Washington D.C. Staff

Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director

Rev. Michael Neuroth (he/him) serves as Director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy. As team leader, he helps shape the office’s vision and work as a faithful presence and voice in Washington, D.C. Prior to being appointed as Director in 2023, Mike worked for fifteen years as the UCC’s Policy Advocate for International Issues.  Mike also worked for Church World Service at the UN and as Coordinator for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in D.C. He holds an M.Div and a ThM. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MSW from Rutgers University, and a BA from Xavier University in Theology. Mike lives on Capitol Hill with his spouse, Amber, and their two boys (along with a goldendoodle named Chewie).  His favorite part of working for the UCC is the daily camaraderie with staff as they seek to address the most pressing and complex issues of our time.

Contact: neurothm@ucc.org

Helen Nwabara, Policy Advocate for International Issues

Helen Nwabara (she/her) is the International Policy Advocate for the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy. She holds a BA from Pennsylvania State University in International Politics. The daughter of two United Methodist pastors, Helen has spent her life traveling the world through mission trips, which inspired her faith-based advocacy in DC for the past seven years. Though a life-long advocate, Helen began her advocacy career with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment before spending time at Creation Justice Ministries. In her past two years with the UCC, her favorite part of working for the UCC National Setting is the amazing people in and around the UCC who she gets to work alongside for God’s planet and people and the ability to work every day on persuading the United States government to be a responsible and accountable global actor. 

Contact: nwabarah@ucc.org

Rushad Thomas, Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues

Rushad Thomas (he/him) is the Domestic Policy Advocate for the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy. He most recently served as the Director of Policy & Government Relations for Faith & Public Life (FPL).  In addition to his time at FPL, Rushad has also worked for End Citizens United (Let America Vote) and spent five years as Policy Advisor for the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. A native of Central Florida, Rushad brings a passion for faith and public witness to his new role.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in government and a Graduate Certificate in Political Management from Regent University, and a master’s degree in political communication from American University.  In his down time, Rushad enjoys exercising, following politics, spending time with friends and family, reading history books, and keeping up with the British Royal Family. 

Contact: thomasr@ucc.org

Hannah Santos, Communications and Campaigns Specialist

Hannah Santos (she/her) is the Communications and Campaigns Specialist for the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy. Prior to her current role, she worked in nonprofits and higher education initiatives that focused on religious literacy education, faith-based organizing, and the separation of church and state. She holds an MTS in Religion, Ethics, and Politics from Harvard Divinity School and a B.A. in Religious Studies and History from Brown University. She feels blessed to be serving a compassionate, radically inclusive, and justice-driven faith community during this political moment.  

Contact: santosh@ucc.org

Cassandra Saunders, Justice and Peace Policy Fellow

Cassandra Saunders (she/her) is the Justice and Peace Policy Fellow at the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy. She works on domestic and international human rights policy issues and assists with communications work. Cassandra has a BA in International Affairs from the University of Georgia. She has published a blog article series on gender apartheid and girls’ education in Afghanistan, served as a Student Minister, and interned with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. Her favorite parts about working for the UCC are the incredible people and the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of faith and social justice. 

Contact: saundersc@ucc.org

The Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington D.C., in partnership with other national UCC staff, Conferences, Associations, congregations and individual UCC members, works to identify, analyze and forecast emerging social issues which call for the attention of the denomination by monitoring and seeking changes in legislation at local, state, and federal levels through a variety of coalitions and working groups.

To learn more about the work of our office, visit the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy Home Page. To contact our office, call (202) 543-1517.