Spring 2024 Newsletter: Firmly Rooted by ForgeLeadership

Firmly rooted FORGE ALUMNI

SPRING 2024

Forge Mentorship Academy

From the students who attend our Leadership Summit, we select the standouts, like Savanna, to accelerate their careers through our Mentorship Academy. While back at their school or job, they get to be part of a year-long program where we focus on three major areas—

communication, networking, interviewing, and leadership skills. We prepare them to work in working in the part of politics they are interested

“God gave me a voice…Forge taught me how to use it.”

~Savanna

For Savanna, this meant media training and helping her learn the skill of speaking in powerful soundbites and navigating a hostile interviewer.

For Savanna, she was paired with a well known pro-life leader who introduced her to other influencers in the pro-life movement.

to cement their convictions—from international trips to time in Washington, D.C. meeting leaders who have kept the faith while working in government. Students meet with ambassadors, judges, U.S Senators, and presidents of leading conservative

Through Forge, Savanna traveled to Israel which helped her faith come alive. Little did she know how much she would need to rely on it soon.

Savanna now works full-time in a Government Relations position for a leading pro-life organization. She’s now a spokeswoman in the pro-life movement, and she made the most of that media training, doing over 20 interviews with worldwide media outside the Supreme Court steps after Roe V. Wade was overturned.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

You may have heard the observation that the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago. Well, nine years ago the tiny seed of an idea was planted with the formation of Forge Leadership Network.

At the time, I had just finished working in Ohio politics, and Forge cofounder Justin Powell and I saw firsthand that many young conservatives had no playbook for entering politics, finding godly mentors, and staying the course.

Ten years later, this summer will mark 750 young conservatives trained, 375 mentored, and 150 who have worked in state legislatures, Capitol Hill, conservative organizations, and elected office. Not to mention the hundreds impacting the public arena while working in the business marketplace, law, education, ministry, and more. It’s safe to say, the tree that we planted a decade ago is firmly rooted and spreading strong branches that will support the conservative movement for years to come.

When we were in Boston last Fall for the Forge Alumni Reunion, Forge’s good friend Joseph Backholm served as our trip lecturer. His theme for the weekend was the importance of remembering where we have come from. This theme inspired me as we approach our tenth year of Forge..

Consider this:

Because of the generosity of our supporters, Forge exists…

Because Forge exists Jena, Madeleine, and Naomi developed the skills, networks, and conviction to impact the public arena and the entire state of Ohio (See page 3).

Because Forge exists, eight Forge alumni now serve in elected office and impact their communities through their service (See page 16).

Because Forge exists, the pro-life movement is being advanced locally and nationally by the next generation of conservatives who strive to protect life (See page 7).

Because Forge exists, young conservatives across the nation come together to learn from and encourage one another while immersing themselves in our nation’s history and founding principles (see 13).

If the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, then the next best time is today. That’s why Forge is now poised over the next five years to equip 1,500 young conservative leaders and build farm teams of young conservatives in key states across the nation. The tree we planted almost ten years ago is thriving, now it’s time to pick up our spades and start planting again.

THE FORGE IMPACT

Graduates have worked in state legislatures, Capitol Hill, or conservative organizations

Graduates have served in elected office across six states since 2016

SLAM DUNK

THREE FORGE ALUMNAE PROTECT CHILDREN AND GIRLS’ SPORTS IN OHIO

Across the country, women’s rights are being undermined by the transgender movement. Nowhere is this more evident than in girls’ sports.

In Ohio, three Forge alumni worked for five years to ensure that female athletes’ hard work is honored and protected. Forge 20152016 Alumna and OH State Rep. Jena Powell first introduced The Save Women’s Sports Act in 2019, but she was facing a long uphill battle.

After five years, the Ohio State Senate joined the Ohio House of Representatives earlier this year in voting to override Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of Jena’s legislation, House Bill 68. This meant that after years of work and perseverance, the bill that Jena introduced and sponsored is now law.

House Bill 68 was a combined bill of the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which outlaws the practice of dangerous and sterilizing transgender “medicine” on children and Jena’s Save Women’s Sports Act which protects girls in K-12 and collegiate sports in Ohio from being forced to compete against males. The combination bill became newsworthy and controversial due to its subject matter and after Ohio’s Republican governor surprisingly vetoed the bill.

Because of the unexpected veto, the Ohio House and Ohio Senate needed a super majority to override the veto, which they achieved on

OH State Rep. Jena Powell speaking on Substitute House Bill 68

Forge Alumni from left Naomi DelGuidice, OH State Rep. Jena Powell, and Madeleine Castle worked together to pass Bill 68, Protecting women’s sports in Ohio.

January 24, 2024.

“I am truly grateful that after five years of uphill battles, Ohio females’ rights to safety, fairness, a future in female sports, and female scholar-athlete opportunities are finally protected in Ohio law,” Jena said.

Not only is Jena’s legislative achievement a credit to her, it’s also a chance to celebrate the tireless work of two fellow Forge alumni and Jena’s Legislative Aides over this five-year effort -Madeleine Castle and Naomi del Guidice.

Madeleine and Naomi are both 2016-2017 graduates of the Forge Mentorship Academy.

Madeleine served as Legislative Aide for Rep. Jena Powell from 2019 until 2023 and now serves as Field Representative for U.S. Senator Josh Hawley.

“I helped Rep. Powell draft Save Women’s Sports,” said Madeleine, “and work with stakeholders and interested parties to craft the best possible piece of legislation. We researched the issue extensively and I constantly answered questions from other representatives and aides and lobbyists about what Save Women’s Sports was all about.”

Naomi currently serves as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio Statehouse for Jena Powell.

“It was a exciting and historic moment to watch the General Assembly take action to protect the rights of female athletes for generations to come,” said Naomi. “I am honored to support Rep. Powell and to have worked the Save Women’s Sports Act through the legislative process, which included countless hours of research, testimony, and input from individuals and entities across the state.

I’m grateful that Rep. Powell has provided the legislature with the opportunity to respond to the needs of the many girls, women, and families who have asked for the Save Women’s Sports Act to protect their futures,” said Naomi.

“For every step of the process,” said Madeleine, “in drafting and research and moving the bill, Forge connections and resources were there to assist and provide expertise and encouragement.”

This was a true team effort, fueled by friendships and collaboration started through the Forge Alumni Network.

This is the vision of Forge: principled, wellequipped young conservatives collaborating and strategizing together for maximum impact on policy and politics.

Join Us in Celebrating a Decade of Impact at the Forge 10-Year Anniversary Gala!

We’ll shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of our alumni, showcasing how their Forge journey has equipped them to make a tangible impact in their communities, professions, and beyond. We look forward to raising a toast to the past, present, and future of Forge with you!

7 25 24

WHEN ROE WAS OVERTURNED, FORGE ALUMNI WERE THERE

n the morning of June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court handed down a monumental decision in Dobbsv.JacksonWomen’sHealth Organization, overturning nearly fifty years of precedent from Roev.Wade . In the years and months leading up to the decision, Forge alumni were diligently working locally and nationally to set the stage for Roe’s demise and to help usher in legislation and cultural recognition for the sanctity of life.

Alec Sears, Becca Delahunt, and Bryce Asberg are three such Forge alumni who have worked tirelessly to protect the unborn.

In 2016, Alec was in college and frustrated with his career trajectory when his former high school teacher, Adam Josefczyk, called to invite him to the second Forge Leadership Summit.

“At that point in time,” Alec said, “I knew pretty much nothing about the conservative movement or politics in general, or what it meant to be a conservative in America in 2016.” He couldn’t know then how the hands-on training in communications and media would come to play a pivotal role in his life and American history.

“Through a series of internship connections with Forge and connections that I made with

other folks in the conservative movement, I was put on the communications team for a conservative PR firm, which worked with the group that was dedicated specifically to the confirmation of conservative judges to our nation’s courts at every level.”

After weathering the Kavanaugh confirmation just one week after being hired, Alec was prepared for a fight when, in 2020, another seat on the Supreme Court opened and Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump.

“We just had no idea what could come, so we tried to prepare for every eventuality. I worked on a team full of incredible minds and great people. The document that we all shared was an instructional manual. From the moment that a vacancy on the Supreme Court was confirmed to the moment that the nomination was made by President Trump and all the way through the final Senate vote, it was a step by step instructional book of what each person on the team needed to be doing at an exact moment in time. Through God’s grace and also the media training I received from Forge, we were able to make that confirmation for justice Barrett a lot smoother.”

While Alec was working nationally to prepare the Supreme Court to reevaluate Roe, halfway across the country fellow Forge alum Becca Delahunt began to feel God pulling her from her career in business and pushing her to make a difference in policy. Becca had heard about Forge, but wasn’t sure that it was for her.

“In 2020,” Becca said, “all of my plans were canceled. so I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll give this a shot.’ So I went [to the Summit] and it was one of the best decisions that I have made professionally.”

“It became very clear through the summit that I should stay in my home state and work on issues that I cared about; protecting life and protecting kids from gender ideology, specifically.”

Becca now works as a lobbyist at Minnesota Family Council. Now that Roe v. Wadeis overturned, the abortion issue falls to each state to create legislation to protect life or destroy it.

“There are different battles in every state. In Minnesota, it’s pretty bleak. I was really encouraged by a lawmaker friend, who said, ‘we’re losing a battle, but we’re in this for the war.’” Becca’s work on the state level -- even

a blue state where victory is often elusive -is testament to the importance of fighting to take back our states.

Many Forge alumni work on Capitol Hill and within Washington to bring about national change, and many others work on the state level like Becca. Others, like Bryce Asberg, live out their vocation on the local level, fulfilling the injunction of Jeremiah 29:7 which says, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (ESV)

grow the organization to the next level.”

In September 2021, Bryce started in his new role as Executive Director of the organization.

“This fits perfectly with who God has made me to be. God has called me to promote a biblical understanding of human dignity and to make disciples. Leading Helping Hands allows me to work toward both these ends, serving women and men in crisis pregnancies, upholding the value of human life, and pointing them toward the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Forge has been a key part of my story by sharpening my skills and providing me a network of mentors and peers to serve alongside and learn from.”

Helping Hands PRC was recently awarded the Best Nonprofit of Hillsdale County by USA Today.

Whether acting as the hands and feet of Jesus serving local mothers and babies, working as the boots on the ground of state policy battles, or paving the way for national change, Forge alumni are working towards a pro-life future.

Above: Becca testifying in from of the MN House on behalf of Minnesota Family Council. Bottom: In 2023, Alec and Becca spoke about their pro-life work along with fellow alumni Anna Young, Savanna Deretich, and OH State Rep. Jena Powell

CELEBRATING

In 2015, Forge was the seedling of a dream to create a thriving pipeline of young conservative the conservative movement needed was a farm team, complete with hands-on training, potential and help them stay the course. Now, nearly a decade later, Forge will have trained have a unique story of how Forge impacts their vocation through the training, relationships,

2016

2015

Forge hosts the first Forge Leadership Summit at Ohio Christian University and the Ohio Statehouse.

The first Forge Mentorship Academy travels to D.C. and Israel and the network grows to over 100 alumni.

2017

2018

Forge celebrates 100 Mentorship Academy graduates and 200 Summit alumni.

To support growing programming needs, Forge hires second full-time employee, Jennie Simunek.

2019

Forge staff continues to expand as Army veteran and 2015 Forge alum, Jeremiah Martin, joins the team. The alumni network grows to over 300 graduates. Despite and mentors

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

CELEBRATING CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

conservative talent to lead in our communities, states, and nation. It was clear that what training, long-term mentorship, and networks that would equip young leaders to their fullest have trained 750 students from 42 states across 190 college campuses. Each of those alumni relationships, and network made possible by our generous supporters and champions.

2020

Despite the odds, Forge trains and mentors students in person.

expand as alum, team. The

300

2021

2022

The Heritage Foundation awards their largest Innovation prize to Forge, enabling expansion. Forge hosts the first Alumni Reunion.

5th alumni elected to public office and over 400 students trained.

2023

The first expansion Summit takes place in Nashville and marks the beginning of Forge expanding its regional hubs.

2024

150 Forge Fellows (program graduates) have now worked in the conservative movement, with many others volunteering and staying engaged with politics even while they work in the business marketplace, law, and more.

STAYING PROBLEM

Idealistic young conservatives enter politics, only to be disillusioned and quit due to what they see in politics and a prevalence of bad actors. Many would stay if they had great mentors, friendships, and support.

STARTING PROBLEM

There are thousands of young people nationwide who are hard working, principled, and don’t give up. They attend state or community college, work fulltime, and they don’t have any political connections. But, they would love to work in politics if someone recruited them.

ACCELERATE

THEIR

CAREERS

through training, a network, and a strong mentor.

PLACE THEM IN THEIR FIRST JOB or position where they can have an impact.

THE NEXT YEARS

We’ve refined the model of Forge and know how to build a farm team. We’ve seen alumni become legislators, campaign managers, leaders of nonprofits and companies, and work in both state capitals and D.C.

We’ve had great success over the past few years, from training 750 students to being awarded the Heritage Foundation’s largest Innovation Prize.

Now we need to build conservative farm teams in key states and regions throughout the nation.

Our 5 Year Goals

EXPAND TO 10 STATES

Start seeding a farm team in the key states where the future of our country will be decided.

RAISE UP 1,500 YOUNG CONSERVATIVES

Recruit, accelerate, and place 1,500 young conservatives and help them start their careers and impact politics for decades.

1,500 STUDENTS

REMEMBER TO REMEMBER

In September 2023, amid the historic streets of Boston, Massachusetts, Forge alumni came together to reconnect with familiar faces and forge connections with other Forge Fellows. Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, there was a palpable sense of gratitude for the community built through Forge and anticipation of what was possible together in the years ahead.

Woven into the fabric of this reunion was a deeper purpose—the profound significance of understanding and remembering America’s founding principles and the historical context surrounding them. From the deck of the Boston Tea Party Museum ship on the Boston Harbor to the cobblestone pathways of the Freedom Trail, each step served as a testament to the enduring legacy of America’s founding ideals.

Forge’s tour lecturer for the weekend, longtime friend Joseph Backholm, is an annual speaker at the Forge Summit and has served as a mentor for several alumni. Joseph is the Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council and has spent his career communicating the intersection of faith and politics. Who better to lead Forge alumni through the intricate history of Boston and the significance of the American founding?

Joseph observed the wisdom of famous New England poet Robert Frost who once quipped that “you don’t take down a fence until you know why it was put up in the first place,” said Joseph. “At some point in the past someone built a fence, which means it had a purpose – there was something they were trying to keep in and something they were trying to

“Ihadawonderful timeconnectingand

reconnectingwith Forgealumniinacity envelopedinAmerican history.”

~Dolphin Sharma

keep out. Unless you know that story, it might be unwise to just tear it down. If you tear the fence down, you might quickly discover the problem that somebody else was trying to solve with it,” said Joseph.

The modern world is constantly tearing down cultural fences in favor of a push for constant “progress,” but in the midst of a rapidly changing world, it can be easy to lose sight of the lessons imparted by history. We suffer from amnesia; without the context of American history, many people today are prepared to tear down the foundations of society before considering the importance of institutions, religion, and our political system.

These struggles are not new. Nearly 400 years ago, the first American colonists wrestled to establish a new society. John Winthrop, whose grave alumni visited in Boston, was the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and helped to set the vision for the new society. In 1630, Winthrop published A Model of Christian Charity, in which he set forth the vision for the colony.

“We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’ necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as His own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with.”

From the struggles of the early colonists to the tumultuous events of the American Revolution, each chapter of Boston’s history offered valuable insights into the enduring struggle for liberty. As alumni explored sites such as Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church, they were reminded of the indomitable spirit that has defined the American experiment from its inception.

In essence, the Forge alumni reunion in Boston was more than just a

Top: Four 2020-2021 alumni pose in front of Faneuil Hall

Bottom Right: The whole group spent Friday night at historic Fenway Park watching the Red Sox.

ELECTED ALUMNI

Scripture instructs us to seek the good of our neighbor, whether that’s the person who lives next door, within a legislative district, or their state. One of the ways that Forge alumni pursue “the welfare of their city” (Jeremiah 29:7) is by seeking elected office to shape laws to reflect what is good and true. Since 2016, eight Forge alumni have won elections, in part because of the campaign training they receive at the Forge Leadership Summit and the networks they build through the Mentorship Academy. Here are some of