Get Involved

We're volunteers uniting America one conversation at a time.

Our Story

Our story begins in 2016 with two groups starting independently of one another — on opposite coasts of the United States. Coincidentally, both founders chose the same name “Crossing Party Lines.” Their shared vision led them to create a volunteer platform to unite Americans through warm and engaging conversations.

Lisa Swallow, an author and educator living in Portland, Oregon, was inspired by political conversations with a cousin to design simple process for engaging in respectful conversations about politics of the day.

Kareem Abdelsadek, a management consultant living in New York City, was driven by a sense of civic duty to apply his skills to uniting America through conversations among people from all walks of life.

Prompted by a time of unprecedented political polarization, these two visionaries, their energetic team of volunteers, and over 3,000 CPLs members are uniting America one conversation at a time.

Our Volunteers

Behind each of our meaningful cross-party-line interactions, there is a team of committed volunteers:

  • Facilitating conversations
  • Running Zoom
  • Researching topics
  • Designing this website
  • More!
Become A Volunteer
volunteers

Our Leadership Team

Crossing Party Lines is led by a small group of individuals who are passionate about exploring our unique and shared values as a national community.

Lisa Swallow

Co-founder, Executive Director

"...doing our part to make democracy work..."

Read more

Kareem

Kareem Abdelsadek

Co-founder, Chairman of the Board

"...open dialogue that allows for disagreements ..."

Read more

jessica

Jessica Brazier

Board Member

"...time to listen..."

Read more

Judy Branch

Board Member

"... dignity, creativity and needs of every individual .."

Read more

Richard_headshot

Richard C. Johnson

Board Member

"...common tenets..."

Read more

Swati Srivastava - Headshot Photo

Swati Srivastava

Director of Visual Media

"Acknowledging 'the other' as a fellow human..."

Read more

DonLaMar-square-headshot-professional

Don LaMar

Director of Operations

"... boots-on-the-ground ..."

Read more

IMG_5807

Sally Krantz

Director of Marketing

"...respect every American’s needs."

Read more

We want to hear from you. Let's Chat.

Subscribe to our Monthly eBlast

Crossing Party Lines

All voices welcome

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram

See Us in the News

244 Fifth Avenue

Suite L208 

New York, NY 10001

(929) 266-6078

The Official Site of Crossing Party Lines.
©2020 Crossing Party Lines. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    To find out your shipping cost , Please proceed to checkout.
    Continue Shopping

    Lisa Swallow

    Co-founder and Executive Director

    “Being American isn’t about race, religion, or political views. It’s about believing in America and doing our part to make democracy work. It begins with the skills and capacity to talk to one another, explore issues from all angles, and respect every American’s needs.”

    Lisa is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Crossing Party Lines. She manages the day-to-day operations of the organization while facilitating conversations and developing and delivering workshops that teach members to share their perspectives in constructive ways, listen with an open and curious mind, and appreciate the insights multiple perspectives provide. 

    Lisa is a  graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a B.A. in Information Science. During her 30+ years as a technical communicator she was known for leadership and innovation and going deep into the subjects she writes about.  She holds a patent for her work in microlithography and is published in professional journals, magazines, and on the web.

    Lisa proposes we look to our Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln to understand that diversity of political perspectives in America is one of our country’s core strengths. Lisa’s books, No One Was Listening and Yes You Can Talk Politics, offer inspiration and support for anyone interested in learning her process for civil, respectful conversation  and the scientifically-based skills that support it.

    You can learn more about Lisa at www.LisaKSwallow.com.

    Kareem

    Kareem Abdelsadek

    Co-founder and Chairman of the Board

    “We have lost the emphasis on humanity in our national discourse. Through Crossing Party Lines, we get back to the basics of listening to understand the humanity behind all of our perspectives. We provide a window into the truth behind our politics, our people, our relationships, and our country. Once we start truly understanding one another, the potential for what we can accomplish collectively is limitless.”

    Kareem is the Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Crossing Party Lines. He also leads Crossing Party Lines at the grassroots level by facilitating conversations in his hometown of New York City. Kareem believes the secret sauce for creating a world of love comes from the building blocks we use to create rich and meaningful personal relationships. “Persistent open dialogue that allows for disagreements gives us all an opportunity to grow together.” 

    A senior manager for Deloitte Consulting, Kareem leads large scale transformation efforts in the federal government’s civilian sector and has delivered 15+ projects resulting in lasting change, improving organizational culture while furthering mission objectives. Kareem serves on a highly-selective Managers Advisory Council to the Deloitte CEO. He is published in “Deloitte Insights” on how to leverage industry leading methods, including building cross-functional teams to transform large programs and companies for the better. 

    Kareem is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with degrees of a B.S. in Information Science and Technology and a B.A. in Philosophy. He is committed to continuous learning, and a member of the Bleeker and IVY professional networks.

    jessica

    Jessica Brazier

    Board Member

    “I fundamentally believe that if we give ourselves enough time to listen to each other and just for a moment open our hearts and understand where the other is coming from, America would be a much more peaceful and joyful place to live.”

    Jessica’s professional experiences span various sectors, including Deloitte Consulting’s Government & Public Services Practice, where she helped leaders of major federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) navigate bureaucratic barriers through strategic communications, learning, and change management techniques, and the Pittsburgh Board of Education, where she coordinated workforce acquisition and engagement efforts for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Empowering Effective Teachers” urban education reform initiative. She has also worked with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CBS Network, CARE USA, and various radio stations and newspapers. Jessica earned  B.A. degrees in Communications and English from Oakwood University, and M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. 

    Jessica’s work at Crossing Party Lines and beyond is founded on an “intellectual curiosity to understand our diverse world” and “empathy to widen her circle of compassion.” 

    Judy Branch

    Board Member

    “Valuing our humanity means that the dignity, creativity and needs of every individual is embraced by themselves as well as others.”

    Judy feels that her experiences with Crossing Party Lines programs and people have been transformative.  She is better able to acknowledge her past, enjoy the present and embrace possibilities that will lead to a stronger American democracy and full cultural equality for women.
     
    Judy Branch is a graduate of the University of Vermont with an Ed.D. in public policy and education.  She holds a M.S. in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona, Tucson and a B.S. in Home Economics from North Texas University in Denton.  Judy offers 31 years of experience as an adult educator with VT Cooperative Extension.  She directed a Head Start Center in Madison, Wisconsin and ran a federally funded Day Care Center in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois.
     
    Judy was elected to the board in June, 2023 with the goal of creating financial ability to expand the success of Crossing Party Lines.
     

    Richard C. Johnson

    Board Member

    “Dialogue should not be seen as a way to make peace; but as a habit, a virtue, a obligation, and a right.” – Paulo Freire

    Elevating human perspective, potential, and performance through connection, communication, contribution, and creative collaboration is Richard’s life mission and living legacy. His career spans from workforce and business development to the advancement of nonprofit causes dedicated to improving lives of the vulnerable and life experiences at large. Through a variety of development roles from Planner for the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board to Grant Manager for the Dream Center Foundation in Los Angeles, CA, he has developed expertise in non-profit development and creative strategies of fundraising for worthy people building projects. 

    Now as CEO of Huemanity Unlimited and a John Maxwell certified life and business productivity coach, Richard designed Life Mining Mastery strategies for performance improvement of individuals, businesses, and institutions. Life Mining Mastery principles work to boost personal and professional productivity by identifying and resolving areas of Intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict, cultivating Self Love, Spiritual Wellbeing, and Resilience.

    Swati Srivastava

    Director of Visual Media

    “No problem can be solved in a society (and world) that dehumanizes ‘the other’, and no problem is too big for those who have decided to put their differences aside to meet the challenge. Acknowledging ‘the other’ as a fellow human with their own fears and hopes is always the first step.”

    Former woman in STEM now a woman in FILM, Swati Srivastava is a 1st generation immigrant and a multi award-winning writer-director & voiceover artist who has directed several short films, short documentaries, music videos and political ads. Her films have played at numerous film festivals and won several awards, including the “most important story of the year” award from CNN-India aired nationally in India at prime-time. Her political ads have been shown on national TV in the US. All of Swati’s work has social/political significance.

    Originally from India and having spent half her life in the US, Swati sees the world with a unique East meets West lens. Her three passions are her love for storytelling especially through visual media, her penchant for politics, and her heartfelt desire to be part of the solution for the most challenging problem of our times; our inability to listen to each other. Having experienced childhood trauma and complex grief, she has first-hand experience of how it is not simply a matter of “choosing” facts or logic. When the limbic system is enflamed with fear, rationality goes out the window. As a society, we are all caught in the grip of fear. It takes a lot of work to choose love & hope over fear & despair. But it’s the work we need to do – both personally and communally.  

    Swati is an avid environmentalist. She lives with her husband in a “Net-Zero Energy” house in NY that has been covered by various media including NBC for its unique features. Together they try to lead a sustainable life with a low carbon footprint.

    You can learn more about Swati at www.TiredandBeatup.com

    Don Lamar

    Director of Operations

    “We have lost the emphasis on humanity in our national discourse. Through Crossing Party Lines, we get back to the basics of listening to understand the humanity behind all of our perspectives. We provide a window into the truth behind our politics, our people, our relationships, and our country. Once we start truly understanding one another, the potential for what we can accomplish collectively is limitless.”

    Don LaMar has built his life around helping others to succeed. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, immersed in the auto industry world, surrounded by family.

    Don’s roots in America run deep. His grandfather, a Greek immigrant, came to Detroit in the 19??s and opened <restaurant name>, one of the most beloved restaurants in Greektown.  Growing up, Don was Inspired by his uncle, who took over the family business and always fed those in need. [LS1] 

    Having worked at a homeless shelter in Minneapolis for 10 years, served as a minister for ___ more, and provided <underprivileged> youth with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to, Don brings to Crossing Party Lines a true boots-on-the-ground understanding of bridging divides.  We are lucky to have him.

    Sally Krantz

    Director of Marketng

    “Being American isn’t about race, religion, or political views. It’s about believing in America and doing our part to make democracy work. It begins with the skills and capacity to talk to one another, explore issues from all angles, and respect every American’s needs.”

    Sally is the Marketing Director for Crossing Party Lines and overseas the overall communications strategy, as well as the execution of how, when and were we talk to our community. Her mission is to engage people in all walks of life to join the conversation to safeguard our democracy and ensure that all voices are heard and respected. 

    Sally lives in Portland, where she grew up, but spent much of her life overseas. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a Business Degree in both Marketing and Finance, Sally moved to New York City where she worked in Management Consulting doing Strategic Planning for large corporations struggling to identify a strategic path following an acquisition. After moving into the world of Advertising, McCann Group Worldwide asked her to run the Nabisco business in the Asia Pacific Region as well as spearhead new business for the Region out of their Hong Kong office. After 3 years of traveling the region for work every week of the year, Sally decided to listen to her inner entrepreneur and launched a chain of bakery cafes throughout Hong Kong and spent the next 20 years building that up and raising 4 girls.  After 25 years in Asia, Sally decided that it was time to come back to the US and settled back into life in Portland in late 2015, just before the election.

    The election of 2016, and the polarization that was rocking the US at the time had a deep and lasting impact on her.  Since then she’s been looking for a way to help shift the dialogue to a more productive place.  Joining Crossing Party Lines has helped fulfill this personal mission, to do something constructive, to make sure we all have a voice in deciding the future of our country.

    WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

    Keep the Lights On

    Donate to help us reduce toxic polarization.

    Donate
    Put Your Talents to Work

    Whatever your  talents and skills, we can use your help.

    Volunteer
    Show Your Support

    Wear CPL quote t-shirts, drink from a CPL mug, and more!

    Shop
    Speak to a Friend

    Learn why talking with friends and family members whose political views are different from your is so difficult.

    Learn How
    Improve Your Skills

    Learn the skills that make talking across differences easy, productive, and life-changing.

    Enroll
    CPL Participants: Zoom Meeting Gallery View
    Moderate Meetings

    Register to become a CPL moderator.

    Register
    CPL Workshop Image: Moderator Training -- connect, unite, bridge

    CPL 300: Moderator Training

    Learn to moderate conversations that cross differences through our 16-lesson online training.  This class is a mixture of self-paced lessons, virtual class discussions, one-on-one meetings with the instructor, and virtual practice sessions. Click here for Syllabus.

    You will learn how to create a safe and welcoming environment, how to ask open-ended and probing questions, how to manage emotions and conflicts, how to listen actively and empathically, and how to foster mutual learning and collaboration.

    Our goal in offering this professionally designed training for free is to meet our ever-increasing demand for CPL services.  Because of this, we ask that every student moderate a minimum of 3 meetups upon completion of this course.

    I'm Interested

    I'm interested in...

    CPL 300: Moderator's Training

    Please email me with information about upcoming sessions.