Leadership
Terri Lakowski is the CEO of Active Policy Solutions and an expert on youth sports policy in the United States. In her role at Active Policy Solutions, Terri has created and implemented strategic policy planning, lobbying, coalition building and education and outreach to renown organizations working on issues relating to sport, youth development, health and fitness, Title IX and gender equity, and civil rights.
Prior to starting Active Policy Solutions, Terri served as the Public Policy Director for the Women’s Sports Foundation, where she was responsible for the operation of the Foundation’s Public Policy Department, which provides education and advocacy to combat discrimination in sport. In this capacity she oversaw the execution of all of the Foundation’s advocacy and public policy projects, participated in press conferences and Congressional lobbying activities to advocate on behalf of Title IX and other gender discrimination laws, and developed state and local education and advocacy initiatives to improve athletic opportunities for girls and individuals with disabilities in both school and community recreational athletic programs. Terri orchestrated passage of the Fitness and Athletic Equity Act for Students with Disabilities in Maryland, groundbreaking legislation that for the first time clarified the obligation of schools to provide sports and physical activity opportunities for students with disabilities. Terri also serves as the policy chair for the Inclusive Fitness Coalition, which spearheaded an effort to vastly expand the opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in sports and physical education programs in all levels of education, culminating in a directive from the Department of Education in January of 2013. Terri has been featured for her leadership on this guidance in national outlets, including the New York Times and NPR’s On Point.
Before working at the Foundation, Terri developed and spearheaded a Title IX education and advocacy program at the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM). As part of this effort, she worked with administrators from school districts in Missouri to improve their compliance with Title IX and performed educational workshops for more than 1,000 individuals, including administrators, students, parents, teachers and coaches.
Terri earned her Juris Doctorate from American University-Washington College of Law, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Terri received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis where, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Social Thought and Analysis with a concentration in Women’s Studies. While at Washington University, Terri wrote an honors thesis “Title IX & High School Athletics: An Introspective Look Into Compliance Practices” and participated on the women’s varsity basketball team for three years. Terri has taught as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Continuing Studies: Sport Management Program at Georgetown University, Diversity & Social Responsibility in Sport and in the Department of Exercise Science at George Washington where she taught Sports Law.
Terri is on the Board of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, which works in partnership with educational agencies in the U.S. to establish programs, policies and regulations in interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities to enhance educational outcomes. Terri also coaches a six grade girls’ basketball team for KOA Sports, a sports based youth development program and volunteers as a coach for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit serving girls through sports and physical activity.
With strong expertise in the congressional funding and appropriations process, and convening congressional summits, Jason Marmon is the Chief Operating Officer for Active Policy Solutions.
Prior to joining Active Policy Solutions, Jason served as a policy analyst for the National Brownfields Coalition where he developed strategies to engage Members of Congress and state and local organizations; analyzed current and future policy; and assisted in outreach and messaging to build local grassroots support for federal brownfields programs.
Before joining the Coalition, Jason was a senior aid to Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7), working on two congressional campaigns, a senate campaign, as well as in the Congressman’s district and Washington offices. Among his many responsibilities were developing and overseeing district grant support and earmark efforts; managing various issue portfolios, including appropriations, environment, transportation, and childhood nutrition; advocating Congressman’s position on proposed legislation and policy to other elected officials and government organizations; and drafting over a dozen pieces of legislation and amendments.
In 2010, Jason was recognized as one of the “Top 10 Most Effective Legislative and Campaign Staffers” by a prominent Pennsylvania newspaper. Jason earned his Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of law, where he graduated with honors. Jason received his bachelor’s degree from Drexel University with a degree in Environmental Science, and his master’s degree from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.
Diane Wilkinson is the Vice President of Government Affairs for Active Policy Solutions.
Diane was most recently a Legislative Assistant for US Senator Sherrod Brown (OH). Her position with the Senator was focused on the Federal funding process and she was the primary analyst and advisor for all issues under the jurisdiction of the US Senate Committee on Appropriations. Diane also convened Federal agencies to facilitate funding seminars in Ohio, including the Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, and Small Business Administration.
Prior to her time on Capitol Hill, Diane was an Administrative Assistant at Congress Watch, a division of Public Citizen. While there, she assisted the Director and Legislative Representatives with research in the areas of public funding of campaigns, lobbying reform, ethics reform, medical malpractice, and tort reform.
Diane is a two time graduate of The University of Akron. In 2004, she earned a B.A. in Social Science with a focus on Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. She went on to graduate with a Master of Arts in Political Science in 2006. Her coursework focused on Linkage Institutions, such as public opinion, interest groups, Media, Campaigns and Elections. She earned a Certificate in Applied Politics and has been an active volunteer in many local, state, and national races.
In 2011, Diane became a skater with the DC Rollergirls. The non-profit league is run entirely by the skaters and dedicated volunteers, who not only compete in the sport of roller derby, but also contribute their free time and talents to manage the business side of the league. The DC Rollergirls maintain a strong sense of pride in the community by partnering with local charities and participating in local events. The league’s vision is to promote athleticism, diversity, roller derby, and foster self-worth, personal strength, and female empowerment.
Maripat FiniganWith strong expertise in media relations, business development and political communications, Maripat Finigan in the Director of External Relations for Active Policy Solutions.
Prior to joining Active Policy Solutions, Maripat served as a consultant for a technology startup, where she developed strategies to engage media partnerships and was key in creating editorial content. She also served as an Account Executive at BERKMAN Communications, where she provided key business development consulting and secured national placements.
Before joining BERKMAN, Maripat was the Communications Director for Larson for Congress (CT-01), where she executed local and national media outreach, served as campaign spokeswoman, and oversaw the operations of the communications and field department of the campaign. Among her many responsibilities were crafting the campaign message, implementing a strategic and creative advertising plan, and developing and managing the entire campaign field program.
Prior to joining Larson for Congress, Maripat was the scheduler and outreach coordinator for Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7) working in his district office. In her role as scheduler, she coordinated and shaped all of the Congressman’s public appearances, as well as executed 7 major summits.
Maripat received her bachelor’s degree from Villanova University with a degree in Political Science, where she also participated on the Varsity diving team.
Prior to joining Active Policy Solutions, Zac was the National Volunteer Coordinator for the League of Conservation Voters. In this role he was responsible for helping LCV with their pioneer election program. Targeting fourteen races, the election team Zac was a part of supported winners in thirteen of those including helping Jon Tester, Tim Kaine, and Elizabeth Warren.
Before being part of the coordinated campaign team at LCV, Zac worked in the External Relations department for the Center for American Progress (CAP) focusing on government relations. While at CAP, Zac did extensive work on the Farm Bill reauthorization. In addition, Zac worked with Jason and Maripat for Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07). During his three years with the Congressman Zac worked closely with the District Director to specialize in veteran and military affairs and interned in the Washington DC office.
Zac is a graduate of the George Washington University garnering a degree in Political Science. Zac played on the GW Ice Hockey Team.