Brian Denten is an officer with Pew’s project on student borrower success, focusing on student loan repayment and servicing policies. He previously worked on Pew’s financial security and mobility team. Before joining Pew, Denten interned with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Denten holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s in public administration from American University.

Regan Fitzgerald is the manager of Pew’s project on student borrower success, which focuses on improving the student loan repayment system, particularly for borrowers most at risk of default and delinquency. She previously worked in Pew’s government relations department. Before joining Pew, Fitzgerald was director of government relations for Adams and Associates, which provides workforce training for disadvantaged youth. She also worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative counsel, legislative associate, and fellow, focusing on education, labor, and workforce development. Fitzgerald holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Bryn Mawr College and a Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law.

Shelbe Klebs works with Pew’s project on student borrower success, focused on building partnerships to improve the student loan repayment system. Before joining Pew, Klebs was an education policy adviser at Third Way, concentrating on higher education accountability and transparency policies. She also had internships with the Alliance for Excellent Education, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the College Board, and the National College Attainment Network. Klebs holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Central Michigan University and a master’s in public policy from George Washington University.

Spencer Orenstein is an officer with Pew’s project on student borrower success, helping to design and advocate for federal policy solutions to improve the student loan repayment system. He previously worked in Pew’s government relations department, supporting Pew’s family economic security portfolio. Before coming to Pew, he was a legislative director, legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, and staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives. Orenstein holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Florida.  

Lexi West is a principal associate with Pew’s project on student borrower success, focusing on student loan repayment research. She previously worked on Pew’s student loan research team. Before joining Pew, West was a research analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, working on higher education finance and student loan servicing. She also held fellowships with the Podesta Group and Delaware General Assembly. West holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration from the University of Delaware.