The Young and the Guest List 2015

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<< Congressional Power Players:

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler

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REP TULSI GABBARD D-HAWAII fought in the Iraq war and is one of the first two female combat veterans and the first Hindu to ever serve in Congress. Gabbard is known for her poise yet is not shy about speaking her mind, even when her opinions are not aligned to those of President Barack Obama. She opposed the president’s call for military strikes against Syria and his decision to move military advisors into Iraq. What is your advice to young people in your profession? “True leadership is not about selfish ambition, seeking attention or impressing others. It’s about always trying to serve others, have a positive impact on their lives, bridge divides and overcome obstacles, so you can truly be a voice and advocate for the people you are serving and leading.”

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PORTRAITS BY TONY POWELL M A K E U P A R T I S T F O R R E P. G A B B A R D A N D R E P. H E R R E R A B E U T L E R : VA L E N T I N A G R E T S OVA , W W W.VA L E N T I N AG R E T S OVA .C O M S P E C I A L T H A N K S T O T H E W H OT E L A N D T H E A PA RT M E N T S AT C I T Y C E N T E R

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ur 10th annual compilation of under-40 power players features individuals who truly exemplify the traits we look for while building our list – professional success, brains and personality. Yes, these are leaders and news makers in their respective fields — young people who are changing the face of politics, finance, media, medicine and technology; but it is their personalities, and their composure even on the most harried of days, that won us over. From the halls of Capitol Hill, where before speaking on the House floor, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) showed us her team spirit in a Seattle Seahawks jersey and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (DHawaii) kindly deflected our questions about her recent engagement, to the White House lawn, where staffers posed outside on an 18-degree day, we were astounded by our subjects’ grace under pressure. At the W Hotel, NBC4 Sports Anchor Dianna

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Russini worked the phones on the afternoon the Redskins announced their new general manager and Jason Spear, legislative assistant to D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, kept us laughing while we photographed him with Ready for Hillary women’s director Jessica Grounds, a pairing he dubbed “ebony and ivory.� Best buddies and cable television opponents Brianna Keilar of CNN and Kristen Welker of NBC snapped selfies as they relished having a morning off together. Paul Singh at Disruption Corporation showed us tabletops he’s commissioned out of reclaimed Virginia wood. The Huffington Post’s Ryan Reilly gave us the Cliff ’s Notes version of his arrest while covering the riots in Ferguson, Mo., and Brett Sedgewick quietly shared details of his experience as an Ebola burial supervisor in Liberia. The personalities are large. The list is formidable. We think you’ll agree.

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YGL 2015 Jamal Abdi Policy Director, National Iranian American Council

Kendra Barkoff Press Secretary to Vice President Joe Biden

Cristobal Joshua Alex President, Latino Victory Project

Natasha Barrett Anchor, WJLA Vinoda Basnayake Chairman, DC Government Relations Practice, Nelson Mullins

Aniello Aliota Political Director, Progress Now Grant Allen Senior Vice President, ABB Technology Ventures Katherine Kennedy Allen Director of Communications, Audax Health Abeer Al-Otaiba Engineer, wife of the United Arab Emirates Ambassador Justin Amash U.S. Congressman (R-Mich.) Ericka Andersen Digital Media Manager, Heritage Foundation and The Daily Signal

Kira Bates Founder, MacKenzie Public Relations bradley beal Shooting Guard, Washington Wizards Allesandra Beggiato Digital and Social Engagement Strategist, Ministers of Design Katie Beirne Fallon Deputy Director of Communications, The White House Carmen Berkley Director of Civil, Human and Women’s Rights, AFL-CIO

Helena Andrews “Reliable Source” Columnist, The Washington Post

Kirsten Berset Sports Anchor and Reporter, WUSA-9 News

Cristina Antelo Principal, The Podesta Group

Bradley Beychok President, Media Matters for America

Ronit Avni Founder, Just Vision Carla Babb Pentagon Correspondent, Voice of America Moira Bagley Smith Communications Director, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise Lucas Baiano Political filmmaker

Chadleon Booker Senior Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers christopher Boutlier Interior Designer Pari Bradlee Fitness and Yoga Instructor Quinn Bradlee Founder, FriendsofQuinn.com

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R - Wash.), 36

is the first Hispanic ever to represent Washington state in the House of Representatives. An avid Seattle Seahawks fan and former legislative aide to Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Herrera Beutler is a firebrand with strong loyalties, yet she has strived to work on a bipartisan level and has been hailed by both parties as a guardian of small business. Do you have a mentor in Washington? ”Abigail Adams. Her wit and wisdom allowed her to play an integral role in the founding of our nation when women were not even permitted to vote. My office is decorated with her quotes.”

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JESSE LEE is a social media guru and the first-ever White House director of progressive media and online response. Lee was previously new media advisor to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. What is your advice to young people in your profession? “Don’t be shy. If you have good ideas, speak up. Be humble about it and respect that people senior to you are most likely senior to you for a reason, because they’re smart and they’ve been around.”

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MONIQUE DORSAINVIL strategizes high-stakes engagement for the president and first lady as director of planning and events for the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. An Emory University graduate, Dorsainvil began working at the White House as an intern. What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “Helping to ensure access and bring people into the fold who traditionally have not been engaged by or provided opportunities to work with or visit the White House. Having the chance to work behind the scenes on historical milestones like the president’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington has also been especially significant to me.”

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BRAD JENKINS

ANDREA PURSE

is associate director of the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, where he directs engagement with advocacy organizations, the entertainment industry and content creators. He’s led the effort to spread the word about the Affordable Care Act by collaborating with the likes of Katy Perry and Pharrell.

is White House director of broadcast media and manages all of President Obama’s television appearances, as well as those of senior administration officials.

Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Valerie Jarrett. I have worked in the private sector for most of my life, so I have had the privilege of seeing the best of public servants as well as CEOs and small business owners. Ms. Jarrett has it all. She has the vision and execution of a start-up entrepreneur and the heart and passion of a community leader and policymaker.”

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “I have really enjoyed working on television and radio around the Affordable Care Act — we have been really targeted in our outreach and so we can see the impact when people hear more about what’s available to them. It’s such a critical issue and one I care a lot about personally, so knowing that people will be covered for the first time is exciting!”

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YGL LEE BRENNER Global Business Development Lead, Microsoft

GREGORY CENDENA Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO

JAKE BREWER Managing Director of External Affairs, Change.org

TOBY CHAUDHURI Co-Founder and CSO, SocialxDesign

ARTURO BRILLEMBOURG Founder and Managing Partner, AEB Capital

KEO CHEA Deputy Assistant Director of Community Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

JENNIFER FELDMAN BRILLEMBOURG Physician

GEORGE CHOPIVSKY III President, The Fortis Companies

FRITZ BROGAN Co-owner, Mission, Mason Inn and George

CLARA BRILLEMBOURG CHOPIVSKY Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

MATTHEW BRONCZEK Managing Partner, Federal Home Company

RACHNA CHOUDHRY Co-Founder, PopVox

ASHLEY TAYLOR BRONCZEK Founder and CEO, The Wear Project PAMELA BROWN Justice Correspondent, CNN

BRIAN COESTER CEO, Coester Valuation Management Service

EVAN BURFIELD Co-Founder, 1776

ELBRIDGE COLBY Fellow, Center for New American Security

CHAKA BURGESS Vice President of Government Relations, American Gaming Association

ELIZABETH HENG

What is your advice for newcomers to your field? “Washington is like a village. Everyone knows everyone, so my advice is to be nice to anyone you meet. You’d be surprised at who’ll end up helping you out when you least expect it.�

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LUCAS BAIANO is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Lucas Studios LLC. He helped Sen. Mitch McConnell win one of the year’s most critical Senate races and become the new majority leader. In 2014, Baiano won 10 International Telly Awards for best ads and 21 Pollies for best political ads. Do you have a mentor in Washington? Who is it and how has he or she helped you? “I have been immensely fortunate to work with many governors, senators and congressmen. I see each of them as a mentor in my professional life, as each personified lessons of great courage, ability and inspiration.�

PHAEDRA CHROUSOS Chief Customer Officer, General Services Administration

WILL BYRNE CEO and Co-Founder, Groundswell

KIKI BURGER Public Relations Manager, Susan G. Komen

may have one of the hardest jobs in Washington: convincing members of Congress to set politics aside and work together. As chief of protocol and member outreach for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Heng welcomes foreign dignitaries at the U.S. Capitol one day and leads congressional delegations to crisis regions like Nigeria and Ukraine the next, working to create true diplomacy globally.

KARIM CHROBOG President and Executive Producer, 18th Street Films

LARHONDA BURLEY Senior Partner Marketing Manager, Washington Redskins NICHOLAS CAMBATA Co-Founder, 8112 Studios SUSAN CAROLL Interim CEO, Inova Alexandria Hospital ZACH CARTER Senior Political Economy Reporter, The Huffington Post

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MARYBETH COLEMAN Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle MATT COMPTON Digital Director, Democratic National Committee ADAM CONNER Vice President of Politics, Brigade Media DANIEL COSTA Director of Immigration Law and Policy Research, EPI RACHEL COTHRAN Communications Director, Georgetown Business Improvement District PATRICK CUNNANE Senior Writer, The White Houses MONIQUE CURRIE Forward, Washington Mystics

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JAKE CUSACK Managing Partner, CrossBoundary BROOKE DALEY Associate, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP KATE DAMON Owner, Kaze Design HEATHER DARAZS Creative Services Manager, CBS Corporation MICHAEL DARNER Executive Director, Congressional Progressive Caucus BRAD DAYSPRING Strategist and Communications Director, National Republican Senatorial Committee LAUREN PRATAPAS DAYSPRING Senior Publicist, CNN TARA DE NICOLAS Vertical Market Business Development Manager, Brivo Labs DR JENNIFER DESIMONE Dermatologist, Inova Medical Group ANAIS DE VIEL CASTEL Co-Founder, Petite Lucette RENAUD DE VIEL CASTEL General Manager,Veolia Transportation – enviroCAB ANASTASIA DELLACCIO Special Initiatives, Outreach and Communications Officer, United Nations Foundation LAUREN DESANTIS Capital Cooking Show SAMANTHA DEZUR Vice President, Federal Policy and Strategic Communications, Bond Dealers of America MONIQUE DORSAINVIL Director of Planning and Events, White House Office of Engagement and Public Affairs MICHAEL DOVE Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Forum Theatre

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PATRICK DOWD CEO, Millenial Trains Project and Editorat-Large, National Geographic Society BEN DUNHAM Counsel, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP MAX ENGLING Professional Oversight Staff, Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives JONATHAN EDWARDS Deputy Program Manager, Cyber Security, Blue Canopy JULIA EISMAN Global Marketing Solutions Client Partner, Facebook RENEE EISMAN Director of Public Relations, Park Hyatt Washington DOUG ELDRIGE Managing Partner, DLE Agency LISA ELLMAN Counsel, McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP GREG ENGERT Beer Director, Neighborhood Restaurant Group JAMES FAEH Office of the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President of the United States LACEY FAEH Brand and Social Media Consultant, A Lacey Perspective LLC ALISON FAIRBROTHER Director, Public Trust Project BRIAN FALLON Director, Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice MIA FEUER Sculptor and Professor, George Mason University

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JASON SPEAR

JESSICA GROUNDS

is legislative associate and deputy communications director for the Office of D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, working to gain voting representation in Congress for more than 650,000 residents of Washington, D.C.

is helping empower women to become political leaders. The director of the women’s office for Ready for Hillary and co-founder of Running Start says she has been passionate about seeing women be part of the political process since very early in life, which helped set her professional trajectory and carve out a niche in her field.

Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Long before I wanted to enter the world of politics, I wanted to be cool, and young Harry Belafonte was the epitome of cool. He not only used his immense talents to entertain; he used them to advocate for justice and he continues to do so.”

What is your advice for newcomers to your field? “Do not feel like you have to follow one particular path to be successful. There are definitely good lessons and best practices, but there is not one way to be successful in the field of politics or in my specific sphere of women’s political leadership. By recognizing what is authentically you and figuring out how you can tap into doing your passion for your work, you will be well on your way to a career that is satisfying.”

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YGL 2015 Brianna Keilar, 34

is CNN’s lead reporter covering Hillary Clinton and the Democratic field for the 2016 campaign. Keilar does double duty as Wolf Blitzer’s primary fill-in anchor for the Situation Room and previously served as CNN’s senior White House correspondent. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “My colleague Dana Bash, CNN’s chief congressional correspondent. She’s a tireless reporter, a hilarious and supportive friend and a very engaged mom.”

Kristen Welker, 38

has traveled the globe with the president and first lady as White House correspondent for NBC News.Welker graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in American History. What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “Serving in my current role as a White House correspondent for NBC News.  Given the gridlock in Washington and the unrest overseas, it is a fascinating time to cover the White House and politics.  The terrorist attacks in Paris are just one of many recent reminders that journalism matters and that free speech has to be defended.”

Manu Raju, 35

is a senior congressional reporter for Politico. Raju, along with a team of colleagues from Politico, is a past recipient of the Merriman Smith Award for presidential reporting for coverage of the debt ceiling crisis. If you could have dinner with any historical figure dead or alive, who would it be? “Michael Jordan. As a Chicago-area native and a rabid sports fan, he was my idol growing up. So how could I pass up breaking bread with His Airness?!”

Judy Kurtz, 30

writes The Hill newspaper’s must-read “In the Know” column and serves as a contributor to Fox 5.The District native is a former television news reporter who began her career with a stint at People magazine. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Cheesiness alert: my dad (journalist Howard Kurtz) is the smartest and hardest-working person I know. Plus, I have his and my grandfather’s genes to thank for a full head of TVfriendly hair.”

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MEREDITH FINEMAN CEO, FinePoint ANNA FINK Women’s Equality Program, The Wyss Foundation PAUL-MARTIN FOSS President and Executive Director, Karl Menger Center for the Study of Money and Banking DANIELLA FOSTER Director, Corporate Affairs and Science Communications, Mars Symbioscience SHIRA FRANK Mid-Atlantic and Southern Director of Development Operations and Finance, J Street TULSI GABBARD U.S. Representative (D-Hawaii) PATRICK GAGE Youth Philanthropy Advocate and Georgetown University Student TYRONE GAYLE Western Regional Press Secretary, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee JENNIFER PAQUETTE GALLOWAY President, Walcott Hill Group LLC PIERRE GARÇON Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins MATTHEW GARDINER Associate Artistic Director, Signature Theatre PATRICK GAVIN Journalist and Filmmaker RACHEL COHEN GERROL Co-Founder, Nexus Global Youth Summit LISA GILBERT Director of Congress Watch, Public Citizen LINDSAY GILL Executive Director of Business Development, Luke’s Wings MARK GILLESPIE General Manager and Creative Director,YOA Youth Orchestra of the Americas

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RYAN GRIM

RYAN REILLY

is Huffington Post’s Washington bureau chief and no-nonsense sensai to his staff of young reporters. He is also the author of “This is Your Country on Drugs.�

was famously arrested while covering the protests in Ferguson, Mo., following the death of Michael Brown. He is the Huffington Post’s justice reporter.

Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Amanda Terkel and Sam Stein (both of the Huffington Post), for their ability to lead as editors and also as reporters — what will become the new model for political journalism.�

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “Getting hired to join the incredible team at the Huffington Post, which has allowed me to cover some really fascinating issues and events.�

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ZACH CARTER is one those rare writers who can explain “Wall Street derivatives� to a layman and has been heralded for making the term part of the nation’s greater economic policy debate. Carter is Huffington Post’s senior political economy reporter. What is your advice to young people in your profession? “Be an artist or a musician for a few years first. It’ll make the money seem amazing when you switch to journalism. Then write about weird things nobody cares about and explain to people why they should care about them.�

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YGL 2015 Shana Glenzer Vice President, Social Marketing, SocialRadar Angie Goff Weekend Morning Anchor, NBC4 Washington and Editor, ohmygoff.tv Hannah Goldstein Assistant Rabbi, Temple Sinai

Georgetown University Michael Haft Co-Founder, Compass Coffee Dannia Hakki Co-founder, MoKi Media maha Hakki Partner, MoKi Media

gio gonzalez Pitcher, Washington Nationals

Dawn Halfaker Owner and CEO, Halfaker and Associates

marcin gortat Center, Washington Wizards

Blake Hall Founder and CEO, ID.me

Neil Grace Senior Communications Advisor, Federal Communications Commission

Peter Hamby National Political Reporter, CNN

Richard Graves Co-Founder and Vice President, Ethical Electric Morgan Greenhouse Founder and Managing Partner, verdeHOUSE Ryan Grim Washington Bureau Chief, The Huffington Post Bianca Grimaldi Founder and President, Washington Writing Group Jessica Grounds Director of Women, Ready for Hillary and CoFounder, Running Start Kristin Guiter Principal, kkg arts + culture communications Carlos Gutierrez, Jr. Associate, Clark Hill PLC Erika Gutierrez Founder and President, epgPR Indivar Dutta-Gupta Director, Project on Deep Poverty and Senior Fellow at the Center on Poverty and Inequality,

Drew Hammill Communications Director and Senior Advisor, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Katie Harbath Global Politics and Government Outreach Manager, Facebook Allison Long Hardy Artist Chanelle Hardy Senior Vice President for Policy and Executive Director, National Urban League Washington Bureau Bryce Harper Outfielder,Washington Nationals David Hebert Internal and AudioVisual Communications Chief, USGS Emily Heil “Reliable Source” Columnist, The Washington Post Elizabeth Heng Director of Outreach and Protocol, House Foreign Affairs Committee

Dianna Russini, 31

is a sports anchor/reporter at NBC4/WRC. The George Mason University graduate has broken dozens of major NFL stories for the station. What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “Working at NBC4. This past September during an exhausting, dismal season covering the Redskins, Jim Vance saw me running in the hallway with 2-inch heels, talking on one phone and tweeting on the other. He looked over at me and said, “You know what you are? You are George Michael, in a skirt.”

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JAMES HENRY Founder, Teavine

Technology Industry Council

JUSTIN HERMAN Director, Federal and Social Media, Center for Excellence in Digital Government, GSA

BRAD JENKINS Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement

JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER U.S. Congresswoman (R-Washington)

BEN JENKINS Vice President of State Government Communications, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

LAUREN HICKEY Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Department of State GREG HOUSTON Senior Adviser, Global Ties U.S.

NATE JENKINS Deputy Director, White House Office of Private Sector Engagement

JEFF HIMMELMAN Author,Yours in Truth: A Personal Portrait of Ben Bradlee

ANNE JOHNSON Executive Director, Generation Progress

RACHEL HOLT Regional General Manager for the East Coast, Uber, Inc.

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON Executive Director, Waitt Foundation

BRADEN HOLTBY Goalie, Washington Capitals FRANCES HOLUBA Advisor, National Security Council Press Team and Global Engagement, The White House ROGER HOROWITZ Co-Founder, Pleasant Pops SCOTT HORVATH Web and Social Media Chief, USGS WIN HUFFMAN President Emeritus, Capital Club

BRIAN JOHNSON Director of Federal Relations, API JONATHAN JORDAN Featured Dancer, The Washington Ballet PÉTER KALOTAI Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Hungary GOLDY KAMALI Founder and CEO, FedScoop OLIVIER KAMANDA CEO, Ideal Impact

HEATHER HUGHES Vice President, AIG SunAmerica Funds

CASSIDY KARAKORN Deputy Director, Human Rights Campaign

NICHOLAS HUNTER Vice President, Business Development, POUNDS

CODY KEENAN Director of Speech Writing for President Barack Obama, The White House

MARY ANNE HUNTSMAN Concert Pianist MOUNIR IBRAHIM Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State IVAN IRICANIN Director of Operations, Richard Sandoval Restaurants ADORA ANDY JENKINS Vice President of External Affairs, Information

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BRIANNA KEILAR Senior Political Correspondent, CNN JOSEPH P KENNEDY III U.S. Representative (D-Mass.)

TOM WILSON AND BRADEN HOLTBY have become two of the most recognizable faces of the Washington Capitals.Wilson was one of three NHL rookies to appear in all 82 games of the 2013-14 season, and one of the most rowdy forwards in the game, having ranked seventh in the NHL in penalty minutes. Goaltender Holtby has been a fan favorite in his five seasons with the Caps and on January 8 passed Wayne Stephenson for the most consecutive games played by a goaltender in franchise history.

SANDRO KERESELIDZE Founder, Art Soirée

WILSON What surprised you most about Washington? “There’s always so much to do here and so much going on. Whether it’s roads being shut down because the President is leaving town or if you are walking around downtown D.C. you see the monuments and all the history.”

RYAN KERRIGAN Linebacker, Washington Redskins

HOLTBY Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Derek Jeter. He is the ultimate professional and athlete. There’s nothing bad you can say about him.”

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PAUL SINGH founder of Disruption Corporation and its post-seed venture capital arm, Crystal Tech Fund, is helping turn Crystal City into a technology hub - and revitalize an area that was left with millions of square feet of empty commercial space after BRAC closings. Singh, whose sprawling office space overlooks Reagan National Airport, was previously a partner at 500 Startups, an accelerator and venture firm headquartered in Silicon Valley that has invested in more than 750 companies across more than 40 countries. What is your advice to young people in your profession? “When you’re young, it’s easy to settle for the first job that comes along and convince yourself that you need to put in the time to climb the traditional career ladder. Everyone else will believe it and you will too. Don’t. Take more risks than your peers. Don’t try to do what you love, focus on doing something extremely well. Ideally, something that many other people want. That’s the path to a career that makes you happy.”

RACHNA CHOUDHRY is co-founder of POPVOX. an online platform that has changed and streamlined the communications process between constituents and members of Congress. In June 2014, the Library of Congress selected POPVOX for inclusion in its offical archives, making the site part of our nation’s historical record.

STEPHANIE NGUYEN

is co-founder and lead designer of Landmark, a District-based startup building a navigation app for walking directions based on photos of buildings and other physical markers. Nguyen is passionate about encouraging tech education and mentorship for women and minorities. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “I’m an advocate for the underdog and all of the scrappy people who make something from nothing. My father used to be a night shift janitor at a grocery store for decades — a huge reason I appreciate the work of those individuals who are often overlooked. They inspire me every day.”

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STEVE TAYLOR is principal software engineer at cyber-defense software company Invincea, where he was brought in as a founding engineer while still an undergraduate at George Mason University. In college,Taylor developed Plasma Pong, a viral video game that was downloaded millions of times before Atari threatened legal action. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Elon Musk used his experience as an engineer to create companies that disrupt entire industries. Both SpaceX and Tesla are changing humanity through new ways of thinking about sustainability. I deeply respect the personal risk he’s taken to follow his passions.”

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Do you have a mentor in Washington? How has he or she helped you? “I’ve had the great fortune to benefit from a network of mentors in diverse industries who have assisted me not only as POPVOX grows, but in my previous positions as well. These mentors — all women — have been invaluable and now help brainstorm new features, connect me to potential clients and more importantly, they serve as a reality check when something isn’t working and I need to change course.”

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SIM KHAN Attorney and Creative Head, Brimble & Clark Custom Clothiers SUZANNE KIANPOUR Capitol Hill Producer, BBC News CAROLYN AMIRPASHAIE KING Director of Operations, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) ALBERT KLEINE Economist, Bureau of Labor Statistics JULIE KOHLER Executive Vice President and Chief Operationg Officer, The Democracy Alliance AJAY KORI Co-Founder, UrbanStems CARINE KRAWIEC Owner, Carine’s Bridal Atelier JACKIE KUCINICH Politics Reporter, The Washington Post

TONY AND RAFFI WILLIAMS are considered two of the brightest young minds in the Republican Party. As director of government affairs for Comcast,Tony helped create and launch the company’s Internet Essentials program, which has connected 1.4 million lowincome Americans to the Internet. Raffi, deputy press secretary for the Republican National Committee, was instrumental in aiding the RNC to usher in a new Republican majority in the Senate and the largest majority in the House since World War II. Both brothers count their father, Juan Williams, as their mentor and call him a man who shaped them into who they are today. TONY What is your advice for newcomers to your field? “Listen more than you speak. In fact for every minute you spend talking, spend at least four times that long listening.� RAFFI Whom do you admire professionally? “My boss Reince Priebus, who has reinvented the role of the modern political party.�

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(Photo by Joseph Allen)

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YGL ANNA LEFFER KUHN Executive Director, Arca Foundation

MAX MAJOR Magician and Corporate Entertainer

JUDY KURTZ “In the Know” Columnist, The Hill

SARAH MARGON Washington Director, Human Rights Watch

JESSICA MOORE Director of Government Affairs, Walt Disney Company

REBECCA MARK Senior Advisor to House Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

GIUSEPPE LANZONE Co-Owner, Peruvian Brothers and Varsity Lightweight Rowing Coach, Georgetown University MARIO LANZONE Co-Owner, Peruvian Brothers

JACLYN MASON Owner, Charm Georgetown

DANNY LEE Owner, Mandu JESSE LEE Special Assistant to the President and Director of Progressive Media, The White House

ORIANA SKYLAR MASTRO Fellow, Asia-Pacific Security Program, Center for New American Security and Assistant Professor, Georgetown University

SVETLANA LEGETIC Co-Founder, Brightest Young Things

JOHN MCCARTHY Executive Director, Future Civic Leaders

ZACH LEONSIS Business Development Manager, Monumental Sports and Entertainment

KEVIN MCCARTHY Entertainment Reporter, Fox 5

DANIEL LIPPMAN Researcher/Reporter, Politico KIRSTEN LODAL Co-Founder and CEO, LIFT JUSTIN LOGAN Director of Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute

HEATHER HUGHES

is co-founder of CrossBoundary, a mission-driven frontier market investment firm that recently launched a new fund to finance solar power projects in Africa. Cusack, a former sniper platoon commander and intelligence officer in the Marine Corp, holds graduate degrees from both Harvard Business School and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

is vice president of AIG Sun America Funds, responsible for all mutual fund sales in the Washington, D.C. metro area, in excess of $700 million. In 2014, Hughes became the company’s number one sales producer. She is also a contributor to CNBC.

Whom do you admire professionally and why? “I admire those who choose commitment over optionality, action over apathy, family over ambition and honesty over popularity. I only rarely possess those qualities, but I aspire to them.”

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Which person, dead or alive, would you most like to have dinner with? “Abraham Lincoln. He had a vision for the country. He rose to the top through sheer ambition and hard work. Like George Washington, Lincoln demonstrated strength of character and exhibited a skilled leadership style combined with kindness and compassion.”

VIOLETTA MARKELOU Photographer and Makeup Artist LINDSEY MASK Founder and Executive Director, Ladies America

BECKY LEE Executive Director, Becky’s Fund

JAKE CUSACK

ANNE MAHLUM Founder and CEO, Solidcore

NICOLAS LORIS Economy Fellow, The Heritage Foundation DEREK LUYTEN Deputy Director of the Asia Division, International Republican Institute

AMBER MCDONALD Associate, Baker & Miller and Founder, The Kindness Collective TOMMY MCFLY Morning Show Host, 94.7 Fresh FM, CBS Radio TARA MCGUINNESS Senior Communications Advisor, The White House JILL MELNICKI Public Liason at the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Government of the District of Columbia

CHASE MAGGIANO Executive Director, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington

SPIKE MENDELSOHN Chef and Restaurateur - Good Stuff Eatery, Bernaise and We the Pizza

KADRIEKA MAIDEN Special Project Coordinator, Events by Andre Wells

ELAINE MENSAH Founder and Creative Strategist, SVELTE LLC

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STEPHEN MILES Advocacy Director, Win Without War TIM MILLER Executive Director, American Rising PAC ALEX MILLS Actor, SyneticTheater DIANA MINSHALL Agent, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage JENNIFER MISHORY Executive Director, Young Invincibles SUJATA MITRA Director of Commuications, News and Politics, The Huffington Post NAVROOP MITTER CEO, Gryphn Corporation DOMENICO MONTANARO Political Director, PBS NewsHour DANIELLE MOODIE-MILLS Advisor on LGBT Policy and Racial Justice, Center for American Progress ALFRED MORRIS Running Back, Washington Redskins MARYAM MUJICA Public Policy Manager, Twitter PATRICK MURPHY U.S. Congressman (D-Florida) RAFAEL NÁVAR National Political Director, Communications Workers of America DEEJAY NEEKOLA DJ, Music Producer and Booking Agent HEIDI NEL Principal, Picture Motion JARED NELSON Featured Dancer, The Washington Ballet STEPHANIE NGUYEN Co-Founder and Lead Designer, Landmark PAUL NITZE Special Assistant to U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia

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JAMAL ABDI is the policy director at the National Iranian American Council, where he is helping pave the way for young, techsavvy Iranians to gain greater access to communications tools like smartphones and satellite Internet. After penning an op-ed for the New York Times in 2012 regarding the sanctions preventing Iranian Americans from even buying iPhones at Apple stores, Abdi worked with the administration to get the sanctions lifted.Today, Apple has indicated it may be one of the first companies to go into Iran if nuclear negotiations succeed. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Reza Aslan and Hooman Majd. Reza is an amazing communicator who consistently short circuits all nonsense conventional wisdom to get his message out. Hooman can relate ordinary life in Iran to his readers and speak truth to power directly to decision makers there, all while being the most stylish guy in the world.”

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ANNE JOHNSON spends her days thinking about youth, specifically how she can make life better for the next generation. As the executive director of Generation Progress at the Center for American Progress, she has helped to launch major social change campaigns such as “It’s On Us” and “Higher Ed Not Debt” as well as the Gun Violence Prevention Network. Whom would you most want to sit next to at a dinner party, living or dead? “Paul and Sheila Wellstone. I worked on Paul’s campaign in 2002, the year that he and Sheila, their daughter and three campaign staffers died in a plane crash days before the election. I was a first-time field staffer, so I didn’t really know them personally, but that experience and the people from that campaign, have shaped everything I’ve done since then.”

NEIL GRACE is senior communications advisor for the FCC, working both within and beyond the agency to build and drive news as part of the communications team. What is your advice to young people in your profession? “I always advise young people to know who they’re talking to, read everything, ask a ton of questions, and to build a network. You never know how you can help by connecting people from different industries, beats or fields. Being able to build connections between people is a lifelong skill.”

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YGL JEN NOLAN Marketing Manager, Union Market

Department of State

ELIZABETH NORTH President, Curiosity Project JUMMY OLABANJI Anchor and Reporter, ABC7 News STEVEN OLIKARA Co-Founder and President, Millennial Action Project LAURA O’SHAUGHNESSY CEO, SocialCode ALEX OVECHKIN Left Wing and Captain, The Washington Capitals and Founder, Crazy Eights CHARLIE PARET Investor and Co-Founder, The Collective Experience ALLISON PUTALA Principal, Kaminsky Putala TRITA PARSI President, National Iranian American Council DAN PFEIFFER Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor, The White House HILARY PHELPS Founder and Creative Director, GJ Media Group, LLC

RONIT AVNI

STEPHEN MILES has spent the last year as advocacy director for Win Without War, leading a campaign to defend nuclear diplomacy with Iran that generated more than one million grassroots actions, from petition signatures to phone calls, emails and meetings with members of Congress.

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “Founding and leading Just Vision for the last 11 years. Despite operating in one of the most contested regions in the world, our dedicated staff has been able to reach a very diverse, strategic and broad audience -- from refugee camps in the West Bank to the White House, TED, the European Parliament and universities, film festivals, media outlets and faith-based communities around the world.”

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment? “I don’t consider my greatest professional accomplishment to be any one success. Rather, I am most proud of successfully translating different political proposals and policy concepts into something meaningful and relatable to diverse groups of citizens, activists, and voters. Whether it was a candidate’s plan to turn around a broken city government or a path forward for peace in some of the world’s most troubled regions, my biggest victories come when I can effectively convey my message and motivate someone to take action.”

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AMANDA POLK Philanthropic Fundraiser ADA POLLA President and CEO, Alchimie Forever OMAR POPAL Co-owner, Café Bonaparte, Malmaison and Napoleon MICHAEL POPE Virginia Reporter,WAMU 88.5 DREW PORTERFIELD Director, Long View Gallery LA CELIA PRINCE Ambassador of St.Vincent and the Grenadines JEN PSAKI Spokesperson, U.S.

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ANDREW RAFFERTY Political Reporter, NBC News MANU RAJU Senior Congressional Reporter, Politico RYAN REILLY Justice Reporter, The Huffington Post ANTHONY RENDON Infielder, Washington Nationals STEVE RESSLER President and Founder, GovLoop BEN RHODES Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor, Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, The White House JOSEPH E ROBERT III Board of Directors, Fight for Children JESSICA ROBERTSON Public Affairs Specialist, USGS MARTHA ROBY U.S. Representative (R-Ala.)

MACON PHILLIPS Coordinator, U.S. Department of State

is an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of Just Vision, an organization that supports Palestinian and Israeli efforts for freedom, equality and security using nonviolent means.

ANDREA PURSE Director of Broadcast Media, The White House

JOANNA ROSHOLM Press Secretary, Office of the First Lady, The White House NICOLE SUSSNER RODGERS Founder, Marriage & Family: Evolved and Role/Reboot XIMENA GONZALEZ ROJAS Deputy Chief of Staff , Presidential Personnel, The White House KIM ROSENBERG Founder and President, Mixology-Matchmaking with a Twist LUKE RUSSERT Congressional Correspondent, NBC News DIANNA RUSSINI

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Sports Anchor and Reporter, NBC4 WRC GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO Editor in Chief, CapitalBop KARIM SADJAPOUR Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace JAYNE SANDMAN Principal, BrandLinkDC MICHAEL SAPIENZA President and Founder, Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation ED SCARPONE Executive Chef, DBGB Kitchen and Bar LEO SCHMID Marketing and PR Manager, Richard Sandoval Restaurants AARON SCHOCK U.S. Representative (R-Ill) NIKKI SCHWAB Associate Editor for News and Social, U.S. News & World Report BRETT SEDGEWICK Ebola Burial Supervisor, Global Communities JANA SEDLAKOVA Founder,You Successful You RYAN SEELBACH Founder, Project Spark and Owner, Huxley DC SULTAN SHAKIR Executive Director, SMYAL ILYA SHAPIRO Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute ADAM SHARP Head of News, Government and Elections, Twitter JEFF SHEELY Co-Founder, UrbanStems JED SHEIN Director of Digital Media, Embassy of Israel HALLIE SHERARD Director of Business Development, KGD Architecture MUNA SHIKAKI Correspondent, Al-Arabiya

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RAFAEL NĂ VAR is national political director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the largest telecommunications union in the world. As one of only two Latino national political directors within organized labor in the U.S., he is committed to building one of the most progressive rank-and-file led political programs in the country. What is your advice for newcomers to your field? “Don’t get caught up on individual goals and achievements; don’t be short-sighted; don’t be distracted by the noise, shine of the city or power. Rather, take hold of opportunities and commit your talents, ingenuity, creativity and skills toward improving the lives and conditions of hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands, of workers, mothers, fathers, children and families.â€?

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RACHEL COHEN GERROL is the co-founder and global curator of the Nexus Global Youth Summit. In just four years, the organization has grown from a simple dream to a global network of more than 2,000 young philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and influencers from more than 70 countries. Nexus has held summits at the UN,The White House, Congress and across Europe, Australia, China,Thailand, Singapore, Brazil and the Caribbean. What surprised you the most about D.C.? “Moving here immediately after I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of free cultural opportunities available across the city, from the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage to museums, concerts on the mall and Jazz in the Sculpture Garden.�

STEVEN OLIKARA is the founder and president of the Millennial Action Project, and the driving force behind establishing the bipartisan Congressional Future Caucus, the nation’s first Millennial-led caucus in the U.S. Congress. He also has found a niche in the music industry, as he has advised pop icons Akon and Usher on their personal foundations. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “Elon Musk. He is taking on some of the most entrenched and improbable industries for an entrepreneur to disrupt, and doing so successfully, with a vision to save humanity. Elon is the definition of a big thinker who pursues his life’s calling.�

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WHERE TO SPOT THE YOUNG AND POWERFUL The days of the Washington restaurant scene being defined by steakhouses are long gone and no one knows this better than our YGLers.These up-and-comers can be found sipping, noshing and chatting at some of the hottest dining spots in town, including Red Hen, Eat the Rich and Rose’s Luxury. We caught up with the top toques of these three hot spots and asked them for the inside scoop on when you should dine there, and, of course, what should be on your plate and in your glass. >>

RED HEN (Chef Mike Friedman) 1822 1st St., NW Hardest night to get in: Definitely Friday. But Saturday is not too far behind. Those book up one month in advance. Order: The rigatoni. Sip: We go through quite a bit of orange wine. The negroni is a popular choice as well. Expected crowd: We enjoy our neighborhood crowd the best. Why has the restaurant resonated with Washington? There’s no ego at the Red Hen, and I think that is evident in the simplicity and deliciousness of the food, as well as the beverage program, service and warm ambiance.

EAT THE RICH (Owner Derek Brown) 1839 7th St., NW Hardest night to get in: Saturday, especially toward the late side. We have steady reservations all night then our “Industry Happy Hour” kicks in, which is open to anyone but made for late night restaurant workers; we have $1 oysters, $7 “Boh and O Combos” (Tall Boy Natty Bohs and shots of Old Overholt) and Seafood Towers. It really gets cranking. Order: The Redneck Laundry, which is Route 11 Potato Chips and trout roe or lumpfish “caviar” with fixings. Sip: Oyster shooters.We sell a lot of Oyster Backs, which is whiskey and an oyster in pickle juice. Sounds a little odd but its a sensation you won’t forget. Expected crowd: I’m always surprised at the range of people, from neighborhood folks to Capitol Hill. However, I would say our biggest customer base is adventurous people who want great food without fine dining stuffiness. Why has the restaurant resonated with Washington? We aren’t your average bar.You’re going to end up eating trout roe “caviar” while listening to Black Sabbath and doing Oyster Backs, or you can sit down and have a perfectly cooked local fish like Porgy and a glass of wine.

ROSE’S LUXURY (Chef/Owner Aaron Silverman) 717 8th St., SE Hardest night to get in: Saturday. Usually a line starts forming around 4 p.m. Order: Pork and Lychee Salad. Sip: Brown Butter Bourbon with Apple Cider Reduction Expected Crowd: We see a variety of people here from Capitol Hill neighbors to foodies traveling from all over the country.A big percentage are fellow restaurant industry workers. Why has the restaurant resonated with Washington? Pretty good food at a pretty good price. PHOTOS COURTESY EACH RESTAURANT

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AARON SILVERMAN Chef and Owner, Rose’s Luxury

HOLLY THOMAS Editorial Director, Design Army

KYRSTEN SINEMA U.S. Representative (D-Ariz.)

SHAUNNA THOMAS Co-Founder, WeAreUltraViolet.org

PAUL SINGH Founder, Disruption Corporation

AURETA THOMOLLARI President, DNA Luxury Consulting

AMOS SNEAD Principal, Story Partners

AUSTIN THOMPSON Millenial Coordinator, SEIU

ANNA SOELLNER Vice President, Corporate Communications, Motion Picture Association of America PEGGY SPARKS Owner, Artist’s Proof Gallery MATTHEW SPENCE Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy JASON SPEAR Legislative Assistant and Deputy Communications Director, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) PAIGE SPEYER Owner, Wink DC MICHAEL STEEL Press Secretary, Office of the Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) SAM STEIN Political Reporter, The Huffington Post OMAR STWODAH General Manager, Criswell Maserati HARRISON SUAREZ Co-Founder, Compass Coffee JESSE SUSKIN Manager, Government Relations and Public Policy, Google BRIAN SYKORA Co-Founder, Pleasant Pops KARIN TANABE Novelist and writer STEVE TAYLOR Principal Software Engineer, Invincia Inc.

PEPPER WATKINS Management Consultant, Accenture KRISTEN WELKER White House Correspondent, NBC News CHRISTINA WILKIE National Reporter, The Huffington Post

EMILY TISCH SUSSMAN Director of Campaigns, Center for American Progress

ASHLEY WILLIAMS Special Assistant to the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issue, U.S. Department of State

JESSY TOLKAN Director, Campaign for Global Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

ERICA WILLIAMS Social Impact Strategist and CEO, EWS Strategies

ELLIOT TOTAH President, Oxbridge Development

RAFFI WILLIAMS Deputy Press Secretary, Republican National Committee

DR SURAJ VENNA Medical Director, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Inova Medical Group LISA BRIGHT VILLACIS Attorney and State Director, Military Spouse JD Network CHRIS VIESON Partner, Public Strategies Washington, Inc. DR NILESH VYAS Neursurgeon, Inova Medical Group JOHN WALL Point Guard, Washington Wizards AMELIA WANG Chief of Staff, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) JAKE WARD Executive Director, Application Developers Alliance BECCA GLOVER WATKINS Communications Director, International Property Subcommittee, U.S. House of Representatives

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TONY WILLIAMS Director of Government Affairs, Comcast DAVID WILLIAMSON Financial and Healthcare Analyst and Editor, The Motley Fool TOM WILSON Right Wing, Washington Capitals PATTY WU International Policy Consultant and Director, C&M International RASHAD YOUNG City Administrator, District of Columbia STEPHANIE YOUNG Associate Communications Director, The White House IVORY ZORICH Director of Special Events, Motion Picture Association of America

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BRETT SEDGEWICK a technician with the Global Commumities Ebola Task Force, led the effort to open a national burial site in Liberia. Whom do you admire professionally and why? “We have local and international staff who have been in Liberia since the beginning, and I am constantly amazed at their tireless dedication, flexibility, and professionalism. Most of them did not sign up to be “Ebola Fighters,” but have taken on the role with a sense of mission that has had a huge impact on curbing the spread of Ebola and rebuilding systems throughout the country.They are why we decided to stay and support them as an organization, and we’re so glad we did.”

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