Reed Howard

I am a civic leader, minister, and proud Virginian dedicated to advancing values-based leadership and strengthening American democratic norms.

At Future Caucus, I help young lawmakers in Congress and state legislatures govern effectively and build public trust in democracy. I've worked in the Virginia Senate, and my experience spans local, state, and presidential campaigns. At 20, I was elected to local office, where I learned firsthand the importance of empowering young leaders to bring bold ideas to public service.

I am a Democracy Practitioner Fellow at the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy. I also write Maverick, a newsletter for political centrists seeking pragmatic solutions.

Beyond politics, I’m a United Methodist minister at Georgetown University and live with a Buddhist monk, a Muslim imam, a Jewish rabbi, Jesuit priests, and 400 college freshmen. Each week, I bake cookies and bring people together to discuss everything from life’s big questions to pop culture. Through the Aspen Institute’s "Weave: The Social Fabric Project," I share lessons from this experience on building trust and bridging divides, guided by the belief that real change takes time, but it always starts with relationships.

I hold a Master of Divinity with a focus on ethics and moral leadership from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Culture and Politics from Georgetown University.