# The Conafay Group

> Funding, Advocacy and Government Relations for Life Sciences. Since 2004, The Conafay Group has represented life sciences companies, universities, and other biomedical organizations before the U.S. federal government and associated stakeholders.

The Conafay Group is a Washington, DC government relations and federal funding consultancy serving the life sciences. The firm works across federal government relations, non-dilutive funding, academic research development, and coalition management. In 2024 it helped secure $80 million in funding for clients, with a further $60 million supported by mid-2025.

Contact: info@conafaygroup.com — 1717 K Street NW, STE 900, Washington DC 20006-5349

## Core pages

- [Home](https://conafaygroup.com/): Overview of services and the firm’s federal funding track record.
- [About Us](https://conafaygroup.com/about/): Who the firm represents, its reach, and the values it works by.
- [Federal Government Relations](https://conafaygroup.com/federal-government-relations/): Advocacy strategy before Congress, federal agencies, and stakeholders.
- [Non-Dilutive Funding](https://conafaygroup.com/non-dilutive-funding/): Securing BARDA, NIH, and DoD funding without giving up equity.
- [Academic Research Development](https://conafaygroup.com/academic-research-development/): Federal strategy and agency engagement for academic institutions.
- [Coalitions](https://conafaygroup.com/coalitions/): Coalitions the firm develops and manages.
- [Contact Us](https://conafaygroup.com/contact-us/): Contact form, address, and email.

## Team

- [Staff](https://conafaygroup.com/team/): 14 staff members.
- [Advisors](https://conafaygroup.com/advisors/): 12 senior advisors.

- [Stephen R. Conafay](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/stephen-conafay/): Founder
- [Jessica Kenyon](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/jessica-kenyon/): Chief Executive Officer
- [Brian Tse, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/brian-tse-ph-d/): Senior Vice President
- [Bryan Shuy](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/bryan-shuy/): Senior Vice President
- [Julie Pawelczyk](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/julie-pawelczyk/): Vice President
- [Darin Gardner](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/darin-gardner/): Vice President
- [Erik Wolf, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/erik-wolf-ph-d/): Vice President
- [Josh Narrow](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/josh-narrow/): Vice President
- [William A. Franco](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/william-a-franco/): Vice President
- [Evangeline Smith](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/evangeline-smith/): Senior Director
- [Kristen A. Lafayette](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/kristen-a-lafayette/): Director
- [Monica A. Heil](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/monica-a-heil/): Director of Operations
- [Erica L. Woodward](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/erica-l-woodward/): Chief of Staff
- [Henry Mills](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/henry-mills/): Research Associate
- [Marily H. Rhudy](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/marily-h-rhudy/): Senior Advisor
- [Eric Van Gieson, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/eric-van-gieson-ph-d/): Senior Advisor
- [Steve Bloom](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/steve-bloom/): Senior Advisor
- [Joyce Salazar](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/joyce-salazar/): Senior Advisor
- [Colonel (Retired) Stuart Tyner, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/stuart-tyner-ph-d/): Senior Advisor
- [Antonio Sastre, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/antonio-sastre-ph-d/): Senior Advisor
- [Colonel (Retired) Kenneth Bertram, M.D., Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/colonel-retired-kenneth-bertram-m-d-ph-d/): Senior Advisor
- [Paul T. Kim](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/paul-t-kim/): Senior Advisor
- [Greg Burel](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/greg-burel/): Senior Advisor
- [Robert Caldwell, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/robert-caldwell-ph-d/): Senior Advisor
- [Michael G. Hickey, PA-C, MAJ (R)](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/michael-g-hickey-pa-c-maj-r/): Senior Advisor
- [Captain (Retired) Matthew Weiner, Ph.D.](https://conafaygroup.com/staff/captain-retired-matthew-weiner-ph-d/): Senior Advisor

## Coalitions

- Microbiome Therapeutics Innovation Group (https://microbiometig.org/)
- Access to Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (https://accesstocgp.com/)
- Child Genetic Screening Alliance (CGSA)
- Antimicrobials Working Group (https://antimicrobialsworkinggroup.org/)

## News

- [News](https://conafaygroup.com/news/): Webinars and updates.
- [Understanding COVID-19 Research and Development Funding Opportunities, April 14, 2020](https://conafaygroup.com/2020/04/16/understanding-covid-19-research-and-development-funding-opportunities-2020-04-14/): 2020-04-16
- [Understanding COVID-19 Research and Development Funding Opportunities](https://conafaygroup.com/2020/03/25/understanding-covid-19-research-and-development-funding-opportunities/): 2020-03-25