Before 2012, Scott Astrada never imagined a career in politics and public service. After completing the dual Juris Doctor and MBA program at Marquette University in Wisconsin, Scott secured a position at a mid-level law firm working on housing and mortgage issues in their banking division, with every intention of rising the firm’s ranks. Instead it turned into 
a turning point in his career trajectory. Scott recalls, “I attended a meeting with White House and Treasury officials and JP Morgan executives to discuss housing policy implementation. I realized I wanted to be on their side of the table.”
Immediately after the meeting, on the advice of his boss, Scott made plans to move to Washington, D.C. As a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellow, Scott worked on housing finance reform with the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and with the National Council of La Raza on financial services and consumer financial protection policy. He then leveraged his experience into a post at the White House Office of Management and Budget in the Office of General Counsel.
Currently the Economic Policy Advisor to the Senate Democratic Leadership, Scott is pursuing a Master’s of Law degree at Georgetown University Law Center. Says Scott, “I believe I can have the biggest impact on building an inclusive financial marketplace from the legislative side — while using my background to provide a different perspective in policy making. Like Mr. Bryce Harlow, I am dedicated to building a clear, respectful, and cooperative dialogue between industry and government.”
