Ari Gerstman leads American Policy Ventures’ work with Members of Congress on energy policy and government effectiveness. He brings two decades of experience in government and government-funded organizations, most recently at the Department of Energy. There, he led the State Energy Program and supported manufacturing, siting and transmission, clean energy, and critical minerals and materials programs. During his tenure at DOE, Ari successfully advocated for state energy offices to be the conduit for federal government funding, including in support of small- and mid-sized vehicle manufacturing suppliers and low- and moderate-income solar energy projects.

Earlier in his career, Gerstman served as Associate Director for Policy and Compliance at the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment. He also served as Director of Washington Operations for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Gerstman earned an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Palmer Scholar, and an AB in Latin from Brown University.

Christopher Devine serves as Director at American Policy Ventures, where he works with Members of Congress to support bipartisan collaboration across a range of policy areas. He also leads APV’s national network of philanthropists and business leaders, focused on enabling pragmatic governing and problem-solving in Washington. His work centers on building durable support structures that help lawmakers navigate complex policy challenges.

Christopher’s career has focused on the intersection of entrepreneurship, public policy and philanthropy. He has held roles at organizations including Stand Together, HCN, Enhesa and the Center for Legislative Accountability. His experience also includes work with RealClearPolitics and Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace.

Outside of his policy work, Christopher is an active investor and entrepreneur. He has founded two startup ventures with a focus on innovation and public impact. He earned his degree from American 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.

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, previously as a movement control detachment commander and currently as a Plans Officer for the 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. A DMV native and alumnus of Wake Forest University, Connor lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Emma.

Erica Suares leads American Policy Ventures’ efforts to build cross-partisan coalitions and advance bipartisan policy solutions as a Senior Vice President. She brings over two decades of experience on Capitol Hill, including 12 years as a Senior Adviser to then-Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, 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.

During her tenure with Sen. 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.

Earlier in her career, Erica held key roles with Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, The Heritage Foundation and the George W. Bush White House. She holds degrees from Auburn University, Vanderbilt University and Harvard University.

Gray Rixey leads American Policy Ventures’ work with Members of Congress on issues affecting American families. He coordinates the team’s efforts across coalitions, policy areas and ideological lines, applying his Capitol Hill experience to advance bipartisan solutions. Before joining APV, Gray served as a senior policy staffer in the U.S. Senate, most recently as Senior Policy Advisor for Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

In the Senate, Gray led a broad policy portfolio covering health care, education, labor, workforce, veterans affairs and economic development. He played a central role in legislative development and stakeholder engagement across multiple Senate committees. Gray co-founded and managed the Senate Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, building it into an effective legislative body with participation from more than one-third of U.S. senators. His work included improving implementation of federal mental health initiatives, including geo-routing for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Gray earned his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School. Born and raised in coastal North Carolina, he is now based in Washington, D.C.

Greg Nasif is the External Affairs Manager at American Policy Ventures. With a strong base of broad experiences, he combines creativity and analytical skills to identify new opportunities for communication to APV’s many audiences and uses the power of storytelling to catalyze change. In addition to handling major writing projects and pioneering new communications strategies for APV’s political and messaging goals, Greg uses his congressional experience to expand APV’s footprint and seize new opportunities to build bipartisan consensus.

Prior to working at APV, Greg served as Acting Communications Director for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for one year. He previously served as Humanity Forward’s Director of Public Affairs, as a Senior Field Manager with the environmental nonprofit Clean Water Action, and has held senior leadership roles in a number of political campaigns.

He holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland and is studying for a Master’s in Business Administration at Georgetown University. He lives in Washington, D.C.

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.

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.

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, D.C., she is dedicated to fostering innovative, bipartisan solutions that reflect the priorities of the American people.

Liam deClive-Lowe leads American Policy Ventures, a nonpartisan organization working with a broad network of Members of Congress, philanthropists and policy leaders. His TEDx talk, “Unlocking Progress in Polarized Times,” captures APV’s innovative model and approach.

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 Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., to enable the passage of historic bipartisan economic recovery legislation.

Before his work on Capitol Hill, Liam advised and staffed nationwide and statewide campaigns across the country and founded the Wednesday Group Speaker Series. 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 Hawaii, Liam lives in Washington, D.C.

Maryalice Shockey is the Program Associate at American Policy Ventures, where she manages the spaces, logistics, and internal systems that make APV’s convenings possible. She helps bring the right people together, supports the events that facilitate meaningful dialogue, and tracks the relationships and outcomes that grow from those conversations.
Maryalice came to APV from recruiting, following earlier experience in public relations and the U.S. House of Representatives. Across each of these roles, her work has centered on connecting people, creating opportunities, and helping others find the right paths to achieve their goals.
She holds a degree in political science from the University of Illinois. Raised in Chicago and now based in Washington, D.C., Maryalice has been organizing people around a cause since she was a teenager, when she founded a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to feeding hungry children and led its annual event for five years.
At APV, she focuses on the practical groundwork that turns cross-partisan conversations into bipartisan wins.

Matthew Diaz is the Chief of Staff at American Policy Ventures, supporting organizational leadership and driving execution across strategic, operational and external engagement priorities. He brings experience spanning the White House, congressional affairs and international policy work. His role includes coordinating complex initiatives, managing senior relationships, supporting program development and contributing to APV’s outreach to key stakeholders and policymakers.

Before joining American Policy Ventures, Matthew held multiple roles in the White House Executive Office of the President. He served as an Associate Director in the Office of Presidential Personnel and as Deputy Director in the Office of Management and Administration, where he led high-visibility events, personnel operations and interagency coordination. He has also served on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Diaz is a graduate of the University of Florida and is based in Washington, D.C.

Raya Kenney is a Government Affairs Associate at American Policy Ventures, where she supports the team’s work with Members of Congress and helps build the relationships that make bipartisan solutions possible. Her past experience spans Capitol Hill, grassroots advocacy and nonprofit leadership.Before joining APV, Raya served as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, covering health care, natural resources and public lands. At 16, she founded the WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grew from a fifth-grade school assignment into a national campaign for a memorial to the “Rosie the Riveters” and the more than 18 million American women who supported the war effort at home. In 2022, legislation authorizing the memorial was signed into law. Raya earned a B.A. from Kenyon College and is based in Washington, D.C.

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.
From 2023, Divyansh served as Associate Director for Emerging Technologies and National Security at the Federation of American Scientists, 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.

Divyansh's thought leadership extends to his positions as 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.

Valerie Shen is a Fellow at American Policy Ventures and serves as a Program Manager at Renaissance Philanthropy. She was previously a Partner and Chief Operating Officer at G2 Venture Partners, a climate technology venture capital fund, where she oversaw firm and fund operations, including fundraising and investor relations, recruiting and human resources, fund administration, impact reporting, legal and compliance, and marketing.

Earlier in her career, Shen was an Analyst at Kleiner Perkins’ $1 billion Green Growth Fund and a Management Consultant at McKinsey and Company, where she worked across four continents, primarily on energy projects. She has also held roles at the U.S. Senate, Google X, Goldman Sachs, Jane Street Capital and The Wilderness Society.

Shen earned a BA summa cum laude in environmental science and public policy and earth and planetary sciences from Harvard University. She holds an MBA and an MS in environment and resources from Stanford University, where she was a Siebel Scholar and an Arjay Miller Scholar, and an MPP from the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government.

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.

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.

Andy Flick is a Principal with Cornerstone Government Affairs, bringing more than 15 years of experience navigating Washington, including within Congress and the White House.

Prior, Andy served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Congressional Affairs and Strategic Outreach in the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris. In this role, he was a key member of the Vice President’s senior leadership team, serving as her point person on Capitol Hill and managing relationships with senators, representatives, and state and local officials.

He played a key role as a top political advisor during Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign, leading POLITICO to cite Andy as a “key reason” she quickly secured the presidential nomination. His leadership was also integral in advancing key policy priorities for the Biden-Harris Administration.

Before joining the White House, Andy served as Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition, where he served as the top policy and political advisor for the caucus of more than 100 center-left Members of Congress. In addition to leading the Coalition’s policy agenda, Flick also led the Coalition’s political efforts, recruiting and supporting candidates in competitive districts across the country.

Earlier in his career, he served as Chief of Staff to Rep. David Trone (D-MD), where he spearheaded efforts to advance bipartisan legislation related to substance use, mental health, and medical research. He also served in senior roles for several Members of Congress, including Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), and the late Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO).

Andy earned his Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eric Bergren joined Todd Strategy Group in September 2023 as Principal. Eric worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for 27 years. Prior to joining, Bergren was the Chief of Staff for Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY). He was hired as Rep. Guthrie’s first Chief of Staff and served in that role for 13 years. Rep. Guthrie is the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He also serves on the Subcommittee of Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security. Rep. Guthrie is a Member of the Majority Whip team and serves as a Deputy Whip.

Bergren also worked for Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY) holding several roles including Legislative Director and Chief of Staff. Bergren oversaw the legislative operation and managed the Member’s role on the Committee on Ways and Means.

With his many years’ experience as a Chief of Staff, Bergren was appointed by House leadership to help new Chiefs establish and run successful offices. As a team captain of a Chiefs Program, Bergren served as a point person between House leadership and other Chiefs. Bergren has addressed various industry Capitol Hill fly-in groups on effective Hill messaging and how to conduct a successful legislative meeting.

Eric is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife and two children.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, D.C. with his wife Perri, daughter Leonora, and son Luca.

Parker Poling, President of Adirondack Strategies, is a seasoned Republican operative and strategist. With a proven track record at the highest levels of government and politics, Parker has held senior roles in both political and official organizations. She boasts extensive relationships across the U.S. House and Senate and was recognized in Time Magazine’s 100 Next List and as one of Politico Playbook’s “Women to Watch.”

At Adirondack Strategies, Parker provides counsel to donors, super PACs, corporations, and advocacy organizations. From 2023 to 2025, she led a major donor network that invested significantly in the Trump presidency and Republican congressional majorities. Prior to that, she was a partner at Harbinger Strategies, a boutique lobbying firm, and served as Executive Director of the NRCC during the 2020 election cycle, successfully flipping control of 15 congressional districts.

From 2007 to 2018, Parker served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC), guiding his rise within the House leadership. She has been instrumental in achieving key legislative victories, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and health care reform. Before her time in Congress, Parker worked in the White House as Assistant to the Director of Media Affairs during the George W. Bush Administration. Her career has been featured in the Washington Post Magazine, Roll Call, and Brown Alumni Monthly.

A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, Parker is a graduate of Brown University, and The George Washington University Law School. She resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband Todd, their two daughters, Barrett and Eliza, and their bulldog, Clementine. She is an active member of Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church and serves on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Institute, the Advisory Board of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at the University of Texas, and Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

Parth Ahya is a Program Director at Renaissance Philanthropy, where he leads efforts to originate new philanthropic funds and advise major donors on their philanthropic giving.

Prior to launching Renaissance in May of 2024, Parth managed a portfolio of grantmaking programs at Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt. Over three years, Parth directed funding towards initiatives ranging from tackling childhood lead poisoning to improving how the federal government funds and supports science. He also provided coaching and advice to grantees on engaging with US federal policymakers.

Prior to Schmidt Futures, Parth founded and led Taimaka, which treated acute malnutrition in children and worked with the research community to develop new approaches to treatment. Taimaka’s approach won acclaim from Founders Pledge, which recommended the organization as a top funding opportunity and Innovations for Poverty Action, which recognized the organization for its “commitment to evidence-based impact.”

Parth holds a BA in Philosophy and Theology with First Class Honours from the University of Oxford. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and Interact and serves on the boards of several nonprofits.

Sam Mar is Founder and CEO of Saber Strategies, a philanthropic and political consultancy. Prior to Saber, Sam was Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor at Arnold Ventures, where he led the organization's advocacy, grant-making, communications, and government affairs across diverse initiatives, including climate and clean energy, election reform, immigration, and organ donation. Before the formation of Arnold Ventures, he served as CEO of Action Now Initiative, a political advocacy organization founded by Laura and John Arnold. Sam began his career in the private sector, spending a decade in technology consulting, banking, investment management, and product innovation.

Sam is a member of the board at Unite America, ClearPath, Conservative Climate Caucus PAC, and National STEM Talent Initiative. He also serves as a Senior Advisor on policy at the Polynera Fund and is a member of the advisory committee of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance. Sam is a graduate of the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and IE Business School.

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.

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.