Molly has thirteen years of experience working in state and local public policy, both in New York and California, as well as in Washington, D.C. where she represented higher education institutions.
From an early age, Molly was interested in education policy. As a college student at St Andrews University in Scotland, her thesis explored the political and identity dimensions of education debates in America, using the 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial” as her case study. After working in the 2007 Clinton campaign in Iowa, Molly attended the University of Michigan where she earned her MPP, with an emphasis on higher education policy. Following her time in D.C. representing higher education and biomedical research institutions, Molly relocated to New York City to work for Mayor Bloomberg’s Office of Management and Budget. There, she split her time between New York and Albany, where she was part of the Mayor’s State Government Affairs team. Following her time in the Mayor’s Budget Office, Molly worked as the Director of Intergovernmental Relations at the New York State Department of Labor and as a Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office, where she designed the framework for the state’s paid family leave policy. She worked in the President’s Office at Hunter College, after which she and her family relocated to Sacramento, CA, where she joined the California Department of Finance. Molly holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from University of Michigan and a Bachelors Degree in Modern History from St Andrews University, Scotland.
Why I Do What I Do: “The ability to read, write, and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in the door and take your seat at the table — all of that starts with education.” —Michelle Obama
Alma Mater(s): University of Michigan, St Andrews University
Your role in one sentence: I help the Campaign analyze and succeed within the federal and state policy context and develop legislative strategies to ensure equal access to higher education.
When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am… trying to get my son to eat a single vegetable.
If not higher education then what cause? Voting rights or gun control