Our board
Mary Edly-Allen - President
Mary Edly-Allen, a State Senator and an advocate for progressive values, is the current President of Lake County Democratic Women. With a strong commitment to grassroots Democracy, Mary emphasizes the importance of bringing elections down to the local level. She is dedicated to encouraging women to run for office and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed. Mary sees LCDW not only as an organization but as a powerful movement dedicated to reshaping power dynamics and forging paths for Democratic women candidates in Lake County. Her unwavering dedication to the organization's mission is evident from her previous role as Executive Director, where she tirelessly worked to elect more Democratic women to local and state offices. Mary Edly-Allen continues to lead by example, igniting change and amplifying the voices of women throughout Lake County.
Gina Roberts - Vice President
Gina Roberts currently serves as a Lake County Board Member, representing District 4. She was first elected to the board in 2020. Born and raised in Lake County, the only girl in a busy family with three brothers. Her father was a proud member of Millwright Local 1693 and her mother ran the family restaurant, Vito’s Pizza in Waukegan. Through her parents, she learned early on the importance of working hard and serving the community. It has been her honor to serve Lake County and our community on the Lake County Board for the past two years.
Katie Singh - Treasurer
Katie Singh was born and raised south of Springfield and now happily calls Grayslake home with her family. She became an active and dedicated member of Lake County Democratic Women in early 2025. Through LCDW, Katie has participated in peaceful advocacy efforts, supported local organizations and neighbors, and gained valuable experience through the Campaign Mentorship Program.
LCDW has provided her with meaningful friendships, opportunities for growth, and experiences she will cherish for years to come.
Gina Gault - Member at Large
Gina Gault believes community is about more than zip codes — it’s about the collective energy we bring to improving the lives of those around us. She is committed to showing up for the people and places that need it most and helping create spaces where everyone can thrive.
As an Executive Coordinator with Arden Shore, Gina supports professionals with structure, compassion, and momentum in all she does. She is a strong advocate for inclusivity, mentorship, and professional development for women in every aspect of life.
As Member at Large for Lake County Democratic Women, Gina is excited to help advance issues that matter, uplift the voices of women in the community, and focus on what’s needed now — and what’s possible when people work together.
Nina Austin - Member at Large
Nina Austin is a proud member of Lake County Democratic Women and is grateful for the encouragement and support the organization provided during her successful campaign for the District 128 School Board. A longtime Lake County resident, mom, and grandmother, Nina is passionate about civic engagement and empowering more women to step into leadership roles.
She is dedicated to helping build a community where women are equally represented, diverse voices are valued, and leadership reflects the people it serves.
Carmecia Hawthorn - Member at Large
Carmecia Hawthorn is a proud mother of six and grandmother of eleven who is deeply passionate about serving her community and empowering women from all backgrounds. Known for her uplifting spirit and dedication to public service, she currently serves as a Commissioner for the Foss Park District and Chair of Parks, Vice President of the North Chicago Library Board, Vice Chair of the Shields Township Democrats, and Precinct Committeewoman for Shields 239.
Carmecia is also the first Black woman to serve on the Executive Board of Lake County Democratic Women, where she is committed to helping elect strong women leaders and creating positive change at the local, state, and federal levels. She credits LCDW as an important source of inspiration and support throughout her journey as an elected official and is honored to serve alongside such impactful women.
Destiny Seaton - Executive Director
Destiny Seaton is a communications strategist, organizer, and nonprofit leader with a passion for empowering women and strengthening civic engagement. She brings nonprofit experience in communications, membership growth, fundraising, and volunteer coordination, with a strong track record of building systems that support sustainable organizational impact. She is especially dedicated to advancing women’s leadership, protecting women’s rights, and promoting environmentalism. Originally from Tennessee, Destiny and her family moved to Illinois in 2021 and are proud to call Lake County home.
Melinda Bush - Founder
Senator Melinda Bush was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2012 where she quickly staked her claim as a leader in Women’s rights and equality. She led the Pink Tax fight, making Illinois the third state to remove taxation from women’s feminine hygiene products. She chaired the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention. Her work resulted in the passage of some of the strictest anti-harassment protections in the United States. Senator Bush was the chief sponsor of The RHA – Reproductive Health Act – protecting women’s reproductive health rights in Illinois. And after traveling around the State as a member of The AHEA Panel and listening to women tell their stories about why they don’t run for office she started LCDW in Lake County. Between 2016 and 2020 LCDW has trained, supported, and funded the races of more than 30 Lake County women at the state and local level - Winning Democratic control of the Lake County Board for the first time in the history of Lake County.
Senator Melinda Bush is a lifelong resident of Lake County where she lives in Grayslake with her husband, Andy. And she’s not done electing more women to office.