This is who I am
I'm Luc Raphael Saint Genies (Luc), a British and French-born, first-generation naturalized American, and organizer, passionate about shaping my community for the better, and doing what others won't. Through High School, I worked after classes and on weekends at my local Starbucks to support my family, and worked two jobs alongside volunteering as an EMT to pay for College, so I know a thing or two about hard work. In 2022, following a series of medical challenges and debt, I decided to leave school temporarily in order to focus on my health, and searched for employment. Starting in December 2021, I had the honor of serving the American People at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington, DC., and at 19, I was the youngest staffer at NASA Headquarters. Following an offer of employment, in early 2022, I joined an incredible global team of thought-leaders, working to inspire change, cultivate growth, and unleash the power of creativity at the trend-setting communications, government affairs, and public affairs firm, Burson Cohn & Wolfe (Burson), where the scope of my work primarily focuses on pro-bono, common-sense gun violence prevention strategies and campaigns.
Public Service Leadership
Legislative Operations
Gun Violence Prevention Social Advocacy
Outreach Management Fundraising Community Initiatives
When something isn't working, I always search for a way to fix it.
I was born in the Blue-Collar town of Blackpool in the northwest of England, to two proud and hard-working parents. My mother - like my grandmother - was a teacher, and my wife, Gabby proudly continues that legacy as a kindergarten teacher herself. Early in my childhood, we moved to Paris, France, where we lived for around 8 years. In 2013, we moved to Broward County, where I fell in love with the United States, and started to learn to fly. To pay for my flight lessons, I worked at the gliderport, where at 14, I completed my first solo in a glider, at 16, my first solo in a powered aircraft, and have since logged over 150 flight hours in powered aircraft, gliders, and helicopters. In my spare time, when I am not exploring the District, trying to get back into the gym, and spending time with my wife, I enjoy flying around the DMV area, exploring the stunning Chesapeake bay.
Propelled by my desire to give back to my community, and my love for aviation, I joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 2016, where I rose to the position of Cadet Commander. Through the Civil Air Patrol, I participated in dozens of service events, including hurricane response, and community outreach, and I was selected out of thousands of applicants to participate in a program with the US Air Force Air Education and Training Command - Undergraduate Pilot Training in T-6 Texan II's at Columbus Air Force Base, MS. I have been regularly involved with the Civil Air Patrol, most recently volunteering as a Senior Member Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets, in Washington, DC. My experience in CAP allowed me to truly appreciate my deep love for giving back to the community, and to a nation that has given me so much. I like to say that many individuals in this world get a great feeling by seeking more money; some get that same feeling by seeking fame; I like to think that I get that feeling through service, and through giving back. It makes me feel accomplished to help someone right a wrong and to be a part of a mission that improves the lives of those around me.
In February 2018, at the neighboring Stoneman Douglas High School, my community experienced one of the deadliest school shootings in American History, where we lost friends, neighbors, and classmates. Days following the tragedy, I joined my peers in advocating for common sense and far overdue reforms to gun laws, and mental health reform in the State of Florida. In March 2021, whilst on vacation in Miami Beach, my friends and I were threatened with a firearm at a restaurant. The pure look of fear and sheer panic haunts me to this day, and gun violence prevention remains my top priority. My advocacy for these reforms continues, and I am honored to have founded the Brady Washington DC State Executive Committee, where we fight to end gun violence here in my community.
In January 2020, whilst in my senior year of high school, I began volunteering as an intern, and eventually policy advisor for then-candidate Sheila-Cherfilus McCormick. Alongside a small team, I crafted unique policies demanding concrete change in our community, focusing on mental health and gun reform, Israel and the Middle East, as well as managed endorsement outreach. Despite all the hard work, in the August 2020 primary, Sheila lost to the incumbent. Nevertheless, she persisted, and in January 2022, Sheila was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Representing FL House District 20.
In August 2020, I moved to Washington DC where I attended George Washington University, studying International Affairs at the Elliott School. Thanks to the Federal Pell Grant, generous Institutional and private scholarships, as well as part-time employment, I was able to attend University full-time, with manageable student loans. Whilst at GW, I was a Cadet at Air Force ROTC Detachment 130, where I consistently ranked in the top three of my class, but more importantly, where I met some of my closest friends. Whilst at Det. 130, I served as the commander of a team that wholistically reformed the Detachment Honor Guard Unit which trained with the Air Force Honor Guard at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and I had the honor of leading the team in providing ceremonial services for the Vice-President, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of Education, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and at various other high-profile events in the National Capital Region. In my second year at GW, I served in the Executive Cabinet of the GW Student Association, as Secretary for Military and Veterans Affairs, and as one of two Student Representatives to the Institution-wide Financial Aid Advisory Council. In these positions, I implemented concrete changes that benefited the GW community, including free transportation to and from ROTC classes, increased access to the Montgomery GI Bill and Yellow-ribbon benefits, a re-vamped admissions team protocol for service members, as well as increased awareness for the community on campus. Since I was a child I have had nothing but the utmost respect for our veterans, and firmly believe that they deserve nothing but the best support available.
As early as 2021, and most recently in 2023, I was hospitalized and kept in the ICU for a week due to severe Sepsis. 15 minutes from death, and worried about medical bills, I had considered not going to the hospital out of fear of the inevitable fees. in 2021, Unable to afford treatment whilst attending university full-time, I started looking for suitable options where I could place my education on hold, and take care of my health. Thanks to the advice and support from my mentors, family, and friends, I decided to take a leave of absence from GW and ROTC. In November of 2021, I started searching for employment opportunities in public service. Countless individuals around me, including professors, told me that I needed a college degree to apply and that I would never get a reply to my applications. Despite that, I applied to dozens of positions, and after a challenging round of interviews and applications, I was honored to be offered full-time positions with both Representative Cherfilus-McCormick in her DC office and at NASA Headquarters in the Office of the Executive Secretariat within the Office of the Administrator.
In early 2022, I got married to the woman of my dreams, Gabriela, in Union Market, moved into our first home, and began working at NASA, where I served alongside some of the world's greatest innovators. In March 2022, I accepted an offer I could not refuse at BCW Global, an internationally renowned public affairs and communications firm. August 2023, committed to finishing my undergraduate education, I was honored to accept an offer to Georgetown University in a part-time capacity.
I am greatly honored and thankful to have incredible role models and supporters in my life. I acknowledge how lucky I have been to be afforded opportunities that many may never have, but I also deeply understand how challenging it is to prove yourself in a world full of societal labels, mistrust, and selfish ideals. I commend everyone who took and is taking a path that doesn't fit the societal "norm". It's not easy. Only you know yourself best, so trust your beliefs and instincts.
When asked for advice or recommendations, one of my favorite sayings is "If you do like everyone else, you will end up like everyone else". I challenge you to draw your own path through life and to take every opportunity as it presents itself, I sure try to.
Experiences & Connections
I've had the pleasure of working with some incredible changemakers
