Russell DeGraff spent nearly two decades on Capitol Hill, culminating in 12 impactful years as the chief climate and technology advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. DeGraff's extensive experience in policy and strategic communications helped him advance numerous policy initiatives. DeGraff played a key role in helping Congress architect, enact, explain and enforce significant legislation. DeGraff was at the forefront of forming coalitions and leading negotiations to enact policies and laws spanning administrations from different parties, reflecting his skill in bipartisan collaboration.
DeGraff's work included advocating for digital freedom and inclusivity, fostering job creation in innovative American industries, combating pollution to protect the environment, spurring scientific advancements through policy reform, and enhancing healthcare accessibility and included pivotal contributions to President Biden's "Investing in America" jobs strategy, featuring landmark laws like the Inflation Reduction Act, widely recognized as a historic measure against the climate crisis, the CHIPS & Science Act to revolutionize federal scientific policy, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, focusing on universal, high-speed internet access, among others.
Before his advisory role to Speaker Pelosi, DeGraff served as the Legislative Director and Assistant to Congressman Mike Doyle, focusing on sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer protection. Before the Hill, he worked as a Policy Analyst at Consumer Reports and was a Truman Scholar from Butler University.