About Us
Washington Policy Institute is the only undergraduate student-led policy think tank at the University of Washington dedicated to addressing the policy challenges facing Washington State. Founded on the belief that students can make meaningful contributions to public policy, we provide a platform for the next generation of principled policy leaders to engage with the issues shaping our communities and our future.
Our members come from a wide range of academic disciplines and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to public service, rigorous research, and constructive dialogue. Through collaborative projects, policy analysis, and engagement with policymakers, community leaders, and subject-matter experts, students gain hands-on experience while contributing fresh perspectives to important policy conversations.
At Washington Policy Institute, we aim to produce high-quality, evidence-based research that identifies critical policy gaps and advances equitable, practical solutions for communities across Washington. We believe that effective policymaking requires both thoughtful analysis and diverse viewpoints, and we strive to cultivate a community where students can learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and develop innovative approaches to complex problems.
By bridging academic inquiry and real-world policy challenges, we aim to empower the next generation of leaders to strengthen civic discourse and create lasting impact across Washington State.
Leadership
Liam Peterson
Ellensburg, Washington | Class of 2028
President
Liam is an incoming Junior studying Political Science and Informatics with a concentration in Data Science. He founded the Washington Policy Institute out of passion for exploring how policy impacts people and identifying solutions to policy gaps that affect Washington residents. Some of his prior experience includes data analysis for a rural healthcare organization, interning at U.S. House of Representatives, and a UW Sociology Department research project focused on unsheltered homelessness in King County.
This summer, Liam was selected as a research scholar for the University of Washington’s Summer Institute for Arts and Humanities, and he also works as a Research Assistant for the Bureau of Governmental Research, a Research Assistant for iSchool PhD student Emily Porter, and an Operations and Compliance Intern for Pico Logic. His research interests include education policy, particularly as it relates to rural communities in Washington State.
Jess Ellithorpe
Cle Elum, Washington | Class of 2029
Director of Finance
Jessica is studying Finance and Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics at the University of Washington, with plans to graduate in Spring 2029. She is most interested in civic and financial policy, both of which she has developed personal connections to through her community and school board involvement in her hometown of Cle Elum.
In addition to her role with the Washington Policy Institute, Jessica is an executive member of Venture Capital Club and an initiated member of Chi Omega sorority. She is most excited to research issues that directly affect the citizens of Seattle and Washington State, with the goal of helping create awareness and inspire actionable change across campus, city, and state communities.
Landon Saino
Newcastle, Washington | Class of 2029
Vice President
Landon is pursuing a degree in political science with specific academic interests in social issues revolving around understanding poverty and its causes. His strongest policy interest in is in looking at the intersectionality between economics and policy and the effects that those intersections have on different populations. He has worked on five different research projects at the University of Washington, ranging from topics such as homelessness to artificial intelligence and bot detection.
Landon loves research and learning—whether it be victorian literatureI or SQL database creation. He is very excited to share his passion for research with the Institute.
Claire Worthington
Liberty Lake, Washington | Class of 2027
Director of Communications
Claire is a Public Policy and Service major at the University of Washington and serves as the Director of Communications for the Washington Policy Institute. Her academic interests include international development, political communication, and the role of institutions in shaping economic opportunity and social outcomes. She is especially interested in ethical approaches to development, the capabilities approach, and how public messaging influences policy implementation.
Claire’s professional experience includes roles with organizations such as FIUTS and Ripple, where she conducted cost-benefit analyses of marketing and outreach initiatives. These experiences strengthened her interest in how intentional resource allocation and institutional decision-making can improve policy outcomes and expand opportunities for communities. Following graduation, she hopes to spend time in Germany studying postwar reconstruction and development policy.
Brenna Crouse
San Juan Island, Washington | Class of 2027
Director of Outreach
Brenna is a Political Science major at the University of Washington, graduating in 2027. She currently works full-time as a Legal Case Manager in personal injury pre-litigation at Brumley Law Firm and serves as the Director of Public Relations for the University of Washington Journal of Political Science. Her interests center on the intersection of public health, law, and public policy, and she plans to attend law school to advocate for individuals and communities facing barriers to justice.
Brenna is most excited to research the intersection of public health and legal rights, particularly how policy can better educate individuals about their rights and access to resources. Through her work in personal injury pre-litigation, she has seen how health outcomes and legal advocacy are deeply connected, and she is interested in exploring policies that improve public awareness, health equity, and access to justice.
Grace Boyd
Los Angeles, California | Class of 2029
Director of Internal Operations
Grace is studying Public Policy and International Studies at the University of Washington, with an anticipated graduation in 2029. Prior to beginning her undergraduate studies, she graduated early from high school and spent a gap year in Taiwan studying Mandarin through the U.S. State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth. She also served as a Team Leader for the Youth2Youth Investing Program, leading a cross-cultural team of students from Syria, Iraq, and the United States in developing social impact initiatives.
Grace’s research interests include education policy, economic policy, and technology policy, with a particular focus on the intersection of innovation, access, and long-term economic growth. Through her academic and leadership experiences, she is interested in exploring how public policy can expand opportunity, improve access, and support stronger long-term outcomes for communities.
Our Goal
WPI was founded by undergraduate students with the goal of making Washington State policy research accessible and actionable. Rooted in the belief that the next generation of policy leaders have a vital role to play, we bridge the gap between academic research and public discourse, empowering residents to advocate for the communities they call home.