ABOUT US

A group of six women, 3 standing in back and 3 sitting in front, looking at the camera smiling with the city of Denver behind them

Preparing progressive women today to run the world tomorrow.

Women Uprising is an experienced team of former campaign staffers, candidates, community organizers and educators who are united by shared progressive values rooted in racial and gender justice. We are fiscally sponsored by the State Democracy Project, and provide educational trainings in partnership with the Colorado Working Families Organization.

We Put Liberation First

We are first and foremost a progressive organization that seeks to challenge the status quo of the political industry. We train non-traditional leaders from communities that have historically been left out of the decision-making process with skills to liberate their communities.
We Build Power Together

We are at our core an intersectional organization that understands that we go further when we work together. We recenter the margins when we work collectively with partners who share our liberatory values in policy spaces for the benefit of the most marginalized in our communities.
We Are Visionaries

We know that the way to change institutional oppressive structures is by challenging and removing barriers of inequity and creating new liberatory frameworks. We are always seeking to be on the cutting edge of policy, tactics, and strategy. Our graduates will shift political power dynamics by changing the narrative of what’s possible through their identities, their stories, and their policies. Our curriculum is rooted in the most up-to-date strategies and best practices while always seeking new perspectives.
We Dig Deeper

We design accessible trainings and educational events that go deeper than other revenue-generating organizations that perpetuate the structures of political elitism. We cultivate a community of learning by creating a robust environment where future political leaders can engage in deep thinking and constructive political discourse.

Our Staff

Lisa Calderón

Executive Director
Dr. Lisa Calderón graduated from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in English, and later attained her Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, focusing on Native American Studies, from the University of Denver. She then acquired her law degree from the University of Colorado Boulder School of Law, and then a doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Education and Human Development.
Most recently Lisa was the Executive Director of Emerge Colorado where she recruited and trained Democratic women to run for office, and is currently a faculty member at Regis University and the University of Colorado Boulder. She is also a local consultant and national trainer on justice-involved women's issues.
For over 30 years, Lisa has fought for the rights of women, people of color and those on the margins of society to be treated equally and fairly. As a justice reform advocate, Lisa worked to reduce mass incarceration, while also training law enforcement on best practices regarding gender, cultural, and trauma-informed responses.
She now brings her leadership and vision to Women Uprising.
Kristen Seidel

Political Director
Kristen Seidel was the political Director for Emerge Colorado, focusing on developing trainings for grassroot candidates. She has successfully managed campaigns throughout the metro area for local school boards, city councils, and the State Board of Education. Her focus is on helping “non-traditional” candidates win with fewer resources. Kristen is also the Board Chair of the Women’s Lobby of Colorado, where they focus on state policymaking for gender equity. She is one of the founders of Indivisible Denver, where she oversaw many actions, events, and activist training. Kristen spends her free time with her two boys, husband, and dogs.
Mary Imgrund

Communications Advisor
Mary Imgrund has over a decade of experience working on local and national campaigns with a focus on digital organizing, fundraising, and communications. After receiving her Master’s Degree in political communication from American University, she’s worked with clients ranging from Rep. Colin Allred (D, TX-32), The Florida Democratic Party, Rep. Matt Cartwright (D, PA-8), and many Frontline Democrats to local campaigns like the No Eviction Without Representation ballot initiative. She is currently the Email and Data Analytics Manger at BCom Consulting and has also served as the Electoral Chair for Denver Democratic Socialists of America.