Cookab Hashemi is the former chief of staff to Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14). She joins Lincoln Policy Group (LPG) with more than 20 years of experience across Capitol Hill and the executive branch of the federal government. 

Cookab served as chief of staff to these California Representatives for more than 9 years, leading the Congressional offices as the chief policy, communications and political advisor. Cookab led Congressman Ruiz’s campaign in the 115th Congress for an assignment to the House Energy & Commerce Committee. She served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Mark Udall (CO-2) for nearly 4 years, managing the day-to-day administrative and legislative operations of the Washington, D.C. office and leading the Congressman’s campaign in the 108th Congress for an assignment to the House Armed Services Committee. She also served as Special Assistant to former Senator Evan Bayh (IN), assisting with day-to-day activities in the United States Senate. 

Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, Cookab served as the Deputy to the Special Assistant to the President in the White House of Political Affairs, assisting in the management of day-to-day political activities for thirteen western states; serving as a liaison to various state and local elected officials, state and national community leaders and activists; and writing the political and issue memoranda used by the President, Vice President, and Cabinet members. 

Now a Senior Vice President at Lincoln Policy Group, Cookab advises and represents health care providers, payers, and manufacturers before Congress on their legislative, regulatory, payment, and coverage issues.

Cookab holds a B.S. in political science and government from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. She and her young family live in Northern VA.