We are excited to welcome a new class of interns to our Fall 2023 Intern Program beginning in September. These young professionals will explore the world of government relations and policy, while building effective communications, policy analysis and research and writing skills. Within the program, our interns gain valuable exposure to the people and processes of the United States government, experience within the intersection of public affairs and public policy and insight to the business development process through marketing research and collateral development.
Out of nearly 200 applicants, we have selected 20 accomplished young professionals to join the team this fall, four of whom were part of our Summer 2023 intern class – Isabelle Andress, Rachel Fuller, Sam Coffman and Andrew Schaeffler. Collectively, they will assist senior professionals across the firm in activities related to policy, research, public affairs, advisory services, compliance and overall firm operations. We are grateful to have this group as part of the team and are excited to see their growth over the next few months!
Robert Bakal (Policy Intern)
Robert Bakal is a rising senior at the University of Michigan. Robert is double majoring in political science and computer science with a minor in mathematics. He focuses on combining the scale of quantitative analysis with game theoretic models in order to study systems of governance and agent behavior. He has been working as a research assistant for Professor Walter Mebane since May 2022, running several large-data projects related to election forensics to determine instances of fraud around the globe. He is currently working on a set of machine-learning classifiers to investigate electoral incidents in American elections from 2014-2022. Outside of class, he is involved with the Men’s Glee Club and works with the local Science Olympiad chapter. He looks forward to serving at Cornerstone and getting experience working in D.C.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in government relations as I learn more about how public and private interests can align to effect change.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in government through learning about the law and the intersection of a rules-based system with evolving political thoughts over time. I currently study how political processes are designed to best achieve the goals of actors in promoting effective change.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I earned every merit badge offered by the Boy Scouts of America (138), one of fewer than 600 people who have ever done so.
Tyler Dickerson (Policy Intern)
Tyler Dickerson, born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi State University (MSU) this May with bachelor’s degrees in economics and Spanish and a concentration in international business. Recently, he returned from Madrid, Spain where he studied international affairs, economics and Spanish as an exchange student at the University of Alcalá. Last summer, he was selected as a public policy and international affairs fellow at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy. There, he honed his policy skills through quantitative analysis, writing and analytical training.
While at Mississippi State, he was heavily involved in student government and advocacy efforts. He served in the MSU Student Association Senate as chair of the appropriations committee and was fortunate enough to be elected student body treasurer. He also co-founded the MSU Campus Chapter of the ONE Campaign, where he lobbied members of Congress from both Mississippi and Louisiana.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: During my time at Cornerstone, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of interactions between the private and public sector, the intricacies of the policymaking process, and the importance of client relations. Cornerstone’s collaborative atmosphere and multidimensional approach will provide the opportunity to learn from a wide array of policy experts while also exploring new policy areas of interest.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Growing up in a small town in Mississippi instilled in me the importance of both public service and community. As a junior in high school, I was selected to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperatives of America’s Youth Tour. That summer, I had the opportunity to visit D.C. and meet with members of Congress from Mississippi as well as tour monuments, memorials and museums where I fell in love with public policy and government. Since then, I have continued to seek out opportunities both at the local and federal levels to impact policy and serve my community.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: My favorite holiday is Mardi Gras and I make an amazing king cake.
Micah Ferguson (Policy Intern)
Micah is starting her senior year at the University of Maryland (UMD), majoring in community health and anthropology. She has recently begun her accelerated B.S./MPH program at UMD, with a concentration in health policy analysis and evaluation. Micah recently completed an internship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where she planned a regional reentry event. She has a strong interest in public health policy and policy analysis, and hopes to continue working in government after completing her degree.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I really hope to gain more policy writing experience. I am passionate about health policy and have become well-versed on community health issues during my time as a public health student at UMD. However, I have had minimal policy writing and policy analysis experience, which can prepare me for my academic future in health policy, as well as supporting my aspirations to be a policy analyst myself. I am also very interested in the interactions between private and governmental agencies, especially when it comes to forming policy. This will overall enhance my knowledge of state/federal government and inform my future career choices in politics.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Even in high school, I was certain that I had an interest in health and equity, but I struggled to identify a career path that could influence the state of a subjugated community on a large scale – I did not want to participate in solutions that were just reacting to one’s poor quality of life. As I entered college and had the opportunity to learn more theory about our societal structures, I realized that policies have long-shaped not just socioeconomic status, but even the way in which we surveil ourselves and treat others. Policies and legislation influence societal norms and can allow marginalized communities the freedom and option to uplift themselves and each other. After my internship with the Maryland General Assembly this past year, I became very certain that I wanted to be involved in the reshaping of lives as part of the government.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: When they first meet me, some people may be surprised to know I am an extrovert. I can be very soft spoken and quiet at first, but I am a huge people-person and love to work with others!
Jackson Goldstein (Policy Intern)
Hailing from Baltimore, Jackson graduated from American University in May with a bachelor’s in political science and a minor in criminal justice. While in college, he acted as a crisis analyst and manager for Amerimunc – an AU student-run Model UN and crisis simulation for high schoolers from across the country. He also served as an intern with the State Department’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, where he supported U.S. counter-proliferation efforts against Russia, Iran and North Korea. In his spare time, Jackson enjoys reading spy novels and thrillers, especially those by John le Carre and Mick Herron, street and landscape photography, and spending time with friends and family.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I aim to further improve my research, analysis, and communication skills so that I am even more prepared to enter government service. I also want to learn more about government relations and the interplay between the public and private sectors so that I have a broader analytical area of expertise.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I was always interested in history and current events, but my studies in college led me to be further interested in government specifically. I gained a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the subject through classes on comparative politics, political conflict and policy analysis. Internships with U.S. government agencies cemented my passion for public service and interest in national security policy and intelligence.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I helped produce several short films in college as part of a filmmaking club.
Jackson Munroe (Policy Intern)
Jackson Munroe is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina where he majored in political science and minored in criminal justice. He recently completed an internship in the office of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). Jackson comes from a family of government affairs experts and hopes to follow in their footsteps. In the future, he want to either work in the lobbying world or go back to the Hill. In his free time, Jackson enjoys watching sports, hiking, outdoor activities and skiing in the winter. He is a huge D.C. sports fan, but his favorite team is the Washington Capitals.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain experience, learn more about the lobbying process and meet great contacts that I can learn from and get advice from.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all involved in the government affairs process. Ever since I was young, I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have recently become very interested in Congress’s new pet topic: the UAP issue. I find it fascinating that Congress is holding hearings and taking the discussions around UAPs very seriously, and I am curious as to where it will lead to.
Matthew Orihuela (Policy Intern)
Matthew is a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) studying political science and economics. Matthew got his start in the policy field at the local level, working with the City of Irvine, CA to gain insight into municipal government mechanisms and their relationship with state entities. He also has experience at the international level, interning for UCLA’s international relations center, where he researched global affairs to craft briefings and engaged with some of the foremost experts in international law and policy. At UCLA, Matthew has served on the executive board of the Facilities Commission – the student government arm dedicated to improving campus sustainability and accessibility. There, he combined his love for nature with his studies to institute policy changes at the University and to push for environmental reforms throughout the LA region. After graduating, Matthew plans to attend law school and continue advocating for meaningful policy change. In his free time, he can be found training for half marathons, perfecting recipes and squeezing in some time for painting.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I am excited to further develop my skills in research, critical analysis and professional communication. I am also eager to enhance my understanding of our government institutions by going beyond what I’ve learned in classrooms to see firsthand how they operate and interact with the private sector. I hope to forge connections with the Cornerstone team and my fellow interns, learning everything I can from their experiences.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been fascinated by the wide-reaching power of government and the enormous responsibility we entrust to our leaders. Being a part of a much smaller but similar system at UCLA, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the work and an understanding that to be the best possible advocate for the issues I care about, it’s crucial to navigate those bureaucratic bodies and form relationships.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Despite being born and raised in Southern California, I love rain and cold weather. Any time there is so much as a drizzle, I’ll bolt outside for a walk or run! In fact, I loved running my most recent two races at below-freezing temperatures!
Leonor Vines (Policy Intern)
Leonor Vines is a third-year honors student at George Washington University (GW), majoring in criminal justice on the pre-law track. She currently serves as an editor of the GW Justice Journal and is an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. This summer, Leonor had the opportunity to intern for a federal judge in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Eastern District TN) in her hometown, Chattanooga, TN. She worked alongside law clerks to prepare bench notes, assist with legal citations, and review judge’s rulings. Her hands-on experience with legal proceedings deepened her interest in the role of the federal government. She anticipates learning more about the “origins” of law and getting a closer look at policy and public affairs in her time with Cornerstone.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: As a pre-law undergraduate, witnessing the origins of policy will be incredibly valuable for understanding the side of law that is not taught in classrooms or in textbooks. I hope this experience will introduce me to niche areas of law and public policy that I can consider further for advocacy interests and my own career.
In addition, my mother is a family physician who has a relationship with several medical research and pharmaceutical groups. She has discussed their work with me and sparked my curiosity about these groups, especially in the wake of COVID-19. I hope to interact with Cornerstone’s Health Team to understand their clients and explore the possibility of working in the health policy field.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest was spurred by an undergraduate course called “Sociology of the Law,” in which I was assigned to propose a local-level policy and subsequent strategies to promote and garner support for the legislation. I conducted research on the federal Child Tax Credit program and wrote my proposal on implementing a local version into D.C. Code. This project was fascinating, and I enjoyed the exercise of creating a plan to get the bill passed (meetings with D.C. Council committees, reaching out to non-profits and the marketing aspect). I look forward to witnessing this process first-hand and enhancing my own understanding of public affairs.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a collector of tabletop board games and can get very competitive! My favorites at the moment are Wingspan, Viticulture and Akropolis.
Sally Zhang (Policy Intern)
Sally Zhang, a recent graduate from Brown University, majored in international & public affairs (security) and comparative literature (literary translation). As an international student from New Zealand, Sally wanted to study in the United States to immerse herself in the heart of American and international politics so she could equip herself with the skills for a future in the New Zealand foreign service. Sally is passionate about tackling pressing global problems like climate change and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources, as well as facilitating trade and economic development in emerging markets such as the Indo Pacific. In her free time, Sally enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, film photography and walking her dog, Charlie.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain deeper insights into the intricacies of governmental operations and contribute to shaping legislation and public policy. I am excited to be exposed to a diverse array of industries and individuals, all interconnected within the realm of public policy. Furthermore, I’m enthusiastic about developing my interpersonal skills and cultivating relationships with different stakeholders and my fellow interns.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government work was initially sparked during my high school history class while studying the Cold War. I was intrigued by the enduring impact of decisions made during that era, underlining the far-reaching consequences that actions of one nation can have on the rest of the world. Seeing how much impact policy can create inspired me to work in government so that I can contribute to domestic and international stability and cooperation.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: My favorite iPhone game is Retro Bowl.
Miller Elwood (Policy Intern)
Miller is currently in her second year of her master’s program in public policy at American University. She grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University for undergrad, where she majored in environmental science and policy. During her undergraduate years, she travelled to Africa multiple times, which inspired her to learn more about environmental policy in developing countries. To pursue her passion, Miller accepted a position with the Peace Corps, but could not attend due to Covid. After many delays in her start date, she decided to put the Peace Corps on hold and start a new beginning in Washington D.C., where she has now lived for about a year.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: During my internship, I hope to develop a deeper understanding on how various policy issues are connected and expand my knowledge beyond environmental policy. I am excited to work with a team made up of different viewpoints and ways of approaching an issue.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: In 2015, I took my first trip to South Africa where I saw many environmental policy issues holding people back. It was a trip that I was hesitant to take, but deeply influenced my life (or interests). I quickly decided to change my major from biology to environmental science and policy where I explored government relations in terms of policy.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have two horses and compete over fences with them.
James Causey Jr. (Research Intern)
James is from a small town called Hollandale, Mississippi. He graduated from Simmons High School and is currently a junior at Delta State University, where he is studying social science education with a minor in political science. James developed an interest in government affairs and public service via an internship in the U.S. Senate. His goal is to graduate in December of 2024 and return to D.C. to work on Capitol Hill or any government-related field. James has a passion for learning more, especially about himself. He loves playing chess, going for walks, listening to and making music, weightlifting and cooking.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Firstly, I hope to leave a meaningful impact on my peers and superiors. Second, I hope to gain experience, relationships and knowledge to thrive in any government related field.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government in high school. My passion became abundant when I took on my internship with my senator in D.C.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I made a hip hop instrumental for an artist who’s opening concerts for other mainstream rap artists.
Max Norris (Policy Intern)
Max was born and raised in the city of Chicago. In May of 2023, he graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s in political science. Additionally, Max focused on international affairs and has been studying the Russian language for over three years. In the summer of 2021, he attended the London School of Economics (LSE) for a 6-week summer semester. His semester at LSE revolved around two courses – International journalism and Society: The Role of the Media in the Modern World, and Understanding Foreign Policy: The Diplomacy of War, Profit and Justice. In the second semester of his junior year of college Max studied abroad in Seville, Spain, where he continued his political science studies with a focus on the Spanish Civil War and modern terrorism. In the Summer of 2022, Max served as a legislative intern in the D.C. Office of Sen. Rapheal Warnock (D-GA). Upon returning to the University of Colorado for his senior year, Max worked a hybrid role as a legislative intern in the Denver office of Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO).
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am hoping to gain a better understanding of the private sector’s role in the federal government’s operations. With prior experience in two Senator’s offices, I have seen first-hand the impact constituents have on federal policy. I am excited to learn how firms like Cornerstone communicate on behalf of and advise their clients through the intricacies of the legislative process.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government and public affairs was sparked at a young age by my grandfather, who served as the director of the Office of Foreign Litigation at the Department of Justice. Over the years, my conversations with him and the insights he has offered have deeply influenced my fascination with these subjects. Additionally, my passion for government was reinforced when I attended a Model United Nations conference in Zhengzhou, China, in 2014. That experience opened my eyes to the profound influence governments can have in initiating positive change, and it was the first time I realized that I wanted to be a part of creating that change.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I grew up spending many of my Sunday’s painting with my grandmother at her art studio. When Covid sent everyone home I returned to painting, and since then it has served as an escape from the stress of school and work!
Noah Reiser (Operations Intern)
Noah is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland where he studied international relations and Chinese language. He is very interested in international relations and foreign policy. His interest in international relations started when he began learning Chinese over 10 years ago and was cemented when he had the opportunity to visit China on two separate occasions. He is drawn to government affairs because of its massive impact on our world and people’s daily lives, and the idea that what the government is doing now is creating history. In the past, Noah has interned with the Department of Energy, where he contributed to researching foreign companies interested in investing in new, clean hydrogen energy. He aspires to pursue a career in international relations and policy work. When he is not reading up on U.S. and China relations, Noah enjoys creative writing, hiking and exercising.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am interested in gaining experience in the logistical aspects of government relations as well as gaining a greater understanding of how the government functions on a more minute level. I aim to improve my teamwork and communication skills, as I continue to work on my abilities within a professional setting.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been interested in history and loved learning about major historical events. Over time that interest morphed itself into an understanding that our current government and world events of our time are history being created. So, when I went to college, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the creation of history. I have been studying Chinese for over 10 years and my interest in both China and Chinese culture lead me to being interested in U.S. foreign relations as well.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I enjoy hammock camping and exploring the outdoors, and my family has four chickens.
Maggie Eidt (Compliance Intern)
Maggie was born in Monroe, Louisiana and moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she spent the first sixteen years of her life. Though she has physically resided in three states throughout her lifetime, her family is deeply rooted in Mississippi – she was raised in an environment where it was predicted that she would attend Ole Miss just like her family. Maggie was working towards a bachelor’s degree in elementary education until midway through her sophomore year, when she quickly switched paths after realizing that she would never be fully content within the walls of a classroom. Her love of education and desire to make changes that exceed the walls of a classroom led her to explore the legal and political landscape, instead.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Prior to embarking on an opportunity in the private sector realm of government relations, I took interest in the legislative process of politics to gain experience in how laws were created, written, and upheld by the federal government. Although cliché, my initial goal, as an aspiring attorney, was to understand the “why” behind a law being enforced and/or amended. However, as I continue this approach to understanding the innerworkings of the legislative process, I am grateful for the compliance internship opportunity with Cornerstone and hope to gain first-hand experience in government relations and learn more about the private sector’s role in government affairs.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Although my extroverted personality comes from being surrounded by people and continuously living on a chaotic schedule, I’m often introverted when it comes to completing daily tasks and I thoroughly enjoy my downtime. Also, up until three years ago, it was my dream to become an elementary school teacher.
Corey Bowden (Advisory Services Intern)
Corey Bowden is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently a junior at the University of Notre Dame where he is majoring in political science and minoring in digital marketing and real estate. He is currently a part of the Notre Dame in Washington Program, in which he is granted the opportunity to take classes and intern in Washington D.C. for a semester. Corey is a part of several clubs and organizations throughout Notre Dame, including Student Government, the Real Estate Club and Black Student Association. Outside of school, Corey is a big Netflix watcher and is always on the search for new shows to binge watch. He is also a huge music fanatic and particularly enjoys listening to R&B music.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain exposure from high level professionals. From this, I feel that I will be able to propel myself into the next internship cycle of 2024 and give myself the best possible chance of locking down a big offer. I want to put my best foot forward every day, and that means putting in the work necessary every day, which I am prepared to do.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always had an interest in government and its structure. My initial interest came from following local politics in my hometown of Baltimore and has since grown from there.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I know all 66 books of the bible in order, from Old Testament to New Testament.
Elaina Gonzalez (Public Affairs Intern)
Elaina Gonzalez is an upcoming Bill Archer Fellow for Fall 2023. She is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) and is pursuing a major in English with three minors in political science, Spanish and writing with technology. Born and raised in Tyler, TX, her career goals include traveling the world as a foreign service officer with the State Department. Throughout the past year, Elaina has worked as the opinion editor for UT Tyler’s student news media, a digital media intern for the Daniel Boone National Forest, an administrative associate within the U.S.-Mongolian Embassy, and a student government senator for the UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences. Among other things, she is interested in communication, global affairs, language and the intersection between these fields.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn more about the field of public affairs, government and communication. I will use this work experience to apply and build upon my writing and analytical skills, while also learning more about the political landscape in the U.S. I look forward to examining how national policy and individual organizations intersect and the manifestation of this relationship in the press, social media and digital content. Coming back to Texas, I want to have a variety of real-world skills that I can use in my future career to benefit my employer and community.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in public affairs during my college career. As an English major, I have absorbed a lot of different types of writing and media. I particularly enjoyed learning about external communication and the process, execution and publishing of these materials. Through job experience in fields like digital media and journalism, I saw the importance of good writing in public affairs. I believe that message delivery is as important as the message itself, and I strive to create material that is true, whole and understandable to my audience.
I became interested in government affairs within the last few years. I interned for the U.S. Embassy of Mongolia this summer, and I was amazed by the intricate network of employees and volunteers that contribute to the field of international relations. After learning about diplomacy on a local and international scale, I knew it was something of which I wanted to be a part.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have had a variety of “surprising” pets including a box turtle, jumbo hermit crabs and a tarantula!
Leo Rubinson (Public Affairs Intern)
Leo Rubinson is a senior philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) major and history minor at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). A proud Baltimore City Public School alum, Leo was instilled with empathy and determination from an early age. Before joining Cornerstone’s team, Leo interned with both the federal government in the office of U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and state government with Maryland Delegate Stephanie Smith. He has also worked in the non-profit sector as a law clerk with Maryland Legal Aid and as a writer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore. Outside of work, Leo is an avid Baltimore sports fan – he typically attends many Orioles and Ravens games throughout the year. He also enjoys playing guitar and barbecuing in his free time.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the public and private sectors. I also hope to build on my communication skills and expand my skill set into more research and quantitative work.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in working in government during an internship with Maryland Legal Aid in Baltimore City. There, I saw the profound impact that policy can have on people’s lives. After that, I worked in both state and federal government offices. I have found it fulfilling to engage directly with the issues that affect so many people. In these government offices, I found a role working with communications and public affairs. I find public affairs interesting because it can help make complex issues easier for the public to understand. Transparency is integral to a functional government, and public affairs plays a huge role in ensuring a strong, well-understood government.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love attending concerts and am a huge Grateful Dead fan. This summer, I attended three concerts during Dead and Company’s final tour.
Continuing from the Summer to the Fall intern class:
Isabelle Andress (Operations Intern)
Rachel Fuller (Policy Intern)
Sam Coffman (Public Affairs Intern)
Andrew Schaeffler (OpsWatch Intern)
