Student Loan Initiative

Richa Bhattarai works with Pew’s student loan initiative, focusing on its overall research objectives. She serves as the primary quantitative analyst for veterans’ higher education borrowing and supports the project’s work on default, repayment, and servicing. Before joining Pew, Bhattarai worked in the youth workforce development sector, supporting high school students in gaining professional experience and building their post-high school plans. Bhattarai holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from St. John’s College and is pursuing a master’s in public policy from George Mason University.

Scott Brees leads Pew’s efforts to examine the scope and scale of veterans’ student loan debt, as well as the factors that may explain student veteran borrowing in spite of a generous Post-911 GI Bill. This research informs policymakers and other stakeholders about the unique challenges that veterans face and help find evidence-based solutions to their high levels of education debt. Before joining Pew, Brees served for 20 years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. Brees holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University and a master’s in political science from the University of Kansas, which he obtained before joining the Navy. After leaving the Navy, he earned a master’s in public policy and a certificate in survey methodology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Brian Denten works with Pew’s student loan initiative, 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 helps manage Pew’s student loan initiative, which seeks to improve the student loan repayment system, particularly for the 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, a legislative associate, and a 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 student loan initiative, 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.

Ilan Levine works on Pew’s student loan initiative, advancing the team’s research, outreach, and engagement objectives. Levine facilitates the project’s work on student loan default while supporting other key priorities, including repayment and servicing. Before Pew, he worked in consulting and at postsecondary institutions. Levine holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Union College and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

Spencer Orenstein works with Pew’s student loan initiative, helping design and promote 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 had roles as 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.

Ama Takyi-Laryea manages Pew’s student loan initiative and serves as the team’s research methodologist. With more than 20 years of experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation, she leads the team’s research agenda implementation and manages financial resources and personnel to achieve project goals. In her previous position at ICF International Inc., she led teams on evaluation projects in multiple locations for federal, state, and local agencies and institutions, including community colleges. Takyi-Laryea earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hood College and a master’s degree in survey methodology from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Lexi West works on Pew’s student loan initiative, translating the team’s student loan repayment research into policy objectives. She previously worked on Pew’s student borrower success and student loan research teams. 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 with the Delaware General Assembly. West holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.