Dubbed the “Democracy Coach,” Nancy Bocskor was honored with a 2025 AAPC Trailblazer Award at this year’s Pollies—and for good reason. Her career has redefined political training and leadership development worldwide.

Now Director of Development at Business for America, Bocskor fosters civic engagement by mobilizing business leaders. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill and ran a consulting firm that trained candidates in all 50 states and 28 countries—often championing women’s political empowerment.

Bocskor’s influence reaches far beyond campaigns. As a board member for the LBJ Women’s Campaign School, POWER at Ohio State, and the Public Leadership Education Network, she’s advancing institutional change to help underrepresented leaders thrive in public service. She’s a strategist, mentor, and educator whose teaching and curriculum design have expanded pathways for women and veterans in politics.

Reflecting on her legacy, she shared: “Our impact as political professionals isn’t always measured in polls or press coverage—it’s in the lives we touch, the confidence we help build, and the leaders we help shape.”

The Trailblazer Awards honor not just past accomplishments but a vision for the future—one where mentorship, inclusion, and ethical leadership are central to political strategy. As Nancy put it, the award “validates a career spent not just in strategy rooms and campaign offices, but also in classrooms, workshops, and one-on-one conversations with emerging professionals.”

This spotlight is part of an ongoing series featuring each Trailblazer Award recipient. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate those shaping the future of political consulting.