Through the Noise

Holly Wade is the director of research and policy analysis for NFIB Research Center. She provides analysis on public policy issues and economic trends affecting small business. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 state capitals.

Liz Schrayer serves as President & CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), a broad-based coalition of over 500 businesses and NGOs that advocates for strong U.S. global leadership through development and diplomacy. The USGLC works in our nation’s capital and across the country to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy alongside defense.

Peter Loge is an associate professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University and a strategic consultant. Over the past 25-plus years, he has served in senior positions in the US House and Senate, in public and private sector organizations, and in the Obama administration. His book, Soccer Thinking for Management Success: Lessons for organizations from the world's game, debuted as the #1 sports industry new release on Amazon.

Morry Markowitz leads FCHEA’s advocacy programs on Capitol Hill, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies, as well as outreach programs to target markets and users of fuel cells and hydrogen energy. He has extensive expertise in the energy field, as well as 16 years of association management. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association represents the leading companies and organizations that are advancing innovative, clean, safe, and reliable energy technologie

Creighton is President & CEO of CDIA, since 2017. Prior to that, he was Executive VP of Government Affairs at the Financial Services Roundtable. A long-time veteran of Capitol Hill, he previously served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. The Consumer Data Industry Association is the voice of the consumer reporting industry, representing consumer reporting agencies including the nationwide credit bureaus, regional and specialized credit bureaus, background check and rental screening companies

Richard G. Thissen has been the NARFE National President since August 2014 and before that served as NARFE National Treasurer. Jessica Klement is the NARFE Staff Vice President, Advocacy. She is responsible for taking NARFE members’ concerns to Congress. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the earned pay, retirement and health care benefits of federal employees, retirees, and their survivors.

Maria Ibañez is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AWIS. She’s been in the communications/nonprofit industry for more than 20 years and has worked with several organizations including the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fannie Mae Foundation, and others. The Association for Women in Science is the leading advocate for women in STEM with a global network of 80 grassroots chapters and affiliates connecting more than 100,000 professionals in STEM with members, allies and supporters worldwid

Donna Meltzer is the CEO of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, where she oversees the organization’s public policy and advocacy agenda, as well as technical assistance to the member Councils. NACDD, a national non-profit organization that supports the nation’s 56 governor-appointed Developmental Disabilities Councils that work within state government to promote independence, productivity, and integration of people with disabilities through systems change activities.

Christopher Gindlesperger is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the National Confectioners Association. The National Confectioners Association is the advocacy organization that represents the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum, and mints.

David Lusk, Founder of Key Advocacy, has earned a national reputation developing nationwide, affiliated grassroots efforts and key contact engagement programs for associations, nonprofits, and corporations. Since 2010, David has trained more than 7,000 advocates how to influence policymakers through the power of personal storytelling, and his successes building some of the nation’s top issue ambassador programs have been recognized nationally in the National Journal and CEO Update magazine.

Dr. Amy M. Miller is the President and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research, the nation’s nonprofit thought leader focused on eliminating imbalances in health care for women. The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting research on biological differences in disease and improving women’s health through science, policy, and education.

As Executive Director of Shot@Life, Martha Rebour serves as the lead for campaign strategy and implementation, external partner relations, and fundraising activities of the campaign. Shot@Life is a United Nations Foundation grassroots advocacy campaign that champions global childhood immunization, working to decrease vaccine-preventable childhood deaths and give every child a shot at life no matter where they live.

Brian Frederick serves as Executive Vice President of Communications, and has worked at The ALS Association since March 2015. Brian first started working with The Association while he was Vice President of Public Affairs at Porter Novelli. During the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Brian was brought in to help with crisis and strategic communications. While at Porter Novelli, Brian also led other integrated marketing campaigns for corporate and nonprofit clients.

Mark Light is responsible for the overall management and leadership, the non-profit IAFC with a budget of approximately $15 million and a staff of 75 people. Prior to coming to the IAFC, Mr. Light was the fire chief in Henrico County, Virginia, where he served for over six years. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide.

Greg DeLapp has been a member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association since the late 1970s, a past-President of EAPA, an Employee Assistance professional since 1978, and CEO of EAPA since January 2016. A student of history, WWII aviation, photography and a fan of all types of music.