DENVER-Policy, business and government strategists Berrick Abramson, Josh Hanfling and R.D. Sewald are teaming up to launch and expand the work of Confluence Policy & Strategy Group. The firm will partner with public and private sector leaders, communities and organizations to engage internal and external stakeholders to develop, advance and implement collaborative solutions to system level challenges. Drawing on more than 75 years combined experience in the business, government and nonprofit sectors, the team has a proven track record of successfully leading policy, corporate strategy and system change processes and efforts that attract broad support.

“Looking at the critical issues facing communities, businesses and government, there has never been a greater need to bring diverse voices to the table, to set aside ideological rhetoric, find common ground and develop common-sense solutions,” Abramson said. “We’re building a firm with an unparalleled combination of public sector, private sector and political experience doing just that.”

The new venture will be led by Abramson, a nationally respected policy thought-leader, facilitator and strategist. As president of Confluence PSG, he will lead a diverse team with backgrounds in government, business, public policy, education, economic and workforce development, and the nonprofit space. Confluence PSG will operate independently of Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs, which is well known in the government and private sectors as a trusted partner in delivering results for clients since its launch in 2012.

“I’ve known Berrick for 15 years. He’s not just a good friend, he’s a professional I respect so when an opportunity presented to support something I believe can make a big impact on how things get done, I was all in” Hanfling said of the partnership. “I’ve seen him navigate some of the most complex situations in both business and public policy. I’m excited about this venture and its potential to set a new tone in policy debates and in corporate actions.”

Confluence PSG will support government, business and community leaders through a variety of services, including: work group and task force facilitation; stakeholder engagement and outreach; consensus building initiatives, collaborative corporate and government policy development, organizational strategic planning and coalition management.

“There are very few people I’d be so enthusiastic and confident aligning myself with, but Josh and I were immediately on the same page about working with Berrick,” Sewald said. “On some of the most contentious issues from fiscal policy to school safety, I’ve seen him make progress where others could not. I’m thrilled to partner with him to grow that impact locally and to scale it nationally.”

Abramson noted “I’ve been fortunate to watch since day one as R.D. and Josh built the powerhouse firm they now lead and to learn from both of them along the way. I’m honored to partner with them, to incorporate aspects of what has made them so successful for clients into Confluence’s work and to utilize that to help leaders across the country tackle some of the most critical and complex issues facing business, government and communities.”

Abramson most recently worked at the Keystone Policy Center where he built and led the education, workforce and good government practices. He has led a diverse portfolio of projects in Colorado and nationally on topics ranging from education and workforce development to fiscal policy, community transitions and school safety. He previously led the policy & government affairs team of a 400+ person national education non-profit. Prior to his work in public policy, Berrick worked in corporate finance and technology in San Francisco and he continues to serve as a mentor to entrepreneurs through the Techstars Accelerator program. Berrick is an avid gardener, skydiver, open water paddler and adventure race competitor. He and his wife live in Lakewood, CO. In addition to his involvement in his own community and in ocean conservation efforts globally, Berrick became active in efforts to support awareness and research for Crohn’s Disease when an aggressive form of the disease was nearly fatal for him in 2019.

About Confluence PSG: Confluence PSG partners with government and private sector leaders to support policy and system change. Drawing on our expertise in the public and private sectors, we help identify the specific issue and mechanism of change, scope of action needed, associated challenges and the affected or involved stakeholders. We work with clients to design and manage comprehensive collaborative processes to develop solutions with maximum buy-in and high likelihood for success.