We are on a mission to replace political fighting with collaborative problem-solving.

In America today, our differences are weaponized, and We the People are becoming disempowered and hopeless. But what if our differences were precisely the superpower we need? What if we could solve our nation’s toughest problems together?

Conflict entrepreneurs who profit from our division want this to feel impossible, but alongside thousands of people in America, we're proving them wrong.

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Here’s how we’re building a stronger, more engaged civil society.

At Unify America, we create experiences that reduce political polarization, teach critical civic skills, and give people across the country a chance to make their voices heard. Our programs include practice grounds like the Unify Challenge College Bowl, which has connected over 10,000 students across the U.S. for respectful conversations about hot-button issues and shared goals, and civic engagement opportunities, like the Citizens’ Assembly in Montrose, Colorado, that bring communities together to solve their own local challenges cooperatively.

We're cross-partisan patriots who know how to innovate and scale.

Unify America was founded by entrepreneurs whose software companies have connected, delighted, and provided assistance to millions of Americans. And we know collaboration. Our staff and advisors span the political spectrum, harnessing the power of different perspectives, not as a platitude, but because it makes our work better and stronger.

UA Team Member

How does an entrepreneur move from designing games to saving democracy? We asked our founder Harry Nathan Gottlieb's teenage son, Moses, to find out.

What guides us.

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Recognize that the things we believe in and that we know may actually be wrong. Staying open to learning from the experience of others is a daily practice.

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When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the stupidity or greed of your fellow Americans, remember those same people have also engaged in acts of compassion and generosity, but that story didn’t get reported.

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Individuals and organizations can’t grow without people being honest. By doing so in a kind way, it makes it much easier to embrace truths that are sometimes hard to hear.

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Go ahead, have a snack. We’ll wait. Better yet, share some.

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Whether it’s connecting with other Americans outside one’s “bubble,” learning new skills or solving our collective problems, no matter how serious the purpose, the journey should be fascinating and fun.

Meet the team

Harry Nathan Gottlieb
Harry Nathan Gottlieb

Founder

Michelle Sobel
Michelle Sobel

President

Francine Bailey Hall
Francine Bailey Hall

Vice President of People and Legal

Abby Ferguson
Abby Ferguson

Director of Partnerships

Emilie Hogan
Emilie Hogan

Director of Strategy

Molly Ostrem
Molly Ostrem

Community Manager

Matt Byrne
Matt Byrne

Director of Deliberation Research

Ashhad Qureshi
Ashhad Qureshi

Creative & Strategic Advisor

Mark Borgions
Mark Borgions

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Karen Hambro
Karen Hambro

Senior Software Engineer

 Morgan Lasher
Morgan Lasher

Chief Community Officer

Helena Burgueño
Helena Burgueño

Creative & Video Producer

Tom Haley
Tom Haley

Chief Creative Director

Sara Drury
Sara Drury

Chief of Deliberation Operations

Kylie Settlemire
Kylie Settlemire

Marketing Manager

Carol Vederman
Carol Vederman

Engagement Manager

Lori Holland
Lori Holland

Community Contractor

Joshua Chittum
Joshua Chittum

Deliberation Manager

Matthew Pollard
Matthew Pollard

Partnerships Manager

Alex Gibson
Alex Gibson

Community Manager

Brandon Ching
Brandon Ching

Chief Technology Officer

Colin Djieugoue
Colin Djieugoue

Controller

Steph Pedron
Steph Pedron

Deliberation Research Contractor

Arielle Mizrahi
Arielle Mizrahi

Partnerships Manager

Jordan Baldridge
Jordan Baldridge

Deliberation Project Contractor

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is drawn from across different social, economic, and ideological sectors in America. These remarkable and innovative leaders support Unify America’s mission through the adoption of sound, ethical, legal governance, and financial management policies and practices.  They also ensure that Unify America has the adequate resources to advance its mission.

Shalyn Kettering

Counsel to the Attorney General, Colorado Dept of Law

Board Chair

Terrence Hackett

Associate Director at McKinsey & Co, Learning Design

Secretary

Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann

Founder of Mishkan Chicago

Treasurer
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Academic Advisors

Meet the members of the Unify America Academic Advisory Council who add expert perspectives from higher education to ensure rigor and thoughtfulness in our programming so even more students can access the impactful programming.

This council, composed of notable faculty and academics, works hand-in-hand with Unify America staff to strategize, provide guidance, and grow the mission of collaborative problem-solving through viewpoint diversity.

In collaboration with the Unify America team, the Academic Advisory Council helps support the impact of Unify America by:

  • Building a diverse academic community
  • Providing critical feedback to the Unify Creative and Technology teams
  • Advising the Unify Partnerships and Engagement teams

Josh Young

Miami Dade College

Libby Roderick

University of Alaska - Anchorage

Leah Murray

Weber State University

William Lyons

The University of Akron

Jeff Holm

University of North Dakota

Patrick Gilbert

Lone Star College - Tomball

John Gastil

Penn State University

Hagar Attia

Gustavus Adolphus College

Student Advisory Board

The inaugural Student Advisory Board advises and strategizes with Unify staff on growth of the College Bowl, deeper campus relationships, and outreach strategies from content creation to media messages.

Specifically, the Board has three goals:

  • Work towards growing the College Bowl to 20,000 student participants
  • Increase and deepen relationships with campus and local media
  • Advise Unify America on outreach strategies, new programs, and content

Join the team

Our team is growing and we’re looking for people who are:

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Problem-solvers

You are great at figuring things out and aren’t afraid to ask questions. We’re a startup, so no two days are the same. You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get things done.

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Seeking purpose

For you, work must create meaning and impact. You want a job with other people who are driven by the mission. And you are energized by results.

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Unifiers

You have a point of view and want to hear the point of view of others. You want to make our democracy stronger through the power of different perspectives.

Does this sound like you?

View open opportunities

Diversity at Unify America

Unify America is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and evaluate candidates without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected categories.

Most importantly, it’s critical that we represent the whole of the American ideological spectrum. There is power in our differing perspectives. You don’t get the best ideas by  listening only to the people who already agree with you. We will solve our problems more effectively with greater wisdom not by fighting each other, but deliberating together toward our shared goals.

We are committed to making sure everyone who believes in our mission can participate in our mission.