Experience

All4Ed

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Executive Director

  • Mar 2010 - Present

  • Serve as a member of the organization’s executive team, responsible for fund raising and the development, implementation, and oversight of the organization’s strategic direction. • Lead the organization’s federal and state policy efforts, integrating communications, research, grassroots mobilization, coalition building, and direct advocacy. • Work closely with staff in Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Communications Commission, the White House, state departments of education, and other policy makers. Draft legislation/amendments and provided talking points, questions and data for hearings, and background information for Congressional offices and administration officials. • Serve as an organizational spokesperson, including testifying on Capitol Hill, leading the bi-weekly Federal Flash video series, and conducting media interviews. • Mobilize coalitions among civil rights, education, and other organizations to advance policy goals, including the GradNation Campaign to increase the national graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020. • Lead Alliance advocacy efforts to achieve public policy outcomes, including: • High schools failing to graduate one-third (or more) of students are required to implement evidence-based, comprehensive reform under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This will impact 2,397 high schools; • Under ESSA, state standardized assessments must measure higher order thinking skills and may include projects and portfolios rather than relying solely on multiple choice tests; and • A coalition effort leading to the $1.5 billion annual increase in Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program, providing 99 percent of students with high speed broadband in their schools and libraries within 5 years. Show less



First Focus

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Vice President, Education, Housing, and Youth Policy

  • Jun 2007 - Mar 2010

  • Led the advocacy effort to successfully double funding for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. • Secured the only education-related provision included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, increasing the authorization level for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program. • Served as regular spokesperson with the media on issues pertaining to children; secured quotes and coverage in USA Today, LA Times, CNN, CBS Radio, ABC.com, and other outlets. • Served as Chair of the Washington Group of the National Collaboration for Youth (a coalition of 40 leading national youth-serving non-profits); advisor to Sesame Workshop on programming for children in response to the recession; and member of the Campaign for Youth steering committee. • Drafted/secured the introduction of legislation to strengthen federal policy for children and youth, including: • The RAISE UP Act (S. 1608; H.R. 3982; 111th Congress), bipartisan legislation supporting comprehensive dropout recovery systems at the local level; • The DIPLOMA Act (S.2849; H.R. 2237; 113th Congress), legislation strengthening achievement by meeting students' academic and non-academic needs; and • The WE CARE Act (H.R.3762; 110th Congress), legislation supporting partnerships between school districts and community organizations to improve student outcomes. Show less



America's Promise Alliance

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President for Public Policy

  • May 2005 - Jun 2007

  • Advocated on Capitol Hill on policies supporting children and youth, including youth development, after-school programs, and national service. • Led the effort to pass the Federal Youth Coordination Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-365; Title VIII), bipartisan legislation strengthening coordination among federal agencies administering federal youth programs. • Organized Congressional events to advance policy objectives. • Advocated on Capitol Hill on policies supporting children and youth, including youth development, after-school programs, and national service. • Led the effort to pass the Federal Youth Coordination Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-365; Title VIII), bipartisan legislation strengthening coordination among federal agencies administering federal youth programs. • Organized Congressional events to advance policy objectives.



Camp Fire

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Public Policy

  • May 2001 - May 2005

  • Advocated on issues impacting children, youth and families, including: youth development, after-school programs, child care, welfare, juvenile justice, and national service. • Secured three federal appropriations for Camp Fire USA local affiliates (FY 2004-2006) and first-time federal funding for Camp Fire USA from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. • Organized Congressional events to advance policy objectives. • Advocated on issues impacting children, youth and families, including: youth development, after-school programs, child care, welfare, juvenile justice, and national service. • Secured three federal appropriations for Camp Fire USA local affiliates (FY 2004-2006) and first-time federal funding for Camp Fire USA from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. • Organized Congressional events to advance policy objectives.



National Crime Prevention Council

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Coordinator

  • Sep 1997 - May 2001

  • Coordinated Congressional and grassroots advocacy efforts for the Younger Americans Act. • Led efforts to educate Congress on youth issues: • Planned a bipartisan Congressional briefing on youth violence; and • Partnered with the Office of the Democratic Leader to facilitate youth involvement in the drafting of H. Res. 357 (106th Congress), the first youth-written resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. • Coordinated Congressional and grassroots advocacy efforts for the Younger Americans Act. • Led efforts to educate Congress on youth issues: • Planned a bipartisan Congressional briefing on youth violence; and • Partnered with the Office of the Democratic Leader to facilitate youth involvement in the drafting of H. Res. 357 (106th Congress), the first youth-written resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.