Chuck Melley
Managing Partner
Chuck Melley, Managing Partner, brings over two decades of executive leadership in government relations, strategic advocacy, and global market expansion to help organizations navigate today's complex political landscape while identifying pathways to sustainable growth and new revenue opportunities.
As a senior executive at both the world’s largest global education company and the largest educational nonprofit, Chuck led high-performing international teams and oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets, driving strategic initiatives that generated hundreds of millions in annual revenue. He directed government relations, media, and marketing teams across domestic and international markets; built the company’s ESG and sustainability strategy and team; and expanded access to more than 80 countries.
Chuck's foundation in public service includes his tenure as a Presidential Appointee at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he managed public affairs strategies for multiple federal agencies and participated in high-level trade and policy missions across four continents. His expertise spans bipartisan political environments, international regulatory frameworks, and complex cross-functional initiatives that drive both market expansion and risk mitigation.
A sought-after speaker at premier international conferences and a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and board members, Chuck has worked on five US presidential campaigns and served on multiple boards, including the Software and Information Industry Association and the United Nations Transforming Education Summit Advisory Committee.
Brandon Pinette
Senior Advisor
Brandon Pinette brings over 20 years of experience in building and leading integrated public affairs campaigns designed to open up markets, influence the regulatory environment, and advance legislation at the Federal and State levels.
With experience in stakeholder management, government relations, communications, and strategic planning, Brandon has developed strategies to help clients navigate ever-changing political and policy environments. In senior leadership roles at software and education companies, he developed federal and multi-state lobbying programs that strengthened the company's brand among policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders. His strategic programs also aligned corporate strategy across multiple states to achieve market expansion goals.
Brandon has previously worked in public relations at Pearson, the world's largest education company. He has worked on multiple successful US Senate and Gubernatorial campaigns, including helping to put Senator Tim Kaine into the Virginia Governor’s mansion in 2005. Brandon has served on several local and trade association boards, including the Software Information Industry Association (SIIA).
A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Brandon lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and two daughters.
Assia Hamdane
Senior Advisor
Assia Hamdane brings 13+ years at the intersection of global education, credentialing, and international mobility, with deep expertise across onshore Canada and Canada-bound recruitment and assessment markets. Most recently, as Director of Pearson Test of English (PTE) for Canada, she led national go-to-market strategy, sales, marketing, partnerships, and customer experience, playing a pivotal role in securing IRCC recognition of PTE Academic and PTE Core for Canadian study and migration purposes.
Beyond regulatory recognition, Assia designed and executed scalable GTM strategies for both onshore and offshore demand, growing institutional adoption across Canadian universities and colleges, expanding test centre and partner networks nationwide, and activating agents and stakeholders serving Canada-bound learners globally. This work fundamentally reshaped Canada’s language proficiency landscape and demonstrates her ability to align product strategy, regulatory approval, and market execution to scale businesses responsibly and at speed.
Before Pearson, Assia held senior leadership roles at IELTS Canada (British Council), where she led stakeholder relations and market strategy supporting onshore test delivery and Canada-bound recruitment across key source regions, working closely with institutions, professional bodies, and government stakeholders. She is known for bridging policy, GTM execution, and market demand, translating mission-driven objectives into strategies that drive sustainable growth while expanding access and opportunity. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic. Based in Montreal, Canada.
Dan Kaufman
Senior Advisor
Dan Kaufman has more than two decades of mission-driven strategic communications and advocacy experience in education and workforce issues in the non-profit, for-profit and public sector. He led the Gates Foundation teams responsible for using communications and advocacy and developing policy to help strengthen U.S. education and economic mobility.
Before coming to the foundation, he was a managing director at Finn Partners (formerly Widmeyer Communications), leading the firm’s Pre-K through 12th grade communications practice. During that time, he also served as an appointed member of the Prince George's County Board of Education, taught courses on strategic communications at The George Washington University and education policy at American University, and authored a bi-monthly column on strategic communications for American School Board Journal, the flagship publication of the National School Boards Association.
Previously, Dan worked in communications at the National Education Association and its Maryland affiliate, leading successful integrated campaigns around reforming the No Child Left Behind Act, increasing school funding and boosting teacher pensions, and at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, where he focused on federal and state policy around education, health care, tax reform, and Social Security.
Dan’s professional experience in education began as a bilingual/ESL public school teacher in Atlanta, where he grew up. He has also taught college- and graduate-level courses at Georgetown University and the Catholic University of Chile, where he served as a Fulbright scholar while he was conducting his dissertation research. In the past, he also served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow and provided communications assistance to several political campaigns.
Dan earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego, and B.A. in Political Science from Swarthmore College.
Rajesh Mehta
Senior Advisor
Rajesh Mehta has spent more than 25 years at the intersection of global business, innovation, and public policy, building bridges between markets and facilitating transformational growth. Based in Gurgaon, his career spans roles in multinational corporations, technology-enabled startups, and small and medium enterprises across diverse sectors. As a trusted C-suite adviser, Rajesh has become a sought-after strategist for organizations navigating the complexities of international expansion, particularly within the US-India and Europe-India corridors. His work is characterized by a rare combination of deep market knowledge, policy acumen, and an ability to translate vision into actionable strategy.
Rajesh's expertise in market entry and international business development has made him an indispensable partner for companies seeking to establish or expand their presence in India and beyond. He has guided numerous international small and medium-sized enterprises through the intricacies of entering the Indian market while simultaneously helping Indian firms expand globally. His facilitation of global collaborations spans education, clean energy, digital transformation, and healthcare—sectors critical to India's economic future. Through partnerships with organizations including Team Finland (Tekes, Finnode, Finpro), JETRO, METI, and the European Business Technology Centre, Rajesh has developed a sophisticated understanding of cross-border business dynamics that few advisers can match.
Beyond market entry, Rajesh is recognized as a catalyst for innovation ecosystems and a skilled navigator of public policy landscapes. He has secured funding for transformative research and development projects while collaborating with international innovation bodies and government organizations to drive technology and knowledge exchange. His advisory work in the US-India corridor has supported Fortune 500 companies and leading public affairs firms including APCO Worldwide, SJ Consulting, and Red Fort Strategies in shaping business-government interfaces. Rajesh's extensive leadership and advisory portfolio includes the Europe-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Global Policy Insights, WASME, and the Centre for Trade, Promotion & Industry, along with his support for mission-driven organizations like ISKCON Bangalore and the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
As a prolific writer and public intellectual, Rajesh extends his influence through thought leadership in India's leading publications. He contributes regularly to The Hindu, Times of India, The Financial Express, The Hindu Business Line, and international outlets including Politico and The Fair Observer, serving as Contributing Editor to The South Asian Herald and Consulting Editor to The American Bazaar. His authored reports and compendiums—including Aspiring India @75, Viksit Bharat Tech Vision@2047, and studies on water infrastructure, skill development, and women entrepreneurship—reflect his commitment to shaping India's development narrative and positioning the nation's aspirations within global conversations about innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.