0-5 years

Natasha Mehu is a highly accomplished government relations specialist with over a decade of diverse experience in local, state, and federal affairs. With a successful transition from the public sector to the private sector, she is currently serving as a lobbyist at Manis Canning & Associates, where she advocates and educates on behalf of clients' interests to Maryland's state and local governments.

Natasha provides strategic advice, issue analysis, and guidance to clients on complex government matters, and excels in connecting clients with influential government leaders and staff. She is skilled in legislative advocacy and diligently tracks bills, proposed amendments, and regulatory matters to keep clients informed and well-prepared. Natasha's ability to build coalitions and mobilize allies has been instrumental in developing legislative support for clients.

Prior to her current role, Natasha held a senior leadership position as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Government Relations for the City of Baltimore. In this capacity, she formulated policy positions, set strategies, and advocated for the city's local, state, and federal legislative and fiscal priorities. Natasha fostered constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, serving as a liaison to city, state, and federal offices.

Natasha's extensive experience in government affairs is further exemplified by her tenure at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). As the Legislative Director, she led and coordinated advocacy efforts on behalf of MACo's member counties and Baltimore City in front of the Maryland General Assembly. She successfully managed a team of policy advocates, oversaw the legislative policy fellow intern program, and served as a liaison to various affiliate organizations. Natasha's expertise spanned multiple policy areas, including business affairs, health and human services, housing and community development, government liability and courts, and public safety and corrections.

In her earlier career, Natasha served as a Project Manager at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, where she managed nonprofit grantee housing counseling agencies and legal services providers. She excelled in legislative liaison roles and provided technical assistance and training to ensure compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.
Natasha's commitment to public health and equity is evident through her work as a Research Assistant at the University of Maryland School of Law and as a Student Attorney at the Drug Policy and Public Health Strategies Clinic. Natasha holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, with a Certificate in Health Law. During her time in law school, she actively participated in the Student Health Law Organization (SHLO) and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). She also competed as a member of the BLSA Thurgood Marshall National Trial Team.

Natasha earned her B.A. in Communication, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received the University Honors Citation and was a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society. Natasha is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) and holds bar membership in the state of Maryland. She also serves as a Board Member of the Maryland Government Relations Association (MGRA), a Board Member of Chase Brexton Health Care, and a member of the National Black Professional Lobbyist Association (NBPLA).

11-15 years

Former State Senator Patrick J. Hogan joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in October 2015 as a co-lead of the firm's Annapolis, Maryland office. Prior to joining Cornerstone, P.J. served as the vice chancellor of government relations for the University System of Maryland (USM) since 2007. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating legislative activities amongst the 14 USM Institutions and centers at the federal and state levels of government, including Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, the Office of the Maryland Governor, and other relevant units of government.

As a Maryland State Senator, P.J. represented the 39th Legislative District located in Northern Montgomery County from 1994 -- 2007. P.J. was re-elected to his fourth term in 2006. His Senate committee assignments included Budget and Taxation where he served as Vice-Chairman of the full committee, and Chairman of the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee. He was also a member of the Pensions Subcommittee and the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Additionally, he served on the following Joint Committees; Spending Affordability, Legislative Policy, the Joint Committee on Pensions, the Joint Audit Committee, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Data Systems. Previously, Sen. Hogan served on the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, Task Force on State Personnel, the Property Tax Task Force, the Pre Paid College Tuition Task Force, Telecommunications Work Group, Maryland Council on Management and Productivity, the Child Care Administration Advisory Council, the Maryland Information Technology Board, and as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children Youth and Families, among others.

P.J. authored many pieces of legislation relating to Higher Education including the creation of the Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, and the Maryland Pre Paid Tuition and College Savings Plans. He was also active on issues relative to high technology, business tax exemption for computer software, transportation trust fund distribution formula, funding for K-12 & higher education, and issues relating to persons with developmental disabilities.

From 1990 to 1994, P.J. served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Connie Morella. In this capacity he was responsible for issues relating to budget and economy, housing, Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Affairs. He also handled constituent inquiries with federal agencies, and served as a community liaison with local organizations. Prior to his position with Congresswoman Morella, P.J. owned and operated a successful retail sporting goods business.

P.J. lives in Annapolis, Maryland. He is married to Jacqueline P. Hogan, and they have two children. P.J. was born in Pittsburgh, PA and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Delora R. Sanchez, Esq. joined Cornerstone in October 2015 after leading Johns Hopkins Medical System's government affairs team. Delora spent nearly a decade representing Hopkins' interests before the Maryland General Assembly, Governor's office, and state administrative agencies. She has an extensive background in state legislative and regulatory issues.

As a senior vice president in Cornerstone's Annapolis office, Delora specializes in representing hospitals, managed care organizations (MCOs), pharmaceutical manufactures, medical cannabis companies, and private sector special interests. Over the past 10 years, Delora has used her deep policy expertise and legislative connections to save or create tens of millions of dollars in state funding for clients; shape Maryland's medical liability policy; and steer the top healthcare system in the world through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the creation of the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange.

Delora was recognized by the Daily Record in 2017 as a VIP, 40 under 40 and as a Leading Woman in 2013. In 2014 Sanchez was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow -- the flagship leadership development program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. From 2008 to 2010 she was appointed by the President of Johns Hopkins University to serve on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council. During the same time period, she was also appointed by then Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.

Delora is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and serves as chair of community engagement on the board of directors for Thread, which engages underperforming high school students facing significant barriers outside of the classroom. As a native of Baltimore and current South Baltimore resident, Delora was proud to accept an appointment by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates to the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Board. The organization is responsible for distributing approximately $8 million in casino revenue for community development projects in the areas immediately impacted by the casino's construction. Previously, she was a board member of the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Vice Chair of the board for Hope Forward, which provides support transitioning for former foster youth.

Delora holds a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Health Law from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management from Towson University. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Delora is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and enjoys living downtown, yoga, and biking around the City.