Spring 2026 Barbara Boxer Fellow
Yemisi Egbewole is the founder of Podium Strategies and a political commentator and consultant who has appeared on CNN, Fox News, BBC, News Nation, and MSNOW. She brings nearly a decade of federal government experience, including roles in Congress and the White House.
Previously, she served as Chief of Staff to the White House Press Office and an advisor to the White House Press Secretary. She played a key role in coordinating bilateral meetings, press conferences, and message planning on behalf of the President Biden.
Earlier in the administration, she was a Senior Legislative Affairs Advisor in the White House’s Office of Legislative Affairs. There, she helped guide Biden’s policy agenda for the first two years of his administration, passing legislation like the Chips and Science Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Yemisi is also a seasoned Senate staffer, having served in policy roles for Senator Amy Klobuchar on the Senate Commerce Committee and for Senator Mark Warner, where she worked on his tech, telecommunications, and trade portfolio.
Study Group: “Inside the Ecosystem: How Washington D.C. Actually Works”
This study group explores how Washington’s political ecosystem actually functions. We’ll look at D.C. from Capitol Hill to the West Wing, K Street, and national media. Drawing on my experience as a Senate staffer, White House advisor, consultant, and on-air commentator, students will examine how relationships, messaging, and institutional incentives shape policymaking in real time. We’ll break down a day in the life of a Hill staffer, the dynamics of the press corps, and how outside organizations and media voices influence outcomes. Guest sessions with current and former White House officials, senior Congressional staffers, national journalists, and strategists will help students understand how bipartisan common ground is built and more importantly, why it matters.
Tuesdays, 4PM – 6PM
February 3
February 10
February 17
February 24
March 3
March 10
March 24
March 31
April 7
April 14