Bridget Gibbons Straughan is a Government Innovation Manager at Benefits Data Trust. In her role, she supports state agencies in creating and implementing action plans to make public benefits systems more equitable, dignified, and proactive. Since joining BDT in 2015, she has held a variety of roles focused on program and relationship management with government partners to implement BDT’s outreach initiatives in New York City, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Maryland, and Colorado. 

Most recently, she served as BDT’s New York Engagement Manager, working closely with city government partners to help streamline benefits access and leading an effort to coordinate a tech-enabled network of community-based organizations who help New Yorkers enroll in benefits. She previously worked as a business analyst at a civic tech company focused on benefits access and provided case management for tenants facing eviction as a housing unit paralegal at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia.

Bridget is a member of the Contemplative Leaders in Action initiative, a New Leaders Council Philadelphia alum, and is certified in Mental Health First Aid. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College and has a master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban & Social Policy from Columbia University.