New York City, NY, USA: Manu Meel, an Indian-origin leader and Chief Executive Officer of BridgeUSA, has been appointed to the board of directors of Braver Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing political polarization in the United States.
Braver Angels, a New York-based 501(c)(3) organization, focuses on bridging partisan divides by bringing together conservatives and liberals through structured workshops, debates, and dialogue sessions. Its mission is to foster mutual understanding and identify shared values across ideological differences.
The organization announced Meel’s appointment on X, highlighting his leadership as co-founder and CEO of BridgeUSA. It described BridgeUSA as one of the largest and fastest-growing student movements promoting constructive political dialogue.
At 27, Meel has previously collaborated with Braver Angels and is widely recognized for advancing youth-driven civic engagement initiatives. Responding to his appointment, Meel emphasized the importance of open dialogue in sustaining democracy.
“Braver Angels and BridgeUSA are leading a counterculture of dialogue and curiosity in America,” he said. “We cannot have a functioning democracy if we are unable to communicate with one another.”
In a separate statement, Meel expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing Braver Angels as “an essential institution for our democracy.” He added that he looks forward to contributing toward building a culture that strengthens democratic values for future generations.
BridgeUSA defines itself as a multipartisan student movement committed to viewpoint diversity, responsible discourse, and solution-oriented political engagement. The organization traces its origins to February 2017 at the University of California, Berkeley, where protests over a conservative speaker escalated into violence, disrupting campus activities.
In response, a group of students initiated conversations between opposing sides, which later evolved into a nationwide movement. Today, BridgeUSA operates more than 125 chapters across campuses in the United States.
Braver Angels was founded following the 2016 United States presidential election by David Blankenhorn, Bill Doherty, and David Lapp. Initially named Better Angels, the organization draws inspiration from Abraham Lincoln’s call for unity in his first inaugural address.
The nonprofit continues to focus on small-group engagement, encouraging participants from across the political spectrum to listen with empathy and engage in meaningful conversations.
