Joel Packer, Executive Director
The former director of educational policy and practice at the National Education Association, Joel Packer offers our clients his extensive knowledge of the issues and people involved in federal education policy. Joel has successfully represented educators, state universities and college students before Congress and the Administration for more than 34 years. He combines messaging, coalition building and direct advocacy on a broad range of education and budget issues.
Joel was at NEA for 25 years, most recently as director of educational policy and practice. At NEA, he was responsible for key issues, including school readiness, standards, testing and accountability, teaching and learning conditions, educator quality, parent involvement, funding, special education, high school reform, 21st century skills/STEM issues, English Language Learners, voucher programs and charter schools.
Joel also led NEA’s policy and advocacy work on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was the organization’s lead liaison with the U.S. Department of Education. He previously was a NEA lobbyist, covering issues including higher education, family and medical leave, the Brady bill, school prayer, civil rights, judicial nominations, health care and environmental hazards in schools.
He has testified numerous times before congressional committees and spoken before a broad range of organizations. Joel is quoted in the media regularly, and he has appeared on many radio talk shows.
In 1993 Joel served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in the U.S. Department of Labor. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Career Highlights:
- Director of Educational Policy and Practice at the National Education Association
- Respected and recognized commentator on national education issues
- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in the U.S. Department of Labor
Courtney R. Snowden
A Washington, DC native with a wealth of political and legislative experience, Courtney Snowden helps our clients achieve their public policy goals through direct lobbying, strategic planning and coalition building.
Prior to joining The Raben Group, Courtney served as a lobbyist for the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), directing their advocacy efforts on a variety of legislative issues, including budget and appropriations, vouchers, and No Child Left Behind. Courtney also served as the federal policy manager for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). At GLSEN, she developed proactive strategies to raise awareness among members of Congress and the public on the detrimental impact of bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
Courtney began her career in the office of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), where she was responsible for advising Congresswoman Baldwin on an array of legislative issues, including animal rights, small business, labor and Native American and women’s issues. She then joined the legislative staff of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay and lesbian political organization.
Courtney earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. A highlight of her undergraduate career was her candidacy for the Beloit City Council. Although the youngest candidate in the nine-person field, Courtney garnered broad community support and was only five percent shy of winning a council seat.
Career Highlights:
- Lobbyist for the National Parent Teacher Association
- Federal Policy Manager for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Netword
- Aide to Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
Rosa Mendoza
A former Hill staffer and media relations executive, Rosa Mendoza assists our clients with coalition building, strategic planning and research, with a particular focus on the firm’s LatinStrategies division.
Prior to joining The Raben Group, Rosa served as the assistant finance director and scheduler for Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX). As the primary point of contact for Congressman Cuellar, Rosa communicated with donors and constituents, coordinated fundraising events and maintained the calendar.
Previously, Rosa served as the media relations executive for the Hispanic Communications Network (HCN), which designs customized radio, television and print media campaigns for the Latino market. In this role, Rosa built relationships with media affiliates, assisted with program development, and helped execute several of the firm’s large scale media campaigns.
Before coming to Washington DC, Rosa served as the coordinator for the Chicano/Latino Cultural Center and as the principal assistant to the director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Washington State University.
Rosa holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis in public relations and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in higher education administration from Washington State University. She is fluent in Spanish.
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Broderick D. Johnson
Broderick worked on Capitol Hill as a staff assistant for the Committee on Education and Labor Investigations staff. In that role, he helped senior staff analyze portions of legislation concerning health insurance reform and food safety in schools. Broderick also assisted investigative counsel with their efforts to collect documents from targeted mining companies during the Committee’s 2010 mine safety investigation. Before his employment on Capitol Hill, Broderick was an intern for Wells Fargo Advisors. He helped financial advisors with client portfolios, investments and marketing.
A native of California, Broderick graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing.