Aaron Blacksberg

Federal Policy Counsel

As Federal Policy Counsel, Aaron is Responsive Gov’s lead legal analyst on federal policy and supports Responsive Gov’s federal legislative work. Previously, he worked for the Department of Defense as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of General Counsel, working on congressional oversight and investigations matters. Prior to his time at DoD, he served as the Senior Oversight and Policy Counsel on the majority staff of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, working for Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and the late Chairman Elijah Cummings. Before working in Congress, he worked in private practice as an employment and whistleblower attorney. Aaron received a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, and he is a member of the New York and D.C. bars. He plays the accordion and runs in his spare time, and lives with his husband Evan and puppy Dylan in Arlington, VA.

Our Team

Composed of industry-leading experts, the Institute’s team works across disciplines to build a new approach to governance that centers efficiency, efficacy, and accessibility.

Sam Oliker-Friedland

Chief Executive Officer

Michael Adame

Director of Election Administration and Senior Policy Advisor

Sarah Ahrens

Director of Administration

Zaineb Benbella

Administrative Manager

Aaron Blacksberg

Federal Policy Counsel

Ansley Bloomer

Senior Manager of Finance & Compliance

Kathy Boockvar

Senior Advisor

Madeline Branan

External Affairs Coordinator

Marisa Bremer

Senior Advisor

Gideon Cohn-Postar

Director of Federal Affairs

Nick Doctor

Director of Implementation

Stephanie Dodge Bigley

Senior Policy Advisor

Jess Englert

Senior Policy Advisor

Michele Felski-Smith

Special Initiatives Manager

Sarah Gonski

Director of State Policy

Ashley Harris Philippsen

Senior Implementation Advisor

Sarah Hendrick

Director of Legislative Research

Cat Jacob

Senior Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer

Ali Javery

Communications Director

Vicki Koussoglou

Chief Operating Officer

Holly Kuhn

Policy Analyst

Gnora Mahs, DrPH, MPH

Senior Advisor

Keara Mendez

Chief of External Affairs

Mike Moser

Senior Advisor

Aaron Mukerjee

Senior Policy Advisor

Max Nacheman

General Counsel

Sarah Nasta

Senior Advisor of Election Administration & Federal Affairs

Sarah Nehls

Advocacy Campaigns Manager

Marisa O’Gara

Senior Policy Advisor

Ashish Sinha

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Jamie Skeele

Senior Creative Advisor

Barbara Smith Warner

Senior Advisor

Katie Spillman

Operations Manager

Sarah Stadler

Chief of Staff

Cathy Tang

Director of External Affairs

Alex Tischenko

Chief Counsel & Senior Policy Advisor

Neal Ubriani

Chief of Policy

Jess Unger

Senior Policy Advisor

Advisory Board