September 9, 2021

Cornerstone’s Fall 2021 Intern Class

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest group of outstanding young professionals and students who will be participating in our Fall 2021 Intern Program.

Over the past year and a half, our team has adapted to and collectively embraced the remote work environment. Therefore, we have been able to continue providing a competitive and impactful intern experience for young professionals around the country, as is true since the founding of our firm. This fall, our program will continue to reflect a hybrid model, allowing for some of the interns to work remotely and others to work in-person at our Washington, D.C. office, pending the evolving COVID-19 guidelines.

This year we received 159 applications and have selected 14. In addition to this group of 14, we are thrilled to be keeping on two of our summer 2021 interns focused on supporting the firm’s policy and operations and marketing teams. We are grateful to have these 16 individuals on board and are excited to add their valuable contribution to our Cornerstone team!

Courtney Cano (OpsWatch Intern)

Courtney Cano is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Policy and Development with a specialization in data evaluation & analytics, and a focus in intelligence analysis and counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Before joining the Cornerstone team, she worked as an analyst intern with USAID OIG on the implementation of an inaugural enterprise risk management program. Prior to her master’s program, Courtney spent two years in Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer working on economic empowerment for culturally disfranchised groups.

Courtney is a California native who spent half her life near Lake Tahoe, and the other half in Newport Beach. She went to Middlebury College in Vermont where she received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a double minor in Religion and Philosophy. During her time at Middlebury, Courtney worked with the Addison County Public Defender’s Office, as well as the Vermont State Attorney’s Office, and even spent a summer interning for the Chief of Community Prosecutions at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in Boston, MA. Throughout her four years she was also the varsity coxswain of the men’s rowing team, where she coxed them to third place at the Head of the Charles. Courtney’s areas of interest include defense, intelligence, and international affairs.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: My experience to date has primarily involved nonpartisan responses and solutions to complex, nuanced issues. Through this internship however, I hope to gain an understanding of the relationships between policy lobbying, consulting, and the Hill—particularly, the ways in which a firm like Cornerstone can and does impact government policy at all levels. I also seek to develop my capabilities across a spectrum of bipartisan issue areas to better advocate for the goals of the private sector to the government. Furthermore, by building strong connections with the Cornerstone team I hope to learn how best to cultivate and maintain relationships with an array of diverse clients.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: It feels as if I have been interested in public affairs and government for as long as I can remember—and in that sense, it’s always been a big part of my life. We are all affected, every day, by political choices. These choices are manifested in everything, from the coffee we drink, to the roads we drive on, and to the media we consume. And of course, larger aspects such as access to medical care and the wars we engage in. Thus, to deny that government and politics matter is to deny that we live in a society at all. Government is both a roadmap and a tool for how we can engage in and influence our communities, and I want to be a part of guiding policy in a sustainable and meaningful way.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I cannot wink! I’ve spent my entire life trying, so perhaps it’s time to finally accept that winking may not be in the cards for me.

Elizabeth Cooper (Policy Intern)

Elizabeth Cooper is an accomplished student and researcher who enjoys finding new ways to apply her previously learned skills. Before joining the Cornerstone team, she recently graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in International Studies, Political Science, and Russian. While in school, Elizabeth earned the Grueber Award for Campus Globalization for her extensive work with the campus’ Russian club, its international students, and its student government organization. Her work style is very detail oriented, and she likes to use her positive attitude to work closely with others.

In Elizabeth’s free time she enjoys anything to do with the outdoors, cooking, and reading. She is so excited to be moving to Washington, D.C. and starting this new adventure! Elizabeth’s areas of interest include international affairs, defense and intelligence, and agriculture.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: There are several things I would like to gain from this experience. First, I feel like this internship role is the perfect opportunity to for me to apply both my academic skills and professional experience in a fulfilling way. I am a strong writer with previous research and briefing experience, so I feel like I can submit quality assignments. In addition, I know that interns join as generalists. This is very appealing to me because I have not narrowed down my career path to any specific topic yet. Being able to work on multiple topics and areas will allow me to eventually pursue a more specified career path and foster my passion for a specific topic. Additionally, networking in the political consulting/government affairs field has been difficult for me in the past while living in the Midwest. Opportunities tend to be unpaid, senior level, or do not align with my political values and unfortunately, I did not feel these roles were appropriate for me to apply my skills and build my professional network. Therefore, with this role in Washington, D.C. I feel as though I will be able to successfully build my professional network and make meaningful connections. Lastly, I feel as though this opportunity is a step in the right direction to a fulfilling career. As I make connections with people at Cornerstone, I hope to make a good impression and possibly earn a place as an employee at a company that embodies my interests and values.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: My first exposure to this topic was social studies class in high school. While it was a shallow overview of history and government, it definitely piqued my interest in similar subjects. In college, I ended up majoring in both international studies and political science, and on my career path search one of my influential professors introduced me to the field of government affairs. Its breadth and need for diverse candidates drew me in and accepting a position with Cornerstone really solidified my interest in the field.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I think something people would be surprised to know about me is that my sense of adventure can range into what people think of as “dangerous” activities. I have been a licensed SCUBA diver since 2017, and I just got my motorcycle license this year. I am usually a cautious person, but for some reason with certain activities, I just get the urge to go all out. 

Sarah Dresh (Policy Intern)

Originally from southern New Jersey, Sarah Dresh is a senior at the University of Maryland (UMD) with a double major in government & politics and history. While at UMD, Sarah was selected to join the Federal Fellows Program as a homeland and national security policy fellow and was recently inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. She is a returning intern at Cornerstone and has previously held internships with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and in the House of Representatives.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Sarah plans to attend law school near Washington, D.C. so she can pursue a career combining her interests in policy and law. Her areas of interest include defense, international affairs, and energy and environment.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to continue learning about government relations and build strong connections with professionals in this industry. I am also excited to dive deeper into my policy interests and learn how these issues impact Cornerstone clients.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: After interning on Capitol Hill my sophomore year, I wanted to learn more about public policy from the perspective of the private sector. My internship experience with Cornerstone during the fall 2020 semester solidified my interest in government relations and has influenced my decision to pursue this field as a potential career.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I’m a HUGE Grateful Dead fan! I saw Dead and Company in concert for the first time in 2016 and have loved their music ever since.

Savannah Farr (Policy Intern)

Savannah Farr is an MPA student at the University of Georgia (UGA) and is driven to see communities thrive at both the local and global levels. Before coming to Cornerstone, she worked in advocacy and mobilization with International Justice Mission, equipping constituents to petition their representatives for justice efforts globally. Savannah graduated from UGA in 2020 with degrees in international affairs and Spanish. In her undergraduate career, she focused many of her efforts toward global health, both by conducting global health research and by co-founding her school’s Global Health Union. Savannah has a passion for travel and for cultural understanding, demonstrated by her study abroad experiences in South America, her leadership of an educational trip to the Middle East, her work as an International Student Orientation Leader for UGA, and her partnership with International Justice Mission.

When not working, Savannah can be found adventuring with her five roommates, blasting showtunes on a joyride, or enjoying a good book and cup of tea. Savannah’s areas of interest include education, international affairs, and health.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A:  I hope to expand and sharpen my research and communication skills, particularly the ability to write about thorough research in a quick and concise way. I also look forward to becoming more familiar with Congressional processes. I hope to learn from leadership about transitioning into a career in D.C., and expand my professional network, and I hope to contribute as much as I can in the months I am here. Thrilled to jump in!

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  What started as a first encounter with global poverty over a decade ago has now grown into my appreciation of the power of government and my desire to use them to create just societies. While much of my experience until now has been in the nonprofit sector, I have experienced again and again the way the success or failure of an organization can depend so heavily on the policies they exist in. I am fascinated by the overlap between government and the private/nonprofit sectors and am excited to learn by joining in the work of Cornerstone Government Affairs.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I flew an airplane this year! I hope to get my Private Pilot’s License one day.

Mary Freiner (Policy Intern)

Mary Freiner is a second-year graduate student in the Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Masters’ Program at the George Washington University, where she specializes in immigration and gender policy. Mary majored in political science and minored in Spanish during her undergraduate studies at Samford University. After graduation, she published her senior thesis on Latin America’s regional approach to refugee policy in Pi Sigma Alpha’s Spring 2020 Journal. In 2019, Mary went to Bucaramanga, Colombia and worked alongside a local non-profit organization that provides services and resources to Venezuelan refugees. Although she loves to explore different cities, try new foods, and learn about different cultures, Mary also enjoys returning home to St. Charles, Missouri to spend time with her family. Her areas of interest are international affairs, health, and education.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: For the past five years, I have focused more on gender and immigration policy in Latin America, so I am excited to switch gears and learn more about U.S. public policy. I think interning at a bipartisan consulting firm like Cornerstone will offer multiple opportunities to affect policy and a closeup into how the public and private sectors engage with one another.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  Ever since I was in middle school, I enjoyed learning about history, politics, and geography, but I was first inspired to consider policy work after I wrote a book report on Condoleeza Rice’s memoir in 9th grade. Even though Dr. Rice did not come from a life of material privilege, she worked hard and was passionate about public service. Although it might not be the common perception of those who work in government and public affairs, I think many, like Dr. Rice and myself, choose this field because we want to be a part of making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I think I would have been an engineer or architect if I had not pursued government affairs.

Louie Kahn (Policy Intern)

 Louie Kahn is a senior from Burbank, California double majoring in political science and political communication at The George Washington University (GW). After graduation, he will matriculate into GW’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, where he plans to acquire a Masters’ degree in public policy.

While at GW, Louie has been very involved in campus life, most notably serving as president of GW’s College Democrats chapter during the previous academic year. Off-campus, he interned for Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) in his district office and on Capitol Hill for Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). Additionally, he has worked as a political intern for End Citizens United and served as GW’s campus coordinator for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign during the previous election cycle. This past summer, Louie served as an associate with AmeriCorps VISTA, where he worked with middle school students at John Phillip Sousa Junior High School in Washington, D.C., on projects emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. Louie’s areas of interest include energy and environment, education, and health.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to acquire experience in a wide range of policy fields and work with the Cornerstone team to learn more about the inner workings of the legislative process. In addition, learning how to effectively advocate for clients in the public sphere and behind the scenes will provide a unique experience that I have yet to have outside of the classroom.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: My involvement in debate and student government in high school inspired me to pursue a career in government and public affairs. I’ve learned that policy is the most potent vehicle at our disposal to effect change. The experiences I have had so far in college have only reaffirmed that belief. I am eager to gain more exposure to the inner workings of the political and legislative process to advance my career in this field.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I recently obtained my official CPR certification from the American Red Cross!

Isabela Kent (Public Affairs Intern)

 Isabela is from White Plains, NY and is a rising junior at Syracuse University, majoring in policy studies and minoring in political science. As a student, she has had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for an introductory policy studies course, as well as a peer facilitator for Syracuse’s first year seminar. In extracurriculars, Isabela is involved in organizations such as The Women’s Network, a collegiate women’s networking and professional development organization, where she recently served as the vice president of finance. In addition, she has volunteered with OttoTHON, Syracuse University’s Dance Marathon, and is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Outside of class, she enjoys running, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Before joining Cornerstone, Isabela interned remotely with the EPA and worked on various projects with the Office of Public Affairs and Office of Congressional & Intergovernmental Relations. This fall, she is excited to be living and taking classes in D.C. through Syracuse University’s Maxwell in Washington while also interning with Cornerstone! Isabela’s areas of interest are energy and environment, health, and education.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I’m hoping that over the coming months, this internship will allow me to understand how organizations develop communications strategies to effectively target audiences, both broad and narrow, to advance their policy goals. I’m also looking forward to working with my fellow interns, meeting people across the firm, and gaining exposure to how the public and private sectors interact while spending my semester in DC.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: As a middle and high school student, social studies and history were my favorite subjects because I had an interest in how people, societies, and governments function and interact with one another. By the time I was a senior in high school, a couple years after the 2016 presidential election, this interest had grown into a close following of American politics in current events. I’ve always especially been drawn to major speeches and public addresses, like the State of the Union, and intrigued by the incredible attention to detail that goes into crafting messaging for a national audience.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I really enjoy knitting! It’s a recent hobby I picked up from my best friend who attends art school and who is my much craftier, creative counterpart. While I’ve only really made scarves so far, knitting has become a mindful activity for me to do when I need to destress and step away from my coursework for a while to clear my head.

Amy Liu (Policy Intern)

Amy Liu is a senior at George Washington University (GW) majoring in political science and double minoring in international affairs and mass communications & journalism. She is from Vancouver, Canada and Shanghai, China, and has been living in D.C. for more than three years.

Previously, Amy worked for the Embassy of Canada on projects like monitoring the passing of the USMCA and organizing press conferences for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She has also learned a lot about government and politics through working for institutions like the New York City Council and the Wilson Center. During her time at GW, Amy has been involved in on-campus activities like being a tour guide, managing the social media for the GW Hatchet newspaper, and planning philanthropy events for the Chi Omega sorority. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and work in fields related to government, law, or the media. In her free time, Amy likes listening to podcasts on niche topics, finding the best local coffee shops, and running on the National Mall. Her areas of interest include international affairs, defense, and energy and environment.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to gain more understanding of the behind-the-scenes in getting policy passed. There’s so much in the process that doesn’t show at first glance, so I want to understand the intricacies behind the work of government relations.  I’m also very interested in how bipartisan work is conducted and what it takes to push the process along, and of course to build connections with the fall intern cohort and Cornerstone team!

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  I moved around the world a lot when I was younger, and I started noticing the differences in how a country’s government and institution can affect its political culture. Being able to see different political systems at play sparked my interest in learning more about what makes a country and its policies work. Going to college in the capital of the country, you’re really at the center of the action and that’s helped me act on these interests.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I’m a leap year baby (technically, I’m only five and a quarter year old), and I used to be a competitive figure skater. I still skate for my university’s team for fun!

Georgia McLean (Policy Intern)

Georgia McLean is from Princeton, New Jersey and graduated from Wake Forest University this past spring with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international affairs with minors in Latin American studies and history. Georgia has a strong passion for politics and last fall she volunteered for both the North Carolina Democratic Party and the Cal Cunningham Senate campaign. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, she worked as a congressional intern on Capitol Hill and as a government affairs intern for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Georgia has also worked as a government affairs intern at MBI, a large state public affairs firm in Trenton, New Jersey. Georgia studied abroad for a semester at The United States Centre at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. Most recently, Georgia has been working for NDN, a liberal think tank in D.C. At NDN, she has grown her passion for politics and gained more experience in economic data analysis. She hopes to attend law school to gain a public policy degree in the future. Georgia is eager to learn more about government affairs through her work as an intern for Cornerstone. Her areas of interest include agriculture, education, and health care.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to gain more experience in policy research and a better understanding about how a government affairs firm functions on a daily basis. I am excited to be in “the room where it happens” in the field of government affairs, and conduct research for and interact with Cornerstone clients, as well as policymakers.  I am seeking to gain exposure to both the private and public sector of politics and see first-hand how these two sectors interact to pass pivotal legislation.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: I have been interested in government affairs for as long as I can remember. It might sound cheesy, but I actually remember explaining to my middle school peers at recess what a lobbyist was and why I was interested in becoming one. I am fascinated by the way that policy is effectuated, and I am eager to learn more about government affairs through this internship.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I can listen to a song once or twice and memorize all the lyrics without even trying! In fact, I know all the lyrics to the entire soundtrack of many different Broadway musicals such as Hamilton, Rent, Chicago, and Hairspray. I probably know the lyrics to almost every song on my very eclectic Spotify playlists.

Christopher Mungiello (Policy Intern)

Christopher Mungiello is originally from Livingston, New Jersey and has lived in New Jersey for most of his life. He attended Villanova University for his freshman year of college and participated in a club that offered free tutoring services to children in underserved communities in Philadelphia.

After spending one year at Villanova, Christopher transferred to Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service to major in international politics. While at Georgetown, he was able to take up internships on Capitol Hill, at a local law firm, and in a New York City agency. He was also vice president and treasurer of Georgetown’s Transfer Council where he organized events to acclimate transfer students into their new college environment. Once he finished his undergraduate studies, he worked as a product and pricing data analyst at a mortgage lending company for about a year. It was also during this time that Christopher got involved in local activism and joined a group called Voter Choice New Jersey, which is an organization that seeks to advance the use of ranked choice voting in all New Jersey elections. He left the private sector to pursue a Master of Public Policy at Georgetown University.  Christopher hopes to get a more comprehensive understanding of American public policy while in school, and he believes that his internship at Cornerstone will be a great professional experience to enhance his academic one. Christopher’s areas of interest include transportation and infrastructure, international affairs, and energy and environment.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to gain a better insight into how government consulting works and how Cornerstone is able to give the solutions its clients need.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  I became interested in government from a young age through my love of history. I always thought it was fascinating to see how policies from one era can affect people for generations. My interest was only solidified after interning with my state representative for one semester.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: While I was an undergraduate, I translated a chapter of an Italian book into English and that English translation is going to be published.

Meredith Schwartz (Policy Intern)

Meredith Schwartz is a senior at Tufts University where she is double majoring in political science and quantitative economics. Originally from Marblehead Massachusetts, she first got involved in politics interning at the Massachusetts State House. Before joining Cornerstone, Meredith worked as a government affairs intern for Dive Technologies where she gained first-hand experience working with a company within the defense and energy policy areas. Meredith also has prior internship experience with the International Trade Administration, the US Department of State, and a Washington D.C. based government affairs firm. Meredith plans to move to the D.C. area after graduation and attend law school in the near future. Her areas of interest include defense, energy and environment, and international affairs.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I hope to learn how political relationships are cultivated within the government affairs industry. I also look forward to gaining more experience with policy analysis and memo writing.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: During high school, I began volunteering and interning with a local state senator at the Massachusetts State House. It was my first exposure to the inner workings of government, and I loved seeing how policy affects constituents in their everyday lives.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I am very musical. I’ve played the cello since elementary school and taught piano lessons during my high school summers.

Savannah Shaw (Policy Intern)

Savannah Shaw graduated from Colby College in May 2021 with distinction in the government major and a minor in science, technology, and society. At Colby, Savannah enjoyed learning about and researching the intersections of government, climate change, and social outcomes. She played goalie for the Women’s Ice Hockey team, served as a community advisor and area resident director with the Hall Staff program and a peer tutor in the Farnham Writers’ Center. She was also an active member of the Best Buddies club, Colby Votes, and a student coach for the Central Maine Youth Hockey learn-to-play program.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Savannah interned at Boothby Silver LLC, a small law firm in Turner, ME, and at Project Playground, a nonprofit providing after school programs for at-risk youth in several townships in Cape Town, South Africa. She hails from the beautiful state of Maine and is a proud Bruins, Red Sox, and Patriots fan. She hopes to attend law school in the future to further her policy work. Savannah’s areas of interest include energy and environment, transportation and infrastructure, and agriculture.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I’m excited to get a firsthand look at what goes into the policymaking process and how lobbying and outside consulting impact it. I’m especially eager to learn from Cornerstone’s bipartisan approach. In today’s hyper-polarized political climate, bipartisanship often seems out of reach. Nevertheless, I know it can be an important tool to create lasting solutions.  I’m looking forward to observing how negotiation, deliberation, and compromise lead to policy outcomes. I’m also hoping to continue improving my research and writing skills and learn from the other bright Cornerstone interns and associates.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  I used to abhor politics until my Intro to American Government & Politics professor emphasized how government affects our lives every day, whether we realize it or not. From the postal service to taxes to the environmental regulations that affect our communities’ air quality, government plays an important role in how we experience the world. Ever since this class, I’ve seen government as the most influential avenue to further policies centering justice and equity to create a more sustainable future for everyone.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: I juggled while on rollerblades to win the Colby Universe pageant my senior year.

Rachel Stockford (Policy Intern)

Rachel Stockford is a junior at the University of Notre Dame studying political science and American studies with a focus on American politics. This semester, Rachel is participating in the Notre Dame Washington Program. She will be living in Washington, D.C. for the semester while interning and completing classes with Notre Dame professors.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Rachel interned with Unite America, a nonpartisan organization focused on supporting efforts to put voters first. She worked on the development team where she assisted in philanthropic research and fostering donor relations. Rachel also works with BridgeUSA, an organization promoting civic dialogue and bridging the political divide on college campuses. At school, she is the co-president of the BridgeUSA chapter on her campus. She is also a member of the American Studies club and The Musicians Network, a club founded with the intent of connecting students with a passion for music and exploring the music industry. Rachel is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rachel’s areas of interest are education, health, and environment.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: I aim to become more well-rounded across multiple policy areas. I hope to gain a more in-depth understanding of the specifics of federal legislation that are not prominent in the media. Furthermore, I hope to improve my research and writing skills alongside my fellow interns and colleagues at Cornerstone.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A: I first became interested in public policy work through my AP American Government class in high school. During the 2018 midterm elections, I found it difficult to deal with the heightened political landscape. My teacher helped me navigate through this and demonstrated a genuine passion for the subject, which is one of the main reasons I chose to study political science. Since then, I have developed an eagerness to learn about both contemporary and historical political issues.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: Every year I try to do something special for the summer solstice! Most summers my family and I wake up early to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year, but a few years ago I completed a “sunrise sunset tour,” where I drove to the east side of Michigan for the sunrise and drove across the state to watch the sunset on the west side.

Kevin Winslow (Policy Intern)

Kevin Winslow is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he majored in political science with a history minor. Kevin first started out in D.C. through the Michigan in Washington Program, where he got a window into the legislative process and government affairs as the critical infrastructure intern at Venn Strategies. As a native of the Chicago suburbs, Kevin has spent 11 months interning remotely and in-person for two House Representatives from Illinois.

With government affairs, congressional, and campaign volunteer experience, Kevin is interested in working in Congress full-time and specializing in energy and environmental policy. His experiences working in and around the Hill have included legislative research, data analysis, constituent correspondence, and more. Congressional experiences aside, He loves to cook, play ping pong, and is trying to become a movie buff (favorites include Stand By Me, Hell or High Water, and Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail). Kevin’s areas of interest are energy and environment, agriculture, and education.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?

A: My long-term goal is to be a staffer in a congressional or committee office, and I want to use this internship to develop my foundational skills (writing, communication, research and analysis, etc.) and gain more experience with policy. I’d like to use this internship both as a steppingstone for working in Congress in the future and to expand on my previous experience working in government affairs.

Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?

A:  I spent a semester living and interning in the District and fell in love with the city and the energy of Capitol Hill. This line of work offers a chance to be of service to society and communities I care about, and it provides the opportunity to have a real impact on issues that I am passionate about.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

A: In 2013, my U14 soccer team won the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup Championship.