Mark Borges’ journey from the rural landscapes of Oakdale, California to his current work in public affairs is driven by a deep connection to the environment and a passion for strategy. Growing up surrounded by the beauty of Yosemite National Park and other natural spaces, Mark’s early experiences instilled a profound appreciation for the outdoors. This connection led him to pursue a degree in environmental science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he realized how vital it was to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations.

Mark’s professional path began with the prestigious Capital Fellows Program, where he worked in the California Natural Resources Agency. This experience ignited his passion for environmental policy and advocacy, and after a successful year as a staffer for the Secretary of Natural Resources, he transitioned to Lucas Public Affairs, a women-operated firm in Sacramento. Here, Mark helps clients in the energy and climate sectors. His advocacy also extends to his involvement with the LGBTQ+ community, where he actively works to build the bench of tomorrow’s LGBTQ+ leaders.

As a Bryce Harlow Fellow, Mark is grateful for the mentorship and support he has received. Mark’s goal is to work on the front lines of public policy, focusing on environmental protection and serving underrepresented communities. His long-term vision is to become an excellent public servant, driven by his commitment to making a meaningful difference in policy and advocacy.

Alex Melillo’s career is a testament to the power of cross-cultural understanding and the importance of trust in global relations—two values that deeply resonate with the Bryce Harlow Foundation’s mission. Raised in New Jersey, Alex’s passion for Japan began at just nine years old when she started learning Japanese, and this early interest grew into a lifelong commitment to U.S.-Japan relations. After earning her undergraduate degree, she spent a decade in Japan, where she worked in education and with the American Chamber of Commerce, bridging cultural and commercial gaps between the two nations.

Now in Washington, D.C., Alex works at The Asia Group, where she provides clients with detailed research and analysis on market and regulatory trends in key industries in Japan, focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare policy. Outside of her professional life, Alex is completing her master’s in international policy at GW’s Elliott School and is an avid runner, which keeps her grounded amid a busy schedule of work and school.

Alex is grateful for the guidance and insights she has received from her Bryce Harlow Foundation mentors, advising her on navigating the complex world of policy and advocacy, especially in the healthcare industry space. Having found her dream job—combining her love for Japan, policy, and advocacy—Alex proves that persistence and passion truly pay off when following your path.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation recently announced it’s incoming class of Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellows.  Please join us in congratulating them and read all about it here: BHF 2024-25 Fellows Announced.  More details on the current class of Fellows may be found HERE.

At its recent board meeting, the Bryce Harlow Foundation announced the appointment of seven new board members and new elected officers. Join us in welcoming them and read all about it here: Bryce Harlow Foundation Names New Officers and Board Members. Our full list of board members and staff may be found HERE.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 Bryce Harlow Fellowship, a prestigious award including scholarship funds and mentoring. We encourage you to please help spread the word, or to apply if you are working full time, going to graduate school part time and are interested in the field of lobbying and government advocacy. The deadline for applying is Sunday, April 28, 2024. For complete information, including a link to the on-line application, please visit our website.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation recently announced it’s incoming class of Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellows.  Please join us in congratulating them and read all about it here: BHF 2023-24 Fellows Announced  More details on the current class of Fellows may be found HERE.

At its recent board meeting, the Bryce Harlow Foundation announced the appointment of eight new board members and new elected officers. Join us in welcoming them and read all about it here: 2023 BHF new officers and board. Our full list of board members and staff may be found HERE.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 Bryce Harlow Fellowship, a prestigious award including scholarship funds and mentoring. We encourage you to please help spread the word, or to apply if you are working full time, going to graduate school part time and are interested in the field of lobbying and government advocacy. The deadline for applying is Sunday, May 1, 2023. For complete information, including a link to the on-line application, please visit our website.

Nick Armstrong grew up in Michigan and came to Washington, D.C. to attend American University for his undergraduate degree. He studied political science at AU, and it was during these years his love of government and politics expanded from an interest into a career.

Today he works as the Manager of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Aids Institute, where he lobbies on behalf of the organization before Congress and executive agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration.  Nick works to build coalitions and find common ground among HIV groups to support and protect health care access for people living with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and chronic diseases.

While he is working in Washington D.C., Nick is also earning a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan.  He hopes to deepen his public policy knowledge through his degree so he can continue advocating for people impacted by diseases.

Nick is also looking forward to learning more from the Bryce Harlow Foundation network. “The mentoring and peer connections the Foundation offers are so valuable,” Nick said. “I really appreciate the opportunity to meet other lobbyists focused on advocacy with integrity.”

Originally from Irvine, California, Namrata Pujara went to the Ohio State University to study political science and economics. Throughout her college years (and even in high school), Namrata worked with local government, both in Irvine and Columbus. In 2018, she worked on one of the most expensive races of the cycle, a U.S. Senate race in Ohio, and learned a lot along the way.

Today, Namrata works as a Legislative Assistant for the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she works on policy and advocacy related to infectious diseases, vaccines, children with disabilities, and school health, among other issues, to advance child health priorities overall. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University, where she is focusing her studies on learning more about epidemiology and vaccinations.

Namrata is proud to be a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow. “The Fellowship gives me an opportunity to meet other like-minded people in DC – lobbyists who understand the importance of integrity in our chosen field,” Namrata said. “I’m honored to be part of this network of professionals.”