Avery Ash

Executive Director, Coalition for Reimagined Mobility and Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Special Initiatives, SAFE

Prior to joining SAFE, Avery Ash served as the Vice President of Global Public Policy and Product Strategy at INRIX, the global leader in connected car services and intelligent movement. Previously, Ash was Director of Federal Relations for AAA, where he was responsible for the Association’s federal advocacy on transportation, vehicle technology, mobility, and energy issues.

Ash serves in numerous leadership positions including as a founding steering committee member for Partners for Automated Vehicle Education; a member of Texas Department of Transportation’s Texas Technology Task Force; and board member at the DC-based arts non-profit, CulturalDC. He has previously served on the executive working group of the World Economic Forum’s initiative on the Future of Urban and Autonomous Mobility, as co-chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center’s workgroup on autonomous vehicles; on the Board of Directors of the Electric Drive Transportation Association; and been selected as an Aspen Institute Socrates Scholar and SAFE Energy Security Fellow.

He is a frequent speaker and recognized expert on issues surrounding automated, connected, and electric vehicles; transportation policy; and urban mobility. On Capitol Hill, Ash served as Legislative and Special Assistant for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, where he focused on financial services and economic development issues. Prior to that he supported Congressional Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce where he managed a portfolio that included technology, transportation, financial services, and anti-counterfeiting issues. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a joint degree in Economics and Anthropology.

Abigail Hunter

Executive Director, Center for Critical Mineral Strategy

Abigail Hunter is the Executive Director of SAFE’s Ambassador Alfred Hoffman Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy (Minerals Center). Previously, Abigail served as Director of International Affairs and Partnerships within the Minerals Center. In this role, she nurtured existing and new SAFE partnerships to advance sustainable and ethical supply chains amongst allies and like-minded countries.

Before joining SAFE full time, Hunter headed federal government affairs for Quebec for nearly three years as the senior attachée in Washington, D.C. Her mandate focused on the energy, environment, and trade relationship between the province and United States. Hunter started her career at the National Governors Association, where she led the association’s international work.

Hunter completed her Masters in Sustainable Energy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Her four-part capstone on aluminum’s clean energy paradox was published by the SAFE Center for Strategic Industrial Metals. She received her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University with a double major in International Management and Managing for Sustainability.

Born in Toronto and growing up in New Jersey, Hunter is a proud dual citizen and conflicted hockey fan.

Jackie Burman

Vice President, Operations and Finance

Jackie Burman is the Vice President of Operations and Finance at Securing America’s Future Energy. In this role, Jackie oversees finances, human resources, and operations for the organization.

Prior to joining SAFE, Ms. Burman spent more than 4 years in Cape Town, South Africa where she assisted a wide range of non-profit organizations in reaching their funding goals. During her time abroad, she also helped create a fundraising academy to provide young adults with the skills necessary to begin careers in development. She worked in both marketing and fundraising in DC before this.

Ms. Burman holds a Bachelor of Art’s Degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and Masters’ degrees in business administration and Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University.

Jeffrey Gerlach

Vice President, Policy Strategy 

Jeff Gerlach is Vice President of Policy Strategy at SAFE.

Prior to joining SAFE, Jeff worked at a management consulting firm, where he supported the Department of Energy’s Office of Petroleum Reserves and Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. He previously interned and consulted for SAFE in 2013, contributing to the Oil Security Index and the Commission on Energy and Geopolitics’ Oil Security 2025. Additionally, he worked on multiple political campaigns in Minnesota and completed a year of service in AmeriCorps.

Mr. Gerlach received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Anthropology from the University of St. Thomas in 2011 and his Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago in 2014.

Leslie Hayward

Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Leslie Hayward is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at SAFE, leading the team responsible for all external communications including events, earned media, digital infrastructure, messaging, branding, and strategic positioning for the organization as a whole and its Centers.

Prior to her current role at SAFE, Hayward led policy communications at Rivian Automotive during a period of growth  from “stealth mode” startup to publicly traded company and established automaker. Before working at Rivian, Hayward was Director of Business and Content Development at Rapidan Energy Group, a global consultancy providing energy policy and geopolitical insights to many of the world’s leading hedge funds, commodity traders and energy producers, where she led significant growth in the firm’s client base and annual revenue. Hayward began her career at SAFE in 2011 as a staff and research assistant and rose to Vice President of Communications within the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, majoring in International Relations and Environmental Science.

Leslie specializes in policy communications, with experience with direct lobbying, grassroots and third-party advocacy, message development, communications infrastructure, and earned media. She has facilitated thousands of media engagements with outlets including the Financial Times, Politico, The Atlantic, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Fox News, CNBC, and others. She resides in Maryland with her husband, two children, and dog.

Joe Quinn

Vice President of Strategic Industrial Materials

Joe Quinn leads the Center for Strategic Industrial Materials, a new policy initiative dedicated to advancing more secure and sustainable supply chains for aluminum and other industrial materials critical to America’s national and economic security.  Quinn is developing a framework designed to ensure resilient and domestic aluminum production. 

Prior to joining SAFE, Quinn served as the Vice President of External Affairs & Industry Relations at the Aluminum Association. He raised the industry’s profile, created the Congressional Aluminum Caucus, set new membership records, and served as a strategic advisor to the industry on trade and energy issues.  

Previously, Quinn worked at public relations firms positioning organizations favorably with key opinion leaders to advance policy initiatives. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council. A Cincinnati native, he received his B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina.  

Danielle Russo

Executive Director, Center for Grid Security

Danielle Russo is the Executive Director of the Center for Grid Security. She is an innovative leader and policy expert focused on aligning energy programs and policy with national interests. Danielle has worked extensively on transmission expansion for national security and overall grid security and resilience planning. She spent four years as a senior analyst and policy writer supporting the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Resilience and Optimization (ODASD ER&O), where she focused on policy development and decision making for enhancing military installation energy resilience. While there she worked extensively on various efforts, including energy resilience exercises, energy project planning tools, government partnerships, defense critical electric infrastructure, and more. Her previous experience also includes supporting energy security programs for the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, and Army Reserve. In 2020, Danielle won a Federal Energy and Water Management Award for her work supporting black start exercises at military installations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Technology from the University of Maryland.

Amy Lopez

Chief Development Officer

Amy Lopez is the Chief Development Officer for SAFE and its sister organization, the Electrification Coalition. She is a highly accomplished leader with expertise in development and sales strategy, strategic partnerships, marketing and branding, and leading teams to consistently exceed organizational goals.

With over 20 years of experience, Amy has been at the forefront of driving the adoption of new technologies that enhance energy security, sustainable urban mobility, and promote equity and safety in transportation. Her diverse career spans industries including non-profits, public administration, manufacturing, and electric vehicle technology.

Most recently, Amy held key roles in the big data industry, leading go-to-market strategies, partnership development, coalition building, and sales execution at Replica and INRIX. Replica, originally spun out of Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs, is an AI-powered data platform that models how synthetic populations interact with the built environment. INRIX is a global leader in connected car services and intelligent mobility solutions.

In addition to her leadership in technology, Amy founded and led Synergetic Technologies, Inc. (STG2), an award-winning branding, marketing, and business consulting firm renowned for its innovative solutions. STG2 earned multiple Telly Awards and a Davey Award, and its impressive client roster included the U.S. Department of Energy, Delphi Corporation, Corning Inc., Quantum Technologies, Xerox Corporation, and the United Way.

Throughout her career, Amy has consistently secured multi-year, multi-million-dollar contracts with public agencies and foundations. She has cultivated an extensive network of relationships spanning the public sector, industry associations, foundation and corporate leaders, as well as retired military officials.

A frequent speaker on topics such as multimodal transportation, technology adoption, big data, sustainability, safety, and urban mobility, Amy is recognized as a thought leader in the industry.

Gourang Wakade

Vice President of Development

Gourang Wakade is the Vice President of Development for SAFE and its sister organization, the Electrification Coalition (EC).

He leads a lean development team to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that yields sustained multi-year funding results.  Building on the success achieved to date by SAFE EC, Gourang manages a collective fundraising portfolio of $16 Million and is in charge of the overall development systems and strategy while focusing primarily on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting high net worth individuals and foundations, with particular attention on increasing unrestricted funding for both organizations.

He is an experienced fundraiser with a large and varied global network and has proven success in raising and securing multi-year six-figure plus funding commitments for complex and demanding projects across a variety of industries including non-profit, corporate finance, and higher education. Prior to SAFE, Gourang served as the Vice President of Development for the Council on Competitiveness, a non-profit membership association of CEOs, University Presidents, Labor Leaders, and National Lab Directors. In addition to managing membership, and development at the Council on Competitiveness, Gourang was the lead for the organization’s bi-annual fundraiser, the America Competes Award, that honored Business and Civic Leaders for their contributions to ensure American Competitiveness. He also produced and managed sponsorships for the organization’s Annual National Competitiveness Summit. Gourang also served as the Director of Conferences and Engagement, for the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils where he actively recruited leaders from around the world to join and fund the establishment of the organization.

Gourang has a Bachelor’s in Arts degree from the College of Wooster, Oh. He also serves on the Fundraising Committee for the Spring Gala of the Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens in Washington, DC.

Alyssa Siddiqui

Managing Director of Corporate Engagements

Alyssa Siddiqui is Managing Director of Corporate Relations at SAFE and the Electrification Coalition (EC). She is responsible for identifying and implementing innovative strategies to enhance the organizations’ profiles, expand industry partnerships, and develop new opportunities for engagement and growth. Alyssa leads corporate partnerships for the EC’s medium and heavy-duty fleet electrification work and for SAFE’s autonomous vehicle initiative. In 2021 she launched the Electrification Coalition Business Council.

Alyssa joined SAFE and the EC after over a decade at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, most recently as the Senior Director of Corporate Relations, where she led the strategy and execution of an integrated fundraising plan to achieve an annual revenue goal of over $9 million. She managed high-level corporate recruitment of new members, expanded relationships with existing clients and key stakeholders and launched the Let’s Rebuild America infrastructure initiative. Alyssa also oversaw the U.S. Chamber’s largest signature event, The Aviation Summit, held annually in Washington, DC which attracted over 900 attendees and participants, including top CEOs and industry leaders.

Alyssa began her career at the National Park Foundation working on the capital campaign for the Flight 93 National Memorial Fund. She graduated from Colby College with a Bachelors of Science in Government. She is a member of the Washington, DC chapter of Women of EVs and was named one of the Top Women in EV 2022 by The EV Summit.

Ron Minsk

Senior Advisor

Peter Flory

Peter Flory, Senior Fellow, SAFE Commanding Heights

Served in senior positions in Pentagon and NATO and has deep experience in semiconductor legislation.

Joshua T. Kroon

Senior Director, Public Affairs

Joshua is a seasoned executive with over 15 years of expertise in public affairs, crisis management, reputation strategy, and corporate communications. As Senior Director of Public Affairs at SAFE, Joshua supports initiatives to elevate the organization’s profile among policymakers, media, and key stakeholders. His work focuses on designing impactful communication campaigns on critical issues like energy security and regulatory reform while forging strategic partnerships across government, industry, and nonprofits to drive meaningful policy outcomes.

Joshua’s career is defined by his ability to lead during high-stakes situations, secure top-tier media coverage, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Prior to joining SAFE, he served as Executive Vice President at Allison (Stagwell), where he directed global reputation and public affairs strategies for high-profile clients, achieving consistent growth and impactful results. His consultancy and leadership roles have included advising C-suite executives, managing multidisciplinary teams, and crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

With a background as a Special Forces Engineer in the U.S. Army, Joshua brings unparalleled leadership, strategic planning, and crisis mitigation skills honed in high-pressure environments. His service earned him numerous military honors.

Joshua holds a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Columbia University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. His extensive community involvement includes serving on pension boards, aviation advisory committees, and veterans’ support organizations.

Joshua is passionate about leveraging his expertise to advance policies that align public and private interests. He is committed to shaping a resilient and innovative public affairs strategy that will advance SAFE’s mission.

Ashley Simmons

Deputy Director, Coalition for Reimagined Mobility

Ashley Simmons joined the Coalition for Reimagined Mobility as its Director of Strategic Communications in March 2021. Representing a cross-section of industry, public sector and academic leaders, the Commission is shaping a comprehensive new vision of transportation policy that enables technology to foster more inclusive and accessible communities, and the safe, secure and clean movement of people and goods.

With more than a decade of experience specializing in public relations and public affairs, she’s developed winning communications strategies that elevate reputations, shape advocacy efforts and expand global influence. An expert in strategic communications, Ashley is also the Founder and CEO of REVVIT Public Relations – a consultancy that provides counsel on media strategies and integrated communications campaigns to educate the public and policymakers on technology centric legislative and regulatory policy issues.

Before joining Reimagined Mobility, Simmons led communications teams at advocacy organizations representing the technology, telecommunications and transportation industries. As vice president for External Communications at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Simmons transformed and modernized TIA’s communications function to develop integrated strategies and data-driven campaigns that framed key policy debates on supply chain security, spectrum allocation, net neutrality and broadband deployment, and elevated issues important to the telecom standards and technology community. Under her leadership, TIA grew it’s reach and the impact of its work to deliver exceptional member value.

Earlier in her career, Simmons spent three years as director of communications for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), where she oversaw cross-functional marketing, events and communications and led a successful campaign for the ITS World Congress in Detroit, Michigan. Prior, she was an account director and digital media consultant for the David All Group and cultivated her PR and media relations skills as communications manager for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and with the Motion Picture Association. Before coming to the nation’s capital, Simmons held communications advisory roles for mayoral and county political campaigns in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.

Simmons earned a Master of Arts in Media and Public Affairs from the School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University, and Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication with a minor in Political Science from SUNY Buffalo State College.

Paul Ruiz

Senior Director, Policy

Paul Ruiz serves as Senior Director of Policy at SAFE, where he supports the organization’s core policy team and its centers focused on advancing U.S. supply chains for critical minerals, transportation mobility, electrification, and European energy security. A seasoned policy strategist with more than a decade of experience in energy, transportation, and national security, Paul works to develop actionable solutions that enhance U.S. economic and energy resilience.

Before rejoining SAFE, Paul was a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Defense, where he led energy and environmental policy initiatives for the Department of the Air Force. In this role, he oversaw efforts to enhance installation energy resilience, guided strategic investments in renewable energy and infrastructure, and engaged with key stakeholders across the Pentagon, Congress, and regulatory agencies. His work earned him an Air Force civilian service medal.

Paul previously spent five years at the American Trucking Associations (ATA), where he managed the energy and environmental policy portfolio for the nation’s largest freight and logistics association. He played a key role in shaping federal regulations on vehicle emissions, air quality standards, and electrification incentives while serving as the trucking industry’s primary liaison to agencies like the EPA and DOT. His work also included leading research on infrastructure investments for electric trucks and crafting congressional testimony on sustainability policies. In 2023, he was selected as a Clean Energy Leadership Fellow.

He holds a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy and Administration.

Bridget Chisholm

Director of Event Operations, SAFE and The Electrification Coalition

Bridget Chisholm is the Director of Event Operations for SAFE and The Electrification Coalition.

Bridget began her career in the late 80s as a travel management consultant and in the early 90s she added managing large-scale events to her portfolio. The first large scale events she worked on were the Earth Day Concerts at Foxboro Stadium. After learning the ins and outs of high-profile performers’ curious quirks for travel and green room needs, she pivoted in the late 90s to Director of Travel, Meetings, and Special Events for the Joint Oceanographic Institutions where she had the honor of planning meetings and managing travel for some of the world’s leading scientists who research ocean floor core samples. In the mid-2000s she spent five years planning large-scale conventions in North America. Before coming to SAFE & the Electrification Coalition in September of 2023 she spent ten years planning large scale global events for the International Leadership Association (ILA) where she worked with heads of state, research scholars, and practitioners committed to the scholarly research and innovative practices that lead to a deeper understanding of leadership for the greater good. Bridget studied business at Virginia Commonwealth University and is a graduate of Lucas Travel School. She lives in northern Fauquier County where she enjoys golf, long walks, cooking and along with her husband, the growing and raising of as much of their food as possible.

Dominic Mathew

Manager, Shared Mobility Policy, Coalition for Reimagined Mobility

Zoe Oysul

Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Critical Mineral Strategy

Zubeyde (Zoe) Oysul joined SAFE in 2020 and currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy. In this role, she conducts research and analysis to develop actionable policy solutions that address the complex challenges facing the critical minerals sector. Her expertise encompasses critical mineral and energy technology supply chains, responsible mining practices, geopolitical dynamics, and international trade. Zoe holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Arts with a focus on global energy, resource, and environmental policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Jocelyn Trainer

Policy Analyst, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

Jocelyn Trainer is a policy analyst for the Center for Critical Minerals Strategy at SAFE. Her work focuses on securing responsible and sustainable critical mineral supply chains through practical domestic policy and strong alliances.

In previous roles, she worked on energy, economics, and security at CNAS, inclusive peace processes at the United States Institute of Peace, international institutions and global governance at the Council on Foreign Relations, and nuclear security and nonproliferation at CRDF Global. Trainer was a 2022 Graduate Fellow with the United Nations Association with the National Capital Area.

Trainer holds an M.A. in security policy studies with a concentration in conflict resolution from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. She received a B.A. in political science, a B.A. in Spanish, and a minor in international relations from Loyola Marymount University.

Erasto Almeida

MINVEST Manager, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

Erasto Almeida is the MINVEST Manager at SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy.

Erasto is a seasoned external affairs executive with extensive experience in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and international relations. His career spans senior roles in the mining, logistics, and consulting sectors, where he has successfully developed and implemented global strategies to address critical political and regulatory challenges, particularly in safety and sustainability.

In his current role as MINVEST Manager at SAFE, Erasto oversees the public-private partnership between the U.S. State Department and SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, advancing efforts to establish diverse, secure, and sustainable critical minerals supply chains. Previously, Erasto managed Vale SA’s external affairs team and worked as a senior analyst at the political risk consulting firm Eurasia Group in New York, focusing on the energy and mining sectors. Erasto holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a J.D. equivalent from the University of São Paulo. Fluent in four languages, he brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to fostering the development of the critical minerals industry.

Maya Zuk

Policy Associate, Policy Strategy 

Maya Zuk is a policy associate at SAFE. She focuses on supporting the different centers at SAFE with their work.

Before joining SAFE, Maya studied International Relations with a focus on Security Studies at King’s College London, working on several projects, including with the Ministry of Defense. She is currently an Associate of King’s College London.

Skip Estes

Director, Government Affairs

Skip is SAFE’s Director of Government Affairs. He joins SAFE from Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Administration where he served as Senior Policy Advisor. In this role, Skip served as a lead researcher and author of Governor Youngkin’s “All-American, All-of-the-Above Energy Plan.” Skip’s work in the Youngkin Administration resulted in legislation to reform electricity regulation in Virginia, establish the Virginia Power Innovation Fund, and enable utilities to begin development of small modular nuclear reactors. Skip also advocated before the Virginia General Assembly for legislation to create a competitive procurement process for offshore wind projects off Virginia’s Atlantic coast and create a power innovation program where utilities and commercial and industrial customers could collaborate on innovative power solutions.

Prior to joining Governor Youngkin’s Administration, Skip served as Director of Government Affairs at Siff & Associates, PLLC (n.k.a. Longbow Public Policy Group), and prior to that, as Associate Director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Skip is passionate about America’s energy transition and believes strongly that innovative energy technologies are how the United States secures reliable, affordable power and a clean environment.

Skip is a native of Richmond, Virginia and graduated from The College of William & Mary with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public policy. In his free time, Skip enjoys studying history and spending time outside, preferably on a beach, river, or a mountaintop.

Addison Trupp

Staff Assistant, Public Affairs 

Addison is a Staff Assistant for SAFE’s Public Affairs and Communications team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Utah State University, where he also played on the football team.  He has previously worked as a Legislative Intern for Congressman John Curtis (UT-CD3) and as a Legislative Fellow for Crossroads Strategies prior to joining SAFE. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, he is currently based in Washington, D.C.

Alessandra Chapman

Policy Manager, Center for Grid Security

Ian Prest

Administrative Assistant, Executive Office

Ian is an Administrative Assistant for SAFE’s Executive Office.

Ian provides administrative support to SAFE’s Executive Office. He comes to SAFE with over 25 years’ experience supporting nonprofit organizations, eleven of which were spent within international development. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, he provided translation support to senior leadership within organizations, external clients, and cross-functional teams in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. He has supported over 50 projects at various points in the project life cycle from their inception through start up, implementation and close out. Ian graduated with honors from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge with a degree in Modern Languages.

Devon Lammert

Associate, Government Affairs

Devon is the Associate for Government Affairs at SAFE. He joined full time after a summer internship with SAFE and an internship in each chamber of Congress, most recently with Senator Angus King (I-ME). He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine in 2023.

A native of Rockport, Maine, he is currently based in Washington, D.C.