Director
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.
Before 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. 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.