John Colbert

Sr. Counsel, Policy Group

Contact John Colbert

John Colbert serves as senior counsel and director of federal affairs for JFF's Workforce and Education Strategies Group, located in our Washington, DC office.

Dr. Colbert brings almost 15 years of senior-level D.C. experience to JFF. He has been senior counsel to NCEE’s Workforce Development Strategies Group playing a central role in the mission of the group, which provides strategic planning and policy development to states and local areas working to align their workforce, education, economic and community development activities to promote high-growth, high-wage, high-employment economies.

Dr. Colbert has an extensive background in workforce issues from his service in the executive branch, as well as working with Congress. He was chief of staff of the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration in the Clinton Administration. Before that, he was a legislative liaison for the Labor Department on ETA-related issues, including authorization of the Workforce Investment Act. He was also the Department's liaison with the Appropriations Committee on congressionally-mandated earmark projects. 

An attorney in private practice before entering government, Colbert has also served as an advisor to the former deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, focusing on fostering the Irish peace process, and as a legal advisor on a widely acclaimed PBS documentary, Mr. Justice Brennan, examining the life and jurisprudence of former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan.

Dr. Colbert is a graduate of Holy Cross College, holds a Master's degree in political science from the Catholic University of America, and a law degree from Georgetown University. He is also a partner at Capitol Hill Partners, a governmental relations firm dedicated to assisting nonprofit and low-income programs.

Jobs for the Future develops, implements, and promotes new education and workforce strategies that help communities, states, and the nation compete in a global economy. In 200 communities in 41 states, JFF improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers.