STAFFER

In this episode, Shanan Guinn joins Jim Papa to reflect on her years in public service, from planning events for President Clinton to managing crises on Capitol Hill to multiple stints on the campaign trail. She has served presidents, governors, members of Congress, and now, handles communications at one of the world’s top energy companies at Westinghouse Electric Company. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Sandra Douglass Morgan is a trailblazer through and through. On today’s episode, she talks about the many roles she’s held – from Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board to President of the Las Vegas Raiders and everything in between.