Kelly Bovio

Adjunct Fellow, Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy

Contact Information:

Education:

B.A. in communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst (1992)

M.A. in international relations, American University School of International Service (1997)

Personal Statement:

Areas of expertise: Health policy, education policy

Bovio is director of government relations and director of the Biomedical Innovation Program at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Previously, she served as senior policy adviser for the Alliance for Business Leadership. Prior to joining the Alliance, Bovio served as senior legislative assistant to Sens. John Kerry and Ernest "Fritz" Hollings and director of rural development to Rep. John Olver. She specialized in health and education policy, and was instrumental in drafting Kerry's first major piece of health legislation, "The Nurse Reinvestment Act." Bovio also drafted the initial framework of Kerry's health care plan for his presidential platform. While working for Hollings and Olver, both members of the Appropriations Committee, Bovio secured millions of dollars in support for community economic development projects. She also oversaw Olver's Foreign Operations subcommittee assignment, and directed his vice-chairmanship of the Albanian Issues Caucus during the Balkan crises. In addition to her Congressional experience, Bovio directed the Denver Student Voices Project, an Annenberg Foundation program aimed at improving high school civic education and promoting student activism. She also served as chief policy and advocacy officer for Horizons for Homeless Children.