Board of Directors

As Vice President, U.S. Federal Government Affairs and Global Enterprise Initiatives, and Head of the Washington, D.C. Office, Jane leads an expert team of global, federal and state advocates and political programs professionals. She is a passionate patient and life sciences advocate who has devoted her 30+ year career in Washington to advancing solutions that foster innovation and safeguard patient access to life-altering treatments.

Joining J&J’s Washington office in late 2003, she led J&J’s medical technology sector until being appointed to oversee the J&J cross-sector Washington-based Federal Affairs team in 2016. Jane also served as a member of J&J’s Medical Technology Global Group Operating Committee (GOC) from 2007–2015. Prior to joining J&J, she was Director of Government Affairs for Medtronic, Inc., where she focused on the cardiology, diabetes, spine and neuroscience portfolios.

Jane’s advocacy and leadership have been recognized by various publications and organizations. She has been featured in Washingtonian Magazine’s annual list of “Washington’s Most Influential People” every year since its 2020 inception including the May 2024 cover. She has also been included in The Hill Newspaper’s annual “Top Lobbyists” roundup and she was named one of Business Insider’s “Top 34 DC Power Players in Healthcare.”

She currently serves on the Board of Directors and as an officer for the Economic Club of Washington. She also serves on the boards of the Public Affairs Council, the U.S. Chamber Foundation, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. She is an active member of the Washington Ballet Board of Ambassadors, the Government Relations Executive Forum, the Ford’s Theatre Board of Governors, and the Government Relations Executive Council. Jane is a faculty lecturer with The Washington Campus graduate fellows’ program and serves on their Advisory Council.

Jane is a champion of emerging leaders and of their talent development with a focus on women’s economic and career empowerment. She is a longtime mentor through her roles with the Economic Club of Washington Executive Fellows program, the Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellows Program and the Women’s Business Network.

Outside of her professional roles, Jane is involved in numerous volunteer organizations, including ChildHelp, Breakthrough T1D, the Washington Ballet and the National Capital Area Food Bank.

Jane is also a dedicated advocate for diabetes patients, having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child. She previously directed government affairs and grassroots advocacy for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) – now Breakthrough T1D – that led to inaugural programs in special diabetes federal research funding that continues to supplement NIH annual appropriations today.

Jane earned a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University where she serves as a guest lecturer throughout the academic year. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Vermont.

Sameer Bhargava is CEO of Clark’s Asset Solutions Group, which provides development, capital, technology, and advisory services that optimize a real estate asset’s lifecycle and user experience. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, S2N Technology Group, Carta Advisors, Coda, Fractile, and Align Capital Solutions.

As an executive team member of Clark Construction, an 119-year-old national construction and real estate firm, Sameer is also responsible for the organization’s corporate planning, strategy, innovation, risk management, and information technology functions. Prior to his current role, Sameer served as Chief Financial Officer of Clark, where he was also responsible for financial, compliance, and risk aspects of the business. 

Prior to joining Clark, Sameer served as managing director and director of corporate development at The Carlyle Group, where he focused on firm strategy and planning, firm acquisitions, fundraising initiatives, new product development, and strategic relationships. Before this role at Carlyle, he was an investment professional in their US Buyout Fund in the Aerospace & Defense group and the Industrial group.

Sameer’s career has also included various roles with Bain Capital, Advent International, and McKinsey & Company.

Sameer earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with honors from Harvard University and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.

Sameer is a board member of StubHub, a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, a member of the DMV Regional Congress, and served as Chair of the Board of The Potomac School. In 2019, Sameer was a Washington Business Journal C-Suite Awards recipient. He and his wife Nimisha have four children and reside in McLean, VA

Richard K. Bynum is chief corporate responsibility officer for The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., and a member of its Executive Committee. In this role, he leads the PNC Foundation; Community Affairs; Responsible Business Strategies; and Community Development Banking. In addition, Bynum is leading the implementation of PNC’s Community Benefits Plan through which the company will provide at least $88 billion in loans, investments, and other financial support to benefit communities of color and low- and moderate-income individuals and communities, people as well as other underserved individuals and communities over the Plan Period, a 4-year period from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2025.

Bynum is an accomplished executive with nearly 20 years of executive leadership experience. Prior to being named to his new role in July 2020, Bynum served as regional president for PNC’s Greater Washington market from 2017-2020. He previously served as a member of PNC’s retail executive leadership team, where he led the Business Banking division. Prior to that, he served as the Greater Washington retail market executive from 2010-2014, where he led consumer and small business sales. In addition, he served as chief operating officer for Business Banking, where he led the sales force operating platform for hundreds of small business bankers across PNC’s footprint.

Bynum began his career with PNC in 2005 in its Executive Leadership Program, holding key roles in the development and execution of revenue-driving businesses and initiatives; strengthening the brand; and enhancing engagement of employees while fostering innovation throughout PNC.

Prior to joining PNC, Bynum had a 12-year career as a senior manager for the American Red Cross. His last role with the organization was as the managing director for disaster response & emergency communications at the Chicago chapter. During his career, he was an operations director for the Kosovo Refugee Operation as well as the September 11th effort in New York.

Bynum, recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s, most influential business leaders by the Washington Business Journal, serves on the boards of numerous non-profit and civic organizations, including the corporate council for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture; the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.; the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; the Federal City Council; the United Way of the National Capital Area; the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

Bynum holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at the Northwestern University and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Florida State University.  He also is a graduate of the Consumers Bankers Association Graduate School of Retail Bank Management.

Ms. Clark leads the strategic alignment and execution of policy development, government relations and market innovation in the quarter-billion-dollar organization, serving as the first female President in the institution's 107-year history. She also guides the strategic transformation of the Chamber’s policies and processes to best meet the 21st century needs of its more than 3 million member companies internationally.  Clark sits on the Board of two public companies – AGCO and TransUnion.  She is also a member of the Board of So Others Might Eat. 

Monica is the Eastern Region managing principal with Baker Tilly. She brings extensive expertise in financial consulting and strategic planning. With a proven track record of driving business growth and optimizing operations, Monica leads a dedicated team to deliver exceptional client service and innovative solutions.

Larry Di Rita leads Bank of America’s global public policy team, which includes federal, state, and international government relations, as well as the policy analysis and insights team. He also leads the environmental strategy team, working with the lines of businesses and other partners to help meet Bank of America’s sustainable finance and related objectives. Larry joined Bank of America in 2006 following public service, most recently as special assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006.  While at the Pentagon, he led the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Office of Public Affairs, and was chief spokesman for the Department of Defense.  A longtime resident of the D.C. area, Larry is a director of The Rumsfeld Foundation and of the U.S. Navy Memorial, and is on the board of advisors for the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council. He also serves on the board of the Greater Washington Board of Trade.

Katie Beirne Fallon is Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs for Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest providers of financial services. In her current role, Katie supports Fidelity’s long-term business and strategic agenda by overseeing a number of key external and internal functions, including government relations and public policy, media and public affairs, associate communications, and community relations.

Katie has extensive leadership experience across both government and industry. Most recently, she has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Global Impact Officer at McDonald’s, leading government relations and public policy, communications, sustainability strategy and philanthropy globally. Prior to McDonald’s, Katie was EVP Corporate Affairs at Hilton, where she led global government relations, communications, corporate responsibility, and philanthropy.

Previously, Katie served in senior leadership roles in the U.S. Senate for Senator Chuck Schumer and in the White House for President Obama, including as Assistant to the President and Head of Legislative Affairs. Over the course of her two decades in Washington D.C., Katie has earned a reputation as an honest broker and trusted advisor by Democrats and Republicans alike. Before going to Washington D.C., Katie worked as an associate investment banker at Lehman Brothers in New York City.

Katie served as a Director on the Board of Annaly Capital and Chair of its Corporate Responsibility Committee from 2018 until she assumed the role at Fidelity in July 2022. Katie currently serves on the Boards of two nonprofit organizations: the International Youth Foundation and the Center for Employment Opportunities LLC.

Katie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Notre Dame; Master of Arts in Comparative Politics from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); and Master of Science, Ethnic Conflict Regulation from Queen’s University Belfast as a Marshall Scholar.

Nora Gardner combines technical expertise with a passion for people as a client leader and sought-after mentor within McKinsey. Her PhD in biochemistry brings analytical rigor to her work with clients, where she focuses on human capital across private, public, and social sectors, including health care, pharma, scientific agencies, and defense and secuirty clients.  She also leads the office’s social impact group, which connects consultants to pro bono work at local non-profits.

Mr. Goldstein has received numerous national and regional awards for excellence in architecture, interior design, and product design. A sought-after spokesperson on the future of domestic and global design, he is often featured in prominent publications, and was named an industry leader by Building Design & Construction and the Washington Business Journal.

Barbara Humpton is President and CEO of Siemens USA, where she guides the company’s strategy and engagement in serving the company’s largest market, with more than 40,000 employees and over $17 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2020. She also serves on the board of directors of MorganFranklin, the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region, the Northern Virginia Tech Council and the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association.

J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, is President and CEO of Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare system and Greater Washington D.C.’s largest private employer. A board-certified practicing urological surgeon, he is also a Professor of Surgery at the University of Virginia. Under his leadership, Inova became the first large health system in the U.S. to have every hospital rated five stars by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) — an accomplishment still never matched. In 2025, Inova was recognized as Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, the nation’s foremost authority on healthcare experience and performance.

Dr. Jones previously served as president of Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals and Family Health Centers. Before that he was department chair and held the Leonard Horvitz and Samuel Miller Distinguished Chair in Urologic Oncology, which has now been renamed and to be held in perpetuity by the sitting Cleveland Clinic Urology Department chair “in Honor of J. Stephen Jones, MD.”

He earned a BS in Zoology at the University of Arkansas, his MD at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and MBA at Case Western Reserve University. After residency at Vanderbilt University, he joined the Springfield Clinic/St. John’s Health System in Missouri. Under his chairmanship the Department of Urological Surgery became the highest rated community urology program in America, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Mr. Knox is the SVP, Federal Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, joining the company in 2006. Mr. Knox leads and oversees the company's Federal Relations team. He also represents Aflac in legislative and regulatory matters with the federal government by providing policy direction, coordinating federal affairs initiatives and lobbying for the company’s interests in Washington, D.C. Knox is actively involved in the community serving on several boards including those of Meridian International Center, Congressional Award Foundation, Small Business Council of America, and Public Affairs Council. Additionally, he is co-founder of the Washington Heads of Office Leadership Council (WHOOLC) and was recently recognized as National Diversity Council’s 2021 Most Influential African Americans in Business. 

Ms. Lea oversees all government and public policy work for Paramount globally, having two decades worth of leadership experience and institutional knowledge.  She previously served as Viacom's Executive Vice President of GLobal Government Affairs since 2013.  Currently, she serves on the Boards of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.  In 2019, Lea was named by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.

Anthony Lewis is a senior technology executive with over 38 years of experience assisting a publicly held technology company grow its businesses worldwide. Anthony’s career reflects a demonstrated track record in leading successful large‐scale transformational initiatives, growing a P&L business unit, extensive public policy and regulatory leadership and experience in sales, engineering and network planning. He also brings a variety of leadership experience from his work on a variety of non-profit boards, including audit, finance and two roles as Chairman.

Currently, Anthony is Vice President, Public Policy, East, North East and Central, Verizon, one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of 133.6 billion in 2021. Anthony assumed this position in October 2011 and his responsibilities include shaping and advancing Verizon’s public policy initiatives for the wireline, wireless and enterprise business segments in 25 east coast and mid-west states. He also directs Verizon’s philanthropic activities for these states.

Prior to this position Mr. Lewis served as vice president of Wholesale Development and Operations for Verizon Wireless. He was responsible for executing a startup business which included directing the pricing, activation, billing, distribution, device specification, testing, communications planning and financial matters for the business. He led the growth of the wireless wholesale business by 400% over 4 years.

Anthony started his career in the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia, now Verizon Virginia, in 1986 as a group manager in the operator services department and has held a succession of positions with increasing responsibilities in product line management, traffic engineering and planning, sales, regulatory, public policy and marketing

Anthony serves on several non-profit boards including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Johns Hopkins University Cary School of Business, Big Brother Big sisters of NYC and the Washington Nationals Philanthropies.  Mr. Lewis also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KIPP DC (a network of high-performing, public, college-preparatory charter schools which serves under-resourced communities in Washington DC). He previously served as chairman of the board for the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the DC Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Lewis graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business in 1986. He furthered his education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in their Leadership Development Program and the Johns Hopkins Leadership Development Program in 1996. He obtained his MBA from the Johns Hopkins University in 2000.
 

Jodie W. McLean is Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of EDENS. With a tenure of more than 30 years, she has been a key player in EDENS’ growth and expansion to its current marketplace leadership, capitalized by blue chip investors with assets valued at $6.6 billion.

McLean is responsible for EDENS’ strategy to move the portfolio to major urban centers and first-ring suburbs, creating a portfolio of assets that are the center of community life.

She was named Chief Investment Officer in 1997, President in 2002, and CEO in 2015. Overall, she has been responsible for the development, redevelopment, acquisition, and disposition of more than $20 billion in retail assets.

McLean passionately believes that retail should evolve beyond a shopping experience, and advocates for connectivity to the communities surrounding the company’s retail centers. To ensure this, each EDENS development is crafted to serve as an authentic gathering place, including a unique merchandising mix and welcoming design elements, fostering a sense of engagement with its neighbors.

McLean is a current member and former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, serves on the board of Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) and Milhaus, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of the Real Estate Roundtable. McLean is also a past Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Urban Land Institute (ULI), and she is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network’s Liberty Fellowship (Class of 2009).

A native of Chicago, IL, Jodie McLean holds a B.S. in Finance and Management from the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, and a degree from South Carolina Honors College.

Tony Pierce is the partner in charge of Akin’s Washington, D.C. office. He draws on more than three decades of trial and litigation experience to deliver positive results. His clients span an array of industries, including technology, telecommunications, health care, energy, media and entertainment, financial services and government contracting. 

Tony has defended large class actions and complex commercial disputes involving breach of contract, consumer protection, data privacy, trade secrets, product liability, intellectual property, and high-level employment claims. He also has conducted numerous internal investigations. An experienced, Chambers USA-ranked trial lawyer, Tony brings well-honed litigation skills, ingenuity, and a vigorous presence. 

Throughout his career, Tony has been an active force in legal organizations, including the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. He is also highly engaged in influential business organizations in the Capital Region. He is the past chair of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and serves on the board of the Greater Washington Partnership, a group of civic-minded business leaders investing in solutions that drive growth and create economic opportunity. He is also the General Counsel of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and a member of the Federal City Council.

Martin “Marty” Rodgers leads Accenture’s U.S. Health & Public Service Client Group and serves on the company’s Global Management Committee. He oversees a nationwide team that partners with healthcare and public sector organizations to harness technology to improve policymaking, service delivery, patient outcomes, health equity and overall operational efficiency.

Marty has more than 25 years’ tenure with Accenture, where he has previously led the company’s Health & Public Service business in the Southeast U.S. and launched the company’s for-profit Nonprofit Practice. Marty's career before joining Accenture was marked by significant contributions to national service, workforce development, and apprenticeship programs. During his time on Capitol Hill, he played a key role in drafting influential legislation, including the bill that established AmeriCorps, often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps. His legislative efforts also led to the creation of the first major federal apprenticeship program and the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a National Day of Service. Beyond his political work, Marty dedicated time to serving the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico, where he focused on supporting Native American children.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Harvard Business School, Marty currently serves on several national and local boards, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the University of Notre Dame, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Executive Leadership Council, and the Federal City Council, where he is chair.

Samet leads a $5.7 billion regional healthcare delivery system—the largest healthcare provider in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region. He serves on the boards of Greater Washington Partnership, Greater Baltimore Committee, United Way of the National Capital Area, and Goodwill of Greater Washington, and on the Executive Committees of Georgetown University and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. In addition to being a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League Achievement Award, Samet has also been inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame.

With more than 20 years’ experience in change management, sales strategy and professional development, Ms. Schoppmann is focused on elevating talent, strategy, performance and client service across the Mid-Atlantic. Ms. Schoppmann serves as President of CBRE’s Mid-Atlantic markets, which include Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. She is a part of CBRE’s global Executive Inclusion Council, a senior leadership team committed to enabling CBRE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy. She is a Founding Member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of Chief, the only private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.

Chad Sweet is Co-Founder and CEO of The Chertoff Group, a global advisory firm and investment bank exclusively focused on the security sector.

Mr. Sweet formerly served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of DHS, Mr. Sweet worked as an investment banker at the firms of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs as well as served in the CIA’s National Clandestine Service.

Previously as the Chief of Staff of DHS, Mr. Sweet helped Secretary Michael Chertoff manage one of the largest federal agencies with approximately 220,000 dedicated homeland security professionals and an annual budget of over $50 billion.

After leaving DHS, Secretary Chertoff and Mr. Sweet co-founded The Chertoff Group to consult with companies and governments on their own security as well as to advise on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the security industry. With over a decade of investment banking experience, Mr. Sweet has been involved in more than 40 successful sell- and buy-side M&A and capital formation engagements. His recent deals include advising Potomac Fusion on its sale to Sotera, Arlington Capital on its acquisition of FGM and White Oak Technologies to form Novetta Solutions, Veritas Capital on its acquisition of EIG to form “The SI,” Waud Capital on its acquisition of Summit Solutions and subsequent merger with Point One to form National Security Partners, Berkshire Partners on its acquisition of ESP, and Safran’s acquisition of L-1 Identity Solutions, among others.

Mr. Sweet is a FINRA Registered Representative (Series 7, 24, 63, 79) and registered representative of Chertoff Capital, LLC, a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of The Chertoff Group. He is a member of The Association for Corporate Growth National Capital Chapter, GEN NEXT, and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) – U.S. Capital Chapter. He is also a Senior Fellow at the George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute, a Member of the FBI’s InfraGard Advisory Board, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Naval Analysis, and a frequent commentator on national security issues for CNN, FOX, and CNBC.

Mr. Sweet graduated with honors from Columbia University.

Susan Tynan is the founder and CEO of Framebridge, a custom framing company which raised more than $82 million in venture financing from T. Rowe Price, New Enterprise Associates, Revolution Ventures, and SWaN, and is now owned by Graham Holdings. Before founding Framebridge in 2014, Tynan held product and business development roles at several consumer technology startups, including LivingSocial, Taxi Magic and Revolution Health. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School, she began her career at Accenture, and served as a management advisor on technology and customer service for the Obama White House. Tynan was honored as the Washington Business Journal’s 2019 CEO of the Year.

Gregory Washington is the President of George Mason University. Since assuming the presidency in July 2020, Dr. Washington has launched various initiatives to create academic and entrepreneurial pathways, opened new facilities, and established fairness task forces. He has also strengthened access to education through programs like the Mason Virginia Promise, which offers pathways to a degree or starting a business for all Virginians. Dr. Washington's leadership has been recognized, and he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in February 2023.

Mr. Wirth is the Cofounder and CEO of Quorum, a public affairs software platform that enables organizations to launch grassroots advocacy campaigns, manage stakeholder engagement, and monitor dialogue in Washington, Brussels, all 50 states, and thousands of cities around the U.S. Wirth sits on the Government Relations Executives Council, the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, the Board of Directors of The Public Affairs Council, and the Board of Directors of the Forum for Youth Investment. Additionally, Wirth was an invited speaker at the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, the World Forum for Democracy, SXSW, and TEDx Foggy Bottom.

Shawn M. Wright is a litigator who concentrates her practice in the area of white collar criminal defense, with a specific focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and international anti-corruption laws; criminal antitrust; public corruption; congressional investigations; government contracts matters including False Claims Act litigation; and complex civil litigation matters. She represents corporations, boards of directors, and corporate executives in a wide range of internal and government investigations, audits and risk assessments, parallel proceedings, and complex commercial litigation. She regularly appears before enforcement agencies and bodies such as the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and other regulatory authorities.

Shawn’s practice includes internal compliance program development for the FCPA, including establishing workplace compliance policies and procedures, due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, as well as post acquisition integration, procedures and protocols for third-party relationships, risk assessments, gap analysis and audits of ABAC compliance programs, and other transactions. She also conducts internal investigations and provides counsel on violations of the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”).

Additionally, she represents companies and nonprofit organizations and their boards of directors in various matters involving corporate governance, compliance, and internal controls issues. She serves as outside counsel for several nonprofit organizations. As a litigator, Shawn has represented individuals and corporations in state and federal courts throughout the country on a variety of criminal and civil matters.