This month, we welcome a new class of interns to our Spring 2023 Intern Program. Cornerstone continues to prioritize and grow our internship program for young professionals, allowing them to 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 experience and exposure to the people and processes of the United States government and Congress, exposure to the intersection of public affairs and public policy and insight to the business development process through marketing research and collateral development.
Out of 179 applicants, we have 26 accomplished young professionals joining the team for the spring, five of whom were part of our Spring 2022 intern class – Kathleen Ellington, Omar Islam, Casey Nicastro, Emily Broda and Christine Fung. We are grateful to have this group as part of the team and are excited to see their growth over the next few months!
Ashley Chepkorir (Policy Intern)
Ashley Chepkorir was born and raised in Kenya and moved to the United States for higher education. Growing up in Kenya, she was fortunate to serve as a mentor to her fellow students at her high school. She became student body president in her freshman year and introduced beneficial programs for her fellow students such as clubs and societies. Ashley is a highly motivated and progress-focused individual studying Political Science and Global Studies with a minor in International Affairs to enhance her transformational leadership skills. She is a Junior at Concordia College in Minnesota.
On campus, Ashley has been involved with the sustainability office as an environment representative and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission (DEIC) as the cultural commissioner. She is also a member of the Pre-Law society and hopes to attend law school or pursue a master’s in diplomacy after her undergraduate studies. Previously, Ashley interned with Alcalde & Fay, a lobbying firm in Arlington, Virginia and with the Borgen Project, an NGO that strives to make poverty a focus on U.S foreign policy and has efforts to downsize poverty. At Cornerstone, Ashley is interested in getting involved with international affairs, energy and environment, and trade. In addition, she aims to expand her knowledge in business development.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a deeper understanding of policy issues that Cornerstone works on and apply possible solutions to real life. In addition to that, I want to improve my summary skills, analytical skills, and collaborative skills.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: At a young age, I could pinpoint social injustices in my community and speak about them in public speaking forums. This sparked my interest in government affairs and policy issues. I study Political Science and Global Studies to enhance my transformational leadership skills as I aim to promote growth and change.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: In high school, I was interested in robotics and programming. I joined the STEM club and competed in the World Lego League. My team of 4 won the best robotic design and I went forth and made an app to help farmers in Kenya.
Eric Coestad (Policy Intern)
Eric Coestad is a Junior at the University of California, Los Angeles studying Political Science and Urban Planning. This spring, he is participating in the UC Quarter in Washington program and will be spending his time interning, taking online courses, and exploring everything that D.C. has to offer. A native of San Francisco, California, Eric is deeply interested in housing and transportation policy. He previously interned with Stifel’s Public Finance division, where he assisted municipalities with financing infrastructure projects. Eric is also an elected member of the North Westwood Neighborhood Council, where he advocates for a stronger public transportation system, easing barriers to housing production, and good governance in Los Angeles.
In his free time, Eric enjoys watching sports (Go Giants, Warriors, and 49ers!) and going to the gym. He also loves hiking and camping in California’s beautiful wilderness.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: During my time at Cornerstone, I hope to learn more about the legislative relationship between interest groups and the federal government. Specifically, I’m interested in seeing firsthand how private actors can influence governmental policy. Most importantly, I hope to meet like-minded people who share my interest in public policy.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I’ve been interested in politics and public policy for as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary school, I memorized each President of the United States from a placemat. These days, I’m fascinated by government’s ability to change the lives of individual citizens for the better.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I earned a pilot’s license last Spring and eventually want to become a Certified Flight Instructor in my free time.
Michael Domalewski (Policy Intern)
Michael Domalewski is a third-year student at the University of Maryland perusing a B.A in Government & Politics and Public Policy with a minor in Law and Society. Michael interned at the Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office at the University of Maryland where he interviewed and collected information from student clients seeking legal assistance. After undergraduate graduation, Michael is interested in pursuing a career in the field of law and government affairs. Michael is a highly motivated individual with a strong desire to make a positive impact on their community.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Cornerstone is an opportunity to gain experience in a variety of new areas. As a government and public policy major at the University of Maryland, I hope to complement my degree with firsthand experience that emphasizes effective communication and policy analysis. Additionally, I look forward to gaining insight into the world of government consulting by helping shape policies that directly improve the well-being of others.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in government in high school. I was a part of an organization that simulated the democratic policy process. The simulation would introduce data and statistics on issues facing a mock nation. As a member of the legislative branch, I would have to write policies that directly influenced the nation’s law. As a result of experiencing the legislative process, I gained an interest in studying the actors and variables involved in the policymaking process.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Within the past 2 years, I have been to over 30 concerts. Lorde was my favorite!
Olivia Fiuza (Public Affairs Intern)
Originally from Kinnelon, New Jersey, Olivia Fiuza is a senior at American University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in law and politics. Her studies also extend to field of International Studies and Spanish. At AU, she is a part of the Pre-Law Society as well as the social media team for student-led organization called Students for a Just Society.
This fall, while taking a full course load Olivia has interned part-time on Capitol Hill at the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to this, she was also a judiciary intern at the Hudson County Superior Court in New Jersey with additional experience in digital communications and political campaigns. These opportunities enhanced Olivia’s interest in government relations, which led her to want to pursue a career in public affairs.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I hope to gain valuable insight and knowledge for Senior-level professionals on how full public affairs campaigns are executed. Moreover, this internship will provide me with an invaluable experience to understand the intersection between public affairs strategies and government affairs initiatives.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been passionate about government since high school. Therefore, in college I decided to major in political science as this field of study enabled me to translate this passion into a future career. By taking courses in undergrad that focus on the relationship between government and public affairs, this has heightened my interest to work in this field.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I grew up in a trilingual household!
Joy Greco (OpsWatch Intern)
Joy Greco is a senior and Presidential Honors Scholar at Concordia University Chicago pursuing degrees in both Sociology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She is passionate about how these three areas of study intertwine, prompting questions about how unity and integrity can be fostered in any sphere of society, especially within the private sector and areas such as education, the criminal justice system, and international development.
Before Cornerstone, Joy worked as an intern this past fall for a police department in the Chicago suburbs where she gained a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and the implications of various policy decisions. Moreover, Joy previously interned at Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir)—a large non-profit organization committed to uniting youth from diverse backgrounds through music. Here, she managed and led various grant research and writing projects while also gaining a deep appreciation for non-profits’ far-reaching, positive impacts on society. Additionally, Joy is both a private writing tutor and an academic writing tutor for her university, and she is eager to utilize her extensive writing and research skills as an OpsWatch intern for Cornerstone this spring. Outside of the classroom, Joy enjoys playing and coaching volleyball, singing for various music groups, and camping with her family.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I look forward to gaining new insights into the processes and complexities of policymaking, advocacy, and government consulting. As an OpsWatch intern, I am eager to dive into the federal grant world to enhance my knowledge and skills relating to grant writing, monitoring, and research for a wide variety of clients.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government and public affairs began after attending an academic fellowship held in Washington, D.C. that centered on public service. After participating in discussion-based seminars led by a wide range of scholars, including policymakers, attorneys, and other experts in the fields of political science, economics, and public policy, I felt empowered to learn more about policy issues affecting us today and cultivate more meaningful discussions with others about how we can flourish as a nation.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love to sing! I am a member of Concordia University Chicago’s Kapelle Choir—the premiere touring choir at my university, and I also sing for the “Prayer and Praise” team there. Also, I performed my senior voice recital a few weeks ago!
Amanda Kronenberger (Appropriations Intern)
Amanda Kronenberger, originally from Peachtree City, Georgia, graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi State University this past December with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and minors in Spanish and Pre-Law. Amanda worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Sociology Department and was an active member of the MSU College Democrats Chapter where she served as secretary. She was also a competitive debater for 4 years with the nationally recognized MSU Speech and Debate Council. Amanda has pursued her interests in public policy and government through her education and multiple internships. Most recently, she interned for the House Appropriations Committee where she worked closely with staff on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee to develop the Fiscal Year 2023 House Appropriations Act. Previously Amanda interned with the D.C. Bar Foundation, a civil legal aid non-profit, where she conducted research on civil litigation and affordable housing issues across the District of Columbia. Additionally, in her college town Amanda interned and frequently volunteered with a grassroots non-profit created at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Starkville Strong. She provided food, housing, and financial literacy to the community and developed a passion for creating local policies that better serve vulnerable tenants facing an affordable housing crisis.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys attending concerts, hiking, and trying new cuisines. While at Cornerstone, Amanda is eager to gain an understanding of government relations, public affairs, and translating client priorities into policy. She hopes to improve her skills in memo and policy writing while focusing on issues within the appropriations process surrounding infrastructure, agriculture, and economic development. Amanda is looking forward to this internship with Cornerstone to offer her hands-on experience in government relations while exploring potential career paths.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the policymaking process, discovering new areas of interest, and learning how policy and the private sector interact. An internship with Cornerstone represents an opportunity to gain experience within a wide variety of policy areas, and I look forward to gaining a plethora of knowledge and skills to form client relationships, advocate for issues with which I am interested, and work within the fields of government and public affairs.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first developed an interest in government when I was selected for Georgia Girls State in High School, and I quickly fell in love with the legislative process and government. From there I became involved in politics in high school and then pursued a Bachelor’s in Political Science where I further solidified my interests in civic engagement, policy implementation, and public administration.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am an avid hiker and am attempting to hike in every National Park in the country!
Elizabeth Larrabee (Advisory Services Intern)
Liz Larrabee is a senior at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and is majoring in Honors International Development Studies. Originally from Albany, NY she had the opportunity to work on both the campaign and in the district office of her hometown representative – Congressman Paul Tonko in 2020 and 2021. In the summer of 2022, she accepted a position to Intern with Michael Best Strategies in Washington D.C., where she first became involved with Government Affairs, and worked directly with Energy and Environment clients in addition to analysis of 2022 SCOTUS decisions. Most recently, in the leadup to the 2022 midterms she worked remotely as a campaign support intern with ThinkJet Strategies, a Democratic consulting firm based in Boston, MA.
In her free time Liz is an avid runner and completed a half marathon last year, in addition to playing on her university’s club lacrosse team and enjoys downhill skiing.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to expand my knowledge of the Advisory Services side of government affairs, building on my past experiences in both the private and public sector. I also hope to build meaningful, professional relationships with the team at Cornerstone. As I will be joining the team as a second semester senior, I hope to gain guidance from the experienced team about entering the Government Affairs field and how to grow within my role.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest began when I interned in Congressman Paul Tonko’s Office (D- NY20) after my second year of university. From there, I related to an office alum who spoke with me about her Government Affairs work after her time with the Congressman’s Office. I had the opportunity last year to intern during the summer in Washington DC with her firm and became better acquainted with the Government Affairs world and sharpened my skills. I found that I really enjoyed working directly with clients, guiding them through the inner workings of the government, and speaking with representatives about the goals and interests of clients. I really hope to continue this career path and am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the knowledgeable team at Cornerstone.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I minored in Arabic Language!
Stephen Leverton II (Policy Intern)
Stephen Leverton graduated from Appalachian State University in December 2022 with a bachelor’s in Political Science with a concentration in American politics and a minor in Communication. His experience prior to Cornerstone includes working on Jeff Jackson’s US Senate race during the 2022 primary, managing a county commissioner race in Boone, North Carolina, and being heavily involved with the Democratic Party in Watauga County in Boone, North Carolina.
In Stephen’s free time, he enjoys going to concerts, playing guitar and taking pictures. A more recent hobby of his is kayaking, which Stephen hopes to do more of as the weather gets warmer in DC.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to further develop research skills when it comes to policy analysis. I also want to continue learning how to be bipartisan in situations that require me to. Working together, regardless of political affiliation, is important to me, and I believe this internship will allow me to grow that.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Through my experience working on campaigns in North Carolina, I realized that I find public affairs and government more interesting than campaign work. While both are important for different reasons, public affairs seem more interesting to me.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Despite going to school in the mountains, I’m more of a fan of the beach.
Bethany Loos (Appropriations Intern)
Bethany Loos is a senior at Patrick Henry College studying Government and National Security. While in college, she volunteered with several campaigns, served as a Resident Assistant, and written for the school’s national security publication. During a previous internship, she had the opportunity to work with a project manager who was the former head of federal government relations for a local city government. Inspired by the project manager’s example, she started looking for an internship in policy making or government affairs and is excited to accept a position with Cornerstone.
Bethany has competed in debate for over eight years, and has enjoyed discussing resolutions on foreign policy, defense, and business regulations. She is currently coaching her high school Moot Court debate team and is excited to share her passion for the law with other students. In her free time, Bethany loves reading fiction and studying foreign languages.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain hands-on experience with the daily tasks related to consulting and government affairs, as well as explore an interesting career path. I am excited to talk with experts in the field and learn about their experiences, the lessons they have learned through their careers, and what they enjoy most about the work they do.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: In seventh grade I attended a legislative simulation where I got to write and represent a bill as well as run for office. I was fascinated with the complexity of the policy making process, and by how easy it was to get involved. Policy making can be a great way to serve other people, and I love hearing different people’s points of view and working with them to achieve satisfactory outcomes for both parties.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: The slight scar above my eyebrow is from the recoil of the scope on a hunting rifle. I still hit the target though!
Anna Martin (Policy Intern)
Anna Martin was born and raised in Maryland, but has always had a strong love for politics, and knew that there was no better city for herself than Washington D.C. She attended the Catholic University, where she graduated after three years with a degree in political science, a minor in psychology and philosophy, and a certificate in American Intelligence. Anna is currently a 2L at the Columbus School of Law in DC, and during the summer and fall, she interned for the Senate Judiciary Committee in their civil unit and focused on different issues ranging from constitutional challenges to antitrust law.
Anna hopes to focus on national defense issues, such as homeland security and cybersecurity, and learn more about international affairs. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in political affairs, whether that be in the private sector or on Capitol Hill!
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a deeper understanding of both our legislative process as well as learn important skills in advocacy, while simultaneously becoming more informed and educated on vital issues affecting our nation. I also hope to further develop my research skills and how to work with different clients and achieve their policy goals.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I was introduced to the world of politics at a very young age, when a close family member of mine ran for a local political position in my hometown. Since then, I was completely hooked and fascinated in how impactful government and policy are in an individual’s life, and how important productive, useful, and positive law is. In college, I decided to study political science, and my personal love for politics and the educational background that I needed came together, and it allowed me to pursue one of my greatest passions. I have personal experience with both local and federal government, and as I began to meet more people, hear their stories, and work on various political issues, my desire to advocate for others grew.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love to cook, especially Italian food, and love exploring and finding new restaurants around D.C.
Logan Mazer (Policy Intern)
Logan Mazer is a senior at George Washington University studying political science with a minor in history. In his hometown of Suffolk County, NY, Logan serves on the Executive Board of the Suffolk County Democratic Party and runs field operations for various state and local political campaigns. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Logan interned at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and the D.C. office of Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. When not at work, Logan enjoys attending shows at the Kennedy Center, playing clarinet, and directing pit orchestras with GW’s various theatre companies. He is excited to join the Cornerstone team and learn more about public policy in the nation’s capital.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a deeper knowledge of policy in the defense and aviation sectors. For most of my time in jobs or internships, I have had the opportunity to explore a wide array of topics. While I am thankful for those opportunities, I am ready to settle down and start to gear myself towards one or two topics and begin to develop subject matter expertise!
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: From an early age, I have known that it is my mission in life to help others. Eventually, I realized that government was an avenue which could be used to accomplish that goal. Once I got involved with local government and politics, I saw first-hand the good that government can do for the community, inspiring me to pursue similar work here in Washington. Working in this capacity will help me give back to a country and community that has provided me so much over the course of my life.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a triplet and play seven instruments!
Caroline Nystrum (Policy Intern)
Caroline Nystrum is a Senior at the George Washington University studying Political Science, American Studies, and Spanish and is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration through GW’s Dual Degree Program at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Caroline’s passion for issues affecting the Hispanic-Latino community within her area led her to an interest in politics and advocacy. Most recently, she worked as an intern for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, where she gained invaluable firsthand experience with the political process, and she’s looking forward to learning more. At Cornerstone, Caroline is hoping to get involved in the health, education, and energy and environment sectors. In her free time, Caroline can be found spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, or on the hunt for the best bookstore in DC.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I’m hoping to learn more about the intersection of public policy and the private sector, and how the two converge to develop solutions to policy problems. I’m also looking forward to learning more about policy issues I’m currently unfamiliar with, as well as developing practical, professional skills with the Cornerstone team.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I was raised in a bipartisan household, so I grew up surrounded by political debates and always wanted to have a say. Beyond that, I got involved in civic engagement work with my local Hispanic-Latino community in high school, and the passion of the individuals I worked with inspired me to deepen my political engagement in order to better represent and serve the community that has served me.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I used to work as a barista, and still make a mean latte.
Francis Salkowicz (Policy Intern)
Though originally from Minnesota, Francis Salkowicz is currently a senior at George Washington University majoring in political science with a minor in history. Spending the last few years studying in DC has been an incredibly valuable experience, and it has only increased his passion for government! Furthermore, being in DC gave him the opportunity to spend last school year interning in the office of Congressman Steny Hoyer. Being able to see how the government operates firsthand was an educational experience, and Francis hopes to learn more through his time at Cornerstone! In the future, he plans on going to law school, and he is excited to apply what he has learned to whatever his future career may be! Outside of academics, Francis enjoys playing guitar and tennis, and he has been trying to read more as well!
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Having some experience in the public sector, I am looking to learn more about how the private sphere works and how the public and private sectors interact in the creation of policy. I hope that Cornerstone’s diverse set of clients and areas of operation will expose me to as much of the policy world as possible.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: History has always been a passion of mine, and I found that I more I learned about American history, the more I became interested in contemporary government. From this I developed a strong passion for public affairs and being a political science major has only expanded my interest!
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I play the guitar!
Filippo Salvatico (Appropriations Intern)
Filippo Salvatico is a junior at Claremont McKenna College, majoring in Government and Economics. He is originally from Milan, Italy, but he only lived there for the first four years of his life. After Italy, he moved to France, Brazil, Argentina, China, and Switzerland. Moving so much shaped his academic and professional interests, making him realize how much he loves politics and government in general. It also gave him the ability to learn languages quickly, as every time I moved, I knew that I only had a couple years to adapt and integrate myself into whatever culture I was in.
Something that helped me find my place every time I moved was joining the rugby team, and the sport has now become a passion of mine. I find rugby the ideal sport to build strong relationships and bonds with people from completely different backgrounds. Additionally, I have always enjoyed hiking or camping, and I recently became an avid weightlifter. Both activities help me temporarily worry less about my everyday life. Having said that, my main passion has always been Italian politics and is perhaps the subject that I am the most knowledgeable about.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn more about how private entities interact with the government and its institutions. I also hope to gain experience in facilitating these interactions and the building of relationships. Essentially, I want to learn first handedly what “government affairs” truly entails. More specifically, since I am coming in as an Appropriations & Budget intern, I want to learn more about how the congressional appropriations process happens and how Cornerstone is involved with it. More generally, I hope to get some insight into working in Washington DC in a private firm concerned with government affairs.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: When I lived in China, I worked for a financial services firm that facilitated the entry of foreign companies into different domestic markets. My experience there made me realize how crucial a private entity’s relationship with the government it to its prosperity. Ever since then I have been interested in how separate firms can aid in the process of establishing strong and good relationships with different administrations.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: People might be surprised to learn that I have lived in seven different countries throughout my life and that I can speak four languages almost fluently.
Andrew Schaeffler (OpsWatch Intern)
Andrew Schaeffler is a senior at the University of Michigan studying political science and quantitative methods in the social sciences. Ever since high school, he has been fascinated with the public policy process and has worked for the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, Democratic Attorneys General Association and various political campaigns in Michigan and throughout the country. Andrew has been a lifelong baseball fan and enjoys watching and cheering on the New York Mets. He also likes sparkling water, spending time with his cat, Dennis, hiking and visiting National Parks.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn more about the intersection between the public policy process and industry and how the priorities of clients are molded into legislation. I am also specifically interested in learning about the process by which federal grants are distributed and what factors the various agencies and granting authorities consider. In the same vein, I am interested to learn about how nonprofits, municipalities and defense companies utilize federal grants and funds and their ever-changing relationship with granting authorities. In sum, I hope to learn more about the post-passage steps of the legislative process and how grant dollars are distributed once passed.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested through taking AP Government and Politics and during the 2016 election.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I was an avid collector of baseball autographs and at one point had over 3,000 signed trading cards, photos and baseballs.
Ashna Singh (Policy Intern)
Originally from India, Ashna is a second-year student in the Master of Public Policy program at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University. She came to the US in 2017 to complete her undergraduate degree at Florida International University, where she majored in International Relations and Political Science and completed a certificate course in Global Cybersecurity policy. Prior to Georgetown, Ashna interned at several non-profits dealing with advocacy, diplomacy, and human rights. In the summer of 2022, she interned at Capitol Hill at the office of Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) where she gained experience in legislation, press briefings, and foreign policy issues. Through her experiences, Ashna aspires to work with a nonpartisan vision to address policy issues.
Ashna is also the Chair of Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) student advisory board wherein she overlooks all graduate students at the university and ensures the participation of graduate students at the institute. She also is the liaison between the institute and the McCourt School. In her free time, Ashna loves to exercise, watch shows/documentaries on politics or political issues, and listen to music.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain hands on experience with different policy areas from experts at Cornerstone, the partnership of the private and public sectors, and how to formulate and implement policies.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have had first-hand experience with government and public affairs during my summer internship at the Hill. Writing press releases, memos, and researching on different bills and topics gave me an insight on legislation and public affairs. This experience sparked my interest in government affairs, specifically the intersection of policy and communications.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I attended three of the January Sixth Committee hearings!
Michael Solomon (Policy Intern)
Michael Solomon is a junior at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.A. in History and International Relations from Silver Spring, Maryland. He serves as a Director of External Relations for Los Angeles Community Impact, a pro-bono nonprofit consultancy and is a Co-President of USC’s BlackGen Capital chapter. Michael is an undergraduate research assistant for a postdoctoral project at Yale University focusing on the African territorial order. This summer, he completed internships with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Department of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs and the National Education Association. As the child of immigrants from Ethiopia with an extensive background in advocacy and community organizing, Michael is optimistic about the shared potential of scholarship and public policy as vehicles of lasting change.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I primarily hope to gain exposure to Cornerstone’s wide array of clients and deepen my understanding of the intersection between the private and public sector.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My background is in grassroots organizing and advocacy – I remain passionate about government and public affairs as effective vehicles for lasting change.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a passionate photographer and a lifelong soccer player.
Grace Truslow (Policy Intern)
Grace Truslow is a dedicated undergraduate student at George Washington University, pursuing a BA in political science with a concentration in public policy and a minor in sustainability. At GWU, Grace is a part of the University Honors Program and serves as a peer mentor to first year students. She also engages in undergraduate research, the Women’s Pre-Law Association, and GW Figure Skating. Grace hopes to pursue a career in public policy, law, or government affairs. Originally from Rhode Island, Grace first gained exposure to these fields through work with local campaigns and environmental non-profits. Prior to Cornerstone, Grace has interned in the District Office of Representative David Cicilline and the DC Office of Senator Jack Reed. She is excited for the opportunity to learn about government relations and the private sector while continuing to expand her policy knowledge.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through this internship, I hope to gain exposure to the government relations field. As I explore future career options, I hope to learn about how Cornerstone connects clients in different fields to the federal government. I also hope to continue to develop my professional skills and policy knowledge. I am also excited to learn from Cornerstone’s team-based approach.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always enjoyed learning about history and seeing the ways in which historical trends influence modern politics and policy. I am also interested in the intersection points between the public and private sectors. I hope to pursue a career where I can.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: One thing that people might be surprised to know about me is that I have worked as a kayaking camp instructor for the past couple summers!
Madeline Ulman (Policy Intern)
Maddie Ulman is a senior at the University of Maryland studying Government and Politics and Criminology and Criminal Justice. She is from Columbia, Maryland and has worked in various roles in government and politics. Most recently, Maddie worked for the Maryland Democratic Party starting out over the summer as a fellow and staying on during the fall to assist the Voter Protection Director. Before this, she interned with Senator Ben Cardin’s office and Former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s office. In Senator Cardin’s office, Maddie worked directly with the Foreign Policy team, writing memos for nomination hearings and Foreign Relations committee hearings.
At UMD, Maddie is involved in the School of Behavioral Science’s ambassador program and is a tour guide. She is primarily interested in education and criminal justice policies but while at Cornerstone, Maddie is interested in expanding her policy interests by working with different policy areas and different clients.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain policy experience from this internship. I would love to narrow down my policy interests by trying out many different policy areas. I also am excited to gain experience in government affairs and work with many kinds of clients.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I grew up around government and politics because my father was involved in local government. Through this, I saw all the good things he was able to do for his constituents and knew this was something I wanted to do. Last spring, I took a class on civic engagement in advocacy work and learned how important the lobbying process is for bills to pass through the legislature.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I was a professional child actress from when I was six until I was eleven!
Harshvardhan Zaveri (Public Affairs Intern)
Harshvardhan Zaveri, from Mumbai, India, is in the final year of his undergraduate education at Sciences Po Paris, spending his last year at the George Washington University. His research focus is South Asian security, focusing on the India-China-Pakistan security dilemma. He is engaged in Debate and Public Speaking and is also an active brother of the Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Fraternity. In his free time, he enjoys writing poetry.
Prior to Cornerstone, Harshvardhan worked as a Research Assistant to Dr. James Lebovic at George Washington University. He hopes to maximize his learning at Cornerstone, engaging in the International, Energy & Environment, and Education practices at the firm. He is particularly keen on engaging with international clients and learning more about complex political issues across the world.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I’m hoping to understand the confluence of government relations and public affairs; understand how clients engage the legislature, and the public affairs strategies that form the backbone of this.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I picked up a Shashi Tharoor novel at the age of 14; since then, I’ve been very interested in everything government, legislation, international affairs. I’m looking to go back to India at some point in my life and work in public policy with the knowledge I gain here.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I’ve lived on three continents (Asia, Europe, North America).
Katie Cowen (Operations Intern)
Katie Cowen is a student majoring in International Studies at American University with a minor in political science. She’s very passionate about research when it comes to domestic and international policies and their impacts on people. Recently, she served as a research assistant for the Washington Kurdish Institute, largely focused on researching issues facing the Kurdish population in Turkey. She also volunteered for the John Fetterman for U.S. Senate 2022 campaign where she worked with campaign staff to mobilize fellow volunteers and supporters. She is looking forward to gaining experience and insight into the operations and business development objectives of the government relations industry.
Continuing from the Fall to the Spring intern class:
Kathleen Ellingson (OpsWatch Intern)
Omar Islam (Policy Intern)
Christine Fung (Operations/Policy Intern)
Emily Broda (Appropriations Intern)
Casey Nicastro (Policy Intern)