Velocity Index: Visibility and Vision for Women’s Economic Opportunity

Elected to the United States Senate in 2016, Senator Maggie Hassan previously served as a State Senator and the Governor of New Hampshire. She is only the second woman in American history to be elected as both a Governor and U.S. Senator. Senator Hassan is committed to working with members of both parties to solve problems and build stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. As a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Joint Economic Committee – Senator Hassan is focused on priorities that are critical to hard-working Granite Staters and Americans.

Susan K. Neely is the president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), the nation's leading trade association dedicated to providing products and services that contribute to Americans' financial and retirement security. As president and CEO, Neely drives public policy and advocacy on behalf of ACLI’s member companies that represent 95 percent of industry assets and serve 90 million families. Neely has long been recognized as a leading voice in public policy and advocacy in Washington, D.C. She served as special assistant to President George W. Bush and helped create the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and later became the first DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Neely was a senior executive at the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Health Insurance Association of America(HIAA),where she designed award-winning national advocacy programs and initiatives, like HIAA’s ground-breaking Harry & Louise campaign. Most recently, she led the American Beverage Association (ABA) for 13 years as president and CEO. Under her leadership, ABA instituted first-of-their-kind initiatives with President Clinton’s Global Initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. These partnerships decreased calories from beverages sold in schools by 90 percent, put transparent calorie labels on millions of beverage containers, and reduced sugar consumed from beverages in the American diet. Neely has been named Trade Association CEO of the year by two different national organizations. She is a past chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Association Committee of 100 of the largest trade associations and the American Society of Association Executives. A native of Iowa, Neely holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and French civilization from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University. She is the mother of two children, Eve and Ben.

Sophia Nelson is an Adjunct Professor at Christopher Newport University in Virginia, where she teaches pre-law. She is the author of three best-selling books, including her latest, e Pluribus One: Reclaiming Our Founders' Vision for a United America (CenterStreet). Sophia is also a contributing editor to thegrio and a USATODAY columnist. She was a former House Republican Investigative Congressional Committee Counsel, a Republican Election Attorney for George W. Bush, a senior counsel at the international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, a special counsel to former Republican NJ Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, and a Senate Intern for former US Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA). Nelson is one of the world's most sought after female speakers having inspired women from Sydney, Australia, to Canada and Africa with her books and words. She is a renowned corporate diversity trainer and c-suite coach. Nelson is a 2012 Diversity Champion award winner, and she is an award winning author journalist. You can follow her on twitter @iamsophianelson.