Michele Nellenbach

Michele Nellenbach advises clients on federal legislative strategies, focusing on technology, energy, infrastructure, corporate governance, workforce, and small businesses.

Michele served nearly 13 years on Capitol Hill, including working for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for over six years. Michele was the lead staffer on the Committee for Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Waters of the US Issues, including the intersection with Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and pesticides. She began her Hill career in the office of former Senator Frank Murkowski and then on the staff of former Representative Nancy Johnson.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Michele was the vice president of Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) strategic initiatives, where she launched BPC's technology/AI and corporate governance projects. Further, she oversaw several policy teams of over 40 staff members, including housing, energy, tech, infrastructure, and democracy. Before being promoted to vice president, Michele advocated for energy innovation as a member of BPC Action, co-directed the Commission on Political Reform, and managed BPC's Former Governors Council.

Michele earned a master's degree in political science from the American University in Washington, DC, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Connecticut. She served as a Stennis Fellow during the 109th Congress.