Fulcrum Public Affairs Welcomes Josie Villanueva

March 1, 2022 – Washington, D.C. – Fulcrum Public Affairs is excited to announce that Josie Villanueva, longtime senior Hill staffer and former Counselor to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is returning to Fulcrum as a Vice President.

Josie served in the Biden Administration for the Administration for Children & Families and Administration for Community Living at HHS. During her time at HHS, Josie worked on policies and programs related to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, unaccompanied minors from Central America, the repatriation and resettlement of Afghan arrivals, and early childcare programs. Reflecting on her time at HHS, Josie says, “I was impressed by the dedication of the White House and Secretary Becerra to work closely with governors, stakeholders, and community leaders to ensure that states are able to secure resources to support COVID-19 protections – everything from vaccines, boosters, PPE, funds to keep small businesses’ doors open – and to stay ahead of the virus.”

Between 2011 and 2020, and prior to her time at HHS and her earlier stint at Fulcrum, Josie built a career in the U.S. House and Senate for rising stars in the Congress. Josie has served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) who is the 1^st Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and sits on the House Ways & Means Committee and the Armed Services Committee. Prior to working with Rep. Horsford, she was a Legislative Assistant for Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who sits on the Senate Committees on Armed Services; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis; and Small Business and Entreprenurship. She also worked as a Legislative Correspondent for the Senate Judiciary Committee and Legislative Aide for Health and Education under Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).

“Josie’s hustle, passion, and professionalism are at the heart of our firm, and we’re happy to add her talents to what we offer our clients every day,” said Dana J. Thompson, Co-Founder and Partner.

Josie began her career in Washington through internships at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the White House Office of Health Reform in the Obama Administration, and fellowships in the Office of Rep. André Carson (D-IN-07), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and at the Center for Progressive Leadership. She is a native of Indiana and a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis.

“We are all excited to have Josie back on our team,” said Fulcrum Co-Founder and Partner Oscar Ramirez. “Josie brings an invaluable combination of substantive healthcare policy experience as well as political know-how. Her relationships and understanding of how the House, Senate and the Biden Administration work will be a welcome addition to our growing team.”