Our History

​WE DO (Women Empowered Democratic Organization) is a grassroots political organization in Bergen County who support Democratic women to run for office or to become involved in local political issues.We are a diverse and inclusive group of volunteer from all parts of Bergen County who believe women should have a greater voice in government and shaping a Democratic agenda.
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WE DO began in Passaic County in 2009 and the Bergen County chapter was formed in 2015. Our membership continues to grow as more and more women realize the best way to fully engage in the political process is to throw their hat in the ring and run.

Download our By-Laws Here

Executive Board

Councilmember Cristina Cutrone-President
Cristina Cutrone is co-founder of WE DO of Bergen County.
Deputy Mayor of Fair Lawn, NJ
Cristina has been a public school teacher for 17 years. She currently teaches history and AP Government and Politics at Tenafly High School. She is also an active member of the Tenafly Education Association where she serves as their Vice President. Cristina also served as a trustee to the Bergen County Board of Education for Special Services. In addition she previously served as the Municipal Chairwoman of Fair Lawn’s Democratic County Committee. She was first elected to that role in 2011 and was reelected in 2015.
 
Cristina holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in
Government and Politics and Secondary Education and a master’s degree from New Jersey City University in Educational Leadership. Cristina was appointed to the Fair Lawn Borough Council in 2017 and elected to the position in 2018.  She currently resides in Fair Lawn with her husband, a fellow Maryland Terp, and their two children.
Cristina is dedicated to helping and supporting women who want to get more involved in the political process. She believes now is the time to truly empower women across this county, state, and country because the political future of this country is definitely female.
Julie O’Brien-Vice President
​Julie O’Brien has dedicated much of her life to making change happen; whether it was having the dress code changed in middle school or saving the front lawn of Ramsey High School from becoming a parking lot, serving as a member of the Municipal Council or as a Bergen County Freeholder.
 
Being a part of forming WE DO of Bergen and its mission has been a passion of hers for many years. “Empowering women to seek public office and ensuring that their voices are heard will make government stronger.”

Currently as the Director of the Office for Children, the County of Bergen’s
Childcare Resource and Referral agency, Julie has built upon her years in public service, as a Legislative staffer and at Greater Bergen Community Action; Bergen County’s designated anti-poverty agency to help families access quality, affordable childcare through a Federally funded subsidy program allowing them to work and attend school in order to build a better future for their families.
​Julie’s strongest wish for WE DO is to encourage young women to get involved in the political process where they can take their rightful seat at the table


​Councilwoman Ellen Busteed-Secretary
Ellen Busteed graduated from Wells College with a degree in history. She has worked for United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and large financial services firms in a marketing leadership role.
 
Ellen has lived in River Edge with her husband and two children since 1998 and has been an avid volunteer in the community.

Ellen was first elected to the River Edge Council in 2013. She is
currently serving her second term after a successful re-election in 2016.



​Debra Amato-Treasurer
Debra graduated with a dual bachelor’s of science degress in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Illinois University. She also has her masters’ in Educational Psychology and post masters School Psychologist certification from Montclair State University where she is now an adjunct professor.
Donna Abene-Advisor
Donna Abene is a former Councilwoman and Board of Education Trustee from Woodcliff Lake.  


She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Bergen County
Community Development Board, Vice-Chair of Legislative District 39 Democratic Committee and Board Member and Treasurer to a non-profit organization called Keep NJ Safe.


She is an advocate for good government and a lover of New Jersey.
Amanda Karpinski - Social Media
Following her graduation from high school, Amanda accepted the NJ Stars program scholarship to attend Bergen Community College. She became a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society where she was then elected chapter president. Amanda decided after her term to run for and was elected International President of PTK. This past April, Amanda was elected to sit on PTK's Board of Directors after serving as International President.

After graduating from Bergen Community College, Amanda transferred to Rutgers University - Newark on a full tuition scholarship to pursue her Bachelor's Degree in English with plans to attend law school. This year Amanda ran for town council and if she had been elected, she would have been the first elected woman in Carlstadt's history. She continues her advocacy for voter engagement and empowerment of young people in politics.