Staff

Costello serves as vice president of government relations for the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this role, Costello advocates for AGA’s priorities on Capitol Hill and with federal policymakers. Costello brings with her nearly two decades of service in the legislative branch, executive branch, and advocacy community.

Immediately prior to joining AGA, Costello was the first-ever director of legislative affairs at the Center for Law and Social Policy, a 50-year-old anti-poverty nonprofit. Costello also served as the co-chair of Protecting Immigrant Families, an advocacy campaign with more than 350 organizations.

While at the U.S. Department of State, Costello was chief of staff of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), a unit that included a Washington staff of 350 and more than 5,000 overseas employees and contractors, in addition to approximately $4 billion in foreign assistance programs in more than 90 countries and an air wing of nearly 200 aircraft. Costello also served as the director of Senate affairs in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs.

Prior to her roles in the executive branch, Costello served in the United States Senate for more than a decade for then Senator John Kerry (D-MA). She was the primary liaison with the Massachusetts business community, served as the senator’s political director, and oversaw all of the senator’s appropriations priorities. She also served as judiciary counsel, advising during two Supreme Court justice nominations. Costello briefly served as a senior advisor to Massachusetts Senator Mo Cowen before rejoining Secretary Kerry at the Department of State.

Originally from Boston, Costello earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree from Catholic University. She is a proud Terp and an avid Boston sports fan. She currently lives on Capitol Hill in D.C. with her husband.