80 laws, including the 9-11 Health and Compensation Act, authorizing legislation to create the of the Smithsonian National Women’s Museum, landmark consumer protections against predatory banking and credit card practices, and the Corporate Transparency Act. 

The Federal Historical Society commissioned a portrait of Congresswoman Maloney and held unveilings at the Cannon House Office Building on December 18, 2024, and the New York Athletic Club on June 10, 2025, to celebrate her 30 years of service in the House of Representatives.  

Having left Congress in January 2023, Mrs. Maloney currently serves as:  

  • Eleanor Roosevelt Leader-in-Residence at the Roosevelt Institute for Public Policy, Hunter College (CUNY) 
  • Founder and President of ERA Now, a non-profit advocating for recognizing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the US Constitution  
  • Managing Director on the Board of the Metropolitan Opera 
  • Board Member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 
  • Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce for Manhattan 
  • Board Member of the Conservancy of Gracie Mansion 
  • Board Member of the National Organization for Women  
  • President of the New York State Chapter of the National Organization for Women.  
  • Board Member of the United Nations Development Committee. 
  • Mrs. Maloney served as Chair of the ERA Coalition  

Lisa Del Sesto 

Lisa Del Sesto, Candidate for the National NOW Board of Directors

 With experience in high-level operations and intersectional advocacy, I offer a unique blend of strategic leadership and grassroots activism. Currently serving as the Senior Operations Manager for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut and the Interim President of CT NOW, I have dedicated my career to strengthening the infrastructure of feminist organizations. My background includes co-founding We Are Women Rising and serving as a LWV delegate to the United Nations 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. 

I hold an MPA in Nonprofit Sector Management along with a BA in Psychology. This academic foundation, combined with my professional experience in digital strategy and organizational reinvigoration, has equipped me with the technical skills needed to modernize and sustain our movement’s vital institutions. 

My application for the National Board stems from the belief that a powerful movement needs a strong, transparent, and modern foundation. If elected, I will focus on three core pillars: 

  • Organizational Excellence & Reinvestment: Having managed the legal and financial reinstatement of a state-level advocacy chapter, I understand that our impact depends on our infrastructure. I will prioritize streamlining operations and ensuring fiscal transparency to empower our state and local chapters to focus on what they do best: mobilizing for changeModernizing Digital Advocacy: The fight for the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive justice requires a sophisticated digital presence. I plan to leverage my experience in digital strategy and social media management to expand NOW’s reach, engaging a younger and more diverse group of activists through innovative storytelling and accessible technology. 
  • Intersectional Coalition Building: True progress only happens when we center the most marginalized voices. I am committed to fostering deep, strategic partnerships across the feminist movement—bridging the gap between historic legacy organizations and emerging grassroots leaders. We must ensure that NOW remains the leading voice for all women, especially as we navigate an increasingly complex political landscape. 

Together, we can build a NOW that is operationally sound, technologically advanced, and relentlessly inclusive. I ask for your support in strengthening our collective future.