As Senior Legislative Director, Susie Saavedra is charged with developing advocacy strategies that support the Urban League’s stated goals to provide quality, accessible healthcare; and education that prepares children for college work and life. Ms. Saavedra monitors and analyzes legislative and regulatory activity, provides direction and counsel on advocacy strategies and is the Urban League’s representative on a number of coalitions related to education reform and healthcare.
Ms. Saavedra also leads the education and healthcare Affiliate Task Force groups, helping Urban League CEOs stay abreast of national policy developments and offering counsel on the implications at the state level and providing technical assistance so they can advocate for their interests at the state and local level.
Ms. Saavedra brings more than a decade of congressional experience working on policies to meet the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. She has worked in both the House and Senate for high-profile members including then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and most recently as a Legislative Director for Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37). In 2011, Ms. Saavedra was elected by her peers to serve as the President of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association.
Ms. Saavedra received a Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Denver.