Meron (Mer-OWN) Yohannes (Yo-han-nes) is a Fellow at FAS focused on innovation, inclusivity, and technology related to economic and national security policy. Most recently, she served as Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, formulating policy decisions related to economic development, minority businesses, workforce development, disaster recovery, and entrepreneurship. Her purpose was to guide policy development and program design for several agencies, a portfolio worth over $5 billion in funding that benefits underserved, distressed, and rural communities.
Previously, she was the Housing, Infrastructure, and Technology Policy Analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), a think tank in Washington, D.C., researching and developing recommendations on affordable housing, water infrastructure, AI implications for the U.S. workforce, and evidence-based policymaking.
Meron holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Meron also serves her community as a Vice Chairwoman for the Herndon Planning Commission, providing the Mayor and Town Council with zoning and land use recommendations.