For more than 20 years, Ben O'Dell has worked at the intersection of faith and politics through his work at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ben is a recognized expert on facilitating partnerships between faith-based, philanthropic, and community organizations and government at all levels. In recent years, Ben’s work has focused on how faith and community partners can address mental health including youth mental health and wellbeing. Ben’s interest in strengthening local faith-based and community leaders and community engagement principles to religious, community, and government interest has led him to develop deep relationships, knowledge, and expertise on a broad range of issues from strengthening fathers and families to strategies for bringing groups together in collaborative networks. As a result of this expertise, Ben has been asked to serve at the White House across multiple occasions in both formal and informal capacities. Ben received his Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management in 2007 from the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Ben resides outside of Washington, D.C., with his wife, Kristin, and implements his own personal fatherhood initiatives with their two kids.