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IAM Union International President Brian Bryant has announced the appointment of Demetress “Dee” Colbert as the union’s next Women’s and Young Workers Director, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Colbert will succeed Julie Frietchen, who will become the Winpisinger Center’s director on Jan. 1, 2026.
Colbert brings decades of leadership and organizing experience to the role, recently serving as an Education Representative at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.
“Dee has shown a lifelong commitment to advancing the rights of workers, especially women and young workers,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Her leadership, passion, and deep union values make her the best person to lead this department, which is crucial to our union’s future strength and growth.”
Colbert joined IAM Local 846 in 1998 while working as a customer service agent for Southwest Airlines. A current member of Local 2665, she has held several key roles at the Local level, including Shop Steward, Trustee, Conductor Sentinel, Recording Secretary and Vice President. She also served on the Negotiation Prep Committee, the Women’s Committee, and as her Local’s CREST Hazmat instructor.
Before joining the staff at the Winpisinger Center in 2023, Colbert was the Organizing Director for IAM District 142. She is currently a mentor in the IAM’s Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) Program.
The IAM Union’s Women’s and Young Workers Department is a crucial part of the union’s efforts to ensure that all members have a voice and a seat at the table. Under Colbert’s leadership, the department will continue to build power through education, advocacy, and organizing.
