Public Leader Advisors

About Will

Will is a bridge builder and entrepreneur who turns stubborn problems into shared purpose. Grounded in his experience as a person with a disability, he champions initiatives to expand health and opportunity, while inspiring people to imagine and create better futures.

Public Advocate — Policy & Campaigns

Will has guided high-stakes initiatives through obstacles and opposition by combining deep government experience with private-sector savvy. He draws on years of experience in senior public affairs, legislative, program, and policy roles across the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, political campaigns, and the private sector. He has designed and executed policy, program, and advocacy strategies that succeeded even in challenging environments—developing new approaches, mobilizing coalitions, educating the public and decision makers, winning legislative victories, turning skeptics into allies, and shaping local and national conversations. Areas of focus have included mental health, addiction, healthcare, public safety, consumer privacy, national and international security, veterans’ care, immigration, environment, and education.

Highlights:

• Coordinated White House campaigns to stop the opioid epidemic, helping drive a historic decline in deaths.
• Co-led the development and launch of MentalHealth.gov, aligning federal government agencies and private-sector partners to increase awareness and access to care.
• Guided from introduction to enactment the first legislation to track exposure to toxic burn pits—laying the foundation for the PACT Act, which extended care to millions of veterans years later.
• At the White House, met with Members of Congress and tech company executives to push for stronger online protections for kids.
• Advised state agency officials on health policy initiatives.
• Partnered with the Ad Council on a national media campaign to save lives.

Civic Storyteller — Narrative Design & Content Partnerships

Will has helped creators translate complex civics, health, and science topics into compelling narratives that engage broad audiences. He founded the Civic Leadership Stories Project and partners with film, TV, and media organizations, such as Sundance, Writers Guild of America, Television Academy, and Warner Bros., to support authentic, inspiring storytelling. He has advised and taught hundreds of film, TV, social media and other content creators about civics, health and science storylines. He has helped design and analyze public opinion polling, including national surveys and focus groups. He has been quoted by major press outlets and spoken to audiences across the country. He has been a SXSW Film & TV Advisory Board Member for several years.

Highlights:

• Collaborated with MTV to develop a TV special filmed at the White House.
• Associate Produced an award-winning documentary about polarization and collaboration.
• Advised development of the bestselling book Who Is Government.
• Created an initiative to “flip the script on plastics” in TV and films.
• Invited West Wing TV star to the White House briefing room to raise awareness about a public health initiative.
• Served as Policy Director for the Impact Film Festival at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
• Developed the American Film Institute’s first Politics Bootcamp for Filmmakers.
• Researched and developed widely used guides about civics for content creators.

Trusted Advisor — Leadership Coaching & Training

Will has led teams in high-stakes environments, where success and failure play out in national headlines. He has served in the federal government up to the Senior Executive level and as a board member for multiple organizations in the private sector. He has advised private and public sector leaders through crises and opportunities. He has trained leaders, teams, and organizations how to more effectively tell their stories, navigate conflict, spread trust, and increase engagement internally and externally. He was certified in Leadership Coaching through Georgetown University and trained as a mediator. He has coached leaders across the country through the Partnership for Public Service and other organizations.

Highlights:

• Designed mentoring and professional development programs for hundreds of leaders.
• Developed the Engaged Trust model and trainings for leaders and teams, an innovative approach focused on how people make and deliver on commitments.
• Executive coached federal, state and private-sector leaders navigating change.
• Taught communications courses at the undergraduate level.
• Co-authored peer-reviewed articles in The Public Sector Innovation Journal and Media, Culture & Society.

Network Builder — Coalition Development & Mobilization

Will has built cross-sector coalitions that united unlikely allies to generate wider support for change and nudge decision makers to act. He has brought together business leaders, families, students, philanthropies, faith and community groups, health providers, law enforcement, creators, and government officials. He has worked on national and international initiatives in support of community building, conflict transformation, and restorative justice. He has designed campaigns, convenings, and collaborations tailored to deliver strategic goals. He has advised donors on effective funding strategies and reviewed project proposals for potential impact and risks.

Highlights:

• Co-led a community building program in a dozen cities across the U.S. involving thousands of politicians, business leaders, media creators, educators, students, and faith leaders.
• At the White House, coordinated engagement strategies with public health and public safety associations, companies, state and local governments, creators, and community groups.
• Founded the Democratic Communicators Network and served on the board of the bipartisan Congressional Legislative Staff Association.
• Led working groups and conference panels for NEXUS, a community of thousands of philanthropists and social entrepreneurs around the world.