The 5’3 General: An Insider’s Perspective on Power and Influence

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 

Dubbed the “General” during her tenure with the Barack Obama Administration, learn how this moniker caught Heather Foster off guard but propelled her career to new heights from inside the White House to the halls of Capitol Hill as Lyft’s Head of Global Public Policy. This candid and captivating public policy executive sits down with COGEL to share her journey, how she’s challenging stereotypes, and her thoughts on the 2024 Presidential Election.

Heather Foster, Head of Public Policy, Lyft

Heather Foster is a political thought leader and corporate executive focused on building opportunities for economic mobility. She is currently the Head of Global Public Policy at Lyft Inc. Heather has built a political career that has included grassroots organizing, political strategy and policy engagement for almost two decades. Most recently she served on the transition team for the Biden-Harris administration focusing on key Cabinet nominations. She was Vice President at Finn Partners LLC leading political and public engagement strategy for foundations, companies and nonprofits. Heather served in the Obama administration as White House Public Engagement Advisor to President Obama and oversaw his engagement efforts around key public policy issues.  She also served as direct liaison to African American leaders navigating complex issues on race and policy issues and navigating racial bias within the education and criminal justice systems. She has been recognized by National Journal as one of its “25 most influential women in politics'' and InStyle Magazine’s “50 Women Making the World A Better Place”. She has authored West Wingers and has made several appearances on MSNBC, NBC News, and more providing political commentary and analysis. Heather serves on the board of Step Up which is committed to providing mentorship and resources to women of color.

A First Person Perspective on U.S. democracy, elections, and threats to voting access from a Veteran and Former Missouri Secretary of State

12:30 PM - 1:40 PM 

As the U.S. gears up for the 2024 elections, COGEL is excited to welcome Jason Kander.  As a former Missouri Secretary of State and champion for voting access, he shares his unique insights on the upcoming election season.  Kander is an engaging speaker who has written two New York Times best selling books, "Outside the Wire: Ten Lessons I've Learned in Everyday Courage" and "Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir on Politics and PTSD.  He is also the host of the Majority 54 podcast. 

Jason Kander, former Missouri Secretary of State

After joining the U.S. Army in response to the September 11th attacks, Jason Kander served as a military intelligence officer in Afghanistan, attaining the rank of Captain and investigating issues like corruption, espionage, and drug trafficking. In 2008, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. In 2012, he became the first millennial elected to an American statewide office when elected Missouri Secretary of State. Kander later founded Let America Vote, a campaign against voter suppression, which merged to become part of the largest pro-democracy political advocacy group in the country. Since 2019, he has served as president of national expansion at the Veterans Community Project and in 2021 founded the Afghan Rescue Project, crucial in evacuating over 2,000 Afghan allies. Additionally, Kander is a bestselling author of two books, "Outside the Wire: Ten Lessons I’ve Learned in Everyday Courage" and "Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD," along with a children’s book, "Courage Is," co-authored with his son. He holds degrees from American University and Georgetown Law, was a Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago, and received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Georgetown University.

Quotes, Deadlines, and News Cycles: Political News and Powerful Players 

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM 

COGEL goes on the record with veteran journalists for their insights on covering powerful players from the campaign trail to the halls of the Capitol.  Expect a lively discussion and surprising insights on the hunt for the truth, story developing, and their efforts to shine light on politics and government.  

Panelists:  Virginia Young, Adjunct Instructor, University of Missouri School of Journalism
		Virginia Young covered the Missouri state capital for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and stltoday.com for 26 years, the last 10 as Jefferson City Bureau Chief. Her in-depth articles led to changes in the way state government handles business subsidies, pension benefits, nursing home inspections and programs for problem gamblers. Since taking a buyout from the Post-Dispatch, she has taught investigative reporting and public affairs reporting intermittently at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Jason Hancock, Editor-in-chief of The Missouri Independent
		Jason Hancock has spent two decades covering politics and policy for news organizations across the Midwest, with most of that time focused on the Missouri statehouse as a reporter for The Kansas City Star. A three-time National Headliner Award winner, he helped launch The Missouri Independent in October 2020.
Jason Rosenbaum, Political Correspondent, St. Louis Public Radio
		Jason Rosenbaum is the political correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio. He is also the co-host of the Politically Speaking podcast and host of The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Since entering the world of professional journalism in the mid-2000s, Rosenbaum dove headfirst into the world of politics, policy and even rock and roll music. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Rosenbaum spent more than 4 years in the Missouri State Capitol writing for the Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri Lawyers Media and the St. Louis Beacon. Since moving to St. Louis in 2010, his work has appeared in Missouri Lawyers Media, the St. Louis Business Journal and in the Riverfront Times’ music section. Rosenbaum lives in Richmond Heights with his wife Lauren Todd, an engineering librarian at Washington University.

#Livebetter: From Politics to Prison and Finding Purpose

3:50 PM - 5:00 PM 

Former Oklahoma Senator Rick Brinkley has worn many hats in his life: a career in media and television including a daytime Emmy nomination; attending Seminary to become a minister; public service as a State Senator; and President of a non-profit organization. Along the way he battled a secret addiction and at a time he was expected to become the next leader of the Oklahoma Senate, the secret was out and his world “spun out of control” facing claims of campaign violations, civil fraud related to embezzlement from his employer, and criminal charges of wire fraud and tax invasion. This session will focus on Brinkley’s very personal story and how he came to terms and took responsibility for his actions and continues to share his story to help himself and others to “live better”.  

Rick Brinkley, former Oklahoma State Senator

Rick is a much sought-after speaker. Over the past 35 years, he has spoken throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. He has shared the stage with Rush Limbaugh, Diplomats, members of the Gandhi family, and Olympic athletes. Today, Rick spends much of his time speaking to 12-step and other groups, helping those in recovery. He is a former national Emmy-nominated television producer, Pastor, and State Senator. Rick is currently a lobbyist and communications consultant focusing on public speaking, media interviews, and corporate and political debate preparation for business and political leaders, athletes, celebrities, and companies. He also works as a fill-in host for the political radio show “The Ride with Chad Alexander” on KOKC radio in Oklahoma City. Rick is also former Federal inmate - #13705-062. However, his most significant accomplishments are his son, John, and his grandson, Pie.

Pay-to-Play Laws: Developments, Trends, and Enforcement 

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM 

More and more jurisdictions are implementing pay-to-play laws, restricting or requiring disclosure of political contributions and gifts by current or prospective government contractors and their leadership and employees. Hear about the latest developments and trends, and join us for an interesting, interactive discussion of the difficulties confronted and successes enjoyed both by regulators in implementing these laws, and the regulated in seeking to comply with them. Among the issues addressed will be the challenges companies and regulators face when confronted with ambiguous laws, and how companies approach (and what regulators look for with respect to) compliance with laws that impact non-employees (such as outside directors, employee and director family members, and outside consultants) or large numbers of employees. 

Dave Bainbridge, General Counsel, Fair Political Practices Commission of California
	David Bainbridge is the General Counsel for the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Prior to heading the Legal Division, he worked in the FPPC’s Enforcement Division for six years as Assistant Chief and Commission Counsel.
Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections, Maryland State Board of Elections
	Jared DeMarinis is the Maryland State Administrator of Elections. He helped draft a law completely overhauling campaign finance laws in Maryland, and recently assisted in shepherding the passage of revamping of the public financing program for gubernatorial elections. Jared was one of the first in the nation to draft and pass regulations regarding the use of social media, deep fakes, Internet advertisements by campaign accounts, and political contributions by text message. He also helped draft legislation and regulations providing greater transparency and accountability with bot usage and avatars by political committees, and funders of digital campaign ads.
Stephanie Olivo, Director of Compliance, New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission
	Stephanie Olivo, Esq., is currently the Compliance Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission and has worked advising the regulated community and public on all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission since 2015.  She received her B.A. from Stockton University and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.
Moderator: Matthew Bobys, Counsel, Skadden
	Matthew Bobys is Counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Washington, D.C. He advises business clients across numerous industries on political law issues relating to government affairs and government procurement at the federal, state, and local levels, particularly on campaign finance, pay-to-play, lobbying, government ethics, gifts and entertainment, and conflict of interest laws. He repeatedly has been selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Deep Fakes- Seeing Isn't Believing: Understand the Technology and its Impact on Political Campaigns and Elections

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

Learn how deep fakes are being used and how to regulate it.

Craig Holman, Government Affairs Lobbyist, Public Citizen
	Craig Holman, Ph.D., is the government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen in Washington, D.C., focusing on money in politics and governmental ethics. Previously, Holman was Senior Policy Analyst at the Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law, and before that senior researcher at the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, California.
Sean Flynn, General Counsel, Washington Public Disclosure Commission
	Sean has worked at the PDC since 2018. Prior to joining the PDC, he served as nonpartisan legal counsel with the Washington State House of Representatives and appellate program manager at the Office of Public Defense. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sean is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Notre Dame Law School, and he clerked at the Washington and New Mexico supreme courts.
Moderator: Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections, Maryland State Board of Elections
	Jared DeMarinis is the Maryland State Administrator of Elections. He helped draft a law completely overhauling campaign finance laws in Maryland, and recently assisted in shepherding the passage of revamping of the public financing program for gubernatorial elections. Jared was one of the first in the nation to draft and pass regulations regarding the use of social media, deep fakes, Internet advertisements by campaign accounts, and political contributions by text message. He also helped draft legislation and regulations providing greater transparency and accountability with bot usage and avatars by political  committees, and funders of digital campaign ads.

Campaign Finance Update I 

10:20 AM - 11:40 AM

The Campaign Finance Updates remain a mainstay of the annual COGEL conference, with two sessions.  This session will focus on major court developments in campaign finance in the U.S. and Canada since the last conference. The panel will delve into high-profile enforcement actions, consider cutting edge challenges to campaign finance laws and identify emerging trends at the local, state, provincial and federal levels. The panel will weigh in on issues such as foreign money, money laundering, disclosure and third-party spending.  We invite active audience participation, including in an annual pro/con debate! The popular COGEL Campaign Finance Blue Book, with comprehensive documents provided in response to a questionnaire by COGEL members, will be available on the COGEL website as a professional resource and for your reading pleasure. 

Kevin Hancock, Director of Strategic Litigation, Campaign Legal Center
	Kevin P. Hancock is Director, Strategic Litigation at Campaign Legal Center, where he litigates campaign finance, voting rights, and redistricting cases. He previously served at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Federal Programs Branch and the Federal Election Commission, where he was Acting Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Senior Counsel to Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub.
Greg Mueller, Litigation Attorney, Federal Election Commission
	Greg Mueller is an attorney in the Litigation Division at the Federal Election Commission.  He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and San Francisco State University.
Dorothy Rice, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Nova Scotia
	Dorothy Rice is Chief Electoral Officer in Nova Scotia Canada and is responsible for all operational, financial and regulatory aspects at Election Nova Scotia.  Dorothy joined the organization as Director of Electoral Finance in 2011, and held the position of Chief Financial Officer before her appointment as Chief Electoral officer in November 2022.   Dorothy holds a FCPA in Nova Scotia (Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant).
Moderator: Jason Kaune, Senior Partner, Nielsen Merksamer
	Jason Kaune leads the firm’s Political Law section and advises clients about the unique and complex laws at the intersection of the public and private sectors in the United States. For nearly twenty-five years, Mr. Kaune has specialized in government ethics, elections, lobbying disclosure, conflicts of interest, and campaign finance laws of federal, state and local governments.  He chairs the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Election Law and teaches political ethics at Yale.

Here today, Gone Tomorrow: The Promise of Digital Political Ad Archives 

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

Digital political ads are not only an ever-increasing share of spending in elections but also provide unique challenges, both for the public seeking information about those ads and for campaign finance regulators trying to enforce the law. One particularly promising tool for addressing these challenges is a government-hosted digital political ad archive. This panel of experts will discuss the potential role of these ad archives and how they could function as part of a disclosure regime, and there will also be a demonstration of developing software for digital political ad archives specifically. Come ready to discuss both the policy and your questions about the software following its demonstration.

Richard Miadich, Chair, California Fair Political Practices Commission
	Richard C. Miadich is the Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, appointed by Governor Newsom in 2019. His focus as Chair has been improving transparency and enhancing public engagement. He previously was the managing partner with Olson, Hagel & Fishburn LLP focusing on litigation matters and assisted in the firm’s political advising.
Daniel G. Newman, President & Co-Founder, MapLight
	Daniel G. Newman is President & Co-Founder of MapLight, a nonpartisan nonprofit creating innovative campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics disclosure software to support cities and states. Newman, who has led MapLight since its founding in 2005, was named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in business and has led the organization to numerous awards including a James Madison Freedom of Information Award and a Library Journal Best Reference Award.
Elizabeth Shimek, Senior Legal Counsel of Campaign Finance, Campaign Legal Center
	Elizabeth Shimek serves as Senior Legal Counsel, Campaign Finance at Campaign Legal Center. Elizabeth’s work includes collaborating with state and local policymakers and advocates to advance innovative campaign finance policies, regulatory affairs, and campaign finance litigation. Prior to joining CLC, she served as Chief of Staff to Representative Greta Neubauer in the Wisconsin State Assembly for four years and as an attorney specializing in political and government law at Maistelman & Associates in Milwaukee, WI.
Jesse Schaffer, Director of Special Compliance, New York City Campaign Finance Board
	Jesse Schaffer directs the New York City CFB's Special Compliance unit, which handles investigations, independent expenditures, and enforcement of the City's strong pay-to-play program. Prior to his 11 years at CFB, Jesse helped shape the pay-to-play law and was responsible for setting up the City's Doing Business Database that now contains 25,000 individuals covered by the law.
Moderator: Patrick Llewellyn, Director of State Campaign Finance, Campaign Legal Center
	Patrick Llewellyn is Director, State Campaign Finance at Campaign Legal Center, where he directs CLC’s work with state and local stakeholders and policymakers to advance innovative campaign finance policies. Previously, he was a public interest litigator at Public Citizen Litigation Group and the Civil Rights Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center.

Who Needs Winks and Nods When You’ve Got Twitter? Regulating Coordinated Spending in the Social Media Era

3:40 PM - 5:00 PM

Contribution limits have long served as an important regulatory tool to combat corruption and its appearance, and rules prohibiting coordination with super PACs and other groups that aren’t subject to contribution limits are critical to preventing their circumvention. But in an era of instantaneous public communication through social media and other digital platforms, how can coordination rules be developed and enforced to meaningfully prevent super PACs and other “independent” groups – along with the special interests financing them – from coordinating with (and thus effectively underwriting) candidates and political parties? This panel features experts from a variety of backgrounds to discuss different perspectives on how regulators should approach emerging coordination issues, including “redboxing.”

Mike Wittenwyler, Attorney, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
	Mike Wittenwyler is an administrative and regulatory attorney at Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., and the lead attorney in the firm’s Political Law Group. Splitting his time between Madison, Wisconsin and Washington D.C., he advises businesses, trade associations, and other organizations on their interactions with government - local, state, and federal.  Mike works with clients each day on campaign finance, election law, ethics and lobbying regulation, and the tax regulation of political and lobbying activities.
Jodi Cooke, Executive Director of Electoral Finance, Elections BC
	Jodi Cooke is the Executive Director, Electoral Finance at Elections British Columbia. She has been with Elections BC since 2005, in a variety of different roles supporting campaign finance compliance. Jodi is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a certificated Project Management Professional (PMP).
Jordana Greenwald, General Counsel, Philadelphia Board of Ethics
	Jordana L. Greenwald is currently the General Counsel of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics and has been part of the Board’s staff since 2019. Prior to joining the Board, Jordana was a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Regional Solicitor in Philadelphia. Jordana is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (B.A.) and Temple University Beasley School of Law (J.D.).
Moderator: Saurav Ghosh, Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform, Campaign Legal Center
	Saurav Ghosh, Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform at Campaign Legal Center (CLC). Saurav leads CLC’s efforts to reform, strengthen, and enforce federal campaign finance laws. Before joining CLC, Saurav served in the Enforcement Division of the Federal Election Commission’s Office of General Counsel. Saurav received his law degree from Stanford Law School (J.D.), and his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.).

Pursuing Political Transparency in Furtherance of the First Amendment: Tips from the Trenches

10:20 AM - 11:50 AM

It’s no secret that the Supreme Court has taken a skeptical if not outright hostile view of laws that regulate the role of money in our political system. Perhaps most well known is the Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC, in which the Court held, by a narrow majority, that the First Amendment establishes a constitutional right of corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts independently to influence elections. But in that same decision, a nearly sweeping majority of the justices also recognized a countervailing First Amendment interest among the people in being informed about where political spending is coming from, and upheld laws requiring political spending to be transparent. More than a decade later, the makeup of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts has shifted in a more conservative direction. And these shifts invariably lead to questions about whether the legal, jurisprudential support for political transparency rules remains as strong as it was among the eight justices who authored the part of the Citizens United opinion reaffirming the constitutionality of federal campaign finance disclosure rules.
Join this informative and interactive discussion among a panel of experts who have been on the front lines advocating for, enacting, enforcing, and defending disclosure laws amid the current legal landscape. We will cover a variety of topics including the scope of constitutional support for campaign finance transparency laws; new legislative and regulatory approaches we are seeing to ensure that our federal, state, and local campaign finance systems are transparent; and the arguments being raised to challenge and defend these laws.

Sean Flynn, General Counsel, Washington Public Disclosure Commission
	Sean has worked at the PDC since 2018. Prior to joining the PDC, he served as nonpartisan legal counsel with the Washington State House of Representatives and appellate program manager at the Office of Public Defense. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sean is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Notre Dame Law School, and he clerked at the Washington and New Mexico supreme courts.
Terry Goddard, former Arizona Attorney General
	Terry Goddard is a former Arizona Attorney General and Mayor of Phoenix.  He led the Stop Dark Money initiative approved by 72% of Arizona voters in 2022.  Terry is a lawyer in private practice in Phoenix and President of the Central Arizona Project, a water delivery system.
Megan McAllen, Director of Campaign Finance Litigation, Campaign Legal Center
	Megan McAllen is Director of Campaign Finance Litigation at Campaign Legal Center, where she focuses on campaign finance law and policy. Ms. McAllen litigates a broad range of money-in-politics issues in state and federal courts across the country, and also has expertise on topics related to administrative law, government ethics, lobbying, and political transparency. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Princeton University.
Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections, Maryland State Board of Elections
	Jared DeMarinis is the Maryland State Administrator of Elections. He helped draft a law completely overhauling campaign finance laws in Maryland, and recently assisted in shepherding the passage of revamping of the public financing program for gubernatorial elections. Jared was one of the first in the nation to draft and pass regulations regarding the use of social media, deep fakes, Internet advertisements by campaign accounts, and political contributions by text message. He also helped draft legislation and regulations providing greater transparency and accountability with bot usage and avatars by political committees, and funders of digital campaign ads.
Moderator: Erin Chlopak, Senior Director of Campaign Finance, Campaign Legal Center
	Erin Chlopak is Senior Director of Campaign Finance at Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to advance democracy through law. She previously led the Policy Division and a litigation team in the Federal Election Commission’s Office of General Counsel. Erin has been a regular participant in the COGEL conference for several years and previously served on the COGEL program planning committee.

Campaign Finance Update II: Legislative and Regulatory Update: Tips from the Trenches

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

What are the top developments in campaign finance?  Join this popular and engaging session for quick hits on the key legislative and regulatory changes from the U.S. and Canada.  If you are looking to cross check your understanding of the latest news and trends in campaign finance regulation, this is the session for you.  We will also share the popular COGEL Campaign Finance Blue Book.

Neven Stipanovic, Federal Election Commission, Assoc. General Counsel for Policy
	Neven Stipanovic currently leads the Federal Election Commission’s Policy Division and has worked at the Commission in various roles since 2008. Previously, he worked in private practice in Washington, D.C. He received his J.D. from the George Washington University, and his B.S. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Josée Villeneuve, Senior Director, Political Financing, Elections Canada
	Josée Villeneuve is the Senior Director, Political Financing, at Elections Canada, responsible for the administration of the political financing program and the registration of political entities. Josée holds a law degree from the University of Montréal and a post-graduate degree in management from l’École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Montréal. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor.
Aaron McKean, Legal Counsel, State and Local Reform, Campaign Legal Center
	Aaron McKean serves as Legal Counsel, State and Local Reform for the Campaign Legal Center.  Prior to joining CLC, Aaron was a legislative attorney at the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, a nonpartisan legislative service agency.
Moderator: Darrin Lim, Co-Founder and Partner, Politicom Law LLP
	Darrin Lim is Co-Founder and Partner of Politicom Law, a political compliance firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.  He is Co-Chair of this year’s COGEL Conference and received the organization’s Outstanding Service Award in 2021.

Roadmaps & Pitfalls of Public Financing Programs

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Clean elections . . . an inspiring and noble premise shared by many elected officials, candidates, voters, open government groups, and the public.  What kind of public financing programs are out there?  Do they work?  How are they funded?  Are there violations and what kind of enforcement actions/penalties occur?  Are they under attack?  If you are interested in or administer a public financing program in your jurisdiction, come to this session to learn from our panel of experts about operations and pitfalls of their programs so that you can become more well versed in this area with tips on running a good program.

Jonathan Wayne, Executive Director, Maine Clean Elections Act Program
	Since 2003, Jonathan Wayne has been the Executive Director of the Maine Ethics Commission, which is the campaign finance and lobbyist disclosure agency for the State of Maine.
Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission
	Wayne Barnett has served for nearly 20 years as Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.  Prior to joining Seattle’s Ethics and Elections Commission, Barnett was a staff counsel at the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for three years and an associate at a Boston law firm for several years.  He received a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University in 1990, and graduated with honors from New York University Law School in 1996.
Ethan Watson, City Clerk, City of Albuquerque
	Ethan Watson is the City Clerk for Albuquerque, overseeing the Public Financing Program, Ethics, Lobbying, and FOIA responses. Under his leadership, the Public Financing Program has thrived, gaining popularity among candidates and voters. Before joining the Clerk's Office, Watson worked as an attorney, representing State entities and school districts. He earned his BA from Emory University in 2006 and his J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2011.
Alyson Heimer, Executive Director, New Haven Democracy Fund (NHDF)
	Alyson Heimer has been the Executive Director of the New Haven Democracy Fund (NHDF) since 2014. The Democracy Fund was created in 2007 and is the only municipal public campaign finance program in the state of Connecticut. The Fund serves mayoral candidates using a hybrid model, offering both a grant and matching funds for qualified contributions. Heimer has a background in campaign finance and elections management as well as project coordination, data analysis and public communications. Since graduating from the American University in Paris she has served at all levels of government from local boards and commissions to the United Nations.
Moderator: Tom Collins, Executive Director, Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission
	Tom Collins is the Executive Director of the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, a non-partisan agency that administers the state's public campaign finance, campaign finance disclosure, and voter education programs. Collins is an attorney who previously served as an Assistant Arizona Attorney General in the Solicitor General's Office where he advised clients and litigated election law matters on behalf of Clean Elections and the Secretary of State, among other duties. He has a J.D. and a B.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona. He clerked for Arizona Supreme Court justices Scott Bales and Michael Ryan.

Personal Piggy Bank?  Case Studies and Grey Areas with the Personal Use of Campaign Funds

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

This breakout session delves into the intricate landscape of campaign finance laws and limitations on the use of campaign funds.  Expert panelists will dissect case studies, shedding light on potential grey areas and the permissible use of remaining funds, offering insights and ethical considerations for officeholders navigating the intersection between campaign finance and personal usage restrictions.

Ashley Kemp, Executive Director, Oklahoma Ethics Commission
	Ashley Kemp is the Executive Director at the Oklahoma State Ethics Commission. She is the Co-Chair of this year's COGEL Conference.
Sean Flynn, General Counsel, Washington Public Disclosure Commission
	Sean has worked at the PDC since 2018. Prior to joining the PDC, he served as nonpartisan legal counsel with the Washington State House of Representatives and appellate program manager at the Office of Public Defense. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sean is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Notre Dame Law School, and he clerked at the Washington and New Mexico supreme courts.
Saurav Ghosh, Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform, Campaign Legal Center
	Saurav Ghosh, Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform at Campaign Legal Center (CLC). Saurav leads CLC’s efforts to reform, strengthen, and enforce federal campaign finance laws. Before joining CLC, Saurav served in the Enforcement Division of the Federal Election Commission’s Office of General Counsel. Saurav received his law degree from Stanford Law School (J.D.), and his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.).
Moderator: Ken Gross, Senior Counsel and Consultant, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
	Ken Gross is a nationally recognized expert in campaign finance, lobby disclosure, and gift compliance. Formerly, he was the Associate General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission, where he headed enforcement.

Elections Under Threat

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

Many high-profile election deniers may have lost their races in 2022, but the threats they represent to the future of our democracy remain. Some of these failed candidates are being put in charge of state party committees that will play a role in recruiting candidates and campaign spending decisions. In other states legislators are passing restrictive voting laws and local election officials are meddling in the basic functions of election administration. As we head into the 2024 election season, what are the ongoing threats to our democracy? How can we protect election workers to ensure that our elections run smoothly? And are there legal and constitutional tools that we can use to ensure that election deniers do not co-opt our democracy?     

Anton Boegman, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC
	Anton Boegman is the Chief Electoral Officer at Elections British Columbia. He has been with Elections BC since March 2004. Prior to joining Elections BC, Anton worked privately as a consultant, and for a variety of organizations including the Department of National Defence and Royal Roads University. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, has an MBA, is a certified project management professional (PMP), and a former Treasurer of COGEL.
Angie Pitha, Project Lead, Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN)
	In her role as Project Lead of the Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN), a project of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, Angie Pitha amplifies the growing need for legal protection and communications support for election officials across the United States. She leads the EOLDN team in its mission of matching election officials with pro bono legal and communications help. The EOLDN audience includes national, state, local, and tribal legal and election communities, nonprofit partners, the media, and the public. Angie brings two decades of legal marketing, business development, and hands-on election experience to her role.
Daniel Weiner, Director Elections and Government, Brennan Center for Justice
	Daniel Weiner directs the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program. He leads work on campaign finance, government ethics, voting and elections, and other democracy and rule of law issues. He previously served as senior counsel to a commissioner at the U.S. Federal Election Commission and as a litigator in private practice.
Moderator: Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Ontario
	Greg Essensa was appointed Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) with the unanimous consent of the Legislature in June 2008. Mr. Essensa has over 30 years of municipal, provincial and international election experience. Over the years, he took on positions of increasing scope and responsibility, and prior to his appointment as CEO he served as the Director of Elections and Registry Services for the City of Toronto.

Elections Update 

10:20 AM - 11:50 AM

An indispensable update session if you are involved in or have a particular interest in elections!  Learn about recent (and sometimes controversial) developments in election laws, court challenges, charges laid and judicial decisions in the U.S. and Canada in 2023.  This panel also explores the continuing developments related to modernization, innovation, digital warfare and information integrity as we head into 2024 elections!

Tammy Patrick, CEO of Programs, The Election Center
	Chief Executive Officer for Programs at the Election Center, Tammy Patrick has been working in the election administration space since 2003--most recently as the Senior Advisor to the Elections Program at Democracy Fund. In 2013 she was selected by President Obama to serve as a commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. She has testified on election administration policies multiple times in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and in numerous state legislatures on behalf of members of both parties. She has been an active member of the Election Center’s Legislative and Postal Committees. She elevates the election official perspective in the media and by serving as a member of numerous boards of advisors and steering committees.
Yvonne Koehn, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer (Corporate Services), Elections BC
	Yvonne Koehn is the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Corporate Services at Elections BC. She has been in that role since 2018, and with Elections BC since 2000. Yvonne is an IT professional with an excellent understanding of electoral operations, who has dedicated her entire career to public service. Yvonne continues to use her strategic planning and project management skills as well as her IT expertise to help Elections BC realize a vision of improved accessibility and enhanced electoral services. Her role has included chairing pan-Canadian working groups with an eye to sharing knowledge and innovation across the country covering technology, processes and procedures.
Moderator: Lalitha Flach, Assistant Chief Electoral Officer/Chief Operating Officer, Elections Ontario
	Supporting Elections Ontario as the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Operating Officer since 2014, Lalitha Flach has been working in government for more than 25 years. She attended McMaster University for her undergraduate degree where she studied Political Science and History and has completed her Executive MBA at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.

Transformational or terrifying? Will AI help or hinder election administrators? 

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Emerging AI tools, from chatbots to botnets, have the potential to help agencies innovate in how they communicate and serve voters. But are they a solution or a major problem? In this interactive session discuss the pros and cons of using AI, featuring real examples and case studies.

Laura Bentley, Deputy Clerk, City of Kelowna
	Laura Bentley has been the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Kelowna since 2020. She joined the City in 2014 as an urban planner, having worked as a planning consultant before moving into local government. As Deputy City Clerk, she manages the operations of the Office of the City Clerk, including legislative services, records management, freedom of information, protection of privacy, and voting opportunities. She was the Chief Election Officer for the 2022 municipal election and a by-election in 2021. Laura holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria.
Shana M. Broussard, Commissioner, Federal Election Commission
	Commissioner Broussard of Louisiana joined the Commission in 2008 as an attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Office of General Counsel. In 2015, she was assigned on detail as Counsel for Commissioner Steven T. Walther, advising the Commissioner during his tenure as Chair in 2017 and continuing in that role until her own appointment as Commissioner. Commissioner Broussard previously was an Attorney Advisor at the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Professional Responsibility, and Deputy Disciplinary Counsel at the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board. She also worked as a New Orleans Assistant District Attorney, and was appointed in that role to the Violent Offenders Strike Force. Commissioner Broussard is a proud alumna of two historically black universities (HBCUs), earning her B.A. from Dillard University and her J.D. cum laude from Southern University Law Center.
Moderator: Dan Posey, Director, Voter Services, Elections BC
	Daniel Posey is the Director, Voter Services at Elections British Columbia in Canada. He has worked in election administration since 2016. Starting in a frontline operational role, he gained experience as a policy analyst researching disinformation and supporting legislative change for Elections BC’s modernized voting model. Dan currently manages the Provincial Voters List and public facing communications received through Elections BC’s contact centre. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria, and has an MA in History.

Make it Make Sense: Effective Investigative Report Writing

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

You’ve completed your investigation, you’ve gathered all your facts. Now it’s time to organize those facts and make them make sense. Join us for this interactive workshop where we will discuss best practices for writing clear and effective investigative reports.

Garritt Kelly, Legal Investigator, Connecticut Office of State Ethics
	Garritt retired as a Police Detective Sergeant in 2013. Garritt then took an assignment with the Connecticut Office of Statewide Bar Counsel where he investigated lawyer misconduct from 2014 to 2022. Garritt has been in his current position with the Office of State Ethics since May of 2022.
Dawn Widman, Investigator, City of Detroit Board of Ethics
	Dawn Widman is the first Investigator for the City of Detroit’s Board of Ethics. She has 40 years of multi-level law enforcement experience, having retired as a Deputy Special Agent in Charge from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, as one of the first of four women hired as a field agent in the Eastern District of Michigan. Educationally, she continues her ongoing investigative training to maintain her skills and knowledge and has a J.D., a M.S. in Clinical Psychology, a M.A. in Management, and a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Moderator: Morgan Hill, Special Investigator, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Morgan Hill is an Investigator with the Missouri Ethics Commission with ten years’ experience conducting administrative, civil and criminal investigations.

Enforcement Update 2023: Trends, Challenges and Charges in Enforcements and Investigations

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

This highly anticipated session examines the leading trends and emerging developments in investigations and enforcement actions across all the COGEL disciplines and all levels of government.  Hear highlights from the COGEL Enforcement Survey and what to expect in 2023 enforcement trends.  Most importantly, come and share what’s new in your agency in investigation and enforcements!

Genevieve Currie, Director of Investigations and Counsel, Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario
	Genevieve Currie is Director of Investigations and Counsel for the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario. Previously, she was Ombudsman Investigations Counsel for the City of Toronto Ombudsman, General Counsel to Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman, Counsel to the Ontario Ombudsman, an Assistant Crown Attorney and a litigator with McCarthy Tétrault. Genevieve has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators since 2020. She was called to the bar in 2001, after clerking for the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Kenneth Hardy, Director of Enforcement, Los Angeles City Ethics Commission
	Kenneth leads the Enforcement Division of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, which investigates and administratively prosecutes suspected violations of City of Los Angeles law relating to governmental ethics, lobbying, and campaign financing. Kenneth has many years of experience providing legal advice to California counties and cities on ethics and open government laws, and in representing agencies in administrative proceedings and litigation.
Anne Robinson, Assistant General Counsel, Federal Election Commission
	Anne Robinson is currently an Assistant General Counsel in the Enforcement Division of the Office of General Counsel at the Federal Election Commission.  Previously, Anne served as an Enforcement attorney and as counsel to former Commissioner Steven T. Walther at the Federal Election Commission.  She received a B.A. in Political Science from Pepperdine University and her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.
Moderator: Erin Lama, Partner, Politicom Law
	Erin Lama is a partner with Politicom Law LLP. Ms. Lama guides clients through federal, state and local lobby reporting, campaign finance, “pay-to-play,” governmental ethics and conflict of interest matters.  Ms. Lama plays a key role on the Politicom Law team with the development and administration of comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional political compliance programs, including compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) as well as with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA).

Preparing the Case I: Best Practices in Writing Complaints, Gathering Evidence, Interviewing Witnesses, and Drafting Settlement Agreements 

10:20 AM - 11:40 AM

In this first of a two-part session, panelists will offer their insights and engage with you on effectively executing several fundamental aspects of enforcement matters. Strategies and techniques shared at this session will help you make your best case should you go to trial. Whether you are an investigator or an attorney, this panel will help you to find ways to lock in evidence, and to win the case before trial.

Morgan Hill, Special Investigator, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Morgan Hill is an Investigator with the Missouri Ethics Commission with ten years’ experience conducting administrative, civil and criminal investigations.
Dawn Widman, Investigator, City of Detroit Board of Ethics
	Dawn Widman is the first Investigator for the City of Detroit’s Board of Ethics. She has 40 years of multi-level law enforcement experience, having retired as a Deputy Special Agent in Charge from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, as one of the first of four women hired as a field agent in the Eastern District of Michigan. Educationally, she continues her ongoing investigative training to maintain her skills and knowledge and has a J.D., a M.S. in Clinical Psychology, a M.A. in Management, and a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Omar Ashmawy, Staff Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Congressional Ethics, United States House of Representatives
	Omar Ashmawy is the Staff Director and Chief Counsel with the Office of Congressional Ethics. Omar previously completed eight years of active duty service in the United States Air Force assigned to the Judge Advocate General Corps. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Mark Wasielewski, Ethics Enforcement Officer, Connecticut Office of State Ethics
	Mark E. Wasielewski is currently the Ethics Enforcement Officer of the Connecticut Office of State Ethics (OSE) and has worked at the OSE since 2006.  He received a B.A. from Tufts University, a M.A. in Economics from Trinity College, and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. In his free time, Mark serves on the Board of the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.

3:40 PM - 5:00 PM

Join us for an informative walkthrough session highlighting best practices in enforcement, placing a strong emphasis on education. Delve into the critical processes once counsel receives a case, proper procedure, legal standards, discovery, settlement vs hearings, etc. 

Brian Hamilton, General Counsel, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Brian Hamilton is the General Counsel for the Missouri Ethics Commission. Mr. Hamilton oversees the planning, direction, and coordination of the Commission’s legal actions. He also provides legal representation as well as legal advice to the Commission.
Brian Earll, Deputy General Counsel, Missouri State Highway Patrol
	Brian Earll is a government attorney with a practice that has largely focused on administrative law at the state level, including ethics, open records, and personnel matters.

Small Fish, Big Fish, and Owning the Pond: Building Effective Enforcement Strategies

10:45 AM - 11:50 AM

In this highly anticipated panel, experienced enforcement attorneys will discuss how to develop principled frameworks for imposing penalties against those in the regulated community who violate the law, and for bringing the regulated community into compliance. Panelists will offer insights on how to enforce the law with consistency and with the judicious use of discretion, at the division level.

Galena West, Executive Director, California Fair Political Practices Commission
	Galena West is the Executive Director of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Chief of Enforcement, Senior Commission Counsel for the Enforcement Division, and Commission Counsel for the Legal Division. She has been with the agency for over 20 years.
Michael Cooke, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs and Deputy Senior Counsel, The Pew Charitable Trusts
	Michael J. Cooke is a Senior Officer and Deputy Senior Counsel at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where, as part of Pew’s in-house counsel team, he specializes in providing guidance on lobbying and government ethics compliance. Prior to join Pew, Mr. Cooke was the General Counsel for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics from 2019 through 2022 and, from 2008 to 2019, the Board’s Director of Enforcement. Mr. Cooke was formerly an associate at the Philadelphia firm Burke O’Neil LLC and a Staff Attorney at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project.
Joseph Gallagher, Interim General Counsel, NYC Campaign Finance Board
	Joseph Gallagher is the Interim General Counsel at the NYC Campaign Finance Board.  He and his colleague, Caitlin Toto, recently coauthored the article Debating Debates: A Discussion of the NYC Campaign Finance Board’s Eligibility Requirements for Citywide Elections in the Fordham Urban Law Journal. Prior to joining the CFB, Joseph worked as an Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. He holds a B.S. from the City University of New York, an M.F.A. from Yale University, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
Stephanie N. McCord, General Counsel, Oklahoma Ethics Commission
	Stephanie N. McCord has served the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for 9 years in various capacities, including Director of Compliance and, currently, the General Counsel. Stephanie received a B.B.A. in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from the University of Oklahoma and her J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Moderator: TJ Jones, Member, Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board (CT)
.	Thomas Jones (“TJ”) is currently a consultant and an instructor on government accountability at the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy. Over the years he has worked for, or with, several state ethics bodies. He received his BA in Music Composition from Amherst College, and his JD from the University of Virginia.

Embracing Innovation: Top 10 Training Upgrades for Ethics Commissions by Ethics Commissions

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Following interviews with state and local ethics commissions across the U.S., Campaign Legal Center will unveil the new edition of its Top 10 report. The report features commissions that have adopted education and training upgrades with significant return on minimal financial investments. These wide-ranging upgrades include state-of-the-art learning management systems, the integration of training into enforcement, and taking ethics lessons to TikTok. Panelists from featured commissions will discuss their highlighted innovations with authors from CLC. The discussion will also include tips for easy implementation, so come with questions and join the conversation about these key upgrades.

Kedric Payne, Vice President, General Counsel, and Senior Director, Ethics, Campaign Legal Center
	Kedric Payne is General Counsel and Senior Director of Ethics at Campaign Legal Center in Washington, DC.  He is the former deputy chief counsel of the Office of Congressional Ethics and has specialized in political law for nearly twenty years in government and private practice.
Ashley Cooks, Director of the Office of Government Ethics, District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability
	Ashley Cooks is currently the Director of the Office of Government Ethics at the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability and has served at the agency in various roles since 2015. She has been a member of COGEL since 2018. She received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Southern University A&M and her J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia.
Alex Kipp, Director of Education and Engagement, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
	Alex Kipp is Director of Education & Engagement at the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board where he leads a team that teaches classes, creates videos, print, social media, and eLearning content and conducts lots and lots of webinars for New York City’s 325,000+ public servants. His work has been described by at least one elected official as “impeccably deranged,” which, Alex hopes, is supposed to be a compliment.
Delaney Marsco, Senior Legal Counsel, Ethics, Campaign Legal Center
	Delaney Marsco is Senior Legal Counsel, Ethics at Campaign Legal Center, where she works on ethics watchdog and policy reform efforts at all levels of government. Her watchdog work has led to numerous investigations into ethics violations by members of Congress and senior executive branch appointees, and her expertise is regularly relied on for ethics reform legislation.

Unlocking Synergy: Transforming Public Service with Academic Collaboration

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Distinguished panelists, representing a blend of academic expertise and practitioner experience, will delve into the realm of academic partnerships and their profound impact on effectuating change.

The panelists will explore the synergy between academic research and practical application, emphasizing the importance of academic-practitioner collaboration and dissemination of research findings. They will discuss topics such as optimizing the utilization of academic research for small offices, examining the connection between academic teaching and shaping effective public policies, finding transparency in campaign finance research, and the challenges of overregulation in public service. The discussion will provide valuable insights for those seeking to initiate partnerships, harness academic resources, and navigate the collaboration landscape.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experts at the intersection of academia and public service.

U.S. Army Major (Retired) Chase Spears, Doctoral Candidate, Kansas State University
	Chase Spears recently concluded a 20-year career as a military public affairs officer, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Kansas State University. His dissertation work explores institutional narratives and the impact of unofficial organizational norms on internal stakeholders. In addition to writing on military affairs, he currently teaches public relations and crisis communication at Spurgeon College in Kansas City, Missouri, and Classical Composition at St. Giles Christian Academy in Leavenworth, Kansas. Chase received a B.S. in Telecommunications from Lee University, an M.S. in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, an MPS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from Georgetown University, and an MMAS in General Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Anne-Sophie St-Gelais, Communications and Institutional Relations Advisor, Office of the Ethics Commissioner of the Quebec National Assembly
	Anne-Sophie is a Communications and Institutional Relations Advisor in the office of the Ethics Commissioner of the Quebec National Assembly since 2020. In this role, she collaborates with various stakeholders and with the academic community to strengthening understanding of the role of institutions working in the field of public integrity. She has a master’s degree in Public Affairs - International Public Management.
Ian Stedman, Assistant Professor, York University
	Ian Stedman is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University in Toronto. Called to the bar in Ontario, Canada in 2009, Ian spent time practicing law and also working at the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario before he returned to obtain his LLM and PhD in law. Ian is particularly interested in interrogating how technologies (both old and new) can play a role in helping to improve public sector transparency and accountability.
Abby Wood, Professor, USC Gould School of Law
	Abby Wood is a Professor of Law, Political Science, and Public Policy at University of Southern California. She is also a commissioner on the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Wood studies the effects of ethics laws. Recent papers analyze the impacts of campaign finance deregulation on the racial wealth gap, negativity in anonymous political advertising, and the informational benefits of campaign finance disclosure laws.
Melanie Rushworth, Director of Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Canada
	Melanie Rushworth is responsible for developing and driving the strategic direction, underpinned by data analysis which is often used to increase transparency and meet the needs of key stakeholders, for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in Canada. With nearly 25-years of strategic communications experience, she is the champion of a team that provides strategic planning, parliamentary affairs, stakeholder engagement, internal and external communications, and editorial and corporate desktop publishing services for the Office.

How to Build Confidence in Public Institutions and Programs 

10:20 AM - 11:40 AM

Trust in public institutions has been under fire around the globe. What can you do to help build confidence in our institutions and programs? Hear from our panel about how to receive and handle criticism and change the conversation. 

Mark Skoglund, Executive Director, Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission
	Mark is an attorney who has served as Executive Director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission since 2017. Prior to joining the Ethics Commission, Mark provided nonpartisan research and budget analysis for the Kansas Legislature. Mark’s office has oversight over campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws.
Kedric Payne, General Counsel, Campaign Legal Center, Washington, DC
	Kedric Payne is General Counsel and Senior Director of Ethics at Campaign Legal Center in Washington, DC.  He is the former deputy chief counsel of the Office of Congressional Ethics and has specialized in political law for nearly twenty years in government and private practice.
Peter J. Lewandowski, Executive Director, Connecticut Office of State Ethics
	Peter has been the Executive Director of the CT Office of State Ethics for just over four years. He was tapped to serve in the top role in 2019 following 13 years of legal compliance work for the agency. Peter earned his juris doctorate from Indiana University Bloomington and has an extensive education background in ethics, philosophy, and religion.
Pierre Legault, Senate Ethics Officer / Conseiller sénatorial en éthique, Senate of Canada, Ottawa ON
	Pierre Legault is the Senate Ethics Officer of the Canadian Senate.  Prior to that, he was Associate Deputy Minister of the Canadian Department of Justice.
Ian Stedman, Assistant Professor, York University
	Ian Stedman is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University in Toronto. Called to the bar in Ontario, Canada in 2009, Ian spent time practicing law and also working at the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario before he returned to obtain his LLM and PhD in law. Ian is particularly interested in interrogating how technologies (both old and new) can play a role in helping to improve public sector transparency and accountability.

Ethics Update

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

For the latest developments in government ethics in the US and Canada, please attend this perennial favorite session. Our seasoned presenters, Paul Nick of the Ohio State Ethics Commission and Steve Berlin of the Chicago Board of Ethics, will talk about new laws, new advisory opinions, new enforcement actions, new technologies, and new organizational developments among COGEL’s many ethics members. Here’s your chance to raise your agency’s challenges up for your colleagues—undoubtedly you will learn things in this session that will help you in the coming year. This session works best when you share and participate!

Steve Berlin, Executive Director, City of Chicago Board of Ethics
	Steve Berlin has been the Executive Director of Chicago’s Board of Ethics since December 2008, and began his government career as the Board’s Deputy Director in 1993. He is a Past President of COGEL. He received his B.A. in History from Amherst College in 1980, his J.D. from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law in 1984, and his M.A. in Ethics from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School in 1991.
Paul Nick, Executive Director, Ohio Ethics Commission
	Paul M. Nick is currently the Executive Director of the Ohio Ethics Commission and has worked at the Commission in various roles since 1995.  He has been a member of COGEL for 27 years and has served as President and Treasurer.  He received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a B.S. in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University, and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
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Gifts Galore: Tips for Navigating Ethics Issues with Big Ticket Events 

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

As home to this year’s Super Bowl champions, it seems fitting that this Kansas City conference will delve into the compliance challenges with high-profile events like a national championship or a major convention.  We’ll also explore the complexity of cultural exchanges and other unique gifting situations.

Steve Berlin, Executive Director, Chicago Board of Ethics
	Steve Berlin has been the Executive Director of Chicago’s Board of Ethics since December 2008, and began his government career as the Board’s Deputy Director in 1993. He is a Past President of COGEL. He received his B.A. in History from Amherst College in 1980, his J.D. from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law in 1984, and his M.A. in Ethics from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School in 1991.
Robert Harris, Executive Director and General Counsel, Hawaii State Ethics Commission
	Robert Harris is the Executive Director and General Counsel to the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission and its roughly 60,000 state employees. He previously served as a Director of Policy for Sunrun and the Director of the Sierra Club, Hawai‘i Chapter. He received a B.A. from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in Environmental Science/Chemistry, and his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i.
Saundra Arberry, Deputy Registrar of Lobbyists, Saskatchewan Registrar of Lobbyists
	Saundra is currently the Deputy Registrar of Lobbyists and the Executive Operations Officer for the Saskatchewan Conflict of Interest Commissioner. She holds a BA from Simon Fraser University and an MBA from Royal Roads. She has been a member of COGEL since 2011.
Moderator: Adie Olson, Partner, Steptoe and Johnson LLP
	Adie is a political law attorney at Steptoe in Chicago. She advises corporations and organizations on compliance matters in the areas of campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and pay-to-play at the federal, state and local levels.

Unlocking the Power of Data and Generative AI: Transforming Analysis to maximize communications and problem solving

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

In this engaging panel discussion, esteemed expert Professor Alex Sevigny from McMaster University will be joined by Manon Dion from Lobbying Canada, and Michael O'Connell from the Detroit Ethics Office, to explore how data analytics, particularly Generative AI and other analysis tools, are reshaping small organizations in fields such as ethics and lobbying in support of business and educational outcomes. The panelists will showcase practical applications to elevate communications and problem-solving capabilities, such as uses of data, often hiding in plain sight, for tackling complex problems. Small organizations, in particular, must focus their energy and resources wisely, and data can serve as the tangible evidence needed to confirm the soundness of their decisions. Attendees will learn how to embrace these technologies for intelligent decision-making, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize their value in their own organization.

Manon Dion, Manager of Communications Services, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
	Manon Dion is Manager, Communications Services with the Office the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada. With over 20 years of communications experience, she leads a wide range of communication activities including strategic communications, media relations, and web and digital services for the Office. A firm believer in small changes leading to big impact, she supports compliance by leveraging analytics to identify opportunities for improving outcomes and increasing awareness of rules related to the transparent and ethical lobbying of government officials.
Michael O’Connell, Training Specialist, City of Detroit Board of Ethics
	Michael is the first Training Specialist for the City of Detroit Board of Ethics, where he focuses on data-driven solutions and the use of technology to implement outreach programs and engaging training. With a background in program development and education, he works to implement cutting-edge solutions to meet training needs for the benefit of the City of Detroit and the community at large.
Alex Sévigny, Associate Professor, McMaster University
	Dr. Alex Sévigny, APR, is a tenured associate professor of communications management at McMaster University, where he served as director of the master of communications management (MCM) program for nine years. He is an expert in artificial intelligence and its impact on the practice of professional communication. He teaches a course on data science, analytics and artificial intelligence for communications managers in the MCM program. He is just finishing a book on artificial intelligence and its impact on the practice, co-authored with Martin Waxman, APR, which will be released in 2024. Dr. Sévigny runs the Communications Management Research Lab at McMaster University and is Chief Examiner for the Accreditation in Public Relations Program of the Canadian Public Relations Society. He has also been an active consultant in communications management for the last 20 years in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Melanie Rushworth, Director of Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
	Melanie Rushworth is responsible for developing and driving the strategic direction, underpinned by data analysis which is often used to increase transparency and meet the needs of key stakeholders, for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in Canada. With nearly 25-years of strategic communications experience, she is the champion of a team that provides strategic planning, parliamentary affairs, stakeholder engagement, internal and external communications, and editorial and corporate desktop publishing services for the Office.

Deconstructing Ethics: Where we have been, where we are going

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

What do chefs and lawyers have in common? Everything! Just like chefs, our jam (pun intended) is to deconstruct the root of arguments. In this session, Erika Frank, Associate Executive Director of the California Lawyers Association, will deconstruct the trending ethical issues of the day to make tomorrow's ethical dilemmas a little more predictable. For attorneys attending this continuing education session, it has been designed to satisfy special “ethics” presentation requirements.

Erika Frank, Associate Executive Director, Sections Chief and General Counsel, California Lawyers Association

As a member of CLA’s Senior Executive Team, Erika Frank oversees 18 sections and their managers, including Human Resources. Over her twenty-year career, Erika has utilized her legal expertise in employment and labor law to benefit the non-profit and private sector alike. Erika also served General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs at the California Chamber of Commerce, the largest broad-based trade association in California. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received her Juris Doctorate Degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Hot Topics in FOI

10:20 AM - 11:40 AM

Panelists discuss emerging hot topics in FOI and their impact on open government. 

Liz Wagenseller, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
	Liz Wagenseller began serving as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) in January 2021. She leads all aspects of the independent, quasi-judicial agency that decides appeals of denied requests for records under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL).  The RTKL works to provide fair and legal access to local and state government records.
Jean Maneke, Principal, The Maneke Law Group
	Jean Maneke, with The Maneke Law Group, L.C., Kansas City, Mo., serves as counsel to the Missouri Press Association.  Formerly a journalist herself, she is an advocate for open government and First Amendment rights.  Her practice involves representing large and small media groups as well as other entities seeking access to public records.
Moderator: Brian Earll, Deputy General Counsel, Missouri State Highway Patrol
	Brian Earll is a government attorney with a practice that has largely focused on administrative law at the state level, including ethics, open records, and personnel matters.

The Fight for Access to Public Records: An Insider's View of How Major News Stories Come to Light

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

Open records laws are fundamental to the ability of journalists to gather information and inform the public. But holes in the laws, exceptions to disclosure, and resistance from officials are constant challenges that must be overcome. Hear from a panel of journalists covering state government, law enforcement, healthcare, and other topics, who will share their behind-the-scenes perspectives about how they meet those challenges and bring their stories to the public.

Allison Kite, Data Reporter, The Missouri Independent and Kansas Reflector
	Allison Kite is a data reporter for The Missouri Independent and Kansas Reflector, with a focus on energy, the environment and agriculture. A graduate of the University of Kansas, she previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star, as well as state government in both Topeka and Jefferson City.
Peggy Lowe, Investigative Reporter, KCUR 89.3
	Peggy Lowe is a veteran investigative reporter who came up through newspapers and moved to public media. Peggy's reporting helps the public understand the criminal justice system by focusing on its deeper issues, like institutional racism, the poverty-to-prison pipeline and police accountability. Peggy tells stories about people who are building significant civil rights movements and redefining public safety.
Jonathan Shorman, Lead Political Reporter, The Kansas City Star
	Jonathan is The Kansas City Star's lead political reporter, covering Kansas and Missouri politics and government. He previously covered the Kansas Statehouse for The Star and Wichita Eagle. He holds a journalism degree from The University of Kansas.
Moderator: Mark Horvit, Professor and Faculty Group Chair, University of Missouri School of Journalism
	Mark Horvit is a professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where he teaches investigative reporting, is director of the school’s State Government Reporting Program, and is the chair of the Journalism Professions faculty. Mark has served as executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR), where he conducted training in investigative reporting and data journalism throughout the world. Mark has 20 years of investigative journalism experience.

Cutting Through the Noise: Best Practices in FOI Compliance

3:40 PM - 5:00 PM

This panel will discuss an array of compliance topics, with panelists sharing their knowledge, experience, and resources to help attendees improve their own systems. Whether you are an open records novice or seasoned compliance professional, you will walk away from this presentation having learned something new to share with your team about compliance with open records requests. 

Kimberlee N. Ried, Management and Program Analyst/FOIA Advisory Committee ADFO, Office of Government Information Services, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives at Kansas City
	Kimberlee N. Ried is a management and program analyst for the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). She has been with the agency since 2003. She ensures federal agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act; manages communications for OGIS; and works to further government transparency through audits, assessment and policy formulation. In addition, she is an Alternate Designated Federal Official for the FOIA Advisory Committee on behalf of the National Archives. Prior to joining NARA she was a youth services librarian. She has a bachelor’s degree in history, with emphasis in sociology and cultural anthropology; an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science; and a master’s degree in communications. She holds certifications in nonprofit fundraising and in records management.
Casey Lawrence, Compliance and Education Specialist, Missouri Ethics Commission
.	Casey Lawrence is a recent addition to the MEC staff in November of 2022, but has over a decade of experience in records management and Missouri’s open records laws. She has her B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Central Missouri and her MPA from the University of Missouri.
Moderator: Tamara Smith, Assistant Attorney General, Open Records Division, Texas Office of the Attorney General
	Tamara Smith is an assistant attorney general at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas has been with the division since 2008.  She currently serves as Education and Coordinator for the Open Records Division.  Ms. Smith received her B.A. and J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in 2002 and 2005 respectively.

FOI Legislation and Litigation Update

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

This session explores legislative and litigation developments from the past year involving freedom of information.  It will present a comprehensive report on the issues and allow ample time for the audience to exchange information and insights from their own jurisdictions concerning government access.

David Goodis, Partner, INQ Law
	David Goodis is a partner at INQ Law, specializing in privacy and access. For over 30 years, David was a senior information and privacy lawyer with Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner. Most recently he held the role of assistant commissioner. He is an experienced litigator, having appeared at all levels of court in Ontario.
Kimberlee N. Ried, Management and Program Analyst/FOIA Advisory Committee ADFO, Office of Government Information Services, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives at Kansas City
	Kimberlee N. Ried is a management and program analyst for the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). She has been with the agency since 2003. She ensures federal agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act; manages communications for OGIS; and works to further government transparency through audits, assessment and policy formulation. In addition, she is an Alternate Designated Federal Official for the FOIA Advisory Committee on behalf of the National Archives. Prior to joining NARA she was a youth services librarian. She has a bachelor’s degree in history, with emphasis in sociology and cultural anthropology; an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science; and a master’s degree in communications. She holds certifications in nonprofit fundraising and in records management.
Mary-Kate Smith, Staff Attorney, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
	Mary-Kate Smith is a Staff Attorney at the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, an independent agency that adjudicates disputes and issues binding decisions regarding public access to government records and meetings.  In that role, Ms. Smith serves as a hearing officer, mediator, and appellate counsel.  Prior to her time at the Commission, Ms. Smith was a civil litigator with a focus on employee rights representing individuals in matters involving wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, workplace harassment and other similar claims.

FOI Roundtable

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

This session is your opportunity to join a lively and wide-ranging discussion about emerging government access issues.  Join your colleagues from all COGEL disciplines in this roundtable into freedom of information and how we make it work.

Colleen Murphy, Executive Director and General Counsel Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
	Colleen M. Murphy is the Executive Director and General Counsel of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, an independent agency that adjudicates disputes and issues binding decisions regarding public access to government records and meetings. Ms. Murphy is a frequent speaker at national, state and provincial programs on government transparency, privacy and data protections, and electronic information issues. She has served on the COGEL Steering Committee and was the proud recipient of COGEL’s Outstanding Service Award in 2018.
Thomas Hennick, Public Information Officer (retiree), State of Connecticut, Freedom of Information Commission
	Thomas Hennick was the Public Education Officer at the Freedom of Information Commission. In that role, Tom traveled around the state, conducting FOI seminars and workshops, educating members of the public as well as public officials about their rights and duties under the Act. He was a newspaper reporter and editor from 1976-2001. He is the former chairman of the Regional School District 13 Board of Education and a former member of the Board of Selectmen. He also is a member of the Nutmeg Financial MHC Board of Corporators. He is a 1972 graduate of the Taft School in Watertown, Ct. and a 1976 graduate of Brown University in Providence, R.I.

When Everyone Knows Everybody - Managing Influence Risks at the Local Level 

10:20 AM - 11:40 AM

Working for local government has many advantages, not least of which is the opportunity to build and improve local communities. But when your job requires you to regularly engage with people you (or your mother, brother, cousin or friend) may know, how do you ensure your actions serve the public? What policies and tools are needed to help mitigate risks of undue influence? And how can ethics authorities effectively promote and enforce these policies?

Informed by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development standards on public integrity, this session will unpack how measures on lobbying and influence, conflict of interest, and the revolving door can strengthen integrity in the policymaking process at a local level, and explore the institutional arrangements necessary to ensure these measures achieve the desired impact.

Karen Shepherd, Integrity Commissioner, Ottawa, Canada
Carlos Santiago, Deputy Ethics Office, Atlanta, United States
Carissa Munro, Anti-Corruption & Integrity Policy Analyst, OECD, Paris
	Carissa is an anti-corruption and integrity expert in the OECD’s Public Sector Integrity division, where she works with governments in designing, strengthening, and implementing policies for enhancing integrity and preventing corruption. Prior to joining the OECD, Carissa worked with Public Services and Procurement Canada to ensure integrity and oversight in public procurement. Carissa holds a master’s degree in Russian, Central and East European Studies from the University of Glasgow, U.K., and a master’s degree in Political Science from Corvinus University, Hungary. Her undergraduate degrees are from Ottawa’s Carleton University.
Moderator: Jean-François Routhier, Commissioner of Lobbying, Province of Québec Mr. Jean-François Routhier was appointed as Commissioner of Lobbying by the National Assembly on October 17, 2017 for a five-year term. From February 2015 to October 2017, Mr. Routhier was Associated Deputy Minister at the Ministère de la Justice, Direction générale des affaires juridiques et législatives. As Associate Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Routhier directed a large team principally dedicated to the principal functions of Attorney General, Notary General and Legal Advisor of the Gouvernement du Québec. From March 2007 to February 2015, Mr. Routhier was Director of Legal Affairs at the Autorité des marchés financiers. He began his career in 1996 in private practice as a lawyer and then as a partner in commercial and corporate law. Mr. Routhier holds a Law degree from Université Laval and has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1996.

Lobbying Update: U.S. and Canadian Federal, State, Provincial, and Local Lobbying Laws 

3:40 PM - 5:00 PM

Join us for the annual lobbying laws update – back to one session for federal, state, provincial, and local! Hear about updates and trends, implementation challenges and successes, and interact with the panel and fellow attendees on lobbying developments and the laws' positives and negatives.

Nancy Bélanger, Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
	Nancy Bélanger was appointed Commissioner of Lobbying in late 2017. Prior to her appointment, she was Deputy Commissioner, Legal Services and Public Affairs with the Office of the Information Commissioner, and she also spent six years as General Counsel with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Guy Giorno, Partner, Fasken
	Guy Giorno leads the Political Law practice of Fasken. He is co-author of the legal text Lobbying in Canada and a former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister.  He is an adjunct professor at Carleton University, teaching “Ethics in Political Management,” and on a part-time basis is the appointed "integrity commissioner" of several Ontario municipalities.
Jean-François Routhier, Commissioner of Lobbying, Province of Québec Mr. Jean-François Routhier was appointed as Commissioner of Lobbying by the National Assembly on October 17, 2017 for a five-year term. From February 2015 to October 2017, Mr. Routhier was Associated Deputy Minister at the Ministère de la Justice, Direction générale des affaires juridiques et législatives. As Associate Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Routhier directed a large team principally dedicated to the principal functions of Attorney General, Notary General and Legal Advisor of the Gouvernement du Québec. From March 2007 to February 2015, Mr. Routhier was Director of Legal Affairs at the Autorité des marchés financiers. He began his career in 1996 in private practice as a lawyer and then as a partner in commercial and corporate law. Mr. Routhier holds a Law degree from Université Laval and has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1996.
Moderator: Matthew Bobys, Counsel, Skadden
	Matthew Bobys is Counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Washington, D.C. He advises business clients across numerous industries on political law issues relating to government affairs and government procurement at the federal, state, and local levels, particularly on campaign finance, pay-to-play, lobbying, government ethics, gifts and entertainment, and conflict of interest laws. He repeatedly has been selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Creating the Most User Friendly Lobbying Reporting System Ever

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

A user-friendly lobbying reporting system makes stakeholders happy, lowers barriers to compliance, and improves public disclosures. In this multi-media presentation, we will share real -life examples of systems friendly and not-so-friendly and will examine the components of a successful system. We will go through the key questions to ask if you undertake an overhaul of your system and explore low budget fixes and how to effectively communicate with vendors. We will also discuss the role of training and how to balance built-in versus human support. Don’t miss this opportunity to make the lobbying world a better place!

Jean-François Routhier, Commissioner of Lobbying, Province of Québec
	Mr. Jean-François Routhier was appointed as Commissioner of Lobbying by the National Assembly on October 17, 2017 for a five-year term. From February 2015 to October 2017, Mr. Routhier was Associated Deputy Minister at the Ministère de la Justice, Direction générale des affaires juridiques et législatives. As Associate Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Routhier directed a large team principally dedicated to the principal functions of Attorney General, Notary General and Legal Advisor of the Gouvernement du Québec. From March 2007 to February 2015, Mr. Routhier was Director of Legal Affairs at the Autorité des marchés financiers. He began his career in 1996 in private practice as a lawyer and then as a partner in commercial and corporate law. Mr. Routhier holds a Law degree from Université Laval and has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1996.
Erin Lama, Partner, Politicom Law
	Erin Lama is a partner with Politicom Law LLP. Ms. Lama guides clients through federal, state and local lobby reporting, campaign finance, “pay-to-play,” governmental ethics and conflict of interest matters.  Ms. Lama plays a key role on the Politicom Law team with the development and administration of comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional political compliance programs, including compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) as well as with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA).
Danielle Gardner Wright, Director of Training & Outreach, Philadelphia Board of Ethics
	Danielle “Dani” Gardner Wright, Esq. serves as the Director of Training and Outreach for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics. Her work for the Board includes providing guidance and advice to City employees, officers, and external stakeholders, such as lobbyists and candidates for City elective office. She also is responsible for the Board’s education and training program where she creates, coordinates, and conducts training and develops educational resources. Dani is a graduate of Spelman College (B.A.), Chestnut Hill College (M.Ed.), and Villanova University School of Law (J.D.).
Moderator: Michael Cooke, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs and Deputy Senior Counsel, The Pew Charitable Trusts
	Michael J. Cooke is a Senior Officer and Deputy Senior Counsel at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where, as part of Pew’s in-house counsel team, he specializes in providing guidance on lobbying and government ethics compliance. Prior to join Pew, Mr. Cooke was the General Counsel for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics from 2019 through 2022 and, from 2008 to 2019, the Board’s Director of Enforcement. Mr. Cooke was formerly an associate at the Philadelphia firm Burke O’Neil LLC and a Staff Attorney at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project.

Boots on the Ground: The Tricky Laws with Grassroots and Procurement Lobbying

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Influencing governmental action continues to evolve, particularly with indirect attempts to lobby and sales activity.  This session explores how grassroots lobbying has exploded in recent years and whether reporting requirements are keeping pace.  This session also takes a closer look at governmental sales efforts and how disclosure requirements vary greatly throughout the country.

Amy Nicholson, Director of Operations, Indiana Lobbying Registration Commission
	Amy has been with the Commission for nearly 20 years and has seen the agency through the transformation of paper filings to a fully electronic filing system. She has complete knowledge of Indiana Lobby Law and the history of the agency as she has been there for many years of changes.
Stephanie Olivo, Director of Compliance, New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission
	Stephanie Olivo, Esq., is currently the Compliance Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission and has worked advising the regulated community and public on all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission since 2015.  She received her B.A. from Stockton University and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.
Stephen Littlejohn, Counsel, Inquiries and Investigations, Toronto Lobbyist Registrar’s Office
	Mr. Littlejohn, is the Inquiries & Investigations Counsel for the Toronto Lobbyist Registrar’s Office (the TLR) and is responsible for providing advice on compliance issues, conducting inquiries and investigations and developing policies and procedures to support the inquiries and investigations process for the largest municipal lobbyist registry system in Canada. He has a keen interest in administrative law with a particular focus on administrative investigations and prosecutions. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000 and is a long-standing member of the Canadian Bar Association's Administrative Law Section, Law of Lobbying and Ethics Committee and was most recently a Member-at-large of the National Executive Committee of the CBA Administrative Law Section.
Moderator: Adie Olson, Partner, Steptoe and Johnson LLP
	Adie is a political law attorney at Steptoe in Chicago. She advises corporations and organizations on compliance matters in the areas of campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and pay-to-play at the federal, state and local levels.

Building Relationships for Better Outcomes: Interactions with the Regulated Community

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Join us for an engaging Q&A session focused on navigating the complexities of representing the regulated community in areas such as campaign finance, lobbying, and conflict of interest. This session offers a platform to discuss your experiences and learn from industry experts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate landscape of these realms. 

Karl J. Sleight, Partner, Lippes Mathias
	Karl J. Sleight is a partner and member of Lippes Mathias LLP’s government & corporate investigations practice team. A former Executive Director of the New York State Ethics Commission, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Karl has testified before the New York State legislature and authored numerous op-eds in favor of ethics law reform and enforcement. Karl has also served as Special Counsel to the New York State Legislative Ethics Commission and represents individuals and companies involved in enforcement actions.
Stephanie Bell, Partner, Ellinger Bell
	Stephanie Bell is a partner at Ellinger Bell in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Her practice focuses on highly regulated industries – more specifically, election, utility, gaming, tax, and other state and local governmental disputes. Since co-founding the firm,  her practice has grown to include representation of statewide elected officials and Fortune 100 companies.   Stephanie regularly advises candidates, committees, political subdivisions, and other entities regarding campaign finance compliance.  Stephanie has served as the treasurer of multi-million-dollar political action committees and she has successfully defended clients against complaints filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Lucinda Luetkemeyer, Partner, Graves Garrett LLC
	Lucinda is a partner at Graves Garrett LLC in Kansas City, Missouri, where she regularly counsels clients on compliance with state and federal ethics and campaign finance laws, with experience advising candidates for state and federal office, statewide officials, members of Congress, political committees, and non-profits. A former chief counsel to the governor of Missouri, Lucinda represents clients facing investigations by the DOJ and FEC, as well as by state ethics agencies and attorneys general. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law.
Moderator: Brian Hamilton, General Counsel, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Brian Hamilton is the General Counsel for the Missouri Ethics Commission. Mr. Hamilton oversees the planning, direction, and coordination of the Commission’s legal actions. He also provides legal representation as well as legal advice to the Commission
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Come Together: Legislative Change, We Can Work It Out

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

It’s a long and winding road to achieve legislative change, but it can be done. The research, the consultations, the briefs, the drafting, the committee appearances. Hear how other agencies have successfully tackled the challenge.  Join a spirited discussion of tips and tricks to make it happen for you and your jurisdiction.

Nancy Bélanger, Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
	Nancy Bélanger was appointed Commissioner of Lobbying in late 2017. Prior to her appointment, she was Deputy Commissioner, Legal Services and Public Affairs with the Office of the Information Commissioner, and she also spent six years as General Counsel with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Kerrie Stillman, Executive Director, Florida Commission on Ethics
	Kerrie Stillman is currently the Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Ethics and has served in various roles at the agency since 1992. She is a former Co-Chair of COGEL’s Program Committee. She received a B.S. in Political Science and an M.S. in Communication from Florida State University.
Heather Ferguson, Director of State Operations, Common Cause
	Heather E. Ferguson is the Director of State Operations for Common Cause, a national non-partisan, pro-democracy organization founded in 1970. Her work focuses on their state offices across the country developing policy initiatives, managing legislative strategy, and media relations to advance the mission of the organization to build an ethical and clean government that works in the public interest. She graduated with honors from the University of California Los Angeles with a B.A. in Biogeography.
Lindsey Nakano, Senior Legislative Counsel, Fair Political Practices Commission of California
	Lindsey Nakano is Senior Legislative Counsel with the California Fair Political Practices Commission where she is the primary point of contact on legislative matters relating to subjects under the Commission’s jurisdiction, including campaign finance, financial conflicts of interest, lobbying regulation, and governmental ethics. She received a B.A. in Philosophy and Government From California State University, Sacramento, and a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco.
Moderator: Michelle Renaud, Manager of Communications and Outreach, Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario
	Michelle Renaud is Manager, Communications and Outreach at the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario. She has more than 20 years of government and public sector experience in Canada and internationally and has spent more than half that time working in government ethics, providing policy advice and leading communication and outreach activities on conflict of interest and ethics rules, lobbyist registration and whistleblowing. She holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs and has previously taught an ethics course at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration.

Catch and Release: A Discussion on Early Intervention and Compliance Efforts

10:20 AM - 11:50 AM

Violations of ethics laws range from minor to moderate to egregious, but should they be treated the same? This panel will explore tools and techniques used to effectively “catch” and correct problems before those problems grow into “keepers” requiring formal enforcement through litigation or similar actions. Attend this session and hear from those with experience in compliance and enforcement on lessons learned to make compliance efforts more effective. 

Mark Wasielewski, Ethics Enforcement Officer, Connecticut Office of State Ethics
.	Mark E. Wasielewski is currently the Ethics Enforcement Officer of the Connecticut Office of State Ethics (OSE) and has worked at the OSE since 2006.  He received a B.A. from Tufts University, a M.A. in Economics from Trinity College, and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. In his free time, Mark serves on the Board of the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.
Peter J. Lewandowski, Executive Director, Connecticut Office of State Ethics
	Peter has been the Executive Director of the CT Office of State Ethics for just over four years. He was tapped to serve in the top role in 2019 following 13 years of legal compliance work for the agency. Peter earned his juris doctorate from Indiana University Bloomington and has an extensive education background in ethics, philosophy, and religion.
Mark Skoglund, Executive Director, Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission
	Mark is an attorney who has served as Executive Director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission since 2017. Prior to joining the Ethics Commission, Mark provided nonpartisan research and budget analysis for the Kansas Legislature. Mark’s office has oversight over campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws.
Kee Campbell, Enforcement Director, Hawaii State Ethics Commission
	Kee Campbell is the Enforcement Director of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, where he assists the Commission with enforcement of the State’s ethics and lobbying laws. He received his B.A. from Boston University in Philosophy and History, and his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i.
Moderator: Stephanie N. McCord, General Counsel, Oklahoma Ethics Commission
.	Stephanie N. McCord has served the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for 9 years in various capacities, including Director of Compliance and, currently, the General Counsel. Stephanie received a B.B.A. in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from the University of Oklahoma and her J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Team Huddle

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

We've all had our workplace team huddles or "stand-ups". Now come huddle with your COGEL colleagues for early access to the Opening Reception while getting to know those in similar roles as you! Each informal group will be led by a team host based on the organizational "hat" that they wear. Catch up with those in similar roles and even meet someone new facing the same challenges and opportunities just in a different jurisdiction.

Hosted by:
	Auditors & Investigators  Dawn Widman, Training Specialist, Board of Ethics, City of Detroit Morgan Hill, Senior Field Investigator II, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Commissioners & Board Members Stanley Lum, Chair, Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission Cathryn Motherwell, Deputy Commissioner, Officer of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario
	Corporate & Law Firm Practitioners Wes Bizzell, Senior Assistant General Counsel, External Affairs & Managing Director of Political Law & Ethics Programs, Altria Client Services LLC
	Disclosure & Compliance Daniel Cho, Assistant Executive Director for Candidate Guidance & Policy, New York City Campaign Finance Board
	Elections Officers Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Saskatchewan Judd Choate, Director, Division of Elections, Denver, CO
	Ethics Officials Jane Feldman, Vice Chair, Denver Board of Ethics Jason Gramitt, Esq., Executive Director & Chief Prosecutor, Rhode Island Ethics Commission
	Executive Directors & Heads of Organizations Kristin Izumi-Nitao, Executive Director, State of Hawaii, Campaign Spending Commission Paul Nick, Executive Director, Ohio Ethics Commission
	Freedom of Information (FOI) Officials Danielle McGee, Staff Attorney, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
	General Counsels & Attorneys Jordana Greenwald, General Counsel, Philadelphia Board of Ethics Brian Hamilton, General Counsel, Missouri Ethics Commission
	Good Government Adav Noti, Legal Director, Campaign Legal Center
	Public/Government Relations, and Press Kevin Ahern, Legal Director, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
	Technology Jean-François Routhier, Commissioner of Lobbying, Province of Québec
	Trainers, Public Affairs, & Communications Experts Mia Watson-Good, Chief Compliance Officer, Office of Ethics and Compliance, County of San Diego Michael J. O'Connell, Training Specialist, Board of Ethics, City of Detroit
	University Representatives Lisa Thornton, Public Records Officer, University of Oregon

Developing and Executing an Agency Blueprint: Tips for Organizational Resilience, Sustainability and Success

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

We are all navigating a new normal, especially in the workplace! With shifts in how we work, where we work, and why we work, let's unpack how agencies and organizations have adapted to the ever-changing environment including the great resignation and retirements while hiring and retaining the best talent. What has worked in providing benefits and incentives for the new workforce and what sort of blueprint are we creating for resiliency against future challenges?

Lalitha Flach, Assistant Chief Electoral Officer/Chief Operating Officer, Elections Ontario
	Supporting Elections Ontario as the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Operating Officer since 2014, Lalitha Flach has been working in government for more than 25 years. She attended McMaster University for her undergraduate degree where she studied Political Science and History and has completed her Executive MBA at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
Peg Perl, Chief Deputy Clerk & Recorder, Jefferson County, CO
	Peg Perl is Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder for Jefferson County, Colorado. She was appointed to this position in January 2023 after serving as Election Director for Arapahoe County during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. Prior to moving to Colorado, Peg served as nonpartisan counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee and as a policy attorney with the Federal Election Commission.
Galena West, Executive Director, California Fair Political Practices Commission
	Galena West is the Executive Director of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Chief of Enforcement, Senior Commission Counsel for the Enforcement Division, and Commission Counsel for the Legal Division. She has been with the agency for over 20 years.
Moderator: Daniel Cho, Assistant Executive Director for Candidate Guidance & Policy, New York City Campaign Finance Board
	Dan Cho serves on the executive team at the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and manages policies and procedures that affect candidates and their campaign staff in complying with the New York City Campaign Finance Act and Board Rules. He has served in various roles at the CFB as Director of Candidate Services, Payment Coordinator, Auditor, and Compliance Analyst. Dan is a past Co-Chair of the Program Committee for COGEL and currently serves on its Steering Committee.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health: Tips for a Better You

10:20 AM - 11:50 AM

Burned out? Feeling frustrated and defeated more often than you feel good at the end of the day? People rarely call our offices because they're in a good mood! We work in jobs that often make people groan when they hear our agency mentioned, even though we just want to help. How can we combat these negative feelings so we can keep giving our best? Hear about ways to maintain good mental health in what is often a high-stress and sometimes adversarial working environment.

Dacia Moore, President/CEO, Second Wind Counseling & Consulting
	Dacia is President/CEO of Second Wind Counseling & Consulting, a private practice mental health organization and is the Executive Director of GateWay of Hope, a non-profit women’s counseling and coaching agency.  Dacia is an educator, author and keynote speaker and a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Board-Certified Counselor.  Dacia's outstanding speaking gifts have opened the door for her to facilitate training, inspirational workshops and keynote talks on mental health around the country for universities, school districts businesses and associations.
Moderator: Adie Olson, Partner, Steptoe and Johnson LLP
	Adie is a political law attorney at Steptoe in Chicago. She advises corporations and organizations on compliance matters in the areas of campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and pay-to-play at the federal, state and local levels.

Flipping the script on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us for an insightful arm-chair discussion with Kim Clark, co-author of the Amazon #1 best seller, "The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t.”

Kim and moderator Maha Achkar, co-chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee at Canada’s ethics office, will discuss what DEI is and what it isn’t. This dialogue will touch on the realities and challenges of creating a successful workplace where each person has a chance to contribute equally and bring their authentic self. Attendees will learn about the importance of conscious communications and engage in the discussion on how to apply these techniques.

Attendees of all backgrounds are welcome to participate in the conversation. One question Kim often gets is if men have a place in DEI work. In advance of attending, if you are able, please view the following video which aims to demonstrate how DEI outcomes include liberation for men: Tony Porter’s TED Talk on The Man Box

Fae Johnstone, Executive Director, Wisdom2Action
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Kim Clark, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications Educator & Consultant, Global Speaker, Kim Clark Communications
	Kim Clark has focused her career on messaging, audiences, and how communications shape people's experiences and how brands develop reputations. Her career spans documentary filmmaking, agency partnerships with the Discovery Channel, serving as a lecturer at San Jose State University for 20+ years, and leading global internal communication teams at KLA, PayPal, GoDaddy, and GitHub. She is known for her ability to facilitate sensitive and yet urgent conversations to make meaningful progress in creating inclusive workplaces. She speaks at conferences, runs custom workshops, writes custom inclusive communication guides, and consults with companies on all things diversity, equity, and inclusion communications related.
Moderator: Maha Achkar, Manager Strategic Planning and Analysis, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Canada
	Maha Achkar is responsible for leading the strategic plan for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in Canada. With over 10 years of experience in the field of planning, monitoring, and reporting, she has led and implemented multiple strategic planning cycles from inception to end.

E-levate your E-Learning with E-ffective E-Tools!

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

When discussing training, content rightfully receives most of the focus; but if we don't have good systems to deliver that content, it could all be for naught. What tools are you using to provide your online training?  Have you changed platforms due to better technology, pricing, or changing needs? What do you still want to dissect about online training?  Join our training gurus from three different jurisdictions for an interactive discussion on what’s worked and what hasn’t.  This session isn’t an advertisement for any particular software, but rather an exploration and conversation about the tools that might be right for your agency.

Kristine Reynolds, Campaign Finance Trainer / Assistant Program Manager, Colorado Department of State
	Kristine Reynolds has worked at the Colorado Secretary of State’s office for 24 years, 21 of them in Campaign Finance.  She is a certified Colorado Election Official and every year conducts multiple in-person and online trainings regarding Colorado’s Campaign Finance laws/rules and disclosure website (TRACER).  Kris loves sharing her knowledge and finds joy in witnessing a customer’s “light bulb moment”.
Danielle Gardner Wright, Director of Training & Outreach, Philadelphia Board of Ethics
	Danielle “Dani” Gardner Wright, Esq. serves as the Director of Training and Outreach for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics. Her work for the Board includes providing guidance and advice to City employees, officers, and external stakeholders, such as lobbyists and candidates for City elective office. She also is responsible for the Board’s education and training program where she creates, coordinates, and conducts training and develops educational resources. Dani is a graduate of Spelman College (B.A.), Chestnut Hill College (M.Ed.), and Villanova University School of Law (J.D.).
Gerry Tuoti, Senior Public Information Officer, Massachusetts State Ethics Commission
	Gerry Tuoti is the Senior Public Information Officer for the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, where he recently managed the Commission’s online training replacement project. Previously, he worked in the newspaper industry for more than a dozen years. He earned a B.S. in Journalism and History from Northeastern University.
Moderator: Susan Willeke, Education & Communications Manager, Ohio Ethics Commission
	Susan Willeke is an accomplished government-relations professional with more than 30 years’ experience in public affairs, communication, and public speaking.  Susan joined the Ohio Ethics Commission in 2005 as the Education and Communications Manager.  In that position, Susan presents approximately 200 speeches annually, develops information strategies regarding agency programs and represents the Ethics Commission to Ohio citizens, the media, and the Ohio legislature. Prior to joining the Commission, Susan served in the communications office at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Training & Outreach Roundtable

3:40 PM - 5:00 PM

Ironic, isn’t it?  As trainers, we may encounter thousands of learners each year and yet feel quite alone.  If you have ever thought to yourself, “I have no peers in my state/city/etc.!  I need to brainstorm with someone!” then this session is for you!

Join other compliance training professionals from across the U.S. and Canada to share ideas, discuss problems and solutions, and build relationships that carry into 2024.  Two training veterans, Alex and Susan, will facilitate this highly interactive and flexible session and we’ll see where the conversation takes us! Trainers: be lonely no more; join your COGEL colleagues and friends to bounce and borrow ideas and make your trainings even more effective and efficient.

Alex Kipp, Director of Education & Engagement, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
	Alex Kipp is Director of Education & Engagement at the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board where he leads a team that teaches classes, creates videos, print, social media, and eLearning content and conducts lots and lots of webinars for New York City’s 325,000+ public servants. His work has been described by at least one elected official as “impeccably deranged,” which, Alex hopes, is supposed to be a compliment.
Susan Willeke, Education & Communications Manager, Ohio Ethics Commission
	Susan Willeke is an accomplished government-relations professional with more than 30 years’ experience in public affairs, communication, and public speaking.  Susan joined the Ohio Ethics Commission in 2005 as the Education and Communications Manager.  In that position, Susan presents approximately 200 speeches annually, develops information strategies regarding agency programs and represents the Ethics Commission to Ohio citizens, the media, and the Ohio legislature. Prior to joining the Commission, Susan served in the communications office at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives.

USE THE SPACE! An acting workshop for COGEL Professionals 

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Want a new slant on presenting the same ol’ material? Then this workshop is for you. Using theater games and exercises, participants will explore presenting through the lens of performance: presence, composition, timing, and expressivity. 

Alex Kipp, Director of Education & Engagement, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
	Alex Kipp is Director of Education & Engagement at the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board where he leads a team that teaches classes, creates videos, print, social media, and eLearning content and conducts lots and lots of webinars for New York City’s 325,000+ public servants. His work has been described by at least one elected official as “impeccably deranged,” which, Alex hopes, is supposed to be a compliment.

Don’t Be Afraid of Strategic Planning

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Do you cringe when you hear “strategic planning”? Do you say, our agency’s mission is clear, our responsibilities are set by statute, and we have our hands full just keeping up with the day-to-day? Or maybe you’ve always been intrigued by strategic planning but had no one to talk to about it. Whatever the case may be, come to this panel and have all your fears and worries about strategic planning dispelled. We will talk about the value of strategic planning, how to create team buy-in, and how to ensure your plan doesn’t just end up in a file cabinet. You’ll also come away with practical steps and insights you can implement when you get home.

John Marshall, Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives and Projects, Elections Saskatchewan
	John Marshall is Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives and Projects for Elections Saskatchewan.  Prior to this position, he taught philosophy at the University of Regina.  He was worked on strategic planning with Elections Saskatchewan and other organizations for the past seven years.
Maha Achkar, Manager Strategic Planning and Analysis, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
	Maha Achkar is responsible for leading the strategic plan for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in Canada. With over 10 years of experience in the field of planning, monitoring, and reporting, she has led and implemented multiple strategic planning cycles from inception to end.
Christina Bauders, Executive Director, Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)
	Christina Bauders, CAE, CMP has been the Executive Director of COGEL since 2018. She has been working with non-profit organizations for over 15 years and is the VP & Chief Operating Officer at an association management company where she supports associations’ strategic planning. Christina holds both a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification and is actively involved in volunteering in industry associations.
Kristin Izumi-Nitao, Executive Director, State of Hawaii, Campaign Spending Commission
	Kristin Izumi-Nitao is the Executive Director for the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission since 2010.  She is a former prosecutor, deputy attorney general, and has served on COGEL’s Steering Committee, Program Committee, Membership Committee, and Nominating Committee.  She received a B.A. in Political Science and Art History from Wellesley College, and her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
Moderator: Michael Cooke, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs and Deputy Senior Counsel, The Pew Charitable Trusts
	Michael J. Cooke is a Senior Officer and Deputy Senior Counsel at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where, as part of Pew’s in-house counsel team, he specializes in providing guidance on lobbying and government ethics compliance. Prior to join Pew, Mr. Cooke was the General Counsel for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics from 2019 through 2022 and, from 2008 to 2019, the Board’s Director of Enforcement. Mr. Cooke was formerly an associate at the Philadelphia firm Burke O’Neil LLC and a Staff Attorney at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project.