Carolyn’s parents instilled the importance of public service and giving back to one's community early in her life.  She was able to attend college through public grants and federal loans and witnessed her parents struggle with bankruptcy and job insecurities.  

Carolyn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Yale, A Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration with a focus on Public Finance from Syracuse University  After graduating, her father stated, “Carolyn, this country has invested in you. Now, you must give back to your country.”

Carolyn started her career as an aide to Senator Ron Wyden, working on health care, education, women’s issues, social issues and transportation. One of the most important lessons she learned there was how to stretch federal dollars to help people without leaving the next generation to drown in debt.  She went on to become a Professor at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy.  From 2007 to 2010, she took a leave of absence to be Director of Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office. There, she worked in a nonpartisan role to help the state balance the budget during the Great Recession.  During this time she also witnessed her aging parents struggle to afford their health care needs and medications. Carolyn understands her family’s experiences with the high cost of health care is not unique to her family and is part of the reason she decided to run for Congress.   

Carolyn will work tirelessly to pass creative, bold, and fiscally responsible policy that addresses the very real priorities of Georgians.