Driving Social Change through Federal Advocacy

Built on integrity, bipartisanship, and results, Center Road Solutions is a woman-owned, boutique public policy firm committed to working across the aisle to develop, drive, and achieve lasting change for nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible businesses.

Policy Development

Working with clients to identify their pressing problems, we develop feasible and actionable policy solutions that can drive social impact and engage both Republicans and Democrats.

Advocacy

We directly advocate with Congressional and Regulatory Affairs on a bipartisan basis. Our model differs from traditional partisan government affairs firms in that we also work with client advocates and employees to amplify your issues while engaging your base.

Legislative Drafting

Traditional government affairs firms often do not draft legislation in-house, adding months to the process. We are led by licensed attorneys who work with you every step of the way and ensure policy objectives are met with sound legislative text to expedite introduction.

Public
Affairs

We provide public affairs services to help nonprofits and schools pass legislation and receive federal grant funding. These services include: Federal Grant Writing and Consulting, Partnership Development, Capitol Hill Advocacy Days, Congressional Briefings, Media Engagement (traditional and social), and Grassroots Mobilization.

About

Discover Center Road Solutions: Empowering Women and Families Through Bold, Bipartisan Advocacy.

As the premier woman-owned, full-service government relations and public affairs firm, Center Road Solutions is dedicated to championing the causes of nonprofits that serve woman and families. Our unwavering commitment to ethical collaboration across parity lines enables us to forge innovative, balanced solutions that echo from Capitol Hill to Main Street.

Strategically positioned in the heart of the nation’s Capital, our team of seasoned experts is poised to guide clients through the political landscape, turning aspirations into tangible policy achievements. Our comprehensive suite of services includes lobbying, strategic policy consulting, public affairs strategy, and management, as well as federal grant writing and consulting.
Join forces with Center Road Solutions and experience the power of united, bipartisan advocacy.

About
Team

Our Team

We believe in a diverse range of bipartisan personnel to bring creative skills, thoughts and ideas to the table.

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Katrina Velasquez, Esq., M.A.

Managing Principal

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Katrina Velazquez, a distinguished attorney and advocate, is the dynamic force behind Center Road Solutions as its Founder and Managing Principal. With an exceptional track record of transforming partisan social issues into unifying, bipartisan causes, she propels them towards remarkable success. As a testament to her prowess, Katrina has been named one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for three consecutive years, and has also received the Professional Women in Advocacy Award in 2017, and the Meehan-Hartley Award for Public Service and Advocacy in 2017.

With over a decade of expertise in federal advocacy, grants, and law, Katrina skillfully navigates clients through the complexities of the federal process. Her extensive experience includes recent victories in school safety, military health, mental health, and violence prevention including the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Act, Anna Westin Legacy Act, STANDUP Act, TRIUMPH for New Moms Act, SERVE Act, Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act, and the STOP School Violence Act, amongst other authorizing and appropriations successes.

Join Katrina Velazquez and Center Road Solutions in their mission to create a more inclusive, compassionate, and effective political landscape for women and families across the nation.

Education:
Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law

Master of Arts in International Politics from American University

Dual Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society and Public Relations, Purdue University.

Awards:
Most Influential Women’s Lobby Leader of 2023: https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/center-road-solutions/.

Publications:
Streatfeild J, Hickson J, Austin SB, Hutcheson R, Kandel JS, Lampert JG, Myers EM, Richmond TK, Samnaliev M, Velasquez K, Weissman RS, Pezzullo L. Social and economic cost of eating disorders in the United States: Evidence to inform policy action. Int J Eat Disord 2021; 54(5): 851-868.

Austin SB, Hutcheson R, Wickramatilake-Templeman S, Velasquez K. The second wave of public policy advocacy for eating disorders: Charting the course to maximize population impact. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2019; 42(2): 319-336.
Velasquez K, Ivie A, Fegely SR, Raffoul A, Vitagliano J, Roberto CA, Austin SB. Dietary supplements for weight loss: Legal basis for excise tax and other government action to protect consumers from a public health menace. Am J Law Med 2022; 48: 38-53.

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Allison Ivie, M.P.P./M.A.

Principal

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Accomplished Principal and Strategic Leader at Center Road Solutions
Allison Ivie, a seasoned government relations and private sector consultant, serves as the Principal at Center Road Solutions. Garnering recognition as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for Grassroots in 2022, alongside Katrina Velasquez, Founder and Managing Principal, Allison steers the firm’s efforts with expertise in direct lobbying, regulatory writing, strategic planning, partnership development, and public affairs.

Before joining Center Road Solutions, Allison’s impressive work with cutting-edge pharmaceutical and medical device companies led to three FDA approvals in the reproductive health, sexual health, and oncology fields. Her career in Washington, D.C. commenced as a Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Fellow in Representative Mike Thompson’s office (D-CA). During this time, Allison drafted and introduced bipartisan legislation to expand telehealth access to Medicare beneficiaries and negotiated stricter penalties for illegal marijuana cultivation on federal lands, which were subsequently adopted by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

In addition to her role at Center Road Solutions, Allison actively contributes to the Women’s Congressional Staff Foundation as a Board of Directors member. Experience the power of collaboration and strategic leadership with Allison Ivie and the dedicated team at Center Road Solutions.

Education:
Master of Arts in Public Policy and Women and Gender Studies from Brandeis University

Dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Multicultural Gender Studies from California State University, Chico

Literary Editing and Publishing Certificate from California State University, Chico

Publications:
Velasquez K, Ivie A, Fegely SR, Raffoul A, Vitagliano J, Roberto CA, Austin SB. Dietary supplements for weight loss: Legal basis for excise tax and other government action to protect consumers from a public health menace. Am J Law Med 2022; 48: 38-53.

Ivie, A. Asset theory and prostitution: the implications of u.s. prostitution policy and ideology on asset building strategies. Women’s Policy Journal of Harvard; Cambridge Vol. 10 2013: 52-59.

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Maddie Geschu

Senior Director of Government Relations

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Maddie serves as the Director of Government Relations at Center Road Solutions. With years of experience in organizing, issue advocacy, and direct lobbying, Maddie has a strong track record of passing bipartisan legislation that uplifts vulnerable individuals and communities. Previously, they built from scratch a social justice legislative portfolio for the League of Women Voters of the United States and worked as policy lead on immigration and hate crimes at OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates. Before that, they lobbied for youth appropriations in the Minnesota State Legislature and worked in the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health on healthcare access campaigns.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in American Ethnic Studies, Macalester College

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Emily Rosenberg, MPA

Senior Director of Government Relations 

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has worked with nonprofit organizations and advocacy since 2013. Since joining the firm in 2021, Emily has cultivated relations with over 100 non-profit organizations and 500 advocates, elevating support for clients’ work. She created the first ever Young Adult Council for Eating Disorders Coalition, bringing in a valuable youth voice to legislative initiatives. Emily leads the planning and execution of clients’ public affair events, including Congressional Briefings and Capitol Hill Advocacy Days.

Prior to joining Center Road Solutions, Emily worked in various non-profits in Philadelphia whose missions were to increase programs and resources for underserved youth in Philadelphia. Previous to this she spent seven years working on state legislation in Pennsylvania for parental education on eating disorders in public schools. She was able to build bipartisan support for the legislation and worked closely with former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine (now Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service). Emily collaborated with leading eating disorders organizations to advance legislation, both on the state and federal level, and brings years of experience organizing and executing advocacy days, retreats, and other public affairs events.

Emily received her Master of Public Administration from Villanova University and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University. Emily resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Publications:
Gina L Tripicchio, Gareth J Jones, Chantelle N Hart, Moonsup Hyun, Emily DeSabato, Amy Giddings, Amanda Ehrhardt, Emily Rosenberg, A digitally enhanced home-based physical activity intervention for high-risk middle school youth during COVID-19, Translational Behavioral Medicine, 2021;, ibab151, https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibab151

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Adriianna Lagorio, MA

Senior Director of Government Relations

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Adriianna serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations at Center Road Solutions. She previously served as the Legislative Director for Senior Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. Adriianna led the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations portfolio for the Congresswoman. She successfully helped secure funding of over $8.5 million for community project funding requests for mental health, substance abuse, and law enforcement. She’s overseen the creation of the first-ever Stillbirth Task Force at HHS, the creation and funding of the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and first-time funding of the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program. She has negotiated multiple bipartisan bills including the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Before Congress, she worked for the Orange County Board of Supervisors as a District Representative – leading the Spanish outreach in Santa Ana, California. She has been awarded grants to conduct field research in Medellin, Colombia. She’s served as a Heritage Foundation Health Fellow and was part the American University We Lead cohort of 2020.

Education:
The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs M.A. Security Policy Studies
University of San Diego, Bachelors of Arts International Affairs and Spanish

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Stacey Friedman

Public Affairs and Operations Manager

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Stacey serves as the Public Affairs and Operations Manager at Center Road Solutions, where she has been instrumental in improving and maintaining operational systems at all levels of the business. In addition to her operational responsibilities, Stacey also takes charge of organizing public affairs events and building coalitions, where her attention to detail and commitment to excellence shine through.

Prior to her current role, Stacey gained valuable experience through various roles in the fields of education, wellness, and public service. Stacey worked for three years teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), demonstrating her commitment to serving families and children. Having served as both a Legislative and Casework Intern for her Senator, Stacey gained insight into all sides of a Congressional office and learned a love of public service.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government, American University

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Rebecca Martin

Legislative Fellow

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Rebecca Martin serves as our Legislative Fellow. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights at George Mason University. Her passion lies in championing social justice, with a specific focus on women’s rights, mental health, food insecurity, and more. Her dedication to advocacy is evident with her previous internships at Save the Children, the National Association of Social Workers-TX, and on Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).

Education:
Candidate for Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Justice and Human Rights, George Mason University
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Texas State University

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Marisa Pettit

Executive Assistant

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Marisa Pettit is an executive assistant with Center Road Solutions. Marisa remotely supports the team by leveraging her extensive background in management, education, and administration.

Education:
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education, Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Southeastern Louisiana University

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Luke Kopetsky

Legal Clerk

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Luke Kopetsky serves as the Legal Clerk at Center Road Solutions. In his previous role as Government Relations & Public Affairs Associate with the firm, Luke lobbied on behalf of Center Road Solutions’ clients; organized virtual Congressional briefings on relevant policy issues and legislation; produced press releases, memorandums, newsletters, and other written content; and managed grassroots advocacy efforts, including Capitol Hill advocacy days. More recently, Luke served as a Judicial Extern under Judge Andrea R. Wood, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where he drafted order statements in response to motions before the court for both civil and criminal cases.

Education:
Juris Doctorate, University of Michigan Law School (Expected Graduation: May 2024)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of California, Berkeley

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Jacqueline Dolata, MBA

Federal Grants Specialist

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Jacqueline Dolata serves as the Federal Grants Specialist aiding nonprofits and schools in identifying, writing, securing, and managing federal grants. She has spent the majority of her 14 year career writing grants to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on community based approaches to addressing health disparities. As manager of the Case Western Reserve University Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Jacqueline has helped secure millions of dollars in federal funding to support efforts that engage and empower local nonprofits to tackle issues around social determinants of health. She specializes in turning the complex grantmaking process into actionable steps by developing online toolkits, professional networks, and other resources to assist both academicians and community nonprofits to have a better understanding of available funding opportunities, the grant writing process, and the value of strong community-academic partnerships. Jacqueline also directs a pilot funding and mentoring program for early stage researchers that awards small grants to those interested in building capacity for larger community based research funding.

Education
Masters in Business Administration in Health Care, Baldwin Wallace University
Bachelors in Biology, Mercyhurst University

“Center Road Solutions is more than a consulting firm. They are an exceptional partner that brings passion and dedication to every project and every client. They have helped our organization expand our relationships on both sides of the aisle and pass life-saving legislation including the STOP School Violence Act. We are so grateful to have them on our team and recommend them highly to advocates across fields.”

— Sandy Hook Promise

Our Clients

Our mission-oriented clients work to move the dial in a positive direction for society.

Issues: Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Coverage, Eating Disorders in the Military, Social Media and Eating Disorders, Training Health Professionals, NIH and DoD Research, CDC Surveillance

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Issues: Maternal Mental Health

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Issues: Black Maternal Mental Health

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Issue: Eating Disorders in the Military, TRICARE Policy, Telehealth, Mental Health Parity

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Issues: Maternal Health, Maternal Mental Health

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Issues: Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, School Violence Prevention

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Team
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Case Studies

Center Road Solutions achieves bipartisan results for its clients. See here for some examples of our achievements:

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Let's Get Connected

We welcome you to contact us for more information.

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