Juan Avilez is a Policy Associate on the State and Local Initiatives team at the American Immigration Council. In this role, Juan focuses on supporting a variety of projects across the Council, including the production of research factsheets, analysis and tracking of immigration-related state legislation, and assistance with the Council’s business community engagement, including the Global Talent Chamber Network (GTCN). Prior to joining the Council, Juan served as a research assistant in immigration policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he obtained his M.A. in Public Policy and a B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science from. Juan is a native North Carolinian, having grown up in Asheboro, NC.

A lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, Mike Rulli’s roots in the community run deep. Growing up in his family’s century-old business, Rulli Bros. Market, he served as Director of Operations, learning the value of hard work, faith, and service. Working in the grocery store for most of his life, Mike has connected with people from all walks of life, hearing their concerns at the deli counter or checkout lane. He understands the challenges of stretching a dollar until payday and knows that policy directly impacts families’ budgets, businesses, and overall quality of life. His firsthand experience as a business owner shaped his commitment to supporting small businesses and reducing the regulatory and tax burden on entrepreneurs.

Mike’s public service began with his efforts to save St. Patrick’s Church in Leetonia from closure. He went on to serve eight years on the Leetonia School Board, leading the district to financial stability and academic success. He then served nearly two terms in the Ohio Senate, representing Mahoning, Columbiana, and Carroll counties, before winning a special election in 2024 to represent Ohio’s 6th Congressional District.

A dedicated husband and father, Mike lives in Salem with his wife, Kelly, and their two children. His mission remains clear: to fight for policies that strengthen families, support small businesses, and revitalize the Ohio River Valley.

Patrick Shen is vice president for Immigration Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He helps Chamber member companies develop sensible, pro-growth immigration policies and advocates for such policies on our members’ behalf before Congress and the executive branch.

Before joining the Chamber, Shen was an immigration lawyer for over 30 years in the government and private sector. Most recently, he was a partner at a leading global business immigration law firm where he advised multinational companies on worksite compliance and represented employers from all sectors in government enforcement actions.

Earlier in his career, Shen was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as Special Counsel for Immigration-related Unfair Employment Practices in the Justice Department. He previously served as the policy and planning director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the chief immigration counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Shen began his government career as a trial attorney for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the Justice Department’s Civil Division in Washington, D.C.

Shen received his undergraduate and law degrees from Brigham Young University. He was an adjunct professor at American University’s Washington College of Law and a sports reporter in Taiwan before attending law school. He became a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) shortly after September 11, 2001, and still volunteers with his local fire department in Maryland.

For 8 years, Emilia served as the State Representative for Ohio House District 34, otherwise known as the “Birthplace of Champions.” During that time, she served for four years in Democratic leadership, including three years as the House Minority Leader. In her first year as the leader of the House Democratic caucus, despite serving in the minority, the percentage of bipartisan bills passed in the Ohio House was nearly double each of the previous four years combined.

In 2022, Congresswoman Sykes became the first Black person elected to represent Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, where she has committed to fighting for economic opportunity, safer communities and affordable healthcare for Northeast Ohioans, bringing along a spirit of bipartisan cooperation to get things done for those she serves.

Congresswoman Sykes has received numerous awards for her advocacy, including the EMILY’s List national Rising Star award, Legislator of the Year from the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise, the Champion for Children award from Summit County Children’s Services, and 30 for the Future award from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. Outside of elected office she engages her community as a lifelong member of her church, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a life member of the NAACP.

Congresswoman Sykes graduated with high honors from Kent State University with a B.A. in Psychology and later went on to the University of Florida, where she earned a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law and a Master of Public Health.

Congresswoman Sykes is a newlywed, married to Kevin Boyce and enjoys spending time with family, engaging in the arts, and enjoying the many blessings of life.

Madison is dedicated to crafting comprehensive strategies that empower clients to achieve their government affairs and business goals. With a strong focus on legislative and executive agency lobbying, she represents clients across all branches of government.

Madison’s diverse clientele has spanned various industries, including healthcare, financial services, technology, engineering, construction, cannabis and hemp, energy, telecommunications, statewide non-profits, education, and local governments. She provides expert counsel on legislative lobbying, government contract procurement, political strategies, and securing economic development and workforce incentives, including tax credits and grants.

Prior to founding CHW Advisors, Madison practiced law at Roetzel & Andress, focusing on government relations and regulatory compliance. Her experience also includes serving as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives and as Deputy Legislative Liaison under former Ohio Governor John R. Kasich. In the Governor’s office, she oversaw and advised on legislative initiatives across numerous state agencies, including the Departments of Education, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Public Utilities, Public Safety, Rehabilitation and Corrections, and Veterans Services.

Madison was recognized as a "Rising Star" in government relations by Ohio Super Lawyers in 2020, 2023-2025. She is a graduate of Leadership Columbus (2019), the Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy (2018), and the Columbus Bar Association Barrister Leadership Program (2017).

Actively engaged in her community, Madison has served on the Government Affairs Steering Committee of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for over seven years.

She graduated magna cum laude from Kent State University and cum laude from Capital University Law School.