Leadership Committee
One of the most widely recognized and influential strategists in American politics, Joe Trippi has been heralded on the cover of The New Republic as the man who “reinvented campaigning” and by The Atlantic as the “political innovator of the decade.” Known for his technology and media savvy, Trippi’s work in politics has spanned over four decades, five presidential campaigns, and numerous successful state and national elections. Most recently, Trippi has advised and produced television ads for John Edwards’ 2008 presidential campaign and Howard Dean’s 2004 bid, where he gained national acclaim for his innovative use of online technology to organize “Dean for America,” which became the largest grassroots movement in presidential politics.
Joanne Bamberger is a writer, political and media analyst, and social media consultant who is the author of the new book “Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America” (Bright Sky Press, June 2011). In addition to writing her own political blog, PunditMom, she writes regularly at The Huffington Post, MOMocrats and MomsRising. She also was a regular contributor at AOL’s Politics Daily. Bamberger is the founder of the new women’s commentary site The Broad Side. A former op-ed columnist for The Washington Examiner, Joanne’s work also has appeared in various publications, including Legal Times, The Washington Post and Washingtonian. Her political commentary has appeared on BBC Radio, CNN, Fox News, Good Morning America, NPR.com, XM POTUS Radio and more.
Robert Bluey directs Heritage’s Center for Media and Public Policy. He arrived at Heritage in 2007 to become a liaison to conservative bloggers and run the weekly Bloggers Briefing. He served as editor-in-chief of Heritage.org, oversaw creation of The Foundry blog and daily Morning Bell e-newsletter, and developed Heritage’s online strategy, managing the organization’s outreach through social media, e-mail marketing and online issue advocacy campaigns. Bluey currently researches and writes about instances of government malfeasance and corruption, using his journalism background to fill a gap opened by the market changes roiling the media industry.
Peter Cherukuri is the General Manager of AOL’s Politics Division. There he oversees operations and revenue as the news outlet expands in the Washington market. Before joining AOL, Peter was the publisher of Roll Call, overseeing the business and editorial operations for the Capitol Hill newspaper and helping the company diversify via acquisitions into a multi-platform information and advocacy services company.
He previously led marketing and business development efforts for TMG Custom Content, a Washington-based agency that develops targeted print and online content for corporations and nonprofits. Peter started in the political publishing market working at National Journal Group and Congressional Quarterly in product development and branding capacities. Originally from West Virginia, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and currently serves on the board for the National Press Foundation.
Dr. Mark Drapeau is the Director of Innovative Engagement for Microsoft Public Sector, and also spearheads efforts of their new Office of Civic Innovation in Washington, DC. As part of his work, he edits Publicyte.com, their innovation blog about the public and civic sectors. Prior to joining Microsoft, Mark worked at George Washington University, National Defense University, and New York University. He has a BS and PhD in biological sciences from University of Rochester and UC-Irvine, respectively.
As Director of Washington Sales, Peter oversees Twitter’s sales strategy for all public sector business inside the Beltway, including political, issue advocacy, corporate public relations and government initiatives. Prior to joining Twitter, Peter launched and led the Public Sector sales team at Google, Inc., and served as Head of Industry Relations for the company connecting Sales and Policy.
Katie Harbath is the Associate Manager for Policy at Facebook, where she focuses on political outreach. Prior to Facebook, Katie was the Chief Digital Strategist at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. She previously led digital strategy in positions at DCI Group, the Rudy Giuliani for President campaign and the Republican National Committee. Katie holds a BA in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Eric Kuhn is an agent at United Talent Agency, where he leads its social media division and focuses on digital efforts. Before joining UTA, Eric was the first audience interaction producer at CNN, where he ran social media and focused on television-Web integration for the network.
At CNN Eric launched partnerships with big and small startups, including Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Gowalla, Tumblr and GetGlue. He also reported for CNN on technology and politics, and produced original programming and shows focused on two-screen experiences, including: creating “Rick’s List” with Rick Sanchez; launching the live-streaming premiere of “John King, USA” on Facebook; and producing two worldwide “Larry King Live” telethons featuring a “social suite” with stars such as Ryan Seacrest, Will.i.am and Alyssa Milano.
Before joining CNN, Eric consulted and built the social media strategies for CBS News and the National Basketball Association. Politics Daily has listed Eric as one of the top 20 journalists on Twitter. Eric majored in government at Hamilton College, where he currently serves as a proud member of the alumni board. He also studied at the London School of Economics.
An author, political analyst and a former Bush presidential adviser, Leslie Sanchez is known for her straightforward style and in-depth understanding of the political and cultural landscape, both inside and outside of Washington. Leslie is the founder and CEO of Impacto Group LLC, a premium communications and market research firm, which specializes in defining social and economic trends affecting women and the emerging U.S. Hispanic community. For her work, Hispanic Business magazine named her one of the nation’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics.”
Since 1994, Connections Media founder and managing partner Jonah Seiger has conceived and managed winning interactive communications programs for some of America’s most influential issue groups, Fortune 500 corporations, and candidates for federal, state and local office. Most recently, Jonah and his team at Connections Media have provided digital media strategy, design and development services to Google, Starbucks Coffee Company, PepsiCo, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Pew Research Center and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, among others.
Pete Snyder is the CEO of Disruptor Capital, a Virginia-based seed and angel capital investment company focused on funding and growing disruptive technologies, ideas and entrepreneurs. Prior to starting Disruptor, Pete was the Founder & CEO of New Media Strategies, the world’s first and, currently, the largest social media marketing agency. Snyder also served as President of Emerging Markets Group for Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Corporation’s full-service direct and digital marketing agency. In his 12 years as CEO at New Media Strategies, Snyder built a blue-chip client base that featured some of the world’s leading brands and corporations including ABC, Chrysler, Burger King Corporation, Coca Cola, CBS, Chanel, Disney, Dodge, Ford Motor Company, Jeep, HBO, McDonald’s, The NFL Players Association, Northwest Airlines, Paramount Pictures, PepsiCo, RCA Records, Red Bull, Reebok, Revlon, Sci-Fi Channel, Sony, and USA Network, among many others.
