Liam deClive-Lowe is President & Co-Founder of American Policy Ventures (APV), a nonpartisan organization that works closely with a broad network of Members of Congress, philanthropists, and policy leaders across the political spectrum to de-risk cross-partisan collaboration and pragmatic governance. His TEDx talk, “Unlocking Progress in Polarized Times,” captures APV’s innovative model and approach.

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Prior to launching APV, Liam previously founded the bipartisan policy advocacy fund at Humanity Forward, where he serves as Executive Director. At HF, Liam spearheaded a bipartisan initiative led by Congressman David McKinley (R-WV) and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) to enable the passage of historic bipartisan economic recovery legislation. 

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Before his work on Capitol Hill, Liam advised and staffed nationwide and statewide campaigns across the country, and founded the Wednesday Group Speaker Series. 

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Liam’s writings and editorials have been published in The Washington Post, The Hill, Washington Examiner, The Messenger, RealClear Policy, and DC Policy Journal, and his work has been covered in POLITICO, CNBC, and Rolling Stone. Liam serves on the advisory boards of Impact Fellows Action and Fatherhood Initiative. A native of Kentucky and Hawai’i, Liam lives in Washington DC.

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Erica Suares leads American Policy Ventures’ efforts to build cross-partisan coalitions and advance bipartisan policy solutions. She brings nearly two decades of experience on Capitol Hill, including 12 years as a Senior Advisor to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), where she drove legislative strategy for the Senate GOP Conference and worked closely with business leaders, trade associations, and policymakers at the state and federal levels.

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During her tenure with Senator McConnell, Erica was instrumental in securing the passage of landmark legislation, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and major pandemic relief efforts. She also served as McConnell’s primary liaison to CEOs, governors, and key stakeholders on a range of legislative priorities.

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Earlier in her career, Erica held key roles with Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), The Heritage Foundation, and the George W. Bush White House. She holds degrees from Auburn University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.

Connor Murphy is the Digital Communications Director at American Policy Ventures, leading the organization’s public affairs work across a wide range of states and policy areas. Connor brings his abilities in developing and deploying communications strategies and leveraging digital tools, sharpened from experience from nonprofit organizations and political campaigns, to his role at APV. In addition, he assists in APV’s work on engaging with key constituencies and coalitions on policy areas ripe for bipartisan collaboration.

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Prior to his work at APV, Connor managed the communications and digital footprint of Humanity Forward’s bipartisan advocacy fund. Connor concurrently serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve as a logistics officer for the 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) at Fort Belvoir, VA. A DMV native and alumnus of Wake Forest University (‘18), Connor lives in northern Virginia with his wife, Emma.

Katherine Sleichter manages operations and partnerships at American Policy Ventures, overseeing financial management, compliance, grants administration, and nonprofit governance across the organization. She plays a key role in developing strategic partnerships, managing stakeholder relationships, and coordinating major events that bring together policymakers and thought leaders.

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Prior to APV, Katherine served as a Truman-Albright Fellow in the U.S. Senate, supporting legislative teams on agricultural and foreign policy issues. She also worked in donor engagement at the Kansas State University Foundation and led international nonprofit partnerships through the Kansas State School of Leadership.

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A Truman Scholar and Kansas native, Katherine holds a degree in Political Science and Global Food Systems Leadership from Kansas State University. Now based in Washington, DC, she is dedicated to fostering innovative, bipartisan solutions that reflect the priorities of the American people.

Paolo Mastrangelo co-founded American Policy Ventures (APV) in 2023, and spearheaded the development of APV’s unique legislator-driven model. At APV, Paolo built an ideologically diverse coalition of Members of Congress in the Senate, working together on a range of important policy issues. Paolo continues to focus on shaping APV’s strategy, advising the team, and scaling the organization.

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Paolo’s career on Capitol Hill began working in the House of Representatives on Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform legislation. He later served as Senior Public Affairs Advisor at Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Group for a decade, where he ran policy campaigns on issues including financial services, tax, data privacy, manufacturing, transportation, budget, appropriations, and more. Paolo was recognized as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for 2021, 2022, and 2023 for his work as Head of Policy & Government Affairs at Humanity Forward. Born in Naples, Italy, and raised in Boston and Florida, Paolo lives in Washington DC with his wife Perri, daughter Leonora, and son Luca.

Adrienne Schweer is a BPC fellow leading the Paid Family Leave Task Force, with a diverse background in political and non-profit work, including for Bono’s The ONE Campaign and on Capitol Hill. Schweer notably served as chief of protocol to Defense Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Ashton Carter, and Jim Mattis, helping initiate strategic partnerships and policy advancements, such as a military paid maternity leave policy.

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In 2015, she founded Family Leave Works, focusing on bipartisan solutions for paid family leave, and played a key role in establishing BPC’s bipartisan Paid Family Leave Task Force in 2018. Schweer, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumna with a BA in history and communications, has earned multiple recognitions, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. She lives with her husband and five children, leveraging her extensive experience to impact family leave policies.

At Lyceum Labs, Daniel Stid is focused on developing innovative mechanisms to foster stronger, more functional political leaders and parties in our country. Previously, Stid founded the U.S. Democracy Program at the Hewlett Foundation to support democracy in a time of deep division. Earlier, he was a partner at The Bridgespan Group, where he provided guidance to leaders in the nonprofit, foundation, and government sectors, and a management consultant at The Boston Consulting Group, focusing on projects with the U.S. government and advising private sector clients.

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His experience also includes working as a Congressional Fellow on the staff of House Majority Leader Dick Armey and starting his career as a political scientist. Stid authored "The President as Statesman: Woodrow Wilson and the Constitution," and has consistently worked towards improving democratic practices and institutions through his various roles.

Ja’Ron Smith distinguished himself as a key policy strategist within the Trump Administration, holding the position of the highest-ranking African American advisor. Serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Deputy Director of the Office of American Innovation, Smith was instrumental in shaping and advancing significant domestic policies and legislation aimed at benefiting the African American community.

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His wide-ranging portfolio included crucial initiatives such as criminal justice reform, economic revitalization of distressed communities, support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and the development of opportunity zones. Prior to his White House tenure, Smith had significant legislative experience, serving both Houses of Congress and engaging in policy areas like urban development and economic growth. Following his service in the administration, Smith continued to impact policy and advocacy, focusing on advancing opportunity and social justice. A Howard University alumnus, Smith's impactful career has been recognized with the 2020 Bipartisan Justice Award, underscoring his contributions to policy and community advancement.

Ed Goeas, former President and CEO of The Tarrance Group, is a renowned political strategist recognized for his extensive work in American politics. Over thirty-five years, his firm significantly impacted U.S. elections, serving numerous Members of Congress, Senators, and Governors. He received accolades including “Republican Pollster of the Year” awards in 1994, 2010, and 2014.

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Beyond his campaign work, Goeas partnered with Democrat Celinda Lake on the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service Battleground Poll, receiving the “Distinguished Service to the Profession Award” in 2011. His co-authored book, “A Question of Respect,” hit bestseller lists soon after release. Inducted into the American Association of Political Consultants Hall of Fame in 2023, Goeas is also a campaign ethics advocate, promoting civility and respect among the nation’s youth. Married to Lisa Goeas for twenty-five years, they have three children and reside in Alexandria, Virginia.

John Bailey is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in artificial intelligence, the future of work, and innovation. With a career spanning government, philanthropy, and the private sector, he has shaped policies on technology, education, and the COVID-19 response. Bailey's government roles included special assistant for domestic policy at the White House and deputy policy director to the US Secretary of Commerce, contributing to the national pandemic preparedness strategy and immigration reform.

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He also served as Director of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. In 2024, The Washingtonian named him as one of Washington's Most Influential People in technology policy. Bailey's board memberships include Zearn Math and the Federation of American Scientists. Holding a BA from Dickinson College, his work bridges policy implementation and strategic advisory in key national and global issues.

Matt Bennett's political career has been marked by his strategic roles in Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns and his impactful tenure as Deputy Assistant to the President in the Clinton White House, focusing on intergovernmental affairs and policy initiatives. As a co-founder of Third Way, Bennett champions moderate, pragmatic policies, with significant contributions to the debate on marriage equality and gun safety.

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He holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Bennett's professional journey also includes serving as Director of Communications for Wesley Clark's presidential campaign and as Director of Public Affairs for Americans for Gun Safety. Currently residing outside Washington, D.C., Bennett continues to drive forward moderate ideas and policies in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Maya MacGuineas is the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, known for her bipartisan approach to budget, tax, and economic policy. As a political independent, she collaborates with members from both parties, earning recognition as a reliable expert on Capitol Hill. MacGuineas frequently testifies before Congress and contributes to leading publications like The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, alongside regular television appearances as a commentator.

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She leads initiatives such as Fix the Debt, the Committee’s Fiscal Institute, and FixUS, focusing on addressing the root causes of America’s political and economic challenges. Her latest work delves into the future of the economy, examining the impacts of technology and the evolution of capitalism. With a background that includes positions at the Brookings Institution, Wall Street, and a stint at The Washington Post editorial board, MacGuineas is also an active board member and a native of Washington, D.C.

Ted Lehman brings extensive experience in government and legal affairs to his role as Principal at Todd Strategy Group, having joined in 2022 after a distinguished tenure as Chief of Staff to Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). His background includes pivotal roles in the Senate, notably as Chief Counsel for Nominations and Senior Counsel for Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on the Judiciary Committee, where he managed nominations and tackled legislative issues such as antitrust and tort reform.

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Lehman's Capitol Hill experience is complemented by his earlier service as Counsel for Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), also on the Judiciary Committee. A University of Pennsylvania alumnus, he furthered his legal education at Georgetown University Law Center, subsequently clerking for Chief Judge Thomas F. Hogan of the D.C. District Court. Lehman practiced law at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld before his significant contributions in the Senate. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Amy, and their four children, continuing to impact policy and strategy through his work at Todd Strategy Group.

Dr. Divyansh Kaushik is a prominent expert in artificial intelligence and national security, with a focus on the implications of US-China tech competition. Holding a Ph.D. and M.S. in Language and Information Technologies from Carnegie Mellon University, his research on robust machine learning models has garnered extensive scholarly citations and prestigious awards from entities like Amazon and the Siebel Foundation.

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From 2023, he served as the Associate Director for Emerging Technologies and National Security at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), where he previously held a fellowship. In this role, Dr. Kaushik was instrumental in shaping legislative measures and policies concerning AI R&D, tech standards, and STEM immigration. Dr. Kaushik is a noted contributor to leading publications and forums, offering insights that span AI, research security, and high-skilled immigration. His thought leadership extends to his positions as a Vice President for Beacon Global Strategies and a member of the Advisory Council for the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. His work continues to influence public and governmental strategies on technology and security.