Advertise on podcast: STAFFER

In this episode, Julia Spiegel — now Founder and CEO of Governors Action Alliance — talks about being inside Governor Newsom’s office when Roe was overturned, how that experience led her to build a new platform to help governors protect fundamental freedoms, and so much more about her career along the way. 

On this episode of STAFFER, Jim Papa speaks with Corey Tellez, Head of U.S. Public Policy at PayPal, about her decades in public service and policy, spanning the House, Senate leadership, the Treasury Department, and the private sector. From advising during the financial crisis to navigating leadership roles on the Hill, Corey shares lessons on resilience and how government service has shaped her thinking. 

Maite Junco, now Senior Vice Chancellor at CUNY, reflects on her years as a reporter, on campaigns, and as a government staffer — from the New York Daily News to the Clinton ’92 presidential campaign to advising Letitia James’ historic campaign for New York Attorney General. She dives into what it takes to lead, navigate crises, and build a career in public service. 

Melissa Morales, talks about her long history of political organizing and leading statewide coalitions, how she stayed motivated while founding Somos Votantes, her perspective on the 2024 election, and so much more. She is a true inspiration to changemakers everywhere and has plenty of advice to share. Listen now. Relevant LinksSomos Votantes More from STAFFERFollow STAFFER on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

This STAFFER guest – Shuwanza Goff, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Empire Consulting Group – recently served in the Biden White House, where she was the first Black woman to lead any administration's legislative team. On the episode, she talks about breaking barriers, managing historic bipartisan negotiations, and so much more. Listen now.

Anne Filipic – CEO of Share Our Strength – has more than 20 years of experience at the highest levels of government, campaigns, and advocacy. She has worked on House and Senate campaigns, at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the White House (twice), the DNC, and served as CEO of Enroll America, the organization tasked with signing up millions of Americans for health care under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more about Anne’s journey, her ongoing commitment to public service, Share our Strength’s mission to combat hunger and poverty, and much more on this episode.

As the state’s chief legal officer, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is at the forefront of addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges. Hear what he has to say about the role of his department in meeting this moment, why people looking for new opportunities should consider joining the CA DOJ, and what inspires him to keep fighting for social justice for all.    

In light of all that has been happening to government employees over the last six weeks, we are releasing a special edition of STAFFER to recognize the invaluable work staffers do for our communities. Indiscriminate, poorly reasoned firings threaten more than the people directly affected – they threaten the functioning and fabric of our democracy. Listen to the full episode now.

STAFFER guest Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, has been on Washingtonian Magazine’s list of 500 Most Influential People for three years running. Prior to founding his own firm, Bruce served as counsel at the NRCC, General Counsel and Policy Director for the House Republican Conference, Policy Counsel at Cisco, and Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Carlos Monje has worked in government for some of the biggest names in DC, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Pete Buttigieg, over the course of his nearly 25-year career. In this episode, he shares stories about his experience working in the Senate, on presidential campaigns, at the White House and Department of Transportation, and now leading JP Morgan’s Policy Center.

Nicole Isaac has worked for the US State Department, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Vice President's office, and the President’s office, where she served as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs during the Obama Administration. She has worked in external relations for the biggest technologies companies, including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and now, as Vice President of Global Public Policy at Cisco. And, she has even founded her own nonprofit and works with many more. She talks about it all this episode.

Keenan Austin Reed is known as one of the most impactful government relations experts in Washington D.C. — and with good reason. She spent over a decade in local politics, on Capitol Hill, and on the campaign trail; co-founded and now chairs the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance; and rose through the ranks at the Alpine Group and is set to be CEO in 2025. This STAFFER guest's insights on leadership, mentorship, and advocacy are a must-listen.  

STAFFER guest Greta Lundeberg spent more than 13 years working as a foreign policy expert in the Senate, State Department, and the White House, where she served as Senior Director for Legislative Affairs for the National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President. Following her time in government, she spent ten years at Boeing and is now Head of Government & Policy Advocacy, Americas for Ericsson.  

This guest was named one of Washington DC’s most influential people four years in a row, and for good reason. Learn more about Sean Kennedy – the National Restaurant Association’s EVP of Public Affairs – and his experience in government from congressional intern to Senate Chief of Staff to the White House.

Sally Susman is a world-class communicator, an author of "Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World", and – of course – a former staffer. Tune in to this episode to hear lessons she learned and stories she lived during her journey from a Senate mail room to the U.S. Department of Commerce to some of the country's biggest brands -- American Express, Estée Lauder, and Pfizer.