Washington, D.C.- January 3, 2022 – SMI is pleased to announce that Karlee Popken has joined the firm as a Director. Karlee is a seasoned legislative and public policy professional with expertise in appropriations, housing and community development, social welfare, tax and finance, and trade and economic policy. At SMI, Karlee will support a wide range of client activity including the firm’s strong presence in the New England region.
“Karlee is going to hit the ground running with our current and future clients,” said SMI President Bill McCann. “She knows how the appropriations and authorization process works. She was also right in the middle of SBIR reauthorization. We are thrilled to have her join our team.”
“I am excited to bring the skills I have gained over the past six years on the Hill to SMI and to help clients accomplish their policy and funding goals,” said Karlee Popken. “SMI has an extensive track record of delivering appropriation wins to clients and I am thrilled to be joining such an accomplished team.”
Most recently, Karlee served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Ed Markey where she led the office’s appropriations process and supported the Senator’s assignment on the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee. Previously, Karlee served as a Legislative Correspondent for then Senator Bill Nelson, the current NASA Administrator. Prior to Capitol Hill, Karlee worked as a Policy Advisor to the Irish Legislature and as a Teacher at the Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, MA
Karlee holds a MPP from the University College Dublin and a BA in Political Science and Government and Women and Gender Studies from the College of the Holy Cross.
Founded in 1993, SMI has been the premier choice in Washington for companies, universities, nonprofits, and industry associations for federal marketing and lobbying services focused on national security, defense, clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and research and development.
