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Convergence Center For Policy Resolution

Who We Are

For more than a dozen years, Convergence has pioneered a distinctive approach to collaborative problem-solving across divides to help solve seemingly intractable challenges at the intersection of national politics and policy. We convene leaders in their fields representing wildly divergent views with a consistent record of success in building trust, forging consensus, and driving meaningful change. In recognition of this impactful work, Convergence received a transformational $4 million grant from MacKenzie Scott in 2021, which has allowed for expanded ambition, impact and leadership in the bridgebuilding field. Convergence’s success offers a beacon of hope for the majority of Americans frustrated by divisiveness and toxic polarization. Our work demonstrates that change is possible under the right conditions, and that we can affect lasting, consistent changes that improve people’s lives when we come together to recognize our common humanity.

Board of Directors
Staff
Leadership Council
Founder’s Circle

Board Of Directors

The Convergence Board of Directors brings an extraordinary breadth of experience, energy, and resources to our work,
helping to guide the long-term vision for the organization with wisdom and compassion.

Ellie Bertani

Ellie Bertani is President and CEO of GitLab Foundation...

Ellie Bertani

Ellie Bertani is President and CEO of GitLab Foundation...

Neil Bradley

Neil Bradley executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U S Chamber of Commerce...

Neil Bradley

Neil Bradley executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U S Chamber of Commerce...

Stuart Butler

Stuart Butler is a Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC...

Stuart Butler

Stuart Butler is a Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC...

Greg Campbell

Gregory A Campbell Greg Campbell is President CEO of Rainmaker Inc www rainmaker inc com a strategic investment and advisory...

Greg Campbell

Gregory A Campbell Greg Campbell is President CEO of Rainmaker Inc www rainmaker inc com a strategic investment and advisory...

Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis serves as Senior Director of Share Our Strength s No Kid Hungry campaign...

Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis serves as Senior Director of Share Our Strength s No Kid Hungry campaign...

Robert Fersh

Rob Fersh is the Founder Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution a non profit organization founded in 2009...

Robert Fersh

Rob Fersh is the Founder Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution a non profit organization founded in 2009...

Peter Goldstone

Peter Goldstone currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Government Executive Media Group GMEG...

Peter Goldstone

Peter Goldstone currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Government Executive Media Group GMEG...

Linda Lorelle

Linda Lorelle Founder and CEO of Linda Lorelle Media is best known as an Emmy Award winning journalist...

Linda Lorelle

Linda Lorelle Founder and CEO of Linda Lorelle Media is best known as an Emmy Award winning journalist...

Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering and elevating young people to move beyond polarization...

Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering and elevating young people to move beyond polarization...

Jean Molino

Jean Molino is the former General Counsel and Partner at McKinsey and Company Inc...

Jean Molino

Jean Molino is the former General Counsel and Partner at McKinsey and Company Inc...

Leah Ray

Nonprofit fundraising professional Leah Ray has successfully built sustainable revenue and high performing development teams for large local and national...

Leah Ray

Nonprofit fundraising professional Leah Ray has successfully built sustainable revenue and high performing development teams for large local and national...

Selika Josiah Talbott

Selika Josiah Talbott is a leading industry voice for the adoption of Transportation s New Mobility...

Selika Josiah Talbott

Selika Josiah Talbott is a leading industry voice for the adoption of Transportation s New Mobility...

H. Art Taylor

Herman Art Taylor is president and chief executive officer of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance give org...

H. Art Taylor

Herman Art Taylor is president and chief executive officer of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance give org...

Lindsay Torrico

Lindsay Torrico serves as Senior Vice President of Bank Community Engagement for the American Bankers Association and Executive Director of...

Lindsay Torrico

Lindsay Torrico serves as Senior Vice President of Bank Community Engagement for the American Bankers Association and Executive Director of...

Jeff Weissglass

Jeff Weissglass is a political bridgebuilding advocate and advisor...

Jeff Weissglass

Jeff Weissglass is a political bridgebuilding advocate and advisor...

Alison Acosta Winters

Alison Acosta Winters was most recently a Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity and the Charles Koch Foundation...

Alison Acosta Winters

Alison Acosta Winters was most recently a Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity and the Charles Koch Foundation...

Staff

The Convergence staff are experts from a range of fields, backgrounds, and geographies.

Dusie Cassata

Senior Vice President of Operations

Dusie is Senior Vice President of Operations For over ten years with Convergence

Dusie Cassata

Dusie is Senior Vice President of Operations For over ten years with Convergence...

Kit Chalberg

Senior Director, Programs

Kit serves as Senior Director Programs for Convergence He brings nearly 20 years of experience

Kit Chalberg

Kit serves as Senior Director Programs for Convergence He brings nearly 20 years of experience...

Robert Fersh

Founder/Senior Advisor

Rob Fersh is the Founder Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution a non profit organization founded in 2009 to promote consensus solutions to issues of domestic and international

Robert Fersh

Rob Fersh is the Founder Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution a non profit organization founded in 2009...

Alex Chugunova Frazier

Manager of Communications

Alex Chugunova Frazier joined Convergence in August of 2021 She graduated

Alex Chugunova Frazier

Alex Chugunova Frazier joined Convergence in August of 2021 She graduated...

Monika Glowacki

Senior Director of Programs

Monika is the Senior Director of Programs

Monika Glowacki

Monika is the Senior Director of Programs...

Mariah Levison

CEO and President

Mariah serves as Convergence s CEO

Mariah Levison

Mariah serves as Convergence s CEO...

Emma Leyland

Associate, Operations and Projects

Emma Leyland is the Associate for Operations and Projects at Convergence

Emma Leyland

Emma Leyland is the Associate for Operations and Projects at Convergence...

Beth Miller

Executive Vice President

Beth is the Executive Vice President at Convergence

Beth Miller

Beth is the Executive Vice President at Convergence...

Hannah Ollenburger

Manager of Advancement

Hannah is passionate about relationship building and bringing her background in psychology to inform the operations program management

Hannah Ollenburger

Hannah is passionate about relationship building and bringing her background in psychology to inform the operations program management...

Breelyn Stelle

Project Associate, Programs and the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families

Breelyn is the Project Associate for programs and the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families

Breelyn Stelle

Breelyn is the Project Associate for programs and the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families...

Holly Thomas

Advancement Manager

Holly Thomas serves as Convergence s Advancement Manager

Holly Thomas

Holly Thomas serves as Convergence s Advancement Manager...

We’re hiring! To learn more about employment opportunities with Convergence, check our Careers page.

Leadership Council

Convergence’s Leadership Council is an advisory body consisting of a diverse group of professionals from the fields of policy, business, mediation, nonprofits, and more. The group meets several times a year to inform Convergence’s work and infuse invaluable perspectives into all we do.

Sami Ahmad

Sami Ahmad is CFO of Trecora Resources a NYSE listed TREC leading specialty petrochemicals company based in Houston Texas...

Sami Ahmad

Sami Ahmad is CFO of Trecora Resources a NYSE listed TREC leading specialty petrochemicals company based in Houston Texas...

Aakif Ahmad

Aakif Ahmad is co founder of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution...

Aakif Ahmad

Aakif Ahmad is co founder of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution...

Richard S. Alper

Mr Alper earned his law degree with a concentration in real estate and state and local government from...

Richard S. Alper

Mr Alper earned his law degree with a concentration in real estate and state and local government from...

Frieda Arenos

Frieda Arenos is a Program Director at the National Democratic Institute NDI...

Frieda Arenos

Frieda Arenos is a Program Director at the National Democratic Institute NDI...

Bill Belding

Bill Belding is a professorial lecturer at the School of International Service at American University in Washington D C...

Bill Belding

Bill Belding is a professorial lecturer at the School of International Service at American University in Washington D C...

Jamie Bernard

James Bernard is a Partner at the law firm Stroock Stroock Lavan LLP...

Jamie Bernard

James Bernard is a Partner at the law firm Stroock Stroock Lavan LLP...

Bill Bolling

Bill Bolling is the founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank ACFB and has served...

Bill Bolling

Bill Bolling is the founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank ACFB and has served...

Rick Callahan

Rick Callahan is presently the Owner of R R Callahan Co which develops owns and manages rental property in Chicago...

Rick Callahan

Rick Callahan is presently the Owner of R R Callahan Co which develops owns and manages rental property in Chicago...

Claudia Carasso

Claudia Carasso is a communications management consultant creative director and marketing leader with more than 20 years experience...

Claudia Carasso

Claudia Carasso is a communications management consultant creative director and marketing leader with more than 20 years experience...

Robert Chase

In September 2007 the Rev Robert Chase was called to be the Founding Director of Intersections...

Robert Chase

In September 2007 the Rev Robert Chase was called to be the Founding Director of Intersections...

Toni Clark

Toni is the Executive Director and Co Founder of the iBuildBridges Foundation a non profit organization...

Toni Clark

Toni is the Executive Director and Co Founder of the iBuildBridges Foundation a non profit organization...

Rehan Dawer

Rehan is an advocate for change and growth He founded Ethica with a mission...

Rehan Dawer

Rehan is an advocate for change and growth He founded Ethica with a mission...

Jessica Dibb

Jessica Dibb is the Founder and Director of Inspiration Community an ecumenical school that...

Jessica Dibb

Jessica Dibb is the Founder and Director of Inspiration Community an ecumenical school that...

Maggie Dunne

Maggie Dunne is President and Founder of Lakota Children s Enrichment Inc LCE a nonprofit...

Maggie Dunne

Maggie Dunne is President and Founder of Lakota Children s Enrichment Inc LCE a nonprofit...

Tom Dunne

For over forty years Tom has been a teacher coach and program developer in cooperative problem solving...

Tom Dunne

For over forty years Tom has been a teacher coach and program developer in cooperative problem solving...

Shawn Dunning

In 2017 Shawn Dunning resigned as the COO of the organizational and leadership development company Adventure Associates Inc to...

Shawn Dunning

In 2017 Shawn Dunning resigned as the COO of the organizational and leadership development company Adventure Associates Inc to...

The Honorable Mickey Edwards

Mickey Edwards is Vice President of the Aspen Institute and serves as Director of the Aspen Institute s Rodel Fellowships...

The Honorable Mickey Edwards

Mickey Edwards is Vice President of the Aspen Institute and serves as Director of the Aspen Institute s Rodel Fellowships...

Bruce Edwards

Bruce Edwards was an industry pioneer in the field of alternative dispute resolution Since 1986 he has mediated...

Bruce Edwards

Bruce Edwards was an industry pioneer in the field of alternative dispute resolution Since 1986 he has mediated...

Susan Edwards

Susan is responsible for the day to day operations of Edwards Mediation Academy including production of...

Susan Edwards

Susan is responsible for the day to day operations of Edwards Mediation Academy including production of...

David Fairman

David Fairman is Managing Director of the Consensus Building Institute and Associate Director of the MIT Harvard Public Disputes Program...

David Fairman

David Fairman is Managing Director of the Consensus Building Institute and Associate Director of the MIT Harvard Public Disputes Program...

Rachel Fersh

Rachel Fersh is an attorney and freelance consultant in the D C area working with a variety of clients...

Rachel Fersh

Rachel Fersh is an attorney and freelance consultant in the D C area working with a variety of clients...

Lance Gilliam

Lance is a partner at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors a Houston based advisory and consulting firm providing...

Lance Gilliam

Lance is a partner at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors a Houston based advisory and consulting firm providing...

Simon Glinsky

Simon founded The Glinsky Group Management Consultants over 25 years ago to lead clients through...

Simon Glinsky

Simon founded The Glinsky Group Management Consultants over 25 years ago to lead clients through...

Tom Hadlock

Tom Hadlock is a Senior Advertising Marketing executive working at well recognized Madison Ave agencies for many years...

Tom Hadlock

Tom Hadlock is a Senior Advertising Marketing executive working at well recognized Madison Ave agencies for many years...

Betsy Wright Hawkings

Betsy Wright Hawkings served as chief of staff to four Republican House members over 25 years...

Betsy Wright Hawkings

Betsy Wright Hawkings served as chief of staff to four Republican House members over 25 years...

Chris Hayes

Christopher Hayes has 25 years of experience in market entry communications quantitative research cross cultural training and coaching...

Chris Hayes

Christopher Hayes has 25 years of experience in market entry communications quantitative research cross cultural training and coaching...

Stephen B. Heintz

Stephen Heintz joined the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in February 2001 as its sixth president...

Stephen B. Heintz

Stephen Heintz joined the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in February 2001 as its sixth president...

Roxana Bahar Hewertson

Roxana Bahar Hewertson is the Founder and President of Highland Consulting Group Inc...

Roxana Bahar Hewertson

Roxana Bahar Hewertson is the Founder and President of Highland Consulting Group Inc...

John R. Jacob

John R Jacob is a Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld LLP in Washington D C...

John R. Jacob

John R Jacob is a Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld LLP in Washington D C...

Marvin Johnson

Marvin Johnson is a nationally recognized mediator arbitrator and trainer with more than 27 years of dispute resolution experience...

Marvin Johnson

Marvin Johnson is a nationally recognized mediator arbitrator and trainer with more than 27 years of dispute resolution experience...

Kimberly Johnston

Kimberly has twenty years of Fortune 500 tax experience in the areas of tax reporting audit negotiations regulatory proceedings...

Kimberly Johnston

Kimberly has twenty years of Fortune 500 tax experience in the areas of tax reporting audit negotiations regulatory proceedings...

Alan Jones

Alan W Jones was the Dean of the Episcopalian Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1985 until January 2009...

Alan Jones

Alan W Jones was the Dean of the Episcopalian Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1985 until January 2009...

David Katz

David Katz leads Quid s efforts with the government and political sector working with a variety of entities...

David Katz

David Katz leads Quid s efforts with the government and political sector working with a variety of entities...

Steven M. Kayman

Steve Kayman is a commercial litigation lawyer based in New York City...

Steven M. Kayman

Steve Kayman is a commercial litigation lawyer based in New York City...

Maja Kristin

Maja Kristin s lifework underscores a passion for bridging differences engaging in creative problem solving and inspiring philanthropy to...

Maja Kristin

Maja Kristin s lifework underscores a passion for bridging differences engaging in creative problem solving and inspiring philanthropy to...

Dr. Richard Land

Dr Richard Land is president of Southern Evangelical Seminary a non denominational seminary based in Charlotte NC...

Dr. Richard Land

Dr Richard Land is president of Southern Evangelical Seminary a non denominational seminary based in Charlotte NC...

Carol Ann Langford

Carol has enjoyed a passion in the Organizational Development space for 18 years specializing in...

Carol Ann Langford

Carol has enjoyed a passion in the Organizational Development space for 18 years specializing in...

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) “Fig” Leaf

Dan Fig Leaf the President of Phase Minus 1 LLC and works an independent consultant on Indo Asia Pacific security...

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) “Fig” Leaf

Dan Fig Leaf the President of Phase Minus 1 LLC and works an independent consultant on Indo Asia Pacific security...

Gay Legg

Gay Legg is the Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning at Ashton Design...

Gay Legg

Gay Legg is the Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning at Ashton Design...

John Lindsay

John Lindsay is currently the Executive for Corporate Partnerships at the University of Oxford s Saïd Business School...

John Lindsay

John Lindsay is currently the Executive for Corporate Partnerships at the University of Oxford s Saïd Business School...

Susan Magee

For the past three decades Susan Beilby Magee has practiced...

Susan Magee

For the past three decades Susan Beilby Magee has practiced...

Bradley McMillan

Brad McMillan was named the inaugural executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service...

Bradley McMillan

Brad McMillan was named the inaugural executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service...

David Meadvin

David is the Managing Director at Laurel Strategies He is a highly regarded...

David Meadvin

David is the Managing Director at Laurel Strategies He is a highly regarded...

Adam Motenko, MBA

Adam is a consultant coach facilitator and trainer specializing in relationship management negotiation dialogue effective communication and leadership development...

Adam Motenko, MBA

Adam is a consultant coach facilitator and trainer specializing in relationship management negotiation dialogue effective communication and leadership development...

Matt Owens

Matt Owens has served at AAU since April 2002 As Executive Vice President and Vice President for Federal Relations...

Matt Owens

Matt Owens has served at AAU since April 2002 As Executive Vice President and Vice President for Federal Relations...

Dennis Passis

Dennis Passis is currently a mediator facilitating the resolution of commercial disputes and conflicts...

Dennis Passis

Dennis Passis is currently a mediator facilitating the resolution of commercial disputes and conflicts...

Perry Pockros

Perry J Pockros is a Certified Professional FacilitatorTM and the founder and principal of Facilis LLC...

Perry Pockros

Perry J Pockros is a Certified Professional FacilitatorTM and the founder and principal of Facilis LLC...

Ron Pollack

Ron Pollack served for 34 years as the Founding Executive Director and is now Chair Emeritus of Families USA...

Ron Pollack

Ron Pollack served for 34 years as the Founding Executive Director and is now Chair Emeritus of Families USA...

Oliver Quinn

Oliver Quinn Esq has advised leaders for more than 30 years...

Oliver Quinn

Oliver Quinn Esq has advised leaders for more than 30 years...

Faith Roessel

Faith Roessel is an attorney and member of the Navajo Tribe of Indians originally from...

Faith Roessel

Faith Roessel is an attorney and member of the Navajo Tribe of Indians originally from...

David Ross

David S Ross Esq is a Senior Mediator with JAMS the largest provider of...

David Ross

David S Ross Esq is a Senior Mediator with JAMS the largest provider of...

Tim Schantz

Tim Schantz is a senior executive with broad domestic and international experience...

Tim Schantz

Tim Schantz is a senior executive with broad domestic and international experience...

Louise Phipps Senft

Louise Phipps Senft is a lawyer and mediation expert who is best known for...

Louise Phipps Senft

Louise Phipps Senft is a lawyer and mediation expert who is best known for...

Qaisar Shareef

Qaisar Shareef concluded a 30 year career with Procter Gamble in 2011...

Qaisar Shareef

Qaisar Shareef concluded a 30 year career with Procter Gamble in 2011...

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.

Dr Daniel J Siegel received his medical degree from Harvard University and completed his postgraduate education...

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.

Dr Daniel J Siegel received his medical degree from Harvard University and completed his postgraduate education...

Kellie Castruita Specter

Kellie Specter is Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer for WNET New York Public Media...

Kellie Castruita Specter

Kellie Specter is Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer for WNET New York Public Media...

John Steiner

John Steiner is a networker meshweaver catalyst tranpsartisan activist and creative consultant often with his wife and partner Margo King...

John Steiner

John Steiner is a networker meshweaver catalyst tranpsartisan activist and creative consultant often with his wife and partner Margo King...

Duf Sundheim

Duf Sundheim is a Principal at GPS Mediation and has been active at the highest levels of...

Duf Sundheim

Duf Sundheim is a Principal at GPS Mediation and has been active at the highest levels of...

Nicholas O. Suplina

Nick brings 20 years of legal and policy experience in the public and private sectors...

Nicholas O. Suplina

Nick brings 20 years of legal and policy experience in the public and private sectors...

William Ury

William Ury is co founder of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School where he directs the Global Negotiation...

William Ury

William Ury is co founder of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School where he directs the Global Negotiation...

Rita Walters

Union Theological Seminary President Serene Jones announced the appointment of Rita L Walters as Vice President of Development...

Rita Walters

Union Theological Seminary President Serene Jones announced the appointment of Rita L Walters as Vice President of Development...

L. Simone Washington

L Simone Washington serves as Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion DEI at BSR...

L. Simone Washington

L Simone Washington serves as Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion DEI at BSR...

Allen Waxman

Allen Waxman serves as General Counsel of Roivant Sciences Inc and innovative health care company...

Allen Waxman

Allen Waxman serves as General Counsel of Roivant Sciences Inc and innovative health care company...

The Honorable Vin Weber

Vin is a Partner at Mercury in Washington D C He provides strategic advice to institutions...

The Honorable Vin Weber

Vin is a Partner at Mercury in Washington D C He provides strategic advice to institutions...

The Honorable Rebecca Westerfield

Rebecca is a former judge Ky Circuit Court 1987 1992 and founding member of JAMS Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services...

The Honorable Rebecca Westerfield

Rebecca is a former judge Ky Circuit Court 1987 1992 and founding member of JAMS Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services...

Edward Wexler-Beron

Edward currently resides in San Francisco CA He serves on the board of Minds Matter San Francisco...

Edward Wexler-Beron

Edward currently resides in San Francisco CA He serves on the board of Minds Matter San Francisco...

Kelly Young

Kelly Young is the President of Education Reimagined a nonprofit aiming to...

Kelly Young

Kelly Young is the President of Education Reimagined a nonprofit aiming to...

Mark Zitter

Mark Zitter is founder and chair of the Zetema Project a diverse panel of national healthcare leaders...

Mark Zitter

Mark Zitter is founder and chair of the Zetema Project a diverse panel of national healthcare leaders...

Founder’s Circle

The Founder’s Circle is an enduring testament to founder Rob Fersh’s pioneering leadership from the beginning. Through the counsel,
networks, and financial support of its members, the group provides a creative long-term vision for the organization.

Rich Alper
Neil Bradley
Michael Friedland
Tom Higbie
Steve Kayman
Rich Korn
Paulette Meyer
Howard Rossman
Riaz Siddiqi
Jeff Weissglass

Hal Belodoff
Rob Fersh (honorary)
David Friedman
John Jacob
Howard Konar
Jean Molino
Tim Schantz
Richard Slifka
Mark Zitter

If you are interested in learning more about the Founder’s Circle, please contact us here.

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