Former Congresswoman Kathy Manning to be new Board Chair and Brian Romick to be new President and CEO
Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), an organization committed to supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship within the Democratic Party, announces the election of the Honorable Kathy Manning, former Democratic member of Congress and past Chair of The Jewish Federations of North America, as Chair of DMFI’s board of directors. Brian Romick, senior Democratic strategist and Chief of Staff to Congressman Steny Hoyer, will serve as the organization’s President and CEO.
“Kathy and Brian are the right leaders for this moment when Democratic Majority for Israel’s mission is more important than ever,” said Todd Richman, DMFI’s current board Co-Chair. “Their deep experience and accomplishments on Capitol Hill, in Democratic politics, and as leading pro-Israel advocates will build on DMFI’s record of achievement.”
“DMFI has become a vital force in advancing Democratic values, with proven, effective programs supporting Democratic lawmakers, and advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship within our party. Now, with this strong new leadership team, we will be ready to accomplish even more in the years ahead,” said Ann Lewis, current Co-Chair of the Democratic Majority for Israel board. Richman and Lewis will become founding Chairs Emeritus and remain active on the board.
DMFI’s new board Chair, former U.S. Representative Kathy Manning, represented North Carolina’s 6th congressional district from 2021 to 2025. While serving in Congress, she chaired the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism and introduced the Countering Antisemitism Act. A strong advocate for Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship, she was Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. In Congress, Manning also fought for women’s reproductive rights, including introducing the Right to Contraception Act, and chaired the New Democrat Task Force on workforce shortages, on expanding access to apprenticeship programs and community colleges, and on expanding access to affordable healthcare. She was the first woman to chair the board of The Jewish Federations of North America and served in leadership roles on the boards of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
“I am thrilled to chair DMFI’s board at this very important time for the U.S.-Israel relationship and for the Democratic Party,” said Kathy Manning. “I want to thank the past leadership for establishing DMFI and turning it into a vibrant and formidable organization with an outsized impact. I look forward to building on the strong foundation they have created.”
DMFI’s new President and CEO, Brian Romick, is a highly experienced congressional leadership professional who worked closely with pro-Israel champion Representative Hoyer for more than 28 years, serving most recently as his Leadership Chief of Staff. His past positions with Representative Hoyer include serving as his Deputy Chief of Staff when the congressman was Majority Leader, and Member Services Director, among other leadership roles. A passionate pro-Israel advocate, Romick spearheaded Representative Hoyer’s efforts related to Israel, antisemitism, and other issues important to the Jewish community, including legislation related to Iran and its proxies, Iron Dome, and BDS, as well as the congressman’s numerous trips to Israel. During his tenure, Romick played a key strategic role in the development and passage of major federal legislation advancing Democratic priorities, including the Affordable Care Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He also supported the congressman as a senior political advisor.
“DMFI is an essential voice in Washington and in the pro-Israel community across the country. I am thrilled to build on the success of this organization at this critical moment in the U.S.- Israel relationship,” said Brian Romick. “I want to thank DMFI’s leadership and staff for their efforts over the last six years to build a robust presence in the Democratic Party that reflects our shared values with Israel. With the House and Senate in play during the upcoming midterm elections, I am committed to working with Kathy, the board, and the staff to expand DMFI’s impact and ensure we are supporting pro-Israel Democrats next year.”
Also joining the DMFI board will be Lisa Eisen, Co-President of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and Founding Board Chair of the Israel on Campus Coalition, the iCenter for Israel Education, and Repair the World, and Stuart Kurlander, Retired Latham & Watkins Washington, D.C. Partner who is the founder and former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice and also the founder and former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Israel Practice, as well as Past President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
About DMFI
Founded in 2019, Democratic Majority for Israel is an organization of Democratic leaders from across the country dedicated to advancing the values of the Democratic Party and its pro-Israel position. DMFI builds on the Party’s historic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship by winning majority votes for pro-Israel platforms and policies, defeating anti-Israel measures, organizing and mobilizing pro-Israel coalitions and working with pro-Israel Democratic leaders in every state.
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