After meeting with several Congressional Offices, this year’s Congressional Innovation Scholars have selected where they will be working!
Announcing Our 2021 Congressional Innovation Scholars
Meet the Fellows 2021: Mike Wacker
Many of the problems I had encountered, however, had reached the halls of Congress, and I understood the value that those experiences of mine would bring if I ever worked for Congress. Considering all of that, it’s hardly surprising that I joined TechCongress. I did not come here with some grand political ambition, nor do I have my path fully laid out, but I did make one important decision about my path: once again, I would not put my head down and ignore the problem.
Meet the Fellows 2021: Hakan Seyalıoğlu
Meet the Fellows 2021: Geoffrey Cain
For twelve years, I was a foreign correspondent covering technology and authoritarianism regimes. I lived in or reported from China, South and North Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Russia, Cambodia and Turkey, where I covered authoritarian politics, civil wars and a genocide, as well as their links to technology.
Meet the Fellows 2021: Dr. Celeste Chamberlain
Meet the Fellows 2021: B Cavello
Where They're Serving: Placements for our 2021 Congressional Innovation Fellows
End of Year Reflection: 2020 Fellow John Yaros
Announcing Our 2021 Congressional Innovation Fellows
Meet the Scholars 2020: Genevieve Fried
Meet the CDS Fellows: Alex Prokop
“Over the last five or six years, newly created modern digital service organizations have made government more efficient, more accessible, and more reliable—and we’re just getting started. I joined TechCongress’ Congressional Digital Service Fellowship to help bring this model and practices to the first branch.”
Meet the Scholars 2020: Zach Barnes
Meet the CDS Fellows: Britney Lyons
“Not only do I get to expand upon my knowledge of the complex system that is government, but I also get to do my part in helping Congress build systems to function more effectively during these unprecedented times. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this process and am excited to see what our team can accomplish with our time here.”
Meet the Scholars 2020: Jackson Brietzke
Where they're serving: the placement for our 2020 Congressional Innovation Scholars
Meet the CDS Fellows: Johncarlo Cerna
“I wanted to continue to learn, grow, and evolve while working towards a more positive future. I wanted to work in an area with high impact, something that could create meaningful change. Most importantly, I wanted to come home happy, knowing I did the best I could to fulfill the dream of positively impacting as many people as possible.”
Meet the Scholars 2020: Noam Kantor
“Making sure technology plays a just and equitable role in our society will not only take “all of us” -- policymakers, civic leaders, everyday people trying to make ends meet, and marginalized groups -- it will take “all of all of us.” In the pursuit of Just Tech, we cannot leave any of ourselves behind because technology will affect every part of our lives. We need not only all the voices in our society, but all of the voices within us.”
Meet the Scholars 2020: Crystal Grant
“As a Congressional Innovation Scholar, I will gain hands-on experience drafting effective legislation, conducting vital oversight, and interacting with constituents and advocacy organizations. I know the year ahead will be a difficult one for a nation stricken by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”
