The Matriots is a nonpartisan political action committee based in Columbus, Ohio. Our members are women and men: Democrats, Republicans, and independents; Ohioans and out-of-staters.
The Matriots was founded after six central Ohio women participated in the Women’s March on Washington in January 2017: Mindy Coffey, Sally Crane Cox, Rebecca Ibel, April Zimmerman Katz, Cathe Kobacker, and Sharon Steele. These Marchers came away from the event inspired to create a force that worked to elect more women to public office in Ohio to support economic justice for women and address our country’s political stalemate. That force is The Matriots.
Our mission
To elect more Ohio women to public office who will promote a healthy economy in which women can thrive and prosper.
Team
Elissa Schneider, executive director
In 2018 The Matriots hired our first executive director, Elissa Schneider. Elissa joined The Matriots with more than a decade of non-profit fundraising experience, most recently serving as director of major gifts with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and coordinator of annual giving at Columbus State Community College. Prior to this, she worked as a political fundraiser in Ohio and Michigan. She currently serves on the board of trustees for Transit Columbus and is a city of Columbus commission appointee with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds an MBA from Franklin University. Elissa is an Ohioan, born and raised in Oregon, Ohio.
Shiloh Todorov, development/finance director
Shiloh Todorov joins The Matriots with over a decade of nonprofit experience. Shiloh previously served as the Executive Director of the German Village Society and as the Marketing/PR Director for The Wellington School. Prior to her career in nonprofit and development, Shiloh was a journalist most recently serving as a Managing Editor for KETV.COM. Shiloh was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska and holds a Masters in Broadcast and Public Policy from American University. She is a dedicated and passionate community leader and we know she will help The Matriots reach our long term organizational goals!
Helen Fite, communications and political relationship manager
Helen joined The Matriots team after traveling with founding members Sharon Steele and Sally Crane Cox to a Matriots event in Cleveland. Her colleagues like to joke that once she got in the car she never got out! Previously, Helen worked to encourage female leadership as a Collegiate Development Consultant for her sorority, Delta Gamma. She found a true alignment of passions in joining The Matriots, where she has been able to increase women’s political representation and build a network of women making waves in politics, while also engaging more people in the political process. Helen is originally from Columbus, where she attended The Wellington School before receiving her dual degrees in political science and communications studies at Furman University in South Carolina.
Board of Directors
This Board sets the policies and strategies that guide our PAC.
