Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Chief of Staff, District of Columbia Department of Human Services
Raessa is a highly skilled public-sector strategist with over a decade of experience in driving system-level changes across both federal and local government. As DHS’s Chief of Staff, Raessa collaborates across DHS to advance strategic priorities, enhance inter-program coordination, and supports DHS’s teams in delivering high-quality services to District residents. Prior to joining DHS she served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF). In this role, she helped lead the $4 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and supported initiatives to enhance the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities. Raessa has also made significant contributions as ACF’s first Senior Policy Advisor on Homelessness, where she developed national strategies to support youth and families, and built partnerships across federal, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Raessa holds dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Work from Boston University and resides in Southeast DC.
