Madam Policy

Vice President of Public Affairs for Plug Power Erin Lane is creating history by helping the US reach its net-zero emissions goals by 2050. Plug Power is a leader of clean hydrogen and zero-emission fuel cell solutions that are both cost-effective and reliable, and Erin leads the company's work with the federal government to build a robust hydrogen ecosystem and economy. Thanks to this work, the U...

Dr. Nichole Wilson is a woman on a mission to help Hoosiers become healthier by addressing a variety of community issues including mental health, obesity, and smoking. With nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector under her belt, Nichole recently transitioned into her new role as the Vice President of Community Health Operations at Indiana University Health. Turning her passion for h...

U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16) uses her voice to promote democracy, stop injustice, and advocate for change. Join hosts Dee Martin, Caitlin Sickles, and Claire Cahoon for this special episode as they chat with trailblazer and history creator Representative Escobar, the first woman elected to represent Texas 16 and the first of two Latinas from Texas to serve in the U.S. Congress. S...

"Laugh loud, be kind, and organize." These are the words that policy advocate and organizer Danielle Melfi lives by. Having served as the Wisconsin State Director for Biden for President, the Director of Political Engagement for Tammy Baldwin for Senate, and as the Wisconsin Organizing Chief of Staff for Hillary for America, Danielle has a proven track record of fighting for and creating change. N...

Kara van Stralen—named one of the "top people to watch in tech" by The Hill—is definitely worth keeping an eye on! After serving for over ten years on Capitol Hill as a tech and telecommunications policy expert, Kara van Stralen hit the road, taking her experience and knowledge to the Centennial State in October 2021. Working as the Director of Policy and Research to Colorado Governor Jared Polis,...

"Why do you love your job?" was a question asked of Alexa Cole early in her career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Her response? Same as it is today:  because she gets to travel the world, working with amazing colleagues in other countries and developing best practices for marine stewardship and resource protection. Balancing the interests of the U.S. government, ind...

Whether it's the public health protocols of the ongoing pandemic, questions about gender equity, or outcry on racial and social justice issues, it is evident that what happens in sports arenas extends well beyond the scoreboard.  And these stories need to be told. Cue Candace Bucker, a journalist who has reported on sports for twenty years and recently took on a new role as a sports columnist for...

Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton created history twice: as the first African American woman to be elected as the House Democratic Caucus Chair and as the first woman to be the House Democratic Leader. As Leader, she has the last word for each piece of legislation in the Pennsylvania House and has the responsibility of amplifying the voices of her caucus. What's at the top of h...

Ready or not, cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies are here, and they are the hot topics among policy leaders. What's on the policy horizon? Kristin Smith, Executive Director of the Blockchain Association, shares five policy priorities with hosts Dee Martin and Anne Termine. As the leading voice for the blockchain industry, Kristin is constantly working on cultivating the right mix of polici...

The ever-growing scope of the world wide web has aided society's ability to connect, while simultaneously creating a world of danger. Be it cyberbullying, sexual exploitation or internet stalking, our smartphones, laptops, and applications are creating a public safety crisis, especially for children. To combat this unsafe environment, Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers Houston, is committed t...

What happens when impossibility walks into the room? That's the question Vice President of Omidyar Network Michelle Jawando asks daily. Tackling intractable, complex social challenges is her job, and she loves it. For as long as she can remember, Michele has intentionally mentored, taught, and created pathways for the women following in her footsteps. As Senior Advisor to Senator Kirsten Gillibran...

Former Democratic National Committee spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa helped rebuild the Democratic Party; led the communications strategy around the 2020 Democratic presidential nominating process; and was a spokesperson for the party during the General Election. A pro at delivering complex information effectively and deftly shaping policy, DNC Chair and Labor Secretary Tom Perez recognized Xochitl...

Serena Rwejuna is a leader. Whether through her service as Calvary Women's Services Board President, her recent ascension to partnership at White & Case LLP, or her dedication to her extensive network of young women leaders, Serena leads by example and paves the way for others. Join hosts Dee Martin, Yasmin Nelson and Caitlin Sickles as they chat about the importance of representation in the l...

Returning to work after having children opened Lori Mihalich-Levin's eyes to the complexity of returning to work and the need for resources to ease that transition—for new parents and employers. Filling that void, Lori authored the bestselling book Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave ; co-hosts the Parents at Work Podcast, and founded Mindful Ret...

Ilhaam "Illy" Jaffer is a woman on a mission: to lead the fight for a world without cancer. Illy, a savvy political veteran, is powerful, fearless, and tenacious. As Director of Federal Government Relations for the American Cancer Society, Illy amplifies the voices of cancer patients, shapes health policy, and helps ensure equity in the distribution of funds, inclusion in studies, and more. In a c...

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) delivers affordable, reliable, and clean natural gas service to nearly 22 million customers, making it the nation's largest natural gas utility. Leading the way, is Maryam Brown, President of SoCalGas. Maryam joined hosts Dee Martin and Christine Wyman to discuss SoCalGas' role in the energy transition, including the Company's recently-released study, The...

Ninety years ago, there were more than a hundred Black owned banks, today there are only twenty. Nicole A. Elam, Esq., President and CEO of the National Bankers Association (NBA), is dedicating her career to making the financial services community more inclusive through increasing business opportunities, granting access to capital, and eliminating barriers for minority depository institutions. Aft...

We're thankful for Civil Rights leaders who risked their lives in the fight for equality and those who continue the fight today. This week's guest, Paula Young Shelton, is the author of the award-winning Child of the Civil Rights Movement and an educator and Author-in-Residence at Georgetown Day School. The daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, Paula grew up learning directly from Civil...

FBI Special Agents put their lives on the line every day protecting our nation, and the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) represents those Agents and honors their service. In a special episode of Madam Policy, host Dee Martin spoke to Jean O'Connor and Jerri Williams, both of whom served our nation as FBI Agents and continue to serve the nation, the FBI, and the families of FBI Agents in their post-r...

Who rules Rules? Kim Corbin, that's who. After landing a congressional internship during college, Kim fell in love with Capitol Hill and has dedicated her professional career to creating life-changing policy. Today, from her office in the U.S. Capitol, Kim is the Senior Advisor for the powerful House Rules Committee. In this episode you will hear why Kim believes that mentorship is important and h...

As a former FBI Special Agent who is now a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst, Senior Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, attorney, and prolific writer, Asha Rangappa is a trusted and highly sought-after voice in the national security arena. Join hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson as they chat with Asha about her exciting FBI career, how she manages the respons...

Carla Frisch is passionate about climate policy.  A ten-year veteran of the Department of Energy, Carla brought this passion home when she rejoined the Department earlier this year as Acting Executive Director of the Office of Policy.  Carla joined hosts Dee Martin and Christine Wyman on Madam Policy to discuss all things climate, both professionally and personally.  In this episode you will hear:...

Brooke Ringel has mastered the art of using law, policy and data analysis to become a powerhouse in international trade law. Brooke, a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, joined hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson on Madam Policy for a deep-dive into her work as an international trade attorney. In this episode you will hear: how Covid has impacted international trade and how Brooke is adjustin...

The Ascend Fund's Abbie Hodgson set an aggressive goal: achieve gender parity in U.S. politics by 2050. That's two decades earlier than if we maintained the current rate of electing women. Tune in to hear the plan! In a conversation led by hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson, Abbie also shares details about her journey running for office and how her experiences in a male-dominated field inspired he...

A text from a good friend sparked this week's guest to do what she describes as the bravest thing she's ever done:  run for Congress. Now, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA) uses her medical degree to shape healthcare policy as a Member of Congress. Join hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson as they talk about creating history with the nation's first pediatrician elected to the U.S. House of...