Experience

The Planetary Society

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Government Relations

  • Feb 2023 - Present



Virginia Young Democrats

• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Outreach Co-Chair

  • Apr 2022 - Present



Fairfax County Democratic Committee

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Feb 2020 - Jan 2023



Justice Forward Virginia PAC

• Arlington, VA

• Managing Director

  • Dec 2019 - Feb 2020

  Justice Forward Virginia is a non-partisan political action committee focused exclusively on advancing criminal justice reform priorities. As Managing Director, I came on board to help assist JFV with their legislative advocacy, media presence, and fundraising. In this role, I organized and executed a successful 100-person advocacy day of action in Richmond on January 17th, kept track of nearly 150 pieces of legislation in the Virginia General Assembly, revamped the organization's website, led a rebranding of social media, and implemented fundraising tools that doubled their capacity to raise money. Show less



Steve Descano for Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney

• Fairfax County, VA

• Campaign Manager

  • Nov 2018 - Nov 2019

  I managed the campaign for Steve Descano, progressive reformer and candidate for Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney. As the first staff hire for the campaign, I helped develop messaging and talking points to communicate complex criminal justice issues to diverse audiences. I represented the campaign in progressive coalition meetings focused on achieving common goals of voter outreach and engagement. In the June 11th Democratic Primary, our campaign unseated a 12-year incumbent in the first primary since 1963. In the November 5th General Election, we won 61.23% of the vote, defeating a former Trump political appointee. My duties included managing our communications and finance staff, working with consultants on mail and digital strategies, maintaining the candidate's schedule, managing political relationships, working with other campaigns and a coalition of progressive partners, and executing the campaign plan. Show less



Ad Astra Podcast

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Co-Host & Producer

  • Feb 2017 - Jan 2019

  Ad Astra is about space. More specifically, Ad Astra is about the intersections of space policy, technology, and politics. We talk about everything from NASA Spinoffs to budgets to cool things we heard from our adventures in the DC space community. Be sure to sign up for our email list at elemental.fm to get regular updates from us as we explore this whole podcast thing together. Episodes are available every Wednesday on iTunes, Google Play, Overcast, and other major podcatchers. Ad Astra! Show less



The Planetary Society

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Outreach Coordinator

  • Aug 2015 - Jan 2019

  Volunteer leader of the Washington, DC chapter of the Planetary Society - the world's largest non-profit space advocacy organization. Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Lou Friedman, and Bruce Murray, the Planetary Society seeks to improve public understanding of space science and exploration. Responsibilities included reaching out to members and volunteers in the DC area, hosting informative events, connecting with other space advocacy groups in the area, and working with the space policy team to push the importance of space and science policy. Show less



People For the American Way

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Political Associate

  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2018

  As a member of the PAC management team, I reviewed and assessed competitive elections across the United States, researched candidates and their stances on the issues, wrote background memos, and made recommendations to PAC leadership about endorsements, contributions, and resource allocation for endorsed candidates. I worked with endorsed candidates on voter outreach efforts in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin ahead of the 2018 Midterm Elections. As a member of the PAC management team, I reviewed and assessed competitive elections across the United States, researched candidates and their stances on the issues, wrote background memos, and made recommendations to PAC leadership about endorsements, contributions, and resource allocation for endorsed candidates. I worked with endorsed candidates on voter outreach efforts in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin ahead of the 2018 Midterm Elections.



Ben Shnider for County Council

• Rockville, MD

• Field Director

  • Jan 2018 - Jun 2018

  I ran the field operation for a Montgomery County Council candidate, running to represent District 3. My job included organizing volunteers, establishing and maintaining a robust internship program, planning events, and executing the campaign plan. Under my supervision, the campaign surpassed its goal to knock on 50,000 doors, resulting in over 13,000 conversations and 9,500 votes on Primary Day. I managed a team of 2-4 interns and over 30 volunteers at any one time. About the campaign: Ben Shnider is a progressive Democrat running to represent District 3 on the Montgomery County Council. Ben's vision for Montgomery County is one of more accessible transit options for commuters, increasing affordable housing opportunities for low income and working class residents, protecting the environment, and making the County a more welcoming place to live, work and play. Ben has been endorsed by SEIU Local 500, 32BJ SEIU, Unite Here! Local 23, LiUNA Baltimore/Washington District Council, the Sierra Club, CASA in Action, Run For Something, and Delegates Andrew Platt and Shane Robinson. Show less



Explore Mars Inc.

• United States
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• H2M Co-Chair & Logistics Manager

  • May 2016 - Feb 2018

  Helped plan and execute the Humans to Mars Summit in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Duties included helping with social media outreach, establishing time tables for deliverables, organizing volunteers, logistical planning with speakers and sponsors, and whatever else is needed to put on the largest human space exploration-focused summit in DC. Helped plan and execute the Humans to Mars Summit in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Duties included helping with social media outreach, establishing time tables for deliverables, organizing volunteers, logistical planning with speakers and sponsors, and whatever else is needed to put on the largest human space exploration-focused summit in DC.



MCRA

• United States
• Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Associate

  • Sep 2016 - Oct 2017

  I currently work as an Associate in Global Market Development for MCRA, a leading consultant for medical device manufacturers. I assist MCRA in developing relationships, planning business strategies, and executing projects for our clients. These projects include regulatory submissions to FDA, clinical trials, and business development research. I currently work as an Associate in Global Market Development for MCRA, a leading consultant for medical device manufacturers. I assist MCRA in developing relationships, planning business strategies, and executing projects for our clients. These projects include regulatory submissions to FDA, clinical trials, and business development research.



School of Public Affairs, American University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Jul 2016 - Dec 2016

  Assisted Dr. Howard McCurdy with NASA-funded research into commercial spaceflight companies and their activities in space. A specific interest was taken in Boeing, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, and their use of government funds and resources in achieving company spaceflight goals. Research also included analysis of the cultural foundations of space exploration; including human, robotic, and telescopic. The origins of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and commercial spaceflight are discussed in the findings. Show less



43 Films

• Media Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Oct 2015 - Mar 2016

  Performed research for war documentary series. Tasks included locating primary-source video and still photography in National Archives at College Park location, capturing footage, and transcribing information in films for use in documentaries. Performed research for war documentary series. Tasks included locating primary-source video and still photography in National Archives at College Park location, capturing footage, and transcribing information in films for use in documentaries.



American University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Comptroller of Human Resources

  • May 2014 - Oct 2014

  Enforcing Student Government HR policy one strongly worded email at a time. Enforcing Student Government HR policy one strongly worded email at a time.



Rick Kessler for Delegate

• Maryland's 18th District

• Field Director

  • Feb 2014 - Jun 2014

  Organized volunteers, cut canvassing turf, and made sure the campaign ran smoothly. Trained about 40 volunteers and paid staff to knock doors, meet campaign goals, and fit within overall strategy. Organized volunteers, cut canvassing turf, and made sure the campaign ran smoothly. Trained about 40 volunteers and paid staff to knock doors, meet campaign goals, and fit within overall strategy.



American University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sexual Assault Prevention Intern

  • Sep 2013 - Dec 2013

  Helping provide services and information to reduce the incidence of sexual assault and dating violence on American University's campus. Helping provide services and information to reduce the incidence of sexual assault and dating violence on American University's campus.



Tarek Baydoun for Dearborn City Council

• Dearborn, MI

• Field Coordinator

  • Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

  Knocked doors, cut turf, and supported campaign staff. Knocked doors, cut turf, and supported campaign staff.



Office of Congressman John Dingell

• Washington, DC

• Intern

  • Jan 2013 - May 2013



Obama for America

• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Campus Organizer

  • Jul 2012 - Nov 2012

  Organized American University students in support of the 2012 re-election campaign for President Barack Obama. Work involved direct voter contact and working with the College Democrats chapters in DC to mobilize students. Organized American University students in support of the 2012 re-election campaign for President Barack Obama. Work involved direct voter contact and working with the College Democrats chapters in DC to mobilize students.



Rob Garagiola for Congress

• Maryland

• Volunteer Organizer

  • Feb 2012 - Apr 2012

  Organized volunteers from the DC schools to knock doors for Rob Garagiola's primary campaign for Maryland's 6th House district. Organized volunteers from the DC schools to knock doors for Rob Garagiola's primary campaign for Maryland's 6th House district.