Jonathan Ortmans

President
The Public Forum Institute

As president of the Public Forum Institute, Jonathan Ortmans has more than 15 years experience in engaging the American public in the public policy decision-making process. He has developed national outreach initiatives with dozens of government agencies, corporations, foundations and other entities.

The Forum is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to developing the most advanced and effective means of fostering dialogue and debate. Based in Washington, DC, the Forum develops and coordinates public forums across the country – engaging citizens, experts, community leaders, elected officials and others in substantive discussions on dozens of policy issues.

The Forum’s Congressional Public Policy Conference Program, has engaged tens of thousands of citizens at public forums covering all fifty states and dozens of policy issues. Under Jonathan’s direction, Forum staff have conducted numerous forums to discuss regional economic development throughout the United States. Recently, the Forum launched the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship to focus the attention of policymakers on the economy and job growth. In addition, Jonathan has launched national initiatives on other topics, such as Power Summits on energy policy, Help Wanted forums on workforce development and assisted in the implementation of a project called Americans Discuss Social Security.

Educated in England as an economist, Jonathan often serves as a moderator and facilitator of high-level meetings, has been published in several academic journals, serves as an advisor on public policy communications initiatives to several public agencies, and devotes extensive time to moderating and facilitating meetings with challenging goals worldwide.