Melissa Connolly is an Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at the Association of American Railroads. She joined AAR in January of 2022 after nearly 13 years working in the U.S. House of Representatives. Connolly most recently served as the Legislative Director for Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York where she managed a broad issue portfolio – including taxes, health care, budget, appropriations, labor, and financial services. Connolly received her master’s degree in Public Policy from the Sanford School at Duke University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.