Karlee Popken, Director, 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.
Prior to joining SMI, Karlee served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Ed Markey, where she led the office’s appropriations process. Previously, Karlee served as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Bill Nelson, the current NASA Administrator. Preceding her tenure on Capitol Hill, Karlee distinguished herself as a Policy Advisor to the Irish Legislature and as an educator at the Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, MA.
Karlee holds an MPP from the University College Dublin and a B.A. in Political Science and Government and Women and Gender Studies from the College of the Holy Cross.