Sessions & Speakers

Karen McCarthy serves as vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), where she leads the association's federal advocacy strategy and public policy initiatives. As NASFAA's chief lobbyist and primary liaison to Congress and the U.S. Department of Education, Karen plays a central role in shaping national financial aid policy and legislative efforts. Karen has held multiple leadership roles within NASFAA, where she has overseen public policy development, regulatory analysis, research initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. Her work has been instrumental in advancing federal student aid policy, simplifying the FAFSA process, and ensuring effective communication between policymakers and practitioners. Her background also includes direct institutional experience in financial aid administration at Boston University and Miami University of Ohio. With a strong foundation in student advising, regulatory compliance, and technical training, Karen brings a comprehensive understanding of both policy and practice to her work. A native of Massachusetts, she holds a master's degree from The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree from Cornell University.

Nalia Medina is the assistant director of government relations on NASFAA's policy team. She assists with analysis of timely higher education legislation, contributes to NASFAA's government relations and advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels, and helps enhance the advocacy capacity of NASFAA members. She brings experience in policy and advocacy through her previous role as an intern on Capitol Hill. She is a first-generation graduate from The George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration.

Rachel contributes to NASFAA's policy and advocacy efforts, representing the association before congressional members and staff and working to enhance the advocacy capacity of its members. Prior to joining NASFAA, Rachel worked in higher education policy analysis and research in Washington, D.C., and began her career in higher education as a high school college advisor assisting low-income and first-generation students through the college application and financial aid process.