Malaria Policy Center Staff
Mark Green | Managing Director
Mark Green joined the Malaria Policy Center after his tenure as United States Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. As Ambassador, Mark worked tirelessly to create lasting relationships with the government and people of Tanzania to create economic growth and fight disease like malaria.
Prior to serving as ambassador, Mark served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the House Judiciary and International Relations Committees, and served as an Assistant Majority Whip.
While in Congress, Mark was a leader in designing tough laws aimed at protecting children and families. Mark authored the "Two Strikes, You're Out Child Protection Act," which dramatically enhanced federal penalties for child molesters. He also wrote legislation reauthorizing and expanding the Violence Against Women Act. He co-led the floor debate on the "Faith-Based Initiative" – a groundbreaking plan to bring the community of faith back into the national fight against poverty and social crises – and co-founded the bipartisan Faith-Based Caucus.
As a member of the International Relations Committee, Mark played a leading role in crafting the Millennium Challenge Act, America's historic commitment to invest in developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms. He played an important role in crafting the Global Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Awareness and Treatment Act of 2001, and the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act.
Mark's interest in Africa goes back some years. In 1987-88, he and his wife, served as secondary school teachers in Kenya through WorldTeach Project, a development organization based at the Phillips Brooks House of Harvard University. During this time, they traveled extensively in East Africa, including western Tanzania. Ambassador Green has also spent time in Southern Africa and West Africa.
Mark is very much a Wisconsin product. He attended the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and received his law degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Topher Spiro | Director of Global Advocacy
Topher Spiro serves as the Director of Global Advocacy for the Malaria Policy Center. He oversees the Center's U.S. and global policy and advocacy agenda. Previously, Topher served as Deputy Staff Director for Health Policy at the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where he worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Tom Harkin. In this capacity, he was a member of the Senate team that drafted and worked to enact national health reform legislation, the Affordable Care Act. As a Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Jack Reed, Topher worked on public health issues and appropriations. He also served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and the Joint Economic Committee. In addition to his congressional experience, Topher conducted policy analysis at think tanks in Washington and worked in the private sector as an attorney at a law firm in Boston. Topher holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy and International Affairs from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. He grew up in New Hampshire (and is an avid Red Sox fan) and resides in Washington, D.C.
Jeremy Steffens | Communications Director
Jeremy Steffens is the Director of Communications at the Malaria Policy Center and is a passionate advocate and strategic communicator dedicated to pairing traditional and new media outreach for increased exposure and effectiveness in the fight against malaria.
Prior to Malaria No More, Jeremy was the Press Secretary and Director of Communications for two United States Representatives from his home state of Florida. He also served as the Director of Communications in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC and as a press secretary on several political campaigns, including serving on the communications staff of a presidential general election campaign. In addition to his political and government work, Jeremy has also worked in the public sector for a public relations firm.
Jeremy received his Bachelor's degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
Ben Brophy | Communications and Policy Associate
Ben Brophy works as the Communications and Policy Associate for the Malaria Policy Center. He conducts research in order to support both the Policy Center's advocacy and communications outreach. Additionally, Ben broadens the Policy Center's network in global health and development in order to strengthen the community's efforts in the fight against malaria. Finally, Ben supports the Policy Center's new media outreach and contributes to the Policy Center's messaging overall.
Before joining the Policy Center, Ben earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science and History at Loyola College in Maryland. He then went on to attend graduate school at American University where he earned his master's degree in Comparative Politics.
Ben also worked for Representative Rush Holt's Washington office where he gained experience in legislative affairs. Specifically, he focused on issues concerning foreign aid and international relations.
Nicole Vernon | Operations Manager
Nicole works as the Operations Manager for the Malaria Policy Center where she assists in the planning, prioritizing and executing of day-to-day and long-term activities. She also provides research and analytic support as well as advocacy strategy based on her decade-plus experience working on Capitol Hill.
Before joining the Policy Center, Nicole served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota, where she managed the staff and operations of the office as well as provided counsel on all policy, political and communications matters.
Nicole's government background also includes the executive branch, where she was Chief of Staff to the Office for Victims of Crime, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice. While at OVC, she oversaw the disbursement of over $625 million from the Crime Victims Fund, as well as worked on special projects ranging from the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program, National Crime Victims Rights Week activities, and programmatic efforts to assist trafficking victims.
Prior to that, she held several positions on Capitol Hill, including Chief of Staff to former Representative Mark Green and Executive Assistant to former Representative Scott Klug, both of Wisconsin.
Nicole brings a wealth of strategic knowledge, as well as organizational strength, to the Policy Center. She earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science and English at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.