As the Managing Director of Advocacy and Policy at Roosevelt Forward, Michelle Sternthal leads the think tank’s policy and advocacy outreach to Congress and allies. In this role, she is responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with federal policymakers, effectively communicating the Roosevelt Institute’s policy proposals and economic worldview to advocacy audiences, and identifying opportunities for engagement with policymakers and allies. Alongside the Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, she also develops the advocacy team’s programmatic strategy to advance the goals of Roosevelt Forward.
Prior to joining Roosevelt, Dr. Sternthal was Senior Policy Advisor for Oxfam America, where she worked to address the structural factors driving poverty in the US. She previously served as Policy Director for the Main Street Alliance and as Deputy Director of Federal Affairs for the March of Dimes. Dr. Sternthal received a doctorate in public policy and sociology from the University of Michigan and post-doctorate degree in social epidemiology from Harvard University. She is proud to live in Washington, DC with her partner and three children.