Tara Dowdell is an accomplished business and political strategist. She is the Founder of the Tara Dowdell Group, a strategic consulting and marketing firm focused on helping socially-conscious businesses and organizations grow. In addition to her consulting practice, Tara is a respected television commentator and speaker. She appears regularly on CNN and Fox News where she provides progressive insight and analysis on a range of political, government, and business topics. Prior to founding the Tara Dowdell Group, she was the first African American and the youngest person ever to serve as the Director of Appointments to then Governor James E. McGreevey. In this capacity, she oversaw and managed the process of gubernatorial appointments to over 550 boards, commissions and authorities. Additionally, Tara has worked for Congressman Frank Pallone, the Port Authority of NY and NJ and served as the Director of New Jersey Women Vote, a project of Emily's List.