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Terrell Halaska is a partner at HCM Strategists. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Halaska the assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs. She was a member of the senior strategic management team and served as the agency’s key negotiator with Congress on several key initiatives

Ms. Halaska also served as special assistant to the President for domestic policy at the White House, advising the President, domestic policy advisor, and other senior White House staff. She was responsible for developing and advancing administration policies on family and children’s issues, including early childhood education, welfare reform, child welfare, adoption, housing, and homelessness.

Ms. Halaska joined the White House staff following her role as deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a member of Secretary Tommy Thompson’s senior strategic management team, she oversaw policy development on a number of issues, including stem cell research and international and domestic HIV/AIDS. Previously, Ms. Halaska directed the state of Wisconsin’s Washington office, and on Capitol Hill, she was press secretary to Congressman Scott Klug (R-WI).

Ms. Halaska earned a master’s degree in policy studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego.



Michael Manganiello is a partner at HCM Strategists. He leads the firm’s work with the National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health.

As senior vice president of government relations for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF), a patient advocacy organization, Mr. Manganiello planned, developed, and implemented legislative strategy and fundraising. He played an integral role in establishing the foundation and leading it to fulfill an evolving mission.

At CDRF, Mr. Manganiello authored and secured introduction of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act and raised $22.5 million for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center.

Mr. Manganiello is a founding member and president emeritus of the

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), which unites more than 100 diverse organizations, universities, scientific societies, and foundations in a bipartisan call for breakthrough medical research. Mr. Manganiello and CAMR were instrumental in Congress’ passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts in 2006 and 2007.

Mr. Manganiello also served for three years on the National Institutes of Health Director’s Council of Public Representatives, a group that advises the NIH director about policy issues in biomedical research from the public perspective.

Mr. Manganiello has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Villanova University.

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