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Speakers
Welcome to the 2025 DC Forum, where we are curating thought leaders and experts to come together to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Discover these influential speakers who will guide us through critical topics such as HUD reform, homelessness advocacy, mental health policy, faith-based nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and more.
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Aaron Mercer
Aaron Mercer serves as senior strategist for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). A seasoned communications and public policy professional, Aaron has more than two decades of experience in church and ministry communications, as well as the worlds of government and associations.
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Caitlyn McKenney
Caitlyn McKenney focuses on government fiscal accountability, housing, and addiction with a concentration on human dignity ethics for the Discovery Institute’s Center on Wealth & Poverty. As a research fellow and program coordinator, Caitlyn makes local and national media appearances and has published articles in the British Journal of Psychiatry, The American Spectator, and the Federalist.
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Jeff Olivet
Jeff Olivet has worked in the homelessness, behavioral and public health arena for more than 30 years as a policy maker, speaker, writer, and thought leader. His work has shaped new directions for organizations across the United States and internationally. Jeff served as executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness under the last administration and has a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and equality.
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Jon Ruybalid
Jon Ruybalid provides legal counsel for nonprofits, social enterprise ventures, and entrepreneurs to establish global business and mission related activities. He is a legal architect for structuring effective ministry legal models, managing risk, and assisting in developing practical ministry effective policies and practices and collaborative relationships among and for missions and ministries.
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Michael Gray
Considered a subject matter expert on several areas of healthcare policy, Michael Gray has directed advocacy, policy, and political affairs at multiple organizations, including NAMI Maryland, Inc., where he also serves as Deputy Director. Mike has also advised and managed political campaigns, guided legislators, organizations, and grassroots advocates through regulatory.
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Dr. Robert Marbut
Dr. Robert Marbut has worked on the drugs and homelessness front for decades, including as founding CEO of Haven for Hope in San Antonio. He served under three presidential administrations, most recently as the executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Robert spearheaded the No Address Interactive Study Guide and was the senior producer of Fentanyl: Death Incorporated, and executive producer of the No Address movie and documentary.
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Sabah Muhammad
Sabah Muhammad provides legal counsel and robust advocacy for the improvement of state and federal laws and reforms of systems of care affecting those with severe mental illness (SMI). Previously, Muhammad served as a public defender promoting college and career readiness with The Scholarship Academy and advancing community servant leadership through AmeriCorps Atlanta.
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Stephen Eide
A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor of City Journal, Stephen Eide researches social policy questions such as homelessness and mental illness. He holds a B.A. and Ph.D. and published his first book, Homelessness in America: The History and Tragedy of an Intractable Social Problem in June 2022.
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Steve Berg
Steve Berg serves as the chief policy officer for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. He specializes in employment, economic development, and human services, and how they interact with and impact homelessness. Previously, Steve worked on state-level welfare reform and employment with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and as a legal services attorney covering housing, government benefits, employment, and family integrity.
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Tom De Vries
Tom De Vries, President/CEO of Citygate Network, has served as a church planter, multi-site church lead pastor, and church multiplication movement leader. Most recently, Tom filled the president/CEO role at the Global Leadership Network (GLN), an international ministry producing training and equipping through the Global Leadership Summit. Prior to the GLN, Tom was the general secretary of the Reformed Church in America. He holds a Doctorate in Ministry from Western Seminary, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Seminary, and a B.A. from Wheaton College. Tom has a track record of innovation, strategic planning, and leading high-performance teams for increasing ministry impact.
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Walter Kim
Walter Kim, pastor, scholar and thought leader, brings a unique combination of skills to his presidency at the National Association of Evangelicals. He is the son of immigrant parents and has lived in New York City, Vancouver, and Boston, as well as the suburbs of Chicago and Pittsburgh, and a fading coal town at the foot of the Appalachians.
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William Baldwin
The third youngest of the Baldwin brothers, you know actor “Billy” from his roles in Backdraft, Fair Game, Sliver, Flatliners, Internal Affairs, and many other movies. He plays a leading role in the new release No Address and has participated in numerous events and activities advocating for those in the margins.
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