Demos Announces Heather McGhee As Director of New Washington, D.C., Office; Caleb Gibson Becomes Federal Affairs Manager
Expanded Presence In Nation's Capital Will Strengthen Congressional And White House Policy Outreach, Host Public Events Series
Washington, D.C. — This week, Demos, a national, non-partisan public policy research and advocacy center, is pleased to announce two significant staffing changes:
Heather McGhee has been named Director of Demos' new Washington, D.C., office.
In her new position, McGhee develops and executes strategy for increasing Demos' impact on federal policy debates in Washington. Previously, she was the Deputy Policy Director, Domestic and Economic Policy, for the John Edwards for President 2008 campaign, and a Program Associate in Demos' Economic Opportunity Program.
McGhee's writing and research on debt, financial services regulation, retirement and inequality have appeared in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Detroit Free-Press and CNN. She is the co-author of a chapter on retirement insecurity in the book Inequality Matters: The Growing Economic Divide in America and its Poisonous Consequences (New Press, 2005). She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law.
Demos is also pleased to announce that Caleb A. Gibson has been appointed Federal Affairs Manager.
In this position, Gibson conducts outreach on Capitol Hill and collaborates within the national public policy community, working with decision makers, advocates and Demos staff and fellows, to advance an effective and responsible legislative strategy. Prior to this appointment, he was Advocacy and Legislative Coordinator in the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos.
Gibson came to Demos from the U.S. Senate, where he served for many years both as a legislative aide for Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois and as a speech writer for Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland. He has also worked in political campaigns at the gubernatorial, congressional and presidential levels, most recently acting as Research Director for Cardin's Senate campaign.
Gibson has appeared on CNN and ABC News as well as in the Wall Street Journal and Houston Chronicle. He is a featured contributor to the Huffington Post and DailyKos. A graduate of Harvard University, Gibson earned his degree in Sociology with a concentration in Afro-American studies, government, and urban studies.
McGhee and Gibson are joined in Demos' Washington, D.C. office by Michael Lipsky, Senior Program Director, and Tova Wang, Senior Democracy Fellow.
"There are great challenges facing families across America, and we're at a moment in history when major reform is possible, though far from certain, " said Tamara Draut, Vice President of Policy and Programs at Demos. "Sound and innovative policy ideas, research, and public dialogue are needed now more than ever. That's why we've taken significant steps to extend Demos' reach in Washington, to work with policymakers and other organizations directly, and to stimulate debate through public events. "
" We're delighted to have Heather McGhee rejoin the Demos team to oversee these efforts--her leadership skills and depth of policy knowledge will be invaluable to Demos' work inside Washington. She, along with our Federal Affairs Manager Caleb Gibson, will work to ensure Demos' cutting-edge ideas, research and analysis have significant impact inside the Beltway. "
Contact information for the new Washington, D.C., office follows:
Demos
1710 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.(12th Floor)
Washington, D.C., 20036
Tel:(202) 559-1543
Fax:(202) 776-0740
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