Alumni Achievement Award

Every year, the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) gathers to celebrate the success of our alumni. We honor those who exemplify GSPM’s values through their career accomplishments, contributions back to their communities, GSPM, or GW.

2019 Alumni Achievement Award Winners

Rochelle Dornatt

Jennifer Giglio joined the Nationals in July 2014 as Vice President of Communications. In her role, she oversees baseball communications, crisis and issues management, corporate communications and publicity around major events at Nationals Park.

Prior to joining the Nationals, Giglio served as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs for Ogilvy Washington where she counseled an array of corporations, non-profit organizations, governments, and associations, including Eli Lilly, Susan G. Komen, Lance Armstrong, Dikembe Mutombo, Mexico, and the USO. Her work earned her the prestigious Emerging Leader Award from Washington Women in Public Relations in 2011.

Before Ogilvy, Giglio served as Deputy Press Secretary and Director of Operations for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee and was a political appointee in the Bush Administration. She also held positions with the Republican National Committee and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Rohini Kosoglu

Rohini Kosoglu currently serves as Chief of Staff on the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris For the People. Previously she served in the United States Senate for over a decade, most recently as Chief of Staff to Senator Kamala Harris.

During her time in the Senate, she has managed and negotiated key laws, including the Affordable Care Act. She has also served Policy Director and Senior Advisor to Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado and as a legislative aide to Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University.

Megan Whittemore

Megan Whittemore is a seasoned political advisor with more than a decade of experience working on Capitol Hill and running political campaigns. Megan is currently Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator David Perdue and previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. Megan helped lead Senator Perdue to a decisive victory in Georgia and retake the Senate Republican majority in 2014. Prior to the Senate, Megan served as Press Secretary for the House Majority Leader managing strategic initiatives and major media events for the House Republican Leadership team.

In 2018, Megan was elected by her peers to serve as President of the Senate Press Secretaries Association (SPSA), one of the most active and bipartisan professional organizations on Capitol Hill. In 2013, Megan was featured on the "PR People To Watch, Rising PR Stars 30 and Under" list by PR News.

Megan brings extensive broadcast media experience having started her career covering national politics for Fox News Channel. Megan is originally from New Jersey and a graduate of The George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs and Graduate School of Political Management.

Previous Alumni Achievement Award Winners

2018

Rochelle Dornatt, Class of 1981, Former Chief of Staff for former Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Tom Sawyer (D-Ohio)

Ben Fallon, Class of 1998, Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Legislative Affairs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Raul Damas, Class of 2002, Partner at Brunswick Group; Former Senior Director of Worldwide Media Relations and U.S. Policy at Pfizer

2017

Lindsey Schuh Cortés, Class of 2007, CEO of BlueLabs; Former Director of Strategic Partnerships and Deputy Political Director at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Barrett Karr, Class of 2000, Government Relations Manager at Silver Lake; Former Chief of Staff for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Elizabeth "Liz" Reicherts, Class of 2000, Vice President of Government Affairs at Siemens

2016

Janelle Brevard, Class of 2001, Director of Communications and Government Affairs at the Institute of Museum and Library Services; Senior Advisor and Speechwriter to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice

Stephanie Schriock, Class of 1997, President of EMILY's List; Former Campaign Manager for Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)

Paul Jung, M.D., Class of 2006, Senior Advisor to the Indian Health Service; Former Acting Director of the Commissioned Corps Headquarters at the Office of the Surgeon General

2015

Traci Scott, Class of 1996, Senior Advisor for Strategic Communication at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Robert Hoopes, Class of 1992, President, VOX Global; Former Chief of Staff to Vice President Joe Biden during the 2012 Democratic National Convention

E. Ivan Zapien, Class of 1995, Founder of Zapien Ventures; Former Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica

2014

Karen Makishima, Class of 2001, Representative of the Kanagawa 17th District, House of Representatives, National Diet of Japan

Matthew Chase, Class of 1998, Executive Director, National Association of Counties

Todd Webster, Class of 1996, Vice President, Cornerstone Government Affairs; Former Chief of Staff for Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.)

2013

Anne Caprara, Class of 2003, Chief of Staff for Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.)

Matt Rhoades, Class of 1999, Co-CEO of CGCN Group; Campaign Manager for the Mitt Romney 2012 Presidential Campaign