Meet the Fellows

Kellie McManamon is a legislative fellow in the office of Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24).

Kellie graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a bachelor’s degree in communications and sociology. She received her master’s in public policy from Georgetown University in May, 2023. Full profile

Cecilia Vaughn-Guy is a legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), working on issues within the health portfolio.

Cecilia graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and from University of Illinois at Chicago with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She currently is pursuing a PhD in education policy, organization and leadership with concentrations in human resource development and diversity & equity from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Full profile

Jess Weltha-Bales is a legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) where she manages the defense, national security, foreign affairs, and cybersecurity portfolios.

Jess graduated from Iowa State University with bachelor’s degrees in political science and public relations and from Norwich University with a master’s in public administration. She served the past eight years as an active duty Army Logistics officer and continues to serve in the Army Reserve. Full profile

Giorgina Agostini is a legislative fellow for the Republican staff of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. She earned two bachelor’s degrees in government and global studies, with a concentration in Latin American Studies, from the College of William & Mary. She completed her master’s degree in human rights at the Universidad de Navarra. You can hear from Giorgina and the Republican Staff Director for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Piero Tozzi, here. 

Maria Calderon is a legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she studied Political Science and International Studies. Maria earned her master’s in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service. You can hear from Maria and Rep. Lee’s Legislative Director, Gregory Adams, here. 

Pooja Mehta is a legislative fellow for Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-6). She received her bachelor of science degree in biology and public health from Duke University and her master’s in public health in health policy and management from Columbia University. You can hear from Pooja and Rep. Matsui, here. 

Brianna Watson is a legislative fellow in the office of Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02). She received her undergraduate degrees from UC Berkeley in sociology and molecular environmental biology. She earned her master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University. You can hear from Brianna and Rep. Kelly’s Senior Health Policy Advisor, Dr. Anita Burgos, here. 

Marshele Bryant is a legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University and her master’s degree in global studies and international relations from Northeastern University. You can hear from Marshele and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, here.

Danni Ondraskova works as a legislative fellow for the Republican staff of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and Russian area studies at Wellesley College and completed her masters of public policy degree at the University of Chicago. You can hear from Danni and the Staff Director for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Pierro Tozzi, here.

Jamie Thompson works as a legislative fellow for Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). She earned her bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and psychology and her master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from the University of Michigan. You can hear from Jamie and Congresswoman Haley Stevens, here.