Bryce Harlow Foundation

Keegan Zimprich’s career goal is to blend public policy and financial services. As Vice President of Federal Government Relations at U.S. Bank and an MBA candidate at Georgetown University, he is well on his way toward this goal, hoping to stay at the intersection of business and government.

Originally from Minnesota, Keegan’s passion for policy began with local campaigns and led to Capitol Hill, where he worked for Congressman Tom Emmer, Senator Joni Ernst, and Senator Kevin Cramer, focusing on banking policy. This experience helped lead to his current role, working closely with members of the House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees.

Keegan sees policy work as a collaborative effort, requiring strategy, coordination, and shared objectives. The Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship has connected him with others in his cohort who are also balancing a job and graduate school coursework, providing him with insights and a like-minded peer group.

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: Bryce Harlow Foundation 2025-26 Fellows Announced.  More details on the current class of Fellows may be found HERE.

Mina Kato’s passion for advocacy dates back to her childhood in Southern California. Growing up in Yorba Linda—the birthplace of Richard Nixon and home to his presidential library—Mina was frequently exposed to the world of politics and public service, sparking her early fascination with government and civic engagement. She carried that passion with her to the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her undergraduate degree in political science/international affairs, followed by a master’s degree from American University.

Mina moved to Washington, D.C. after securing an internship on Capitol Hill. This led to a full-time role working for a member of Congress, where she saw advocacy in action, learning how government and industry collaborate and build trusted relationships.

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mina transitioned into advocacy and lobbying at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Today, Mina serves as Senior Manager of Advocacy Communications & Stakeholder Engagement at Vizient, Inc., a healthcare performance improvement company. Mina is also pursuing an Executive MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, to build cross-sector fluency and better understand the business implications of policy decisions.

Being selected as a Bryce Harlow Fellow is a meaningful milestone for Mina, helping expand her network and providing further tools and resources for effective advocacy.

Healthcare was always part of the conversation for Julia. Her family history is closely tied to it—Grady Hospital, one of the Southeast’s most well-known medical institutions, carries her great-great-great-grandfather’s name. But her decision to pursue healthcare policy wasn’t about legacy, it was about making a tangible impact.

After earning dual degrees in Public Relations and Spanish from the University of Georgia, Julia moved to Washington, D.C., drawn to the intersection of policy and communication. Her first full-time role at PLUS Communications gave her hands-on experience in public affairs, grassroots advocacy, and coalition building.

Her continued interest in health care policy led to her current role as Senior Legislative Affairs Associate with America’s Essential Hospitals. Julia manages advocacy programs, political fundraising, and board relations—and helped launch the association’s first-ever podcast to make healthcare policy more accessible. “I love the challenge of breaking down complex policy into something real and understandable,” Julia explains. “Healthcare isn’t abstract—it affects people’s lives every day.”

Julia is also pursuing her MBA at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business as a Forté Fellow, learning how business strategy and policy intersect to improve healthcare accessibility and sustainability.

Julia credits the Bryce Harlow Fellowship mentorship as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.  “Having a mentor like Chris Long, has been invaluable,” Julia said. “It’s refreshing to be part of a group where ethics and integrity in government relations is a priority.”

From an early age, Matthew Mariani was drawn to the political discussions shaping society. After learning that finance and teaching were not the right careers for him, Matt took a leap of faith and moved to Washington, D.C. He landed an unpaid internship on Capitol Hill, which introduced him to the world of advocacy and the path suddenly was clear. Informed in part by his time as a teacher, he began working at a children’s advocacy organization, which became the foundation for his work in child health policy.

His current role is the Director of Federal Advocacy at the American Academy of Pediatrics, focusing on improving children’s health and well-being. For Matt, building partnerships with policymakers, health professionals, and advocacy groups energizes his work. Matt is also pursuing his Juris Doctor degree at George Washington University, a degree he hopes will add depth to his understanding of policy, and complex legislative and regulatory issues.

Being selected as a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow strengthened Matt’s commitment to advocacy, offering both professional growth and a sense of community. His mentorship experience with Lori Reilly has been particularly impactful, especially in understanding how policy and law intersect. The Fellowship has connected him with peers, offered invaluable insights into ethical advocacy, and underscored the importance of having thoughtful, engaged professionals in government affairs.

Kevin Keane, President and CEO of the American Beverage Association, began his career in journalism, covering the Wisconsin government beat with curiosity and dedication.  Drawn to straightforward conversation and strong opinions, Kevin moved from journalism into government service as a press secretary for Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson. It was there he caught the advocacy bug, discovering the satisfaction of making a difference every day.

Over the past two decades, Kevin has seen advocacy evolve. The once-clear lines of political ideologies have blurred, making the landscape more unpredictable. Success now requires nimbleness, deeper listening, and understanding perspectives that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories. Kevin sees this complexity as an opportunity, believing that strong advocacy is rooted in relationships, listening, and the ability to adapt.

As CEO, Kevin is helping his team to be ready for any challenge. “Growth happens when people step outside their comfort zones.” Kevin says. “Today’s emerging advocates don’t fit into the traditional mold and that’s a strength. They challenge established thinking and offer fresh perspectives.”  For Kevin, mentorship is a two-way street, a belief that drew him to the Bryce Harlow Foundation.

Serving on the Foundation board allows Kevin to help shape the next generation of leaders while continuing to learn himself. “It’s about fostering growth, encouraging dialogue, and ensuring new advocates have the skills to navigate an increasingly complex landscape,” Kevin says. “I continue to be inspired by working alongside both the rising stars and my dedicated colleagues on the board.”

Mary Katherine (MK) Kirlin’s path to energy policy wasn’t linear—it was shaped by curiosity, ambition, and a drive to make an impact. Now the Legislative Affairs Manager at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), MK has blended her passion for advocacy with a commitment to shaping the future of energy and environmental policy.

Raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., MK grew up surrounded by politics and policy. Her interests extended beyond legislation—she was a competitive athlete in tennis and squash and led volunteer efforts through Operation Smile. For college, she attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas for her undergraduate work, pursuing her law degree at American University.

While preparing for the LSAT, she joined the National Mining Association as a Government Affairs Specialist, immersing herself in lobbying and policy work. This experience solidified her passion for energy and environmental issues, and MK’s transition to NRECA was a natural fit.

Being awarded the Bryce Harlow Fellowship has been a pivotal experience for MK, introducing her to a network of passionate advocacy professionals. The fellowship is deepening her understanding of advocacy, reinforcing her drive to create lasting change, and energizing her for the possibilities ahead.

Zack grew up in Westchester, NY in a family of passionate liberal activists—his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother were all involved in progressive politics. “I was raised knowing that politics is not just about laws—it’s about people and change,” says Zack.

Zack’s political journey took off during his senior year of high school when he interned for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. He continued to volunteer for campaigns throughout his college years at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, where he double majored in public policy and music.  After graduation, the natural next step was Capitol Hill, and Zack is now a Senior Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari.

Zack is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Security Studies at Georgetown University, a degree program he chose because “I’m not just studying security — I’m studying how to prevent war and maintain a safe world,” he said.

Being selected as a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow was a defining moment for Zack. He values the Fellowship for its community of like-minded, ambitious individuals, its mentorship, and the concrete impact it has on planning a successful career in public service.

For Wei Li Werner, public service is more than just a career, it’s a deeply held commitment. As a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and a Master’s student in Government at Johns Hopkins University, she thrives in the fast-moving world of policymaking, where each day brings new challenges and opportunities to make an impact.

Raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Wei Li grew up with a deep appreciation for government service, thanks to her mother, who spent 35 years as a county public servant. That early exposure to the power of civic engagement shaped her path. She always knew she wanted to be in Washington, D.C., working on policy, and she made it happen, attending George Washington University and diving headfirst into internships with congressional offices, NGOs, and government relations firms.

An internship with a House member during her freshman year gave her a firsthand look at how government functions. She quickly realized that the intersection of policy, advocacy, and problem-solving was where she belonged. Now, as a Legislative Assistant for Senator Tim Kaine, she manages a diverse policy portfolio and especially enjoys the intricacies of appropriations. Wei Li describes her work as both demanding and deeply rewarding and views it as being part of something bigger, where every decision could make a difference.

As a Bryce Harlow Fellow, she’s gained invaluable mentorship from Frances Creighton, a former Senate Chief of Staff and now an industry leader. His guidance helps her navigate both professional and academic challenges, reinforcing her commitment to ethical advocacy and public service.