A Rising Star

Shasti Conrad’s star continues to rise as the 2007 Seattle University alum has been named the new Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The position gives Conrad, 40, a prominent leadership position in the Democratic Party as it looks to regain control of Congress in 2026.

Conrad’s position within the party has grown since she graduated from Seattle University after majoring in sociology and international studies. She served as a field organizer for Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign and joined President Obama’s first class of White House interns. That turned into a full-time role on the staff of Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president. Conrad eventually oversaw a policy portfolio that included youth violence in the United States.

Following the 2012 presidential campaign, Conrad earned a master’s in public affairs from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School, co-chairing the Students and Alumni of Color network. Her Princeton Graduate Fellow gave her the opportunity to work with The Malala Fund, traveling with Malala Yousafzai and her family to the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.

After graduating from Princeton in 2015, Conrad worked for a creative social impact agency focused on social justice campaigns then returned home to Washington state, joining the national advance team for the 2016 presidential campaign for Bernie Sanders.

Conrad herself ran for office, surprising many by joining the top three vote-getters in the bid for Washington State’s 37th Legislative District Senate seat. Her rise really took off as she went on to serve as the State Committeewoman for the 37^th Legislative District in Washington, 1st Vice Chair and later Chair of the King County Democrats and Elections Committee Co-Chair for the Washington State Democrats. In January 2023, Conrad was elected the Washington State Democrats Chair, the first woman of color and youngest chair ever for the state party. She’s also the first South Asian woman to lead a state party in the United States.

In her new national role Conrad will have a key position in helping the Democrats position themselves to challenge Republican control of Congress in 2026. This includes developing the messaging and positions the party will base its campaigns around, including how to engage younger voters.

To learn more about Conrad, check out her appearance on the Roundglass India Center’s Desi Roots and Routes podcast.