Welcome to our new class of interns for our Summer 2024 Intern Program! This talented group will spend the summer learning about the world of government relations, policy and public affairs, while also 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 785 applicants, we have selected 23 impressive young professionals to join the team this summer, with Ahmed Shareef continuing on from the Spring to support our grant consulting team. 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!
Patrick Alexander (Policy Intern): Patrick Alexander is a junior at American University, where he is majoring in economics and international affairs. His previous work experience includes academic research, global poverty advocacy and ALS community work. His work has appeared in The Pericles Institute journal and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He is passionate about foreign policy, global economics and building a more resilient world.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am hoping to learn more about the different legislative and nonlegislative strategies clients can deploy in order to form productive relationships with policymakers in the long term.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I am passionate about economic and foreign policy analysis, and how that translates for firms hoping to capitalize on or shield themselves from global trends.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a massive comic book fan and a long-suffering Pittsburgh Pirates supporter!
Madison Barquet (Policy Intern): Madison Barquet is a senior at the University of Notre Dame pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with a supplementary major in environmental sciences and a minor in business economics. Originally from Miami, Florida, Madison was exposed to diverse cultures and political perspectives from a young age, which fostered an appreciation for open discourse. Madison’s father immigrated from Cuba, so she has always had a special interest in U.S.-Cuban affairs. At Notre Dame, Madison volunteers weekly at citizenship classes hosted by La Casa de Amistad as a tribute to her Cuban heritage. Madison also holds leadership roles in her two on-campus jobs and is involved in a Student Wellness Initiative that aims to promote student well-being within the classroom and foster open discussion with professors in all of Notre Dame’s departments.
Recently, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Italy. While there, she learned about the social, cultural and political preconditions and consequences of Christianization in the Roman world. In her free time, Madison enjoys trying new restaurants, discovering new music and spending time with her friends and family.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I am excited to gain firsthand experience in government relations and learn how the bipartisan private sector interacts with policymakers to influence legislation. I hope that by analyzing policy issues across various sectors, I will develop a deeper understanding of their implications for clients. Additionally, I believe that this experience will serve as valuable preparation for law school by strengthening my research and writing skills.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: During my sophomore year at Notre Dame, I took an international relations course that inspired me to study political science, a major that has enabled me to explore global dynamics and has sparked my passion for international development. With two parents who work in the medical field, I am especially drawn to the ways in which policy can address health disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare worldwide. Additionally, my study of environmental sciences has sparked an interest in the interplay between environmental well-being and its effects on global health.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: At Notre Dame, I work at a student-run, full-service flower shop! I am also learning how to play the bagpipes since my cousin gave me a set for Christmas!
Izzy Blaylock (Policy Intern): Izzy Blaylock is originally from Dallas, Texas. She is a Division 1 Track and Field student-athlete at the University of Richmond, where she is also a double major in PPEL (politics, philosophy, economics, and law) and History. Izzy is pursuing an honors degree in history, as well as concentrations in politics (PPEL) and Cold War studies (history).
Izzy currently serves as Richmond’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee A-10 Representative, athletic banquet coordinator and SpidersVote! Initiative Chair. She also holds an executive position for the Epsilon Circle of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, serves as Richmond’s College Democrats Co-President, and is a member of student government as a Class of 2025 Senator.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am looking for hands-on, meaningful opportunities to contribute to furthering policy goals greater than myself. I’m very excited about the opportunity to work in the private sector and look forward to working in a bipartisan environment. Especially excited to get to know the rest of my intern class!
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: As a left-wing Texas native, I found it difficult to relate to many of the decisions made by my representatives growing up. It was in this environment that I became interested in pursuing questions of what I expected out of my representatives and government. My academic and professional experience have shaped the current interest I hold in public affairs. I have experience working in both state and federal level politics in the offices of (now Congresswoman, previously VA Senator) Jennifer McClellan and U.S. Senator Mark Warner. My work with these offices has been instrumental in honing my passion for pursuing bipartisan coordination in the name of accomplishing societal goals.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have chickens back home!
Caleb Bohannon (Policy Intern): Caleb Bohannon is a public policy leadership and economics double major, a member of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Caleb holds the esteemed title of Mr. University. He is a member of the University of Mississippi’s 2023-2024 Hall of Fame, Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board Honor Society. A Patricia Thompson Lott Institute Scholar and member of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute Student Advisory Board, Caleb began a prison literacy initiative in the Spring of 2023 in which books were collected to be distributed to inmates incarcerated individuals across the state. In his free time, Caleb enjoys staying active, drumming and traveling.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am looking to acquire more policy experience on the federal level. I aspire to one day be successful in this field so by working in this capacity, I know I will be able to learn the ins and outs of lobbying. Also, I hope to broaden my network of professional connections – something I know is vital if I am to be successful in this field.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest was sparked by my participation in the Lott Leadership Rising 12th Grade Program at the University of Mississippi. Here, I was first exposed to policymaking and various policy leaders who were working to help change their communities, cities, states and the country for the better.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I play the drums and have been doing so for nearly a decade. One of my side quests is to hop up and play at a club or bar (maybe spontaneously or as part of a side-gig one day).
Logan Castellanos (Policy Intern): Logan Castellanos is a junior at Georgetown University studying healthcare management and policy. She has previously interned for the POPVOX Foundation, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Representative David Ortiz’s campaign in the Colorado State House.
On Georgetown’s campus, Logan is a Peer Advisor for the School of Health and writes for two magazine publications, including the University’s first fashion magazine. In the future, Logan hopes to utilize policy research and analysis to construct an equitable society, particularly within the healthcare realm. In her free time, Logan enjoys creating art, reading and finding the nearest beach.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: While I am primarily interested in health policy, I am looking to diversify my policy knowledge and gain exposure to a variety of industries, such as education, agriculture and trade. I am looking to strengthen my policy analysis and writing skills, as well as gain opportunities for mentorship. Additionally, I have recently begun to expose myself to the appropriations process and am looking to further develop my understanding of this complex topic during my time at Cornerstone.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in government relations following my completion of a legislative internship. While working in a Congressional office, I constantly witnessed the interaction of outside stakeholders with our nation’s government, sparking my interest in learning more about government relations work. I am excited to learn more about how the firm operates on a client-facing basis, as well as follow the policy analysis and message development process from start to finish.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I competed on the varsity weightlifting team in high school!
Samuel Chernoff (Policy Intern): Sam Chernoff is a junior at Emory University studying public policy and analysis. Hailing from La Plata, MD, Sam credits his prior experience with Maryland politics to sparking a larger determination to create tangible change through policy. He has experience engaging with the legislative process through serving as a Student Legislative Page with the Maryland General Assembly and understanding policy’s relationship with the judicial system through interning with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. As a student at Emory, Sam has continued to develop his policy skills through presenting at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference and competing on Emory’s nationally ranked Model UN team. Sam also has a quantitative background in statistics and computer science, which he looks forward to applying to policy-focused work and currently serves as a Math Center Tutor. In his free time, you can find Sam hiking any nature trail he can find, making music as a member of Emory’s Pep Band, Jazz Band and Chamber Ensemble and watching Ravens and Orioles games.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through interning with Cornerstone, I aim to gain more firsthand experience with working in the field of Public Policy. In the classroom, I have been able to gain experience with policy research on a wide variety of issues, ranging from accessibility in public transportation to performing arts education. By working in Cornerstone’s D.C. office, I will be able to see how policy research and consulting has the power to impact these issues along with many more. I am also looking forward to networking with both my peers and Cornerstone employees to gain a wider perspective on policy issues.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My passion for government can be traced back to my involvement with local politics while I was in high school. I worked on the staff of my county’s Student Member of the Board of Education and helped advocate for the passage of a school board reform bill which included student member voting rights. Through the advocacy process, I was able to form personal relationships with my local county commissioners and state legislators and observe the power the law has direct impact people’s lives. Ever since, I have continued to have an interest in learning how policy can accomplish tangible community improvements which led me to my current interest in policy analysis.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I play three instruments: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone!
Hannah Dahl (Policy Intern): Hannah Dahl was born and raised in Columbus, Wisconsin. She is a senior at the University of Notre Dame, pursuing a double major in economics and political science, and a minor in history. On campus, she plays for the Notre Dame Club Softball team and helped start the university’s first-ever Agriculture Student Association. Previously, she worked as a keyer for crop insurance, at a dairy processing plant and provided administrative support for a John Deere dealership.
In her free time, she likes to hike, play softball, read and try new ice cream shops. She spent the spring semester of 2024 studying at Trinity College Dublin, and she was able to visit seven countries while abroad.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am hoping to make meaningful connections within the industry, while also gaining firsthand experience.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always really enjoyed learning about it, and then in high school I had some opportunities to be a part of some decision-making on the county and state level.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a certified ice cream maker, and I helped make a batch that won first at the World Dairy Expo!
Dominic Dellapina (Policy Intern): Dominic Dellapina was born and raised in the small town of Plain City, Ohio. He has two younger siblings, Christian and Giuliana, and a bulldog named Lily. Growing up, he was very active in his community. Dominic played multiple sports including baseball and soccer, while also participating in his school’s marching band and theatre departments. He is a huge Star Wars fan and enjoys collecting Legos in his free time. During his summers when he was not umpiring for his town’s youth baseball league, he was in Virginia, staying with his grandparents and visiting the many Civil War battlefields in the area.
Today, Dominic is a Junior at Miami University of Ohio, where he studies history and political science. He is a part of the honors college and the history department’s honors program, where he is currently working on his undergraduate thesis. In his spare time at Miami, Dominic is a part of the government relations and oversight committees in Miami’s student government. He also is a proud member of Miami’s collegiate club dodgeball team.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I want to gain firsthand knowledge of governmental relations and the environment surrounding policymaking. I hope to narrow down my interests in the field, while also welcoming any opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and develop any new interests. I would like to walk out of this internship feeling more comfortable, confident, and excited to start my career.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: The summer of my sophomore year of high school, I was selected to attend an international, youth leadership conference in Davos, Switzerland. There I met with students from around the world and discussed international and domestic issues that we faced. We worked together to brainstorm solutions and ways to positively contribute to national and international communities. Following this conference, my interest in these issues developed into a passion and I began further studying the processes of our government. In college, I continued to stay involved with government and political science through student government.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am proud to say that I am a 20-year-old who still plays with Legos! I create custom dioramas and scale models of WW2 battles and display these creations across the country at conventions.
Lexi Durham (Public Affairs Intern): Lexi Durham grew up in Alexandria, Virginia for thirteen years, then moved to Durham, North Carolina with her family. This makes her go-to fun fact that her first and last name align almost perfectly with the two places she’s lived. After high school, she decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as an education major. After a couple of career path changes, Lexi found herself interested in policy and the inner workings of politics, leading her to political science. On this path, she has pursued positions in both the public and private sectors ranging from grassroots activism and community events to drafting press releases and collaborating with clients. After studying abroad in Italy this past semester, she is looking forward to diving back into the world of American policy and public affairs.
Aside from school and work, Lexi loves to spend time with her friends and family, especially her younger sister. She likes to be outside playing tennis, having a picnic or being anywhere with greenery; a new appreciation she gained since being outside of the U.S. for a semester. She loves trying new food, reading new books, meeting new people or exploring anything for the first time.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Through this internship, I hope to not only strengthen my writing and communication skills but also enhance my overall knowledge of the industry and build professional connections. I am also looking forward to working alongside a diverse group of people and learning how to operate and collaborate in a group with differing opinions and varying previous experiences. Another area of growth I hope to cultivate this summer is in policy analysis skills. I aim to gain a wider lens on a variety of issues, learn to interpret these issues, and be able to successfully produce a product that aligns with the end goal.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I first became interested in government relations when I decided to switch my major from education, hoping to be a high school history teacher, to political science. My aspirations for being a teacher were diverse, but they all led back to the desire to improve the education system through one good teacher. However, after taking an introductory policy class, I realized that while good teachers are important, one good teacher will not change the system as effectively as policy can. After this initial introduction, the areas of policy I was interested in widened greatly as I explored different sectors. While the policy side was interesting to me, the inner teacher in me enjoys taking dense topics and communicating them to a larger audience in a concise, digestible way, leading me into public affairs.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Horror movies are my favorite genre of movies and at times, the only genre I am willing to watch because they are some of the only movies, I stay awake through. For some reason, when most movies come on, I am asleep within minutes unless they are extremely captivating. Safe to say I am one of the harshest movie critics out there but certainly open to recommendations.
Julian Freyre (Operations Intern): Julian Freyre is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. He is double majoring in economics and philosophy, focusing on the intersection of economic structure and ethics. Julian has ambitions to continue his education in law school. He grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan in a family of five and a unique blend of Cuban and Iraqi culture has shaped him as a person. Some of Julian’s hobbies include watching movies, reading and going to the gym. Aside from that, Julian writes for the Michigan Journal of Economics, where he focuses on the effects of policy in the domestic economy. Currently, he is working on a team to start a fundraising club, Michigan Innocence Club, which helps exonerees get back on their feet financially. He will be working at the Washtenaw Public Defender’s Office in the Fall ’24 semester.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain new experience in a challenging, professional environment and make new, like-minded friends. Additionally, I want to learn as much as possible about the government relations industry.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I became interested in public affairs during the 2016 election. All of my relatives talked non-stop about the implications and potential outcomes of the election, and I found many of their claims unfounded and slightly emotional. I began to read all the relevant news that I could find, and a new passion was born. Much of my career ambitions and current projects have been sparked by my initial introduction to public affairs in 2016.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love watching, analyzing and criticizing films and television shows. I almost became a film, television and media major.
Riya Gantla (Operations Intern): Riya Gantla is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in health and society and public health, with a minor in government. Originally from California, she has come to gain a fond appreciation of country music, Southern hospitality and cowboy boots during her time at UT. On campus, Riya is on the executive board for UT’s Senate of College Councils and is involved in academic advocacy. She previously interned at the Bipartisan Policy Center last summer, where she grew a deep love for Washington D.C. She also has experience working in politics at a state level, having worked at a political consulting firm in Austin, as well as in the Texas Capitol.
In her free time, Riya enjoys baking, supporting the Longhorns and trying new cafes and restaurants. She is very excited to be working at Cornerstone this summer and cannot wait for the new experiences and memories she will gain.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: From this internship, I hope to gain a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes work involved with running a public affairs consulting firm. I also hope to learn more about how the work that Cornerstone does contributes to the overall political/policy landscape. I’m excited to make connections with my fellow interns as well as learn from all the Cornerstone employees.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Growing up, I was initially interest in the field of health care through the lens of a healthcare provider, but my passion soon shifted when I realized that many of the issues in America’s healthcare system start from policy. I hope to eventually work on addressing problems in the nation from the very top levels of policy. Having recently shifted my interests, I am interested in learning more about the government relations and public affairs process.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I absolutely love listening to podcasts (80% of my Spotify consumption last year was podcasts), and I am always looking for new recommendations!
Harper Jones (Policy Intern): Harper Jones is a senior at the University of Virginia (UVA) pursuing a double major in political and social thought (PST) and history with a minor in government. At UVA, she currently serves as the Chair of the University Judiciary Committee, the student-run body with the sole responsibility of investigating and adjudicating all student misconduct. She also previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Seriatim Journal of American Politics, interned at the UVA Center for Politics and is a fellow for the UVA Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy.
Harper has worked on numerous electoral campaigns and for public officials at the state, local and national levels — most recently, she worked for Levar Stoney, current Mayor of Richmond, VA and candidate in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election. In her free time, Harper enjoys running, cooking, trying to beat her New York Times crossword time and watching UVA basketball. After graduation, she plans to attend law school.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a comprehensive, first-hand understanding of the ways in which private sector lobbying and consulting firms like Cornerstone contribute to the policymaking process. My previous experience has centered around local and state policymaking in the offices of public officials and on the campaigns of candidates for elected office, so I look forward to rounding out my experience of the multi-dimensional world of legislative affairs by working at Cornerstone in the private sector.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I lived abroad for over a decade, but always found myself enamored with the uniqueness of the American political system, even while living miles away. When my family moved back to the US, I sought out opportunities to involve myself in government and fell headfirst into the world of political campaigning. Through numerous local, state, and national campaigns, I came to understand the ways that public policy can actively shape the lives of everyday people for the better — I have since sought to expose myself to the many facets of government relations and public affairs with the goal of eventually contributing to policy that does the same.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I had an English accent until I was 11!
Emma Lynch (OpsWatch Intern): Emma Lynch is from Baltimore, Maryland, and is a senior at Dartmouth College where she majors in government and minors in public policy and Spanish. Emma spent the spring of her sophomore year studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During the winter of her junior year, she worked at the U.S. Embassy in Paris for the U.S. Commercial Service. Her work included supporting U.S. companies doing business in France and supporting foreign policy objectives.
On campus, Emma participates in recruiting and organizing social events for her sorority. She also works as an ambassador for Dartmouth’s Irving Institute for Energy and Society, welcoming visitors and sharing her environmental passion with tour groups. She serves as a resource for victims of sexual violence and is a voice for change in policies on campus through her roles as an Advisory Board Member for the Sexual Violence Prevention Project and as a member of the Sexual Assault Peer Alliance. Additionally, in her free time, Emma competes for Dartmouth’s Alpine Club Ski Team, is president of the Dartmouth Club Swim team and also plays for Dartmouth’s Club Lacrosse team.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Having worked for the federal government previously, I am eager to learn about public affairs and policy from a new perspective, working in D.C. with the OpsWatch team. I hope to increase my understanding of domestic affairs and specifically federal funding opportunities covering an array of policy interests.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Since the beginning of my college experience my passion for climate change advocacy has transcended to a general passion for public policy. Through my work in the Public Policy Research Shop at Dartmouth, I gained experience researching grant opportunities. Over the course of my studies, I have come to appreciate the opportunities to effect change through governmental work.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I recently started an all-female cover band at Dartmouth and am the lead singer!
Ayden McCarter (Policy Intern): Ayden McCarter is a senior at Cornell University. He is majoring in industrial and labor relations (pre-law) with a minor in business while being a Varsity Student-Athlete. Initially from South Carolina, he spent his first year playing at Coastal Carolina University before transferring to Cornell. Ayden plans to graduate early this fall, and potentially look to grad transfer to complete my master’s while also using the last year of eligibility.
Ayden became interested in government relations by working with his mom as she ran for public office in a local election. This interest increased through studies in his major, law and public policy. Ayden worked on the Hill for a summer, shifting his focus from law to legislation and public policy.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I intend to diversify my experience in D.C. by working in the private sector (in relation to last summer on The Hill). I am most excited to work with clients and try new interest areas to begin specializing in.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: Working with my mom as she ran for public office in a local election. This increased through studies in my major which relates to law and public policy. I then worked on the Hill for a summer which shifted my focus from law to legislation and public policy.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am the middle child of 5 siblings.
Meghan McCarthy (Public Affairs Intern): Meghan McCarthy is a senior at Yale University. She studies psychology and is on the Women’s Lacrosse team. She is from the Washington D.C. area. Meghan enjoys going to concerts and traveling with friends and family in her free time. In college, she enjoys cooking and trying new recipes as well as going to restaurants in the area.
Throughout this internship, Meghan aims to deepen her knowledge in policy areas that interest her but for which she holds only a foundational understanding at the moment. She wants to concentrate on areas in which she lacked the opportunity to actively participate during her previous public affairs internship, thereby expanding her expertise and skill set required for success in this field. She is excited to create new connections with individuals across different departments within the firm and to learn about their own experiences.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: Throughout this internship, my aim is to deepen my knowledge in policy areas that interest me, but for which I hold only a foundational understanding of at the moment. I want to concentrate on areas in which I lacked the opportunity to actively participate during my previous public affairs internship, thereby expanding my expertise and skill set required for success in this field. I am excited to create new connections with individuals across different departments within the firm and to learn about their own experiences.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: In high school, I enrolled in the AP Government course, which proved to be incredibly informative and sparked my initial interest in government affairs. During my time at Yale, specific courses I have taken have emphasized the significance of public policy and its profound impact on diverse communities. After freshman year, I spent the summer at the London school of Economics studying International Relations. In the future, I hope to contribute to reform efforts aimed at enhancing community well-being. I find fulfillment in playing a role in the advancement of our country as well as on a global level.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I took a gap year before going to college. I worked for Dana Bash and John King during the presidential election. I tutored their son every day during the first half of my gap year. I was able to gain valuable insight into the election process. The second half of the year, I lived in Charleston, South Carolina.
Broderick Rembold (Policy Intern): Brody Rembold is a senior at Texas A&M University, where he is majoring in political science and pursuing minors in business and Spanish. Born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, Brody is a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. In Overland Park, Brody worked at a fitness center and as a barista, where he developed a passion for finding the best cup of coffee in town.
At Texas A&M, Brody is a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, a select group of students that rides horseback in parades across Texas. He is also involved in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and plans to enter the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. Over the past two years, Brody has visited Wales, England and Japan, where he spent multiple weeks immersing himself in each of these unique cultures. In his free time, Brody loves to visit coffee shops, backpack and watch Aggie football.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: At Cornerstone, I hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the public policy process and its intersection with the private sector.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been fascinated by current events and international affairs, but after having the opportunity to travel abroad and experience other countries firsthand, I realized that a career in politics or diplomacy was an ideal fit for me. Additionally, as someone with plans to enter the military, a well-rounded knowledge of politics and bureaucracy is extremely valuable. I am beyond excited to experience the unique world of lobbying with Cornerstone this summer.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I ride a horse to every Texas A&M home football game!
Hudson Reynolds (Compliance Intern): Hudson Reynolds, a native of Bainbridge, GA, attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the football team and graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. Despite plans to become a third-generation pharmacist, Hudson decided to pursue law school after working as a legislative aide in the Georgia General Assembly. He is currently a second year J.D. Candidate at Mercer School of Law. Hudson is a people person who enjoys the outdoors, history and golf – although his skills leave something to be desired.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to experience our government at the highest level and learn more about the role an in-house compliance attorney serves.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: After working as a Senate Aide in the Georgia General Assembly, I gained a new appreciation and curiosity for the legislative process.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am an Eagle Scout!
Andrew Robaina (Policy Intern): Andy Robaina is a rising senior at Washington University in St. Louis, where he is studying mathematics and philosophy. He previously interned at the St. Louis City Senior Fund, where he researched property tax deferral programs. In his free time, Andy enjoys discussing philosophy, playing board games and playing pickup basketball.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain familiarity with government affairs and the legislative process more broadly, as well as learn how to effectively influence public policy.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: During lockdown, my interest in public affairs was piqued when I read a few great political biographies. These convinced me that small changes in public policy can have profound impacts on people’s lives. I have also had several fantastic social studies teachers whose classes sparked my interest in government.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I love physics and wanted to be a physicist when I was younger!
Liana Schmitter-Emerson (Policy Intern): Liana Schmitter-Emerson is a senior at Yale University, where she is studying history (with a concentration on European affairs) and German language. Last summer, she worked as an intern for a European NGO called Who Targets Me, which monitors and researches the role of digital microtargeting technologies in election campaigns. During her time at Who Targets Me, Liana was tasked with composing research briefs on European elections by analyzing how parties and candidates use social media and other forms of digital advertising to build a following, as well as analyzing spending patterns and other relevant data. Liana also worked as a research assistant at the Yale Institute for Social and Policy Studies, where she was responsible for communicating by phone and email with staffers in state legislators’ offices to research efficacy of political advocacy techniques.
Liana is also a former captain of the USA Debate Team, which represents the United States at global debating competitions, and she continues to stay involved with the international debate community by working as a high school debate instructor. She also volunteers as a literacy tutor for New Haven public school students. Liana just finished studying abroad in Berlin, Germany, where she was enrolled in a program that focuses on diplomacy and national security.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I have mostly studied the European political context, and I am looking forward to developing a more intimate understanding the day-to-day functioning of the American political ecosystem. I also hope to gain exposure to the insights and experiences of the Cornerstone staff to better understand what a career in the field of public policy might be like. I also seek to understand how private groups interact with the government in the policy-making process.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have been interested in politics and government from a young age, as my mother worked my whole life for the City of Los Angeles; however, my interest in government relations and public affairs was cemented by my time doing competitive debate, which required that I engage with a wide range of policy issues from a wide range of private and public perspectives.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I am half German, and I am currently doing a semester abroad in Berlin!
Thomas Soh (Policy Intern): Thomas Soh is a senior at the University of Virginia (UVA) pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public policy & leadership and a minor in government. As a first-generation student, his parents’ stories of immigrating from South Korea inspired his pursuit to create tangible differences in lives through policy. Last summer, he worked as a legislative intern in the D.C. Office of Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) where he was able to contribute to research on topics such as the impact of AI on labor and attend hearings for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
At UVA, he has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Batten School’s Virginia Policy Review and is actively involved with conducting research on behalf of Dr. Larry Sabato and the Center for Politics. In his free time, he is attempting to teach himself the electric guitar and loves snowboarding with his friends during the weekends. Thomas is incredibly excited to be interning for Cornerstone this summer and is eager to learn from the team.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I hope to gain a first-hand understanding of federal policymaking from a private sector perspective while building on my research and writing skills. I am also excited to learn from the staff members and create meaningful relationships with my cohort.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: While my parents inspired me, my interest in government began when I had the chance to take a class about the American Presidency during my first year at UVA. I absolutely loved learning from Prof. Milkis about how the leadership styles of past presidents impacted their administration’s policies and I knew I wanted to learn more about federal government processes for policymaking. Additionally, working with my wonderful research advisors Prof. Stroupe and Prof. Branch has only continued to grow this interest.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I landed my first 360 this past winter season! (A lot of bruises were involved!)
Sara Strickland (Policy Intern): Sara Strickland is from Moultrie, Georgia. She is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying political science, English and environmental justice. Sara plans to pursue a career in government affairs or non-profit management and is considering attending law school after completing her undergraduate degree.
On campus, Sara participates in Women in Public Policy, is a former executive board Vice President of Chapter Relations and Standards of Alpha Chi Omega, and Order of Omega – a Greek leadership honor society. In the Chapel Hill community, she volunteers with The Compass Center and A Lotta Love, two local non-profit organizations promoting domestic violence awareness and aiding DV survivors. In her free time, Sara enjoys walks with friends, live music, cheering on the Tar Heels and listening to Taylor Swift. When she is home in South Georgia, she enjoys trips to the beach with her family and spending time with her dog, Annie.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am looking forward to exploring new perspectives on the legislative process at the federal level and expanding my professional experience in policy, communications and research.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: My interest in government relations comes from a culmination of personal and academic experiences throughout my life. I had several history and government teachers in high school who inspired me to pursue studying politics in college, as it was one of the only subjects that was both challenging and exciting at the time. In addition, I grew up experiencing world events that impacted the social structure of my rural small town, particularly policy implications for the non-profit sector. My passion for policy has narrowed through my academic career and led me to federal government relations.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: Last summer, I backpacked around Italy for a month with my best friend!
James Theus (Public Affairs Intern): James Theus is from Louisiana but currently lives in D.C. He graduated from Tulane University in 2023 with a BA in political economy and two minors in both public health and philosophy. Aside from the economics courses, the coursework was extremely writing-intensive. His official major concentration was in law, economics and policy, but he did an unofficial focus on education and healthcare. James took the LSAT in November and achieved a score he’s satisfied with; he tentatively plans on going to law school within the next 5 years, so he has not applied to any law schools yet. His most recent work experience was at a James Beard Award winning restaurant in New Orleans. There, he honed his interpersonal communication and multitasking skills.
Personally, James is outgoing and sociable, but identifies more so as an introvert. He is also curious and really enjoys researching different topics and getting into the weeds of new things. James is also an adaptive person and considers himself to be tech savvy.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this internship?
A: I am hoping to gain a unique perspective on legislative processes and government relations at large. Although more generally speaking, I plan on going to law school in the next 5 years and would like to gain some valuable work experience before I embark on that journey. I’d also just like to figure out what I excel at and what interests me.
Q: How did you become interested in government and/or public affairs?
A: I have always been interested in policy and government relations. I grew up in a conservative town in central Louisiana with liberal parents who have high levels of education. So, I remember being aware from an early age that not every family thought about things the way my family did. As I got older, my interest grew in why people thought about things the way they did.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I taught myself how to play piano and am obsessed with cooking; I try to master a new dish or two every month! I have done a bit of solo traveling and have been to fifteen countries!
Continuing from the Spring to the Summer intern class:
Ahmed Shareef (OpsWatch Intern)