Professional Documents
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PAUL BRATHWAITE
Paul Brathwaite is widely known and well-regarded fixture in the halls of Congress, both for his consummate professionalism and his infectious laugh. Before joining the Podesta Group, he served as executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), where he coordinated the groups domestic and foreign policy initiatives. At the CBC, Paul worked with all 43 members and served three CBC chairs: Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) and Melvin L. Watt (D-NC). During the Clinton administration, Paul served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment Standards Administration. Earlier in his career, Paul worked in the Department of Transportations General Counsels Honors Program. He has also worked as a staff member for Rep. Tom Carper (D-DE), who was then a member of the House, former Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) and former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo (D). Paul has received numerous accolades for his distinguished public service, including the first Brenda Pillors Award from the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and numerous selections as one of Roll Calls Fabulous Fifty staffers on Capitol Hill. A Delaware native, Paul holds a Juris Doctor and a master's in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor's from Delaware State University.
NIKIA OKOYE
Nikia was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Nikia also obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Trinity University in 2005. Nikia came to Washington D.C. in 1999 to do an internship with the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (Ohio). Following the internship, Nikia was offered a permanent position in the office of Tubbs Jones where she served in a variety of positions in including Staff Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, and Senior Legislative Assistant. Following the death of Representative Tubbs Jones, Nikia secured a position with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as Project Manager, where she served as the liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus Members. Three years ago, Nikia joined The American Kidney Fund as the Director of Government Relations. In this capacity, she develops and manages the public policy agenda for the organization. She also created a new advocacy program: the AKF Patient Advocacy Network.
JARVIS C. STEWART
Jarvis C. Stewart is Ian Reid's Chairman and Managing Partner. Mr. Stewart provides corporate and institutional strategy for a wide-range of companies in sectors such as homeland security, banking and financial services, energy and emerging markets. His clients include Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized firms and small businesses poised for domestic and international growth. He is also a partner in several private equity funds and a director for two privately held companies. A native Texan, Mr. Stewart served as Chief of Staff to former United States Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) and Special Assistant to Clinton Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. He is a frequent speaker on issues relating to business and corporate development and public policy. He has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Black Enterprise magazines, and is a founding partner of the WASHINGTON NATIONALS, a Major League Baseball franchise. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife Stacey and daughters Madeleine Reid and Savannah Francies.
JENNIFER M. STEWART
Jennifer Stewart has over a decade of experience in public policy and government relations. An experienced strategist, she offers the clients of Stewart Strategies & Solutions creative and strategic approaches to public policy matters, including but not exclusive to telecommunications, technology, transportation, health care and education. In her role as President at Stewart Strategies & Solutions, she assists clients in achieving public policy goals by lobbying on their behalf and crafting strategies to effectively communicate to the audiences they care aboutpolicymakers and their constituents. Prior to forming Stewart Strategies & Solutions, Stewarts career highlights include her service as a senior policy advisor at Bryan Cave, LLP and a senior manager in the federal government affairs department for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (AZ). Stewarts experience in the government sector includes her tenure as legislative director to Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and legislative assistant to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). Stewarts experience in strategically and creatively reaching diverse communities, in efforts to build broad support, makes her a valuable asset to the clients of Stewart Strategies & Solutions.
KIMBERLY A. WOODARD
Before launching the WesleyPrestonGreen group, a public affairs consultancy, Kimberly A. Woodard was Director of Federal Government Relations for Walmart, where she had worked since March 2004, and managed the companys outreach initiatives to the Democratic Caucus. In this position, Kimberly was responsible for developing strategies and programs to advance the companys outreach efforts and political priorities. She was a key contact between the company and several congressional caucuses, as well as the White House. She has developed a profile in Washington that includes experience in political fundraising, relationship management, brand reputation and event management.