FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/18/2023
media@conginst.org
The Congressional Institute Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Kelle Strickland as the Institute’s new President and CEO, effective June 5. She succeeds Mark Strand, who is retiring after 16 years with the organization.
“Kelle is the perfect choice to lead the Congressional Institute,” said Brenda Becker, Chairman of the Congressional Institute Board of Directors. “She is a seasoned professional, with broad and deep relationships in Congress. She has a keen understanding of the institution and an in-depth knowledge of its history, politics, and process. She is also an experienced manager, with a significant history of leading strategic planning and customer service focused teams. On both sides of the aisle, among leadership and rank-and-file, she is well-respected for her professionalism and integrity.”
Strickland has a 20-year career of public service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently serving as the Republican Staff Director and Counsel to Chairman Michael Guest (MS-03) at the Committee on Ethics, she works to uphold the integrity of the House as the principal ethics advisor to House leadership teams, Members of Congress, Staff Directors, and Chiefs of Staff. She previously held the same role from 2010 to 2012. Her House service also includes holding almost every position in a member’s office, from Intern, to Legislative Assistant, to six years as Legislative Director to former Congressman Jo Bonner (AL-01), and five years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26). From 2017 to 2020, she served as Chief of Staff in the nonpartisan Office of the Sergeant at Arms.
“I join the entire House community thanking Mark Strand for his leadership and devotion to the mission of the Congressional Institute,” said Strickland. “I am deeply honored and humbled to be chosen to join this impressive team. I could not be more excited to work collaboratively with the Board Members and key stakeholders, continuing my longtime service to others, and helping to move forward the Institute’s work to benefit Members of Congress and their constituents.”
A native of Mobile, Alabama, Strickland earned her J.D. at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and is a graduate of Spring Hill College. Kelle’s volunteer and civic efforts include her tenure as the 2017 RAMS Head, a 60-year-old organization of current and former senior staff. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Thompson-Markward Hall, a Washington, DC nonprofit. In 2021, Kelle received the Women’s Congressional Staff Foundation Leadership Impact Award, recognizing her leadership in creating meaningful change to improve the professional lives of women on and off Capitol Hill. Strickland is a member of the Washington, DC Bar, and will serve as the third President and CEO in the history of the Congressional Institute.
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