John Tomaszewski, who goes by "JT," brings over eighteen years of combined experience in congressional roles and democracy and governance initiatives across Africa, making him a seasoned specialist in U.S. foreign policy, African affairs, and democratic development. His areas of expertise include foreign assistance, national security, and the implementation of democracy, rights, and governance in Sub-Saharan Africa, complemented by his skills in congressional oversight, strategic communications, public affairs, and leadership in complex environments.As a Senior Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Tomaszewski is the principal advisor on Africa policy to Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID). He helps shape legislative priorities, assesses executive branch nominees and funding, and guides committee oversight efforts related to Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Tomaszewski contributes to the committee's communications, engaging with the media and producing analysis on African developments, and provides detailed updates on U.S.-Africa policy, foreign assistance, security, and diplomatic activities in the region to the Ranking Member and in support of committee members and their staff. Before joining the committee, Tomaszewski's career included impactful tenures at the International Republican Institute, where he directed democracy and governance programs across numerous African countries, and earlier roles in crisis communications and legislative affairs in Washington, D.C.