Meet the co-founder and chair of Independent Women's Network’s D.C. chapter and her part in ushering in a confident, new era for conservative women.
Independent Women’s Forum is pleased to announce that Raychel Renna, co-founder and chair of IWN’s D.C. chapter and Rep. Elise Stefanik’s political director, is the latest entry into our popular series of Champion Women profiles.
The D.C. chapter is one of 15 (and that number is growing!) IWN chapters around the country. It was established in February. A recent evening featured a talk by another of Raychel’s onetime bosses, Rep. Claudia Tenney, for whom Raychel has worked as campaign manager, and afforded ample networking opportunities.
“We have nearly 150 members, which is really exciting in such a short period of time,” Raychel says. “A hundred people came to our first event to hear Claudia Tenney. It was really amazing, and people got to listen to her speak, ask questions and even get her advice. We’re going to do more events with special guests, members of Congress, and women leaders. There will also be a philanthropic component, such as volunteering at a shelter that helps women and families who are homeless or who need assistance. We plan to create a space for camaraderie and relationships among independent, conservative-minded women in D.C., but it’s also about giving back to the D.C. community.”
Although her position as head of the D.C. IWN chapter is her first official connection with IW, she has been in our orbit—or we have been in her orbit—since she first attended an IWF event in 2016. She loved the program and the chance to get together with other young conservatives. “I think the environment is getting better for conservative women,” Raychel sums up. “Back in 2018 when the A.O.C.s of the world came about, there was this huge media narrative and push for Democratic women. And after that, we’ve seen a real change in the tide. I think conservative women in D.C. and in the entire country are fed up with feeling silenced whether it’s by their boss, their professor, their coworker—they’re tired of it.”
We know you will enjoy reading about Raychel and her path to IWN and a position on Rep. Stefanik’s staff, and her part in ushering in a confident, new era for conservative women. Oh, and find out what Raychel means when she says she has two Dads.
