Karen Quarles is America Forward's Government Affairs Director, where she is responsible for leading our Higher Education and Appropriations policy and advocacy work and partnering on emerging policy issues (from juvenile justice to child welfare). Karen has spent more than twenty-five years in both the public and private sectors advancing public policy at all levels of government. Most recently, Karen

As a member of the America Forward Policy team, Xavier focuses on policy solutions pertaining to economic mobility, social innovation, and higher education. He supports efforts toward Coalition coordination, congressional relations, and policy engagement. He also co-authors ongoing research at America Forward regarding evidence funds and social innovation policy. Xavier is an Up To Us alumnus, The Fund For American