Today, Groundwork Collaborative announced the addition of two Senior Fellows to its policy, advocacy, and research team. Janelle Jones and Grayson Flood join Groundwork with deep experience leading cutting-edge research and developing economic policy in roles across government, research organizations, advocacy, and labor unions.
Jones, the former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor under President Biden, will focus her research on economic data insights, labor policy, and artificial intelligence. Flood, previously legislative director and senior adviser to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, will pursue research on public power, energy markets, and policy solutions to lower utility bills for working families.
“As President Trump and Republicans continue to drive up prices, Groundwork is delivering the counterpunch by bringing in world-class talent to advance policy solutions that make life more affordable for working families,” said Groundwork’s Chief of Policy and Advocacy Alex Jacquez. “Janelle and Grayson will build on our ongoing work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions to lower costs, increase paychecks, and make our economy work better for everyday Americans.”
Janelle Jones returns to Groundwork after serving as the chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor in the Biden-Harris Administration. She also served as the chief economist and policy director at the Service Employees International Union. Earlier in her career, Jones held positions at Groundwork Collaborative, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Economic Policy Institute, and the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
In addition to her experience in the government and nonprofit sectors, Jones is a leading economic researcher on racial inequality, unemployment, job quality, and unions. She is a proud Spelman College graduate and former Peace Corps Volunteer.
Grayson Flood previously served as legislative director and policy adviser to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where he managed the congresswoman’s legislative portfolio; advised on issues spanning energy, labor, housing, and trade; and informed her work on the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources.
Prior to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s office, Grayson held various roles in the non-profit and private energy sectors as well as policy and leadership positions for a number of successful state legislative and electoral campaigns. He holds a degree in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.