MARC SABBAGH

I am currently chief of staff to Ron Ash, portfolio lead for Safety & Citizen Services at Accenture Federal Services in Washington, DC. I act as the second-in-command to define, drive, and champion the AFS S&CS strategy and advance strategic initiatives for mission-critical operations related to homeland security, law enforcement, energy, education, and global diplomacy.

Previously, I led and supported various AFS projects for the Department of State and other internationally-focused organizations and US government offices. I have experience in strategic assessments, technology strategy and implementation, change management and communications, enterprise performance management, research, public policy, and international affairs and economics. These efforts involved international travel to Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Accenture, I worked with the State Department and four US embassies as a virtual program coordinator. I also worked with the executive offices at four leading policy think-tanks and research institutions, including the Arab American Institute, where I was a communications and policy associate.

My MA capstone paper analyzed the impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon's cabinet formation and electoral politics. I completed a comparative research project on recent transitions and democratization in the Middle East for Rice's Political Science Honors Program and an Edmund Burke fellowship with the Catholic Family and Human Rights (C-FAM) Institute.

I graduated with an MA from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, focusing on Middle East studies and international economics. I received my BA in political science and history from Rice University.