Founded in 2014 by Erin Vilardi with co-founders Rhonda Briggins, Shannon Garrett, Pakou Hang and Liz Johnson, it is nationally recognized as the largest, most diverse candidate training program for women.

[3][needs update] Vote Run Lead was first launched in 2004 by Marie C. Wilson and Erin Vilardi as a program of The White House Project, establishing the largest national political training program readying women for public office and training more than 15,000 women to run for office and seek out leadership opportunities in their civic life.

[4] After The White House Project closed, Vote Run Lead was founded as a standalone organization in 2014 by Erin Vilardi with Rhonda Briggins, Shannon Garrett, Pakou Hang and Liz Johnson.

The organization's Board of Directors has included Jehmu Greene, Crystal Patterson, Rhonda Briggins and Shannon Garrett.

[5] The organization's Advisory Board has included Erika Alexander, Piper Perabo and Bre Pettis[6] as well as former Republican Congresswoman Susan Molinari, co-founder of Black Voters Matter LaTosha Brown and New York City's Commissioner for International Affairs, Penny Abeywardena in 2020.