Members

The members of the Diversity in Government Relations Coalition bring expertise and resources from multiple industries and sectors to shape, inform, and support the work of the coalition. Members serve as stakeholders with a vested interest in strengthening diversity pipelines and are passionate about and dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in policymaking and advocacy.

Board of Directors

  • Cicely Tomlinson, Co-Founder and Board Chair

    DEI Director, Mutual of Omaha

  • Angela Lee, Board Vice Chair

    Director of Communications and Programs, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW)

  • Kodiak Hill-Davis, Board Treasurer

    Founder and Political Director, Republican Women for Progress

  • Laura Uttley, Board Secretary

    Director of Government Relations, Woodwell Climate Research Center

  • Jackson Clark

    Associate, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC

  • Benjamin R. Grove

    Legislative Director, Thompson Coburn

  • Aria Janiszewski

    Law Student, American University

  • Gina Kim

    Chief Research Officer, National Journal

  • Taylor J. Swift

    Deputy Director of Governance and Innovation, POPVOX Foundation

  • Jaime Werner

    Vice President of Strategy and Development, Congressional Management Foundation

  • Gerald Yao

    Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Global Head of ESG, FiscalNote

Members

  • Kendra Brown

    Member, Washington Government Relations Group (WGRG)

    Vice President of Public Policy, Mastercard

  • Alpha Lillstrom Cheng

    Board of Directors Member, Women in Government Relations

    President, Lillstrom Cheng Strategies

  • Vaun Cleveland

    Federal Affairs Counsel, American Family Insurance

  • Gamble Hayden

    Federal Compliance Services and DEI Initiatives Coordinator, State and Federal Communications

  • Neisha McGee

    Manager of Advocacy, Engagement & Mobilization, Independent Sector

  • Kristin St. John

    Senior Manager of Coalition and Advocacy Campaigns, McKesson

  • TR Straub

    Partner & Managing Director, Corporate Affairs Practice Russell Reynolds Associates

  • Natasha West

    Founder and Marketing Consultant, Social Coasting

  • Liz Westbrook

    Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, PCORI

Thank you to our alumni and interns!

Monica Maybank (The Almond Group), co-founder of the DGR Coalition
Katie Allen (America’s Health Insurance Plans), Lisa Arafune (Forge Policy Solutions), Chatrane Birbal (Women in Government Relations), Poorvie Bishnoi (Monument Advocacy), Ashira Biswas (intern), Lauren Brookmeyer (Stony Brook University), Layla Fassa (Association of Young Americans), Desiree Kennedy (Elekta), Liz Lopez (Hispanic Lobbyists Association), Ismael Luna (intern), Apiyo Oloya (Women in Government Relations), Joya Patel, Paulo Pontemayor (Catholic Health Association of the United States), Mya Price (Feeding America), Kevin Turpin (National Journal), Samantha Weinraub (Lafayette Group), Marta Wiegand-Vera (intern), Cherie Wilson (Washington Government Relations Group), and Stephanie Yu (intern)