Bryce Harlow Foundation

 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.

At its recent board meeting, the Bryce Harlow Foundation announced the appointment of three new board members and new elected officers. Join us in welcoming them and read all about it here: 2021 BHF new officers and board

Midwesterner John Bleed takes pride in analyzing the United States’ trade policies as part of the international trade team at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), an association that works with more than 190,000 businesses in the United Kingdom. As a senior policy adviser, he conveys the latest developments in the U.S. economic agenda for CBI members.

John is also earning his graduate degree in Security Policy Studies at Georgetown University, where he hopes to develop a broader understanding of economic and geopolitical risks and global competition trends among countries.

While an undergraduate, the Chicago native interned on Capitol Hill and for the U.S. Trade Representative. His interest in foreign policy grew and led him to study abroad in Brussels while interning with the European Parliament. He hopes to continue working in government relations in the geopolitical risk sector or potentially work in the U.S. Senate covering foreign affairs and/or trade.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Bryce Harlow Foundation,” John said. “The fellowship is designed for someone exactly in my spot, a full-time government relations professional pursuing a graduate degree. Plus, learning about Mr. Bryce Harlow has been so inspiring and motivating. I am encouraged by how he put partisanship aside and looked to find common ground, figuring out solutions to benefit the most people. His example is one that everyone in this town should look to follow.”

Jackie is the Manager of Advocacy and Government Relations at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and she is also studying for a master’s degree in Political Management at the George Washington University.

Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Jackie interned on Capitol Hill and for C-SPAN as she developed a deep interest in American government and democracy. She enjoyed learning different aspects of what a politician interacts with on a regular basis, and hopes to return to the Hill one day as a Congresswoman.

That’s one reason she’s working on earning a master’s degree in political management, so she can learn the skills needed to run a successful campaign and serve in elected office. It also helps hone skills she uses every day as a lobbyist for AUVSI. In the 2020 elections, she served as the Chief Elections Officer for Fairfax County in Virginia, overseeing a team of 25 elections officers who worked to ensure the integrity of in-person voting.

On being named a Bryce Harlow Fellow, Jackie said, “Being selected as a Bryce Harlow Fellow bolsters my sense of professional integrity. The Foundation sends a message to the world that lobbyists are honest, working hard, and truthful. I’m proud to be part of this group.”

Bridget Anshus knows a thing or two about stamina. She has completed the bicycling equivalent of running a marathon, riding 100 miles for fun, and has hiked for miles at National Parks across the United States.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bridget knew she wanted to move to Washington D.C. to pursue her interest in politics and government. While studying for her undergraduate degree at American University, she became interested in health care policy while interning for non-profits and advocacy firms.

Those experiences propelled her to Venn Strategies, where she works today as a senior associate on the health care team, working with clients like the American Diabetes Association and other trade associations. She is also earning her Master’s degree in political management from the George Washington University to further build her skillset in government relations.

Bridget is excited to be a Bryce Harlow Fellow, saying, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to changing the reputation of lobbying. Government advocacy is critical in developing sound public policy, ensuring all interests are heard. I am honored to be a part of the Bryce Harlow community.”

Andrea Cooke is passionate about improving health care. She has spent more than 20 years working in various aspects of health care, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Health Care Innovation at the University of Pennsylvania while also working as the Director of Legislative and Regulatory Policy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Andrea moved to Washington, D.C., after getting her undergraduate degree in Biology from Virginia Tech, so she could be at the nexus of government and politics. She earned an MBA from Howard University and also worked at Howard University Hospital.

Interested in health care innovations, she applied to go back to school once again at the urging of her daughter. It’s paid off, as she recently had an op-ed published in the Boston Globe about the potential impact of the Supreme Court overturning the Affordable Care Act. (Please read the op-ed here.)

Andrea is pleased to be a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow. “It is so exciting to network with a group of intelligent and driven lobbyists,” Andrea said. “Although we may work in different areas, we are all in advocacy. We talk with each other, offer suggestions, and grow our network. I’m also excited to have a mentor with experience in my chosen field. It will help me develop my skillset and get to the next level.”