Washington, D.C. – Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman has been recognized as one of the “Most Influential People Shaping Policy” in Washington D.C. by the Washingtonian magazine for the second consecutive year. The distinction highlights the significant work that Democracy Forward, under Perryman’s leadership, has done to protect people, communities, and democracy.  

“Each year, we publish a special issue featuring the 500 most influential people in Washington,” wrote Washingtonian President and CEO Catherine Merrill in the issue’s introduction. “With a new administration now in place, these power players’ expertise and strategic insight are especially crucial as they navigate shifting priorities and relationships across the capital.”

Perryman’s recognition in the issue focuses on the role she and Democracy Forward have played so far in the Trump administration, litigating “against policies deemed unlawful or harmful to democratic governance” and with Democracy Forward “ filing lawsuits opposing Trump’s executive orders that threaten to undermine the civil service and weaken governmental checks and balances.”

“This recognition is a testament to the incredible work that our team at Democracy Forward does every day. It is an honor to work with a team of people who are talented, hard working, and who are determined to beat long odds and achieve a better future for our nation,” said Perryman. 

The Washingtonian’s announcement comes on the heels of Time Magazine last month naming Perryman as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2025.  Part of its founding litigation team, Perryman took the helm at Democracy Forward a few months after January 6, 2021, in the midst of rising extremism in communities and courts across the country. She has built a visionary team of legal, policy, and communications experts to confront anti-democratic extremism head-on while also using the law to advance progress and a bold vision for the future. Under Perryman’s leadership, Democracy Forward has expanded the scope and reach of its work, emerging as a nationally recognized institution that is taking on the most significant issues affecting people, families, and communities.

Since January 20, 2025, Democracy Forward has filed swift litigation and won court orders that protect the American people from harmful and unlawful federal executive action, including securing a nationwide order stopping the freeze on funding and essential services, protecting religious liberty, blocking unauthorized access to American’s data at the Social Security Administration, and opposing attempts to undermine public education, while also continuing its work in states and local communities. To date, the organization has filed 63 legal actions, launched 82 investigations, and issued nearly 750 FOIA requests since January 20, resulting in significant victories that directly safeguard Americans from harmful policies.

Perryman has developed unique collaborations that include faith, business, labor, and civil rights organizations and spent months building Democracy 2025, a coalition that is now 500 organizations strong, to ensure swift legal challenges and responses to governmental actions that threaten people and our democracy. In the face of increasing attacks on lawyers and the legal profession, Perryman marshaled cross-partisan support in defense of the legal profession and has been a leading voice in catalyzing the power of people and the importance of using all the tools that our democracy provides to protect our freedoms.  

To see the Washingtonian’s full list of “DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2025,” and learn more about how the selections were made, please visit the Washingtonian here. 

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.