Empowering Innovation.
Advancing Science.
Government Relations for the Life Sciences.
A big idea is only the beginning.
Partnering with The Conafay Group will:
Expand Your Network
Help You Navigate the Federal Government
Increase Your Chances of Securing Funding
Insights In Your Inbox.
Discover high-level insights into The Conafay Group and our approach to helping life sciences companies, universities, and other organizations advance their research and policy goals by harnessing the power of the federal government.
Fill out the brief form below, and we’ll send you information about our team and our areas of expertise, including:
Policy/Appropriations | Academic Research Development | Non-Dilutive or Grant Funding | Coalition Management
Our Expertise
Academic Research Development
The Conafay Group works with academic institutions to implement tailored and dynamic government funding strategies for their human health research portfolios. We form partnerships with federal, non-profit, commercial, and other academic entities to enhance outcomes for our clients.
Policy and Appropriations
We introduce clients to key policymakers in Congress and Executive Branch agencies. These range from introductory meetings to elevating critical issues. We guide our clients through the annual appropriations process, whether creating a new line item, seeking a plus-up to an existing account, or assisting with Federal Community Projects (i.e., earmarks).
Non-Dilutive or Grant Funding
We expedite your growth without sacrificing your equity or authority. We help you expand and evolve your endeavors from basic research through advanced development, manufacturing, and procurement. We work with you to develop a strategy to identify and pursue the most promising funding opportunities across the federal landscape.
Coalition Management
We develop and manage coalitions that harness the collective power of like-minded entities toward achieving a shared goal. Coalitions can be an effective advocacy mechanism to amplify a common voice to decision-makers.
Download the PDFs to see how we help our clients advance their missions.
Our Leaders Are Well Connected.
Now You Will Be Too.
Stephen R. Conafay
Principal
Marily H. Rhudy
Executive Vice President
Jessica Kenyon
Chief Executive Officer
Brian Shuy
Senior Vice President
Dr. Erik Wolf
Vice President
Darin Gardner
Vice President
Julie Pawelczyk
Vice President
William A. Franco
Vice President
Dr. Kristen Herring
Vice President
Dr. Brian Tse
Vice President
Brian Pfister, PHD, MBA
Senior Advisor
Learn how our expertise in the federal funding landscape can propel your mission forward.
Stephen R. Conafay
Principal
Steve Conafay has 45 years of leadership and management experience in government relations, public policy and communications. As the sole principal at The Conafay Group, he oversees all client servicing. A lawyer and decorated combat veteran, he has also held influential positions at Pfizer; Glaxo, Inc.; Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue; and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
Marily H. Rhudy
Executive Vice President
Marily H. Rhudy has more than 30 years of professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry managing high-impact public affairs initiatives, government relations programs and corporate communications activities. She has experience leading non-profits as well as public service in the federal government. She has created and led corporate affairs in several large and small pharmaceutical companies.
Jessica Kenyon
Chief Executive Officer
Jessica Kenyon provides expertise in federal R&D programs as well as in partnerships across government, academia, and industry. She has 20 years’ experience in the development of advanced medical technology, with special expertise in federal research and acquisition.
Previous Experience: American Defense International, Inc., U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC),
Brian Pfister, PHD, MBA
Senior Advisor
Dr. Brian Pfister has more than 20 years of experience in leading early-stage corporate strategy and non-dilutive funding efforts in various life science sectors. He provides expertise in federal R&D and advanced development programs as well as corporate funding strategy to the Conafay Group.
Darin Gardner
Vice President
Darin Gardner has 20 years of experience navigating Capitol Hill and various federal agencies both as staff on Capitol Hill as well as a pharmaceutical industry lobbyist. He specializes in infectious disease preparedness, pharmaceuticals, appropriations and all funding-related issues under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Julie Pawelczyk
Vice President
With more than three decades of experience in Washington, D.C., Julie Pawelczyk serves as a legislative advocate on behalf of multiple nonprofit and corporate clients. She has extensive experience working with companies developing medical therapeutics and technology, as well as organizations focused on health and education programs, including patient advocacy groups, medical research companies, academic medical centers and, child protection programs.
William A. Franco
Vice President
William A. Franco has more than 30 years of experience working with the federal government, national trade associations and corporate government affairs programs in both state and federal relations. Mr. Franco currently serves as a government affairs advisor to The Conafay Group, focusing primarily on healthcare and biopharmaceutical policy issues.
Dr. Erik Wolf
Vice President
Dr. Erik Wolf has over 15 years of experience in research and development of medical knowledge and technology, with special expertise in military medical research. He brings a broad range of understanding related to military medical R&D and valuable interactions with academic, industry and other federal partners.
Previous Experience: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence
Dr. Brian Tse
Vice President
Dr. Brian Tse has worked for over a decade on the development of medical products and advancing technologies to strengthen national health security. His experiences span a variety of product types (drugs, biologics, devices, diagnostics), biomedical threat areas, and partnership models between the federal government and private sector.
Previous Experience: Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA)
Dr. Kristen Herring
Vice President
Dr. Kristen Herring is a former government program manager with over a dozen years of experience in scientific research within a variety of federal agencies. During her time at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Kristen was responsible for overseeing programs that developed advanced therapies for a myriad of national security threats. She also served as a chemist in the Secret Service, where she was tasked with protecting the White House from chemical threats.
Previous Experience: B.S. in Biochemistry, Spelman College | M.S. in Defense Strategic Studies, Missouri State University | Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University
Brian Shuy
Senior Vice President
Bryan Shuy has almost two decades of policy and management experience, focusing on appropriations, healthcare, biodefense, emergency response, and agricultural issues. He served as Chief of Staff to House Appropriations Agriculture & FDA Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Andy Harris, and later became the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). He helped guide the agency’s initial COVID-19 response, including the development and execution of Operation Warp Speed and the SNS 2.0.
The Proof is in the Results
Academic Research Funding
$100M in Federal Funding for Academic Research in the Last 7 Years
Policy & Appropriations
Secured Multiple Provisions for Clients
in the 21st Century Cures Act
Non-Dilutive Funding
$860M in Federal Funding Secured
in the Last 5 Years
Coalition Management
Currently Managing 8 Thriving Coalitions Uniting Dozens of Life Sciences Companies
Learn how our expertise in the federal funding and policy landscapes can propel your mission forward.
A Network Wired for Success
