Sarah Gianotti
Sarah Gianotti supports Lewis-Burke by utilizing her background in environmental science and grants consulting to assist clients interested in environmental and energy issue areas. Her experience in client outreach, grant research, and government affairs has prepared her for her role, which includes tracking legislation, agency developments, and funding opportunities, as well as providing insight into a variety of issues. The agencies Sarah primarily covers are the Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
History: Sarah’s passion and expertise is evident through her experience in consulting, government, and sustainability. Before joining Lewis-Burke, Sarah assisted at a grant writing company where she was familiarized with DOE, NSF, and education funding opportunities and projects. She also gained exposure to the lobbying world through interning at Alpine Group, a bi-partisan lobbying firm based in Washington, D.C.. During college, she served in the Texas Senate as a Messenger during the Texas 87th Legislative Session and the Summer Interim. Additionally, she led a student organization under her University’s Office of Sustainability called Green Greeks; there, she organized and executed environmental focused service and social events for fifty student members.
Issue Areas: Environment, Energy, Weather and Climate, Infrastructure, Clean Energy Resilience, and Transportation.
Vital Statistics: Sarah was born, raised, and schooled in Austin, Texas. She graduated in 2023 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a focus in Geography. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys practicing yoga, going to farmer’s markets, and taking hikes through Rock Creek Park with her husband, Austin, and her little dog, Kiki.
Susannah V. Howieson, JD, MEM
Susannah V. Howieson, JD, MEM is a Federal science and technology policy expert who focuses on basic and applied energy research and development and national security science and technology. In addition, her years of experience working with the Executive Office of the President, Federal research agencies, and Congress on critical science policy issues have provided her with broad expertise and networks that enable her to support clients across energy, defense, physical sciences, and economic development issues.
Most recently, Susannah led strategic planning, interagency coordination, and infrastructure planning for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science where she spearheaded efforts on laboratory modernization, place-based innovation, and increased research program integration. Susannah managed the development of an umbrella Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of Science and NSF and created a vision for the future of the National Laboratory complex (Laboratories of the Future) through far-reaching stakeholder engagement. She also completed a rotation in NNSA’s Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, further deepening her connections to and understanding of the nuclear community. Susannah is a master communicator, facilitator, and consensus builder, and is especially skillful in distilling complex policy topics down to key digestible messages.
Susannah has authored dozens of reports on topics such as technology transfer, facilities and infrastructure planning and prioritization, and government laboratory-university partnerships. Her efforts have been integral to the development of critical national policies, including the Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy, the National Security S&T Strategy, and the Presidential Memorandum on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion, and she has served on multiple interagency committees, such as Lab-to-Market and the subcommittee on Critical and Emerging Technologies List.
Issue Expertise: Basic and applied energy research and development and DOE; Nuclear production, policy, and security and NNSA; physical sciences; Federal research management, national labs and FFRDCs, interagency coordination, and infrastructure; Technology transfer and regional economic development; emerging technology and the national security S&T enterprise.
Additional Experience: Before joining DOE, Susannah served in the office of Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) as a Nuclear Security Working Group fellow. For close to a decade prior, Susannah conducted science and technology policy analysis for the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), a federally funded research and development center that supports the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and other Federal agencies. At STPI, Susannah focused on assessments of research organizations and national security. She also has significant experience in strategic planning and policy development, primarily through her work for the National Security and International Affairs Division of OSTP. Susannah co-led the research team for the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories (CRENEL) for DOE. Before STPI, she worked as an attorney at Sidley Austin, LLP in New York, NY, and for the Office of Climate Change Policy and Technology at DOE.
Vital Statistics: Susannah holds a BA from Rice University with a double major in Biology and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations, a JD cum laude from Boston University, and a Masters of Environmental Management (MEM) in Environmental Economics and Policy from Duke University. She lives in Alexandria with her husband, three children, and a dog, cat, and fish. In her free time, she loves to travel, especially to historical sites and nature preserves.
Solomon Morgan
Solomon Morgan supports Lewis-Burke by researching and providing information on opportunities and policy developments in energy and national security. With a background and education in public relations, consulting, and outreach, Solomon’s experience in government relations helps him to provide clients with valuable perspectives on emerging technologies, global clean energy efforts, and defense research and engineering. Solomon is focused on funding opportunities and other new developments from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD) and applies his knowledge of energy and national security programs to support cross-cutting issues in science and technology.
Issue Areas: Energy, Defense and National Security, Critical and Emerging Technologies.
Additional Information: Before joining Lewis-Burke, Solomon held several internships around Washington D.C. to expand his knowledge of consulting and public policy. He interned in the United States Practice at the Albright Stonebridge Group, where he provided analysis on business applications of the CHIPS and Science Act. He served as a Corporate Diplomacy Fellow at the Meridian International Center, working to support corporate engagement with foreign officials. Solomon also worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Strategic Alliances & Outreach Department, supporting business efforts to promote and engage with Minority-Serving Institutions and underserved communities. He also interned for the District Office of Congressman Bradley Schneider (D-IL), where he focused on student loan forgiveness and supporting constituents' receipt of Paycheck Protection Program Loans.
Vital Statistics: Solomon was born in Waukegan, Illinois and received his Bachelor’s degree with honors from Howard University in Washington D.C, where he studied Political Science and Economics. Solomon enjoys global politics and economics and spends time researching issues including the global market for clean energy, critical minerals, and finance. Outside of the office, Solomon explores D.C. restaurants, events, and bookstores, and especially likes restaurant week. He enjoys walking and cooking as well as reading historical and science fiction, political novels, and international literature.
Matthew Kopfer
Matthew Kopfer supports Lewis-Burke by providing research and up-to-date information on international and security, energy, and social sciences landscape and opportunities across the federal government. Matthew specializes in extramural research and workforce programs at agencies including at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Department of State (DOS), Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Having studied politics and foreign affairs as an undergraduate and gained experience in the higher education sphere, Matthew brings a unique and passionate viewpoint to Lewis-Burke’s clients.
Issue Areas: Workforce development, international research collaborations, higher education, homeland security, emerging technologies, and social sciences.
Additional Information: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Matthew interned for U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), researching, and assisting staff in tracking and analyzing clean energy, economic development, foreign affairs, and national security developments and events. Through this experience, he gained a thorough understanding of the many different priorities of federal agencies and became skilled at researching and analyzing federal policy. Additionally, Matthew gained valuable business and administrative insight in Senator Warner’s office, giving him useful skills to interact with clients.
Vital Statistics: Matthew was born and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia and received his Bachelor’s degree a year early with distinction from the University of Virginia, where he majored in Foreign Affairs and Politics. For his third year of college, Matthew studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and the University of Virginia: Valencia in Spain. Matthew is a Master’s in Project Management candidate at Georgetown University, interested in leveraging new mechanisms and emerging technologies to maximize organizational structure and output. Outside of the office, Matthew spends his time supporting University of Virginia athletics, especially during basketball season. He also enjoys listening to music, reading political theory journals, and running. Matthew is an avid enjoyer of researching and analyzing realist and neorealist theory, UK and EU politics, and development in Africa and Latin America.
Bruno Freitas
Bruno Freitas is a passionate and respected former federal government professional with over a quarter century of combined experience working in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. He has cultivated long standing relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agency leadership. Bruno leverages his experience to provide clients with detailed policy advice and tailored comprehensive advocacy strategies to achieve desired results.
Issue Expertise: appropriations, budget, economic development, energy, environment, financial services, infrastructure, and innovation policy
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Bruno worked on Capitol Hill for 28 years, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Elizabeth Warren. In that role for Senator Warren, he led and managed several policy teams and spearheaded the Senator’s state and local priorities. During his tenure he covered a wide array of federal policy areas including energy, environment, climate change, infrastructure, transportation, appropriations, budget, tax, economy, commerce, small business, defense, and financial services. Bruno was part of the Senator’s team that secured accomplishments in several critical legislative acts such as the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He also managed numerous high profile federal projects and on behalf of the Senator obtained billions of dollars for critical infrastructure and economic development.
Vital Statistics: Bruno grew up in Massachusetts and attended Bridgewater State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, all things Boston sports, and cooking Sunday dinner for his wife and two daughters.