Issue One’s Nick Penniman recognized as one of the most influential people in D.C.

Issue One’s Founder and CEO Nick Penniman has been recognized as one of the most influential people in Washington, D.C., by Washingtonian in its annual list.

The special issue out this week spotlights 500 individuals “with deep subject-matter expertise who understand how to effectively drive action in Washington; those who grasp the nuances and complexities of specific policy areas; and experts in fields we believe will be particularly significant to the current slate of elected officials.”

Penniman is highlighted for his work to drive “bipartisan consensus on holding social-media companies to the same libel and copyright-infringement rules that traditional media is subject to,” a nod to our technology reform portfolio and the Council for Responsible Social Media. He’s featured alongside his fellow Good Government peers who care deeply about having our democracy work effectively, including former Rep. Barbara Comstock, a member of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus; Norman Eisen; Ben Ginsberg; and former Attorney General Eric Holder.

“This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for our democracy,” said Amelia Leonardi, Issue One’s chief operating officer who founded the organization alongside Penniman in 2012. “Nick’s vision and steady leadership have positioned Issue One at the forefront of our efforts to defend American democracy at a time when self-government itself is under immense pressure. His pragmatic and battle-tested approach continues to be a guiding light for all of us who are committed to preserving and strengthening our republic.”

Penniman was previously the founder and executive director of the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, Washington director of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy, and publisher of the Washington Monthly magazine. In 2016, he co-authored “Nation on the Take” with Wendell Potter. He has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Center for Responsive Politics and the Homeless Empowerment Project.