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Our Staff

Elsha Aemero

Communications/ Development Intern, Women's Congressional Policy Institute , George Washington University

Olivia Carvajal

Executive Assistant to the President, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

Olivia is the Executive Assistant to the President at WCPI.

Prior to working at WCPI, Olivia served as the special assistant to the Dean at American University’s School of Public Affairs. In 2018, she worked directly with the Baltimore City Health Commissioner and Senior Medical Advisor as a summer health equity fellow on opioid use prevention. In 2016, Olivia interned in Congressman Ruben Gallego’s Washington, DC office and his Phoenix district office, working on immigration and veterans’ affairs.

Olivia earned her JD degree from Arizona Summit Law School and her BS degree in public management and policy, with a concentration in criminal justice, from the University of Arizona.

Shehrose Charania

General Intern, Women's Congressional Policy Institute , University of Wisconsin-Madison

Cindy Hall

President, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

Cindy has served as president of WCPI since January 1999.

Prior to her current position, Cindy worked on Capitol Hill for more than 17 years for four Members of Congress, including 12 years for Ambassador and former Rep. Connie Morella. During her Hill service, she focused on women’s health, and budget, tax, and appropriations issues.

Cindy received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Colgate University.

Julia O’Connor

Senior Communications Associate, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

Julia is the Communications Associate at WCPI.

Prior to working at WCPI, Julia interned at various nonprofits, including the Philadelphia Bar Association, where she researched public interest issues in Philadelphia and promoted the Association’s events and programs as the Communications and Public Interest Intern.

Julia received her Bachelor of Arts in political science, with a concentration in peace and justice, and a minor in criminology, from Villanova University. During her time at Villanova, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, where she researched international politics and communication.

Cynthia Ramos

Policy Director, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

Cynthia is the Policy Director at WCPI.

Cynthia joins WCPI with more than ten years of experience on Capitol Hill working on bipartisan issues. She previously served in the United States Senate as a longtime senior legislative aide to Senator Richard Burr. During her time in the Senate, she focused and advised on foreign affairs policy and also worked on legislative issues relating to defense, veterans affairs, and intelligence.

Cynthia received her Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from Emory University.

 

Cheryl Williams

Vice President, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

Cheryl is the Vice President of WCPI.

Cheryl previously served as Associate Director of Government Affairs for the United Negro College Fund, where she worked on higher education policy. Cheryl also served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, where she worked on appropriations, health, and women’s issues, among other issues.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Spelman College and her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law.