We are excited to welcome a new class of interns to our Summer 2023 Intern Program beginning in June. 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 257 applicants, we have 20 accomplished young professionals joining the team for the summer, two of whom were part of our Spring 2023 intern class – Anna Martin and Andrew Schaeffler. We are grateful to have this group as part of the team and are excited to see their growth over the next few months!
Isabelle Andress (Operations)
Isabelle Andress graduated from Marquette University this spring with a B.S. in political science and a B.A. in theatre arts with a triple emphasis in directing, education and stage management. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and had the opportunity to work as a legislative intern for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) during the summer of 2022 through Marquette University’s Les Aspin Program.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am hoping to gain more political and management skills. I would love to help manage the schedule and day-to-day operations of the office.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government during middle school when my class took a trip to Springfield, Illinois. Getting to learn about the history of the American Government and seeing how many people need to work together to reach a common goal inspired me.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Summer of 2020, I founded a theatre company where I directed multiple productions including a full-length feature film.
Bethany Baggett (Policy)
Bethany is a rising senior at The Ohio State University studying public policy analysis and economics and has 6 years of experience in government-facing roles. While she is experimenting in different policy areas, she has experience in education, trade and defense policy. Most recently, Bethany coordinated 215 congressional request forms to contribute to the FY24 Appropriations cycle. Through this experience, she has found a love for budgetary and appropriations policy.
Bethany is interested in being part of the collaborative culture at Cornerstone and supporting the different policy areas. She is always excited to talk about issues in the climate of today’s polarization, but she is also always excited to talk about past, current and future reads.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to learn about different industries and develop some insight as to what field I am most interested in. I am very excited about the professional development opportunities that come from working for a reputable and burgeoning firm. I am also very hopeful about growing relationships with my fellow interns!
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government affairs in 2018 when there was a candidate running for election in SC-01 that I really believed in! While my interest in the realm had been growing since 2016, it became clear that it was a big passion of mine by this election cycle. I then started to get a feel of what government affairs was like by joining the Government Relations committee at Ohio State and serving in the Government Relations Office at General Dynamics. I learned that I really enjoy having a congressional/government-facing role.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: People may be surprised to know that I read about 75 books per year! Reading is my life’s current greatest joy, and I am willing and excited to read anything and everything!
Camille Bosshard (Policy)
Camille Bosshard is a rising senior at Wake Forest Universit
y pursuing a degree in sociology with a concentration in business and society with minors in politics & international affairs and entrepreneurship. At Wake Forest, she has perfected her ability to walk backwards as a campus tour guide and is also the secretary of the pre-law fraternity. One of Camille’s greatest joys is volunteering at a local middle school where she eats lunch with 6th-8th graders every week. Her volunteering experiences and time spent as a research assistant for a local study on immigration policy have given her the opportunity to witness the impacts of policy firsthand. She hopes to attend law school after college and advocate for positive change at the state or local level. Last fall, Camille interned at the U.S. Department of Education in their Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs. She is excited to be back in D.C. for this summer and eager to make an impact at Cornerstone.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: As an intern at Cornerstone, I hope to gain valuable experience and skills in the field of professional services consulting, government relations and strategic communications. I hope to gain a deep understanding of the ever-changing federal landscape and learn how to navigate it effectively. I am eager to expand my knowledge in policy areas beyond education policy and explore my interests in health and defense policy, as I have not had the opportunity to do so in the past. Additionally, I am eager to develop skills in public affairs and communications, including crafting strategies that complement government affairs initiatives and amplify communications efforts. Overall, I hope this internship will provide me with hands-on experience, practical skills and a comprehensive understanding of lobbying, while also allowing me to contribute to meaningful and highly valuable partnerships. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to the success of Cornerstone while honing my skills and knowledge in federal government relations.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I’ve always wanted to work in a profession that made people’s lives better in some way. After taking an education policy class and an introductory American government course during my freshman year of college, I realized that government policy influences the lives of Americans more than anything else. I decided to quit the pre-med track I was on and begin my studies in sociology and politics to learn more about how I can play a role in supporting the development of policies that target the needs of marginalized populations.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I grew up on a farm in Ohio!
Sean Bradley (Policy)
Sean Bradley is a rising senior at Princeton University in their School of Public and International Affairs studying energy, environment and climate policy. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, Sean’s experience includes interning in the Executive Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as well as overseeing policy work for Housing North — a non-profit dedicated to ensuring the availability of affordable housing in Michigan. He also served for several years on the Executive Board of the Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority. At Princeton, he was elected as Undergraduate Sustainability Chair of the Student Senate and serves as chief of staff of Business Today, one of the leading student-led business organizations in the United States. He is interested in the intersection of the public and private sector and how those relationships can be leveraged to create innovative policy solutions, particularly for climate change. Sean is originally from Charlevoix, Michigan and in his free time, he enjoys trying new restaurants, concerts and travelling.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a comprehensive, first-hand experience of federal policymaking and the relationship between private sector entities and our government. My previous experience has given me a deep understanding of local and state policymaking from the government and non-profit perspective. Cornerstone will allow me to round out that experience with a valuable federal and private point of view.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: One of the key values which my parents instilled in me as I grew up was that life is to be lived in pursuit of leaving your community, however you may define it, in a better way than you found it. For me, the path to fulfilling that ideal was always through government. In high school, I was appointed to serve on a local city board which focused on the economic conditions of our “main street” downtown. That service to the community which I grew up in confirmed to me that government and public affairs was where I wanted to dedicate myself.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I’m an avid record collector and I love 70s music!
Sam Coffman (Public Affairs)
Samuel Coffman is a junior at the University of Notre Dame, where he majors in American studies and holds minors in journalism and public service. Growing up on his family’s farm in East-Central Indiana, he was instilled with values of perseverance and humility, while maintaining a hunger for success. These qualities led him to Notre Dame where he serves in leadership roles in his dorm, Campus Ministry and Student Media. Sam is a passionate Hoosier, a big fan of reading, coffee and ice cream, but his one hot take is that he hates pickles. He’s incredibly excited to be at Cornerstone for the summer and is expecting to go to many Nationals games after work.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: The biggest thing I hope to gain from this internship is valuable connections that I can learn from as I begin my career. I was attracted to working at Cornerstone in the first place because of the level of talent that the firm has, especially on the Public Affairs team. I am excited to get to learn from Cornerstone’s employees and work alongside them, building connections with many in the sector.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government because my family has always ensured that I was informed about current events and what was happening at local, state and federal levels of government. As I shared in my interview, the news was something we watched before school daily (and something you had to discuss around the dinner table.) This led to my interest in working in public affairs as someone who loves the news and wants to be a key player in shaping it.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I grew up on a grain farm in rural Indiana and my favorite hobby is scuba diving. (I can’t do my favorite hobby on the farm, but I still enjoy it.)
Natalie Daskal (Policy)
Natalie Daskal is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame pursuing a degree in political science with minors in data science, constitutional studies and public service. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she first got involved with public affairs working with March for Our Lives, and later in high school through campaign work for the 2020 presidential election. In the summer of 2021, she had the opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill in the Washington office of her hometown representative, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), where she worked predominantly on consumer protection and energy legislation as well as communications for the office. Last summer, Natalie worked as an intern for the Anti-Defamation League, spending most of her time with their government affairs team focusing on national security legislation. At Notre Dame, she is the president of the Student Policy Network and has spent her last few semesters working through the club to write Global Magnitsky Sanctions request documents on some of the world’s most significant human rights abusers for submission to the Treasury and State Departments in coordination with Human Rights First. Natalie is looking forward to continuing her career in public service as a policy intern this summer, gaining experience with a diverse array of policy work.
In her free time, Natalie enjoys cooking, playing intramural sports, spending time with her friends and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Over the course of my time at Cornerstone, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process. Specifically, the role that relationships between interest groups and the federal government play in developing and moving legislation forward. Moreover, I am eager to learn from members of the Cornerstone team, given their vast knowledge and diverse insight across the policy world.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: In high school, I took a constitutional law class called Civil Liberties which was my first in-depth introduction to the American Constitution and its immense ability to be a force for good. That class moved me to get involved with work fighting for American lives at the local and national level and to pursue a career working to strengthen our democracy, better the lives of all Americans and enhance the United States’ ability to be a force for good around the world. Also, in small part through watching the West Wing!
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love to cook, and my specialty is spicy pasta!
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love to cook, and my specialty is spicy pasta!
Maggie Eames (Advisory Services)
Hailing from Andover, MA, Maggie Eames graduated from Wesleyan University this May with a bachelor’s degree in government and American studies, concentrating in American politics and public policy and queer studies. At Wesleyan, she was an orientation leader for three years, an associate editor for the Arcadia Political Review and worked as a research assistant for Dr. Mark in the Government department collecting data on state courts’ responses to COVID-19. Last summer, Maggie had the opportunity to work as a public policy intern at Robinhood in their Washington, D.C. office. She worked alongside the Legal, Crisis and Government Affairs teams, gaining a well-rounded approach to policy communications and a more profound interest in federal work. During her last semester of college, Maggie worked as a government affairs intern at RTI International, one of Cornerstone’s clients. This November, Maggie will begin working full-time as a federal transformation delivery advisory associate at KPMG in Tysons Corner, VA.
In her free time, Maggie enjoys reading, going to concerts and trying new restaurants. She just moved to D.C. full-time and is enjoying getting to know the area.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to better understand the advisory services side of government affairs and gain hands-on experience at a government consulting firm. I believe my experience at Cornerstone will help set me up for success as I join KPMG’s Federal Advisory practice this fall, and I intend on learning as much as I can from my team about how to grow and succeed in this field.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government and politics first stemmed from my junior year Honors U.S. Government course in high school. I had a wonderful teacher who made me realize I wanted to study politics in college to gain a deeper understanding of systemic policy issues within my areas of interest. Working at Robinhood last summer solidified the fact that I wanted to move to D.C. full-time after college and work in advisory/government affairs. I had an incredible experience working hands-on in policy communications and learning more about the legislative process in issue areas relevant to the fintech industry.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I won one year’s worth of free frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf when I was 13!
Maclane Farrel (Policy)
Maclane was born and raised in New York and has lived in the Larchmont/New Rochelle area since he was very young. He is currently a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame where he is majoring in political science with minors in constitutional studies and business economics.
At Notre Dame he is fortunate to serve as president of the Notre Dame International Security Center’s Undergraduate Fellowship where they take unique courses, attend seminars and meet with distinguished individuals in the defense and intelligence space. Additionally, he just spent his junior spring studying abroad in Rome. In his free time he enjoys watching football, listening to country music, skiing and spending time with my friends.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope that at the conclusion of this summer I will have gained a deeper understanding of the national security policy space as well as a glimpse into what a career in government affairs looks like. Additionally, I hope that over the course of this internship I will be exposed to policy issues which I have not studied or been exposed to before. Finally, I hope that by the end of this internship I will have gained an insider’s perspective into the inner workings of Washington, D.C.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I was fortunate to grow up next-door to my grandfather, who worked in government for many years. We would spend many afternoons after school talking about politics or flipping through his atlas. From these conversations I gained an appreciation for government and a deep interest in how our country functions. As I got older these conversations turned into riveting debates about policy. When it came time to choose my major, I knew that government and politics were what I was most interested in. I chose to pursue a Government Affairs internship specifically because I feel that it will give me unique insights into where the public and private sectors overlap, as well as into how policy outcomes are formulated in our nation.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: By the end of this year, I will have been to every continent except Antarctica.
Rachel Fuller (Policy)
Rachel Fuller is a rising senior at the University of Virginia (UVA) pursuing a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs and a double minor in public policy & leadership and psychology. At UVA, she has served as vice president of the UVA Moot Court team and vice president of the Pre-Law Society. Her academic interests pertain to liberal theory and how it explains the structure of the current international system and the applications of the rule of law both in the U.S. and abroad.
Growing up in a military family and living all over the country provided unique opportunities for Rachel to learn the nation’s rich history and instilled an ever-present and undeniable desire to be a part of public service. Last summer, she worked full-time as a legislative intern at the U.S. Senate for the Office of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). While there, she was able to directly engage with the policy process and witnessed many significant pieces of legislation, such as the Safer Communities Act, passed in the Senate Chamber. Equipped with the skills and knowledge she has acquired thus far; she is eager to learn from staff and work at Cornerstone this summer. In her free time Rachel is training for a half-marathon and enjoys cooking new recipes with friends.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I hope to gain valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the policy process. I am looking forward to building on my research and writing skills, learning from staff members, and exploring an interesting career in a consulting setting.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I grew up in a military family, which led me to live in different places across the country. I met a wide variety of people and spent most of my childhood in the unconventional setting of naval bases. Our home on base in Maine, “Quarters A,” was built in 1815 and the building across the street from my house was where the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. My proximity to so much history sparked my initial interest in pursuing a major and then a career related to government and foreign policy.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I’m a hardcore country music fan! While I like a lot of current country artists, I really like 90s country as well.
Maeve Goldberg (Policy)
Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Maeve Goldberg is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majors in public policy and geography with a minor in sustainability studies. Maeve’s interests in climate and the environment and their nexus with food systems led her to pursue an internship with the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture for her spring semester. Working at the Committee, she gained firsthand experience with the federal legislative process, and fell in love with Washington DC.
Last fall, Maeve spent the semester studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, where she enjoyed learning Korean language and history, and traveling across the country. Outside of her coursework and internship experiences, Maeve enjoys reading mystery novels, vegan cooking and being outdoors with her friends and family.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope my experience will equip me with a deep understanding of new policy areas, advocacy skills and the role of the private sector in influencing policymaking. I’m also looking forward to learning from Cornerstone staff what a career in policy can look like and how to get there, insights which can help me understand what paths my own career could take.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: As a freshman in high school, I got a small glimpse of government in action while serving as a page in the North Carolina General Assembly. That glimpse of the processes of power in my state got me hooked, and since then I’ve devoted many of my classes, extracurriculars, and internships to understanding government and its relationship to issues I care about.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am an avid crafter and love knitting and sewing my own clothes!
Isabelle Grace (Policy)
Isabelle is originally from Houston and is currently a rising junior at the University of Notre Dame, studying economics and philosophy with a minor in the Hesburgh Program in Public Service. At Notre Dame, Isabelle spends her time tutoring students in economics and leading freshman philosophy dialogue discussions. Isabelle is actively involved in the Notre Dame Student Policy Network. This past fall, Isabelle led a project involving the research and authorship of a 34-page white paper evaluating the non-militaristic sources of power in the U.S., Russia and China. This preliminary research will be used by the RAND Corporation – non-partisan American nonprofit global policy think-tank and research institute that conducts research and development in multiple fields and industries – in a developing area of study. Additionally, Isabelle worked on the Raising the Standard Campaign, a student led an ultimately successful campaign to raise the minimum wage on Notre Dame’s campus. Throughout this, Isabelle gained experience in research on wage structure and labor policy at comparable universities and experience lobbying administration.
Finally, last summer Isabelle interned for Catholic Charities, St. Francis Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance in which she learned about immigration law and policy. Isabelle looks forward to further exploring these policy areas and further developing her skills in research, advocacy and analysis.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am excited to gain invaluable experience in the field of government relations and gain a better understanding of the intricacies of public policy and advocacy. I am particularly excited to improve my skills in areas such as research, analysis and communication. Additionally, I appreciate the significance in cultivating strong professional relationships, and I am enthusiastic to establish meaningful connections this summer.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been captivated by the intricate workings of the government and the potential it holds to shape the lives of individuals and communities. My interest in government affairs was first ignited by my father’s career in government relations, witnessing firsthand how policy decisions could influence the trajectory of important issues. However, working on the minimum wage campaign provided me with a firsthand understanding of the power of public policy to address social and economic disparities. Throughout this experience, I realized the importance of effective governance and the potential for policy changes to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have been to 40 states and 21 countries! Next spring, I am studying abroad in Dublin, so I’ll hopefully travel to even more countries while abroad.
Devansh Jotsinghani (Policy)
Devansh Jotsinghani is a senior at Cornell University and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in policy analysis and management at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. On campus, Devansh serves as the director of federal relations for the Office of Student Government Relations in the Student Assembly. He is also a member of the Policy Debate team and the Cornell Healthcare Consulting Club. Prior to Cornerstone, Devansh was an economic policy intern at the White House Office of Management and Budget. In his free-time, Devansh enjoys watching any type of sports (especially if it’s the Ohio State Buckeyes), playing Spike-Ball and watching documentaries with friends.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I hope to gain new insights into how policy intersects with the private sector and how they relate to policy change in our government. I am also very interested in understanding the way client priorities translate into action by learning how to craft political strategies in attaining a policy goal. Most importantly, I am hoping to build strong connections with the Cornerstone team and my fellow interns, as I am looking forward to working collaboratively with the team.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been interested in American history and government for as long as I can remember. However, being involved on the debate team really solidified my interest in policy and politics after being able to discuss (and argue) a wide range of issues. By also advocating for Cornell Students as head of the Federal Level for the Office of Student Government Relations, I have realized the importance of government relations at every level and how that ties in with a public-private partnership.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have hiked an entire national rainforest, and I was covered in mud for half of it!
Cameron Katz (Public Affairs)
Cameron Katz is a rising senior at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in psychology and political science with a concentration in American politics. Originally from the Bay Area, Cameron grew up engaging in both politics and advocacy work. At UCLA, Cameron continues to nurture his interest in politics. He has experience working at the state and national levels, interning for both State Sen. Ben Allen (D-CA) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). In addition, Cameron currently serves as a member of the executive boards of both Bruin Democrats and the California College Democrats. His policy areas of interest include voter protections, housing reform and public transportation.
Outside of politics, Cameron is passionate about debate, competing on and working as director of operations for UCLA’s Model United Nations Team. Additionally, he previously served as a research assistant for his university’s political science department, focusing on documenting interstate conflicts. In his free time, he can be found exploring local coffee shops, expanding his trivia knowledge, going to concerts and other special events in the area or experimenting with new recipes.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to hone my research skills and gain active experience in the process of planning and executing public affairs campaigns.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: While I have always been interested in our systems of government, I became interested in public affairs through the classes I have taken at UCLA. Through my coursework, I have come to appreciate how politics extends beyond government to create a complex system which incorporates many aspects such as business, the media and public thought.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: My favorite TV show is VEEP! I have seen every episode…at least three times.
Lucy Koeniger (Public Affairs)
Lucy Koeniger is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She recently graduated from Wake Forest University (Wake) where she studied politics and international affairs with minors in communications and global trade and commerce studies. During Lucy’s senior year at Wake, she devoted her thesis research to finding a connection between abortion legislation and maternal mortality rates in Ireland, Mexico and the United States. This aligned closely with previous internship work Lucy had completed at a financial technology company in which she studied a variety of social justice issues and created a newsletter discussing the connection to financial health. In her free time, Lucy likes to spend time with her friends, play tennis and travel.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: From this internship, I am most excited to gain the obvious professional experience but also a more well-rounded understanding of the role of politics within the private and public sector. I am excited and eager to develop relationships between Cornerstone and its partners as well as gain an insight into the media and communications world of Washington DC.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My passion for government started from a young age, some of my earliest memories are watching the news with my dad, asking countless questions about politics and spending my early years reading picture books about presidents. As I grew older, I grew fascinated by the culture of politics and how it spreads beyond government buildings into businesses, pop culture and personal relationships. From this, I found my way into public affairs where I discovered the perfect blend between my passion for politics and its connections to things that are not inherently political.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I spent a semester in Barcelona and visited seven countries in four months!
Patrick Kridaratikorn (Policy)
Originally from Boston, Patrick Kridaratikorn is a senior at The Pennsylvania State University in the College of the Liberal Arts, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science, a minor in business and a master’s degree of public policy. After completing his master’s degree, he hopes to pursue a career in lobbying and government affairs policies. Patrick interned at the Massachusetts State House for Rep. John Barrett and Sen. John Cronin (D-MA). His experience in government affairs began last summer with an internship at Greenlee Partners LLC in Harrisburg, PA. At Penn State, Patrick is involved in Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society), Lion Caucus (Advocating for Penn State in local and state government contexts), Life Link (Transitioning special-needs students to college life), student government and Movin’ On (Largest student-run music festival in the world). Patrick’s interests beyond his studies and professional experience include being an amateur chef, creating music, jiu-jitsu and golfing with family and friends.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to develop my ability to create excellent-quality deliverables for clients and colleagues. Additionally, I aspire to gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between public policy and business on a federal level.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have been interested since middle school when I began competing in debate tournaments. Since politics were often the subject of debates, I developed an interest in it outside of debate competitions, which led me to volunteer for state political campaigns and intern in the Massachusetts statehouse, and eventually, to Penn State’s MPP program.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have had a lifelong passion for creating music, some of my projects have even garnered a million listens. This school year, I have taken up a new hobby of learning Jiu Jitsu!
Julia Martens (Policy)
Julia Martens is a rising junior at Lehigh University majoring in economics and international relations and minoring in psychology and marketing. Julia grew up in Fairfax, Virginia where she first discovered the importance of government policy. This led her to develop an interest in international politics, trade and current affairs. Julia has previously interned on Capitol Hill for the House Appropriations Committee which gave her insights into the lawmaking process. On campus, she is a student caller for the alumni office and a member of Pi Beta Phi and the mock trial team. In her free time, Julia enjoys trying new restaurants, discovering new music and spending time with friends and family.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to advance my professional skills and gain more insight into what career I want to pursue after undergraduate school. Last summer, I worked on Capitol Hill and enjoyed participating in markups and policy work. This summer, I want to see the policymaking process in the private sector.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Growing up in the D.C. suburbs, I have always known how influential politics are in all areas of life. This has given me a unique perspective to explore how knowledge of politics and the government can help me in courses like economics. I want to do something where my work makes a difference and working in policy helps me achieve that goal.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a former fantasy football champion!
Rohan Patel (Policy)
Rohan Patel is a rising junior at Georgetown University studying government and economics. He was born in California but lived in Phoenix for most of his life. He started working in politics by interning for Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04)’s campaign where he focused on donor outreach and managing campaign events. He also worked at Congressman Stanton’s district office and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)’s Phoenix office where he handled constituent casework. Currently, he is finishing an internship at Sen. Kelly’s D.C. office where he had primarily focused on legislative research.
At college, Rohan is a part of Mock Trial and our Hindu Students Association. He hopes to go to law school, but is also interested in working in policymaking or lobbying postgrad beforehand. His policy interests are mainly in transportation and infrastructure, energy and defense, but he is eager to continue learning about different areas. In his free time, he loves watching sports (huge Cardinals and Suns fan) and he hosts a football podcast. He also enjoys going to the gym, playing basketball and exploring D.C.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to work in different policy areas throughout this internship and learn how to effectively advocate for tangible outcomes in legislation. I would like to gain more experience in industry research to better understand the needs of clients within their field and be able to connect that research with legislative solutions.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in politics after interning with my local Representative’s campaign in high school. I enjoyed managing campaign finances and planning events, and I shifted to Congressional offices to gain experience in policymaking. Through those internships, I have grown my interest in public policy and government work.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a huge Arizona sports fan and I host my own football podcast called On the Turf.
Ashley Van Horne (Operations)
Ashley Van Horne is from Alexandria, Virginia. She is a rising senior at Virginia Tech, studying public relations with a double minor in marketing and international affairs. Ashley has a large family, and spending time with them is what she values most. One of her favorite hobbies is cooking and learning new recipes to share with friends and family.
Ashley had the opportunity last semester to study abroad in Lugano, Switzerland through a program offered by Virginia Tech. This experience gave her an extensive amount of experience with problem solving skills and allowed her to see places she never thought she could go to at her age. After seeing what other cultures were like over the past three and a half months, Ashley felt a desire to work in the area of government affairs this summer at Cornerstone.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to get a better idea of what aspects of government and public affairs appeal to me the most. I have little experience in communication with policy influence, and I am interested in learning not only about what interests me, but also about what aligns with my strengths and how I can best serve the team.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government and/or public affairs when I came to the realization that I was incredibly interested in my political science classes that I have been taking for my minor in college. I have always thought that my major would lead me to a career in public relations and more brand management but knowing that policy-based issues interest me has led me to think that public affairs would be a great path for me, as it seems to be the intersection between politics and communications.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: People might be surprised to know that I became an aunt at 16 years old to my nephew, Landon. Now, I have two nephews, with the youngest named Riley. They are amazing and being an aunt has become something I adore most about myself.
Continuing from the Spring to the Summer intern class:
Anna Martin (Compliance)
Andrew Schaeffler (OpsWatch)
