A multi-lingual communication strategist accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators, Christine counsels clients on how to be heard in loud, controversial debates on legislative and regulatory issues and implement different communication tactics to complement and strengthen their lobbying. She recently joined Danevon Corporate Partners from Weber Merritt, a public affairs firm specialized in grassroots mobilization and media advocacy. Before Weber Merritt, she served 10 years as the chief media strategist at Goodwill Industries International, where she advanced the organization’s advocacy efforts, including support for passage of the Second Chance Act and opposition to a proposed rule to limit tax deductions on charitable donations. She has won more than 30 industry awards for communication campaigns and video productions, including the Telly, IABC Silver Inkwell, and PR Week Nonprofit Team of the Year. Christine has more than 11 years experience in strategic media relations and issue advocacy, built on a decade of covering politics and diplomacy for the Associated Press and several European networks. Christine earned a B.A. in History and Certificate in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University.
Melissa has been involved in advocacy for 9 years. In her current position, she is responsible for conducting federal legislative relations on behalf of 4,000 SOPHE members. She also directs a cooperative agreement with CDC on Educating State Policy Makers, which brings health education professionals to SOPHE's Mid-Year Meeting for intensive advocacy training. Previously, as Senior Legislative Analyst at Women's Policy, Inc., Melissa was responsible for analyzing federal legislation, including the budget and annual appropriations. She served as a liaison between WPI and the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues legislative staff. She also coordinated briefings on areas of interest to women and families, including maternal morbidity and economic self-sufficiency. Before that, she worked as a Legislative Associate at The MayaTech Corporation where she was responsible for expanding an ongoing contract with NCI to include legislation and statutes focusing on underserved populations. She also coordinated the production of a report on health disparities for the CDC. Melissa currently serves as a Contributing Writer for the MOMocrats blog, mentioned in the August 2009 issue of Ms. Magazine as a "Must Read." She earned B.A. in Political Science from St. Joseph College (CT). She is a member of the Women's Information Network.
Eli has been involved in lobbying for over 11 years. From 2004-2009 he was responsible for directing the lobbying efforts of American Rivers. His duties included formulating and executing their legislative agenda on a bipartisan basis and negotiating bills and amendments with congressional offices and committees. He led a successful effort to enact landmark legislation to expand the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by over 50% and trained more than 500 local advocates to communicate effectively with their members of Congress. Previously, as Legislative Program Manager at Ocean Conservancy, he spearheaded a diverse coalition of interests to secure passage of the Oceans Act, creating the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. He also managed the national ocean conservation community’s annual appropriations efforts. Before that he worked as a National Sea Grant Marine Policy Fellow for U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone where he was responsible for staffing the Congressman in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans & Wildlife and co-chair of the Congressional Coastal Caucus. He earned his Masters in Marine Affairs from University of Washington and his Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from University of Vermont.
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Our unique one-on-one mentoring sessions offer you the opportunity to sit down with an experienced fundraising professional for 30 minutes to discuss any questions that are specific to your organization. Mentoring sessions cover the same topics as the seminars, and we will assign you a mentor based on his/her availability at your requested times.
Mentoring sessions are available for the cost of $0.00 per session. If you register for a full Summit pass, 0 mentoring sessions are included in the pass.
Below is a list of mentors who will be available at the Summit. Please note that you must register to attend at least one seminar in order to sign up for a mentor.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$ 110.00
