MAPIS2026 Speaker Bios

Bios of Featured Guests &

“Career Networking Lunch” Table Assignments

Dr. Janelle Alexander

• Dr. Janelle Alexander is the assistant vice president of the Student Access Program at Rowan University, where she is committed to providing a supportive environment for all students.  Prior to this position, she was the Inaugural Director of the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Washington Township (NJ) Schools.  Dr. Alexander earned her BA at Rowan University and her MA at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  She returned to Rowan to earn her PhD in Education, Disability Studies.

 During lunch, join Dr. Janelle Alexander, alongside Dr. Brett Pulliam, at Table 1.

Eric Arpert

• Eric Arpert is a political consultant who advises candidates, nonprofit organizations, and corporate clients across New Jersey. He previously served as campaign manager for Jack Ciattarelli’s 2021 and 2025 gubernatorial campaigns and as Executive Director of Fixing New Jersey, a nonprofit voter engagement organization.  Arpert has also advised political action and campaign committees, worked on numerous state and federal races, and served as Public Information Officer and Deputy County Administrator for Burlington County (NJ).  He earned his BA from George Washington University and his JD from Emory University School of Law.

During lunch, join Eric Arpert at Table 2.

Mishael Azam

• Mishael Azam is responsible for advocacy and health policy for UnitedHealth Group in New Jersey and Connecticut. She was previously COO and Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs at the Medical Society of NJ.  Before that, Azam served as Policy Advisor for NJ Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald as well as Associate General Counsel and Deputy Budget Director at the NJ Assembly Majority Office.  She started her career at the NJ Office of Legislative Services.  Azam is a graduate of Rutgers College and the Boston University School of Law.

During lunch, join Mishael Azam at Table 3.

T. Missy Balmir

• Missy Balmir is a political strategist and public affairs professional with more than 20 years of experience in New Jersey politics, government, and community engagement. She has advised high-profile campaigns and organizations on strategy, operations, intergovernmental affairs, stakeholder relations, and outreach to diverse communities.  Balmir has also held senior leadership roles in federal, state, and municipal government.  She earned her BA in Political Science from Rider University and her Master of Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.  

During lunch, join T. Missy Balmir at Table 4.

Tom Bonier

• Tom Bonier is a 20+ year veteran Democratic political strategist and data analyst. He is currently CEO of the TARA Group and Senior Advisor at TargetSmart.  Previously, he co-founded Charity Campaign Labs and built it into one of the nation’s leading analytics and research firms.  Bonier has worked on campaigns in all 50 states, as well as some overseas.  Recognized as a pioneer in the introduction of “Big Data” into the progressive political space, Bonier has led efforts to scale high-level and analytic programs to campaigns at all levels of the ballot.  He earned his BA from American University.

During lunch, join Tom Bonier at Table 5.

Matt Braun

• Matt Braun is a public policy professional at WSW – Winning Strategies Washington, where he supports clients through research, project management, congressional hearing coverage, and the tracking of federal rules and regulations. Previously, he interned in the office of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, where he attended meetings, drafted policy proposals, and assisted with major events. Braun earned his BA in Political Science, with a minor in Sociology, from Rowan University and his MS in Addiction Policy and Practice from Georgetown University.

During lunch, join Matt Braun at Table 19.

Tim Cunningham

• Tim Cunningham currently serves as the Business Administrator in the City of Camden, where he maintains day-to-day oversight of the City’s $200+ million budget and 500+ employees. Prior to joining the City of Camden, Cunningham was a partner at Archer & Greiner, P.C.  He was also the former head of NJ’s Division of Local Government Services within the NJ Department of Community Affairs, where he served as Chairman of the Local Finance Board and worked closely with county and municipal governments.  He holds a JD from Rutgers School of Law and an MBA and BS (Accounting) from Rider University. 

During lunch, join Tim Cunningham at Table 6.

Brianna Donahue

• Brianna Donahue is the Director of Policy & Government Affairs at Inspira Health. Prior to her appointment in January 2024, she was a Vice President at Advocacy & Management Group (AMG), a firm offering contract lobbying and association management services.  She graduated from Rowan University with a BA in Political Science in 2019 and was active in the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).  During her time at Rowan University, she was in Delta Phi Epsilon.  She earned her MPA in 2025 from Rutgers University.

During lunch, join Brianna Donahue at Table 7.

Kristen Doran

• Since joining U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr.’s (NJ-07) team in early 2023, Kristen Doran has navigated her way from Field Representative in his District Office to Legislative Correspondent, and today serves as the Director of Operations in his D.C. office. In her current role, she oversees the Congressman’s official schedule and manages the operational end of the office, including coordinating meetings, committee business, and district events.  Doran holds a BA in Political Science from Rowan University where she was an active member of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).

During lunch, join Kristen Doran at Table 20.

Kevin Drennan

• Kevin Drennan is a Managing Director in the Saddle Brook (NJ) office of Mercury Public Affairs, where he specializes in government affairs, strategic advising, and legislative advocacy. Previously, he served as Executive Director and Chief of Staff for the NJ Senate Majority Office, managing a staff of 40 and helping advance major policies.  Drennan has also held government affairs roles in the telecommunications and healthcare industries and has led voter contact operations for gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, and local campaigns.  He earned his BA in Political Science from The College of New Jersey and his master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

During lunch, join Kevin Drennan at Table 8.

Dr. Benjamin Dworkin

• Since 2018, Benjamin Dworkin has served as the founding Director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC). He is responsible for positioning the Institute at the nexus of applied politics and the issues of the day.  Additionally, Dworkin teaches courses in the Rowan University Department of Political Science.  Prior to launching the Institute at Rowan, Dworkin spent 10 years as Director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.  His pre-academic experience includes stints in government, campaigns, corporate public relations and crisis management, strategic communications consulting, and launching multiple successful start-up companies.  He earned his MA and PhD in political science at Rutgers University.  His BA is from Princeton University.

Kate Gibbs

• Kate Gibbs serves as the Deputy Director of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC 825), where she leads business development efforts to expand work opportunities for Local 825 Operating Engineers and their signatory contractors.  In 2015, Gibbs was elected to the Burlington County Commissioner Board.  Recently, she served as Executive Director of the NJ Republican State Committee, where she oversaw party operations and political strategy statewide during the 2025 gubernatorial election cycle.  Gibbs holds an MBA in Finance from Drexel University and a BA from American University in Public Communications and Political Science.

During lunch, join Kate Gibbs at Table 9.

James Lamond

• James Lamond is the Executive Director of Trusted Future, a non-profit think tank focusing on the security, innovation, and equity of emerging technology. He is also a Senior Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).  Previously, he was Managing Director of the Moscow Project and a Resident Fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP).  Lamond received a BA in History from Rowan University and his MS in Global Affairs from Rutgers University.

During lunch, join James Lamond at Table 10.

Laura Matos

• Laura Matos is a partner at MAD Global Strategy Group who offers an in-depth understanding of the intersections of government and the private sector, as well as public education and advocacy efforts.  Matos worked in the NJ Governor’s Office for eight years for Governors James McGreevey, Richard Codey, and Jon Corzine, in various roles with oversight of a vast array of public policy issues across the Executive Branch.  Matos also serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee, as Chair of the NJ Pinelands Commission, and as a Board member for Latina Civic Action.

 During lunch, join Laura Matos at Table 11.

Kyle Melander

• Kyle Melander serves as District Director and Senior Advisor to U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), overseeing district operations and relationships with local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. During nearly eight years with the Congressman, Melander has supported bipartisan initiatives, federal investment efforts, and constituent services. Previously, he served in the office of former U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (NJ) and worked on numerous federal and state campaigns, including NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s successful reelection campaign in 2013.  A Rowan University alum, Melander also mentors students interested in politics and public service.

During lunch, join Kyle Melander at Table 12.

Mike Muller

• Mike Muller is a Senior Strategist at TargetSmart with more than 30 years of experience in political strategy, public affairs, and opinion research. He has advised legislative leaders, campaigns, and advocacy organizations across multiple states.  For two decades, Muller led New Jersey’s Democratic legislative campaign efforts, helping secure the longest stretch of majority control in state history.  His redistricting work spans congressional, state legislative, and county levels.  A nationally recognized strategist, Muller is a five-time Pollie Award winner from the American Association of Political Consultants and a three-time Reed Award winner from Campaigns & Elections.

During lunch, join Mike Muller at Table 13.

Rajiv Parikh

• Rajiv Parikh, founding Partner at PEM Law, is a highly acclaimed litigator, crisis manager and counselor. Parikh is one of only a handful of lawyers in the nation who handles complex election-related litigation and advises candidates on strategic matters.  His clients include the NJ Democratic State Committee, for whom he served as general counsel for more than five years, and the Democratic National Committee.  Parikh has advised multiple candidates, including U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Josh Gottheimer, and Mikie Sherrill, and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, among others.  He received his BA and JD from Rutgers University.

During lunch, join Rajiv Parikh at Table 14.

Dr. Brett Pulliam

• Dr. Brett Pulliam is the assistant vice president of the Pathway Program at Rowan University, where he is a champion for first-generation students.  Previously, he worked as the Executive Director for Educational Opportunity and Student Success programs at Stockton University.  He earned his BA at Bloomfield College and both his MA and EdD in higher education administration and leadership fields from Seton Hall University. 

During lunch, join Dr. Brett Pulliam, alongside Dr. Janelle Alexander, at Table 1.

Sue Ramanathan

• Sue Ramanathan has served as a trusted advisor to principals in Congress and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) for over twenty years.  She provides strategic guidance to clients with a focus on homeland and national security.  During the Obama Administration, Ramanathan served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and as Counselor to the Secretary.  She attended Rutgers University for her undergraduate and law degrees and received an MA from Georgetown Law School.

During lunch, join Sue Ramanathan at Table 15.

Christine Shipley

• A government affairs professional with over 25 years of strategic advisory experience in New Jersey state government, Christine Shipley is a government affairs professional currently serving as Managing Director at Stevens & Lee Public Affairs. Previously, she served for 10 years as Executive Director of the NJ Senate Republican Office and held additional roles as Deputy Executive Director, Director of Research, and Chief Counsel.  She also served in the administrations of NJ Governor Christine Todd Whitman and PA Governor Tom Ridge.  Shipley is a frequent speaker and mentor through several New Jersey business, legal, and public policy organizations.

During lunch, join Christine Shipley at Table 16.

Tom Szymanski

• A New Jersey native (Rutherford, Point Pleasant & Asbury Park) and GOP political operative, Tom Szymanski began his career in South Jersey, working on Congressman Jon Runyan's campaigns in 2010 and 2012. He later managed congressional and U.S. Senate races across the country, returning to the Garden State in 2021 to lead the state Republican Party for two years and helping engineer the Republicans’ largest state legislative gain in three decades.  Szymanski now works in Washington as a consultant, advising GOP-aligned PACs targeting House races.

During lunch, join Tom Szymanski at Table 17.

Alex Wilkes

• Alex Wilkes was most recently (2024) the campaign manager for the successful U.S. Senate GOP primary campaign of Curtis Bashaw. She formerly served as Communications Director for the NJ Republican State Committee and is a former College Republican National Chair.  She currently heads Perigean Strategies, a political consulting firm focused on improving vote-by-mail participation among Republicans.  She earned her BA in Politics from Catholic University and her JD from Seton Hall University. 

During lunch, join Alex Wilkes at Table 18.