Bryce Harlow Foundation

Samantha “Sammy” Chavin is from Charleston, South Carolina and grew up with parents who worked in health care. She studied neuroscience as an undergraduate and considered medical school before moving to Washington, D.C. to help people through health policy and lobbying.

Sammy is the Federal Policy Coordinator for Family Values @ Work, a network of state coalitions working to pass paid sick days and paid family and medical leave. She is also earning a Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University. She believes our government was designed to be representative, and we see the best of this system when advocates inform our policy decisions.

“The Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship has provided me with a whole network of people who are interested in changing the way things work through better policy,” Sammy said. “Most people in lobbying and advocacy are thinking creatively and strategically about how to effect change. It’s great to learn from both peers and board members who are farther along in their career.”

Elizabeth has long been passionate about improving health care in the United States. She is a Senior Program Associate for the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, a trade association that represents non-profit safety net health plans, working on Medicaid policy and tracking new regulations and bills from Congress that could affect health plans.

She is also working toward a Master’s degree in Public Policy at the George Washington University, where she hopes to bolster her analytical skills and learn more about Capitol Hill and government affairs.

Elizabeth considers it an honor to be a Bryce Harlow Fellow, “It’s been wonderful to be among so many passionate, driven people in the Bryce Harlow Foundation,” Elizabeth said. “The mentorship has been invaluable, despite the pandemic. The Foundation board members have a real interest in helping Fellows succeed — navigating DC, expanding our networks, and growing in our careers.”

Erica Hackett hopes to one day become a real-life Leslie Knope for her hometown in Illinois. She’s currently working as a Trade Control Specialist in the Global Trade Controls division for the Boeing Company and going to law school at the George Washington University at night.

She double-majored in international business and marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and speaks Italian and Spanish. She is passionate about writing, government, politics, and international affairs, making her an ideal fit to work on trade policy for an international company like Boeing. Erica decided to pursue law school to learn more about trade law, export controls, government contracts, and gender and human rights globally.

On being named a Bryce Harlow Fellow, Erica said, “The focus on integrity is so important in these hyper-partisan times. This scholarship and my mentor have helped me tremendously. It is vital to have integrity in policy making, and I am honored to be part of an organization supporting this.”

A former competitive ski racer in high school, Adeline DeYoung loves the outdoors and is dedicated to creating public policy that helps lead to sustainable environmental practices. She currently works as a Legislative Assistant for her home state, in the office of New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Adeline is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at Georgetown, where she is specializing in energy and environment electives. Before going to Capitol Hill, Adeline was the Government Affairs Coordinator for the Citizens’ Climate Lobby where she tracked federal legislation and helped train volunteers to lobby on Capitol Hill. One of Adeline’s bright spots during the pandemic has been getting a dachshund puppy named Willow.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation’s mission of lobbying with integrity resonated with Adeline. “The importance of lobbying with respect, appreciation, and gratitude is what interested me in becoming a Fellow to begin with. Our work can bring power to people who don’t normally have a voice, and doing so honestly is crucial to the political process,” Adeline said.

Former Bryce Harlow Fellow Erika Moritsugu was appointed to serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Senior Liaison. Erika also serves on the BHF Alumni Advisory Board.  Congratulations, Erika!

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/14/president-biden-announces-erika-l-moritsugu-as-deputy-assistant-to-the-president-and-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-senior-liaison/

 Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Darien Flowers is the Deputy Policy Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He is also working toward a Master’s degree in Transportation Policy Operations and Logistics at George Mason University.

Darien has long been interested in transportation issues, and worked at the Department of Transportation before returning to Capitol Hill. In his current job, he leads a subcommittee focused on tourism, trade, and export promotion.  Additionally, his portfolio includes the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, manufacturing policy, innovation and counter terrorism issues.

Darien is pursuing a master’s degree to add to his skills and expertise in transportation policy.  The Bryce Harlow Fellowship supports his belief that ethical lobbying supports sound policy-making.  “Being a Bryce Harlow Fellow means you believe in integrity and in the power and value of advocacy work,” Darien said. ”Mr. Bryce Harlow led by example as a lobbyist of substance and integrity, and I hope to do the same throughout my career.”

Tom Erb grew up wanting to better our environment for generations to come. The dream has become a reality, as Tom works as a Policy Fellow at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, helping advance climate policies at the state, federal, and international levels. He is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs at the George Washington University.

Tom decided to pursue a higher degree to better understand the federal legislative and regulatory process. He hopes to one day have the opportunity to work for a Member of Congress who is influential in climate and energy discussions and looks forward to a lifelong journey of environmental advocacy.

The mission of the Bryce Harlow Foundation resonates with Tom. “The Foundation emphasizes sound ethics, the importance of telling the truth, and sharing facts,” Tom said. “It’s an honor to be part of an organization advocating for those values. Lobbying is such an important part of a functioning democracy and I’m excited to work with other people who believe in integrity in government advocacy.”

Originally from San Diego, James traded in his surfboard for east coast mountaineering when he moved to Washington, D.C. He credits his strong mentors with guiding him to his current role as Federal Affairs Manager at Americans for Tax Reform, a free-market organization focused on economic issues.  James is also working toward two concurrent degrees at the George Washington University: a Master’s in Public Policy and an MBA.

James decided to pursue dual degrees to develop stronger quantitative skills, and hopes to one day have the opportunity to run a government relations office in-house for a financial institution.

James values both the mentorship and the networking aspects of the Bryce Harlow Fellowship.  “Sometimes work can feel siloed, so it’s great to learn from other Fellows,” James said. “It is also so valuable to learn from my mentor. I know he has my best interests at heart and will give me straight forward guidance, offering rules of the road and general advice.”

Born in India and raised in California’s Bay Area, Disha Banik saw the contrast in wealth and poverty from a young age, which drove her to public service. She is a Senior Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman and House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries, for whom she advances health and foreign policy. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in Global Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

This master’s degree focuses on improving the public health of underserved communities in low and middle-income countries as a key part of international development.  Once she finishes her graduate degree, Disha hopes to continue working at the intersection of health and foreign affairs, as the world works together to control the COVID-19 pandemic, respond to unprecedented humanitarian crises, eradicate HIV/AIDS, and develop strong health systems.

Disha is proud to be a Bryce Harlow Fellow and feels it will further her career and network. “The Foundation fosters a much-needed emphasis on ethics, integrity, and transparency in government advocacy,” Disha said.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation announced the 2021 honorees for it 40th annual awards celebration.  Please join us in congratulating Senator Debbie Stabenow and Brenda Larsen Becker. Learn all about the awards celebration and how to sponsor or support the foundation HERE.