Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 21, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP file
stephanie Murphy
Stephanie Murphy is a businesswoman, policy expert, and former U.S. Congresswoman. She served as Chairwoman of the Future Forum during 116th Congress.
In Congress, Murphy was known as an effective legislator cutting through partisan gridlock to establish an exceptional record of legislative success. Murphy was consistently named one of the most effective and bipartisan members of Congress during her three terms (from 2017 to 2023). She led the bipartisan effort to lift the federal gun violence research ban and created the tax benefit that enabled businesses to retain and rehire workers during the pandemic. Murphy was a key player in delivering historic infrastructure and climate investments. She also carved out a role as a leading Congressional voice on trade and national security policy.
When Murphy was a baby, her family fled Vietnam by boat to escape persecution by the country’s communist government. After their boat ran out of fuel at sea, they were rescued by the U.S. Navy, who gave them the supplies they needed to make it to a Malaysian refugee camp. A Lutheran Church in Virginia then sponsored the family’s passage to the United States, where Murphy and her family became naturalized American citizens. Murphy was the first Vietnamese-American woman ever elected to the United States House of Representatives.
Murphy earned a B.A. in Economics from the College of William and Mary and an M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. In 2022, Murphy received honorary doctorate degrees from her alma mater, William and Mary, and from Gettysburg College.
She and her husband are the proud parents of two young children.
Molly Allen
Molly Allen currently serves as the Executive Director of Future Forum Foundation. In this capacity, Allen leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance thoughtful policy that impacts the youngest generations.
Allen has over two decades of experience in the political arena and campaign management. In addition to her role with the Foundation, Allen runs a boutique consulting firm and has worked on over 60 candidates, campaigns, and initiatives throughout her career. Allen’s service in the public space began at an early age – door-knocking as a 4th grader for her father’s city council campaign in Upper Arlington, Ohio (he won).
Allen is a graduate of Culver Academies and earned a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University. Volunteerism runs deep in her family, and Allen spends her free time as an avid volunteer for her alma maters, in her community, and for her children's schools.
She resides in Kensington, MD with her three children.