Seth Bloom
Bloom Strategic Counsel
President and Founder

Bloom is considered one of Washington’s top antitrust lobbyists, having represented prominent clients including Amazon, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Live Nation in complex merger transactions and antitrust challenges.

Hometown: Buffalo. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Things tend to work out in the end, so difficult decisions, especially career decisions, are generally not as consequential as they seem at the time.” Productivity hack: “I find it’s important to take a break from work in the middle of the day. In good weather, I’ll take a walk—this clears my head and makes me more productive when I return.”

Teddy Downey
The Capitol Forum
CEO and Executive Editor

Downey runs a subscription-based website for those steeped in antitrust enforcement, advocating for stricter application of antitrust laws and often spotlighting monopolistic practices by major corporations.

Education: Columbia. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Major in history, not English.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Hang out with my kids. They love to cook, draw, read, and just play.”

Jason Kint
Digital Content Next
CEO

Kint is a strong proponent of legislative efforts such as the American Innovation and Choice Online Act and the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which aim to curb anticompetitive behaviors by tech platforms and ensure fair compensation for publishers and creators.

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “You don’t know anything yet, kid. Pay attention.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Typically watching kids’ sports, sometimes playing dads’ sports.”

Barry Lynn
Open Markets Institute
Executive Director

For decades, Lynn’s work on modernizing antitrust legislation has influenced policymakers worldwide. His insights about systemic vulnerabilities and supply-chain risks have drawn attention from government officials across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Hometown: Miami. First job: “Cutting and packaging in a factory that made radio-controlled balsa-wood model airplanes.” Lesson from that job: “Be really careful when using the band saws.”

Sara Razi
Simpson Thacher
Partner and Global Co-Chair, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice

Named 2024 Antitrust Litigator of the Year by Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation, Razi is a seasoned antitrust attorney specializing in merger reviews and a variety of competition issues.

Education: University of Colorado (BA, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology); American University Washington College of Law (JD).

John Schmidtlein
Williams & Connolly
Partner and Co-Chair, Antitrust Practice

Schmidtlein has represented major corporations in high-profile antitrust cases, including serving as lead trial counsel for Google in ongoing litigations brought by the Department of Justice and various state attorneys general.

Education: Brown University; Georgetown Law. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Take more vacations when you’re young.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Reading sports pages and watching Premier League soccer.”

Randy Stutz
American Antitrust Institute
President

The former Federal Trade Commission adviser helped create AAI’s judicial-education program and has filed influential amicus briefs with appellate courts and the US Supreme Court on antitrust law and enforcement.

First job: “As a teenager, I worked the meat counter at a locally famous deli called Hofberg’s, in Potomac.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Take better care of your knees and back. You will need them later.” Hidden talent: “I was an All-League and All-Area kicker on my high-school football team.”

Jonathan Yarowsky
WilmerHale
Partner and Co-Chair, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Practice

The former special counsel to President Bill Clinton worked with both Congress and the White House to intensify antitrust scrutiny of the web-accessibility marketplace, which serves the disabled community and is dominated by a few major providers.

Best career advice he ever received: “In Washington, substance counts for a lot—but relationships are everything.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Make a beeline to my red leather chair, boycott all devices, and relearn the art of listening to others speak.” Historical figure he most identifies with: “Teddy Roosevelt, the original trustbuster.”

Tim Adams
Institute of International Finance
President and CEO

A former Treasury Department official under George W. Bush, Adams leads the trade organization representing 400 of the world’s largest financial institutions. The IIF advocates for regulatory issues including liquidity standards, accounting standards, and risk management.

First job: “Washing dishes at a local pancake house [in Kentucky]called Perkin’s when I was a teenager.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Be nice to your parents—you won’t have them around forever.” Last meal would be: “A Manhattan with good Kentucky bourbon.”

Nicholas Anthony
Cato Institute and Human Rights Foundation
Policy Analyst and Fellow

Anthony has written a book and dozens of op-eds detailing the risks that central-bank digital currencies pose to civil liberties, and has met with federal and international officials to discuss policy paths forward.

First job: Park leader at Baltimore County Recreation & Parks. Hidden talent: “I do all my Photoshopping in PowerPoint.” Most unusual productivity hack: “Listening to music I don’t like helps me focus more than listening to music I do like.”

Greg Baer
Bank Policy Institute
President and CEO

Baer is an expert on monetary, regulatory, and consumer policies. Under his leadership, BPI has advocated for, among other things, reforms to streamline compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, attempting to reduce regulatory burdens for banks.

First job: Amusement-park ride attendant. Best career advice he ever received: “Sign as many books as you can at every store you visit.” Hidden talent: “I can fall asleep within three minutes at any time and any place.”

James Ballentine
Ballentine Strategies
Founder and CEO

The former American Bankers Association executive vice president’s influence spans more than two decades, from having a hand in the Dodd-Frank Act’s implementation to helping banks navigate the Paycheck Protection Program during Covid-19.

First job: Working with the Women, Infants, and Children Program. Lesson from that job: “Everyone can go through challenging financial periods… value in having programs that can assist those in greatest need.” Most cherished possession: His golf clubs.

Tim Berry
JPMorgan Chase
Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Region

Berry is the top lobbyist for the $3.9 trillion–asset banking giant, which has lobbied against bank financial regulations that piled up during the previous administration.

Hometown: Silver Spring. Education: Middlebury College.

Reginald Brown
Kirkland & Ellis
Partner, Litigation

Brown represents financial-industry businesses facing congressional-oversight investigations and also advises private-equity firms, asset managers, and healthcare institutions on regulatory policy.

Education: Yale; Harvard Law. First job: “McDonald’s cook, then crew chief.” Best career advice he ever received: “Lloyd Cutler told me when I was a young lawyer to ‘put on your jacket and go to lunch.’”

Bryan Corbett
Managed Funds Association
President and CEO

Corbett successfully navigated the hedge-fund and private-credit-fund industries through an SEC regulatory onslaught, leading a traditionally cautious industry to successfully sue the regulator in court and winning two cases.

First job: Maintenance at a tennis club. Lesson from that job: “The client is always right.” Hidden talent: Coaching kids’ basketball.

Brendan Dunn
PhronesisDC
President

Last year, the former tax adviser to Mitch McConnell launched his own firm focusing on financial-services issues. He has particular expertise in the intricacies of congressional tax writing.

Education: College of the Holy Cross; University of Notre Dame; Georgetown Law.

Nicole Elam
National Bankers Association
President and CEO

Elam has been a staunch advocate for policies that support minority banking institutions as well as economic equity for underserved communities.

Hometown: Indianapolis. First job: Burger King. Worst career advice she ever received: “ ‘All you need to do is work hard.’ You need more than hard work to advance. You need skills and a network.”

Kevin Fromer
Financial Services Forum
President and CEO

Fromer works to ensure that the largest US banks can remain stable and contribute to economic growth, while opposing additional regulatory burdens that he thinks could undermine their competitiveness.

Hometown: Fairfax. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Play your cards right and you’ll be in Washingtonian one day.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Dinner with my family—wife, two daughters (and two goldens).”

Bridget Hagan
Blackstone
Managing Director, Blackstone Credit and Insurance

Hagan has been a driving force behind several key initiatives impacting capital markets, most notably in insurance, structured securities, and credit-rating-agency regulations.

Hometown: Alexandria. First job: Johnny’s Deli in Old Town. Most unusual productivity hack: “I sometimes take meetings in the Renwick or the National Portrait Gallery because I find it helps spark creative thinking on complex issues.”

Richard Hunt
Electronic Payments Coalition
Executive Chairman

The former head of the Consumer Bankers Association has a reputation as a seasoned industry veteran who has helped financial institutions navigate fast-moving changes inside the nation’s payment systems.

Hometown: Jennings, Louisiana. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t prejudge people…” Song on repeat: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozy.

Lindsey Johnson
Consumer Bankers Association
President and CEO

Johnson focuses on helping CBA’s members, which include retail banks, adapt to rapid digital transformation while maintaining compliance with complex regulations.

Hometown: Pampa, Texas. First job: “I mowed lawns, was a lifeguard, swim coach, and barista.” Lesson from those jobs: “Hustle! And be an early riser.”

Doug Kantor
National Association of Convenience Stores
General Counsel

Kantor has been an advocate for reforms aimed at reducing credit-card swipe fees, which he argues place a significant financial burden on small businesses and drive up consumer costs.

Hometown: Pacific Palisades, California. First job: Teacher in the LA Unified School District. Lesson from that job: “Work hard and recognize that there are some things you simply can’t control.”

Dennis Kelleher
Better Markets
Cofounder, President, and CEO

A vocal advocate of robust financial regulations, Kelleher works with policymakers to strengthen investor protections and instill integrity in the financial market.

First job: Rescue-squad member/ambulance driver. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Slow down and pay more attention.” How he unwinds: “Avoiding the news and shutting off my phone.”

Edward Knight
Nasdaq
Executive Vice Chairman

Knight manages global government relations and policy for the world’s second-largest stock exchange and works on reforms to enhance US-India investment flows.

Hometown: Laredo, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin; University of Texas School of Law.

Penny Lee
Financial Technology Association
President and CEO

Over the past three years, Lee built FTA into a leading voice for fintech in Washington, helping companies such as Block, Intuit, and PayPal shape regulations on emerging products like Buy Now, Pay Later.

Hometown: Palmer, Alaska. How she unwinds at the end of the day: Jigsaw puzzles. Most cherished possession: “My mother’s rolling pin.”

Walton Liles
Blue Ridge Law & Policy
Cofounder and Principal

Using insights gained from his previous roles at Fidelity and the House Financial Services Committee, Liles assists clients in understanding complex financial-market and corporate-governance landscapes.

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama. First job: Clerk for Judge Joel Dubina. Lesson from that job: “It will all be here tomorrow.”

Drew Maloney
American Investment Council
President and CEO

The former Trump-administration Treasury official works to influence US financial policies to support the interests of private-equity investors and promote their role in economic growth.

First job: Sheep-and-poultry-farm worker. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Where you go to college doesn’t dictate success.” Most cherished possession: John Deere tractor.

Michelle Mesack
JPMorgan Chase
Managing Director, Global Head of Government Relations

A former senior counsel to the Senate Banking Committee, Mesack now advises one of the world’s most prominent financial institutions on issues related to securities and capital markets.

Hometown: Oakland, California. Education: Sewanee; GWU Law. First job: Lifeguard and swim instructor.

Chris Morton
American Land Title Association
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Advocacy Officer

Morton worked to oppose a federal title-insurance program that ALTA viewed as a threat to property rights, and has assisted in crafting legislation designed to protect homeowners from predatory actors.

Hometown: Chicago. Education: Northwestern University; University of Chicago.

Rob Nichols
American Bankers Association
President and CEO

Already known for fighting bank regulations, Nichols is also leading the industry’s effort against fraud, enlisting banks to join ABA public-awareness campaigns like #BanksNeverAskThat and #PracticeSafeChecks.

Hometown: Seattle. First job: Seattle Times paper boy. How he unwinds: “Court tennis in summer, paddle tennis in winter.”

Andrew Olmem
Mayer Brown
Managing Partner, DC Office, and Co-Leader, Financial Services

Olmem has his hands in some of the most significant issues facing the banking industry, testifying before Congress and advising clients and trade associations on corporate-governance proposals and bank-control regulations.

First job: Lawn-mowing business. Hidden talent: “Presidential trivia.” Most cherished possession: Union Army discharge certificate from the Civil War.

Eric Pan
Investment Company Institute
President and CEO

Pan supercharged industry advocacy by leading successful campaigns to stop SEC proposals that he believed would have harmed investors, including swing pricing and predictive data analytics.

First job: Delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, raking leaves. Lesson from that job: “Don’t judge people by their job title.” Best career advice: “Take pride in what you do, or do something else.”

Ed Perlmutter
Holland & Knight
Partner

The former Colorado congressman has lobbied on behalf of the SAFER Banking Act, a bill to provide legal protections for financial institutions that service state-sanctioned cannabis-related businesses.

Hometown: Denver. Education: University of Colorado Boulder (bachelor’s, JD).

Zach Pfister
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Policy Director and Co-Chair, Financial Services Practice

Pfister is a well-regarded advocate for clients dealing with cooperative finance, agricultural finance, and retail banking.

Education: DePauw University; Johns Hopkins. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Skip med school.” Most cherished possession: Great-grandfather’s voter registration record.

Brendan Reilly
Barclays
Managing Director and Head of Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, Americas

Reilly plays a significant part in shaping federal financial policies, including addressing supervisory relations and navigating regulatory frameworks.

Hometown: Allendale, New Jersey. First job: Loading dock worker. Historical figure he most identifies with: “Alexander Hamilton.”

Elad Roisman
Cravath Swaine & Moore
Partner, Corporate

As a Securities and Exchange commissioner, Roisman helped drive efforts to modernize regulations for the US equity and Treasury markets. Now he takes that inside knowledge of SEC requirements to both private and public companies.

Best career advice: “Go into every meeting expecting to learn something new and be impressed.” How he unwinds: “I read to my kids.” Last meal would be: Bread and cheese.

Rebeca Romero Rainey
Independent Community Bankers of America
President and CEO

Romero Rainey is a fierce advocate for “tiered regulation for community banks” and urges caution around fee restrictions she says may backfire for consumers.

Hometown: Taos, New Mexico. First job: Bank teller. Historical figure she most identifies with: “Eleanor Roosevelt.”

Dan Smith
Consumer Data Industry Association
President and CEO

Smith leads CDIA, which represents consumer-reporting agencies with a strong stake in banking and credit regulation.

First job: Working for Senator Edward M. Kennedy. How he unwinds: “Watching HGTV’s House Hunters International.” Hidden talent: “I could throw a baseball over 90 mph.”

Kristin Smith
Blockchain Association
CEO

Smith has been instrumental in managing political tensions within the crypto industry and leading efforts to develop a cohesive regulatory framework.

Hometown: Palos Verdes Estates, California. First job: Intern for Senator Conrad Burns. How she unwinds: “Gym—strength training and cardio.”

Alison Weiss
MassMutual
Head of Government Relations

Weiss forges bipartisan advocacy strategies on tax, retirement, and investment policy to support MassMutual’s innovation goals.

Productivity hack: “Fresh air and sunshine.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Take more risks.” Last meal would be: Lobster fra diavolo with Champagne.

Candida Wolff
Citigroup
Executive Vice President and Head of Global Government Affairs

Wolff shapes Citi’s stances on critical issues like cybersecurity, digital transformation, and trade, and is deeply experienced in corporate tax policy.

Hometown: Canaan, Connecticut. Best career advice: “Don’t overthink your next move.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Surprise! Our career worked out.”

Kevin Wysocki
Anchorage Digital
Director of Policy

Wysocki leads government affairs for the only federally chartered digital-asset bank, helping to build bipartisan support for crypto regulation.

How he unwinds: “Playing with my three kids.” Last meal would be: “20 wings with blue cheese.” Most cherished possession: A Union Army Civil War cavalry saber.

Nicole C. Austin
Reinsurance Association of America
Senior Vice President and Director of Federal Affairs

Austin has helped a coalition of insurance trade groups push for a federal safe harbor to protect the industry in its dealings with state-legalized cannabis, which remains illegal federally. The cannabis industry faces threats such as theft, crop loss, and liability claims that have increasingly made insurance essential.

Education: Hamilton College. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Don’t forget Philippians 4:13.” Hidden talent: “Figure skating. I turned professional at 18.”

Brian Ballard
Ballard Partners
President

A top fundraiser for President Trump, Ballard is now positioned as a key player for corporations that have a policy issue to resolve. Past clients include Google, Uber, Honda, and Amazon.

Education: University of Florida (BS, JD).

Danielle Beck
Invariant
Senior Director of Government Affairs

When companies and organizations such as PepsiCo and the Corn Refiners Association began to panic about RFK Jr.’s proposed changes to nutritional standards, they summoned Beck, who said they might look to leverage Congress’s appropriations process to curb his influence.

First job: Assistant counselor at a summer camp for neurodivergent kids. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Put the pencil skirt down and walk away. You do not need to buy something just because you’re having a bad day.” Hidden talent: “Glassblowing and gardening are probably two of my favorite hobbies.”

Ruchi Bhowmik
Netflix
Vice President, Public Policy

Drawing from her previous experience in the Obama administration, Bhowmik leads the content giant’s efforts to influence policy discussions around net neutrality, copyright law, data privacy, and content distribution.

First job: At Baskin-Robbins. Lesson from that job: “There is such a thing as too much ice cream.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Watch Netflix, of course! Recently, I’ve been rewatching Detroiters.”

Joshua Bolten
Business Roundtable
CEO

Bolten was able to secure candidate Trump’s attendance at the group’s plenary meeting last June, which included close to 200 of the nation’s CEOs who are particularly interested in tax and tariff policy.

Hometown: DC. Education: Princeton; Stanford Law School. Hidden talent: Played bass guitar in a band called the Compassionates, including while chief of staff for President George W. Bush.

Brent Booker
Laborers’ International Union of North America
General President

Representing the interests of more than half a million construction, infrastructure, and public-service workers, Booker leverages an extensive grassroots network to shape federal outcomes on labor rights and infrastructure investment.

Education: UVA. Best career advice he received: “Show up for people in a way that matters: Call everyone back, be honest with them, and if you don’t know the answer to something, say that and get back to them.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “ ‘Dude, it’s 1 pm—get out of bed and go to class.’ But, really, I wish I’d taken academia more seriously, listened to my professors, and retained the information.”

Neil Bradley
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy.

Bradley works to advance pro-business policies across various legislative domains, including taxes, regulatory reform, trade, and economic strategy, leveraging the Chamber’s longtime political influence in DC.

Hometown: Sapulpa, Oklahoma. First job: Staff member for then-representative Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Lesson from that job: “You can either be the person who always calls other people when you have a question or you can study and learn the topic yourself and be the person other people call.”

Roxanne Brown
United Steelworkers
International Vice President at Large

Brown regularly testifies before Congress and collaborates with policymakers, focusing on integrating skilled labor into sustainable-energy projects and emphasizing workforce development to support the clean-energy economy.

Education: Howard University; University of Maryland. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Hold on—it’s going to be a bumpy but amazing ride!” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Curled up on the couch with my seven-year-old hearing about the epic adventures of second grade.”

Ron Busby Sr.
U.S. Black Chambers
President and CEO

Busby has been instrumental in advocating for Black-owned businesses and addressing economic challenges facing African American entrepreneurs through his vast policy-shaping network.

Hometown: Oakland, California. Best career advice he ever received: “That working harder than everyone else got you promoted.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Be committed to God’s work.”

Wayne Chopus
Insured Retirement Institute
President and CEO

Chopus led IRI’s effort against a Labor Department regulation it perceived as limiting consumers’ choice of financial guidance and access to protected lifetime-income products. The legal action resulted in a stay of the rule’s implementation.

Hometown: Southington, Connecticut. First job: Basketball-camp counselor. How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I love to cook. I find it extremely therapeutic, and it also gets me away from my phone and laptop.”

Stephen Ciccone
Toyota
Group Vice President, Government Affairs

Ciccone has actively lobbied against stringent electric-vehicle mandates proposed by the EPA, which aim to cut fleet emissions by more than 50 percent within eight years. Ciccone argues that these targets are unrealistic given current market and infrastructure challenges.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Things will get better.” Hidden talent: “Headstands. With eyes closed.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “My Shakti acupressure mat. It’s like lying on a bed of nails but with plastic spikes that can’t puncture skin. Hurts like hell the first time, but once you get used to it, blissful relaxation follows.”

Casey Clark
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
President and CEO

Clark led the push to ensure that the IRS fulfilled tax-credit obligations to individuals and businesses made during the pandemic. The effort secured congressional support and advocated for small business while dramatically expanding NAPEO’s political PAC.

Education: University of Dayton. First job: Public-affairs assistant at the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust.

Suzanne Clark
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO

After navigating a prickly relationship during Trump’s first term, Clark heaped high praise on the President’s second-term deregulation agenda, declaring that he’ll have a “target-rich environment” to choose from to rein in regulatory changes made during the Biden presidency.

First job: At a Hallmark store. Hidden talent: Gift-wrapping. Best career advice she ever received: “If they can’t trust you to do the small tasks well, why would they trust you with the big ones?”

Gentry Collins
American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce
CEO

With a background in Republican political strategy and organizational leadership, Collins works to promote free-market principles, reduce governmental regulations, and create a more business-friendly legislative environment.

Education: Iowa State University.

Judy Conti
National Employment Law Project
Director, Government Affairs

Conti has helped coordinate efforts to protect federal workers from President Trump’s purge of government agencies, advocating for workers’ rights and leveraging relationships in the business community.

Hometown: Staten Island. Best career advice ever received: “That it was okay to shut down a bad interview early when it was clear it wouldn’t be a good fit and the questions being asked were inappropriate.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I love musical theater, so I’ll turn on a cast recording and sing at the top of my lungs (where no one else can hear it!).”

Michaeleen Crowell
S-3 Group
Principal

The former chief of staff to Bernie Sanders was among those who lobbied on behalf of DoorDash on labor and independent-contractor issues as the food-delivery app ratcheted up its lobbying activity in Washington.

Education: Boston University (BA, JD).

Steve Danon
Restaurant Brands International
Vice President, Head of U.S. Government Relations and Community Affairs

On behalf of clients such as Popeyes and Burger King, Danon works with ambassadors and foreign dignitaries on policies that impact the fast-food industry.

Hometown: San Diego. First job: Working the drive-through at Burger King. Productivity hack: “Focus time in the early morning at 5 am with a good cup of Tim’s Coffee.”

Ashley Davis
S-3 Group
Partner

Davis, who has advised Fortune 500 companies through multiple presidential election cycles, is now providing analysis to clients about the economic shifts under the new Trump administration and how it’s changing the business landscape.

Hometown: Kittanning, Pennsylvania. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Work hard, maintain a good reputation, and build an environment where people want to work with you.” Hidden talent: “I can golf.”

Nadeam Elshami
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Policy Director and Co-Chair, Government Relations Department

The former chief of staff to Nancy Pelosi is helping Brownstein’s lobbying arm navigate the myriad tax issues confronting clients as the Trump administration negotiates with Congress about changes to the code.

First job: US Senate mailroom. Lesson from that job: “Respect—appreciating, listening to, and learning from people from all walks of life, because the mailroom was a microcosm of our country.” Most cherished possession: “My grandfather’s leather watchband. Forty years later, I can still smell his favorite cologne on it.”

Kim Glas
National Council of Textile Organizations
President and CEO

Glas has been vocal about closing a loophole that allows low-value imports to bypass duties, leading to a surge in foreign textile products that undermine domestic manufacturing.

First job: Camp counselor at a local park. What she learned from that job: “Spending a little quality time with a child can inspire their whole day and change their life.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I dance with my kids in our kitchen with the music fully turned up.”

Cedric Grant
Avoq
Partner, Government Relations

Grant advises companies across diverse industries—including United­Health Group, Goldman Sachs, and Boeing—and leads efforts to navigate legislative and regulatory challenges, leveraging his ties to House Democratic leadership.

Education: Howard University; Columbia; Princeton Theological Seminary.

Brigitte Gwyn
PepsiCo
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, North America

Gwyn lobbies on legislation that impacts the global soda brand’s operations in more than 200 countries, including food-safety standards, labeling requirements, and environmental policies.

Education: University of Houston.

Michael Hanson
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Senior Executive Vice President, Public Affairs

Hanson has called on Washington to support policies “that protect consumers and ensure a strong and vibrant economy,” such as lifting tariffs, addressing retail theft and credit-card swipe fees, and bolstering the workforce.

Hometown: Dallas. Worst career advice he ever received: “There’s no need to meet people in this town. Just keep your head down and work.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Slow down and enjoy the small things in life.”

Bruce Harris
Walmart
Vice President, Federal Government Affairs

Harris leads the lobbying arm for the $700 billion company, navigating policy issues such as the expiration of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, the retention of certain Inflation Reduction Act programs, and complex trade negotiations.

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Education: University of Arkansas.

Desiree Hoffman
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
Lobbyist

Hoffman advocates for economic justice, enhanced employee safety, stronger protections for public-sector workers, and adapting labor practices to emerging technologies in the workplace.

Hometown: Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Best career advice she ever received: “Work will always be there, so it’s best to hang it up and start fresh in the morning.” Hidden talent: “I make a tasty old-fashioned—at least five different ways.”

Roy Houseman
United Steelworkers
Legislative Director

Houseman has been active in addressing global trade challenges, such as opposing foreign acquisitions of US steel assets. Earlier this year, President Biden blocked a deal that would have allowed Japan’s Nippon to take over US Steel.

First job: Prep cook and dishwasher. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “There are many roads to opportunity, and they tend to connect. Don’t be afraid to take a few side roads—they can be more rewarding.” Historical figure he most identifies with: “Senator Robert Wagner—lead cosponsor of Social Security and the National Labor Relations Act.”

Ryan Jackson
American Chemistry Council
Vice President of Federal Affairs

Jackson has pointed out to policymakers his concerns about regulatory inefficiencies, particularly under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which the ACC argues stifle innovation and push manufacturing offshore.

Education: University of Oklahoma; Oklahoma City University (JD). First job: “Working at my grandfather’s hardware store in Oklahoma City, where I was able to help with errands and cleaning up.” Lesson from that job: “All positions from top to bottom matter in the success of an organization, so make your contribution meaningful.”

Selina Jackson
Procter & Gamble
Senior Vice President, Global Government Relations and Public Policy

The Kansas native and former World Bank diplomat leads a team of 60 and wields considerable influence on policy matters that affect the 187-year-old consumer-goods giant, including trade and regulatory challenges.

First job: In the White House scheduling office. Lesson from that job: “Always know where the bathroom is.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Either a walk with the dog or a big glass of wine. Sometimes both simultaneously.”

Kevin Keane
American Beverage Association
President and CEO

Keane has navigated the non-alcoholic beverage industry through the Washington landscape for two decades, and his influence may prove instrumental during the Trump administration as the industry navigates sustainability and health challenges.

Education: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. First job: Reporter at the Fond du Lac Reporter.

Everett Kelley
American Federation of Government Employees
National President

Kelley’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping labor policies and negotiating with government agencies, particularly in areas such as fair wages, benefits, and job security.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Behave, study hard, work hard, trust God, do what’s right, and everything will work out fine.” Hidden talent: “I was an award-winning chef in the US military, and I make my own sauce and the best slow-cooked Alabama-style barbecue you can get in the DC area.” Most cherished possession: “Outside of my wife, my red 1957 Chevy Bel Air.”

Edward A. Kelly
International Association of Fire Fighters
General President

One of Kelly’s most significant policy victories has been advancing legislation for presumption laws, which ensure that firefighters diagnosed with occupational illnesses such as cancer receive workers’ compensation and healthcare benefits.

Hometown: Boston. Best career advice he ever received: “Don’t slide down a fire pole with wet clothes. It’s like jumping out a window.” Hidden talent: “Cooking breakfast.”

Sean Kennedy
National Restaurant Association
Executive Vice President, Public Affairs

As restaurants have struggled to survive in the wake of the pandemic, Kennedy has urged Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to mitigate the ongoing challenges, which have included labor shortages, inflation, and supply-chain disruptions.

First job: Collections agent, American Express Platinum Card. Lesson from that job: “There is a grace necessary for convincing people to give you their money, even when they owe it to you.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Playing ’80s/’90s pop on the piano in the living room—Tears for Fears, New Order, Radiohead.”

Brian Kerkhoven
Kerkhoven Consulting
Principal

By building bridges between labor unions and European wind-energy developers, Kerkhoven pioneered a groundbreaking agreement that set a new standard for offshore wind-construction collaboration.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Not to play rugby, because it destroys your body, and to always take the high road and do what’s right.” Hidden talent: Woodworking and refinishing furniture. Historical figure he most identifies with: “Chris Farley, because I am a big dude and love to make people laugh, despite never having lived in a van down by the river.”

Stephen Lamar
American Apparel & Footwear Association
President and CEO

Lamar has been pushing to renew key trade programs with developing countries as well as clamoring for elimination of the “pink tariff,” which charges higher duties for women’s fashion than for men’s.

First job: “A slug-removal business when I was ten: I’d set out bowls of beer at night and charge neighbors five cents for every slug I collected. I managed to rid the neighborhood of thousands of them.” Lesson from that job: “Even the most squeamish jobs can be rewarding.” Productivity hack: “Honoring the Sabbath—which for me means going off the grid for 25 hours—is the secret to boosting my productivity and creativity the other six days.”

Marc Lampkin
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Shareholder

Lampkin led efforts to reform multi-employer pension plans, resulting in bipartisan legislation that safeguarded their solvency. His work also includes advocating for corporate clients on matters ranging from international trade to regulatory challenges.

Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Study hard and work hard. But do it with a smile and have fun. It’s important to create a pathway to success in your career and life, but it should be guided by a sense of joy.” Most cherished possession: “A signed Tom Brady jersey. Patriots, not Buccaneers.”

Katherine Lugar
Hilton
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Lugar has championed legislation that would require upfront display of fee-inclusive pricing across all booking platforms that sell hotel inventory, a provision that has earned bipartisan support in congressional committees.

Hometown: Austin, Texas. Best career advice she ever received: “Feedback is a gift. It’s always important to give—and receive—candid feedback.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Exercise, particularly getting outdoors for a brisk walk with my dogs, clears my head and provides a needed reset after a full day at work.”

Brittany Masalosalo
HP
Chief Public Policy Officer

Masalosalo plays a key role advancing HP’s work in human rights, digital equity, and sustainability as well as working toward achieving one of the most aggressive and comprehensive climate goals in the tech industry to reach net-zero carbon neutrality by 2040.

Hometown: Denver. First job: “Scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins.” Best career advice she ever received: “Remember that work is more than just work—it impacts your family and loved ones as well. To the extent you can, pick a job that works for both you and your family. Balance is key.”

Jim McGreevy
Coca-Cola
Vice President, Public Policy, Government Relations, and Political Engagement

McGreevy lobbies on health and nutrition issues included in the Farm Bill, as well as recycling and sustainability policies for the global beverage conglomerate.

First job: Caddie at a country club. Lesson from that job: “You better show up on time or you won’t get any work.” Last meal would be: “A pint of Guinness.”

Bill Miller
American Gaming Association
President and CEO

Miller has pushed industry priorities such as expanding legal sports betting, improving payment modernization in casinos, and addressing illegal gambling operations.

Best career advice he ever received: “While I was working for Representative Connie Morella, she told me, ‘Attitude is altitude,’ and I think about it every day.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t be in a hurry. It’s okay to not have it all planned out. There’s going to be plenty of days you have to put on a tie and jacket.” Hidden talent: DJing.

Sean O’Brien
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
General President

O’Brien became a central figure in the 2024 presidential campaign after speaking at the Republican National Convention. The Teamsters declined to endorse Kamala Harris, leaving O’Brien more leverage with the current White House.

First job: “Hauling at Shaughnessy & Ahern in South Boston as a member of Teamsters Local 25.” Best career advice he ever received: “Make certain you always tell the truth, regardless of whether it helps or hurts you.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Have more patience, and listen as much as you can before speaking.”

Stephen Parker
National Independent Venue Association
Executive Director

Parker works with lawmakers and industry stakeholders to address challenges like fair ticketing practices, equitable licensing agreements, and fostering a sustainable live-music ecosystem for independent venues.

Best career advice he ever received: “To accomplish your goals, communicate your vision clearly—make sure it fits on a bumper sticker— and build a coalition to fight with you.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Going to a show at one of DC’s incredible independent venues or learning a new song on bass guitar.” Most cherished possession: “A 1974 Fender Jazz Bass in mocha brown.”

Paul J. Richman
Insured Retirement Institute
Chief Government and Political Affairs Officer

Richman has pushed more than two dozen pieces of legislation designed to strengthen retirement security and has led bipartisan opposition to a Department of Labor rule that alters how retirement investment advice is provided.

Hometown: Brooklyn. Best career advice he ever received: “Remain optimistic and be confident in your abilities to find solutions.” Most unusual productivity hack: “Short bursts of ‘planned procrastination,’ where I deliberately delay focusing on time-sensitive tasks for a short period. It creates a greater sense of urgency later and helps me focus.”

John Ring
Morgan Lewis
Partner

The former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board has a significant influence on employment policy, advising clients on labor/­management relations, particularly in union-related issues and workforce restructuring.

Education: Catholic University.

Charles Rivkin
Motion Picture Association
Chairman and CEO

Rivkin added Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios to the MPA’s roster, as the film, TV and streaming industry continues to evolve and support its casts, crew and businesses.

Education: Yale; Harvard (MBA). Lesson from his first job: “My first boss, Jim Henson, always told me that ‘media, if used properly, can be an enormous source of good in the world’. A belief I’ve tried to apply in entertainment, in diplomacy, in every phase and facet of my career.” Most cherished possession: “A book of letters from my father when he served as a US ambassador. He passed away when I was young, but his correspondence is a tribute to his faith in public service, his patriotism, and his love of country and family.”

Lee Saunders
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
President

Saunders represents 1.4 million nationwide members in their quest for fairness in the workplace, higher wages, and more rigorous safety protocols.

Hometown: Cleveland. First job: “For the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services as a contract specialist, where I first joined a union.” Best career advice he ever received: “Always look for opportunities to learn and grow. No matter how far you get in your career, there are still things you don’t know and new skills you can hone.”

Matthew Shay
National Retail Federation
President and CEO

Shay serves as chief advocate for the world’s largest retail trade association, which is responsible for supporting more than one in four US jobs and generating $5.3 trillion annually.

Hometown: Newark, Ohio. First job: “Potting roses, slinging bags of mulch, and cutting Christmas trees at a lawn-and-garden center.” Lesson from that job: “All bills must face the same direction in the cash drawer.”

Liz Shuler
AFL-CIO
President

Under Shuler’s leadership, the AFL-CIO has sought to embed unions as key stakeholders in shaping a worker-centered approach to fast-moving technological and economic transitions​.

Hometown: Gladstone, Oregon. Education: University of Oregon. First job: “Union organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125, working on a campaign to organize clerical workers at Portland General.”

Jacqueline Simon
American Federation of Government Employees
Public Policy Director

Simon represents the interests of more than 820,000 federal employees, advocating on issues such as worker protections, workplace safety, and labor-management relations.

Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Worst career advice she ever received: “My father once told me no one was ever going to pay me for my opinions. I had to prove him wrong.” Hidden talent: “I am an excellent bowler.”

Hasan Solomon
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
National Political and Legislative Director

A prominent advocate on Capitol Hill for workers’ rights, Solomon has been instrumental in securing workplace protections, including improved rest periods for flight attendants and measures safeguarding airline employees from on-the-job assaults.

Education: Bowie State University; University of Baltimore School of Law.

Jennifer Stewart
Stewart Strategies & Solutions
Principal

Stewart forged strong relationships with Democratic members on Capitol Hill, particularly within the Congressional Black Caucus, allowing her to open doors and advocate for business and regulatory issues.

Education: Loyola University, New Orleans. Worst career advice she ever received: “You can do it ALL! The truth is you simply cannot, and I’m okay with that.” Most unusual productivity hack: “Playing a quick game of spades on my iPad in between completing tasks.”

Erin Streeter
National Association of Manufacturers
Executive Vice President

Streeter rallied manufacturers and business associations to form the Manufacturers for Sensible Regulation Coalition, which aims to combat a host of new proposed regulations that have circulated on Capitol Hill.

Hometown: Hiawatha, Kansas. Best career advice she ever received: “No job is beneath you.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Surround yourself with people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.”

Chris Swonger
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
President and CEO

Swonger, who represents distilleries across the country, is looking to work with Trump-administration officials to avoid crippling foreign tariffs on domestic producers of whiskey.

Hometown: Abilene, Texas. Last meal would be: Lasagna. Historical figure he most identifies with: Jack Welch, former CEO of GE.

Sam Tatevosyan
McDonald’s
Vice President, Federal Government Relations and Global Policy

Tatevosyan leads initiatives related to sustainability, labor practices, and the fast-food industry’s broader federal-policy concerns.

First job: Starting and operating a commercial cleaning franchise. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “You are not having a bad life—you are having a bad day. Keep moving forward.” Hidden talent: “I used to be a decent Greco-Roman wrestler and played the piano—two activities that allowed me to turn my lack of attention and stubbornness as a child into patience and discipline.”

Allen Thompson
Intel
Vice President, US-Canada Government Relations

Thompson is at the tip of the spear of the public-private partnerships being fostered by the technology behemoth, recently showcasing Intel’s $28 billion investment to build two leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing plants in Ohio.

Hometown: East Lyme, Connecticut. First job: Playing pregame and between-inning music for the Savannah Cardinals minor-league baseball team. Song currently on repeat: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.

Jay Timmons
National Association of Manufacturers
President and CEO

Timmons’s group launched an advertising blitz pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would force more transparency of the practices of pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) and de-link PBM compensation from drug prices. While the changes have passed out of committee, the legislation hasn’t cleared Congress.

First job: “Taking care of cattle on our farm near Circleville, Ohio, and cleaning bathrooms at a fast-food restaurant.” Best career advice he ever received: “Be authentic.” Most cherished possession: “A pothos plant given to my grandparents 70 years ago, a link to people I loved.”

Joe Wall
BlackRock
Managing Director and Head of US Government Affairs and Public Policy

Wall plays a pivotal role in shaping engagement with government entities, regulators, and policymakers on issues related to financial regulation, economic development, and environmental issues.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Stay in college an extra year.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Chasing my three kids around the house.” Hidden talent: “Competitive eating.”

Erik Baptist
Alliance Defending Freedom
Senior Counsel and Director of the Center for Life

Baptist leads ADF’s pro-life legal and advocacy efforts, collaborating with antiabortion allies and engaging with congressional members to help shape media narratives about abortion legislation.

Education: Vanderbilt; George Washington University Law School. Most unusual productivity hack: “Whenever I need to focus intensely on work, I go on a multi-day fast. That means I consume no food, calories, or carbs for three to five days.”

Dorothy Brown
Georgetown Law
Professor and Martin D. Ginsburg Chair in Taxation

Brown’s examination of how the tax system hurts Black Americans has received ample attention on Capitol Hill, leading Democratic senators to request that IRS officials examine how the disparities were created and begin working on solutions.

First job: File clerk in a doctor’s office. Hidden talent: “I have an excellent BS detector.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Vegging out in front of the television.”

Emma Brown
Giffords
Executive Director

Brown runs the nonprofit organization started by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Senator Mark Kelly, designed to shift the culture, perception, and policies around gun violence.

Hometown: Alexandria. First job: “I worked for Hillary Clinton on the 2016 presidential campaign right out of school.” Most cherished possession: “I have an old stone that my father gave me, which has traveled with me to 15-plus countries.”

Kris Brown
Brady
President

Brown works with stakeholders—including business leaders, healthcare professionals, and community advocates—to argue for stronger background checks, secure gun storage, and other measures she believes protects public safety while respecting individual rights.

Education: Virginia Tech; George Mason University (JD). Best career advice she ever received: “Come to work as your authentic self—to show your true personality, values, and spirit—regardless of the pressure you’re under to act otherwise.” Hidden talent: “I love words and trivia. Take me out for your game night!”

Melanie L. Campbell
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
President and Chief Legal Officer

Campbell’s activism on behalf of Black Americans and women is credited with registering hundreds of thousands of new voters and waging a push to restore voting rights to convicted felons.

Hometown: Mims, Florida. Education: Clark Atlanta University.

Sheryll Cashin
Georgetown Law
Professor

Cashin fashions herself as a voice who raises inconvenient truths about race, justice, and civil rights. She was one of the earliest opinion writers to call for a ceasefire in the Israeli bombing of Gaza.

First job: “A mail clerk for the National Democratic Party of Alabama, an independent party founded by my father to end the ‘Dixiecrats’ and George Wallace.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Don’t be afraid to take out loans to go to your dream school or major in areas you’re passionate about.” Most unusual productivity hack: “I jump rope for five minutes and can feel the adrenaline for hours.”

Mark Chenoweth
New Civil Liberties Alliance
President and General Counsel

Legal observers recognized Chenoweth and his team for leading the court battle to overturn the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ bump-stock ban. He hailed it as a victory in restraining the power of a federal agency to redefine a law’s scope.

Education: Yale; University of Chicago (JD). What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Yale is going to be a culture shock, but you should go anyway. And remember Grandma’s advice not to measure yourself in someone else’s half bushel.” Last meal would be: “Burnt ends, beef brisket, barbecue beans, cornbread, and other Kansas City BBQ specialties.”

Terrence Cunningham
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Deputy Executive Director

As point person for the police organization’s policy portfolio, Cunningham actively engages with members of Congress and the administration on an array of policy proposals and executive orders.

Education: Northeastern University; New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management at Babson College; FBI National Academy; FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar; Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. First job: Part-time special police officer at the Wellesley Police Department.

Justin Hansford
Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center
Executive Director

As founder of Howard University’s flagship institution on civil rights and US representative to the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, Hansford—also a law professor at Howard—is transforming local activism into a force for change, leading efforts to advance reparations.

First job: Intern for GOP congresswoman Connie Morella. Lesson from that job: “Her independent stances differed from her party’s on human rights and diversity—you can’t judge a person’s character by party affiliation alone.” Hidden talent: “I can remember samples from little-known songs and identify them in music production.”

Cedric Haynes
NAACP
Vice President, Policy and Legislative Affairs

Haynes’s experience spans various sectors, including homeland security, transportation, and technology, which he leverages to advocate for policies such as protecting voting rights, addressing housing costs, and expanding connectivity within Black communities.

Education: Tougaloo College; Mississippi College School of Law. First job: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emerging Leaders Intern in the office of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi.

Damon Todd Hewitt
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
President and Executive Director

Hewitt is working with senators to craft comprehensive AI civil-rights legislation, intended to put guardrails around the technology’s potential harms.

Hometown: New Orleans. Education: LSU; University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Debra Katz
Katz Banks Kumin
Partner

With nearly 40 years of litigation experience, representing clients like Christine Blasey Ford, who testified that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her, and Rick Bright, a whistleblower who raised concerns about the Trump administration’s Covid-19 response, Katz stands at the forefront of civil-rights advocacy.

What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Enjoy life, work hard, and know we each have an obligation to make the world better.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Walking in nature.” Most cherished possession: “My father’s bongo set. He was a Latin drummer.”

Janet Murguía
UnidosUS
President and CEO

As leader of the nation’s largest Latino civil-rights organization, Murguía has placed special emphasis on turning Latino population growth into political empowerment by promoting Hispanic voter registration and participation.

Education: University of Kansas. Best career advice she ever received: “Be more concerned with using a compass than a watch.” Hidden talent: “I’m a good poker player.”

Elizabeth Murphy
Sandy Hook Promise
Vice President, Federal Policy and Partnerships

Formed in the wake of the 2012 mass school shooting, Murphy’s organization advocates for policies around school safety, gun control, and protection orders, which allow for the temporary removal of firearms from people deemed to be a threat.

First job: Theater-camp counselor. Worst career advice she ever received: “Grad school wouldn’t make a difference in my career and I should skip it. In my case, it allowed me to make the jump from communications to policy.” Most unusual productivity hack: “If I need to listen closely on a call, I sometimes draw or color. It helps me concentrate and retain what’s being said more than taking notes.”

Tara Murray
National Urban League
Executive Director, Washington Bureau, and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy

The former Biden-administration official is now spearheading advocacy for racial equity and fairness at one of the country’s oldest and largest community-based civil-rights groups.

Education: Howard University; Harvard Law; Georgetown Law. First job: Law clerk for Richard W. Roberts in the US District Court for DC.

Jim Pasco
National Fraternal Order of Police
Executive Director

With four decades’ experience in criminal-justice policy, Pasco is currently involved in efforts to reduce firearms crime as well as strategies for improving relations between police and the communities they serve.

Best career advice he received: “When I left the Army, I had an offer in the private sector and an offer from the US Customs Service. My father urged me to accept the Customs job, saying I’d never get rich but would be doing honorable work. He was right.” Most unusual productivity hack: “I talk issues with my dog. He calms me and puts me in a more productive mode.” Cherished possession: “A picture of me with Fred Willard, the greatest improv comedian in history.”

Nico Perrino
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Executive Vice President

Perrino, who believes “misinformation” is a current-day tool to justify censorship, has become a significant opponent of government pressure on social-media companies to restrict content.

Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t major in journalism. You don’t need a journalism degree to become a journalist. Working for the Indiana Daily Student taught me just as much as any of my journalism courses did.” Most cherished possession: “My grandfather’s 1949 Martin acoustic guitar.”

David Safavian
Unify.US
Chief Operating Officer

Colleagues praise Safavian’s passion for turning hearts and minds on both the left and the right toward common-sense criminal-­justice reforms.

Hometown: Grosse Ile, Michigan. How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I often find myself at one of my daughter’s basketball games or practices. There’s nothing I love more than watching her demonstrate that athleticism skips generations.” Historical figure he most identifies with: “Lazarus. He came back from the dead, much like my career after I served time in prison.”

Patrice Willoughby
NAACP
Chief, Policy and Legislative Affairs

Willoughby mobilizes grassroots advocacy, coordinating with state-level NAACP conferences to lobby elected officials and developing policy priorities to address the pressing concerns of Black communities.

What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Prepare to say something substantive in meetings even if you’re there to take notes.” Most cherished possession: “A portrait of my great-great-great-grandmother. She was listed as enslaved on the 1840 census of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. In 1850, she was listed as a ‘fugitive.’ She escaped and had a portrait taken in a silk dress and bonnet.”

Mike Zamore
American Civil Liberties Union
National Policy and Government Affairs Director

The former chief of staff to Senator Jeff Merkley develops strategies to protect civil liberties and fundamental freedoms, leveraging the group’s nationwide network of 4 million members.

Education: Brown; Harvard Law.

Alexandra Adams
Natural Resources Defense Council
Chief Policy Advocacy Officer, Center for Campaigns and Organizing

Adams leads efforts to influence legislation and regulations that address climate change, renewable energy, and conservation on behalf of the group’s millions of members.

Hometown: Palm Beach, Florida. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “You’ll think you took a wrong turn, but you didn’t. It’s just the scenic route.” Last meal would be: “A long-forgotten strawberry pie once made at a local restaurant when I was young, with whole glazed strawberries, the richest, flakiest crust, and piles of whipped cream.”

Margie Alt
Climate Action Campaign
Campaign Director

Alt leads a coalition of a dozen major national environmental-justice and public-health groups and is credited with successfully pushing the Biden administration to enact nearly 20 provisions intended to drive down pollution and accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy.

First job: Page in the public-library children’s section. Worst career advice she ever received: “Don’t work for one of these do-good groups. Make a lot of money and then you can give it to groups and causes you care about.” Hidden talent: “I’m a baby whisperer. Give me your fussy kid and they will be sleeping in a few minutes.”

Angela Barranco
Climate Group
Executive Director for North America

Barranco works with decision-makers on the ongoing implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, urging strong public/private collaboration on projects and resources.

First job: Andrus Planetarium presenter and guide at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, New York. Productivity hack: “Do the work in the meeting—don’t circle back.” Song currently on repeat: “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige.

Greg Bertelsen
Climate Leadership Council
CEO

Bertelsen claims that his group has worked with any congressional office that’s crafting carbon-border-adjustment legislation, including Democrats Sheldon Whitehouse and Chris Coons and Republicans Bill Cassidy and Kevin Cramer.

Hometown: Bethesda. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “You’re worrying about all the wrong things. Also, you’re prioritizing all the wrong things. But you’ll probably end up okay.” Historical figure he most identifies with: “Marty McFly. Always trying to meet a deadline, and love a good puffy vest.”

Sydney Bopp
Boundary Stone Partners
Managing Partner

Bopp led a team that helped secure an $861 million federal loan guarantee for a renewable-energy project in Puerto Rico, and she continues to champion direct-air-capture technology to combat climate change.

Hometown: Huntington, New York. First job: “Packing and unpacking trucks for my father’s catering business.” Hidden talent: “I was a professional ballet dancer before I went to college.”

Carol Browner
Covington
Senior of Counsel

Harnessing four decades of environmental-policy experience, the former EPA administrator helps companies navigate new clean-energy requirements, from required disclosures to funding opportunities.

Hometown: South Miami. Education: University of Florida (BA, JD).

Jad Daley
American Forests
President and CEO

Under Daley’s leadership, American Forests has been pivotal in securing federal investments for forests, such as $14 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey. Historical figure he most identifies with: “John Aston Warder, the founder of my organization in 1875. A Quaker like me, he was dedicated to bringing America together to embrace our trees and forests as a form of shared strength.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “A run on the Mall followed by a circuit workout at F45 on Capitol Hill, capped with playing some bluegrass mandolin on the back porch.”

Annie D’Amato
Invariant
Senior Director, Energy and Environment

An expert in legislative strategy and regulatory affairs—thanks to her five-year stint on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works—D’Amato helps clients navigate a challenging policy landscape to advance sustainable-energy solutions and environmental protections.

First job: Camp counselor and sailing instructor at an all-girls camp in Wisconsin. Lesson from that job: “Creating and fostering camaraderie with coworkers is important. Also, always watch out for sandbars.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I like to catch a CrossFit class, take my dog for a long walk, and then scroll mindlessly on TikTok until it’s time for bed.”

Matthew H. Davis
League of Conservation Voters
Vice President of Federal Policy

Davis is pushing lawmakers and policy-writers to incentivize “super-users” of gas to switch to cheap and cleaner electric options. He touts research that in every state but West Virginia and Maine, an electric vehicle proves to be cheaper over a five-year period.

Education: Swarthmore College (BA); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (MPH, public health). First job: New England field organizer for U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group).

Ross Eisenberg
American Chemistry Council
President, America’s Plastic Makers

Eisenberg has spearheaded efforts to promote a circular economy for plastics, advocating for key legislative measures such as a national recycled-plastic standard and modernized regulatory systems for advanced recycling.

Hometown: Moorestown, New Jersey. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t wait a decade to marry that girl you’re in love with right now.” Hidden talent: “I have an encyclopedic knowledge of Police Academy movies.”

Radhika Fox
North Star Strategy
Principal

The first woman of color to head the EPA’s water program, Fox is now a strategic adviser to CEO and executive-leadership teams on a cross-sector of environmental issues, with expertise in drinking-water regulations and the removal of lead pipes.

Hometown: Clifton, New Jersey. Education: Columbia (BA); UC Berkeley (MA). Productivity hack: “I know you ‘should’ separate your work space and personal space, but some of my best writing happens when I’m lounging in bed versus sitting in my office.”

Lisa Friedman
New York Times
Climate Reporter

Friedman’s work on how governments are addressing climate change includes revelatory reporting on international climate negotiations, federal environmental regulations vulnerable to rollbacks, and the political dynamics surrounding climate policy in the new Republican administration.

Education: Columbia; University of Maryland. First job: Editorial assistant at the North Jersey Herald & News.

Raúl García
Earthjustice
Vice President of Policy and Legislation

Working with policymakers to safeguard climate protections, García sits at the forefront of the country’s toughest climate battles.

Hometown: Mexico City and Summit, Illinois. First job: Construction. Hidden talent: “I can sing a good mariachi song anytime. Mariachi music is close to my heart and brings back a lot of good memories from my childhood in Mexico.”

Rich Gold
Holland & Knight
Partner and Leader, Public Policy & Regulation Group

Gold’s accomplishments include lobbying for wind- and solar-energy tax cuts as well as helping shape environmental policy on behalf of the manufacturing industry.

Hometown: New York City. Education: University of Vermont; George Washington University Law School. Best career advice he ever received: “The most important skill in life is learning how to read people in seven seconds in order to be able to influence them.”

Chris Moyer
Echo Communications Advisors
Founder and President

Moyer established a new program within his climate practice focused on helping startups in the clean-energy and climate space take advantage of the Biden administration’s landmark climate law.

Hometown: Hampstead, New Hampshire. First job: Press assistant to the longest-serving Boston mayor, Tom Menino. Song currently on repeat: “ ‘Birds of a Feather’ by Billie Eilish. I’m trying to learn to play it on the drums.”

David Shiffman
David Shiffman Scientific and Environmental Consulting
Marine Conservation Biologist

One of the world’s most followed scientists on social media, Shiffman advises clients on issues including sustainable fishery management, endangered-species conservation, and offshore wind impact.

First job: “Science instructor at marine-biology camp, one that I attended myself earlier in life.” Lesson from that job: “Nerds can be cool in the right setting! And everyone is a nerd about something.” Song currently on repeat: “Like most ocean scientists, I love sea chanteys. ‘Barrett’s Privateers’ or ‘Northwest Passage’ are favorites.”

Angelo Villagomez
Center for American Progress
Senior Fellow

Villagomez’s work advancing ocean justice and Indigenous-led conservation has played a key role in shaping policies on protected areas and has contributed to the designation and expansion of national marine monuments in the Pacific.

Hometown: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. First job: “My first professional job was working for the League of Conservation Voters on a get-out-the-vote effort in Florida during the 2004 presidential election.” Most unusual productivity hack: “I uninstall apps from my phone when I really must focus. This includes both games and social media. When I want to be distracted, I load them back on.”

Jason Walsh
BlueGreen Alliance
Executive Director

With experience helping workers and communities adjust to the shift away from coal in the power sector, Walsh is known for foreseeing the practical implications of gradual but significant changes to energy policy.

Best career advice he ever received: “Careers don’t need to run in straight lines.” Last meal would be: Sushi. Hidden talent: Scrabble.

Kate Bahn
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Research

Bahn has testified before Congress and is frequently sought after as a media spokesperson on labor-market issues, particularly in areas of the economy related to gender and racial equity.

Best career advice she received: “You learn a lot about your profession working in different positions, so you should only stay at your first job out of school two or three years so you can learn more elsewhere.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Slow and steady work is how you make progress.” Hidden talent: Making vegan dinners.

Dean Baker
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Cofounder and Senior Economist

In challenging mainstream economic narratives and emphasizing the impact of policy on ordinary workers, Baker translates complex concepts into insights for policymakers and the public.

Education: Swarthmore College (BA); University of Michigan (PhD).

Oren Cass
American Compass
Founder and Chief Economist

Cass’s think tank is at the forefront of efforts to reorient Republican economic thinking away from traditional free-market orthodoxy toward a more worker-centric approach that’s been embraced by Vice President JD Vance.

Education: Williams College; Harvard Law. First job: Consultant at Bain & Company.

Tyler Cowen
George Mason University
Mercatus Center Chairman and Faculty Director

Renowned for his expertise in economic growth, innovation, and culture, Cowen has advised policymakers on topics such as regulatory reform, technological transformation, and fiscal policy, often advocating policies that promote economic dynamism and efficiency.

Hometown:Hillsdale, New Jersey. First job: Chess teacher. Lesson from that job:“Most players do not really want to work hard at getting better.”

Robert Doar
American Enterprise Institute
President

Doar has quietly transformed the institute into a center for conservative thinking that departs sharply from Trump orthodoxy, with a particular focus on poverty and welfare policies.

Education: Princeton. Hometown: Washington, DC. First job: Assisting small businesses relocating to lower-rent areas at the NYC Office of Business Development.

Daniel Eubanks
Intuit
Director, Federal Government Relations

As lead tax lobbyist for the fintech platform, whose companies include TurboTax, Credit Karma, and QuickBooks, Eubanks is at center stage in the debate over tax reform.

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Roll with the punches and trust in the Lord. It will all work out.” Most cherished possession: “A megalodon tooth that my father gave to me, and one to each of my four siblings. It’s a reminder to stay rooted in what matters most and where we came from.”

Jessica Fulton
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Senior Fellow

Known as a super-connector in economic circles, she keeps issues facing Black Americans on the front burner when interfacing with members of Congress.

Worst career advice: “I’m glad I didn’t take the advice of someone who told me I needed to be less authentic and more ‘political.’ It’s important for me to be able to develop genuine connections with my colleagues so we can work toward shared goals.” Hidden talent: “Being a plant mom. I have a green thumb.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Taking art classes to practice being bad at things and to use the creative parts of my brain.”

Brent Gardner
Americans for Prosperity
Chief Government Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President

Gardner’s 30-person policy shop at AFP—the libertarian group associated with the Koch brothers—has played a key role in preparing legislators for the 2025 fiscal fights, bringing voices of the organization’s 50-state network directly to the halls of Congress to inform how lawmakers think about the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Education: Keuka College. First job: Ski instructor at Swain resort in western New York. Most cherished possession: A first edition of Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Steve H. Hanke
Johns Hopkins University
Professor of Applied Economics

Hanke, who has advised five presidents and five cabinet ministers in various countries, has further bolstered his notoriety through his “golden growth rate” theory, a concept used to determine the optimal rate of money supply that’s consistent with a country’s inflation target and economic growth.

Hometown: Atlantic, Iowa. Education: University of Colorado Boulder. Best career advice he ever received: “Work hard and keep your nose to the grindstone.”

Adam Hersh
Economic Policy Institute
Senior Economist

Specializing in areas such as labor markets, trade, and industrial policy, Hersh produces data-driven analysis that informs policies aimed at reducing inequality.

First job: Video-store clerk. Lesson from that job: “Be kind, rewind.” Best career advice he ever received: “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”

Douglas Holtz-Eakin
American Action Forum
President

Through congressional testimony, Holtz-Eakin has drawn attention to the 20 most expensive government regulations, which collectively amount to almost $1 trillion. Education: Denison University (BA); Prince­ton (PhD). What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “You have no clue. (Still don’t!)” Productivity hack: Coffee.

David Kass
Americans for Tax Fairness
Executive Director

With more than 25 years of experience in coalition building and legislative campaigns, Kass brings a wealth of expertise in attempts to promote equitable taxation, mobilizing ATF’s network of more than 420 national, state, and local organizations. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t be in such a hurry to figure everything out—enjoy the ride.” Hidden talent: “Playing guitar. I met my wife when I played in a band at the Grog and Tankard in DC. The bar is long closed, but we’ve been married 20-plus years.” Productivity hack: “I am way more productive if I ignore emails, texts, Slack, and social media for several hours.”

Michael Kennedy
Intuit
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Kennedy engages with Senate offices, the Federal Trade Commission, and senior White House officials on a broad portfolio of issues including small-business policies, artificial intelligence, and data and privacy challenges. Education: Harvard. First job: Associate at the Boston Consulting Group.

Eli Lehrer
R Street Institute
President

Lehrer emphasizes pragmatic economic solutions that appeal across ideological lines, often bridging partisan divides to advance effective policy through research and reform-inspired proposals. First job: Reporter at Insight Magazine (Washington Times). Worst career advice he ever received: “Never return a phone call and never agree to meet with anybody. Doing this shows people how important and busy you are.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “My wife and I love baiting text and e-mail scammers. Most recently, I asked if an alarm system would protect us from the Hamburglar and the Cookie Crook.”

Maya MacGuineas
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
President

MacGuineas provides lawmakers and policy-shapers with sobering overviews of federal debt and deficits and how reducing them is crucial to long-term economic stability. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Live in a foreign country early in your adult life.” Hidden talent: “Never checking luggage.” Productivity hack: “I am trying calendar blocking for deep work, with email off and phone in another room. I doubt it will work, but I am committed to trying.”

Paolo Mastrangelo
American Policy Ventures
Cofounder and Chair of the Board

Mastrangelo founded an organization that aims to amplify the bipartisan work of policymakers on issues such as paid family leave and infrastructure by supporting their efforts with legislative and political resources. First job: “Barista at the local small-town coffee shop. The epicenter of the town’s activity—and politics.” Lesson from that job: “The importance of a truly open mind and the joy of connecting with people that are different than you. If you want to be good at politics, you have to practice adaptability, authenticity, and listening.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “A very early bedtime.”

Grover Norquist
Americans for Tax Reform
President

Norquist has been the driving force behind the Republican Party’s anti-tax agenda for decades, coaxing GOP lawmakers into signing a pledge to oppose all tax increases. First job: Polaroid camera assembly line. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Spend less time in school. Go do things. Keep reading. Be the person who fixes problems rather than talks about them. Whining is not work.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Last ten minutes of an hourlong Perry Mason mystery TV show.”

Lindsay Owens
Groundwork Collaborative and Groundwork Action
Executive Director

An architect of Biden’s response to inflation, Owens has quickly turned her attention to the upcoming expiration of Trump’s tax cuts—organ­izing Democratic congressional aides, think-tank experts, and policy advocates to help marshal ideas around a response. One of DC’s most strategic and creative minds, she also launched the Economic Speakers Bureau, which is already shaping media coverage nationwide. Hometown: Nashville. Best career advice she received: “Grand slams are great, but you will put together more wins by consistently hitting singles and doubles.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I sing and read to my baby, Alfie.”

Sharon Parrott
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
President

Parrott’s work focuses on advocating for programs that support low- and moderate-income families—such as Medicaid, SNAP, and affordable-housing initiatives—using analysis of federal-budget and tax data to undergird her case. Hometown: “The East Coast. My father was in the Navy.” Education: University of Michigan. Best career advice she ever received: “Sometimes being a bigger fish in a smaller pond is better—but not always.”

Adam S. Posen
Peterson Institute for International Economics
President

Posen’s research and policy recommendations have particularly influenced discussions around central-bank independence and inflation. He has advocated for open international trade and warned against economic nationalism, which Trump’s Republican Party has embraced.

First job: Library assistant. Lesson from that job: “Don’t lose track of the big picture or you’ll get locked in the stacks on the weekend.” Productivity hack: “I force myself to give presentations on a topic without notes until I can write down a detailed outline after a few times, then write that into articles for publication.”

Jessica Riedl
Manhattan Institute
Senior Fellow in Budget, Tax, and Economics

A conservative budget expert, Riedl has pulled no punches in her critique of Trump’s vision for tariffs, asserting that if someone applying for a House internship suggested replacing the income tax with a massive tariff, “they’d be laughed out of the interview.”

Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin. Most cherished possession: “The entire 1983 Topps baseball-card set—792 cards—framed on my office wall.” Most unusual productivity hack: “Writing articles between 10 pm and 2 am, sitting on my home-office couch with baseball on TV—muted—and no distractions.”

Charles Sauer
Market Institute
President

Sauer’s group is changing the way economic-policy discussions are happening, partly by producing videos that simplify complicated concepts, then distributing them to policymakers and the public.

Hidden talent: “I was a college cheerleader, so I can lift people.” Historical figure he identifies with: “I was young when Ross Perot ran for President, but his simplification of arguments, charts, and graphs influenced my whole career.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I fire up my welder, table saw, 3D printer, or sewing machine and make something. In public policy, projects often take decades, so it’s nice to see an idea come to life without waiting so long.”

Pete Sepp
National Taxpayers Union
President

Sepp has shaped legislation through congressional testimony, policy analysis, and grassroots mobilization, particularly during major tax-reform efforts such as the debate over extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Education: Webster University. How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I make a recipe from one of my mother’s 1960s–’70s cookbooks. If time’s too short for that, I take a short flight on my computer simulator.” Unusual productivity hack: “I use the ‘negative’ function on our copier to print anything I write, then read each line backwards. Good for [checking for] typos as well as readability.”

Heidi Shierholz
Economic Policy Institute
President

A go-to analyst on the labor market, Shierholz testified before the Senate on what she sees as the damaging effect of non-compete agreements.

Hometown: Ames, Iowa. First job: De­tasseling corn. Hidden talent: Jigsaw puzzles.

Jeff Stein
Washington Post
White House Economics Reporter

Since his start at the Post in 2017, Stein’s articles have become essential reading on major issues such as the debate over the Republican tax law and pending government shutdowns.

Education: Cornell. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Take more economics classes.” Last meal would be: Crunchwrap Supreme.

Neera Tanden
Center for American Progress
President and CEO

The former Biden-administration adviser has returned to her old perch at CAP, taking to television and podcasts to help reinvigorate Democratic Party arguments against President Trump’s economic philosophy and criticizing GOP efforts to cut Medicaid, all while emphasizing tangible investments in the middle class such as increasing the minimum wage.

Hometown: Bedford, Massachusetts. Education: UCLA; Yale Law.

Matthew Yglesias
Slow Boring
Founder and Editor

Leaning into nuance and challenging conventional wisdom, Yglesias remains an influential voice in Capitol Hill Democratic policy circles on arguments surrounding monetary policy, fiscal stimulus, and full employment.

Hometown: New York City. Education: Harvard. First job: Writing fellow at the American Prospect.

Mario Beovides
NALEO Educational Fund
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs

Beovides advocates for policies that address systemic disparities in educational opportunities, enhance bilingual and multicultural education, and improve resources for underserved schools.

Hidden talent: “I play guitar for a rock band.” Most cherished possession: “A Beatles scrapbook that my aunt put together during the ’60s and gave to me when I got into them.” Productivity hack: “I aim to get all my work tasks done between 6 and 8 am—that way, the rest of my day is clear for meetings and whatever the day brings.”

Kathleen deLaski
Education Design Lab
Founder and Board Chair

With her book, Who Needs College Anymore?, deLaski is at the forefront of the debate over the evolving necessity of college in the modern workforce, arguing that education’s future should provide diverse, flexible, and accessible pathways for people.

First job: Cancan dancer. Lesson from that job: “I wasn’t cut out for a bohemian lifestyle.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Slow down, you make people nervous.”

Denise Forte
Education Trust
President and CEO

Forte urged states to release annual assessment results of students more quickly and with greater detail—including by race, income, and language—to better identify needs of those underserved in the classroom.

Education: Duke; George Washington University. Best career advice she ever received: “Always sit at the table.” Hidden talent: Long division.

Jessica Heppen
American Institutes for Research
President and CEO

With deep expertise in educational technology, intervention design, and support for at-risk students, Heppen has established AIR as a critical player in the debates on education reform.

Education: Miami University (Ohio); Rutgers University–New Brunswick (MA, PhD).

Frederick M. Hess
American Enterprise Institute
Senior Fellow and Director, Education Policy Studies

A leader on education reform, Hess collaborates with policymakers and educators to address challenges including school choice, teacher quality, and federal and state governments’ role in the education system.

First job: High-school social-studies teacher. Lesson from that job: “That schools are set up to frustrate teachers just as much as they do students.” Productivity hack: “It’s easiest to write when I’ve turned up the music and tuned out the email deluge, so I try to do just that for a couple hours first thing every morning.”

Richard Kahlenberg
Progressive Policy Institute
Director of Housing Policy and the American Identity Project

Kahlenberg was one of the earliest advocates for basing affirmative action in college admissions on class rather than race, a cause that’s been career-defining for him in education circles.

First job: Legislative assistant for Senator Chuck Robb of Virginia. Lesson from that job: “Ideas matter, and constituencies matter even more.” Productivity hack: “Wait 24 hours before accepting a speaking engagement that seems enticing, in order to weigh the costs.”

Ebony Lee
Charter School Growth Fund
Chief External Affairs Officer

The former Gates Foundation aide wields significant experience in grant-making strategies as she works to expand the reach and impact of public charter schools.

Best career advice: “Keep your knees bent (stay flexible).” Productivity hack: “I color-code my to-do lists.” Hidden talent: “Cat whisperer.”

Lodriguez Murray
United Negro College Fund
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Murray works with a bipartisan cross-section of Congress members as well as with HBCU presidents on how to increase educational access and opportunities for underrepresented college students.

First job: Fast-food cashier. Lesson from that job: “To not allow how other people treat you to dictate how you feel.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “You belong.”

Alex Nock
Penn Hill Group
Principal

The former Democratic deputy staff director for the House Committee on Education and Labor has established Penn Hill as a bipartisan education-policy firm that deals with elementary- and secondary-school legislative changes.

Education: University of Maryland. First job: Staff assistant for the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Julie Peller
Peller Strategies
Founder and CEO

With her recently launched strategy group, Peller is advising on the challenges that modern learners face, by attempting to bridge gaps among higher education, workforce needs, and systemic barriers in the system.

Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Plans are helpful guides, but by doing good work well, opportunities will come.” Last meal would be: Lamb chops with roasted potatoes and caramelized carrots.

Becky Pringle
National Education Association
President

Under Pringle’s leadership, the NEA has focused on influencing federal and state education policies to address systemic inequities, enhance funding for public schools, and ensure safer learning environments.

Hometown: Philadelphia. Education: University of Pittsburgh; Penn State (MA).

Richard V. Reeves
American Institute for Boys and Men
President

Reeves has proposed several key reforms to address the growing gender gap in education, including “redshirting” boys by starting them in school a year later than girls and recruiting more male teachers on the elementary level. His ideas have attracted interest from policymakers.

Hometown: Peterborough, England. Education: University of Oxford. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Treat college as an educational opportunity, not just a social one.”

Ilene Rosenthal
Footsteps2Brilliance
CEO and Cofounder

Rosenthal partners with school districts nationwide on early literacy reform for underserved families, using an innovative bilingual approach intended to eliminate equity gaps.

Education: Wesleyan University (BA); Georgetown (JD). First job: Teacher.

Thomas Toch
Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
FutureEd Director

Toch led a comprehensive analysis of the federal government’s $189 billion investment to help the nation’s schools recover from the pandemic and directed a policy campaign to promote high-quality tutoring for its most vulnerable students.

Education: Kenyon College (BA); University of Toronto (MA). How he unwinds at the end of the day: Yoga. Most cherished possession: An original Ansel Adams print.

Amy Andryszak
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
President and CEO

Andryszak works closely with policymakers to promote infrastructure development, environmental stewardship, and energy security, emphasizing the importance of modernizing pipeline regulations.

First job: “I worked at a snowball stand. Still the best job I’ve ever had.” Best career advice she ever received: “It is okay not to know all the answers. The important thing is to know whom to ask the right questions.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I have a nine-year-old daughter, and our family likes to play games after dinner. Favorites are rummy, triple solitaire, Qwirkle, and Sorry.”

Kevin Avery
ConocoPhillips
Vice President, Federal Government Affairs

With a background in government and extensive experience in the oil-and-gas industry, Avery leads the company’s efforts on upstream access and environmental regulation around methane emissions.

Education: Harvard; Stanford Law. First job: National representative for Students Against Drunk Driving. Best career advice he ever received: “Always base your career choices on what you want to do, not what you think others want you to do.”

Amanda Eversole
American Petroleum Institute
Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer

Eversole’s advocacy focuses on policies that support developing domestic energy resources, ensuring regulatory certainty, and advancing technological innovation to reduce emissions.

Best career advice she ever received: “Success is when good luck meets hard work.” Hidden talent: “I have a knack for home renovation. There’s nothing better for stress relief than demolition.” Most unusual productivity hack: “My walking treadmill has been a game-changer. Walking and working keeps my energy and focus on track.”

Jason Grumet
American Clean Power Association
CEO

Grumet is known for his bipartisan approach to promoting affordable, reliable, US-made clean energy on behalf of the nearly 800 companies he represents in Washington.

First job: “Renting and washing canoes.” Lesson from that job: “Always wear an undershirt. It will keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Competing with my family for our dog’s affection.”

Katherine Hamilton
38 North Solutions
Chair

Hamilton collaborates with policymakers and the private sector to craft strategies that support a transition to a low-carbon economy, with an emphasis on innovation and market-based solutions.

First job: Legal assistant for a DC law firm. Lesson from that job: “I learned I did not want to be a lawyer and also that I needed to do more than just go to a top-tier school to succeed.” Best career advice she ever received: “It’s okay to ask someone to pay you for what you do.”

Aliya Haq
Breakthrough Energy
Vice President, US Policy and Advocacy

Haq focuses on fostering policies that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, including investments in research and development, clean-energy infrastructure, and climate resilience.

Education: Cornell; Yale. Best career advice she ever received: “‘If you don’t want to be a lawyer, you shouldn’t go to law school.’ I pursued a master’s in environmental policy instead of a JD and have felt grateful ever since.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Evenings with my kids, convincing them to brush their teeth and put on their pajamas. And once they’re asleep, I eat secret chocolate.”

Karen Harbert
American Gas Association
President and CEO

Through congressional testimony, media appearances, and direct engagement with policymakers, Harbert has helped position AGA as a pivotal voice in debates around energy transition and climate policy.

First job: Assistant in the office of Republican National Committee co-chair Maureen Reagan. Lesson from that job: “Don’t ever put your boss’s dad on hold.” Hidden talent: “Card shark.”

Logan Hollers
Invariant
Principal, Energy and Environment

Hollers has become an expert on clean-energy tax credits devised as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, and he works with traditional energy utilities to navigate transmission and permitting issues critical to grid security.

Hometown: Sturgis, South Dakota. Best career advice he ever received: “Never look too far ahead—opportunities will come along, but you always need to be focused on being the best you can be at what you’re doing at that time.” Hidden talent: “I’m an outstanding roper. Perks of growing up with a rodeo-champion parent.”

Colette Honorable
Exelon
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary

Honorable engages stakeholders for the nation’s largest utility with a portfolio that includes renewable energy, mitigating the impact of climate change, and environmental-justice issues.

Education: University of Memphis; University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. First job: Cashier at Jackson Street Grocery. Best career advice she ever received: “‘Own your space at the table and in the room.’ If I’m at the table, it’s because I earned the right to be there.”

Karen Knutson
Chevron
Vice President and General Manager, Government Affairs

With more than three decades of experience in energy issues, including roles in the Senate and White House, Knutson oversees the company’s political contributions and advocates for policies that benefit the global-energy behemoth.

Hometown: Ketchikan, Alaska. Best career advice she ever received: “Help others succeed. Worry more about the success of the entire enterprise than your individual career.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Be brave and take risks. Your family and friends will always be your safety net.”

Maria Korsnick
Nuclear Energy Institute
President and CEO

Korsnick advocates for policies that support and expand the use of nuclear energy by promoting it as a key solution for reducing carbon emissions.

Education: University of Maryland (BS, nuclear/chemical engineering). First job: Engineer at Baltimore Gas & Electric.

Ray Long
American Council on Renewable Energy
President and CEO

Harnessing more than two decades of experience in energy policy, Long worked on molding provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and advocates for bipartisan clean-energy solutions with a focus on transmission and sustainability.

Education: Suffolk University (BA, JD).

Marco Margheri
Eni
Head of US Relations

Margheri’s policy influence is directed at shaping a regulatory environment that helps Eni achieve net-zero emissions while contributing to broader goals of economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Worst career advice he ever received: “Concentrate on a ‘secure job.’ ” Best career advice he received: “Leave the secure job.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “A fun class (Cody Rigsby on Peloton) and a good glass (a straight-up Negroni or a good Italian wine).”

E. Dee Martin
Bracewell
Partner and Policy Resolution Group Co-Chair

Martin secured her client’s inclusion in an overwhelming majority of the hydrogen hubs (regional networks that produce, store, and use hydrogen as a clean-energy source) selected by the Department of Energy for award negotiations under the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Hometown: Conway, Arkansas. Best career advice she received: “Dolores Huerta of United Farm Workers taught me not to negotiate against myself…” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Consult your mind, but follow your heart.”

Jim Matheson
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
CEO

The former Utah congressman focuses his energy on the unique challenges faced by rural cooperatives, such as the need for broadband access and modernization of energy systems.

Hometown: Salt Lake City. First job: Grounds worker for the parks department. Lesson from that job: “I learned the value of completing a job well, not for the praise of others but for the satisfaction I felt.”

Taite McDonald
Holland & Knight
Partner

An expert on energy funding and financing, McDonald and her team have helped companies negotiate and secure more than $20 billion from Department of Energy programs, including mineral grants and a direct-air-capture hub.

Education: Gettysburg College (BA); Catholic University (JD).

Phil Musser
NextEra Energy
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Musser engages with policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to promote policies that align with NextEra’s commitment to sustainability, including the transition to a low-carbon economy and the growth of solar, wind, and battery-storage technologies.

Hidden talent: Photographic memory. Most cherished possession: His grandfather’s WWII medals. How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Playing with my dog, Sandy, and listening to country music.”

Jeff Navin
Boundary Stone Partners
Cofounder

Navin helped propel bipartisan support for nuclear innovation, including driving the Advance Act—aimed at promoting the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy—to passage in Congress, thereby securing significant appropriations for nuclear technologies.

Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Best career advice he ever received: “To advocate for myself. Sometimes your hard work is noticed, but sometimes you have to remind people of your value.” Productivity hack: “I’m actively working to incorporate more AI tools into my life, and I’ve been amazed at how rapidly it’s improving.”

Rich Nolan
National Mining Association
President and CEO

An economist and former Hill staffer, Nolan manages complex issues in minerals and coal mining and has nimbly adjusted his focus to emphasize grid reliability and the need for more responsive natural-resource policies.

Education: Bates College.

Craig Piercy
American Nuclear Society
Executive Director/CEO

Piercy plays a crucial role in addressing key nuclear-industry challenges, including workforce development, the public perception around the energy source, and the push for advanced reactor deployment.

First job: Salesperson at Hechinger hardware. Lesson from that job: “Take time to do things right the first time, because it always takes longer to do things twice.” Best career advice he ever received: “If you are not willing to walk away from the table, you are not negotiating—you are begging.”

Rich Powell
Clean Energy Buyers Association
CEO

Powell promotes conservative policies that accelerate clean-energy innovation, particularly in areas such as nuclear energy and carbon capture.

Best career advice he received: “Always begin with the end in mind.” Hidden talent: Piloting hot-air balloons. Productivity hack: “Separate everything into pebbles and boulders… and save the pebbles for afternoons and evenings.”

Ben Ratner
JPMorgan Chase
Executive Director, Center for Carbon Transition

Ratner stepped into a newly created role within JPMorgan, focused on helping clients that are driving the transition away from carbon.

Education: Rice University; Stanford Law. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “The question isn’t whether you’ll get knocked down, it’s how you respond…” Most cherished possession: Jay-Z autograph reading “Peace. Love. Respect.”

Heather Reams
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions
President

As head of the only Republican nonprofit in DC dedicated to safeguarding federal policies that support the growth of all energy sources—including natural gas, carbon-free nuclear power, and renewable wind energy—Reams has been instrumental in advancing bipartisan clean-energy initiatives.

Best career advice she ever received: “If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” Hidden talent: “I am really good at paddleball.” Productivity hack: “I usually work late on Mondays…”

Louis Renjel
Duke Energy
Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Known as the go-to lobbyist for energy legislation on Capitol Hill, Renjel has also fostered private-sector agreements to support carbon-free energy generation, including nuclear power.

Worst career advice he ever received: “The person on the other side of an issue is the enemy.” Talent he’d most like to have: Novak Djokovic’s tennis game. Productivity hack: Podcasts at 1.5x speed every morning.

Jeannie Salo
Schneider Electric
Chief Public Policy Officer

Salo has been actively engaged around federal permitting reform to encourage swifter approvals for new energy projects and digitizing the electrical grid.

Hometown: San Antonio. Best career advice she ever received: “Look for your next job before you want the next job.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Don’t smoke. Wear sunscreen. And freeze your eggs!”

Emily Skor
Growth Energy
CEO

Skor has dramatically expanded Growth Energy’s influence, footprint, and membership, which includes the majority of US biorefineries. She has secured legislative and regulatory victories during both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Hidden talent: “I’m a classical pianist.” Most cherished possession: “My beach-glass collection from Madeline Island.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Dinner with the family… and a Law & Order rerun or two.”

Todd Snitchler
Electric Power Supply Association
President and CEO

Snitchler successfully mitigated potential harm to electric-power producers in the Inflation Reduction Act. He continues to champion a competitive and efficient wholesale electricity market.

First job: Gas-station attendant. Worst career advice he ever received: “Just wait your turn and things will eventually come your way.” Productivity hack: “Be an early riser…”

Mike Sommers
American Petroleum Institute
President and CEO

Sommers is a prominent voice advocating for the US oil-and-gas industry amid shifting energy policies and global challenges. He has vocally opposed restrictions on oil-and-gas development on federal lands and waters.

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois. Education: Miami University.

Zolaikha Salihi Strong
Generac Power Systems
Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs

Strong successfully secured significant grants to advance energy resiliency and clean-technology infrastructure, including a landmark $200 million Puerto Rico Energy Resiliency Fund supporting grid modernization and residential battery storage.

What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Your power is in your name—don’t modify it to make it easier for others.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “Reality TV is like candy for my busy mind.” Song on repeat: Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.”

Chet Thompson
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
President and CEO

With relationships on both sides of the aisle, Thompson has influenced congressional action on national liquid-fuel policies, electric-vehicle mandates, and EPA rules involving emissions from tailpipes.

Education: Boston College (BA); Catholic University (JD).

Jamie Wall
ExxonMobil
Vice President, Head of Washington Office

Under Wall’s leadership, ExxonMobil’s government-relations team has engaged extensively on legislation and regulations affecting carbon pricing, renewable-fuel standards, and critical mineral supply chains—areas that align with the interests of the nation’s largest energy company.

First job: Customer service at Babies ‘R’ Us. Lesson from that job: “Don’t argue with a pregnant woman over a coupon.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Don’t sweat the little things. One day they won’t matter.”

Karen Wayland
GridWise Alliance
CEO

Wayland’s expertise spans crucial areas such as grid resilience, infrastructure investments, and the integration of clean-energy technologies—evidenced by her testimony before congressional committees and her organization’s efforts to shape the implementation of major legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Hometown: Lebanon, Connecticut. Best career advice she received: “Don’t turn down opportunities to explore possible new jobs…” How she unwinds: “A long bike ride… dog walk… cooking for friends.”

Jeanne Wolak
Southern Company
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Wolak works to foster collaboration between the private sector and government to create a sustainable energy future, ensuring that Southern Company remains a key player in the evolving energy landscape.

Education: Virginia Tech (BA). First job: Staff assistant for Congressman Bob Kastenmeier of Wisconsin.

Abed Ayoub
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
National Executive Director

In his engagement with policymakers, Ayoub works to ensure that the voices of Arab Americans are considered in the formulation of foreign policy, stressing the importance of diplomacy and the protection of civil liberties both domestically and internationally.

Education: University of Michigan; University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Worst career advice he ever received: “ ‘Stay in your lane.’ This thinking limits growth and innovation.” Hidden talent:“I can bake an incredible cheesecake. I take traditional Arab desserts, such as kanafa or baklava, and turn them into cheesecakes.”

Emma Belcher
Ploughshares Fund
President

Belcher’s advocacy encourages a more peaceful and security-oriented foreign policy, with the goal of significantly reducing the threat of global nuclear war.

Hometown: Melbourne. First job: Public-affairs officer at the Australian Embassy in DC. Best career advice she ever received: “To get some government experience early on in my career.”

Jeremy Ben-Ami
J Street
President

Under Ben-Ami’s leadership, J Street has grown into a Washington institution, attracting support from prominent Democrats and challenging the perception that American Jews uniformly support hard-line Israeli policies.

Lesson from his first job (as a fellow in the New York City government): “Keep no paper on your desk, and clear your inbox every day.” Hidden talent: “Counting cards at blackjack.” Last meal would be: A bagel, cream cheese, and smoked salmon.

Hal Brands
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor

The author of several books on international affairs, Brands focuses on the often-debated question of who has the upper hand in the great power competition between the US, China, and Russia.

Hometown: Austin, Texas. First job: “Washing cars around the neighborhood.” Most unusual productivity hack: “When I’m stuck on something, I’ll go play nine holes and the answer usually presents itself.”

Elliot Brandt
AIPAC
CEO

A 30-year AIPAC veteran, Brandt was selected to lead the powerhouse Jewish group following Howard Kohr’s retirement at the end of 2024 and during a particularly volatile time for relations between the US and Israel.

Education: Stanford. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “The only way you’ll get into medical school is as a cadaver.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “My horse—a 110-pound Great Pyrenees/­poodle mix—takes me for a walk.”

Eliot A. Cohen
Center for Strategic & International Studies
Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy

Cohen helps inform lawmakers and refine their strategies to address complex international threats, advocating for a robust and thoughtful approach to US foreign policy while remaining a critic of President Trump.

First job: “Cleaning cages in which rats were being held for experiments at MIT.” Lesson from that job: “Sometimes there are unpleasant things that need to be done.” Most unusual productivity hack: “Fifteen-minute breaks to practice magic tricks.”

Matt Duss
Center for International Policy
Executive Vice President

The former Bernie Sanders adviser has urged Democrats to take a more progressive approach to foreign policy, pushing the party to reassess its unwavering support for Israel, particularly in its war in Gaza.

Hometown: Nyack, New York. Education: University of Washington. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Don’t worry, everyone else is just winging it too.”

Mai El-Sadany
Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy
Executive Director

El-Sadany advocates for policies that will enhance democratic principles and social justice in Middle Eastern countries, with an emphasis, for example, on the need for clear asylum policies in the wake of the upheaval in Syria.

First job: Reporter at a weekly paper. Best career advice she received: “Every successful person got where they are because someone believed in them and opened doors. Don’t be shy to ask for help.” How she unwinds: “Something mindless. Some days, dot-to-dot puzzles or paint-by-stickers. Other days, Fruit Clash on my phone.”

Aykan Erdemir
Anti-Defamation League
Director of Global Research and Diplomatic Affairs

Erdemir works with the State Department advocating for religious freedom around the world in his ongoing fight against rampant extremism and intolerance. He also leads a global survey on anti-Semitic sentiments and Holocaust awareness that’s distributed in 103 countries and territories.

Hometown: Bursa, Turkey. First job: Teaching assistant. Hidden talent: “I have a stomach radar, which allows me to detect hole-in-the-wall culinary treasures.”

Cathy Feingold
AFL-CIO
International Development Director

Feingold has long stood for the importance of integrating labor rights into international trade agreements, aiming to ensure that global economic agreements protect workers’ rights.

Hometown: Glencoe, Illinois. Best career advice she ever received: “The importance of building strong intergenerational networks of women colleagues who can support you through the various phases of your career.” Hidden talent: Salsa dancing.

Michèle Flournoy
WestExec Advisors
Cofounder and Managing Partner

The undersecretary of Defense for policy during Barack Obama’s first term is considered one of the leading thinkers on geopolitics, advocating for investments in emerging technologies and enhanced defense capabilities to counterbalance China’s growing military power.

Hometown: Los Angeles. Lesson from her first job (as a stringer for Time): “The importance of being entrepreneurial and creating your own opportunities.” Hidden talent: “Planning awesome family vacations.”

Markus Garlauskas
Atlantic Council
Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

With 20 years of government-intelligence experience, Garlauskas is a foremost expert on nuclear-deterrence-and-defense issues, particularly in East Asia and North Korea.

Hometown: Euclid, Ohio. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Hang in there. You will meet the love of your life next year.” Worst career advice he ever received: “To take a position I was not interested in and for which I would have had a miserable schedule, just because it was an immediate promotion in pay grade that would enable daily ‘face time’ with the big boss.”

Tom Hart
InterAction
President and CEO

Hart has spent nearly three decades driving policy changes around global health and development, leading the largest alliance of US-based nongovernmental organizations.

Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska. Education: Harvard. Hidden talent: “I can juggle fairly well.”

Tonija Hope
Howard University’s Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center
Director

Hope provides students with exposure to international leaders, fostering meetings with the president of Guyana, Germany’s foreign minister, and the first lady of Japan while emphasizing the importance of diversity in foreign-policy discussions.

First job:Concessions at a Boys & Girls Club. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Savor these moments—it gets harder.” Historical figure she most identifies with: “My great-grandfather John Hope, first Black president of Morehouse College and Atlanta University.”

Emily Horne
Allegro Public Affairs
Founder and CEO

Horne—who helped develop and execute the Biden administration’s strategy to declassify and share intelligence about Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine—has emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of how Russia uses information as part of its security apparatus.

Lesson from her first job (at Bruegger’s Bagels while in high school): “Everyone should work a food-service job at some point.” Productivity hack: “Having hobbies has made me more productive in my working hours. I show up stronger for my clients because I’m taking care of my whole self.” Most cherished possession: “A comic book my eight-year-old drew for me about our adventures together.”

David Ignatius
Washington Post
Foreign-Affairs Columnist

Influential leaders in capitals around the globe pore over Ignatius’s twice-weekly foreign-affairs columns, but arguably his most impactful piece of writing was his call for Biden to leave the 2024 race, which paved the way for Kamala Harris’s nomination.

First job: “Bellhop at the Georgetown Manor Hotel in high school. But the ‘first job’ that truly shaped my life was covering the United Steelworkers Union for the Wall Street Journal in Pittsburgh.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Cut your hair.” Most cherished possession: His Ford Mustang Mach-E EV.

Frederick W. Kagan
American Enterprise Institute
Senior Fellow and Director, Critical Threats Project

In warning about the rising alliance among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, Kagan—a staunch advocate for continued US support for Ukraine—has informed the thinking of elite policy circles in Washington.

Education: Yale (BA, PhD).

Atul Keshap
US Chamber of Commerce
President, US–India Business Council

Following India’s 2024 election—which resulted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s formation of a coalition government—Keshap highlighted the need for accelerating India’s economic agenda to address disparities in employment and rural development and support for Modi-led initiatives.

First job: Foreign Service officer. Lesson from that job: “If America doesn’t lead, either nobody else will or, worse, our enemies will.” Best career advice he ever received: “Don’t be afraid to defy conventional wisdom.”

Zalmay Khalilzad
Gryphon Partners
President

Having served as US ambassador to the United Nations, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Khalilzad brings a deep understanding of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia, advising clients on global risk management and political strategy.

Hometown: Born in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan; raised in Kabul. Education: American University of Beirut (BA, MA); University of Chicago (PhD).

Bryan Lanza
Mercury
Partner

The former Trump communications aide advised the government of South Korea on how to craft an economic-policy agenda tailored to the second Trump administration, providing the foreign power with strategic engagement advice. He has previously lobbied for a Chinese telecommunications company and a Nigerian energy company.

Education: California State University at Long Beach.

Elisa Massimino
Georgetown Law
Visiting Professor and Executive Director, Human Rights Institute

Long an advocate for reforms to foreign aid to advance human rights globally, Massimino stresses the need for a statutory framework to ensure that US aid promotes respect for human rights and democracy.

Hometown: “Born in Honolulu, grew up all over. My dad was a Navy officer.” Lesson from her first job (as a cashier at a Long John Silver’s in Dallas): “A warm welcome and hushpuppies can make anybody’s day better.” Productivity hack: “My sister and I work out together every Saturday, then head to a coffee shop for breakfast. We each bring the tasks we’ve been stuck on during the week.”

Giulia McPherson
Global Campaign for Education–US
Executive Director

Harnessing two decades of experience in humanitarian aid and development, McPherson successfully led an effort that increased funding for refugee education programs around the world—the sum now exceeds $30 million.

Hometown: Chevy Chase. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Don’t worry about what you can’t do, but focus on what you can do.” What’s on repeat in her earbuds: “More than music, I listen to podcasts whenever possible and am finding a lot of levity in the Smartless podcast.”

Evan Medeiros
Asia Group / Georgetown University
Senior Adviser / Professor and Penner Family Chair

In challenging the notion that China’s global influence has plateaued, Madeiros urges policymakers to adopt a nuanced approach that considers China’s evolving capabilities and strategic intentions.

Lesson from his first job (as a junior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment): “Read broadly and often. Train your weaknesses.” Worst career advice he ever received: “You are too old to learn Chinese.” Most unusual productivity hack: “I put my phone in the fridge to prevent me from peeking at it.”

Mark Mellman
Democratic Majority for Israel
President

Mellman is at the forefront of Democratic efforts to maintain a strong bond with Israel, as his organization mobilizes to support key legislation such as appropriating funds for the Iron Dome and backing pro-Israel candidates across the country.

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio. First job: “Summer job loading aluminum siding onto trucks.” Last meal would be: “A great hamburger.”

A. Wess Mitchell
Marathon Initiative
Principal and Cofounder

A former assistant secretary of State during the first Trump administration, Mitchell advocates for a “Europe first” strategy in US foreign policy, arguing that securing Europe and preserving the transatlantic alliance is crucial for dealing with global challenges.

First job: “Hauling hay on my uncle’s alfalfa farm in West Texas.” Lesson from that job: “Get up early and hustle. No one is going to give you anything in life—you have to earn it.” Best career advice he ever received: “Don’t try to do it all. Learn to prioritize and focus on a handful of things that matter most. Multitasking is overrated.”

W. Gyude Moore
Center for Global Development
Nonresident Fellow

A former minister of public works in Liberia, Moore is called upon to comment on US-Africa relations in the media. He has a particular focus on raising issues in sub-Saharan countries that are often overlooked by others in policy circles.

Hometown: Cape Palmas, Liberia. First job: “Working as a study-class teacher for grade-schoolers.” Lesson from that job: “My boss always talked about ‘stick-to-itiveness.’ I guess that’s what I learned.”

Yousef Munayyer
Arab Center Washington DC
Head of Palestine-Israel Program and Senior Fellow

Munayyer was an early voice warning that Israel’s escalating tactics in the Middle East could be seen as a way to drag the US into a direct war with Iran.

Hometown: Born in Lod, Israel; raised in New Jersey. Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst (BA); University of Maryland (MA, PhD).

Gissou Nia
Atlantic Council
Strategic Litigation Project Founder and Director

Nia’s testimony to the House Committee on Homeland Security in 2024 about safeguarding dissident voices cemented her as a leading voice in policy discussions related to human rights and international justice.

First job: “My first real job was in The Hague at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.” Lesson from that job: “Nothing can substitute for hard work.” Most cherished possession: “A map of the ancient Persian empire. It reminds me of my roots and ancestry. Cyrus the Great was a ‘human rights first’ kind of guy—at least compared to kings in that era—which I appreciate.”

Robert O’Brien
American Global Strategies
Cofounder and Chairman

As a former national-security adviser to President Trump, the well-wired O’Brien has a direct line into Trumpworld and is a loyal ambassador for the President’s “peace through strength” security strategy.

Education: UCLA; UC Berkeley School of Law. Best career advice he ever received: “As a lawyer, your role is to be a peacemaker.” Hidden talent: “The wisdom to have married Lo-Mari 35 years ago.”

Trita Parsi
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Cofounder and Executive Vice President

Parsi has been a harsh critic of US policy in the Middle East, dubbing Israel the country most likely to drag the US into “another unnecessary war” and condemning former President Biden as most likely to “pliantly follow Israel’s lead.”

Hometown: Uppsala, Sweden. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Play the long game.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “A walk in the woods with my two Samoyeds.”

Julie Rayman
American Jewish Committee
Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs

Instrumental in raising awareness around antisemitism, Rayman has equated Israel’s fight to Ukraine’s, emphasizing the parallels between the conflicts both nations face and advocating for robust US support to promote global peace and prosperity.

Lesson from her first job (doing maintenance work at a designer home show): “Litter is everyone’s problem.” Worst career advice she received: “Don’t let the people who work under you shine too brightly.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “To center myself, I cook. Then, to connect with my family, we play games while we eat.”

Dennis Ross
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Counselor and Distinguished Fellow

Carrying decades of experience as a diplomat and policymaker, including roles in multiple US administrations, Ross has been influential in peace negotiations between Israel and its neighbors; Iran’s nuclear ambitions; and US-Arab relations.

Hometown: San Francisco. First job: Analyst in the Pentagon. Hidden talent: “Sports analyst.”

Douglas Rutzen
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
President and CEO

Rutzen advises governments and international organizations on civil society, democracy, and human rights, with the ability to dispense legal expertise in more than 100 countries.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Ditch the 1980s haircut.” Best career advice he ever received: “Avoid the legal profession’s ‘golden handcuffs.’ ” Last meal would be: “My daughter’s spring rolls.”

Robert Stryk
Stryk Global Diplomacy
Chairman

Stryk, whose lobbying firm enjoyed growth during the first Trump administration, immediately heard from half a dozen African companies interested in his connections when Donald Trump won a second term.

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona. Education: Arizona State University. First job: Aide for Senator Bob Dole’s presidential campaign.

Hadar Susskind
New Jewish Narrative
President and CEO

In forming a progressive Jewish advocacy organization, which he did last winter, Susskind is trying to use the group to push for a change in US-Israel relations, stressing the need for Israel to maintain its relationship with the US based on merits rather than historical ties.

Education: Tel Aviv University; University of Maryland. Lesson from his first job (at a movie theater): “Never pick up trash from the floor with your bare hands.” Hidden talent: “Deep knowledge of NFL history and statistics.”

Yasmine Taeb
MPowerChange Action Fund
Legislative and Political Director

In advocating for policies that address issues such as Islamophobia, immigrant rights, and US foreign intervention in the Middle East, Taeb reminds policymakers to consider the impact on marginalized communities both domestically and abroad.

Hometown: Tehran. Education: University of Florida; Georgetown; Penn State Dickinson School of Law. Worst career advice she ever received: “To accept the highest-paying job regardless of your life’s calling.”

David Tamasi
Chartwell Strategy Group
Founding Partner and Managing Director

Tamasi, who represents Kosovo and the country of Georgia as well as a controversial Israeli spyware company, is expected to enjoy enhanced leverage due to his fundraising for President Trump.

Hometown: Dennis, Massachusetts. First job: Delivering newspapers. Song currently on repeat: “Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers Band, from a live album recorded at Stony Brook University.

David Urban
BGR Group
Managing Director

Urban, an early and well-connected White House ally who helped the President win Pennsylvania in his first race, was signed by the government of Panama soon after Trump threatened to take back the Panama Canal.

Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Education: United States Military Academy; University of Pennsylvania; Temple University School of Law. First job: Artillery officer in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

Ramy Yaacoub
Open Society Foundations
Director, Middle East and North Africa

This Arab Spring veteran and former Egyptian political organizer is working to ensure that the next generation of civil-society organizations and independent media have the resources and skills necessary to lead movements in the MENA region.

Hometown: Cairo. First job: “My first big paycheck was when I was an engineer for Boeing on the 787 Dreamliner project.” Lesson from that job: “Policy is people. A few months into my job at Boeing, it became clear that effecting change required direct action, so I moved to DC to work as an unpaid intern in Senator Bill Nelson’s office.”

Ginny Badanes
Microsoft
General Manager, Democracy Forward

Under Badanes’s leadership, Microsoft’s Democracy Forward initiative has developed tools and strategies to protect elections, political parties, campaigns, and NGOs from cyber-enabled threats, including defending against nation-state cyberattacks.

Hometown: Tulsa. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Spend more time with Mom, and record her talking, laughing, living—something I could share with her grandchildren after she’s gone.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “With three boys at home, I unwind by diving into carpools, practices, and homework. My favorite way to relax is a family dinner when we’re all home.”

Danielle Brian
Project on Government Oversight
Executive Director/President

Brian has testified before Congress more than 40 times to advocate for greater accountability and transparency, all while supervising investigations into wasteful spending in government contracts and security holes at US nuclear-weapon sites.

First job: Piercing ears at Piercing Pagoda. Lesson from that job: “Just because someone thinks it’s a good idea doesn’t mean it is.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I love a couple rounds of backgammon with my partner before we start to make dinner.”

Barbara Comstock
Society for the Rule of Law
Board Member

Leveraging her background as a former Congress member, Comstock does work that focuses on fostering a rule-of-law culture that supports fair and just legal frameworks.

Education: Middlebury College; Georgetown (JD). First job: “In high school, I worked at a movie theater selling popcorn and tickets.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “You really can meet your husband/life mate in high school.”

Norman Eisen
Brookings Institution
Senior Fellow, Governance Studies

Eisen is a leading voice on accountability, via his voluminous Brookings writings, frequent appearances on CNN, and litigation through nonprofits such as State Democracy Defunders Fund. Eisen will be even more prominent with the return of his frequent foil, Donald Trump, to the White House.

Hometown: Hollywood, California. First job:At his family’s hamburger stand. Most unusual productivity hack: “I write almost everything on my iPhone, often using Siri dictation. I produced several of my books that way. It makes it easier to get started because the device is right at hand, less intimidating than firing up a laptop.”

Lisa Gilbert
Public Citizen
Co-President

Gilbert established a new tracker to keep tabs on the corporate entanglements of Trump-administration officials to highlight, as stated in a press release, “when these appointees abuse their power to serve corporate interests.”

Worst career advice she ever received: “ ‘No one can make it in DC without a law degree.’ It is an expensive myth.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “The most important things you learn about hard work, communication, and management will happen in a campaign office.” How she unwinds: “A cup of soothing tea.”

Ben Ginsberg
Stanford University
Volker Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution

After being one of the top GOP election lawyers for decades, Ginsberg broke with his party over Donald Trump, becoming one of the foremost critics of the President’s big lie that he won the 2020 election.

Education: University of Pennsylvania; Georgetown Law. First job: Newspaper reporter.

Jeff Hauser
Revolving Door Project
Executive Director

Hauser has left a mark on Capitol Hill by monitoring political appointments in presidential administrations, advocating for transparency, and critiquing corporate influence in government—making his case by leveraging media coverage and his connection to policymakers.

Hometown: New City, New York. Education: Harvard; NYU (JD). Most cherished possession: “My reputation.”

Liz Hempowicz
American Oversight
Deputy Executive Director

Hempowicz helps direct the nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog operation’s mission of advancing accountability and transparency in government through its use of open-records requests and litigation to obtain and publish government documents.

Hometown: Bridgeport, Connecticut. First job: “Selling sunglasses at a highway rest-stop kiosk.” Hidden talent: “Easily memorizing song lyrics and retaining them forever.”

Eric H. Holder Jr.
Covington
Senior Counsel

Holder had a big year, which included helming the vetting for Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential contenders. The former attorney general continues to combat GOP gerrymandering attempts through lawfare.

Best career advice he ever received: “Always give 110 percent on every project—you never know who will review your efforts or how important the project will be viewed down the road.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Be appropriately patient but unafraid to challenge people in authority.” Last meal would be: “Not concerned about health impacts? Filet mignon.”

Libby Liu
Whistleblower Aid
CEO

Liu leads this nonprofit legal organization, which supports public officials and private employees who seek to expose wrongdoing in government and corporations.

Best career advice she ever received: “Never believe your own press releases.” Most cherished possession: “Tibetan prayer beads from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I love to sit on my balcony and watch the sunset.”

Ryan McGowan
Institute for Legislative Analysis
CEO

McGowan provides policy shapers with data-driven insights and evidence-based recommendations to improve governance structures and public-policy outcomes.

Lesson from his first job (doing federal audits for KPMG): “Wasteful federal-government spending is worse than I thought.” Hidden talent: “Really bad impressions of people.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I have three kids under ten years old. If I get a few minutes alone with my wife to discuss something other than their agenda, that’s a big win for me.”

Tiffany Muller
End Citizens United
President

Under Muller’s leadership, ECU has grown into a nationwide organization with more than 4 million members and 1 million grassroots donors, raising $200 million–plus to protect and strengthen democracy.

Hometown: Amoret, Missouri. How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I’m relearning the piano and really enjoy the challenge and focus it takes.” Most unusual productivity hack: Playing ping-pong during meetings. “It’s hard not to say what you really think when your hands and eyes are focused on the ball. I’ve come out of more ping-pong meetings with fresh, honest ideas. It’s also fun and provides a boost of energy.”

Norman Ornstein
“The Contrarian” Substack
Contributor

Now retired from the American Enterprise Institute, Ornstein has taken his advocacy for good-government reforms, institutional accountability, and democratic resilience to Substack and an adjacent podcast.

First job: “At the shoe counter in a bowling alley at 13.” Best career advice he received: “If you’re not willing to fight for what you believe, find another profession.” Most cherished possession: “Besides an email from my late son Matthew, my ticket to the seventh game of the ’65 World Series. My Minnesota Twins lost to Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers. It was the year Koufax refused to pitch the first game, on Yom Kippur. So I had mixed feelings. Koufax was every Jew’s hero.”

Nick Penniman
Issue One
Founder and CEO

Penniman has sought bipartisan consensus on holding social-media companies to the same libel and copyright-infringement rules that traditional media is subject to.

Education: St. Lawrence University. Hometown: St. Louis.

Skye Perryman
Democracy Forward
President and CEO

Perryman has actively litigated against policies deemed unlawful or harmful to democratic governance, with her organization filing lawsuits opposing Trump’s executive orders that threaten to undermine the civil service and weaken governmental checks and balances.

Hometown: Waco, Texas. First job: “Manually formatting diskettes for my dad’s economic consulting firm at age eight.” Most cherished possession: “A box with my grandmother’s recipes.”

Trevor Potter
Campaign Legal Center
Founder and President

As a former Federal Election Commission chairman and general counsel to John McCain’s presidential campaigns, Potter has been at the forefront of efforts to promote transparency and accountability in politics.

Hometown: Chicago. Worst career advice he ever received: “Don’t accept an appointment as an FEC commissioner, because it’s a dead end—no one cares about election law.” Hidden talent: “Making a cheese soufflé.”

Aaron Scherb
Common Cause
Senior Director, Legislative Affairs

Scherb has advocated for strengthening the Office of Congressional Ethics, emphasizing its role in maintaining public confidence in the thinly divided House of Representatives.

First job: Delivering newspapers for the South Bend Tribune. Lesson from that job: “People appreciated and often recognized the small things, like making sure their newspaper was fully wrapped in plastic when it was raining or snowing.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Watching old Saturday Night Live reruns.”

Donald Sherman
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Executive Director and Chief Counsel

Sherman has provided expert testimony to Congress on critical issues such as judicial ethics, urging the development of a Supreme Court code of conduct to address gift-giving and recusal from cases.

Best career advice he ever received: “Be kind to everyone. Do favors for people, especially if it costs you little or nothing.” Hidden talent: “I know pi to about 40 or 50 digits.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “Listening to music while cooking dinner for my family.”

Margaret Spellings
Bipartisan Policy Center
President and CEO

Spellings—who worked under George W. Bush, first when he was governor of Texas, then when he was President—works tirelessly to find ways to achieve bipartisan policy victories, with a track record of forging consensus on a youth-mental-health task force as well as energy and tax-policy issues.

Hometown: Houston. How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I turn on Jeopardy! at night to relax. I’m also a former contestant.” Most cherished possession: “I have the final vote count for No Child Left Behind hanging in my office.”

Max Stier
Partnership for Public Service
President and CEO

Stier has publicly criticized the Trump administration’s initiatives to downsize the federal workforce, emphasizing the detrimental effects on government operations and public services while also highlighting the fear and uncertainty among civil servants.

First job:Summer intern for Congressman Jim Leach. Best career advice: “Not to plan my life. Opportunities are maximized by focusing on the present.” Productivity hack: “There’s been some slippage because of streaming, but I’ve never watched traditional TV as an adult and never had a TV. Our time is our most important asset, and giving up TV gives me more time to do things I care about.”

Joshua Tauberer
GovTrack.us
Founder and President

Tauberer’s website provides useful congressional information, and he continues to advocate for opening up the legislative branch’s archives to improve transparency and accountability.

Hometown: Plainview, New York. Education: Princeton; University of Pennsylvania (MA, PhD).

Cynthia Richie Terrell
RepresentWomen
Executive Director and Founder

Terrell’s efforts aim to dismantle structural barriers that hinder women’s political participation, ensuring that government bodies reflect the diversity of the populations they serve.

First job: Working on a US Senate campaign in Pennsylvania. Lesson from that job: “Polls are usually right.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Find a way to travel to every continent before work and family obligations become all-consuming.”

Anna Abram
Akin
Senior Adviser

A former senior healthcare adviser to Senator Richard Burr, Abram has played a pivotal role in advancing medical and public-health-preparedness initiatives and patient-centered drug and device development.

Lesson from her first job (as a camp counselor): “Patience goes a long way.” Best career advice she ever received: “When you’re negotiating something, it’s okay to bend, but don’t break.” Hidden talent: “I can juggle.”

Jane Adams
Johnson & Johnson
Vice President, US Federal Government Affairs, and Head of Office

Adams oversees policy strategy at the pharmaceutical giant, focusing on countering regulations such as the drug price controls introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Hometown: Woodstock, Vermont. Hidden talent: Parallel parking. Last meal would be: “Movie-theater popcorn and a large Diet Coke with lots of ice.”

Andrew Barnhill
IQVIA
Head of Public Policy, Global Legal

Barnhill has helped educate government officials about the importance of data privacy in healthcare, given IQVIA’s large prescription database.

First job: Host of a cable-access TV show while in high school. Best career advice he ever received: “Careers do not need to be linear. Think of your career, and your life, in decades, with opportunities to contribute and lead in lots of ways.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I am a daily swimmer. Between that and making sure my cocker spaniel gets plenty of walks, that winds down a busy day.”

Georges C. Benjamin
American Public Health Association
Executive Director

Benjamin is a guide for the public, the press, and lawmakers on public-health measures that not only prevent disease but advance equity and promote ideas such as workplace flexibility as a way to support mental health.

Hometown: Chicago. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “ ‘Be more inquisitive about family history.’ I know little about my roots beyond my grandparents.” Productivity hack: “I triage my to-do list into sub-lists: things I must do today, personal things I want to do, and things it would be nice to do that day. I do the easy or quick things first.”

Michael Cannon
Cato Institute
Director of Health Policy Studies

Well known for his free-market, limited-government approach to healthcare, Cannon has influenced Republican lawmakers’ views on block grants for Medicaid and reducing government involvement in healthcare pricing.

First job: Paperboy. Lesson from that job: “Adults prefer to read their newspapers earlier than teenagers prefer to deliver them.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I love that you think I unwind.”

Anne Cassity
National Community Pharmacists Association
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Cassity’s work is instrumental in NCPA’s push for transparency, accountability, and fair reimbursement practices in the pharmacy sector. She has actively lobbied Congress to pass reforms that would address the ways pharmacy benefit managers operate.

Hometown: Saint Francisville, Louisiana. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Always take your parents’ advice. They’re usually right.” Last meal would be: Crawfish étouffée or boiled crawfish.

Liz Clark
Health & Fitness Association
CEO and President

By promoting public-health initiatives and addressing regulatory challenges faced by the industry, Clark advocates for legislation that supports the growth and sustainability of health clubs.

First job: “Cleaning hotel rooms, grounds­keeping, and helping my mom as a prep cook at our small family business in Montana at age nine.” Best career advice she ever received: “Surround yourself with positive people and don’t make up excuses. If you mess up, own it and move on.” Hidden talent: Scrapbooking.

Marjorie Dannenfelser
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
President

Dannenfelser’s advocacy has significantly impacted the national discourse on reproductive rights, making her a key player in the ongoing debates about judicial nominees and their fealty to the antiabortion cause even after the fall of Roe.

Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina. Lesson from her first job (at the Heritage Foundation): “Ask smart people for advice and help.” Most cherished possession: “My great-grandmother’s desk, given to her for Christmas by my great-grandfather in 1899.”

Chester (Chip) Davis Jr.
Healthcare Distribution Alliance
President and CEO

Davis spearheads the organization’s dialogue with legislators, focusing on fortifying supply chains and streamlining the market rollouts of drugs, with an eye on shortages and distribution-network effects.

Hometown: Annapolis. Best career advice he ever received: “When I was a young lawyer, a senior partner in the firm once shared: ‘If you agree with me on everything all the time, I have no use for you.’ It reinforced the importance of eliciting and receiving honest and candid feedback.” Hidden talent: Playing the drums.

Natalie Davis
United States of Care
CEO and Cofounder

Davis drives a vision of healthcare that centers the human experience. Having led campaigns defending access to preventive-care services, she’s known for building coalitions and advancing people-centered policy.

Education: Salisbury University (BA); George Washington University (MA).

Christine Eibner
RAND Corporation
Senior Economist

Eibner’s work includes advising federal and state officials on the Affordable Care Act’s ongoing impact as well as on Medicaid expansion, thereby helping shape key debates in healthcare policy.

Education: William & Mary; University of Maryland (PhD, economics). Best career advice she ever received: “Dry-run all of your presentations, and never present work you’re not confident in.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Take more math classes.”

Isaac Fordjour
Walgreens
Vice President, Federal Government Relations

Fordjour is responsible for developing and executing Walgreens’ federal advocacy strategies, including the push for PBM-reform legislation, which aims to increase transparency and accountability in drug pricing and reimbursement practices.

Hometown: Memphis. Lesson from his first job (as a desk clerk at a Days Inn): “Be kind—it might just come with an upgrade.” Hidden talent: “I sang baritone in an all-guys a cappella group. Not quite Take 6, but we were pretty good.”

Chad Golder
American Hospital Association
General Counsel and Secretary

Golder oversaw a significant legal victory for the AHA when a court ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services overstepped its authority on guidance it provided for the online tracking of essential health information.

Hometown: Oceanside, New York. Lesson from his first job (as a law clerk to Merrick Garland on the DC Circuit Court): “Garland was the model judge. Every day, I learned how to be a better lawyer by his judicial temperament and modest approach to the law.” Song currently on repeat: “Racing in the Street” by Bruce Springsteen.

Lawrence Gostin
Georgetown University
Distinguished Professor of Global Health Law
WHO Collaborating Center for National and Global Health Law
Director

Gostin raised with policymakers the urgency of building national capacities for regulatory authorization of critical monkeypox medicines and vaccines, to facilitate effective distribution on a global scale.

Hometown: New York City. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “The first rule is to smile and give credit to others.” Productivity hack: “Intense exercise followed by intense concentration for a short burst of time. It is amazing what can be accomplished with intense focus.”

Scott Gottlieb
New Enterprise Associates
Partner

The former Food and Drug Administration commissioner is regarded as one of the most innovative developers of healthcare policy, with a focus on reshaping delivery systems and expanding consumer options.

Hometown: East Brunswick, New Jersey. Education: Wesleyan University; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. First job: Healthcare analyst at Alex. Brown & Sons in Baltimore.

Al Guida
Guide Consulting Services
President and CEO

Guida has spearheaded advances in the mental-health field, including the securing of funding parity with physical health, enhanced coverage for community behavioral health, and commission of the National Academies study that catalyzed creation of the Child Tax Credit.

Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut. Worst career advice he ever received: “You have to go to law school in order to become a DC lobbyist.” Last meal would be: Lasagna.

Cookab Hashemi
Elekta
Senior Director, Government Affairs

With more than 20 years on Capitol Hill and expertise in pharmaceutical and DNA medicines, Hashemi brings valuable experience to the Swedish company, which is at the forefront of developing medical technologies to treat brain tumors and certain types of epilepsy.

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina. First job: Staff assistant at the Democratic Governors Association. Best career advice she ever received: Always handwrite a thank-you note.

Chuck Ingoglia
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
President and CEO

Ingoglia pushed the Federal Communications Commission to allow georouting to identify the general location of anyone calling the suicide hotline, which he argued would greatly enhance the service’s ability to save lives. The FCC adopted georouting last fall.

Hometown: Detroit. Historical figure he most identifies with: “Dorothea Dix, an early mental-health reformer. She believed we could make a better future for people living with mental illness.” How he unwinds at the end of the day: “I relax to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! while petting the dogs. Does the trick every night.”

Chris Jennings
Jennings Policy Strategies
Founder and President

A strategic healthcare consultant for foundations such as Robert Wood Johnson, Commonwealth, and West Health, Jennings is an expert on changes to healthcare law, particularly involving Medicaid and subsidies that allow people to afford insurance.

Hometown: Athens, Ohio. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Always focus on the moment in front of you. That’s your best opportunity for advancement.” Historical figure he most identifies with: “Thomas Edison—only because he failed so many times before he had any success, not because I’m anywhere in his league.”

Elizabeth Jurinka
Vistria Group
Operating Director, Healthcare Policy, Vistria PRG

The former special assistant in the Biden administration is a longtime healthcare policy wonk, counting wins on prescription-drug reform and preventing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Education: University of Maryland (BA); Johns Hopkins (MA).

Charles N. (Chip) Kahn III
Federation of American Hospitals
President and CEO

Kahn is at the forefront of developing health-policy solutions driven by advances in data science and artificial intelligence. He predicts that such technology investments will streamline hospital operations and lead to more tailored treatments for patients.

Education: “When a New Orleanian is asked that question, it means their high school: I went to Newman School from kindergarten through 12th grade, Johns Hopkins for my BA, Tulane for my master’s in public health.” First job: Managing Newt Gingrich’s 1974 congressional campaign. Lesson from that job: “It helps to be audacious.”

Patrick J. Kennedy
Healthsperien
Partner

The former Rhode Island congressman has established a mental-health-and-addiction-policy practice, with a focus on community-based services and advocacy for transformation of the healthcare system.

Hometown: Boston. Education: Providence College (BS).

Genevieve M. Kenney
Urban Institute
Institute Fellow, Health Policy

Kenney’s expertise in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program has made her a nationally renowned expert and has contributed significantly to reform debates raised in Congress.

Education: Smith College; University of Michigan (MA, PhD). First job: “Working the snack bar on the DC–Mount Vernon boat.” What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “You will have amazing opportunities in your life, but progress can be frustratingly nonlinear.”

Jay Khosla
Humana
Chief Government Affairs Officer

From his time in Senate GOP leadership to the private sector, Khosla has established himself as one of the best-connected authorities on the intersection of health and economic policy.

Hometown: Fairfax. Education: Virginia Commonwealth University; University of Richmond (JD). Most cherished possession: “The watch my father wore when he immigrated to the US.”

Sarah Kyle
Eli Lilly
Vice President, Federal Affairs

Kyle handles drug pricing, healthcare reform, and pharmaceutical regulation for the multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis.

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana. Education: Purdue University; Johns Hopkins. What she’d tell her 18-year-old self: “Your goal should be to become an interesting person—take every opportunity you have to learn something new.”

Courtney Lawrence
Cigna
Senior Vice President, Head of Government Affairs and Global Policy

Lawrence advocates for value-based care models that prioritize patient outcomes over service volume and support policies designed to improve prescription drugs’ affordability.

Education: University of Georgia.

Nancy LeaMond
AARP
Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer

LeaMond drives the agenda of one of the most effective advocacy arms for seniors, with a focus on how Medicare can foster stronger relationships between primary care and caregivers.

Hometown: Millburn, New Jersey. Best career advice she ever received: “Being underestimated is a superpower.” Last meal would be: “Pasta—Italian heritage till the end.”

Lucia Lebens
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
Senior Vice President, Federal Affairs and Political Strategy

With lawmakers scrutinizing pharmacy benefit managers, Lebens has been heralded as adept at representing third-party administrators of prescription-drug programs like CVS and OptumRx.

Hometown: Afton, Minnesota. Lesson from her first job (as a corn detassler): “Sometimes a paycheck isn’t worth the task at hand.” Best career advice she ever received: “Pay it forward. Today’s intern is tomorrow’s CEO. And DC’s a small town—it’ll come back around.”

John Lepore
Moderna
Head of Public Policy US

Lepore helped explain the rationale for Moderna’s pricing strategy around its commercial Covid vaccine in the face of Senator Bernie Sanders’s criticism, earning plaudits from experts and colleagues in the healthcare industry.

Hometown: Baltimore. What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “It really is a wonderful life.” Productivity hack: “Routine habits for all the small things—I never waste time looking for my keys.”

Jane Lucas
Alston & Bird
Partner

As a former legislative adviser to both Senator John Thune and Donald Trump, Lucas is primely positioned to influence healthcare policy, having leveraged early meetings with Robert Kennedy Jr.’s team in order to better understand his policy goals.

Education: South Dakota State University (BA); Georgetown (JD).

Scott M. Melville
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
President and CEO

Melville has overseen successful efforts to modernize FDA regulations for over-the-counter products and is advancing dietary-supplement reform by expanding FSA/HSA eligibility for supplements.

Education: Bucknell University (BA); George Mason (JD).

David Merritt
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Senior Vice President of External Affairs

Merritt’s team secured strong bipartisan support for the House-passed Lower Cost More Transparency Act, aimed at reducing costs and enhancing price transparency across the healthcare system.

First job: McDonald’s. Lesson from that job: “Actual adult work is no joke.” Best career advice: “In my late twenties, a family friend who was a retired CEO pressed me on my long-term career goals. One question changed my life: ‘Is what you’re doing now going to get you where you want to be?’ The answer was no, which ultimately led to a phenomenal job and a fulfilling career.”

Mark E. Miller
Arnold Ventures
Executive Vice President of Healthcare

Miller has expressed concerns over coding abuses by insurers in the Medicare Advantage program, leading to significant overpayments. He has advocated for prompt implementation of reforms to prevent exploitation of the system.

First job: “Mostly worked construction in college.” Lesson from that job: “I didn’t want to work in construction.” Historical figure he most identifies with: Oscar the Grouch.

David Mitchell
Patients for Affordable Drugs Now
President and Founder

Mitchell runs the bipartisan national organization focused on ways to lower drug prices, including marshaling patients to pressure lawmakers and testifying on Capitol Hill.

Hometown: Detroit. First job: “Drugstore clerk for 67 cents per hour at 14 years of age.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Shut up and listen more. Reach higher.”

Laura Modi
Bobbie
Cofounder and CEO

A former director of hospitality for Airbnb, Modi relocated to Washington and worked with lawmakers to introduce the Infant Formula Made in America Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain.

Education: Technological University Dublin (BS).

John Murphy III
Association for Accessible Medicines
President and CEO

The former chief policy officer for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization helms the association representing manufacturers and distributors of generic and biosimilar prescription drugs, working with regulators to ease the drugs’ approval.

Education: Villanova; Catholic University law school. First job: Senior consultant at McBee Associates.

Margaret A. Murray
Association for Community Affiliated Plans
CEO

Murray has been a steadfast advocate for the social safety net over nearly three decades, helping achieve passage of the Drug Rebate Equalization Act, an Obama-era law that has saved people tens of billions of dollars.

Education: Wellesley College; Princeton (MPA).

Anand Parekh
Bipartisan Policy Center
Chief Medical Adviser

Parekh helped catalyze the revival of the House Congressional Primary Care Caucus in order to educate members on both sides of the aisle about America’s primary-care crisis and the importance of advancing primary-care policy to improve healthcare.

What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “All things are difficult before they’re easy.” Hidden talent: Playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D on piano. Productivity hack: “Lists, lists, lists.”

Kavita Patel
Mary’s Center
Physician

Patel has been a fierce defender of the Affordable Care Act’s resilience, noting that it “cannot be undone by a White House pen,” even amid a new Trump administration and a trifecta of Republican power in Washington.

Education: University of Texas at Austin (BA); UT Health San Antonio (MD); UCLA (MS, health-services research). First job: Piercing ears at the mall. Worst career advice she ever received: “Just show up early and don’t complain too much.”

Sue Peschin
Alliance for Aging Research
President and CEO

Peschin raised a red flag on the significance of changes to Medicare Part D drug plans in 2025, urging beneficiaries to review their plans due to changes regarding an out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs.

Hometown: Pittsburgh. Best career advice she ever received: “From Simon Sinek: ‘Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.’ ” Last meal would be: “New York strip, French-fried potatoes, and warm butter cake from Mastro’s.”

Richard Pollack
American Hospital Association
President and CEO

Pollack continues to advocate for AHA priorities, including ensuring access to coverage and care, enhancing quality and affordability, supporting caregivers, and securing resources for hospitals and health systems across the country.

Hometown: Brooklyn. First job: Legislative assistant to Congressman David R. Obey of Wisconsin. Most cherished possession: “My father’s silver and bronze medals from the Normandy landing and the Battle of the Bulge.”

Lori Reilly
PhRMA
Chief Operating Officer

Reilly sits atop the leading trade association representing the US pharmaceutical industry, which spends nearly $30 million annually lobbying on drug pricing and regulatory reforms.

Hometown: Laurel, Maryland, until age 13, then Omaha, Nebraska. Historical figure she most identifies with: “I’ve always loved Willa Cather. She moved to Nebraska at a young age; attended the University of Nebraska, my alma mater; and broke a lot of barriers for women.” How she unwinds: “I picked up floral design during Covid, so at least once a week I stop at Trader Joe’s and buy flowers.”

Elena Rios
National Hispanic Health Foundation
President

Rios has advocated for increased access to culturally competent healthcare—in order to meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of diverse patient populations—as well as improved funding for medical programs that enhance preventive care and equitable access for the Hispanic population.

Hometown: Pico Rivera, California. Talent she’d most like to have: “Scheduling more vacation time.” Last meal would be: An ice-cream sundae.

Armstrong Robinson
UnitedHealth Group
Vice President, External Affairs

Robinson joined UnitedHealth Group last fall to help it navigate policy challenges around its Medicare Advantage plans, including accelerating the adoption of value-based care, updating physician payment models in Medicare, and investing in physician infrastructure for two-sided risk models.

Education: George Washington University (BA); Catholic University (JD).

Matt Salo
Salo Health Strategies
Founder and CEO

Salo has been a durable voice on the need for radically rethinking Medicaid eligibility and efficiency. He argues that vendors must be able to deliver their products in a more timely fashion and on a more reasonable budget.

Education: University of Virginia. First job: Busboy at Chesapeake Bay Seafood House. Best career advice he ever received: “Always engage directly with as many people in your field as possible. You can always learn something, no matter what position the person is in.”

Kathryn G. Schubert
Society for Women’s Health Research
President and CEO

President Biden took the step of launching the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research after Schubert pressed for action on a national strategy for women’s health equity.

First job: “Town beautification crew, picking up trash and weeding gardens.” Lessons from that job: “Always wear sunscreen! Kidding, but a valuable lesson. I learned that work is really hard but satisfying, and you can look around and see the fruits of your labor.” How she unwinds: “Picking up an unfinished knitting project can help clear my mind and allow me to be productive while relaxing.”

Melissa Schulman
CVS Health
Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs

A staunch advocate on behalf of pharmacy benefit managers, Schulman contends that PBMs are effective at reducing prescription-drug costs and has criticized the Federal Trade Commission’s complaint against them.

Hometown: Southfield, Michigan. Talent she’d most like to have: “Truth serum.” Last meal would be: Prime rib and coffee ice cream.

Ilyse Schuman
American Benefits Council
Senior Vice President, Health and Paid Leave Policy

The former Senate staffer is highly respected on both sides of the aisle as well as in the business community for her expertise on employee-benefit policies such as health coverage and paid leave, and for her ability to see around the corner on future healthcare challenges.

Education: Tufts University Jackson College; Georgetown Law.

JC Scott
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
President and CEO

A fierce champion of pharmacy benefit managers, which continue to be under scrutiny, Scott asserts that pharmacies face a variety of economic challenges unrelated to market-dominating PBMs like CVS Caremark and Express Scripts.

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida. First job: “I had two jobs in the same summer—at a chain bookstore and at a sporting-goods store.” Best career advice he ever received: “Be kind to others. Always assume they have the best intentions.”

Stephanie Silverman
Venn Strategies
Founder and CEO

Silverman helps clients navigate complex and often thorny new regulations and policy challenges, representing pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly, Pacira, and Regeneron.

First job: Babysitting. Lesson from that job: “Kids will do things when they think they have a say.” How she unwinds at the end of the day: “I drive to our farmhouse on Kent Island and breathe deeply while looking out over the Bay Bridge, knowing there isn’t much to do but watch the boats and birds.”

Adam Steinmetz
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Senior Policy Adviser

Steinmetz helped educate Congress members on the importance of securing payments to rural hospitals, both for-profit and nonprofit.

Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana. Education: Indiana University (BS); University of Iowa (PhD). First job: Research program analyst at the National Institutes of Health.

Brad Tallamy
Merck
Executive Director, US Policy and Government Relations

Tallamy has pressed policymakers on advancing PBM reforms to address what he describes as misaligned pharmaceutical supply-chain incentives and to reduce patient out-of-pocket costs.

Hometown: Elkton, Maryland. Education: Loyola University Maryland.