Stuart at age 2
For a woman, “Stuart” is one of those character-building names. Specifically, it has forced our Stuart to think on her toes, indulge in a regular dose of sarcasm and develop clever ways to dissolve any confusion during introductions.
Stuart grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, candy-striping, losing to her grandfather in tennis and acting in school plays. She ventured a little bit west for school to Oxford, Ohio, where she received her BA in Speech Communications at Miami University. During college, Stuart worked several summers behind the scenes at the Komen National Race for the Cure and on Capitol Hill at internships in both the Senate and the House. She rounded it out with a job waxing skis and renting out tents at Miami’s Outdoor Pursuit Center, and two semesters studying in Madrid, Spain.
Her diverse interests led her to the Communications Division at National Public Radio, where she worked closely with Member Stations, wrote for NPR’s online member newsletter, and contributed to the launch of a new radio show. Her interest in politics eventually led her to campaigns, and she has since worked extensively and tirelessly on local elections in DC. Now she’s advising candidates on strategy and messaging, helping clients like the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus pick up their only two seats in 2010, and working to preserve the Democratic majority in the New Jersey State Assembly in 2009.
When she’s not thinking about politics, Stuart attends the occasional yoga class, catches up with friends and wades through the typically large pile of unread New Yorkers that gather during election season.