Wheaton grad Lynda Tocci serves as political advisoe to gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien

Lynda Tocci, Wheaton class of 1989, was cited in The Boston Globe for her role as close advisor to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien. Tocci serves as O'Brien's political director.

A native of Leominster, Tocci has had valuable experience working in political campaigns. In 1994 she served as a field director for U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's campaign. Later she served as an advisor to O'Brien's 1998 campaign for state treasurer. Tocci also worked in the Boston office of the Feminist Majority Foundation and just recently directed public relations at USTrust Bank in Boston.

Even with an MBA from Simmons College, Tocci attributes much of her success in public service to Wheaton College. Says Tocci: "[Wheaton] did a great job of preparing me for what I would do in the future. I think the college gave me a lot of freedom to explore different disciplines and partake in a lot of activities."

In 1999, Tocci told the Wheaton Quarterly that she thoroughly enjoys her role as a behind-the-scenes advisor and feels no need to be in the spotlight. "I haven't really thought about running for office," she explained. "I like the mechanics of electoral politics and being the behind-the-scenes person."