Our Team


Burns Strider - President

Burns Strider, a native of Grenada County, Mississippi, is the founder and principal of Eleison LLC,  President of the American Values Network, Executive Vice President of American Bridge, and Senior Advisor to Correct the Record. Strider is best known as the Democratic Party's "faith guru" and advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding the nation's diverse and complex tapestry of religious thought and communities. He was senior advisor to Clinton in her 2008 campaign for President.

Strider is one of the 12 most influential Democrats in the nation on faith and values politics according to the Religion News Service. 


Eric Sapp - Executive Director

Eric Sapp has spent much of his career focused on the intersection of faith and politics.  He is a founding partner of the Eleison Group, the primary political consulting firm working with Democrats and the progressive faith community on outreach and communication to faith, veteran, and values voters.   Eleison was one of the lead consultants on the DCCC's '08 "Red to Blue" program and has received numerous awards for its work on a number of successful Democratic and progressive campaigns.