• EDUCATION:
  • B.A. - University of Michigan
  • M.S.W. - University of Pennsylvania

Cindy Brown

Principal

Bringing 15 years of legislative and political experience, Cindy Brown joined Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc. in 2009. Cindy now puts her political savvy, policy knowledge and successful relationships with both Democrats and Republicans to work for trade associations, corporations and other organizations off Capitol Hill.

As Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), Cindy served as the top strategic advisor for a six-term member of the House Ways and Means Committee and a leading member of the New Democrat Coalition. Overseeing a staff of 16, she coordinated political, legislative and media strategy on an array of critical issues including health care, tax, trade, energy and agriculture.

Recognizing early on that there was tremendous opportunity for moderates to increase their leverage in Congress, Cindy was instrumental in the revitalization of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), a group of business savvy, moderate House members. Cindy played a critical strategic role in formulating policy positions for the coalition as well as launching NDC’s successful Political Action Committee (PAC). Cindy continues to serve in an advisory capacity to the New Democrat Leadership and the NDC PAC.

Cindy also offered the NDC counsel on floor strategy, a skill she honed while serving as a floor assistant from 2003-2006, during Rep. Kind’s tenure as a Chief Deputy Whip. Cindy’s floor work helped the Democratic Leadership secure victories during a crucial time when both moderate Democrats and Progressives needed to reach consensus to regain the majority.

Throughout her career Cindy has been involved in health care policy; she began on Capitol Hill as a health care Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI). Later, before being elevated to Chief of Staff, Cindy served for four years as Rep. Kind’s Legislative Director, where she drafted numerous health care policy bills and amendments, including successful changes in Medicare reimbursement policy for rural providers. When Rep. Kind was appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, Cindy served as his principle staffer on the health subcommittee. She received the National Rural Health Association Legislative Staff Award for 2001.

Cindy lives with her husband and two children in Washington, D.C.