Alex Sternhell 
Principal

With over two decades of experience working on Capitol Hill and lobbying on behalf of some of the world’s largest companies, Alex Sternhell is recognized as a top Washington strategist in helping to shape our nation’s public policy agenda.

Prior to founding the Sternhell Group, Alex served as the Democratic Deputy Staff Director and Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to Chairman Christopher Dodd (DCT). He also served as the Staff Director for the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Securities and Investment. Additionally, he worked in legislative policy positions for three Members of the House of Representatives.

Alex worked closely with Senate Democratic leadership and the Democratic Caucus while coordinating and managing Committee bills on the Senate floor. Alex has played a key role in drafting and negotiating nearly every major piece of financial services legislation before Congress in recent history, including Sarbanes-Oxley, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley. He also developed a reputation as a tough negotiator on legislation involving consumer protection, data privacy, tort reform, bankruptcy reform, and asbestos reform.

In addition to managing all business before the Committee for the Chairman, Alex was responsible for overseeing the staff and budgetary issues. Alex wrote speeches, press releases, coordinated national media interviews, and served as a spokesperson to the press on behalf of the Committee.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, from Louisiana State University. He has been regularly named by the Capitol Hill publication "The Hill" as one of Washington's top lobbyists. He resides in Chevy Chase, Md. with his wife and two daughters.

Mike Ahern 
Principal

Mike brings an extensive background in public policy, strategy, financial services and politics to the Sternhell Group. Prior to joining the Sternhell Group in 2017, he spent 12 years on Capitol Hill, working in both the House and Senate. 

Mike worked for Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) advising the Senator on financial services and economic policy. Prior to working for Senator Corker, Mike served as Senior Professional Staff on the House Financial Services Committee, where he specialized in capital markets, FinTech, and housing policy. 

Mike began his career in Washington working for Representative Ed Royce (R- CA), eventually serving as his Legislative Director. During his time with Rep. Royce, Mike served as a minority staffer on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Committee. 

Mike has a BS in Economics from UC San Diego and a MS in Finance from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

Joseph Cortina
Principal

Joseph brings nearly a decade of experience working in Capitol Hill Leadership, on campaigns, and in government relations. Most recently, Joseph served as Director of Government Affairs at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (The Big "I") where he managed public policy and political outreach to all House and Senate Democrats.

Prior to the Big "I", Joseph served as an aide to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD). Joseph began his career working for Rep. Pete Gallego (D-TX).

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. He resides in Arlington, VA with his fiancé.

Morgan Bevin
Principal

Prior to joining Sternhell Group, Morgan served as a Professional Staff Member for the House Financial Services Committee under Rep. Patrick McHenry, focusing on capital markets and financial technology issues. She has also worked as a consultant for a variety of startups, working with clients across the global emerging technology and financial services sectors. Morgan is a native of the greater Seattle area and attended the University of Washington and Grove City College. She holds a BS in Finance. 

Brigid Campbell
Executive Assistant/Operations Manager

Brigid Campbell is Executive Assistant/Operations Manager at Sternhell Group. In her role, she handles scheduling for the Principal & Founder, manages the day-to-day operations of the office, and supports business development. 

Previously, Brigid served as Scheduler in the Office of Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. She began her career as an intern in the offices of both Congressman Matt Cartwright and Jerrold Nadler, then as a campaign fellow for Hillary for America. Before returning to the house as a staffer, she spent the 2018 campaign cycle in direct mail consulting, as an Account Associate at the Pivot Group, where she primarily worked with the Pennsylvania and Maryland House Caucuses.

Brigid holds a Bachelor of Science in International Studies from the University of Scranton, and studied history, political science and Spanish at Queen Mary University of London.

Chris LaRose
Policy Analyst

Chris brings seven years of experience in politics and financial services policy to the Sternhell Group. Prior to joining the Sternhell Group, Chris served as the State Affairs Manager at the Financial Services Institute (FSI) where he developed and implemented advocacy action plans designed to achieve legislative and regulatory victories for association members. Prior to FSI, Chris served as U.S. Policy Associate for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., (ISDA) working to implement legislative and regulatory policy changes affecting the swaps and derivatives markets throughout the country.

Previously, Chris worked on the re-election campaign for former Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA). Chris also has prior experience working on a presidential campaign as well as Capitol Hill.

Chris graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, with concentrations in Finance and Accounting, and a Minor in Government.