As Director of Public Policy, Colleen leads the organization’s state and local policy efforts by advocating for a policy agenda that supports the success of transition age foster youth. In addition, she also helps to shape the organization’s federal policy objectives and increase First Place’s national profile in the field of child welfare and supportive housing for foster youth. 

Colleen has over 15 years of experience in public policy and government relations. Prior to joining First Place, she worked in the Office of Government Relations for the Los Angeles Unified School District where she was responsible for advocating on the federal and state level for budgetary and legislative issues in support of the students and staff of the second largest school district in the nation.

Her previous positions include working for the Government and Legislative Affairs Division with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s (RR/CC) office and for the New York City Council in their Legislative Division. Colleen received a Bachelor degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Master degree in Public Administration from New York University.