New Principals Bring Extensive Bipartisan House and Senate Leadership Experience to Firm
MARCH 17, 2026 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Cornerstone Government Affairs, an employee-owned, bipartisan government affairs firm, announced today the continued expansion of its leading federal budget and appropriations practice with the addition of two highly respected senior congressional appropriators, Robin Juliano and Morgan Ulmer, who join the firm as Principals. Together, they bring decades of bipartisan appropriations expertise and proven records of collaboration with House and Senate leadership.
Robin Juliano, who began on March 16, returned to Cornerstone after serving as Policy Director for House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), where she led a team of policy advisors and advised the Whip and caucus on all legislation moving through the House.
“Robin has been on the frontlines of the most consequential appropriations and policy battles of our time,” said Whip Clark. “She is as talented and smart as she is generous and kind. The immense respect for her on both sides of the aisle — among staff and Members — is a testament to her rare talent. I’m grateful for her wise counsel in my leadership office and wish Robin and her family the very best in this next chapter.”
“Robin is one of the most talented people I have had the privilege of working with in my time in Congress. She led our Appropriations Committee staff with extraordinary skill, and brought that same dedication to her work with Whip Clark. Robin’s command of policy is unmatched, and Cornerstone is fortunate to have her. I know she will bring the same rigor, integrity, and heart to this next chapter that she has brought to everything she has done on Capitol Hill,” said Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
Prior to her time with Whip Clark, Juliano served as a Cornerstone Principal where she managed a client portfolio spanning federal appropriations, higher education and non-profit sectors. She previously served as the Majority Staff Director of the House Committee on Appropriations, where she managed a 100-person team to pass annual appropriations bills for the 12 subcommittees, totaling $1.7 trillion, and served as the House Democratic Caucus’s lead staff negotiator with the Senate and the Biden Administration. In addition, Juliano spearheaded the return of Community Project Funding and led numerous spending bills that provided support for Ukraine and assistance to communities recovering from natural disasters.
“I am thrilled to return to Cornerstone. Serving Whip Katherine Clark was an honor, and it gave me a sharper perspective on how Congress works at its highest levels. My time back on the Hill built on what I already knew about Cornerstone from serving on the Appropriations Committee. The firm has an outstanding reputation and ability to deliver meaningful results for clients,” said Juliano. “I am excited to contribute again to the firm’s track record of creative, results-driven advocacy and to help clients navigate an increasingly complex legislative landscape.”
Earlier in her career, she served on the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee, at the White House National Economic Council (NEC) and on the Senate Appropriations and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees. Beyond her work on the Hill and White House, Juliano is a board member of Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and a frequent speaker at Harvard Law School, Brown University and trade organizations.
Morgan Ulmer, who begins on April 9, previously served as Staff Director for the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies. In this role, she oversaw all budget development, execution and oversight for agencies, managing over $205 billion in annual mandatory and discretionary funding. Ulmer played a central role in negotiating bill text, report language, amendments and funding decisions among the Senate, House and Executive Branch.
“As the clerk of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Morgan has done a tremendous job supporting our nation’s producers and rural communities,” said Senator John Hoeven (R-ND). “Morgan has served as an invaluable member of our team, working relentlessly to secure wins for rural America. We appreciate Morgan’s work on the appropriations committee, and wish her well in her new position.”
“Cornerstone has built one of the most experienced appropriations teams in Washington and is known to deliver top-notch results,” said Ulmer. “I’m excited to be a part of this dedicated and dynamic group and bring my experience working with Congress and the Administration to help clients effectively navigate the budget and appropriations process.”
In addition, Ulmer has secured more than $50 billion in disaster assistance for agricultural communities since 2020 and drafted, negotiated and oversaw over $150 billion in COVID‑19 and disaster supplemental funding. Her bipartisan negotiation work was instrumental in enacting multiple Agriculture Appropriations bills.
Before joining the Senate Appropriations Committee, Ulmer served as Legislative Director for former-Senator Richard Shelby (R‑AL), where she developed and advanced the Senator’s legislative agenda and collaborated closely with Appropriations leadership to secure major wins across federal spending bills. Her prior roles with Sen. Shelby’s office included Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent and Staff Assistant.
“Robin and Morgan are two of the most capable and respected appropriators in Washington,” said Cornerstone’s Chief Executive Officer Geoff Gonella. “I’m thrilled to welcome them both to our team, and am confident that their combined leadership and expertise strengthen our ability to deliver results for clients on both sides of the aisle.”
Since Cornerstone’s founding in 2002, the firm has assembled the most experienced budget and appropriation teams in Washington, D.C. Now, Juliano and Ulmer’s leadership will enhance the firm’s capacity to support clients navigating the federal budget and appropriations process.
To learn more about Cornerstone’s Appropriations expertise, please click here.
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc. is a bipartisan, employee-owned, public affairs firm with more than 200 professionals in offices across the country. Through its federal and state government relations; strategic communications; political action committees; grant consulting and advisory services, Cornerstone represents a diverse group of clients from myriad industries and sectors and maintains expertise in a wide range of issue areas, including agriculture, cyber security, defense, education, energy, health, homeland security, international affairs, tax policy, telecommunications and transportation and infrastructure.
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