MAPIS2024 Speaker Bios

Bios of MAPIS2024 Featured Guests &

“Career Networking Lunch” Table Assignments

Dr. Janelle Alexander is the Assistant Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Rowan University.  Prior to this position, she was the Inaugural Director, Department of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Washington Township Schools.  Dr. Alexander received her PhD in Education, Disability Studies from Rowan University.  Her MA is from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her BA in Education is from Rowan University.  

In 2023, Alexis Bailey joined Public Strategies Impact (PSI), one of the largest contract lobbying firms in New Jersey, after working for several years with the NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).  While at NJBIA, she covered labor and employment, workforce development and insurance issues. Previously, Bailey worked for the Kaufman Zita Group and for the NJ Public Charter Schools Association.  She graduated summa cum laude from Rider University with a BA in Political Science. 

During lunch, join Alexis Bailey at Table 1.

Tom Bonier is a 20+ year veteran Democratic political strategist and a pioneer in using “big data” to further progressive politics. He is currently CEO of the TARA Group and Senior Advisor at TargetSmart. Previously, he co-founded Charity Campaign Labs and built it into one of the nation’s leading analytics and research firms.  He has worked on campaigns in all 50 states, as well as some overseas.  Bonier earned his BA from American University. 

During lunch, join Tom Bonier at Table 2.

Chrissy Buteas is the President & CEO of HINJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, a trade group for biopharmaceutical/medical technology companies in New Jersey.  Prior to this, she was VP–Government Affairs at Optimum, where she oversaw Altice USA’s (Cablevision) work in NY, NJ and CT.  She also worked as Chief Government Affairs Officer for the NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).  Her BA in Law & Justice is from Rowan University and her MA in Public Administration is from Rutgers – Newark.  

During lunch, join Chrissy Buteas at Table 3.

Following a stint as the Senior Advisor to Firearms for Gov. Phil Murphy, Bill Castner became Chair of Regulatory Affairs & Compliance at Connell Foley LLP, a law firm.   In government, he’s served as Executive Director of the NJ Assembly Majority and was Chief Counsel to former Gov. Jon Corzine.  In the private sector, he headed Government Affairs for the Gibbons P.C. law firm and was SVP of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Horizon Blue Cross / Blue Shield.  He earned a BA from Rowan University, a MS from the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and a JD from Rutgers Law School - Camden. 

During lunch, join Bill Castner at Table 4.

Jon Chebra is the Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff to New Jersey’s largest state agency, the Department of Human Services.  Prior to his service in the Department of Human Services, he served as the Senior Director of Federal Affairs at the New Jersey Hospital Association, and as Chief of Staff to NJ Asm. Herb Conaway.  He has a BA in Political Science from Rider University.  

During lunch, join Jon Chebra at Table 5.

Hon. Jeffrey Chiesa was appointed U.S. Senator by Governor Chris Christie following the passing of incumbent Frank Lautenberg in 2012. Chiesa served the remaining part of the term.  Prior to this, he served as New Jersey’s Attorney General after a stint as Chief Counsel to the Governor.  He also worked as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for NJ.  Today, he helps lead the law firm of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC.  He earned a BA from Notre Dame and a JD from Catholic University.  

In 2024, following several years as a Director of Government Affairs for Altice USA (the parent company of Cablevision), Marilyn Davis founded MDD Connections, LLC, a national public affairs firm specializing in government affairs, political strategy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships.  Earlier in her career, among other roles, she served as the National Director for Community Engagement for the Democratic National Committee and as Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37).  She received her BA from the University of South Carolina.  

During lunch, join Marilyn Davis at Table 6.

Steve DeMicco helped found and now leads 4CM+M, one of the most successful Democratic and non-profit media consulting firms in the country.  His successful campaigns include those for Gov. Phil Murphy (including his historic re-election in 2021), Jon Corzine’s run for U.S. Senate and Cory Booker’s mayoral races in Newark, along with numerous members of Congress.  Campaigns & Elections magazine has named DeMicco to the Influencers 500, a list of key Democratic and Republican politicos in each state.  He earned his BA at Rutgers University. 

Brianna Donahue is the Director of Government Affairs at Inspira Health. Prior to her appointment in January 2024, she was the Vice President of Advocacy & Management Group (AMG), a firm offering contract lobbying and association management services.  She graduated Rowan University with a BA in Political Science in 2019 and was active in the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).  During her time at Rowan University, she was in Delta Phi Epsilon.  

During lunch, join Brianna Donahue at Table 7.

Shirley Emehelu serves as Executive Assistant Attorney General of NJ, the third ranking official in the NJ Attorney General’s office.  She was previously a partner at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi, and co-led the firm’s Banking and Finance Group.  Following law school, Emehelu clerked for the Hon. James R. Spencer, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.  She received her BA from Yale University and JD from Yale Law School. 

During lunch, join Shirley Emehelu at Table 8.

A graduate of Stockton University, Ron Filan has a career that encompasses both campaign and governmental work.  Most recently, he served as campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s successful re-election campaign to Congress. He also worked as the Political Director for the NJ Republican State Committee and NJ State Director for the Republican National Committee.  Then-Governor Chris Christie named Filan as Senior Regional Director of Operations.   

During lunch, join Ron Filan at Table 9.

Jennifer Holdsworth Karp is founder and President of Oakmont Strategies, a national political and communications consulting firm.  She has served in a senior leadership role on dozens of campaigns, including as NJ State Director for Hillary for America in 2016.  When then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg ran for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, she served as Campaign Manager.  Holdsworth Karp helped write the omnibus NJ Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act, a law that has been mirrored by multiple states since it was enacted in 2013.

During lunch, join Jennifer Holdsworth Karp at Table 10.

Currently, Hafiza Kazi is the Scheduler/Operations Manager for U.S. Congressman Andy Kim.  She is a 2020 graduate of Rowan University, having earned her BA in Political Science.  During her time in school, she was very active in the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC) and interned at the NJ Democratic State Committee.  She also served as President of the Rowan Chapter of the College Democrats and Communications Director for the NJ College Democrats.  

During lunch, join Hafiza Kazi at Table 11.

Matt Klapper is the Chief of Staff to Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States.  He formerly served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.  After graduating with his BA in History and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, he joined then-Newark (NJ) Councilman Booker’s team, and later received his JD from Yale Law School.  Klapper is also a former full-time firefighter.  

James Lamond is the Executive Director of Trusted Future, a non-profit think tank focusing on the security, innovation, and equity of emerging technology.  He is also a Senior Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).  Previously, he was Managing Director of the Moscow Project and a Resident Fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP).  Lamond received a BA in History from Rowan University and his MS in Global Affairs from Rutgers University. 

During lunch, join James Lamond at Table 12.

Laura Matos is Partner at MAD Global Strategy Group with an extensive career in politics, government, public affairs, and strategic communications.  Prior to this position, she served as the NJ General Manager / Managing Director at Kivvit, a nationally ranked public affairs consulting firm.  Matos worked in the New Jersey Governor’s Office for eight years for Governors McGreevey, Codey, and Corzine.  Among other positions, Matos serves on the Board of Latina Civic Action and as President of the Board of Latina Civic PAC. 

During lunch, join Laura Matos at Table 13.

Retired NJ Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez left the bench in 2022 after serving the New Jersey judiciary for over 20 years.  He has been a judge for various types of courts, spending two years in the Criminal Division before becoming Presiding Family Law Judge.  In 2011, he became the first Hispanic Assignment Judge in New Jersey.  Most recently, Judge Mendez was a Senior Contributing Analyst for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University.  His BA in Political Science is from Rowan University (Glassboro State College) and he received his JD from Rutgers Law School – Camden.

During lunch, join Judge Julio Mendez at Table 14.

Donna Mullins is Chair of WSW – Winning Strategies Washington, a lobbying firm.  She has nearly four decades of experience navigating Washington, D.C. on behalf of constituents and clients.  Mullins is a senior-level strategist with particular expertise in crisis management and Executive “C Suite” management.  Her past work includes stints as the Chief of Staff to former U.S. Sen. Jeff Chiesa (R-NJ), as well as various roles for two senior members of the House Appropriations Committee – Rep. Dean Gallo (R-NJ) and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). 

During lunch, join Donna Mullins at Table 15.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone represents New Jersey’s 6^th congressional district and is currently serving his 18^th term in the U.S. House.  Currently, he is the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  The Committee's jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to, issues such as health care, energy, environment, commerce, food and drug safety, consumer protection, communications and technology.  Prior to Congress, Pallone served in the New Jersey state Senate and as a member of the Long Branch City Council.  He earned his BA from Middlebury College, his MA from Tufts University, and his JD from Rutgers University – Camden.  

Grace Power is General Counsel and EVP, Government Affairs for Solar Landscape, a leading developer of community solar projects on commercial & industrial rooftops in the United States.  Previously, she was a partner at the McCarter & English law firm.  In prior positions, she was VP of Regulatory Affairs for HomeServe USA and Chief of Staff for the NJ Board of Public Utilities.  Ms. Power is also a board member for the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey.  She received her BA and MA from Rutgers University and her JD from Rutgers Law School.  

During lunch, join Grace Power at Table 16.

Dr. Brett Pulliam is the Assistant Vice President of the Student Success and Inclusion Programs at Rowan University where he leads the ASCEND programs at Rowan’s Glassboro and Camden campuses and supervises the Upward Bound program.  Previously, he worked as the Executive Director for Educational Opportunity and Student Success programs.  He earned his EdD in Higher Education Administration and his MA from Seton Hall.  As an undergraduate, he received his BS in Business Administration from Bloomfield College.  

As Managing Principal at Stono Public Affairs, Jay Redd brings a wealth of strategic experience regarding a range of policy issues targeting political, governmental, and legal affairs.  Previously, he served as the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Gibbons P.C., a major law firm.  Redd also served as the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel to the NJ Senate Democratic Office.  He graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Public Health and attended Brigham Young University, where he received his law degree. 

During lunch, join Jay Redd at Table 17.

Chris Russell served as the top advisor to Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 Republican gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey.  In 2022, he served as the lead strategist for U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler’s upset bid for Congress in New York.  As the head of Checkmate Strategies, he is a key advisor to members of Congress, Republican organizations, state legislators, and elected officials on the county and local level across the country.  An award-winning direct mail consultant, Russell is a graduate of Temple University. 

During lunch, join Chris Russell at Table 18.

Frank Vespa-Papaleo is the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Office of Fair Lending & Equal Opportunity, which helps ensure fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory access to credit. He previously served as Executive Director of the NJ Division on Civil Rights, Senior Counsel to the NJ State Public Advocate, and as Chief of Enforcement for HUD’s Region 2 Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Boston University’s School of Law. 

During lunch, join J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo at Table 19.

Hon. Tahesha Way serves as New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.  She is responsible for overseeing areas that include elections, tourism, the arts, and the decennial census.  As Lieutenant Governor, Way is a senior partner in the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy.  Prior to coming to Trenton, she served as an Administrative Law Judge and, before that, as a member of the Passaic County Board of Commissioners.  She received her BA from Brown University and a JD from University of Virginia.  

Alex Wilkes was most recently (2024) the campaign manager for the successful U.S. Senate primary campaign of Curtis Bashaw.  She formerly served as Communications Director for the NJ Republican State Committee and is a former College Republican National Chair.  She currently heads Perigean Strategies, a political consulting firm focused on improving Vote-By-Mail participation among Republicans.  She earned her BA in Politics from Catholic University and her JD from Seton Hall. 

During lunch, join Alex Wilkes at Table 20.