Matt Cournoyer

About Matt Cournoyer

I help organizations reach people wherever they are. I\'m a communications, public engagement, stakeholder relations, and public policy professional. My policy areas of focus include economic mobility, affordable housing, consumer protection, and the social safety net. I currently serve as Public and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) in Montgomery County, Maryland. In this role, I lead coordination of the agency\'s media relations, community affairs, and activities related to local and state legislation. Previously, I held public affairs and policy roles in several federal agencies, most recently as Policy Analyst for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\'s (CFPB) Office of Public Engagement. At CFPB, I conducted outreach to nonprofit stakeholders including community groups and consumer advocacy organizations. My other prior federal roles included serving as Social Science Analyst and Presidential Management Fellow in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Within HHS/ASPE\'s Office of Human Services Policy, I supported the federal interagency Council on Economic Mobility and led research initiatives related to fatherhood and families, equity, and engaging people with lived experience in federal policymaking. From 20••••22, I completed a full-time six-month detail assignment as a Policy Analyst for Economic Mobility on the White House Domestic Policy Council\'s Racial Justice and Equity team. As a Truman Scholar, I received my Master in Public Affairs (MPA) at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, where I studied domestic policy and earned a Certificate in Urban Policy. During my time at Princeton, I worked for the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey and conducted policy analysis for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency as part of a student research team. Before entering graduate school, I held several government and campaign communications positions for Senator Elizabeth Warren. As Press Secretary and Speechwriter for Senator Warren, I drafted all forms of written communication, shaped strategic communications strategies, and served as a liaison to the media. A Rhode Island native, I hold a BA from Northeastern University.

Experience

1. Public and Legislative Affairs Manager, Department of Housing and Community Affairs

   Montgomery County Government

   Jul 2025 — Present · Rockville, MD, US

   As Public and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), I lead coordination of the Department\'s media relations, community engagement, and legislative activities. DHCA is responsible for a range of programs related to ensuring that Montgomery County residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Education

• Northeastern University

  B.A.

  2007 — 2012

• Princeton University

  Master in Public Affairs (MPA)

  2018 — 2020

Skills

• International Relations
• Research
• Public Relations
• Community Outreach
• Policy Analysis
• Press Releases
• Creative Writing
• Grassroots Organizing
• Public Policy
• Strategic Communications
• Speech Writing
• Politics
• Political Science
• Political Campaigns
• Coalitions
• Event Planning