About Us

Solid Progress is a full-service political consulting and training firm dedicated to recruiting and training progressive candidates and campaign staff to successfully run for office.

Our mission is to equip the next generation of progressive leaders with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to win elections and drive meaningful policy changes. We focus on strategic consulting, leadership development, and hands-on training programs to build a sustainable political movement that advances progressive values across all levels of government. A key component of our strategy is robust fundraising initiatives, ensuring that candidates have the financial support needed to compete effectively.

Solid Progress is committed to addressing the gaps in Florida’s political landscape, where Democratic candidates and campaigns have struggled due to insufficient training, poor voter outreach, and a lack of infrastructure. We aim to provide the necessary tools, knowledge, and support to build a stronger Democratic presence in Florida.

Executive Team

Lily Bristow, Chief Operations Officer

Program operations professional in the progressive political arena, leveraging three years of volunteer and consulting experience in Florida politics. Over 7 years experience launching successful programs in start-up, non-profit, and government environments. Successfully drove growth and expansion implementing programmatic processes with a focus on scalability, quality and member experiences. Ensured benchmarks met in a timely fashion, streamlining all parts of the process while implementing successful quality initiatives. Seasoned trainer, comfortable with presentations and consultative approach.

Manuel Hartman, Chief Technology Officer

Manny brings 14 years of experience in advocacy and leadership working in Florida on local, state, and national campaigns. He became a Union Steward in 2011 at Communications Workers of America (CWA) and understands the importance of establishing a bond between labor and its communities. Additionally, his 9 years as an executive board member of the South Florida AFL-CIO gives him valuable insight into coalition building and establishing strong relationships.

Key Skills & Expertise:

Communications Workers of America (CWA) Labor Union Internal Organizing & Membership Recruitment.
Organized Winning External Organizing Campaign (National Labor Relations Board-NLRB) Elections in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Identify & Address labor and community issues.
Development and Implementation Trainings.
Leading Campaign Tactics.
Develop & Identify Precinct Captains

Certifications:

Organizing and Mobilization.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Union Steward Training.
OSHA 10.

Manny is a motivated self-starter who is able to assimilate rapidly changing environments and is skilled in conflict management. He has strong social and verbal communication skills, being fluent in Spanish. Strong commitment to building a diverse and democratic movement with excellent ability to organize workers and citizens from diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Suzanne Sapp, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Suzanne Sapp brings over two decades of experience in national campaigns, advocacy, and leadership within both labor, political, and healthcare sectors. As a strategic leader, Suzanne has consistently delivered results across a variety of high-impact roles, including directing large-scale field operations, spearheading grassroots mobilization efforts, and advocating for healthcare professionals. Her extensive background in organizing and coalition-building is complemented by a strong foundation in policy advocacy and labor relations, making her a key asset to the executive team.