As part of their visit in October to the LBJ School for the Dean's Distinguished Leaders Series, Beth Jafari, chief of staff for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Maura Keefe, chief of staff for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), joined Dean Angela Evans to talk about the work of public service, from constituent services to legislative accomplishments. They discuss how to nurture the passion for working in public service, the crucial role of bipartisanship in the way the U.S. Senate works, and how things really work behind the scenes. Finally, they touch on the increasing number of women in positions of power on Capitol Hill, and how both Democrats and Republicans regard that as a positive thing.
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Jafari is chief of staff for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). A Houston native, she earned degrees in journalism and political science from Texas A&M University, and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law before beginning her Washington career working on domestic policy issues for Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas).
Keefe is chief of staff for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). A veteran political adviser, she has worked with candidates, campaigns, nonprofits and business clients, and is the former press secretary and chief of staff to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). She served as director of congressional affairs for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.