Where Are They Now? Kaitlin Denney

On her first day working under Senator Kamala Harris, Kaitlin Denney made a special delivery.

Highlighter in hand, Denney traversed the Capitol searching for the hearing room where Harris was among the lawmakers questioning Attorney General William Barr about the Mueller Report. Once she found it, she wasn't sure which door to use.

"I was like 'Oh my god, I'm going to mess up this big moment for her,'" Denney recounted with a chuckle.

In the end, Harris received her highlighter without incident, and Denney got an indelible introduction to her new position as special assistant to the Senator from California.

Since that day in May 2019, the GW sailing alumna has savored a work environment in which even the most seemingly mundane task can take on unexpected excitement.

As Harris' profile has surged with a Presidential run and a VP spot on the Democratic ticket, Denney has continued to support her work in the Senate. The Massachusetts native's main duty is to compile and organize the Senator's daily briefing materials, and she also pitches on all sorts of projects, including event scheduling and staffing, to help keep the office running smoothly.

"It's been a really cool experience," said Denney, who earned her undergraduate degree in International Affairs ('14) before returning to the Elliott School to earn a master's in International Development Studies ('17). "I definitely have moments where I'm like geeking out and I can't believe it, but more than anything, I respect the senator so much. She's just someone I've always dreamed of working for. To see a woman and a woman of color be upheld on the national stage, and to have even a tiny role with it, that's meant a lot to me."

Denney is thankful for her GW experiences, both on and off the water, that helped pave the way.

Denney fondly remembers her recruitment when the captains of the club sailing squad sat her and her parents down in the Marvin Center and made their pitch. After two seasons of club competition, she was part of the program's jump to varsity status in 2012.

From start to finish, her time in Buff and Blue was a rewarding journey that yielded countless life lessons and lifelong friends.

"It was a really cool thing to be a part of," said Denney, who helped the Colonials make history in qualifying for the Atlantic Coast Women's Championship as a senior in 2013-14. "We all supported each other so much and had put so much time and energy into it, and because we'd all developed such close friendships through that process, it was like we were all succeeding together."

Arriving at GW, Denney wasn't dreaming of a career in politics. She planned to pursue national security and later pivoted to international policy following her interest in global women's rights.

After a post-grad year as part of a Catholic volunteer program in Jamaica, Denney still wasn't sure. She received acceptances to several graduate schools but decided to return to Foggy Bottom.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew at GW all the professors are so invested in your success and would be really supportive of helping me find that path," Denney said. "That turned out to be exactly right."

Denney's studies naturally produced a series of #OnlyatGW moments, including internships with the Peace Corps, U.N. Foundation and Save the Children.

Her favorite came during grad school in 2016. She started one morning in class at GW and unexpectedly ended the day at the United State of Women Summit watching President Barack Obama introducing First Lady Michelle's keynote address.

"I got to see Obama introduce his wife on stage talking about women's equality and women's rights," Denney said. "That was one of the coolest moments of my life, and if I wasn't on campus at GW, I wouldn't have been able to experience it."

Working full-time at Save the Children, Denney started getting more interested in the happenings on Capitol Hill when her focus switched to the humanitarian aid organization's domestic efforts.

Last year, a fellow GW alum notified Denney of a job opening in Harris' office, and she jumped at the opportunity to apply, eventually landing a role supporting the rapidly rising politician.

It's been an enlightening 17 months, starting with that memorable first day when Harris gained attention for her pointed questioning of Barr at the hearing. Denney's work on the daily briefing – compiling memos, talking points and logistical information relevant to the day's agenda – is essential to helping the fastidious senator keep up amid a busy schedule.

As Election Day draws near, Denney believes it's vital for everyone to do their part, and she's glad to see her alma mater supporting voter registration and informed participation through the #OnlyatGW Voting Initiative. The former Colonial is set to speak to student-athletes on Monday as part of a virtual event titled Your Voice Matters that also features GW Provost Brian Blake. (Register here.)

"I've been very impressed with what GW's done," said Denney, whose long-term goals include one day running for office. "I know a lot of this initiative has been led and pushed for by students, which I think is just incredible. I think that's what we need right now. I feel like this country's in such a state. People are so upset, so hurt, and to see students really hearing that and being active and pushing for change in their own communities has been so impressive to me."

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