Judy Schneider - Winner

Called a "legend" by Women in Government Relations (WGR), Judy Schneider is a pioneer in congressional studies with 42 years of Capitol Hill experience. As a specialist at the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and an adjunct scholar at The Brookings Institution, she has educated hundreds of Members of Congress and their staff on the rules of Congress. Prior to joining CRS in 1979, she served as research coordinator of the Senate Ethics Committee's Korean investigation, and as a professional staff member of the Senate Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System and the House Commission on Administrative Review.

An accomplished author, she co-wrote the comprehensive Congressional Deskbook, now in its sixth edition, as well as scores of CRS reports on parliamentary procedures for the House and Senate floor and committee, budget, and appropriation processes. She has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences and professional society annual meetings, and frequently meets with and delivers briefings to students, foreign visitors, executive branch personnel, and Members and congressional staff.

In 1998, Schneider received a PLEN Mentor Award for training and educating women in public policy. The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership selected her as a Fellow for the 108th Congress, where she worked with other fellows to strengthen and improve the institution. In 2004, she received the Distinguished Member Award from WGR and in 2015, the organization created the Judy Schneider Fellowship in recognition of her decades of service mentoring thousands of women through her "Direct Connect to Congress" series. The fellowship is a year-round program aimed at creating the next generation of talented and passionate female advocates. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from American University, and she performed graduate work at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

Theresa (Teri) A. Gullo - Assistant Director for Budget Analysis
Congressional Budget Office

Gullo has spent 33 years at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) preparing hundreds of reports, hearing testimonies, and articles for budget publications. Her ability to help Members and their staff understand the technical and time-consuming process of estimating the cost of legislation is an invaluable asset to Capitol Hill. In her decades of service to the CBO, Gullo has received the Director's Award for her "wealth of knowledge" and helped to create and lead CBO's State and Local Government Cost Estimates Unit. She currently serves as Assistant Director for Budget Analysis at CBO. Previously, she worked at the Urban Institute conducting research on a variety of public finance issues. She graduated from Scripps College with a bachelor's degree in American studies and received a master's degree in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley.

Chuck Kleeschulte - Senior Professional Member
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

A 27-year veteran of the Senate, Kleeschulte used his comprehensive knowledge of energy, natural resources, public lands and tribal issues to move legislation through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee under Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as her father, Former Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK). Kleeschulte's dedication to his work knows no bounds, as he once made a rough crossing through an Alaskan passage in a small boat just to meet with island residents unhappy with the effects of the Omnibus Public Lands Act. He was the first non-elected official to win the David P. Hutchens Public Service Award in 2012, and in March of this past year, he retired from the Senate having been commended in the Congressional Record by federal and state representatives from both parties. Upon his retirement, Sen. Murkowsi lauded him on the Senate floor as a "true public servant" and "one to emulate."

Janet Qureshi - Director of Case Management
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)

Qureshi has spent over 20 years working for Congressman Kevin Brady, having joined him during his tenure in the Texas State Legislature. In 2011, the Montgomery County Women's Council of Organizations honored her as a Woman of Distinction. Additionally, many letters to the editor and news articles have recognized her for outstanding constituent support, including one example that detailed her efforts to obtain the release of a constituent wrongly imprisoned in the Dominican Republic. Qureshi also works closely with the Lone Survivor Foundation to help veterans needing government assistance. Prior to working for Congressman Brady, she was an operating room nurse and volunteer. "I enjoy taking care of people, I love being an advocate for our constituents, and I hope to continue to do that," Qureshi said in a video from Congressman Brady's office.

Tracee Sutton - Legislative Director
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)

From intern to Legislative Director, Sutton has 24 years' experience on Capitol Hill, spending the last five in Senator Heitkamp's office. She has a myriad of legislative achievements to her name, just recently securing permanent flood protection for North Dakota communities as well as negotiating an understanding between FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that allowed for construction of vital flood control projects on deed-restricted land. She's maintained an extensive legislative portfolio and has achieved numerous accolades for her policy work in arenas such as transportation and the environment, including the 2012 John M. Agrey Award, the 2013 Kevin E. Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety, and the 2015 North Dakota Water Users Commodore Award. Sutton received her Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and Prelaw from Utah State University in 1995.