Dedicated to the art of advocacy. Voices in Advocacy shares inspiring interviews from leaders in the advocacy world of politics, associations, and non-profit causes.
Episodes
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Today we speak to the leader of an organization that empowers young adults to advocate for higher education, health care, and economic policies.
ABOUT the GUEST
Kristin McGuire is the Executive Director for Young Invincibles. Kristin assumes this role having most recently served as YI West Regional Director, where she empowered young adults to advocate for higher education, health care, and economic policies. Kristin brings years of community organizing and policy change expertise to her role as Executive Director. As a first-generation college student from a single-parent household – she is driven by a deep understanding of the needs of under-resourced communities and has helped shift power to young adults from these communities over the last decade.
Kristin’s accomplishments include shaping policies that do just that, such as the College Student Hunger Relief Act, the California Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, and the Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act. Currently, Kristin is leading the national charge to cancel student debt. Keeping true to her commitment to civic engagement, Kristin is the first African-American elected to the school board in Covina. While very proud of her work, Kristin's most prized accomplishment is not her own, it is her mother’s, who integrated her school in Alabama at the age of seven. Kristin is a proud alumna of California State University Dominguez Hills, wife, mother, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Whistleblowers have been at the top of the news lately. Today’s special guest is the founder of the leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting and rewarding whistleblowers around the world. You do not want to miss this episode as we explore the importance of advocating for stronger whistleblower protection laws and educating the public about whistleblowers’ critical role in protecting democracy and the rule of law.
ABOUT the GUEST
Stephen M. Kohn is a founder and Chairman of the Board at the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) and founding partner of Kohn, Kohn, and Colapinto LLP. Steve is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading qui tam and whistleblower attorneys, and is an active voice in the whistleblower community, having helped draft key whistleblower legislation and regulatory rules. Steve has led a handful of pro bono efforts, and is currently supporting the push to make National Whistleblower Day permanent via a Presidential Executive Order.
He is the author of the first legal treatise on whistleblowing and is the world’s most published author on whistleblower protection. His most recent book is Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right (Lyons Press 2023).
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Today’s guest is the Grassroots and Constituent expert for the well-known organization - whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our wounded servicemen and women.
ABOUT the GUEST
Justin Beland serves as WWP’s Grassroots and Constituent Affairs Director where he utilizes 23 years of experience in grassroots advocacy, public policy, and creating innovative engagement strategies. He has previously worked on behalf of veterans at organizations like the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and the Children’s Hospital Association. In addition, Justin has designed government relations and grassroots campaigns for a broad range of issues that serve the public good. He worked with Congress to increase support of federal funding for prostate cancer research, increased access to treatment options for people with opioid addiction, and created a nationwide program led by the country’s Lieutenant Governors to increase heart health. He also serves on the Alexandria (Virginia) Commission on Persons with Disabilities, and the Alexandria Human Rights Commission. He earned a B.A. in Communications and a B.S. in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from George Mason University. He is a native of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a die-hard Red Sox fan.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Today we speak to the CEO of an organization that is the influential, unified voice of the vibrant creative arts community in New Jersey. Stay tuned as we learn about their dedication to arts advocacy.
ABOUT the GUEST
As President & CEO, Adam Perle manages all ArtPride operations. He leads the senior management team and is responsible for resource development, as well as fiduciary oversight. Prior to joining ArtPride, Adam was the Vice President of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he led membership and tourism marketing efforts. During his time at the Chamber, Adam was a key part of the leadership team that doubled the size of the organization and was instrumental in the expansion of the Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. Before his work in the nonprofit sector, Adam worked on several political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.
Adam is a lover of Mark Rothko, 20th century American theatre, landscape photography, the blues, and New Orleans jazz. When he is not enjoying a New Jersey craft beer, or rooting for his beloved New York Giants, you can find Adam encouraging his two budding performers, Alexis and Marley. A lifelong New Jersey resident, Adam resides in Bridgewater with his wife, Mandi. The couple started dating at summer camp while they were opposing color war generals.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Our guest today is a farmer, and not just any farmer, Chris Hoffman is the President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and a member of the Board of Directors at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our nation's food supply, after all its what's for dinner.
ABOUT the GUEST
Chris Hoffman owns and operates Lazy Hog Farm, a 1,400 sow farrow to wean, 4,800-head nursery barn and 4,400-head finishing barn located in Juniata and Mifflin counties, Pennsylvania. He also owns and operates Lazy Chick Farm, raising 250,000 chickens annually.
Hoffman was elected as the ninth President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau in 2022. As President he also serves as the chair of the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a charitable organization supported by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Additionally, Hoffman was elected to American Farm Bureau Federations Board of Directors in January of 2023.
Hoffman was selected to serve on Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Board of Directors in 2006, and was selected to serve on the board’s Executive Committee in 2008.
He was chosen to serve as Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Vice President in 2014. In 2013, Hoffman was selected to lead a new committee within Pennsylvania Farm Bureau—the Agriculture Promotion Committee—which encourages local programs that engage consumers with agriculture, and also raises money for the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation.
He was appointed to chair the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion & Education Committee in 2014. In 2015, he was elected by the state’s agricultural societies to the Board of Trustees at Penn State, the Commonwealth’s land grant university.
He previously chaired Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Management Advisory Board, and is a past board director of the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council. He is also a member of PennAg Industries Association.
He and his wife, Selina, have four children and three grandchildren. Along with spending time with family, in his few hours of leisure time, Hoffman likes to golf, fish, hunt and play indoor soccer and flag football.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Today we speak with the Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Congressman 'GT' Thompson. As we learn more about the FARM Bill and the importance of constituent engagement.
ABOUT the GUEST
Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson is the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers and lifelong resident of Howard Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District.
As a proud and active Member of the House Committee on Agriculture for more than a decade, Thompson formerly served as Ranking Member of the full committee during the 117th Congress and as Vice Chairman during the 116th Congress. He’s also served as Chairman of the Subcommittees on Conservation and Forestry and Nutrition, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
Prior to being elected to Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District, Thompson spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator.
Thompson is a proud graduate of Penn State and Temple University, where he earned a B.S. and a Master of Education, respectively. He and his wife, Penny Ammerman-Thompson, have three adult sons; Parker, Logan, and Kale, and two grandchildren; Noem and Gabriel.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Today I will speak about self-advocacy. Self-advocacy through voting.
In the United States of America what could be more important than our freedom? One of our most precious freedoms is our ability to cast a ballot, to vote.
We have the right and privilege to participate in our government, to set a course for tomorrow.
I’m Roger Rickard and I approve this message.
Friday Sep 09, 2022
Friday Sep 09, 2022
Today we speak to the CEO of an organization that is the influential, unified voice of the travel and tourism industry in California, which supports 1.22 million jobs and $12.2 billion in state and local taxes. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for the California travel industry.
ABOUT the GUEST
California Travel Association (CalTravel) is the influential, unified voice of the travel and tourism industry in California. As President and CEO, Barb Newton is responsible for leading the organization to protect and advance travel and tourism’s interests through advocacy, collaboration, and education.
Prior to joining CalTravel in 2014, she was President of Sunset Publishing, a diversified publishing company based on the leading media brand in the West. Under her leadership, Sunset launched and grew award-winning California events, an international wine competition, new digital travel tools and partnerships with many California travel and tourism organizations and businesses.
She came to Sunset from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was President of Reiman Media Group, a Midwestern lifestyle media company that included an international tours company and travel magazine. She began her career at Rodale, Inc., where she rose to SVP Managing Director of Women’s Heath Worldwide. Newton has also consulted on strategic planning and business development for clients such as National Geographic, AAA, General Mills, Time Inc., Rodale Inc. and Reader’s Digest.
Newton serves on the boards of U.S. Travel, Education Week, CSU Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, and the Cal Poly EIM Advisory Board, and has a BA and MA from Lehigh University. She and her husband Jeff have two children and live in Woodside, California with their beach-loving border collie.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Friday Aug 12, 2022
Friday Aug 12, 2022
Need an MBA? How Cattlemen's Beef group provides the Masters of Beef Advocacy. Today we speak the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for an organization that began in 1898 representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for more than 1,000,000 cattle farmers and ranchers.
ABOUT the GUEST
Chandler Mulvaney is the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Chandler works to empower beef community members to be more engaged in sharing their story, while developing key spokespeople who can confidently represent the beef industry on social media, in everyday conversations, or in-front of a camera.
Upon graduation from Auburn University with a bachelor’s in agriculture communication, Chandler began working in Ghana and Uganda for two years as an extension agent, promoting youth development through involvement in 4-H and sound farming practices.
After returning to the United States, Chandler completed his Master of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia before relocating to the University of Florida, working as an extension agent for two years.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates
Friday Aug 05, 2022
Friday Aug 05, 2022
What is Too Much or Too Little to Have in Your Legislation? This and many more fabulous advocacy tips are shared as we speak with the CEO of an organization that defends and protects the ecosystem beneficial to the success of wheat growers in the United States.
ABOUT the GUEST
Chandler Goule is NAWG’s Chief Executive Officer, coming into that role in July of 2016. In this capacity, Chandler will oversee NAWG’s industry relations, act as Executive Director of the National Wheat Foundation, and lead NAWG’s efforts to advocate for American wheat farmers.
Prior to his position at NAWG, Chandler served as the Sr. Vice President of Programs for the National Farmers Union for several years. Goule also formerly served as the staff director of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture under former chairman Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn. Peterson is a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats Coalition.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates