Madam Policy

Lina Tori Jan currently leads the implementation of Georgetown University's new Afghanistan Initiative, Onward for Afghan Women, elevating and supporting Afghan women leaders with opportunities to continue their advocacy on behalf of Afghan women and girls.  Shaped by her experiences as an Afghan woman raised in Afghanistan, Lina has worked around the globe with companies, NGOs, and governments, assisting in their efforts to create a more just society. Lina holds a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Oxford, and a B.A. in Leadership Studies and Political Science from the University of Richmond. Lina is widely regarded as a champion for civic and social justice, as well as a fierce advocate for refugees.

Lina sits down with hosts Dee Martin and former PRG intern Anum Merchant to talk about her work at Onward for Afghan Women and its objective to highlight the expertise of these Afghan women and make sure their voices are heard in the global policy debate. They discuss the role of the United Nations and the current discussion about recognizing "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan based on the Taliban's rule and severe mistreatment of women and girls. Want to hear more from Lina on how "attentive leaders create a culture of grassroots empowerment"? Tune in now!

Ready to be inspired to use your voice and your vote?  Hear from champion of democracy and lifelong social justice activist Virginia Kase Solomón, the CEO of the League of Women Voters (LWV). The LWV is the 103-year-old organization that formed just before the 19th Amendment was ratified, and women won the vote. That was on August 26, 1920. While every year that date is marked as Women’s Equality Day, for the second year, the LWV is declaring it Women’s Inequality Day because of the historic challenges women and allies currently face. The campaign—#WID23—calls on the federal government to pass voting rights legislation, add the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution, and restore reproductive rights to women and those who can become pregnant.

Tune in as Virginia sits down with hosts Dee Martin and Kendall Mitchell to discuss #WID23, the critical role of Black women historically and today in the fight for democracy, and the qualities of being an effective leader. Don’t miss Virginia’s sage advice on “walking in your purpose” and not sweating the small stuff!

"Be open to new and different opportunities along the way"—sage advice from Toni-Marie Higgins, Chief of Staff to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR). With an impressive tenure of over two decades on Capitol Hill, Toni-Marie has worked her way up from Staff Assistant to Chief of Staff, only 1 of 32 women to hold this prestigious position in the Senate. Toni-Marie's work is widely recognized. She was named a John C. Stennis Congressional Staff Fellow, and she co-leads the bipartisan group of female Chiefs of Staff and Staff Directors. Last year, she was part of an important team dedicated to supporting democracy through election observation in Kenya.

Tune in as hosts and Arkansans Dee Martin and Shelby Kelley sit down with Toni-Marie Higgins to discuss how "bipartisanship is still very much alive in the halls of Congress if you look hard enough." Hear how Toni-Marie balances between the policy and politics, elevates female leaders across Congress, and aims for bipartisanship. Perhaps most importantly, hear about the Boozman Team's important work for the great state of Arkansas! Want to hear about the Farm bill, what makes a good Hill staffer, and how to make great pasta? Listen now!

"Persistence and resiliency" are words to live by, according to trailblazer and innovator Dr. Evelyn Wang. During her successful tenure as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), President Biden nominated Dr. Wang to lead the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the "crown jewel" and research arm of the U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Wang and her team of brilliant inventers identify, develop, and fund disruptive energy innovations in their developmental stages. Tasked with thinking boldly and outside the box, ARPA-E is a catalyst for early-stage R&D. Having participated in ARPA-E's Energy Innovation Summit to now leading it, Dr. Wang is strengthening the community of industry leaders and innovators who share her passion for solving energy problems and powering the clean energy future.

Dr. Wang joins hosts Dee Martin and Carolyn Spector to discuss her work as Director of ARPA-E and her experiences as a department head, beloved professor, and mentor at MIT. From geomechanical pumps to thermal batteries, Dr. Wang breaks down ARPA-E's process to transform early ideas into proof-of-concept demonstrations. Dr. Wang discusses the importance of supporting young innovators, especially women, and how women in STEM should reject "imposter syndrome" and instead "savor the spotlight." Tune in now!

"Do well while doing good" is the philosophy that global public affairs and policy powerhouse Susan Davis has followed throughout her four-decade long career. As owner of Susan DavisInternational and global activist, Susan has received numerous awards such as the Global Empowerment Humanitarian Award, the Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Business, and National Woman Business Owner of the Year. As the Board Chair for Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation and Chair Emeritus of Vital Voices Global Partnership, Susan works closely with Afghan women and children. Renowned for her proficiency in strategic positioning, reputation management, government relations, and crisis communications, Susan Davis does it all!

Tune in as hosts Dee Martin and Kendall Mitchell sit down with Susan to discuss the role of resiliency in shaping policy, staying on track even when things go awry, and the normalcy of failure. Want to hear about Susan's work on military caregiving, a discussion about ongoing issues in Sudan, and losing John Wayne's toupee on national television? Listen now!

“Ignore the naysayers,” is the advice that Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold would give to her 24-year-old self and other young people. Hailing from rural Colorado, hard-working Secretary Griswold became the youngest elected Secretary of State in the United States. Currently in her second term, Secretary Griswold oversees state-wide elections and is dedicated to protecting voter’s rights and expanding access to elections. The Secretary is also dedicated to ensuring access to reproductive healthcare in Colorado and has worked with Governor Jared Polis to do so.

Secretary Griswold joins host Dee Martin to discuss her important work on these and many other issues, and she also shares pragmatic lessons learned throughout her journey.  Don’t miss the conversation between the Secretary and Dee about the importance of bipartisan advocacy and coalition building, as well as the harmful role of mis- and disinformation in political campaigns. Tune in now!

In an activity awash with top minds and top talent, Eugenia (Eu) Giampetruzzi and Grace Kessler stand out as two of the best, brightest, and fastest collegiate debaters in the country. This pair of scholars from Emory University recently finished the 2023 debate season earning the award for second best partnership in the country for the regular season, culminating in a Final Four appearance at the prestigious National Debate Tournament championship. On top of that, Eu is the first woman to be crowned with the #1 individual speaker award at the national championship in back-to-back years.

Hosts Dee Martin and successful, former college debater David Bernstein sit down with Eu and Grace to talk about the high stakes-high reward ecosystem of collegiate debate. Grace and Eu also discuss how their finely honed debate skills translate into success in shaping policy across a spectrum of issue areas, including mental healthcare. Tune in to hear what advice Eu and Grace would give to their 50-year-old selves and take a listen to what the fast-paced and highly successful duo sound like using their debate voices!

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) is a military veteran, a doctor, and a strong champion of ethanol, biofuels, and energy security. What listeners may not know is that the Congresswoman wanted to be a teacher and a series of events led her to a career as a doctor and now, a Member of Congress. Compassionate, passionate, and smart, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has parlayed her previous work into the work she does today, serving on the Veterans Affairs committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee. A woman who has shattered the glass ceiling on a number of occasions, Representative Miller-Meeks is a trailblazer and role model for many.

Co-hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson sit down with Congresswoman Miller-Meeks to talk about veterans' mental health and the importance of creating a safe space for people who served. Of course, no conversation about Iowa is complete without a discussion of corn and the use of biofuels to reduce CO2 emissions, so tune in to hear more about her bipartisan legislation the Next Generation Fuels Act. Want to know what it takes to be an effective leader? Listen now!

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) has just finished her first 100 days in office. Tune in to hear about her important work on behalf of Southern and Central Illinois, on the Farm Bill, and on rural and veteran healthcare.  No stranger to Washington, DC, the Congresswoman brings to bear extensive policy and political experience gained at the highest levels of state and federal government, as well as over a decade of experience in the labor movement. The throughline of this important work? Advocating for working families. Her superpower? The ability to get things done.

Congresswoman Budzinski joins Dee Martin and the Congresswoman's Legislative Director John Lee to discuss the importance of negotiation and intentional bipartisanship in policymaking. Another key ingredient? State fair diplomacy! You don't want to miss the advice this smart and passionate policymaker would give to her 24-year-old self. Listen now!

Born and raised in Cordova, Alaska, Rachel Kallander grew up with the motto "know who you are, know who you represent." Rachel carries that motto with her today, and it drives her work on behalf of Alaska and the Arctic. As the founder and executive director of Artic Encounter, Rachel convenes the largest annual Arctic policy and business conference in the U.S. today. With over 1,000 attendees this year—including Ambassadors, US Senators, dignitaries, indigenous and youth leaders—Arctic Encounter convened panels on important topics ranging from climate change, energy development, healthcare, and more. Also the founder and CEO of Kallander & Associates, Rachel works to effectively engage the issues and opportunities affecting Alaska and the Arctic through bipartisan policy development and creative collaboration. From working with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to owning and publishing the 114-year-old Cordova Times, Rachel's goal is to make sure that when it comes to Alaska and the Arctic, the health of the environment and the people are a key part of the conversation.

Rachel joins hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson to discuss her passion for the Arctic region and how growing up in a fishing family in Alaska anchors her mission. Tune in to hear about Rachel's journey form working with Senator Murkowski (R-AK) to becoming the publisher of Prince William Sound's oldest newspaper, the Cordova Times, established in 1914. And don't miss the story of being named an Honorary Consul to Alaska by the government of Iceland! Tune in now!