Maia Comeau joined IDEA as Senior Fellow in 2022. Maia is a public affairs leader with over 20 years of experience in international government relations strategy, institution and network building, leadership development and international event planning in the US and Europe.  She advises IDEA on its outreach to policymakers in the U.S. and around the world. Maia is also founder of Comeau & Company and  Keepers of the Commons, a leadership development program for authentic, local civic leaders around the country. Maia served for twelve years at the German Marshall Fund of the United States where she founded both the Congressional Affairs department, in 2004, and the Richard G. Lugar Institute for Diplomacy and Congress in 2013. Prior to GMF, she worked for the Government Affairs firm Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti, Hawkins and Brain. She is also a Senior Fellow with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress and The Lugar Center. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and is a former professional ballet dancer.