Stephanie Powers is the Sr. Advisor for Policy and Partnerships managing federal Executive Branch relationships in the Council on Foundations’ Department of Government Affairs. The Executive Branch partnership portfolio compliments the Council’s long standing work as the policy voice for philanthropy to the Legislative Branch and ensures that philanthropy has a voice within the Executive Branch of the federal government as well. In her work on behalf of the Council’s membership, Ms. Powers identifies opportunities to connect foundations and federal government agencies for mutual benefit and investment leveraging, as well as engaging other national organizations in Washington that can help to advance the mission of the Council and its members. In her role, Ms. Powers also contributes her extensive experience in legislative advocacy to the Council’s Government Relations (legislative) agenda.
Prior to joining the Council, Ms. Powers was the CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (2002 – 2006). She previously held appointed positions in the Clinton Administration’s Departments of Education and Labor as the National School to Work Director and Chief of Staff for the Employment & Training Administration from 1993-1998.
Ms. Powers has extensive non-profit and public sector experience in workforce development, community organizing, public policy advocacy, and disability employment advocacy. She held local and State government positions in New Hampshire, primarily focused on workforce development and school to work transition early in her career, and was on the professional staff of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire prior to accepting her appointment in the Clinton Administration in 1993. She began her career working with economically disadvantaged youth as a VISTA volunteer in central New Hampshire communities.
Ms. Powers is a graduate of Seton Hill College (now Seton Hill University) in Greensburg, PA, having received the University’s 2001 Distinguished Alumnae Leadership award.