Steven Olikara

Steven Olikara

Founder and ceo, millennial action project

Steven Olikara (@StevenOlikara) is a political entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of Millennial Action Project (MAP), the largest nonpartisan organization of millennial lawmakers in the U.S. Working with over 1,500 elected leaders in Congress and state legislatures, MAP is building a new generation of leadership to bridge divides and strengthen our democracy. A nationally-recognized political commentator, Steven has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NBC News, NPR, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, and many other news outlets. An avid musician, he is also co-author of the book, JFK: THE LAST SPEECH, on the role of artists in democracy. Steven hosts the WisPolitics.com and UW-Milwaukee podcast, ‘Meeting in Middle America,’ and is the subject of the forthcoming documentary, ‘The Reunited States.’

Previously, Steven advised two multi-platinum recording artists on youth empowerment and sustainable energy initiatives, including Akon Lighting Africa which electrified over 1 million homes in Africa with solar power. Steven also served as Truman Fellow at the World Bank where he focused on environmental protection. He has been a featured speaker at venues such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, the White House, Harvard’s Institute of Politics, SXSW, and the United Nations. He serves on numerous Boards and Commissions focused on advancing human rights, democracy, national service, and the performing arts, including the AMEL Project, Issue One, the University of Wisconsin International Division, and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Performing Arts.

Steven has been named a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, a Forbes 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy in 2017, and an Aspen Institute Ideas Scholar. A proud Wisconsinite, Steven graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Udall and Truman Scholar. He is based in Milwaukee, WI.