Phillip J. Bond
President, Potomac International Partners and Chairman, Foundation for American Science and Technology
Phil Bond is one of America’s most honored technology policy experts. A former US Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology, his 25-plus year career in Washington has included numerous recognitions for his leadership roles in the Executive branch, on Capitol Hill, at major high technology companies, and most recently as the CEO of TechAmerica, the largest technology advocacy association in the US.
From 2001 to 2005, Bond was Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for Technology and, from 2002-2003, served concurrently as Chief of Staff to Commerce Secretary Donald Evans. In his dual role, Bond worked closely with Secretary Evans to increase market access for U.S. goods and services and further advance America’s technological leadership at home and around the world. He oversaw the operations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Office of Technology Policy, and the National Technical Information Service. During his tenure, the Technology Administration was the pre-eminent portal between the federal government and the U.S. technology industry.
In 2015, Bond was one of three co-founders of the Foundation for American Science and Technology (FAST). The 501c3 was established with a mission to facilitate policies that advance US innovation and, ultimately, high-paying jobs. In that role, FAST houses CyberUSA, a network of cyber-focused state and local trade groups. In 2019, he co-founded Potomac International Partners, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm focused on trade, technology and government relations. He serves as President of the company.,
Bond is a graduate of Linfield University in Oregon, and now serves on its board of trustees.
Dr. Tony C. Price, Jr.
Senior Fellow, NAACP Center for Health Equity
Tony serves as the Senior Fellow within the Center for Health Equity at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he leads national initiatives aimed at eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity. In this role, Tony provides strategic leadership on key projects and leverages his expertise in chronic disease prevention, exercise, and physical activity to support healthier outcomes in historically underserved communities.
Prior to joining the NAACP, Tony was a Senior Research Associate at the Georgia Health Policy Center, where he served as the Technical Assistance Lead for projects supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. There, he provided guidance to rural communities across the U.S. to enhance capacity and improve health outcomes through innovative, community-centered approaches.
Tony is passionate about collaboration and connection, often acting as a bridge between partners and resources to maximize impact. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia State University Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the Strategic Advisor - Mission Delivery and member on the national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the Arthritis Foundation. He is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), committed to advancing accessible and inclusive health education.
In 2025, Tony was honored as the inaugural recipient of the CATALYSTS Foundation Impact Award by the Catalysts Foundation in recognition of his commitment to transformative public health leadership. Tony is also a recipient of the de Beaumont Foundation’s 2025 40 Under 40 award.
Dr. Michele Samorani
Associate Professor, Santa Clara University
Co-CTO, Data Justice Lab
Michele Samorani, , Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and Analytics at Santa Clara University and co-CTO of Data Justice Lab. He studies how artificial intelligence influences real-world decision systems, with a particular focus on detecting and mitigating algorithmic bias in health care. His recent work on racial disparities in medical appointment scheduling has been featured in major media, cited in a United Nations report, and recognized with an INFORMS award. His research is published in leading journals across Information Systems and Operations Research.
Stephanie Sylvestre
CEO, Avatar Buddy
Stephanie Sylvestre is a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and social impact leader dedicated to harnessing artificial intelligence for real-world transformation. As Co-Founder and CEO of Avatar Buddy, she pioneers the use of generative AI to bridge educational and healthcare gaps in underserved communities, empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential. Stephanie’s leadership journey spans the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including her award-winning tenure as Chief Information Officer at The Children’s Trust, where she managed a $184 million portfolio and led groundbreaking technology initiatives recognized for innovation and equity. A Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, Stephanie’s work is rooted in her lived experience growing up in Belize and her deep commitment to culturally responsive solutions. She is celebrated for building high-performance teams, driving operational excellence, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology. Stephanie’s expertise and passion make her a sought-after voice at the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, and social good. Her work has been recognized by the South Florida Business Journal, Miami-Dade County, and numerous national organizations. Stephanie is committed to ensuring that AI serves as a generative force for Black health and wellbeing, shaping a more equitable and empowered future for all.
Jenifer Waldrop
Executive Director, Rare Disease Diversity Coalition
Jenifer Waldrop is a patient advocacy specialist in the rare‐disease space and health equity initiatives. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC), where she advances strategic efforts to increase inclusivity and access across the diagnostics, clinical trial, and care‐continuum ecosystems for underrepresented communities. With a career spanning advocacy, coalition‑building, and public‐policy engagement, Jenifer has dedicated herself to creating meaningful partnerships between patient organizations, industry stakeholders, and government agencies. Her work emphasizes elevating the voices of marginalized populations within rare‑disease research and treatment development. Jenifer is recognized for her thoughtful, grounded leadership style that brings a human‐centered approach to complex systems change. She holds a broad network across patient advocacy, pharmaceutical innovation, and health‑equity sectors—and leverages these connections to mobilize action, drive awareness, and foster sustainable solutions where they are needed most.
BWHI Policy & Research Team:
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Ifeoma C. Udoh, Ph.D.
EVP of Policy and Research
Candace Bond-Theriault, Esq., LL.M.
Senior Director of Policy
Christiana Verdelus, MPP
Policy Analyst
Dr. DeBran Tarver, Ph.D., MPH
Senior Director of Research
