Chelsea Kaser

• Managed comprehensive policy portfolio of nine Middle Eastern countries (Gulf Cooperation Council Region), providing objective analysis on human trafficking trends and government compliance and translating complex research and policy analysis into accessible, persuasive narratives for diverse audiences, resulting in 50+ country policy assessments and over 200+ actionable recommendations in high-profile Congressionally- mandated annual report on human trafficking (2021-2025 Trafficking in Persons or TIP Report).

• Built and maintained 250+ strategic relationships with government officials, Congressional staff, advocacy organizations, and civil society groups across the Middle East, serving as primary liaison and trusted point of contact. Led direct bilateral engagement efforts including international travel and high-level meetings that resulted in measurable policy outcomes such as expanded worker protections, improved victim identification procedures, and increased shelter access for vulnerable populations.

• Prepared reports, policy papers, oral and written briefings and front-channel cables for senior leadership and interagency partners on diplomatic, political, economic and security developments across the Middle East based on 15 official overseas visits. Responded to requests for information, synthesized complex geopolitical trends, and provided actionable reporting that informed U.S. engagement strategies and policy decisions.

• Directed data collection efforts by nine embassy teams, performed intensive open-source research, monitored legal and policy developments, and conducted qualitative interviews with government officials, policy makers, labor rights groups, NGOs, international organizations and migrant community members to document trafficking-related human rights abuses and assess government efforts to protect vulnerable communities and hold perpetrators accountable.

• Developed, implemented and managed technical assistance and capacity building programs for foreign government officials across the Middle East Gulf region, including 10+ International Visitors Leadership Programs (IVLP) and 3+ multi-week specialized training programs for foreign judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers. Collaborated with program officers and U.S. interagency partners to design specialized curricula, strengthening officials’ capacity to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases and implement victim-centered protection measures.

• Produced evidence-based analysis and policy recommendations on trafficking trends, migrant vulnerabilities, and government responses across the Middle East Gulf region, integrating research from diverse sources to inform U.S. engagement strategies and develop targeted advocacy approaches that successfully prevented trafficking-related human rights abuses.

• Represented office at regional conferences, roundtables and forums to build strategic relationships and drive awareness of key initiatives. Crafted trauma-informed messaging for multiple platforms—including 3+ formal Congressional inquiry responses, op-eds, and senior official talking points—to build understanding of anti-trafficking best practices and advocate for migrant rights and protections.

• Managed Department’s Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Programs, facilitated contract acquisition process and budget management, and led external engagement with partner organizations to annually place 60+ PhD-level scientists, doctors, and technologists into the department as Fellows.

• Managed end-to-end coordination and logistics of 4 public-facing virtual events to elevate Department's profile: conducted strategic planning, curated participants based on topic and geographic focus, developed content and briefing materials, moderated panel discussions, and facilitated post-event partnership building among innovators, Department leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Developed and designed streamlined processes for Fellowship programs to achieve consensus with partners and gain desired results in program expansion, resulting in a 50% increase in Fellow placements compared with 2017, the first new Fellowship program in 18 years, and enabling over 75% of Fellows to start employment on time, compared with less than 50% in previous years.

*Contractor for U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security

• Supported security clearance process by reviewing all security packages for completeness and accuracy, entering and editing background investigation case data, performing necessary record checks, and collaborating closely with investigators to ensure timely and accurate processing of security clearances.

• Administered comprehensive security policies, procedures, and training programs to protect information, personnel, property, and facilities from unauthorized disclosure and threats and managed the issuance and safeguarding of government furnished equipment to employees in compliance with contract regulations.