Kelly Poulsen

Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Kelly is our Senior Vice President of Government Relations and guides Responsibility.org’s federal and state government relations work. She draws on her extensive experience in political advocacy and stakeholder engagement to shape policy and strengthen partnerships critical to making progress on the organization’s lifesaving missions.

Previously, Kelly worked for six years at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) as Vice President of Federal Government Relations, where she championed the passage of lifesaving impaired driving technology legislation and advocated for a Congressional policy agenda that supported Responsibility.org’s work on traffic safety issues and responsible consumption.

Prior to joining DISCUS, Kelly directed federal affairs for the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). She also served as Congressman Denny Rehberg’s (MT-At Large) advisor on financial services, tax and economic development issues and staffed the Congressman in his role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. She also served on the federal government affairs team at the National Association of Home Builders and began her career on Capitol Hill with Congressman Mark Green (WI-08).

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Kansas and lives with her husband and two sons in Arlington, VA.

Something you should know about Kelly? “I have been to multiple Final Four basketball tournaments to cheer on the Kansas Jayhawks (America’s team!)”