New Leaders in Public Policy and Advocacy: A Closer Look at Recent Appointments and Promotions

Elizabeth Wilkins has been appointed senior fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project. She previously served as chief of staff to the chair and director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission. Wilkins also has experience as a senior adviser to the chief of staff in the Biden White House.

Jessica Monahan has taken on a new role as senior principal at Cozen O’Connor, after working for several years at Arnold & Porter and McGuireWoods Consulting, and holding positions with the National Association of Counties and Squire Patton Boggs.

Ryan McDermott has joined the Aerospace Industries Association as vice president of national security policy. He comes from his previous role in the Air Force’s cost and economics office.

Vincent Barnes is now senior vice president of government affairs at AnnDyl Policy Group, having previously served as senior vice president of policy and research at the Alliance to Save Energy.

Jennifer Rust has joined Rich Feuer Anderson as a principal, bringing with her extensive background including roles as senior vice president and counsel at Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, as well as work with the House Financial Services Committee and its current ranking member, Maxine Waters (D-Calif).

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) has consolidated its government relations and public affairs practices into one department, appointing Jill Kozeny executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. Kozeny previously worked for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on his staff for over a decade with the Senate Finance Committee. Additionally, ACLI promoted Howard Bard to senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Scott Dixon to senior vice president and chief financial officer, Carrie Haughawout to senior vice president of life insurance and regulatory policy, Maria Palacios to senior vice president