Taylor Maag, a 2013 graduate with a BA in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), has built a successful career in education and workforce policy, driven by her passion for ensuring that every learner and worker, regardless of their background, has access to economic opportunity. Taylor credits her HDFS education for providing a strong foundation in child welfare, family dynamics, and social policy, which fueled her passion for direct service and advocacy work.
After graduating from UConn, Taylor began her career in San Diego, CA, as a Therapeutic Behavioral Coach at New Alternatives, a nonprofit organization. In this role, she provided in-home support to clients aged 2-21 who had experienced severe trauma and were from low-income backgrounds, including foster and homeless youth. In this role, Taylor developed treatment plans, maintained detailed case files, and coached caregivers using behavioral interventions to improve day-to-day functioning. Her work with young people and families in San Diego inspired her to address challenges on a national scale.
Motivated by a desire to influence policy at a broader level, Taylor moved to Washington, DC, where she earned a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University. During her studies, she interned on Capitol Hill, gaining firsthand experience in government operations and collaborating with national policymakers.
Upon completing her degree, Taylor joined Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit focused on education and workforce reform. For over six years, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing JFF’s federal and state policy agenda, focusing on workforce innovation, access to postsecondary education, and poverty alleviation policies. Taylor also led JFF’s congressional and practitioner networks, ensuring that federal policymakers remained connected with grassroots leaders implementing effective strategies.
Taylor then advanced to the role of Director of Workforce Development Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI). At PPI, she launched “The New Skills for a New Economy Project,” a bold initiative aimed at providing economic opportunities for workers without degrees. Her time at PPI also involved publishing policy briefs, op-eds, and blogs, and representing the organization at panels and conferences, both domestically and internationally.
Recently, Taylor has returned to JFF as the Director of Workforce Policy, where she leads the organization’s federal and state policy efforts to enact change that allows the organization to reach their north star – that by 2033, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs.
On a personal note, Taylor got married this year in her hometown outside of Boston and continues to reside in Washington, DC, with her husband, Peter and their dog, Richard. Outside of work, she remains active, enjoys traveling, and is an avid fan of Boston sports!