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ABOUT SPSA

In the 1970s, the Senate Press Secretaries Association was a pretty dismal group—great people but lousy cheddar cheese and jug wine receptions. In the 30-plus years since I was a member, the Association has really blossomed. There is attention to professional development, consideration of workplace issues of real relevance and, of course, a lot more fun. Bravo to those who built the bridge to the 21st century for the SPSA!

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Mike McCurry

SPSA Alumni & White House Press Secretary for President Clinton

Exclusive Events

SPSA-sponsored events are held on and off the Hill, providing members unique opportunities to meet and learn from one another and to connect with reporters and media professionals. Events include a monthly speaker series, Washington bureau tours, happy hours, and more.  

Career Opportunities

Our strong network across the Hill, Administration, and public relations firms means SPSA members have access to job postings and career development events that are not available anywhere else. Members receive a regular newsletter with exclusive job postings and upcoming networking events. 

Annual New York City Trip

At the beginning of each year, SPSA organizes a two-day trip to New York City, where members meet with news and media organizations to expand their network, share best practices, and learn about careers in other communications fields. Site visits have included ABC with George Stephanopoulos, CBS This Morning with Gayle King and John Dickerson, CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, Comedy Central, Viacom, Buzzfeed, Snapchat, NFL, MLB, HBO, and more.

MEET THE BOARD

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Josh Sorbe
President

Press Secretary, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee (Majority)

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Josh Sorbe is the Press Secretary for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois). Prior to the Judiciary Committee, he was the digital manager for U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) through her re-election and was the Development & Communications Officer at the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Raised in Brookings, South Dakota, Josh is a graduate of the University of South Dakota with degrees in economics and political science, where he served as Student Body President and was team captain of the Division I swim team. In his free time, Josh coaches cardio-strength training classes at VIDA Fitness and swims, bikes, and runs in preparation for an Ironman.

Phoebe Ferraiolo
Vice President

Deputy Communications Director, Appropriations Committee (Minority)​

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Phoebe Ferraiolo serves as the Deputy Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee under Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine). She previously held several positions on Senator Collins’ press team and was a Vice President at Cogent Strategies. Before moving to Washington, Phoebe worked as a Production Assistant for ABC and FOX News, as well as on U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte’s (R-New Hampshire) 2016 Campaign. Born and raised in Maine, Phoebe studied politics and communication at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

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Hannah Eddins
Membership

Press Secretary, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama)

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Hannah currently works for U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and has held various positions within his office since 2021. She is a two-time graduate of Auburn University, where she obtained a degree in public relations and a master’s degree in communication. In her free time, Hannah enjoys watching SEC football (War Eagle!) and trying new recipes.

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Eric Fejer
Digital Director

Deputy Press Secretary, U.S. Senate Finance Committee (Minority)

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Eric currently works for Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. With strong family ties to Idaho, Eric was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. After completing his education in Melbourne, he interned in Senator Crapo’s personal office, leading to his current role on the Committee. 

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Amy Hasenberg-Elliot
Events

Communications Director, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama)

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Amy Hasenberg-Elliott is the Communications Director for U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama). Amy has nearly a decade of diverse strategic communications experience, including working for U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania), U.S. Representatives Doug Collins (R-Georgia) and Will Hurd (R-Texas), U.S. House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Amy is a Wisconsin native and University of Wisconsin-Madison alumna—as such, her true passions include cheese, the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers.

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Natalie Ihrman
Events

Deputy Communications Director, U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma)

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Natalie Ihrman currently serves as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) and previously served as Deputy Press Secretary and Press Assistant for U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee). Before coming to Capitol Hill, Natalie worked as Deputy Executive Director of Women for Trump during the 2020 presidential election cycle, and interned twice for the White House Office of Speechwriting. Natalie graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a minor in journalism and mass communication from the George Washington University in the University Honors Program.

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Brandon Jackson
Treasurer

Deputy Press Secretary/Digital Director, U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee)

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Brandon Jackson serves as the Deputy Press Secretary and Digital Director for Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee). He is a Nashville, Tennessee native, and he studied Finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In his free time, Brandon enjoys cheering on the Vols and grilling steaks on his rooftop.

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Valeria Rivadeneira
Membership

Press Secretary, U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia)

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Valeria Rivadeneira is the Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. In her role, Valeria travels alongside the Senator and serves as a spokesperson and primary point of contact for Virginia-based press. Valeria graduated from the University of Maryland, where she earned a degree in Rhetoric & Political Culture. She was born in Bogotá, Colombia and immigrated to South Florida with her family.

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Elisabeth St. Onge
Secretary

Press Secretary, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

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Elisabeth St. Onge serves as Press Secretary for Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont). Prior to her current role, she worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Press Secretary & Digital Director for Representative Shontel Brown (D-Ohio). A proud Pennsylvanian, Elisabeth is a graduate of American University and holds a Master's Degree in Political Science with distinction in the concentration in Applied Politics. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in America's national parks.

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Brennan Sullivan
Events

Press Secretary, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan)

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Brennan serves as the Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan), who represents her home state of Michigan. Brennan started her career on Capitol Hill in 2019 as a staff assistant in Senator Peters’ office. She then served as Peters’ press assistant and deputy press secretary, before assuming her current role. Brennan is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois where she received bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science and captained her school’s women’s soccer team.

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