January 12-15, 2026 | Laguna Beach, CA.
First-year applications due by November 14
The Premier Gathering of Public Affairs Executives
Step outside the day-to-day challenges of your job. Focus on the broader issues that shape the business and political environments in which your organization operates.
The Public Affairs Institute combines a rigorous curriculum with small, carefully selected classes to provide participants with unmatched opportunities to learn directly from premier faculty. Speakers are issue experts from leading universities, think tanks and the top levels of government.
2026 Agenda Coming Soon
2025 Agenda can be found below
Monday, January 6
2:30 p.m.
Registration + Snacks
Huntington Foyer
3:00 p.m.
Mandatory Orientation for First-Year Class
Huntington DE
4:30 p.m.
Welcome Remarks & Introductions
Huntington DE
5:00 p.m.
Plenary Session: Katie Harbath
Huntington C
6:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner
Tuesday, January 7
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
Huntington Foyer
8:00 a.m.
Plenary Session: Lori Knowles
Huntington C
9:15 a.m.
Plenary Session: Jerry Michalski
Huntington C
10:45 a.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Katie Harbath
- 2nd Year: Lori Knowles
- 3rd Year: Class Photo/Free Period
Huntington Pool
12:15 p.m.
Lunch Buffet
Huntington Pool
1:30 p.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Optional Headshots/Free Period
- 2nd Year: Katie Harbath
- 3rd Year: Jerry Michalski
3:15 p.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Lori Knowles
- 2nd Year: Optional Headshots/Free Period
- 3rd Year: Katie Harbath
4:45 p.m.
Sunset Reception
Huntington Pool
6:00 p.m.
Class Dinners
Off-Site
Wednesday, January 8
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
Huntington Foyer
8:00 a.m
Plenary Session: Alison Taylor
Huntington C
9:15 a.m.
Plenary Session: Amy Gallo
Huntington C
10:45 a.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Amy Gallo
- 2nd Year: Jerry Michalski
- 3rd Year: Lori Knowles
12:15 p.m.
Lunch Buffet
Huntington Pool
1:30 p.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Jerry Michalski
- 2nd Year: Free Period
- 3rd Year: Free Period
6:00 p.m.
Class Dinners
Off-Site
Thursday, January 9
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
Huntington Foyer
8:00 a.m
Plenary Session: Raghida Dergham
Huntington C
9:15 a.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Alison Taylor
- 2nd Year: Raghida Dergham
- 3rd Year: Amy Gallo
11:00 a.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Raghida Dergham
- 2nd Year: Amy Gallo
- 3rd Year: Alison Taylor
12:15 p.m.
Lunch Buffet
Huntington Pool
2:00 p.m.
Class Breakouts
- 1st Year: Free Period
- 2nd Year: Alison Taylor
- 3rd Year: Raghida Dergham
3:45 p.m.
Capstone Session and Graduation
Huntington C
4:30 p.m.
Farewell Sunset Reception
Huntington Pool
5:15 p.m.
Dinner Buffet
Huntington Pool
2026 Faculty Coming Soon
2025 Faculty Included:
The author of numerous publications on law and ethics in emerging biotechnologies, Lori has focused on the different approaches to policy development in international regimes. Her work has addressed technologies from cloning, stem cells, and agricultural biotechnology to reproductive technology, synthetic genomics, and bioweapons. Her most recent research interest has been in understanding public mistrust of science, how we process information, and how to have conversations in contested areas.
Lori started her career practicing law in Toronto, Canada, but moved to the UK and eventually to the U.S. for graduate school. Along the way, she picked up three citizenships, law degrees from each country, and a love of international travel. She has taught at the University of Wisconsin Law and Medical Schools and consulted for two Presidential Bioethics Committees, Health Canada, Genome Canada, and several Fortune 500 companies. She was a special governmental employee for the US Food and Drug Administration for 18 years.
More recently, Lori has rejoined private legal practice as Assistant General Counsel at Gunderson Dettmer, the leading international venture capital and venture fund firm.
The author of numerous publications on law and ethics in emerging biotechnologies, Lori has focused on the different approaches to policy development in international regimes. Her work has addressed technologies from cloning, stem cells, and agricultural biotechnology to reproductive technology, synthetic genomics, and bioweapons. Her most recent research interest has been in understanding public mistrust of science, how we process information, and how to have conversations in contested areas.
Lori started her career practicing law in Toronto, Canada, but moved to the UK and eventually to the U.S. for graduate school. Along the way, she picked up three citizenships, law degrees from each country, and a love of international travel. She has taught at the University of Wisconsin Law and Medical Schools and consulted for two Presidential Bioethics Committees, Health Canada, Genome Canada, and several Fortune 500 companies. She was a special governmental employee for the US Food and Drug Administration for 18 years.
More recently, Lori has rejoined private legal practice as Assistant General Counsel at Gunderson Dettmer, the leading international venture capital and venture fund firm.
Jerry was on the front lines of the tech revolution for a dozen years as a tech-industry trends analyst during the dot-com boom, as Managing Editor of Esther Dyson’s monthly newsletter, Release 1.0. He also advised corporate advanced-technology groups on whether and where to deploy exponential technologies like AI.
One of the 4,000-plus startups Jerry interviewed had a useful mind-mapping app called TheBrain. Intrigued, Jerry began curating his Brain then, over 26 years ago. Now it’s the world’s largest, with over 585,000 entries.
For the past five years, Amy has co-hosted HBR’s popular Women at Work podcast, which examines the struggles and successes of women in the workplace. She is frequently sought out by media outlets for her perspective on workplace dynamics, conflict, and difficult conversations. Her advice has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Marketplace, as well as on NPR, WNYC, the BBC, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
Previously, Katie spent ten years at Facebook. As a director of public policy, she built and led global teams that managed elections and helped government and political figures use the social network to connect with their constituents.
Through her journalism, she contextualizes the latest events in the Middle East, their impact on the world stage, and how critical it is to understand diverse cultures in the world. Dergham has broken major news stories, covered myriad peace conferences and summits, and shared her expertise on the world stage. Named one of 2011’s “100 Most Powerful Arab Women” by Arabian Business, she discusses the complexities of the nations, leaders, and policies of the Arab world and how they interface with the West.
Hear From Past Participants
“The Public Affairs Institute is an innovative and unique public affairs experience. I walked away with fresh ideas, new ways of thinking and new relationships with senior leaders in the industry.”
– Jennifer Brooks, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
“The Institute should be mandatory professional development for public affairs executives. The content and substance covered is timely and critical. And the people are even better. My network is stronger and broader as a result.”
– Kevin Hennessy, Senior Policy Director, Dominion Energy Services
“The Institute exceeded my expectations for a professional development program. It was an incredibly insightful few years where the speakers delivered thought provoking ideas and concepts yet were fully engaged and interacted with the participants. As important, the other students were high caliber professionals and I’m confident we will remain engaged over our careers.”
– Brian McAndrews, Vice President, TIAA
Institute Graduates Work at These Organizations:
1-800 CONTACTS
AAA National
ABB Inc.
ACT, Inc.
Acuitas LLC
ADP, Inc.
AFLAC
Ahold Delhaize USA
Alaska Airlines
Align Public Strategies
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
Allstate Insurance Company
Altadis USA, Inc.
Amazon
AMCP
American Academy of Dermatology Association
American Association of Cosmetology Schools
American Association of Exporters and Importers
American Beverage Association
American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity
American College of Cardiology
American Council of Life Insurers
American Council on Renewable Energy
American Electric Power (AEP)
American Express Company
American Forest & Paper Association
American Heart Association
American Institutes for Research
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
American Urological Association
American Water
AmeriHealth Caritas
Aon
Apollo Education Group, Inc.
Arconic Corporation
Aristotle International
Arthritis Foundation
Ash Grove Cement Company
Association of Danish Physiotherapists
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
AT&T
ATCS, PLC
Atlantic Health System
Atlas Advocacy
Auto Care Association
AutoZone
BAE Systems
Baxter International Inc.
Bayer
Bayer Corp.
BCW Brussels
Beer Institute
Bell
BerlinRosen
Best Buy Co., Inc.
BigVision
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Blue Diamond Growers
bluebird bio
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Bose Public Affairs Group LLC
BP America Inc.
Bravo Group, Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Brown Rudnick LLP
BWX Technologies Inc.
CAES
Capitol Strategies Group, LLC
Cargill NV
Celgene Corporation
Center for American Ideas
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CF Industries, Inc.
ChoicePoint, Inc.
CHS Inc.
Clarios
Clearway Energy Group
Climate Leadership Council
CNA Financial Corporation
Collins Aerospace
Comcast Corporation
Connecticut Business & Industry Association
Constellation Energy Corporation
Consumer Brands Association
Consumer Data Industry Association
Corning Incorporated
Corporation for National & Community Service
CoverMyMeds
Covidien
Cozen OConnor
Credit Suisse (USA), Inc.
CropLife America
CSX Corporation
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CVS Health
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Dart Container Corporation
DCI Group, L.L.C.
DDC Public Affairs
Democracy Engine
Detroit Regional Chamber
Deutsche Bank
Devon Energy Corporation
Dewey Square Group
DHL Express
Diageo North America
DIGITALEUROPE
Direct Marketing Association
Dominion Energy Services, Inc.
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
Dow Inc.
Duke University
Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.
Dunn Associates
Eastman
Eaton
Ecolab Inc.
Edison Electric Institute
Edison International
Election Systems & Software
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc.
Elevance Health
Eli Lilly and Company
EMPLOYERS Insurance
Enact MI
Enbridge Inc.
Entergy
Equifax Inc.
Ewell & Associates, LLC
Exelon Corporation
Express Scripts, Inc.
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Farm Credit Council
Farmers Insurance Exchange
FCCI Insurance Group
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
Fidelity Investments
FirstEnergy
Flores Advocacy Change & Transformation
Florida Beverage Association
Florida Retail Federation
FOCUS, a Leonine Business
Forbes Tate Partners, LLC
Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, UNC
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Futures Industry Association
General Mills, Inc.
George W. Bush Institute
Global Affairs Canada
Global Infrastructure Information Commission
Google LLC
Government Relations Consulting
Grant Thornton LLP
GrayRobinson
Gunster Strategies
Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance
Hazzouri and Associates
Heineken U.S.A.
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Holcim
Honeywell International
Horizon Strategies Group, LLC
HSBC – North America Holdings Inc.
Humana Inc.
I Drive Safely
IBM Corporation
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Impact Texas Communications, LLP
Indwelling Consulting LLC
Innovation Advocacy, LLC
Inspira Health Network
Inspire Brands, Inc.
International Bottled Water Association
International Game Technology
International Paper Company
Intuit
Invenergy LLC
Iowa West Foundation
ITC Holdings
ITG Brands
JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
John Deere
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson Controls International plc
Johnson Controls, Inc. (legacy account)
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter LPA
Kellanova
Kesarev EMEA GmbH
Kilbride Public Affairs
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Lakemont Public Affairs
Law Office of Christin M. Sands, PLC
Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Levi Strauss & Co.
LEVICK
LexisNexis
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Limited Brands
Lincoln National Corporation
LinkEdge Technologies
Lockheed Martin Corp.
LS Power
Lumen Technologies
Lundbeck
LyondellBasell
M.L. Hogans LLC
Magellan Health, Inc.
Magna
Manulife
Marathon Petroleum
Mary Kay Inc.
Mastercard
McCormick Company
McDonald’s Corporation
McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC
McKesson Corporation
MedImmune
Medtronic Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
MillerCoors
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
Molson Coors Brewing Company
Monument Advocacy
MultiState
NABPAC National Association of Business PACs
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Council of Textile Organizations
National Electrical Contractors Association, Inc.
National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Nationwide
NC Chamber
Nestle USA
Nestle Waters North America Inc.
New Avon
North Shore Corporate Advocacy, LLC
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Novo Nordisk Inc.
NRG Energy, Inc.
Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuseed
NYS Funeral Directors Association
Oklahoma Natural Gas
OneMain Financial
OOVOS Consulting
Open Space
Oracle Corporation
Ostronic Policy Strategies, LLC
Pacific Life Insurance Company
PCT Government Relations, LLC
PECO, an Exelon Company
Personal Care Products Council
Pfizer Inc.
Philips North America
Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC
Political Quotient Advisors LLC
PotlatchDeltic Corporation
PPL Corporation
Premera Blue Cross
Primient
Princeton Public Affairs Group
Professional Beauty Association
Prudential Financial, Inc.
Public Affairs Council
Public Affairs Resources, Inc.
Public Affairs Strategies LLC
Public Affairs Support Services
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Puget Sound Energy
Quorum
RELX Inc.
Renewable Energy Group
Retail Business Services, LLC
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Reworld
Risk Management Solutions, Inc.
Roche Diagnostics Corporation
RTX Corporation
Safelite AutoGlass
Salesforce.com
Sazerac Co.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc
Serlin Haley LLP
Shire
Signify
Smith Anderson
Solvay Pharmaceuticals
Solventum
Southern Company Gas
Southwest Airlines Company
Square Hat Wine Company
St. John Priory in the USA
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Starbucks Coffee Company
State and Federal Communications, Inc.
State Farm Insurance Companies
State Government Affairs Council
Story Partners LLC
Sullivan & LeShane Inc.
Sumitomo Corporation of America
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
Sunwest Communications
Sutter Health
Sylvamo Corporation
Symetra Financial
Synopsys, Incorporated
T. Adams Consulting, LLC
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
Target Corporation
Tate & Lyle
TE Connectivity
Teck American Incorporated
Tennessee Valley Authority
The Advocacy Group
The Aluminum Association
The Boeing Company
The Bolinas Group
The Cigna Group
The Clorox Company
The Coca-Cola Company
The College Board
The Council of State Governments
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
The Home Depot
The KPM Group DC
The LEGO Group
The Permanente Federation, LLC
The Pires Group, Inc.
The Procter & Gamble Company
The SAFE Foundation
The Tassopoulos Law Firm, PLLC
The Toy Association
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
The Webb + Flow Group, LLC
Thomas Edison State University
Thrivent Financial
TIAA
Total Wine & More
Toyota Motor North America
Triad Strategies LLC
U.S. Cannabis Council
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
UCB, Inc.
UL Solutions
Unilever
Union Pacific Railroad
UnitedHealth Group
US Foods
UT Dallas, Jindal School of Management
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Volterra Communications
VOX Global
Waitt Foundation
Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens Company
Walmart
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Washington Literacy Center
Washington Roundtable
Wells Fargo & Company
Whirlpool Corporation
Zurich Insurance Group
Conference Location
Surf & Sand Resort Laguna Beach
1555 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Surf & Sand Resort Laguna Beach is settled on the Laguna coastline, just south of Newport Beach. The Resort is an approximately 1-hour drive from LAX and an approximately 20-minute drive from Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.
Room Rate: $405 per night*
Cut-off date: December 22, 2025
Check-in: 4:00 p.m.
Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
*Please make sure to read the Tax & Cancellation Policy before booking.
Application Information
FIRST-YEAR CANDIDATES
Please complete application here by November 14. Once your application has been accepted, we will send you a confirmation with invoice for registration. Please be aware that in past years the first-year class has filled to capacity before the deadline, so it is recommended that you apply early. You will be notified within one week.
Annual Registration Fee*
Public Affairs Council Members: $6,000
Non-Members: $7,400
Institute Fellows: $3,000
*Note: Tuition includes meals. It does not include the cost of lodging, transportation or personal expenses.
Questions
Kristin Brackemyre
Senior Director, Public Affairs Practice
202-787-5969 | [email protected]
12:15 a.m.
Adjourn