The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is pleased to announce the 2021 Congressional and Business Leadership Award recipients to be honored at our 31st Annual TFAS Scholarship Dinner on Sept. 14.
United States Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska will receive the 2021 Congressional Leadership Award and United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark will receive the 2021 Business Leadership Award during a celebration at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. The evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and remarks by our honorees at 7 p.m.
TFAS Director of Corporate and Donor Relations Kathie Regan Russo shared that the 2021 award recipients were selected based on their significant contributions to the government and business sectors, while also serving as outstanding role models for our nation’s young people.
“Currently an infantry officer and Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Senator Sullivan embodies honorable leadership and has consistently demonstrated his dedication to liberty and democracy. We are thrilled to honor him with the 2021 Congressional Leadership Award,” Russo said. “We’re also excited to honor Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce, with the 2021 Business Leadership Award in recognition of her deep commitment to free enterprise, and her instrumental role in promoting economic growth by representing America’s businesses.”
I am so thankful for TFAS giving me an opportunity to learn about and explore all these new interests. This summer has been super impactful… you all changed my life.” – Maanasa Muppavarapu ’21
Prior to being elected to the the U.S. Senate, Sullivan served as Alaska’s attorney general and Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. During his time in these roles, Sullivan helped initiate strategies to combat government overreach and strengthen the Alaskan economy by creating jobs and defending the state’s energy security. Sullivan also served in the George W. Bush Administration as the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business, and as a Director on the National Security Council staff at the White House. Sullivan has a distinguished record of military and national security service, and over the past 26 years, he has served in a variety of command and staff billets on active duty and in the reserves. He is the only member of the U.S. Senate still serving in the military.
Suzanne Clark has a wealth of private sector experience. She understands the need for bipartisan solutions and coalition-building around important issues in the business community. She initially joined the Chamber in 1997 as a top aide to the CEO and eventually became chief operating officer before leaving to become president of the National Journal Group (NJG). Clark led NJG through a period of swift digital transformation, which resulted in multiple journalism awards and record profits. Before rejoining the Chamber in 2014 as senior executive vice president, Clark acquired and led the financial information boutique Potomac Research Group. In 2019, Clark was appointed as president of the U.S. Chamber and since March 2021 has also served as its CEO. Her recent efforts have been focused on helping to restore the American economy in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Funds raised by the TFAS Scholarship Dinner support scholarships for highly qualified, ambitious student leaders to attend our transformational TFAS D.C. Summer Programs track on Business + Government Relations. This comprehensive program includes courses on economics and government relations for transferable credit; guaranteed internships with government affairs offices of notable corporations, trade associations and lobbying firms in the D.C. area; and unparalleled access to networking and professional development opportunities including special guest lectures, site briefings, a mentorship program and more.
Business + Government Relations student Maanasa Muppavarapu ’21 shared that her summer with TFAS helped her explore new subjects and industries she had never previously considered. After taking an economics class with TFAS Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Anne Bradley and interning with the Semiconductor Industry Association, Muppavarapu said her career path changed.
“I am so thankful for TFAS giving me an opportunity to learn about and explore all these new interests,” Muppavarapu said. “This summer has been super impactful… you all changed my life.”
Visit TFAS.org/ScholarDinner to learn more about the event and how you can support young leaders in business and government relations.