Who We Are - Institute for Responsive Government

Our Approach

Effective government builds confidence

Whether its election offices, DMVs, or tax departments, a practical and efficient agency system helps promote greater confidence in government and democracy.

Government should use the information it has

When people let the government know information about themselves—for example, that they’ve moved, they expect the government to efficiently use that information. If one agency knows you’ve moved or that you’re eligible to register to vote, that information should be shared with other government agencies.

One size does not fit all

Each state, county, or city has its own distinct foundation of needs and context that we must build policy from.

Adequate resources are crucial

State and local election officials need money and expertise to make government more responsive, efficient, and user-friendly.

Innovation can be simple

Policy can radically redesign how government delivers services without a lot of retheorizing by elites—just build policies and procedures that fit existing infrastructure and work the way humans do.

Always prioritize effective implementation

All policy should be designed with implementation in mind. Policy only works when it is carefully crafted for the way government offices actually work.

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.

Government should work for the people.

Our Approach

Effective government builds confidence

Government should use the information it has

One size does not fit all

Adequate resources are crucial

Innovation can be simple

Always prioritize effective implementation

Our Team

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

Hannah Garden-Monheit

Senior Advisor

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