Zachary Dougherty, a sophomore majoring in history and political science with a concentration in international relations, was named to the No. 7 spot on InsiderNJ’s 2020 Insider 100: Millennials List. It is Dougherty’s second year in the top 10 on the list “of some the rising minds on the Garden State political scene.”
Also representing Monmouth on the list of “emerging talents, and some inspirational narratives, making their way in New Jersey politics” for a second consecutive year are two alumni, Samantha DeAlmeida ’12 ’14M ’18M and Kayvon Paul ’19.
“I’m proud to represent Monmouth University in the arena of New Jersey politics,” Dougherty said. “I chose Monmouth to continue my political activism throughout the state. Our school has provided exceptional academic and career opportunities to build on my success,” he added.
In its profile of Dougherty, InsiderNJ noted that he is described by a neighbor as an embodiment of President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” InsiderNJ also notes that Dougherty, who has been a passionate advocate for preventing gun violence since his teens, “has maintained an active presence on the state level for gun control legislation – Governor Murphy signed legislation into law last year of which Dougherty was a key advocate – and in his hometown of Toms River on behalf of his fellow students.” As the political director of March For Our Lives New Jersey, Dougherty has also been embraced by Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker.
DeAlmeida, who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and two master’s degrees in public policy and homeland security at Monmouth, was recently named the second vice president and government affairs liaison for the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey. She previously served as the New Jersey government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where she worked to achieve legislative support for the organization’s initiatives, resulting in several bills being signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. Prior to that, DeAlmeida served as deputy director of government relations and policy for the New Jersey Hospital Association, and as a policy analyst for the New Jersey State Legislature. DeAlmeida also works as an adjunct political science professor at Brookdale Community College and serves as the director for a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapy to veterans with PTSD.
Cited for his background working on political campaigns and Garden State Equality, InsiderNJ describes Kayvon Paul as “a rising star at [Trenton-based lobbying firm] MBI focusing on helping non-profits navigate the government process.”
In September, Paul left MBI to complete an externship with Michael A. Shipp, U.S. District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey. He has an interest in copyright and trademark law and hopes to eventually work with minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in political science at Monmouth, Paul also worked as a research assistant for the Monmouth University Polling Institute, creating datasets for congressional house races across the country for the 2018 midterms. He is also a founding member of the Asbury Park Young Democrats and Monmouth University Democrats and was profiled in the spring 2019 issue of the Monmouth magazine.
To view the complete roster and additional information, visit InsiderNJ.com