Steven Olikara (@StevenOlikara) is the Founder & President of Millennial Action Project (MAP), the largest nonpartisan organization of young lawmakers in the U.S. Working with over 800 policymakers in Congress and state legislatures, MAP is building a new generation of leadership to transcend the partisan divide and strengthen our democracy. A nationally-recognized political commentator, Steven has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NBC News, NPR, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, and other national outlets. He is also co-author of the new book, JFK: The Last Speech, published in 2018. Steven has been named a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, a Forbes 30 Under 30, the Millennial of the Year, an Aspen Institute Ideas Scholar, and one of the Most Influential Leaders Under 40 by Washington Life magazine.
Internationally, Steven has advised two multi-platinum recording artists on youth issues and sustainable energy efforts, including the Akon Lighting Africa initiative that has electrified over 1 million homes in Africa with solar power. Previously, he worked at the World Bank and served as Harry Ott Fellow on Coca-Cola’s Environment Team, developing public-private water projects with USAID in Africa. Steven is a frequent speaker on next generation leadership at venues such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, the White House, Harvard Institute of Politics, Yale College, SXSW, and the United Nations.
Steven serves on the Boards of the African Middle Eastern Leadership (AMEL) Project, Issue One and the University of Wisconsin International Division, as well as the Service Year Alliance Leadership Council and John F. Kennedy Presidential Library New Frontier Committee. Steven graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Udall and Truman Scholar, the nation’s highest undergraduate honor for public service leadership. In 2012, the Wisconsin Legislature recognized Steven with the State Assembly Citation for outstanding contributions to his home state
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