About Lorelei Kelly

Lorelei is a leading expert on the U.S. Congress, democracy innovation, and civic technology. With deep experience in public policy, national security, and participatory governance, she has spent over two decades advocating for a more informed, responsive, and effective Congress.

Lorelei led the congressional modernization portfolio on the research faculty at Georgetown University since 2016, where she focused on tools and practices to better reflect the needs of a diverse and data-rich society. Her work centered on integrating local knowledge and technological innovation into federal decision-making, promoting transparency, equity, and collaboration in the legislative process.

Previously, Lorelei led the Smart Congress Project at the New America Foundation and has advised numerous lawmakers, think tanks, and civic organizations. A passionate communicator, Lorelei frequently writes and speaks on topics related to democratic reform, emerging technology, and the importance of robust legislative branch capacity in the modern world.

Lorelei’s articles have appeared in the Atlantic, The Conversation, TechCrunch, Tech Policy Press, The Hill, Roll Call, Christian Science Monitor, Reuters, Defense News, Huffingtonpost, Washington Post, Slate, Tech Policy Press and Boston Globe. She has also authored speeches, playbooks and research reports, and is the co-author of two books: “Policy Matters: Educating Congress on Peace and Security” and “A Woman’s Guide to Talking About War and Peace.”

Lorelei has a B.A. from Grinnell College, a Masters degree in Politics and Economics from Stanford University, and she attended the Air Command and Staff College, U.S. Air Force.

Pro Bono/ Volunteer Advising

Tech Congress Advisory Board

Stanford Center on International Conflict and Negotiation, Northern Ireland Peace building Group

Public AI Network

Governance Future Network

Clients/Partners/Projects

Georgetown Democracy, Education + Service (GeoDES); Founder and Research Faculty Lead,  McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University

Lorelei supported Congressional reform with a focus on implementing the peacebuilding and civic engagement recommendations of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. 

Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University, Congressional Modernization Research Faculty Lead

Lorelei supported the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in the House of Representatives as part of a civil society cohort. Working adjacent to the institution, she was part of a team that helped the committee create and pass 202 bipartisan recommendations to renew and rebuild responsive, informed and effective representative capacity. I also created the curriculum, Shape=>Structure=> Share, a roadmap for digital public infrastructure in US Democracy, with playbooks.

Resilient Democracy Coalition, Founder and Director

This group of organizations collaborated on research and implementation to help the US Congress succeed in the 21st century. Headquartered at the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown,  its founding partners were the Edward M Kennedy Institute for the Senate, Congressional Management Foundation and Voice of the People. Lorelei wrote the first scoping report for Congressional modernization with this coalition.

Smart Congress Program New America Foundation, Founder and Director

This congressional informatics project explored ways to leverage technology and new transparency requirements in the US Congress. Research included technical systems, free and open source tools, cyber-security, Internet Freedom, privacy, transparency, civic engagement. Lorelei wrote Congress’ Wicked Problem, the first white paper to outline the systemic information failure of Congress.

Clients & Partners say…

  • “Lorelei is one of the most brilliant people I've ever worked with. Her understanding of complex global security issues is both broad and deep. She gives 200% to every project we've worked on together - whether analyzing cybersecurity strategies, co-authoring a chapter, or speaking on a panel. Her understanding of government, its challenges and inner-workings is a real asset to anyone who has the privilege of working with her.”

    — Sarah Granger, Co-Content Marketing Leader, STEM Storyteller, Author of The Digital Mystique

  • “Lorelei’s expertise in rebuilding Congressional capacity is unparalleled, and her efforts have been instrumental in developing modern, inclusive governance models that enhance legislative responsiveness and effectiveness. Throughout her career she has championed initiatives that integrate data-driven decision-making, participatory governance, and bipartisan collaboration—critical components in fostering durable peace and stability in any democracy.” 

    – Laura Blessing, PhD, Senior Fellow, The Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University

  • "By 2003 the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) was in danger of becoming a casualty of "Force Realignment," and closure. Lorelei stepped in and worked tirelessly to take the fight to the halls of Congress, enabling the Peacekeeping Institute to become PKSOI. I was honored to work, with Lorelei in that effort. She has great personal dedication, ethics and honor. I would highly recommend her for any position worthy of her abilities and dedication to duty, with honor, for her country.”

    – Stephen Henthorne, QCVS, Director at Joint Multinational Stability Operations Network