“Fundamentally, elections are fights to get the most votes. But beneath the surface, the campaigns are a battle for the conversation before anyone casts a ballot,” notes Inside Elections’ Nathan Gonzales in this month’s column on how the Republicans and Democrats are putting in the work now to define an election that is 17 months away.

The 2025 Foundation Fellows met for the first time in early May at the Council’s headquarters in Washington, where they shared their excitement about the program, asked questions and listened to the advice of mentors who will help guide them through the yearlong program. They shared with us their thoughts on the vital role of public affairs, as well as their would be “walk-up” songs as they begin their journey.

From a diplomat with the Dutch Foreign Service to chief communications & public affairs officer with Solvay, Marcel Halma has had a fascinating professional journey. He discusses how public affairs has been interwoven in his work from the beginning and why the global political climate we find ourselves in today has been building for decades. He also shares his observations from attending the White House Correspondents’ dinner the last two years.

You’ve heard of the “revolving door,” right, whereby politicians leave their offices to take high-paying jobs as lobbyists? Well-intentioned reformers eager to outlaw this allegedly nefarious practice might want to acquaint themselves with the results of a study out of Boston University by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Looking to keep up with the latest public affairs job changes? Your peers have taken on new roles at Axiom Space, The American Institute of Architects, Hyundai Motor Company and Visa, to name a few. Check out where else they’re headed and what they’re up to.

Attendees at the Council’s Spring Executive Conference were amazed and spellbound by Scotty Wiese’s astonishing blend of mentalism, magic and what seemed to be actual sorcery.