A top aide for the state Senate Democratic Caucus, Carolyn M. Treiss of Glastonbury, has been named the new executive director of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
Treiss, 44, who has been the policy director for the Senate Democrats, was tapped by the state Office of Legislative Management after being screened by a bipartisan panel.
“I am truly honored to have been chosen to lead the PCSW, particularly to follow in the footsteps of women whom I have admired for my entire career,” she said. “The commission has done a great deal to secure and enhance women’s rights, but of course much remains to be done. So I’m excited to begin working together with the PCSW staff and commissioners to craft our vision for the organization’s future.”
“We are very excited to welcome Carolyn Treiss to the PCSW,” said Toni Moran, PCSW Commission chair. “She brings years of practical political and expert policy experience to the work of our bipartisan commission. She knows our issues, she knows our state, and the PCSW will continue to be a strong voice for Connecticut women under her leadership.”
Treiss holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut, a master’s from UConn’s School of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bates College. She served as chief of staff to Commissioner Cristine Vogel at the state Office of Health Care Access from May 2007 to October 2009.
Treiss also is a former director of NARAL Pro-Choice CT and has served as president of the governing board for the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization for Women.
Treiss lives in Glastonbury with her husband and two sons. She succeeds Teresa Younger, who led the PCSW for nearly seven years until June, when she became head of the Ms. Foundation for Women.