Advisory Committee
Terry Virts
Senior Advisor
Astronaut Terry Virts commanded the International Space Station, and, while onboard the space station in 2015, he saw red flashes in Donbas, which was bombs exploding during the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A former US Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, he holds degrees from the US Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Harvard Business School.
Terry now works as an executive coach, advising businesses in the energy, aerospace, and technology sectors. He is also a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School and a filmmaker, directing films like One More Orbit and The Night After. Additionally, he hosted the podcast Down to Earth with Terry Virts and is the author of several books, including How to Astronaut and View From Above.
Mark Robert Gordon
Senior Advisor
LinkedIn
Mark Robert Gordon has dedicated over 30 years as a civil and voting rights watchdog and attorney, ensuring the integrity of U.S. elections through various election protection programs. He founded and chairs Voting Rights Fund, supporting candidates who champion voting rights for all U.S. citizens. Gordon’s pro bono work emphasizes the rights of individuals with disabilities, LGBT communities, and religious minorities.
An elected member of the Democratic National Committee and several state and local Democratic organizations, Gordon has also run for Arizona Secretary of State and held significant roles in election integrity and legal associations.
In addition to his legal career, Gordon has a longstanding presence in the entertainment industry as an actor, writer, director, producer, and print model, producing several Off-Broadway plays including the long-running “2 1/2 Jews.” He founded Do Gooder Productions and The Camelback Kid, which develops stage-to-screen projects.
A union member for three decades, Gordon serves on the boards of Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa County Area Labor Federation, and various NGOs in Arizona and New York. An Arizona native, he holds degrees from Princeton, Columbia Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and is the son of a disabled WWII veteran and a public school teacher.
Benjamin Rüger
Senior Advisor
Benjamin Rüger is an aircraft engineer with over 25 years experience in commercial and business aviation. He is the founder and Managing Director of Bentley Aerospace.
Originally from East Germany, he now lives in the UK. He has worked and lived in various countries across Europe and the Middle East.
His family has a long-standing relationship with Ukraine, reaching back to the 1900s. Benjamin is actively involved in humanitarian projects supporting Ukraine. He visited Ukraine for the first time in 2024 and continues to provide assistance as a donor and a volunteer.
Ulana Mazurkevich
Senior Advisor
Ulana is the President and founder of the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee, where she testified before Congress regarding human rights abuses in Ukraine.
She also serves as the President of the Ukrainian Community Committee of Philadelphia and was appointed by Congress to the U.S. Congressional Commission on the Ukraine Famine of 1932-33. In this role, she conducted hearings and contributed to a report that declared the famine in Ukraine an act of genocide by Moscow. Her efforts led to securing funding from the U.S. Congress to translate and distribute the four-volume Report to Congress of the Famine Commission in Ukraine.
Ulana has spoken at the United Nations about the Holodomor and was appointed by the mayor of Philadelphia to serve on the prestigious Private Industry Council. Additionally, she serves on the Ethnic Council of the Democratic National Committee and has acted as an international observer for many elections in Ukraine.
Her work was instrumental in establishing the Ukrainian Caucus on Capitol Hill. She successfully secured the Philadelphia Liberty Medal for President Victor Yushchenko and an award for Petro Poroshenko as “International Statesman.”
Ulana has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the “Order of Princess Olga” from both President Yushchenko and President Volodymyr Zelensky, in acknowledgment of her dedicated efforts on behalf of Ukraine.
Furthermore, she is one of the three founders and chair of United Ethnic Women for Harris/Walz and Chair of the Program Committee of the Shevchenko Scientific Society.
Christopher J. Fussner
Senior Advisor
LinkedIn
– Christopher J. Fussner is an international businessman, philanthropist, and contributor to various non-profit organizations. He possesses deep knowledge of and experience in Asia, having lived and worked in the region for 38 years.
– Based in Singapore, Southeast Asia.
Art Beltrone
Senior Advisor and Spokesperson
Christian Kattner
Senior Advisor
LinkedIn
– Christian is the Head of the International Office for the Christlich-Soziale Union (CSU) in Bayern.
– Based in Munich, Germany.
Joseph Penkala
Senior Advisor
LinkedIn
– Founder, President & CEO of Compass Strategies, LLC.
– Diverse client portfolio: Fortune 500 companies, venture-funded start-ups (e.g., Pfizer, PTC, Alere).
– Political background: executive director of a state political party, finance director for a U.S. Senator, finance consultant for a gubernatorial campaign.
– Featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Herald, TIME Magazine.
– Veteran of Iraq War and initial NATO deployment to Bosnia.
Peter Karlan, M.S.L., ISA, AM
Senior Advisor
LinkedIn
– Principal at Karlan’s Arms; Antiques & Appraisals Inc (Over 35 Years).
– 25 Years in Non-Profit Management & Leadership, Serving Developmental Disabilities – Mental Health Communities (Retired)
– Served in Leadership Capacity Working on Government Contracts on Military Installations in California.
– Accredited Fine Arts Appraiser by the International Society of Appraisers Specializing in Antique Guns and Military Antiques.
– Former Host of Militaria at Radio & Collectibles TV.
John Arundel
Senior Press Advisor
LinkedIn
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