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Joseph Okpaku
Co-Founder/Principal, The Forest Consulting Group. I fit innovative square pegs into regulatory and legislative round holes
Joseph Okpaku is the Co-Founder and Principal of The Forest Consulting Group, a consultancy firm he launched with Michael Masserman to help innovative companies navigate government relations and related issues.45
Professional Background
Okpaku has extensive experience in government relations, policy development, and regulatory affairs:
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He previously served as Vice President of Public Policy at Lyft, where he led a team of over 50 people in implementing a nationwide legislative and regulatory framework for the ridesharing industry.12
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After his tenure at Lyft, Okpaku worked as the Chief Policy Officer at Booster Fuels, where he established the company's first government relations team and successfully passed the first state-wide law enabling on-demand mobile fueling.23
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His career also includes roles as a New York City Prosecutor for five years and a Wall Street regulator for six years.2
Expertise
Okpaku specializes in:
- Navigating complex policy and regulatory landscapes for emerging technologies
- Developing and implementing legislative frameworks
- Creating partnerships with advocacy organizations
- Testifying before Congressional committees on topics like autonomous vehicle policy3
Education
Joseph Okpaku holds a law degree from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree from UCLA.3
Current Role
At The Forest Consulting Group, Okpaku leverages his experience to help clients "see the forest through the trees" by providing holistic and interconnected approaches to public affairs, policy, politics, community engagement, and social impact.1
