Courtney Parker
Courtney Parker works diligently to provide clients with information and respond to their questions regarding funding opportunities and policy updates in areas related to the environment, energy, and higher education. As a previous intern for an emergency service-based organization, a federal agency’s technology office, and a university federal relations office, Courtney has a passion for research, education, and addressing resilience challenges. Courtney covers agencies such as the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency.
Issue Expertise: Environment, Energy, Resilience, Climate and Clean Energy, Higher Education
Additional Experience: Courtney gained a genuine interest in advocacy and policy in 2019 when she interned with the International Association of Fire Chiefs in the government relations department where she was a lobbying assistant on Capitol Hill with other colleagues, representing the fire and emergency services including over 12,000 members across the nation about current needs within the fire and emergency service. In the summer of 2020, Courtney interned with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Technology and Information Management, where she provided support on the execution of the FY 2020 budget. Recently, Courtney interned with Virginia Commonwealth University in their Government Relations Department where she developed a passion for advocating on behalf of institutions of higher learning.
Vital Statistics: Courtney grew up in Prince William County, Virginia where she was active in her community. Being involved in helping the community at such an early age stemmed from her passion for wanting to advance society through public policy. As a direct result of her community engagement, Courtney received her B.A. in Political Science from Hampton University. While attending her beloved Alma Mater, she was initiated into the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, a community-oriented organization that prides itself on scholarship and service. When Courtney is not with her fellow sorority members, she is spending quality time with her family and friends or traveling!
Sara Barber Ph.D
Sara Barber is research policy expert who has extensive legislative and agency oversight experience after seven years working in Congress with the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. During her last few years on the Hill, Sara served as a lead author and negotiator of the science provisions in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, including the National Science Foundation for the Future Act and the government-wide policy provisions related to broadening participation in science and research security. Sara is a leading expert on research security and other research administration issues. During her time on the Hill, Sara drove the Science Committee’s oversight efforts on these issues, including close engagement with the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. Sara leverages her scientific background, policy experience, and familiarity with federal agencies to provide valuable insights to advance client interests across the federal science and engineering enterprise.
Issue Areas: National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, research policy and administration, research security, broadening participation in STEM, and physical sciences.
Additional Experiences: After graduating with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, Sara transitioned to a career in science policy with an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Science Policy Fellowship sponsored by the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Sara spent her fellowship year with the Space Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology where she worked on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) research and development and space exploration, national space policy, space commercialization, Earth remote sensing policy, and space communications.
Vital Statistics: Sara lives in Capitol Hill with her husband and Shetland sheepdog. She enjoys live music, exploring the city on her bicycle, and crafting.
Nathan Finn
Nathan Finn supports Lewis-Burke by tracking legislative and agency movements and developments and funding opportunities for clients in the defense, national security, and energy sectors. His work involves agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Having spent time gaining knowledge in these fields during his undergraduate studies and with his prior experience working in legislative research and policy, Nathan is enthusiastic about supporting Lewis-Burke’s clients.
Issue Areas: Defense, national security, energy, climate, transportation, physical sciences, and veteran’s issues.
Additional Information: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Nathan interned with The American Legion’s Legislative Division in Washington, DC, tracking legislation in national security, veteran’s health care, education and other issues important to the lives of veterans and active servicemembers. Nathan also collaborated with staff to produce an annual legislative presentation to the joint House and Senate Committees on Veteran’s Affairs (HVAC/SVAC), as well as to support the passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, also known as the Honoring our PACT Act, which guaranteed health coverage to veterans and servicemembers who were exposed to toxic substances while serving either domestically or overseas.
Vital Statistics: Born and raised in New Jersey, Nathan graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Anthropology from St. Lawrence University in December 2022. At St. Lawrence, Nathan was the president of his first-year class, along with being the president of St. Lawrence’s Model United Nations Organization, one of the oldest such organizations in the world. Nathan also studied abroad in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg in Summer 2022, completing a research project on the role of the European Union. In his free time, Nathan enjoys participating in trivia competitions, riding the DC Metro, as well as cooking his mom’s Italian recipes.
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.
Hannah Marie Peters-Edwards
Hannah Marie provides insights to clients in agriculture and rural development, life sciences, and transportation, tracking legislative and agency developments and assisting clients with their individual requests. This includes federal agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy – Office of Science (DOE-Sc), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Commerce, among others. Hannah Marie’s background in agriculture has allowed her to have a unique perspective on all aspects of this issue. This has allowed Hannah Marie to work with clients and agencies to provide more sustainable and innovative practices in agriculture and life sciences.
Issue Areas: Agriculture, Life Science, Biological Science, Economic Development, Rural Development, Transportation, and Infrastructure.
Additional Information: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke Associates, Hannah Marie worked on the Hill as an intern in the House of Representatives. Her background in agriculture has been developed from 13 years in 4-H, and 4 years in Future Farmers of America (FFA). She raised Animals for breeding as well as market; and her family has worked with both walnuts and almonds. She worked as a Program Assistant for the National 4-H Council in 2018 where she focused on teaching middle to high school students about the United States Government and leadership development.
Vital Statistics: Hannah Marie grew up in Durham, California. She attended Butte Community College, where she obtained her Associates degree in political science. While at Butte College she served as the student government president, and a member of the Butte College golf team. In 2020, she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where she graduated with a bachelor’s in arts in Political Science with a specialization in American Government. While at UC Berkeley she was the chair of the Associated Students of the University of California Judicial Council. Outside of the office Hannah enjoys going out and trying new restaurants and exploring the outdoors by hiking and taking long walks with friends.