Isabella Izquierdo
Isabella supports Lewis-Burke clients by closely tracking and researching federal agency funding opportunities, congressional updates, and legislative activity. At the firm, she focuses on agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among others. Isabella’s background in biological science and research has provided her with a unique perspective on how scientific research can often influence policy and has allowed her to pursue her passion of bridging the intersection of experimental research and its direct impacts on public health.
Issue Areas: Biomedical research, social determinants, global health, public health, social science, and arts and humanities.
Additional Information: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke Associates, Isabella interned with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) where she spent a summer working on an NIH-funded R01 study focused on maternal health and drug abuse. It was here that she found her passion for public health policy. During her time abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, Isabella joined a public health program where she frequently met with different non-profits, research facilities, and social services working to solve issues such as, but not limited to, homelessness, drug abuse, and mental health. Most recently, Isabella worked with the Florida Department of Health as a Contact Tracer and in the latter half of her time there, as an Epidemiologist, offering testing, medical, and economic resources to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vital Statistics: Isabella was born and raised in Miami, Florida but received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Isabella has always loved giving back to her local community and spent time offering translation services to hospital patients and their families throughout her time in college, something she hopes to continue doing in Washington. Outside of the office, Isabella loves checking out new restaurants, traveling, and admiring the full four seasons that D.C has to offer.
Agency Support, NEH
After listening to a university client’s interest in building a new educational program for their undergraduate students at the intersection of humanities and STEM, Lewis-Burke experts identified and matched their goals to a potential federal funding opportunity at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Lewis-Burke shared background intelligence on the agency and the program as well as initiated the client’s meeting with relevant federal agency staff. Lewis-Burke’s support along with the engagement of federal program managers resulted in a successful NEH award for the project.
The university is on its way in developing a new humanities program in a burgeoning interest area of students.
Kari McCarron
Kari McCarron is a trusted expert in higher education policy. She brings first-hand experience within the federal higher education and science enterprise as a former government relations representative for a major research university and as a senior higher education advocate. Kari focuses on funding for and advocacy of federal student aid, education research, and humanities and arts programming. She also works closely with clients on education regulations and policy, tax policy, and immigration issues.
Kari previously served as Director of Congressional and Governmental Affairs with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and as Senior Legislative Assistant within the Office of the President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). For over a decade, she has actively participated in associations, coalitions, and working groups related to higher education, scientific research, innovation, and student financial aid.
Issue Expertise: Higher Education Act and related education regulations, student issues, taxation, Immigration, education research, and humanities and arts programs.
Additional Experience: Kari honed her interest in science policy serving at the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Kari also served as an Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Vital Statistics: A fan of all things maize and blue, Kari earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. Wanting to combine her interest in economics and science, Kari received her Master of Science in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology. When not enjoying the quietness of her office or the halls of Congress, Kari can be found shuttling her three boys between soccer practices.
Jack Goodman
Jack Goodman leverages his engineering studies and higher education experience to help clients navigate federal interest in STEM education, automation, and the need for an educated workforce. Jack actively monitors federal policy developments for Lewis-Burke clients with a specific focus on education, immigration, and healthcare issues.
Issue Areas: Higher education policy, workforce development, immigration, social and behavioral science, healthcare delivery.
Additional Experience: Jack gained experience in the office of New York Representative Grace Meng, where he closely supported the legislative staff through policy analysis and research. Jack also worked at the University of California, Berkeley’s student leadership office as a NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education) Undergraduate Fellow, handling projects regarding student government and campus safety.
Vital Statistics: Born and raised in New York, Jack headed to the Midwest to attend Washington University in St. Louis. There he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science through the School of Engineering and Applied Science, with a second major in Applied Economics and Business Strategy through the Olin School of Business. Jack is a black belt in Karate and an avid fan of New York sports teams.