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Policy Action Institute

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Meet the 2025 presenters

Hear from these experts on federal, state, and local public policy innovation.

Tesfa Alexander, PhD, MA

Tesfa Alexander, PhD, MA

Associate Practice Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management

Biography coming soon.

Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, BA

Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, BA

Creative director & CEO, Metropolitan Group

Eric is a social impact pioneer. He designs large narrative change initiatives and public will building campaigns to drive changes in policy, practice and expectations that advance a more just, healthy, and sustainable world.

Lamar Hardwick, D.Min.

Lamar Hardwick, D.Min.

President/Founder, THG Consulting Services LLC

Lamar Hardwick also known as “the autism pastor” is a pastor, cancer survivor, PhD student and award winning author focused on the intersection of disability, race, and religion. 

Don Hoppert headshot

Don Hoppert

Director of Government Relations, American Public Health Association

Don Hoppert is the director of government relations at the American Public Health Association where he leads the association's federal government relations and grassroots advocacy activities. 

Shelley Hearne

Shelley Hearne, DrPH, MPH

Director, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy

Shelley Hearne has spent over three decades driving change in public health, safety, and environmental sustainability. She works with policymakers, foundations, businesses, and nonprofits to address critical health challenges, from pandemic response to reducing preventable risks. 

Charlotte Hughes Huntley, PhD, MPH

Charlotte Hughes Huntley, PhD, MPH

CEO, DrCHHuntley, LLC

Dr. Charlotte Hughes Huntley, PhD, MPH, is an accomplished epidemiologist and public health leader with over 25 years of experience in healthcare and public health. 

Jennifer Mandelbaum, PhD, MPH

Jennifer Mandelbaum, PhD, MPH

State Representative, New Hampshire House of Representatives

Jennifer Mandelbaum, PhD, MPH, is a social and behavioral scientist dedicated to using data-driven insights to tackle pressing public health challenges and improve patient care.

Headshot of Susan Polan, PhD

Susan Polan, PhD

Associate Executive Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy, American Public Health Association

Susan L. Polan is associate executive director for public affairs and advocacy with the American Public Health Association. 

Anne Morris Reid, MPH

Anne Morris Reid, MPH

Policy Director, GWU Funders Forum on Accountable Health

Anne Morris Reid, MPH, Policy Director of the Funders Forum on Accountable Health project, is also Lecturer in the Health Policy and Management Department at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University (GWU). 

Robyn M. Powell, PhD, JD

Robyn M. Powell, PhD, JD

Assistant Professor, Stetson University College of Law

Robyn M. Powell, PhD, JD, is an Assistant Professor at Stetson University College of Law and a Senior Research Associate at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy.

Kumba Sennaar, MS, MA (PhD Candidate)

Kumba Sennaar, MS, MA (PhD Candidate)

Founder & CEO, William Kelly Consulting, LLC

Kumba Sennaar is a health researcher, consultant, and former director of the National Medical Association’s HIV/AIDS prevention initiative, a collaboration with the CDC.