Center for the American Child

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Americans must provide the next generation with the resources and understanding necessary for their own journey as citizens. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) will advance policies to promote the social, emotional, and physical health of children. From improving our Nation’s foster care system to addressing neonatal abstinence syndrome, to incorporating character education and social emotional learning, AFPI will not fail our next generation and will provide a guiding light for a brighter future!

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Kellyanne Conway Chair, Center for the American Child

Kellyanne Conway is from Atco, New Jersey, and serves as the Chair of the Center for the American Child at AFPI. For nearly 4 years, Conway served as Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor to the President at the Trump White House, working on a range of issues affecting domestic and global policy. She also served as Campaign Manager of the come-from-behind victory of Trump-Pence 2016, making her the first woman in U.S. history to helm a presidential campaign successfully. She is the Founder and former President of The Polling Company, Inc./WomanTrend, a privately held, woman-owned corporation she operated from 1995 to 2016. She has appeared on various media outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, and Fox News Channel. Conway holds a law degree, with honors, from George Washington University Law Center and completed her undergraduate studies at Trinity College and Oxford University. Most recently, she started a new business, KAConsulting LLC, which provides clients advice, polling, and media training. Her memoir was published in Spring 2022. She is a mom to four amazing kids.

Catharine Cypher Deputy Chief of Staff; Chief Of Staff, Constitutional Litigation Partnership; Advisor, Center for the American Child

Catharine Cypher is a Hilton Head Island, South Carolina native, but calls Fenton, Michigan, home and serves as Deputy Chief of Staff; Chief Of Staff, Constitutional Litigation Partnership; Advisor, Center for the American Child at AFPI. Cypher most recently worked for First Lady Melania Trump as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs. Cypher also spearheaded many policy projects, including the First Lady’s 19th Amendment Centennial Anniversary engagements and her “Be Best” policy engagements within the issue areas of foster care, opioids/neonatal abstinence syndrome, and children’s well-being. Previously, Cypher worked for Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, where she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of External Affairs. Cypher also worked at the law firm Hogan Lovells, for U.S. Senator David Perdue, and served as the National Political Director at the College Republican National Committee. Cypher graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Grand Valley State University. Growing up, Cypher was a top-3 nationally ranked equestrian and a member of a multi-national championship water ski team. She has carried on those passions into adulthood and enjoys spending her free time riding horses and spending time with her family on the lake in Michigan.

“There Comes A Time When One Must Take A Position That Is Neither Safe, Nor Politic, Nor Popular, But He Must Take It Because Conscience Tells Him It Is Right.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lynn Johnson Director, Center for the American Child

Lynn Johnson is from Lakewood, Colorado, and serves as the Director for the Center for the American Child at AFPI. Lynn is the founder of ALL IN Fostering Futures, a non-profit focused on driving a cultural change throughout the country to combat the crisis of children aging out of the foster care system, adoption, poverty, and human trafficking. She brings determination, passion, and a strong belief in the dignity of all people no matter the challenge before them. This passion is driven by her deep faith and her belief in caring for all people all the time. Johnson was appointed by President Donald J. Trump as the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families under the Department of Health and Human Services. As the Executive Director of Jefferson County Department of Human Services in Colorado, she used a comprehensive lens to provide dignity and respect for the most vulnerable to end poverty, abuse, and neglect and stop the trafficking of children. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. Johnson lives in Lakewood, Colorado, with her husband of 37 years,  has three amazing adult children, and an incredible daughter-in-law. Those close to her know she loves completing sprint triathlons and has finished 18 over the years. 

“We must be the change we wish to see in the World.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Alexandra Kirschbaum Case Manager, Constitutional Litigation Partnership; Policy Analyst, Center for American Child

Alexandra Kirschbaum is from Macon, Georgia, and serves as both Case Manager for the Constitutional Litigation Partnership and Policy Analyst for the Center for the American Child at AFPI. Kirschbaum most recently worked at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the Office of Legal Counsel, where she assisted with litigation efforts, election integrity, and campaign finance. Before her time at the RNC, she worked in the Office of White House Counsel, where she helped ethics attorneys process and review financial disclosure reports. She was also an Executive Assistant in the Office of the Chief of Staff and served as an Associate for Presidential Advance. Kirschbaum previously interned in the White House Office of Management and Administration. She graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University in 2019, double majoring in political science and German and minoring in communications. She served as Class President for three years on the university’s Student Government Association. In her spare time, Kirschbaum enjoys fitness, playing tennis, and traveling to Georgia to spend time with her family.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

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