Melissa Clarke

Nearly a decade of experience navigating complex New York State and New York City legislative, executive, and regulatory environments. Proven track record developing government affairs strategies, advising senior leadership, building relationships with elected officials and government agencies, and leading complex legislative, budget, and policy initiatives. Experienced in translating complex policy and regulatory dynamics into actionable strategies, building cross-sector coalitions, managing stakeholder relationships, and advancing priorities from legislative development through implementation.

New York Policy Director at uAspire (2022-04 – Present)

• Serve as the organization's primary government affairs lead, owning New York State legislative and executive branch strategy and advising executive leadership on legislative priorities, budget negotiations, agency engagement, implementation risks, and emerging policy opportunities.
• Lead statewide legislative and budget strategy from policy development through implementation, cultivating legislative and executive champions, coordinating coalitions, navigating negotiations, and managing relationships with policymakers and government stakeholders.
• Lead government affairs strategy across multiple legislative and executive priorities, assessing political and policy dynamics, identifying engagement opportunities, and translating external developments into organizational strategy and action.
• Led statewide advocacy contributing to a historic expansion of NY's Tuition Assistance Program, opening eligibility to 48,000+ additional students and increasing access to state financial aid.
• Led legislative strategy and coalition management that helped secure a $20 million expansion of CUNY and SUNY ASAP and ACE programs, coordinating 10+ stakeholder organizations and testifying before budget committees.
• Led government affairs advocacy that contributed to $64.6 million in state investment in the College in High School Opportunity Fund, working with legislative staff, government stakeholders, education partners, and cross-sector organizations to advance shared priorities.
• Build and manage executive-level relationships with senior government officials, elected officials, agency leaders, legislative staff, institutional leaders, philanthropic partners, and community stakeholders to advance strategic priorities.
• Represent the organization in legislative hearings, executive briefings, policy convenings, and national conferences, serving as a spokesperson and government affairs representative on policy and regulatory matters.
• Lead multi-stakeholder coalitions and cross-functional initiatives across government, nonprofit, philanthropic, communications, institutional, and implementation partners, aligning diverse interests and translating government affairs strategy into organizational execution.
• Manage and develop two direct reports and oversee a $500K+ portfolio of philanthropic partnerships, leading proposal strategy, renewal negotiations, reporting, and senior-level partner engagement across three funding partners.

Policy Associate at Children’s Defense Fund (2020-01 – 2022-04)

• Led state and city government affairs and policy strategy across three portfolios, engaging legislators, executive agencies, and regulatory stakeholders to advance legislative and agency-level reforms adopted into state policy.
• Developed legislative strategies, policy recommendations, briefings, testimony, reports, and executive-facing materials, translating complex policy issues into concise recommendations for government and organizational stakeholders.
• Built and maintained relationships with legislators, legislative staff, regulators, executive stakeholders, advocates, and coalition partners to advance shared policy priorities.
• Represented the organization in coalitions and task forces, partnering directly with legislators, regulators, and executive stakeholders to shape policy development and advocacy strategy.
• Monitored legislative, executive, and regulatory developments and translated emerging policy changes into strategic recommendations for organizational leadership.

Policy & Advocacy Coordinator at New York City Charter School Center (2018-07 – 2020-01)

• Monitored state and local legislative activity, producing rapid-response policy analysis, legislative briefings, and recommendations that directly informed organizational government affairs and advocacy strategy.
• Developed policy toolkits, legislative materials, and training resources that enabled non-specialist stakeholders to navigate legislative and regulatory processes and engage effectively with policymakers.
• Coordinated government affairs events, legislative engagement, and cross-sector stakeholder initiatives with elected officials, government stakeholders, and education leaders.
• Supported policy and advocacy strategy by building relationships with policymakers and external partners across New York City.

Public Policy Fellow at FPWA (Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies) (2017-09 – 2018-05)

• Conducted policy analysis on wage equity, workforce development, and nonprofit financial stability.
• Drafted testimony, policy materials, and advocacy recommendations for legislative and government audiences.
• Supported coalition advocacy and state budget campaigns securing new equity-focused funding investments.
• Coordinated engagement across a 350+ organization statewide network, aligning diverse stakeholders around shared legislative and budget priorities.

Master of Science – Columbia University (2018-05)