Top 10 Culture Leaders

On the Hill, some leaders hold influence because of their position, while others shape the culture simply by how they show up every day.

Culture leaders are the ones who bring positive energy, find solutions, work relentlessly, lend a helping hand, and make it a joy to go to work every day.

Meet CNCT's Top 10 Culture Leaders of the Hill...

Monika Konrad, the Legislative Director for Rep. Chuck Edwards, brings energy, enthusiasm, and an all-around positive attitude to the Hill.


Nominated by a former colleague from Congressman Amodei’s office, they describe her as the type of person who goes out of the way to buy a birthday card on behalf of the office, the one to make others feel welcome, and the one who gives junior staffers opportunities to learn and grow.

The marble halls of Congress can feel like a cold and intimidating place at times (actually, a lot of the time), so luckily we have a culture leader like Monika to liven it up!

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Le Bon (since Radici closed... RIP)

  2. D.C. restaurant: Zaytinya

  3. D.C. bar: Ivy & Coney

  4. TV show: Madam Secretary or Veep

  5. Book: Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

  6. Sports team: Detroit Lions / Michigan Wolverines

Sequoia Ragland, Health Policy Advisor for Rep. Marc Veasey, leads through her hard work and deep knowledge. With her boss being on the E&C Health Subcommittee, she’s an expert in her area, taking meetings with constituents and organizations with diverse viewpoints while working in tandem with the rest of her team.

Aside from her stellar work ethic, Sequoia brings a friendly and warm atmosphere to the Hill by mentoring junior staffers.

“She can and will talk to anyone, making others feel welcome in her space. She is a close confidant and an amazing networker … She has also established relationships with other offices, working in a bipartisan manner to move the needle on a piece of legislation or issue … She brings people along with her, never cutting the ladder behind her,” her nominator says.

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Le Bon Café is a true hidden gem! 

  1. D.C. restaurant: It’s a hard fight between Astoria and La’ Shukran - I can’t choose! 

  2. D.C. bar: Cana in Adams Morgan - their Maracuja Caipirinha is to die for. 

  3. TV show: Scandal (of course)! 

  4. Book: My favorite read in the past few years had to be Pachinko (by Min Jin Lee). 

  5. Sports team: I am a die hard, lifelong Eagles fan. GO BIRDS!

Whether helping a junior staffer with professional advice or brainstorming ideas with a senior staffer, Jordan Wilson is always helping others find solutions.

“He has truly made the Hill a better place through his leadership in House Operations,” one nominator writes.


As Director of Member Services at the Committee on House Administration, Jordan keeps an open mind and open door for new ideas and ways to help. 

“Jordan brings such a positive energy to the office, always complimenting and recognizing people for their work … [I] feel fortunate to have him as a colleague and friend,” says another nominator.

Be on the lookout for a full Staffer Spotlight on Jordan, coming soon!

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: The new Starbucks in Longworth. Thank you, CHA. PSLs all day!

  2. D.C. restaurant: Le Dip – the old faithful. You can catch me having three loaves of bread myself and a French martini.

  3. D.C. bar: L’Annexe in Georgetown

  4. Movie: Anything Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. I know, so basic.

  5. Book: Most recent favorite book is The Will of the Many (by James Islington). Everyone needs to drop what they are doing and read it!

  6. Sports team: F1 fan all the way. Forza Ferrari.

As Director of Operations & Scheduling for Rep. Mark Desaulnier, John Connolly does much more than managing logistics – he fosters the structure that allows the office to operate at its highest level. 

Staff and stakeholders alike know that, with John at the helm, details will be handled with care, conflicts will be resolved with diplomacy, and everyone will leave feeling respected.

“John stands out for the way he brings people together. His leadership is informed by a cultural lens that prizes authenticity, community, and joy … When not on the Hill, John is a fabulous cook and leads a choir of show tune karaoke singers at JR’s,” his nominator says.

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Cups always – it’s worth the walk from the House.

  2. D.C. restaurant: Flavio in Georgetown

  3. D.C. bar: JR’s on 17th Street, where you’ll probably find me singing “Defying Gravity.”

  4. Movie and show: Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Office

  5. Book: All of Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa cookbooks

  6. Sports team: The Eagles, obviously (Go Birds)

Mark Dreiling is the Chief of Staff for Rep. Don Bacon, who represents one of the most politically diverse districts in Congress. He is a veteran (Space Operations Officer and Missile Warning Crew Commander) and survivor of a near-fatal organ transplant. Oh and, by the way, he walked two miles in one day, four days after the transplant. Then, he was back to work in eight days.

If you visit Mark’s office, it’s decked out from floor to ceiling in military patches and is home to “Team Bacon” – who enjoy “Chick-fil-A Fridays,” courtesy of Mark.

“Mark fights for what’s right, not for what is easy. He’s not only the best boss I’ve ever had – he’s also the most deserving and most rad person that you could select for the top spot on your Top 10 list. We need more Marks on the Hill, and the Hill is a much better place with even just one of him there,” says the nominator.

Favorites:

  1. Restaurant: Ruth Chris’s in Crystal City and Alberto in the Eastern Market

  2. Shows: Any Star Trek show, Frasier, Big Bang Theory, Stranger Things

  3. Book: The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk

  4. Sports team: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Previously featured in a Staffer Spotlight and nominated twice for this list, Jannie Kamara is an active force in shaping the Capitol Hill culture. As the first Black woman to serve as President of the LGBT Congressional Staff Association, Jannie builds community through active engagement and leadership. 

One nominator writes, “She has served as a phenomenal and dedicated staffer in then-Representative, now-Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester’s office and Representative Jennifer McClellan’s office. She brings kindness and empathy to every person she meets on Capitol Hill. As the child of two immigrants from Sierra Leone, she is the epitome of what the American dream should look like.”

Jannie also leads through the ways she connects with others, focusing on “shared humanity before political differences.”

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Cups 

  2. D.C. restaurant: Sweet Sweet Kitchen 

  3. D.C. bar: Bar Chinois 

  4. TV show: Scandal 

  5. Book: In Search of Our Mother's Gardens by Alice Walker 

  6. Sports team: The Bengals

Whether you’re staying late for votes or at the office in the early morning, you can count on Elli Dalton to be there with a smile and positive outlook.

“Elli goes above and beyond, whether working with fellow staff or with the Senator. She is always uplifting our office each and every day,” her nominator shares.

Previously working for Sen. Rick Scott in Tampa as his Finance Manager, Elli is now in D.C. where she works as his Deputy Director of Scheduling. Props to Elli for making the Hill a happy place!

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Sidamo Coffee and Tea

  2. D.C. restaurant: il Canale, Georgetown

  3. D.C. bar: Exiles Bar

  4. Movie: Inception

  5. Book: Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

  6. Sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

As Operations Director in Rep. Joe Neguse’s office, Emma Salas fosters a culture of professionalism, kindness, and efficiency by ensuring staff feel supported while maximizing the Member’s time in meaningful ways.

Beyond her own office, Emma has reportedly earned a reputation among Democratic schedulers as one of the very best in the field and an invaluable colleague both personally and professionally. Far from being a gatekeeper, she generously shares her “encyclopedia of scheduling knowledge” with younger peers.

“Emma’s impact isn’t confined to her work alone. She’s an icon who reminds everyone not to take life too seriously – whether it’s showing up to the office in her signature Crocs, lighting up the room at a reception, or simply bringing her infectious energy to every new connection she makes,” says her nominator.

When the Hill feels overwhelming and unknown, there’s nothing like seeing a friendly face to bring you back! Enter Austin Graham, the Legislative Director for Rep. Bryan Steil.

Austin leads the Hill’s culture through his dedication supporting younger staffers. The door never closes behind Austin – he’s consistently taking time out of his day to mentor staffers in his office and beyond.

“Austin is always interested in helping the next generation of Hill staff reach their goals and develop professionally … [He] proactively connects younger professionals with experienced staff outside his area of expertise so they can get a more holistic view of what careers are available, the skills they will need to succeed, and how to get ahead,” his nominator says.

Favorites:

  1. Hill coffee spot: Starbucks on Pennsylvania

  2. D.C. restaurant: Red Hen

  3. D.C. bar: Dubliner

  4. Movie: 12 Angry Men

  5. Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry

  6. Sports team: Baltimore Ravens

As Chief of Staff for Rep. Yvette Clarke, Chris Cox uses resources at-hand to better those around him. Chris isn’t just a culture leader, he’s a servant-leader as well.

“[Chris] helps junior staff navigate Capitol Hill and helps curate safe spaces for Black staffers,” his nominator shares.

With a background in health and tech policy, Chris is passionate about advocating for marginalized youth through policy and action. The proof is in his resume – with a long history serving in director-level positions for youth health programs. Chris carries that passion on to the Hill, setting the tone for what it means to be a culture leader.