Eliminating Roadblocks to Innovation
Our team
Founded by friends and one-time colleagues, The Forest brings decades of real-world experience to deliver results for innovative companies.
PRINCIPAL/CO-FOUNDER
Joseph Okpaku
Joseph has successfully navigated getting legislation enacted to allow emerging technologies to operate and grow throughout the United States and beyond. Joseph served as the VP of Public Policy at Lyft, where he oversaw a team of over 50 people that helped to implement, in less than four years, a nationwide legislative and regulatory framework for the ridesharing industry. After helping Lyft develop a nationwide regulatory framework, Joseph worked as the Chief Policy Officer at Booster Fuels, where he stood up the company’s first ever government relations team. While at Booster, Joseph successfully passed the first ever state-wide law enabling on-demand mobile fueling, and created meaningful partnerships with disability advocacy organizations to help promote for regulatory and legislative changes for the industry. Joseph has worked both inside and outside government, having served in roles ranging from Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor to an elected official to working as a New York City Prosecutor for five years and a Wall Street regulator for six years. Joseph has also served as an expert witness in dozens of matters involving the gig economy and its legislative history and regulations.
PRINCIPAL/CO-FOUNDER
Mike Masserman
Michael ran the Global Policy, Strategic Partnerships, and Social Impact/Sustainability departments at Lyft, where he worked on opening global markets, developing new regulations, transportation access & equity, future of work, and smart cities. Prior to Lyft, he held a number of senior positions in the Obama Administration, and worked in various capacities on Obama’s 2008 campaign. Michael is also currently a Senior Advisor at the Albright Stonebridge Group, where he draws on his high-level experience in international expansion, social impact, and global government affairs. Michael is based in Los Angeles, CA, and speaks often about the intersection of policy, politics, technology and social impact, and on the importance of authentically leading with values. He is also a Lecturer at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs, teaching a class on Global Public Engagement Strategy, and is a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.
SENIOR ADVISOR
Prashanthi Raman
As an established, award-winning attorney and public policy executive, Prashanthi has nearly 20 years of experience navigating challenging, highly charged, and complex political environments at the international, federal, state and local levels. Her career has been divided between significant industries - energy, healthcare, government, transportation, AI and tech. Prashanthi began her career as a health care lawyer before shifting into legislative affairs as a gubernatorial appointee. During her time at Lyft, she expanded the scope of ridesharing across North America as Head of North American Government Relations. Thereafter, Prashanthi was Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company leading policy and public affairs initiatives globally. She is a sought after speaker, panelist and political strategist.
ADVISOR/CO-FOUNDER
Chris Massey
Chris Massey has been a leader in the tech policy space having founded and led the government relations, policy, and public affairs functions at several companies, including Lyft, Square, Hims & Hers, Zenefits, and CBS Ecomedia. Chris has seen a 360 degree view of the policy space having worked for electeds at the federal, state, and local level as well as leading a successful public affairs and advocacy firm in Washington. Chris is an Operating Partner for Policy & Public Affairs at Craft Ventures.
ADVISOR/CO-FOUNDER
David Mack
David Mack has successfully led public affairs programs at Lyft and Eaze which required navigating complex policy and communications landscapes. Prior to working inside fast-growing startups, David ran the West Coast office for 463 Communications and executed public affairs campaigns for dozens of clients including Facebook, Microsoft, and Yelp. He has executed campaigns at the federal, state and local level and everywhere in between. David currently works for Meta as the Director of Public Affairs Campaigns.