Our Leadership

Elected Officers

Vanessa Lester

Vanessa Lester
Chair

Vanessa was born in Jacksonville, FL but spent her formative years in Ocala, FL.  She is a Veteran of the US Army and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through Project Management Institute (PMI), a globally recognized organization that certifies trained and qualified project managers. She received her Associate of Science degree in Education from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, VA, and her Bachelor of Science in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

She joined the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee (HCDEC) in 2017 and has served in various roles and on numerous committees. Precinct Committeewoman, Vice Chair of Operations, President of the State Progressive Caucus and Vice President of the State and local Progressive Caucus,  State Committeewoman, Congressional District 15 Chair, Florida Delegate to both the 2020 + 2024 Democratic National Convention are a few.

Visit the website to learn more about her: Vanessa4chair

Don Hampton

Don Hampton
Vice Chair of Operations

As a community activist in Illinois, New Jersey and Florida for over 3 decades, my goal is to elect Florida Democrats and make America accountable to everyone. 

Marcia and I moved to Wimauma 4 years ago and I am member of the following organizations: HCDEC Vice-Chair of Operations and Corresponding Secretary, State Committee Person, Precinct Captain, Black Caucus South Shore Democratic Club Board, Wimauma CPAC and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Life Member. My over 3 decades of professional retail experience prepared me to listen and hear people where they are at.

I am a proud graduate of Bradley University, Master's of Arts in Public Relations, Illinois State University, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Rock Valley College in Business Administration.

"GOOD TROUBLE"

Dave Cutler

Dave Cutler
Vice Chair of Outreach

Dave (he/him/his) has been a proud Democrat his entire adult life and has lived in Hillsborough for the better part of 25 years. He is also a proud part of the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities. He has been active in Democratic Party politics for many years.

Donna Harwood

Donna Harwood
Treasurer

Donna Harwood was born in SE Pennsylvania and raised by democratic parents who were active union members and union leaders. She moved to Atlanta to attend college and graduated from Georgia State University.  She began her career in the commercial insurance industry in Atlanta and moved to Tampa before retiring.

After retirement Donna became a member of the New Tampa Democratic Club and joined the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee.  She was elected Treasurer of the HCDEC in 2019.  Her background in insurance financial auditing has been an asset in performing her Treasurer duties.  Donna is a proud Democratic and enjoys volunteering for the HCDEC and other charitable organizations.

Lydia Hudson

Lydia Hudson
Lead State Committeewoman

Lydia Hudson, a Florida native, developed a strong commitment to public education and civic engagement early in life. She began her political work volunteering for Arthenia Joyner’s State House campaign and later served in leadership roles for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns.

Lydia has held positions including Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, and Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Judicial Council. Now a DNC Member and Lead State Committeewoman for Hillsborough County, she remains an active member in the community and her church.

Crystal Fox

CRYSTAL FOX
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Crystal Fox was born and raised in Miami, FL by her parents who were both very active in the union. She began her career as a teacher and a member of the union, but Crystal has always been passionate about Democratic issues.

She has volunteered and worked on a number of democratic political campaigns over the years while also serving the community as a public education teacher for over 15 years, and is happy to get work to get Democrats elected.