We are thrilled to welcome a new class of interns to our Spring 2024 Intern Program. These young professionals will explore the world of government relations, policy and public affairs, 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 150 applicants, we have selected 27 accomplished young professionals to join the team this spring, five of whom were part of our Fall 2023 intern class and one from our Fall 2022 intern class – Robert Bakal, Sally Zhang, James Causey, Elaina Gonzalaz, Corey Bowden and Jontae Burton. 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!
Sydney Blair (Policy Intern): Sydney Blair graduated from George Washington University in December of 2023 with a bachelor’s in international affairs, concentrating in security policy with a minor in political science. Sydney is originally from Sudbury, MA, where she first became involved with policy work through advocacy and activism with March for Our Lives, Sandy Hook Promise and Everytown for Gun Safety, all of which she is still involved today. Sydney previously interned on the communications team of sister companies John Snow, Inc and World Education, Inc who work to provide health and education literacy to populations in underdeveloped communities across the globe. While there, she developed an understanding of the intersection between government and private sector, as well as an affinity for critical problem solving and strategic management. She also interned with the America-Eurasia Center as a writer and editor of research articles in the international relations sphere. Sydney is looking forward to further developing her professional skills and learning from the policy team at Cornerstone this spring.
Sydney has a passion for travel and studied abroad in Sydney, Australia, in the spring of 2023. In her free time, she enjoys spending time by the water, watching documentaries, reading and attempting to find the best açai bowl in DC.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through this internship, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of policymaking from within the private sector. Given my wide array of interests, I hope to narrow them to find not only what it is that most excites me, but also what I excel at. I am looking forward to working with a team of people that may think differently than I to learn from their perspectives and create the best possible result. Additionally, I hope to create connections both professionally and personally.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My first memory of my innate curiosity about the world around me was when a woman who worked in Ghana came to speak in my first-grade class. As I have progressed in my academic career, this curiosity has led me to find a passion for conflict resolution and systems-level thinking to critically mitigate problems at all levels. In high school, I discovered policy work through gun violence prevention activism, through which I further developed my interest in how policy intimately affects the daily lives of people across the country and the globe. An interest in government was a natural progression from my deep curiosity about the world and experiences in political advocacy, as I hope to leave a positive impact through my career.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I used to sail competitively and was trained in classical ballet for 16 years with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Sam Bohmer (Public Affairs Intern): Sam is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying public policy, media and journalism with a concentration in advertising/public relations. Outside of the classroom, he is involved in Alpha Phi Omega – a gender-inclusive service fraternity with alumni such as Gerald Ford and Michelle Obama – and UNC Young Democrats. Sam is always looking to learn more and stay abreast of current events. He is always open to chat, but specifically loves talking about Taylor Swift, current events, new books, movies, or TV shows and his two dogs.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain real-world experience working with clients and more professional experience in the public affairs realm.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government and public affairs through my introduction to public policy analysis class at UNC-Chapel Hill. The class explored the basic concepts and theory of public policy, as well as providing real-world examples and case studies to apply what we had learned.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Sam reads at least 52 books a year!
Jontae Burton (Policy Intern): Jontae is a senior at George Washington University (GW) studying political science and law & society. He is native to Henrico, Virginia, and has worked in various roles in politics and government. Most recently he interned at the White House in the Office of the Vice President of United States as a public engagement and intergovernmental affairs Intern. Before that, he was a policy intern at Cornerstone Government Affairs, where he worked on agriculture, economic development and energy policy. Before that, he interned at McGuireWoods Consulting and focused on state legislative affairs and monitoring the Virginia General Assembly. He also interned in Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) Washington Office. Jontae has worked on multiple state legislature races in canvassing and finance positions. His first political experience was as an intern at the Democratic Party of Virginia concentrating on political affairs.
At GW he is an active member of their chapter of College Democrats, where he previously served as the campaigns and activism director. He is also a member of the Black Student Union and the Black Pre-Law Association. Jontae will attend law school in the fall following his undergraduate studies.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: This is my second time interning at Cornerstone and I hope to dive deeper into specific policy areas and continue cultivating the skills to become a subject-matter expert. I have an interest in learning more about economic development, infrastructure policy, and energy. Furthermore, I intend to learn more about public-private partnerships and how they are fine-tuned to provide services for the public.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Growing up in metro Richmond, Virginia I was constantly surrounded by history and government. I have always been passionate to learn more about great Virginians such as George Washington, Oliver Hill and L. Douglas Wilder. This interest led me to become invested in civic participation, service and analyzing public policy. In turn, I decided to attend college in Washington and actively follow the hill, elections and anything related to politics.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have seen the original Jurassic Park approximately 30 times!
Eliza Cook (Policy Intern): Eliza is from Seattle, WA, and is a junior at Wake Forest University where she majors in politics & international affairs and sociology, with a concentration in crime and criminal justice. On campus, she is a member of the officer board for Wake Forest’s chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society – a non-partisan national organization focused on foreign policy and national security from the Hamiltonian perspective – Wake Forest’s chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and the undergraduate mock trial team. This past summer, Eliza worked in Dublin as a political intern for Ireland’s Minister where she got to learn about the inner workings of Ireland’s political system and travel throughout the country. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Eliza loves hiking and camping in the mountains, as well as spending time with her two dogs.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to develop a greater understanding of not only the policies that I’ll work on, but also of the intricacies and dynamics of the world of politics in D.C. More materially, I hope to further develop my skills in verbal and written communication, analytical thinking, and research. I’m looking forward to engaging with fellow interns and members of Cornerstone to broaden my perspectives.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government crystallized in my senior year of high school when, as part of my civics class, I volunteered for Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s reelection campaign. The up-close lens I got to experience during the campaign spurred my interest in the behind-the-scenes work that makes our cities, states and country operate. In college, this interest was further pronounced after taking a sociology course titled “Power, Politics, and Protest,” which examined the various hidden mechanisms that reinforce power structures and systems of inequality in the United States. This course inspired me to get involved in analyzing these structures and systems in real time to contribute my share of making a difference.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: This past summer, I completed a solo road trip from Seattle to North Carolina.
Sam Covarrubias (Operations Intern): Sam was born in Atlanta, GA, and was raised in Houston, TX. She is a junior business honors student at the Bauer College of Business majoring in marketing and minoring in global engagement and research. During her time as an undergraduate student, Sam has taken advantage of personal and professional development opportunities at her disposal to realize her passion for leadership. Most recently, she graduated from one of the nation’s most robust sales programs, the Program for Excellence in Selling at the Stephen Stagner Sales Excellence Institute. Sam was a key accounts manager and team leader for 5 months. During her time, she took a business trip to New York City to learn more about sales leaders and their roles.
Currently, she is at Bauer in D.C. and a fellow focusing on gaining real-world experience regarding the intersection of business and public policy in the fast-paced environment of our nation’s capital. In her spare time, Sam loves watching live musical performances, journaling and visiting historical sites!
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to be challenged in a new environment and help build a supportive community with this intern class!
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I’ve been interested in public policy from a younger age when I realized how important local policies in my small town were, but many residents were unaware of what the bills did. For a school project, I ended up creating a social media account promoting unbiased news and political sources and the significance of becoming educated on political issues.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love listening to film scores and my favorites include “Stranger Things,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “WALL-E.”
Jack Crowell (Policy Intern): Jack Crowell was born and raised in Eugene, OR. He is a senior at Baylor University majoring in accounting, finance and economics and minoring in political science. Over the summer, Jack interned in the district office of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5). This fall he worked as a finance intern for the City of Waco. Previously he has worked as an undergraduate economic research assistant in the Baylor Economics Department and spent a summer helping coach his high school cross country team. In his free time, he enjoys reading and spending time in outdoors, whether that be running, hiking or camping. Jack ran division one track and cross country for two years and still runs daily. After graduation, Jack plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in either accounting or public affairs.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the political process and especially the interaction between businesses and government. I am excited about improving my research and writing skills and expanding my network. The ability to spend 3.5 months in our nation’s capital is an opportunity I am very much looking forward to.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: The hype and constant chatter surrounding the 2016 election, which coincided with my freshman year of high school, made politics relevant to me. Because of this, I started learning more about government and public affairs and have since developed a strong interest in and curiosity around the subject. Learning about the world around me has always been important to me and government is a big factor in creating the world around us. I enjoy history and governments throughout the ages have a strong prominence in our understanding of history. Additionally, my parents met while both working at the Oregon State Capitol and their interest and knowledge of the subject has led to my appreciation for it.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have traveled to 43 countries and about half of America’s National Parks.
Carson Davis (Operations Intern): Carson Davis is a junior at George Washington University (GWU) where he studies international affairs with a concentration in global public health. After graduating this upcoming spring, he intends to continue studying with the Milken Institute School of Public Health at GWU, pursuing an MPH in global environmental health. Previously, Carson interned with the Bretton Woods Committee in a virtual capacity. His interests lie at an intersection between global governance, sustainability and delivering equitable health outcomes.
Having recently returned from a semester of study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, Carson is a newfound lover of hiking, travel and anything nature. He also enjoys dancing, vinyl records, a good book and antiquing.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through this internship, I hope to gain hands-on professional experience in the field of government relations. After spending a few years learning foundational knowledge in the classroom, I am ready to take it into the workplace and apply it. I look forward to connecting with Cornerstone, its clients and my fellow interns in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government affairs really took off thanks to a handful of my high school teachers. Social sciences were always my favorite classes, and I was never bored when learning about American political history and foreign policy. This excitement inspired me to take my education to DC and GWU in order to experience my passion firsthand. I’m forever grateful for those teachers and their impact on the person I am today.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I played for the Missouri state hockey team at the age of 12.
Keaton Dicapo (Policy Intern): Keaton Dicapo, a native of the Baton Rouge area, graduated from Rhodes College in December 2023, where he majored in philosophy, politics and economics and minored in creative writing. At Rhodes, he was involved in the Rhodes Senate, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Sigma Nu and College Democrats. He was involved with the campaigns for Jason Martin and Steve Mulroy and has recently worked for Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Calvert Street Group. In his free time, Keaton is often baking, writing, catching up on his watchlist or finding the latest music to listen to. He also keeps up with his favorite sports teams: the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Penguins and Memphis Grizzlies. He has yet to find his MLB team, so you might see him at some Nationals’ games this spring.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a better understanding of the American political system. I have experience on campaigns and in the public sector, but this will be my first experience on the private sector side of politics. I also hope to gain more knowledge in policy areas that I am familiar with, while also learning more about other areas that have caught my interest, but never had the chance to delve into.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: In fifth grade, I wanted to be a meteorologist, so I watched the local and national news every morning. Eventually, I began to pay attention to the political segments and found them very interesting. Over time I immersed myself in politics more and more until I finally got an internship in the Louisiana House of Representatives. By the end of that internship, I knew that this was the type of work that I could make a career out of.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Even though I mostly listen to rock, alternative and indie bands, my top artist for 2023 was Tyler Childers.
Millie Foley (Policy Intern): Millie Foley is from Martinsville, IN. She is a junior at Butler University where she is studying finance. Millie interned at an accounting firm in Indianapolis last summer, gaining practical insights into the financial industry. During this internship, she was able to shadow an employee in the state and local tax department. In this role, she educated the other accountants on changing legislation at the state, local and federal level. This helped open her eyes to careers that combined her passion for government while studying finance. She is also considering law school after completing her undergraduate.
Beyond academics, Millie teaches piano lessons at the Butler Community Arts School during the school year. This past year, she served as the vice president of risk management for Alpha Chi Omega at Butler, contributing to the well-being and safety of her community. Millie is also part of Butler Ambassadors for Special Olympics, where she organizes events and fundraisers to support Special Olympics Indiana. In her free time, she likes to read, play golf, watch basketball and listen to Taylor Swift.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a wider perspective on how policy is introduced and pushed through at the federal level. I also want to develop my professional network and learn from the rich experiences of those I get the opportunity to meet.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government and public affairs developed by a combination of my personal experiences and interests in school. I grew up going to visit my grandfather at the Indiana State House when he was a state representative. I had the opportunity to sit with him during session and listen while other representatives introduced legislation. As I have gotten older, I have continued to pursue these interests by being involved in different activities and clubs.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: For the past two years, I have been a Margaritaville ambassador for my university. I work with the Margaritaville brand and hand out merchandise to students on campus.
Christina Gerohristodoulos (Compliance Intern): Christina is currently in her second year of law school at the University of Baltimore School of Law. The last year and a half she has enjoyed developing her legal research and writing skills along with learning substantive and procedural law. Before law school, Christina graduated from the University of Maryland, where she majored in government and policy with a concentration in history. While at the University of Maryland, she interned for Constellation Brand’s public affairs team and gained insightful experience about how large companies handle government and public relations simultaneously.
Christina grew up in Bethesda, MD, attending St. Jane de Chantal and the Academy of the Holy Cross. Between college and law school, she worked as a pilates instructor while enjoying her time off from school at SolidCore. In her free time, she enjoys running and reading for her book club.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a better understanding of how companies maintain their compliance as rules and regulations evolve alongside their companies. More specifically, I hope to gain confidence in my legal writing skills that go beyond what I learned in writing seminars. I have limited experience in transactional work, so I am eager to learn and grow those skills.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government in high school during my international government course. Learning the different structures of governments globally instilled an interest of our own government and how the administrative state works with the private sector.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Something that is surprising about me is that I am certified to teach in Greece after passing several fluency exams administered by the government.
Daniel Kalashian (Appropriations Intern): Daniel is a current sophomore at the University of Maryland pursuing a double degree in social data science – economics and government & politics, with a minor in rhetoric. He has a strong interest in politics and economic policy. As a part of the justice and Legal Scholars program and Federal Fellows program, he studies the relationships between law and policy, politics and the public. In addition, being skilled in logic and analysis, Daniel enjoys working with data and statistical analysis. He hopes to pursue a career using data analysis to better inform policy and politics.
Daniel is originally from New England, where spent a lot of time in the New Hampshire White mountains. He grew up skiing, mountain biking, hiking and continues to enjoy spending time outside. In high school, Daniel was the president of the Green Club, where he led local environmental activism and nature activities. He continues to be a strong advocate for nature and incorporates the outdoors into his lifestyle as much as possible. In college, he stays busy by being a member of the College of Information Studies Student Advisory Council, College Democrats and the Club Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to work on a diverse set of tasks and projects with diverse interests where I really get discover what areas and parts of government relations, I find to be the most fascinating. I hope to leave this internship with a clearer picture of how I can best apply my skills to work that excites me. In addition, I hope to learn the methods of how lobbying influences policy. I am fascinated by how much influence lobbying has on politics and wish to see the effect government relations firms have on public policy.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always had a strong interest in current events politics since I was young; I can remember as a kid watching CNN elections with a genuine interest. In high school, I really became interested in economics, and the unique lens it applies to everyday phenomena. I am passionate about government as I see it as the true power behind the law, the greatest influence on the economy, and to whom the public turns entrust to solve critical problems. Every time I see or experience economic injustice or hear others speak of societal problems, I ponder if and how the government’s power could be utilized to solve the issue. I wish to learn more about the causes and effects of government actions and learn how one can influence government actions.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a twin!
Elizabeth Koenck (Policy Intern): Originally from Aurora, CO, Elizabeth is a first-year undergraduate at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Directly after high school, she took a gap year and studied Arabic abroad in Rabat, Morocco, with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth where she learned not only about the Arabic language, but also about Arab culture, Moroccan history and America’s presence abroad. Over the summer, Elizabeth served as a tour guide in the Colorado State Capitol where she had the opportunity to educate a diverse population of visitors about Colorado State History and Colorado legislative topics. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to continue learning by reading anything and everything (ranging from high fantasy novels to Foreign Affairs), taking long walks and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am looking forward to developing as a writer, an analyst and a researcher. During my time at Cornerstone, I hope to learn more about the intricacies of policy making, government relations and the intersection of public and private interests.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in public affairs when I was appointed to my city’s youth commission during high school. As a member, I realized youth in my community almost entirely lacked political representation and a forum for expression, even among appointed members of the commission. After a year, I was elected to the Chair of the commission and worked hard to adjust our bylaws and build ties with the City Council, the District Attorney and other relevant members of local government in order to increase youth representation and voice. I maintain my interest in public affairs and government today and look forward to learning more about how public affairs work at the national level during my time with Cornerstone Government Affairs.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: In my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking. Experimenting and innovating in the kitchen is among my greatest hobbies. Some of my newest recipes include sourdough, souffles, and goat cheese. Though more challenging while living in a dorm, I continue to cook whenever I can.
Lucy Laughbaum (Public Affairs Intern): Lucy is from Columbus, GA and she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia this past May with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a minor in design and media. While taking an 8-week course in New York, Lucy simultaneously maintained an internship at Saatchi & Saatchi as the paid media intern. Additionally, she spent 3 weeks in France living with a French family, allowing her to immerse herself in the culture and language. She has a passion for art and graphic design and enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her dog, Boudreaux.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to explore different roles in public affairs and expand my understanding of government relations work. With this opportunity, I’ll have the chance to work closely with experts in this field and receive valuable advice.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in public affairs and government relations continues to grow every year. I was involved in the Honor Council at my school which worked as a communication bridge between faculty and students on matters of school policy. I’m excited to gain even more exposure from the Cornerstone team!
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I participated in a solo French exchange for 3 weeks with a French family in De Von Le Bain!
Nicole Llamas (Policy Intern): Nicole Llamas was born and raised in Florida and attended Florida International University (FIU), acquiring her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. During her undergraduate studies, she was a research assistant for the Theory-based Research on Interviewing, Interrogation, Intelligence-gathering, and Assessing Deception Lab at FIU and interned at Miami Dade Corrections. In 2022, she was a perpetrator identification intern at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism where she triangulated data concerning perpetrators of terrorist attacks into the Global Terrorism Database. Nicole recently graduated from Marymount University with her master’s in forensic and legal psychology with a concentration on intelligence studies and was the vice president of the Intelligence club. During her down time, Nicole enjoys going to coffee shops and exploring what DC has to offer.
Nicole has a drive to serve the United States and hopes to use the skills and knowledge she acquires at Cornerstone Government Affairs to excel in her future endeavors.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain deeper appreciation for policy and the intricacies involved in government relations. Moreover, I look forward to engaging in the team-oriented culture at Cornerstone Government Affairs and acquire hands on experience in an area that is a central part of government.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My desire to work in government stems from my love of history and the United States. Being the daughter of Cuban immigrants has allowed me to see the unique perspective of those fleeing authoritarian regimes in search of life, liberty and freedom. In order to pay forward the United States for saving my family, I wish to devote my life to service.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: When I was 12 years old, I earned my first-degree black belt in Taekwondo. At one point, I also worked at a Dolphin Research Center!
Clarisa Merkatz (Policy Intern): Clarisa is a recent graduate of Yale University, where she was a global affairs major and global health scholar. She consulted for the World Health Organization for her senior year capstone project and earned the Pierson College Dirk Gleysteen Award at Commencement for contributing to the advancement of the discussion of international relations at Yale. Outside of the classroom, Clarisa served as co-president of the Yale Policy Institute, a bipartisan think tank comprising seven policy centers. She also coxed for the Men’s Lightweight Crew team, earning third place at the 2022 Head of the Charles Regatta, and competing at the Henley Royal Regatta in England and served as a Virtual Student Federal Service intern for USAID. Most recently, she worked as a legislative intern for Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV).In her free time, Clarisa loves exploring D.C.’s museums and running through Rock Creek Park.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn how to develop relationships with stakeholders on all sides of the policymaking process and harness these relationships in order to achieve policy progress that improves individual and societal well-being. In this vein, I am excited to gain knowledge of effective advocacy strategies that further client priorities. Finally, I am also looking forward to contributing to Cornerstone’s collaborative environment and gaining a sense of community within the office.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in government affairs as the Public Health Center Head of the Yale Policy Institute. In this capacity, I had the opportunity to learn how effective policy both stems from, and contributes to, communication between public, private and nonprofit interests. My experience interning at the House of Representatives confirmed my passion for this work and for representing clients’ interests within federal institutions in order to craft meaningful and sound legislative solutions.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: This past summer, I became a certified EMT and climbed Mount Washington!
Sarah Mohammadi (Appropriations Intern): Sarah is from sunny Tampa, FL and she loves being in the DMV area because she can experience all the seasons. She studied Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies and a minor in Islamic studies. Sarah is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at George Washington University, with a concentration in urban policy. In addition, she is the Managing Editor of her school’s policy journal, Policy Perspectives, and she loves to read about diverse types of policies. Sarah previously worked for the Government Accountability Office and the House of Representatives.
In her free time, Sarah likes to play with her two new kittens, Lucky and Cookie. She also enjoys hiking around the area! Her current favorite hiking spots are Harper’s Ferry and the Billy Goal Trail at Great Falls.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain insight into policy from this different perspective. I have worked within the government, and I am eager to see how the other side works. I hope to learn a lot while being able to employ my own knowledge and experiences.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have a background in conflict analysis and resolution, and I have seen how policy can be so impactful on communities. I have worked with different at-risk communities, and I have sought ways to help improve their lives. I became interested in government because I want to understand how policies are executed, and how to change things.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I was a competitive gymnast when I was a kid and won third place in a national state championship.
Ahmed Shareef (Ops Watch Intern): Ahmed Shareef is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in political science with a minor in quantitative methods in the social sciences. He discovered his love for public service after launching a free-of-charge tutoring organization at the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahmed has helped over 100 students receive tutoring. Since then, Ahmed has volunteered with 826 Michigan, interned at the Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center (SWDCJC), and worked as a student lawyer for Michigan’s Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office. An overlying theme of all his experiences is helping to uplift communities and create positive change.
Ahmed is involved in multiple student organizations on campus, including the Arabic Club, Archery Club and Michigan Political Consulting (MPC). Through MPC, an organization dedicated to bringing pro-bono political analysis and strategic consulting to campaigns and nonprofits, Ahmed discovered that students could provide valuable insights to organizations and produce high-quality deliverables. This discovery and Ahmed’s time at SWDCJC, where he collaborated with the organization’s chief executive officer to manage grant and funding opportunities, motivated him to apply for Cornerstone’s OpsWatch internship. Aside from his professional experiences, Ahmed enjoys strength training, listening to music and gardening.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to explore my passion for public service while collaborating with a team of experienced and talented consultants at Cornerstone. By the end of my internship, I aim to expand my horizons, tackle new challenges, develop advanced skills that enhance my role as a public service advocate, and gain a better understanding of the needs of grant-dependent organizations.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, before immigrating to the United States in 2012. When asked why I am interested in government, I joke about how the televisions in Baghdad had over a dozen news channels but barely any cartoon channels. Like all jokes, there is some truth to it. I grew up surrounded by people who feared the words “politics” and “government.” Everyone looked at the government as an entity reserved for the elite, so my parents prayed that my siblings and I would never get involved in it. Unfortunately for my parents, our television’s news channels were more effective than their prayers this time. After immigrating to the United States, I hope to prove to my parents that anyone can contribute to government work and make a difference.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Aside from watching all 9 seasons of The Office more than six times, people might be surprised to know that I have a family tree that goes back 35 generations.
Malcolm Sutherland-Foggio (Appropriations Intern): Malcolm received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester, he spent two years working in clinical research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Having gained a new perspective on healthcare delivery and costs, Malcolm decided to pursue a Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University. Seeking to bring his background in psychology and clinical research and lived experiences to the policy space, Malcolm’s primary interest is in health policy reform and appropriations to promote effective solutions that streamline healthcare and maximize the value of federal dollars.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn deeply about both the appropriations and lawmaking process as well as how various private interests seek to influence this process.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest stems from a desire to enact systems level change in the healthcare system. I find the complicated way our government works to be very interesting, and I am interested in understanding it more so that I can collaborate with others to achieve positive change.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am an avid rock climber.
Patrick Smart (Policy Intern): Patrick Smart is from Morristown, NJ, and a junior at the University of Notre Dame. Patrick is studying economics and public policy in the Glynn Family Honors Program. On campus, Patrick served as the Notre Dame sophomore class president during the 2022-2023 school year and works in the alumni development office as a student caller.
Outside of Notre Dame’s campus, Patrick spent the summer of 2022 interning for an educational non-profit in Dublin, Ireland, where he helped develop academic and extracurricular programming for Irish students and Ukrainian refugees. The following summer, he interned with a government affairs firm in Rome, Italy, where he engaged in research on European-American regulatory structures and gained first-hand experience in a wide variety of European legislative processes. In the Fall of 2023, Patrick received a merit-scholarship from the Danish Institute for Study Abroad to study European policy-making processes and sustainable development in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Having worked in policy-related fields in Europe for the past two years, I am eager to apply to my interest in comparative political systems and international affairs to the American legislative process this Spring. I hope to gain a strong understanding of the intricacies of public policy and advocacy as well as improve my research, writing and analysis skills. Moreover, I hope to form strong professional connections and expand my network in Washington.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: While my interest in politics began during long political discussions with my siblings around the dinner table, my interest in government affairs developed more recently through my work abroad. These experiences exposed me to how American governance structures and policy-making processes can affect politics and legislation in the wider international community. Government affairs is highly impactful field and I hope to contribute, even in just a small way, to help American legislative uphold its international responsibility.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have 8 siblings (4 brothers, 4 sisters)! I take much pride in my middle child status as the 5th of 9.
Sebastian Whitaker (Policy Intern): Sebastion grew up in West Texas, in the rural town of Lubbock. While he was in high school, he served as a page for Senator Cornyn (R-TX). During the 2020 election, he worked on Rep. Michael McCaul’s (R-TX) election campaign. Last year, he worked at HillCo Partners, a government affairs firm in Austin, TX. Currently, he studies political science and economics at the University of Notre Dame.
Sebastian loves having political theory discussions and is an avid golfer. He enjoys playing his guitar and listening to country music.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn about the intersection of business and politics and learn about the skills necessary to lobby successfully.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have been interested in politics and government affairs since I was little. I became particularly interested in government affairs after I started studying economics in college. I think it is so interesting that I can be involved in the connection between the business world and the political world.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I spent the summer of 2022 traveling throughout Israel and the West Bank.
Ewan Wilson (Policy Intern): Ewan is a first-generation international student at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is studying international politics with a concentration in security studies, and a minor in Russian and a certificate in Eurasian, Russian and East European studies. He also serves as the executive director for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the flagship academic publication for the Walsh School of Foreign Service.
For the past two years, he has worked part-time in career services and helped serve over 7,000 undergraduate students by creating post-graduation opportunity databases and critical reports to increase stakeholder engagement for supporting career programs. Before pursuing his undergraduate degree, he worked in the hospitality industry to craft and oversee events and coordinate operations for two business sections.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to build new and excellent relationships with my peer interns, Cornerstone’s clients and the team at Cornerstone itself. I look forward to developing my writing skills and obtaining experience from professionals across various sectors.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in government through history at high school, which later led me to take a government and politics British A-Level course to learn more about the functioning of the U.K. and U.S. Governments. As I continue studying international politics, I understand, see and research how governments interact with each other worldwide and how domestic concerns affect this relationship.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love traveling to different countries and collecting shot glasses from each new place I visit – so far, I have over 25!
Allie Worchell (Public Affairs Intern): Allie Worchell, a senior at The George Washington University, is pursuing a major in political communication. As a former communications intern at BSA, The Software Alliance, she honed her expertise in media monitoring and analytics, engaging deeply with tech policy issues such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) regulation and cybersecurity.
At Sugerman Communications Group, her role as a public affairs and media monitoring intern allowed her to critically engage with her hometown, Los Angeles. In this role, she learned about media outreach, content development and public affairs strategy. Her hands-on experience with policy-centered communications has deepened her interest in public affairs.
In her free time, Allie loves to participate in the New York Times mini-crossword and explore all the coffee shops DC has to offer.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through this internship, I hope to expand my Public Affairs experience by learning about communication strategies and understanding the nuances of government and media, particularly in the dynamic environment of D.C. I’m eager to delve into specific issue areas and learn how to effectively convey complex policies to a broad audience for impactful results.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been interested in public affairs; from a young age I used to go phone banking for political leaders in both local and national elections. In high school, I discovered my love of storytelling and writing through an editorial position on my student paper. Upon entering college, I was drawn to the Political Communication major where my interest in public affairs deepened. I love the messy middle between policy, communications and government and hope to continue to learn more about the public affairs industry at Cornerstone.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a certified scuba diver!
Continuing from the Summer to the Fall intern class:
Robert Bakal (Appropriations)
Sally Zhang (Appropriations)
James Causey (Research)
Elaina Gonzalez (Public Affairs)
Corey Bowden (Advisory Services)
