September 24, 2024

Join us for an enlightening evening at the “Bipartisan Perspectives: Navigating the U.S. Presidential Elections” dinner, hosted by the French-American Foundation’s Transatlantic Forum. This event promises to offer a unique exploration of the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections through a bipartisan lens.

Our distinguished speakers, Douglas Heye and Tracy Sefl, seasoned political strategists from the Republican and Democratic camps, respectively, will delve into the complexities of the U.S. political landscape. Doug, with his rich experience as a former communications director at the Republican National Committee, and Tracy, known for her advisory role in Democratic campaigns, will provide contrasting insights that highlight the multifaceted nature of American politics.

This forum dinner will not only shed light on the strategic maneuvers within each party but also foster a deeper understanding of the bipartisan issues that influence U.S. electoral politics. The discussion will be moderated by a member of our forum, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive dialogue.

Whether you’re a political aficionado, a professional in the field of international relations, or simply interested in the broader implications of U.S. elections on global affairs, this event will offer valuable perspectives to enrich your understanding.

Join us for an evening of robust discussion, networking, and gourmet dining, as we dissect the strategies and expectations of the upcoming presidential race. This is an opportunity not to be missed for those looking to gain a deeper insight into one of the most watched electoral processes in the world.

Learn more about the Transatlantic Forum and how to become a member here.

About our speakers:

TRACY SEFL is a national Democratic communications strategist and consultant. In addition to her previous work inside the war rooms of the national Democratic Party and multiple presidential campaigns, she is the founder of Sunwise Strategies, a communications consultancy. Since 2011, she has independently advised on messaging and strategy for Democratic-leaning clients such as advocacy groups, authors, filmmakers, think tanks, and start-ups. She designs and manages communications campaigns for high-stakes issues and provides principals with confidential counsel. She now lives in Chicago and continues to work in Washington, DC.

DOUGLAS HEYE has served in leading communications positions in the House of Representatives and United States Senate, the Republican National Committee and the George W. Bush Administration. Regularly sought out by journalists and news anchors, Heye provides frequent analyses on domestic and international events. He was a CNN Political Commentator during the Trump years and is a Washington Post contributing writer, in addition to periodically writing on food and pop culture for a variety of publication. He is perhaps the only political commentator who regularly appears on every major cable news network. As communications director for the Republican National Committee, Heye’s Democratic counterpart called Heye a “pro’s pro” in POLITICO for his handling of what CNN labeled “one of the most demanding jobs in Washington.” Of his ability to engage an audience during television interviews, POLITICO remarked, “when the red camera light turns on, Heye doesn’t disappoint.” As Deputy Chief of Staff for the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Heye garnered praise for his team-building, crisis communications and strategic planning abilities. Roll Call named Heye one of the “Fabulous 50,” noting his ability to “set the tone and frame the debate” as someone “in the room when decisions are made” in the Capitol. Despite the often combative nature of Capitol Hill, Roll Call praised Heye for, “Thinking things through and behaving graciously are the highly prized extras colleagues say he brought to the negotiating table.” Heye often speaks to businesses, journalists and forums in the United States and internationally, including the United Kingdom, France, Poland and China, stressing the importance of bi-partisan efforts, when possible, and taking down the temperature of our escalating political rhetoric, while trying to help provide groups and clients with a peek both behind the political curtain and around the corner. He has participated in pro-democracy efforts in Jordan and Nigeria. Heye gained notoriety as Sarah Silverman’s “blind date” for her Hulu comedy show, “I Love You, America.” Committed to education and attracting young people to politics, Heye was a Fall 2015 Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, focusing on crisis communications. He serves on the Harvard Kennedy School/John F. Kennedy Library & Museum New Frontier Awards Committee, helping identify a new generation of leaders with their commitment to public service. Heye was recently appointed to the Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is a graduate.