Meet the Team

“Being American isn’t about race, religion, or political views. It’s about believing in America and doing our part to make democracy work. It begins with the skills and capacity to talk to one another, explore issues from all angles, and respect every American’s needs.”

Lisa is the Co-founder and Interim Board chair of Crossing Party Lines. She manages the day-to-day operations of the organization while facilitating conversations and developing and delivering workshops that teach members to share their perspectives in constructive ways, listen with an open and curious mind, and appreciate the insights multiple perspectives provide.Lisa is a  graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a B.A. in Information Science. During her 30+ years as a technical communicator she was known for leadership and innovation and going deep into the subjects she writes about.  She holds a patent for her work in microlithography and is published in professional journals, magazines, and on the web.

Lisa proposes we look to our Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln to understand that diversity of political perspectives in America is one of our country’s core strengths. Lisa’s books, No One Was Listening and Yes You Can Talk Politics, offer inspiration and support for anyone interested in learning her process for civil, respectful conversation  and the scientifically-based skills that support it.

You can learn more about Lisa at lisaKSwallow.com

“Dialogue should not be seen as a way to make peace; but as a habit, a virtue, a obligation, and a right.” – Paulo Freire

Elevating human perspective, potential, and performance through connection, communication, contribution, and creative collaboration is Richard’s life mission and living legacy. His career spans from workforce and business development to the advancement of nonprofit causes dedicated to improving lives of the vulnerable and life experiences at large. Through a variety of development roles from Planner for the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board to Grant Manager for the Dream Center Foundation in Los Angeles, CA, he has developed expertise in non-profit development and creative strategies of fundraising for worthy people building projects.

Now as CEO of Huemanity Unlimited and a John Maxwell certified life and business productivity coach, Richard designed Life Mining Mastery strategies for performance improvement of individuals, businesses, and institutions. Life Mining Mastery principles work to boost personal and professional productivity by identifying and resolving areas of Intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict, cultivating Self Love, Spiritual Wellbeing, and Resilience.

“Humanity survives and thrives when it works together. This means collaborating, confronting, compromising, and taking action. It does not mean always pleasing others and going with the flow.”

With experience from elementary, secondary, through graduate school, including teaching, and administration, John Daggett brings 50 years as a public educator and administrator . His doctorate focused on group process, organization development, and policy.

He is passionate about Crossing Party Lines’ (CPL) mission to replace confrontation with curiosity, thereby generating a culture of possibility where there is currently too much hostility. He believes CPL is at the forefront of saving Democracy and returning us to the aspirational goals outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

“We have lost the emphasis on humanity in our national discourse. Through Crossing Party Lines, we get back to the basics of listening to understand the humanity behind all of our perspectives. We provide a window into the truth behind our politics, our people, our relationships, and our country. Once we start truly understanding one another, the potential for what we can accomplish collectively is limitless.”

Don LaMar has built his life around helping others to succeed. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, immersed in the auto industry world, surrounded by family.Don’s roots in America run deep. His grandfather, a Greek immigrant, came to Detroit in the 19??s and opened , one of the most beloved restaurants in Greektown.  Growing up, Don was Inspired by his uncle, who took over the family business and always fed those in need. [LS1]

Having worked at a homeless shelter in Minneapolis for 10 years, served as a minister for ___ more, and provided youth with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to, Don brings to Crossing Party Lines a true boots-on-the-ground understanding of bridging divides.  We are lucky to have him.

“No problem can be solved in a society (and world) that dehumanizes ‘the other’, and no problem is too big for those who have decided to put their differences aside to meet the challenge. Acknowledging ‘the other’ as a fellow human with their own fears and hopes is always the first step.”

Former woman in STEM now a woman in FILM, Swati Srivastava is a 1st generation immigrant and a multi award-winning writer-director & voiceover artist who has directed several short films, short documentaries, music videos and political ads. Her films have played at numerous film festivals and won several awards, including the “most important story of the year” award from CNN-India aired nationally in India at prime-time. Her political ads have been shown on national TV in the US. All of Swati’s work has social/political significance.

Originally from India and having spent half her life in the US, Swati sees the world with a unique East meets West lens. Her three passions are her love for storytelling especially through visual media, her penchant for politics, and her heartfelt desire to be part of the solution for the most challenging problem of our times; our inability to listen to each other. Having experienced childhood trauma and complex grief, she has first-hand experience of how it is not simply a matter of “choosing” facts or logic. When the limbic system is enflamed with fear, rationality goes out the window. As a society, we are all caught in the grip of fear. It takes a lot of work to choose love & hope over fear & despair. But it’s the work we need to do – both personally and communally.

Swati is an avid environmentalist. She lives with her husband in a “Net-Zero Energy” house in NY that has been covered by various media including NBC for its unique features. Together they try to lead a sustainable life with a low carbon footprint.

You can learn more about Swati at TiredandBeatup.com

“I fundamentally believe that if we give ourselves enough time to listen to each other and just for a moment open our hearts and understand where the other is coming from, America would be a much more peaceful and joyful place to live.”

At the root of Jessica’s work is her interest in empowering people and organizations to creatively solve complex problems that will impact society in meaningful ways. Her professional and volunteer positions reflect her passion for being a change agent for the public good.

After a 10-year career in management consulting, she was recently presented with an opportunity to serve in a role that exists at the intersection of four things that deeply matter to her – her faith; diversity, equity, and inclusion; wholistic healthcare; and socially responsible business strategy – joining the AdventHealth team as Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. In this role, she is responsible for leading the execution of the healthcare system’s diversity strategy and providing executive oversight of new and ongoing initiatives that build a more inclusive culture and embrace a widely diverse workforce.

Jessica’s professional experiences span various sectors, including Deloitte Consulting’s Government & Public Services Practice, where she helped leaders of major federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) navigate bureaucratic barriers through strategic communications, learning, and change management techniques, and the Pittsburgh Board of Education, where she coordinated workforce acquisition and engagement efforts for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Empowering Effective Teachers” urban education reform initiative. She has also worked with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CBS Network, CARE USA, and various radio stations and newspapers. Jessica earned  B.A. degrees in Communications and English from Oakwood University, and M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jessica’s work at Crossing Party Lines and beyond is founded on an “intellectual curiosity to understand our diverse world” and “empathy to widen her circle of compassion.”

“So many problems in America seem like they are the result of too much aggression, too much fighting.  While this is certainly true, it ignores the quieter problem of flight. That is, when we withdraw from one another, when we’re isolated from one another, then it’s easier to demonize one another.”

Michael J. Lee is professor of communication and director of the Civility Initiative at the College of Charleston. The Civility Initiative promotes healthy disagreement and dialogue across differences through speakers, panels, debates, and training workshops. Michael teaches and writes in political communication. His research focuses on political branding, political identity, strategic communication, and audience positioning in American politics. His work has earned over a dozen awards including five national book awards for his first book, Creating Conservatism: Postwar Words that Made an American Movement. His latest book is We Are Not One People: Separatism and Secession in American Politics Since 1776. He is also the host of When We Disagree, a podcast about the role of arguments, disputes, and conflicts in our lives.

“We have lost the emphasis on humanity in our national discourse. Through Crossing Party Lines, we get back to the basics of listening to understand the humanity behind all of our perspectives. We provide a window into the truth behind our politics, our people, our relationships, and our country. Once we start truly understanding one another, the potential for what we can accomplish collectively is limitless.”

Kareem is the Co-founder of Crossing Party Lines. He also leads Crossing Party Lines at the grassroots level by facilitating conversations in his hometown of New York City. Kareem believes the secret sauce for creating a world of love comes from the building blocks we use to create rich and meaningful personal relationships. “Persistent open dialogue that allows for disagreements gives us all an opportunity to grow together.”

A senior manager for Deloitte Consulting, Kareem leads large scale transformation efforts in the federal government’s civilian sector and has delivered 15+ projects resulting in lasting change, improving organizational culture while furthering mission objectives. Kareem serves on a highly-selective Managers Advisory Council to the Deloitte CEO. He is published in “Deloitte Insights” on how to leverage industry leading methods, including building cross-functional teams to transform large programs and companies for the better.

Kareem is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with degrees of a B.S. in Information Science and Technology and a B.A. in Philosophy. He is committed to continuous learning, and a member of the Bleeker and IVY professional networks.

“Every voice matters in a democracy—but only if we listen in ways that allow people to be truly heard. And only if we speak in ways others can truly hear. Crossing Party Lines teaches us to listen with purpose, speak with respect, and stay curious—so we can build a better future together.”

Dr. Deborah Teplow is an expert in the science of behavior change and solution-focused practice. She is co-founder and CEO of the Institute for Wellness Education, which created the US national occupational standards and training curriculum for the US Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship in Wellness Coaching. Deborah also is cofounder of Stamina Lab, a science-backed health optimization company that helps clients build lasting change through personalized coaching, data-informed insights, and a supportive community.

Deborah has trained staff in national, state, and local agencies and organizations in the US and abroad to help others help themselves to make positive, lasting behavior change. She currently volunteers with two NGOs in Ghana to scale change at the community level.

Deborah is a recovering academic, having started her career teaching fine arts and health sciences in colleges and universities in California and Nevada before spending 25 years as the education partner of a large medical school developing continuing education for physicians. She earned her doctorate from Stanford University.

“Valuing our humanity means that the dignity, creativity and needs of every individual is embraced by themselves as well as others.”

Judy feels that her experiences with Crossing Party Lines programs and people have been transformative. She is better able to acknowledge her past, enjoy the present and embrace possibilities that will lead to a stronger American democracy and full cultural equality for women.

Judy Branch is a graduate of the University of Vermont with an Ed.D. in public policy and education. She holds a M.S. in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona, Tucson and a B.S. in Home Economics from North Texas University in Denton. Judy offers 31 years of experience as an adult educator with VT Cooperative Extension. She directed a Head Start Center in Madison, Wisconsin and ran a federally funded Day Care Center in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois.

Judy was elected to the board in June, 2023 with the goal of creating financial ability to expand the success of Crossing Party Lines.

Moral Foundations Theory provides a useful framework for talking politics.

We begin by discussing each of the six foundations and getting a taste of how they can manifest differently in different people.

This leads to exploring some of the tensions intrinsic within the foundations themselves, which opens the door to moving from the moral/immoral dichotomy to an appreciation of how interacting with people who are differently moral to us leads to a more nuanced view of any issue and eventually to better solutions.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn to recognize the moral underpinnings of your own views
• Listen for indications that one or more of the six moral foundations is at play in a political discussion.
• Bring morality into a discussion in a non confrontational way