2022 Future Summit Welcome Packet

S I X T H A N N U A L 

J U L Y 2 9 - 3 1 , 2 0 2 2 · D E N V E R , C O

THANK YOU TO 

OUR SPONSORS

#MAPFUTURESUMMIT

Dear Future Summit Attendee, 

After three years since our last in-person gathering, I am incredibly excited to 

welcome you to Future Summit 2022! Centered around the nation’s largest, 

bipartisan network of young state legislators, Future Summit is a unique opportunity 

to collaborate across state and party lines to move the needle on issues impacting 

Millennials, Gen Z, and rising generations. 

Almost ten years ago, a group of audacious young people decided that our political 

system needed an overhaul, and set out to redefine how our generation governs. 

They bet that by grounding our political culture in empathy and bridge-building, that 

a rising cohort of elected leaders could create a once-in-a-generation 

transformation. In 2022, that mission is more important than ever. We meet at a 

time of historic political polarization— this is clear from the national headlines each 

morning. And yet, we see positive trends reflected in the incredible growth and 

impact of the State Future Caucus Network. Not only did more legislators start 

caucuses in their states, but you have also transcended old divisions with new, 

innovative policies. By joining us here at Future Summit, each of you are joining this 

movement and bringing your own unique contributions to the work of renewing 

American democracy. 

The Future Caucus Network and Future Summit is as good as its people. That’s why 

we are grateful that you have taken time to join us from across the country, learn 

from fellow young legislators, and forge solutions for the governing season ahead. 

The Millennial Action Project is here to be your resource and your platform on this 

journey to build a nation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 

I encourage you to think big this weekend— by learning and sharing together, you 

can truly chart a new path forward for American politics. 

Forward, 

Layla Zaidane 

President & CEO 

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FRIDAY, JULY 29 

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SATURDAY, JULY 30 

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SUNDAY, JULY 31 

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SUNDAY, JULY 31 

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The Millennial Action 

Project team had an 

ambitious goal: develop a set 

of values that would serve as 

an anchor and moral 

compass to guide our 

organization and network. 

We interviewed legislators 

within the State Future 

Caucus Network to help 

form these guiding principles 

because you embody the 

MAP Ethos every day. We 

can’t wait to see these values 

come alive during this 

weekend's Future Summit. 

We the people of MAP are 

LEADERS 

TEAMMATES 

& EXPLORERS 

who 

LISTEN FIRST 

Communicate openly and respectfully — make room for 

others at the table. 

SAY "WE" 

There is no "I" in MAP — welcome diversity; it 

makes us stronger. 

BUILD TRUST 

Integrity in our relationships is fundamental — be 

reliable and follow through. 

EMPOWER OTHERS 

Be empathetic — practice transparency and 

collaborate openly. 

BREAK BARRIERS 

Climb it, go through it, or work around it — limits are 

challenges to overcome. 

INNOVATE FREELY 

Disruption leads to creative solutions — forge a new 

path forward. 

We lead by example 

in order to form a more perfect union. 

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Keith Allred became the Executive Director of the National 

Institute for Civil Discourse on January 1, 2019. He was 

recruited to lead NICD because he had recently launched 

CommonSense American, a new organization that brings 

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together from 

across the country to find and champion solutions with 

broad support. Impressed by the successful five-year state 

pilot, leadership invited Keith to make NICD the platform 

for CommonSense American and to integrate it with 

NICD’s other programs to revive civility and enhance 

problem solving across the partisan divide. 

Lisa V. Gale, PhD, is StoryCorps' Chief Program Officer and 

is committed to ensuring that everyday people, including 

marginalized populations, interview and record their 

stories and that these stories are archived for future 

generations. She oversees the organization’s Interview 

Collection, Production, Animation, Learning and 

Engagement, Research and Evaluation departments and 

the formidable One Small Step program. She holds a 

Bachelor’s in Business, an MSW and a PhD (CUNY Graduate 

Center). 

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Paul Teske was named Dean of CU Denver's School of Public 

Affairs in 2008. Prior to his appointment, Teske created and 

served as Director of CU Denver’s Center for Education 

Policy Analysis (CEPA), in addition to his teaching and 

research activities as a Professor. He was also director of the 

SPA PhD program. From 1988–2003 he was a professor of 

political science at SUNY Stony Brook. 

He earned his PhD (1989) and MPA (1982) degrees in Public 

Affairs from the Princeton University School of Public and 

International Affairs. He earned his BA in Economics and 

Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was a 

Johnston Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa. 

D R . P A U L 

T E S K E 

Janine Davidson, Ph.D., has served as president of 

Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2017. She 

is a national thought leader in higher education and on 

topics such as public service, U.S. foreign policy and 

national security. 

As president of Colorado’s third-largest public university, 

Davidson is a fierce advocate for MSU Denver’s 17,500 

students. From her first days on campus, she has 

championed the role public universities play in “holding 

the line on the American dream.” 

Prior to her time at MSU Denver, Davidson served as the 

32nd Undersecretary of the United States Navy. Her 

appointment by then-President Barack Obama as Navy 

“under” followed nearly 30 years of academic, civilian 

and military service. 

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D R . J A N I N E 

D A V I D S O N

Jason Grill serves as the Head of Government Affairs at 

Right to Start. In this role he leads all policy engagement 

and strategy for the organization on the local, state and 

federal level. He is a former two-term member of the 

Missouri House of Representatives and has worked at the 

White House and CNN. Jason passed significant legislation 

under both Republican and Democratic governors as a 

member of the Missouri House. 

Additionally, he is the Founder of JGrill Consulting and a 

Senior Advisor at Parris Communications. In his consulting 

career, Jason has worked with many clients including with 

the Kauffman Foundation to start and build the Mayors 

Conference on Entrepreneurship and other proentrepreneur 

policy engagement on the state and federal 

level. 

J A S O N 

G R I L L 

Caryl M. Stern serves as Executive Director of the Walton 

Family Foundation, a position she has held since 2020. 

She is a former President and CEO of UNICEF USA. An 

author, activist and global advocate for the health and 

well-being of children, Caryl has dedicated her career to 

helping others through education, compassion and the 

expansion of civil rights. 

Since joining the foundation, Caryl has led its work to 

create opportunity for people through collaboration and 

community-led change. She has written and spoken 

extensively on how philanthropy must bridge divides, 

embrace diverse voices and pursue innovation to find 

common solutions that help people achieve their 

ambitions. Rooted in a belief in listening to and learning 

from those closest to the challenges, the foundation is 

leading change that ensures high-quality education for 

all children, protects our environment and builds 

vibrant, inclusive communities. 


C A R Y L 

S T E R N

Armando Valdez was raised on a farm and ranch near 

Capulin, Colorado. Most recently, Valdez worked as an 

Assistant Professor of Management and the Director of 

the Health Care Administration Program in the School of 

Business at Adams State University. He currently serves 

as a member of the Colorado State University System 

Board of Governors. During the Obama Administration, 

Valdez was appointed to Colorado’s FSA Executive 

Committee. He was appointed as executive chair of the 

committee in 2012 and served in that role until 2018. 

Valdez continue to operate the family farm and ranch he 

was raised on with his wife and children. 

A R M A N D O 

V A L D E Z 

Layla Zaidane is the President and Chief Executive Officer 

of the Millennial Action Project. A nationally recognized 

expert on youth engagement, Layla has been featured in 

outlets including Forbes, The Washington Post, New York 

Times, U.S. News and World Report, Refinery29, The 

Huffington Post, and McClatchy. Prior to joining MAP, 

Layla served as the Managing Director for Generation 

Progress, where she led integrated communications, 

policy, and advocacy efforts around solutions to the 

challenges facing today's youth, as well as spearheaded 

innovative new global youth engagement efforts. She 

helped launch and manage the It's On Us campaign in 

partnership with the White House in 2014 and launched 

the Higher Ed, Not Debt campaign in 2013. In 2016, She 

was named by Fusion as one of 30 Women Under 30 

Who Will Change the Election. 

L A Y L A 

Z A I D A N E 

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Nick Troiano is a civic entrepreneur based in Denver, CO. He 

is the Executive Director of Unite America, a national 

organization that works to bridge the growing partisan 

divide by enacting political reforms and electing 

candidates who put people over party. 

Nick is active in leading efforts and supporting 

organizations that are aimed at strengthening American 

democracy and tackling our country's most pressing 

challenges. Previously, Nick worked for Change.org on 

Change Politics – a non-partisan platform that empowers 

citizens to make informed decisions on Election Day. In 

2016, he was named to the "Forbes 30 Under 30" for Law & 

Policy. 

N I C K 

T R O I A N O 

Nijhawan has committed her career to developing leaders 

and growing national service. Most recently, she developed 

and served as the executive director of Stockton Service 

Corps, a six-year, $12 million initiative to address local needs 

through AmeriCorps. Her professional background also 

includes extensive experience in education, beginning as an 

AmeriCorps member with City Year Chicago. Inspired by the 

students, families, and AmeriCorps community she met, she 

then went on to help found City Year Sacramento and 

launch the organization's 22nd site with 50 new AmeriCorps 

members. 

Nijhawan also served as the California director of Education 

Pioneers where she recruited, placed, and supported 

managers in urban school systems and education nonprofits, 

empowering people to challenge the status quo of our 

public education system. She holds a bachelor’s in 

education and psychology from Marquette University and a 

master’s in social work from the University of Maryland, 

Baltimore. 


S O N A L I 

N I J H A W A N

Dylan Roberts represents House District 26 in the 

Colorado House of Representatives, which encompasses 

Eagle and Routt Counties. Serving in this position since 

2018, his work at the legislature has focused on lowering 

the cost of health care and prescription drugs, protecting 

our environment and water, finding ways to lower the 

cost of living, and promoting rural economic 

development. At the Capitol, he serves as the Chair of the 

House Business Affairs & Labor Committee and as a 

member of the House Judiciary Committee and the 

House Agriculture, Livestock & Water Committee. Dylan 

grew up in Routt County and now lives in Eagle County 

with his fiancé Sarah and their rescue-dog, Hattie. 

R E P . D Y L A N 

R O B E R T S 

Jeremy Askew Gray is an accomplished public servant, 

entrepreneur, and community leader. He presently serves as 

the State Representative for District 83 in the Alabama 

House of Representatives. 

Rep. Gray has been recognized for his leadership and service. 

He was a member of Rural Leader Magazine’s 20 under 40 

Top 4 and an Opelika Chamber of Commerce 20 Under 40 

Alum. He was also recognized by the Opelika Chamber of 

Commerce as the 2021 Visionary Award recipient, Council of 

State Government as a 20 Under 40 Leadership Award 

recipient, and named 2021 Legislator of the Year by the 

Alabama NAACP. 

Representative Gray is also an active member of his 

community. He is the Chair of Lee County Voters League, and 

an active member of Greater Peace Missionary Baptist 

Church. Representative Gray is committed to being a 

“servant leader” and elevating, educating, and empowering 

his community. 


R E P . J E R E M Y 

G R A Y

Chris Hansen is the current State Senator for Colorado Senate 

District 31. He specializes in energy sector economics and data 

analytics, with 20 years of experience in the global energy 

industry. He was formerly the Representative for House District 6 

from 2017-2019, representing the east-central neighborhoods of 

Denver. He currently serves on the Joint Budget Committee. 

During his time in the State Senate, he has served on the Financ 

Appropriations, and State, Veterans, and Military Affairs 

committees. 

In 2012, he was selected as a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the 

German Marshall Fund and in 2017 was selected as a Public 

Leadership Fellow at Harvard University by the Gates Family 

Foundation. In 2019, he was selected as one of fifteen leaders 

from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing 

Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of 

rising state and local elected officials. 

S E N . C H R I S 

H A N S E N 

Kayla Young is the House Delegate for the 35th District of 

West Virginia. She graduated from West Virginia University 

where she studied Political Science, Public Relations, and 

Integrated Marketing Communications. 

As an entrepreneur of both for profit and non-profit 

businesses, Kayla founded Boss Babes WV as a way for folks 

across our state to network and amplify their voices. 

Together they learn, laugh, grow as a community, and fight 

for equality. Boss Babes WV educates on the importance of 

civic responsibility and ways to be more active in their local 

communities to get involved with causes they care about. 

Kayla has been a staple at the West Virginia Legislature for 

the past few years working on a variety of issues, focusing on 

environmental and election issues. She learned the ins and 

outs of the state legislature, and saw first hand how industry 

standards sadly often precedes public health. 


D E L . K A Y L A 

Y O U N G

Emily Virgin is the state representative for District 44 in 

Oklahoma. She is the Minority Leader of the Oklahoma 

House of Representatives and previously served as House 

Democratic Caucus Chair. She was first elected in 2010 at 

the age of 25, and represents the 44th district, which 

includes Norman, Oklahoma. 

Virgin completed an undergraduate degree in criminology 

and political science at the University of Oklahoma in 2009. 

Virgin was elected to the House while attending law school 

at the University of Oklahoma, from which she earned her 

J.D. in 2013. 

She serves on the Appropriations and Budget Committee, 

Higher Education and Career Tech Committee, Judiciary – 

Civil and Environmental Committee, and Public Safety 

Committee. 

R E P . E M I L Y 

V I R G I N 

State Rep. Mari Manoogian was born and raised in 

Birmingham, Michigan, and is serving her second term 

representing the 40th District. She currently serves as the 

Deputy Whip and Messaging Chair for the House 

Democrats.At 28, Manoogian is the youngest woman 

serving in the 101st Legislature, and the first Armenian- 

American woman to serve in the Michigan House of 

Representatives. Prior to joining the Legislature, she 

served in various capacities of public service at the federal 

level. 

Rep. Manoogian is a member of the Aspen Security 

Forum’s inaugural Rising Leaders Program and is a 

Truman National Security Project political partner. She 

serves on various boards, including as a member of the 

board of the Armenian Genocide Education Council, the 

Tech for Campaigns Political Advisory Board, the advisory 

council for the U.S.-Europe Alliance, and the advisory 

committee for Figure Skating in Detroit. 


R E P . M A R I 

M A N O O G I A N

As a principal on the Reimagining Capitalism team, Sophia 

focuses on the organization’s engagement around electoral 

cycles, policy, and advocacy. 

Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Sophia served as the 

director of reproductive rights at State Innovation Exchange. 

In this role, she led strategy and programming initiatives to 

support state legislators across the country in advancing and 

defending reproductive health policy. Previously, Sophia was 

the senior manager of state and local campaigns at 

Advocates for Youth, where she advocated on behalf of 

young people’s reproductive and sexual health. As a political 

strategist, Sophia has trained hundreds of elected officials 

and advocates on storytelling, organizing, and policy 

advocacy. She currently serves on the board of Reproductive 

Health Access Project. 

Sophia holds a B.A. in government and politics from the 

University of Maryland College Park. She received an MBA 

with a focus on social impact and sustainable business from 

the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown 

University. 

S O P H I A 

K E R B Y 

Khalid Pagan is a member of Facebook’s Politics and 

Government Outreach team, and works with lawmakers, 

candidates and agencies throughout the Northeastern 

United States on best practices for using Meta's family of 

apps to reach their constituents and communities. 

Tracy Rohrbach works on Facebook’s Politics and 

Government Outreach team where she focuses on helping 

state officials in the Midwest use Meta's family of apps to 

optimize their online presence. Prior to Meta, Tracy spent a 

decade working for campaigns, consulting firms, and 

advocacy non-profits in the digital marketing and 

communications departments. 

T R A C Y R O R H B A C H 

& K A H L I D P A G A N 

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Representative Aaron Pilkington is Regional Vice President of 

Operations for ARcare and is currently serving his third term 

in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represents 

District 69. 

As the only state legislator with a degree in health care 

administration and a millennial, he provides a fresh look at 

political issues. He currently serves on three House 

committees: (1) the Joint Committee on Energy, (2) House 

Revenue & Taxation Committee, and (3) the House Insurance 

& Commerce Committee. While he is considered one of the 

most conservative members of the state House, he proudly 

states that he is no “firebrand.” 

Rep. Pilkington holds an MHA in Health Care Administration 

from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and a 

B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. He 

was named to the Arkansas Business “20 In Their 20s” in 2019. 

R E P . A A R O N 

P I L K I N G T O N 

Rep. Daniel Pae has been serving as a state representative for 

Oklahoma's 62nd district since 2018. Born and raised in 

Lawton, Daniel considers himself the epitome of the 

“American Dream.” Daniel’s parents moved to Lawton in 1983 

with the belief that they could create a life for themselves. 

That dream is still alive today and Daniel works to ensure that 

his community remains a great place to start a business and 

raise a family. As a state representative, Daniel works to 

promote common-sense, practical policies for all Lawtonians. 

Because of Daniel’s experience and knowledge with the 

nuanced governing processes at the local and state levels, 

Daniel engages in servant leadership to promote the interests 

of our community and our state. 

R E P . D A N I E L 

P A E 

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Rochelle Colburn is the Chief Operating Officer at the 

Millennial Action Project. She advises on strategy across 

MAP’s teams and programs, implements systems and 

technologies, and manages the organization’s staff and daily 

operations. 

Rochelle was previously the Chief Operating Officer at 

College to Congress (C2C), a nonpartisan nonprofit that helps 

diverse, low-income college students break into careers in 

public service. While at C2C, Rochelle oversaw the launch of 

C2C University, an online training and mentorship program 

and winner of Seed Spot's 2020 Audience Impact Award. 

She also oversaw C2C's Policy Ideas Project, an online policy 

competition that empowered college students and 

congressional staffers to solve real-world problems together 

in a bipartisan manner. An authority on e-Learning, Rochelle 

also provides consultation to the Congressional Management 

Foundation on online advocacy training best practices. 

R O C H E L L E 

C O L B U R N 

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2022 Future Summit Welcome Packet

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