Maddie Shirley

Maddie Shirley is the current Economic Fellow at Third Way. She graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and worked in tax preparation and administration shortly after graduation. There, she developed a passion for economic policy and for understanding how the tax system deeply impacts families' financial well-being. Her work experience led her to pursue a Master of Public Policy with a specialization in public budgeting from the George Washington University's Trachtenberg School. During her studies, Maddie served as a staff writer and author for the 33rd Edition of Policy Perspectives, GW’s peer-reviewed policy journal, where she focused on Social Security financing and child care issues. Graduating in December 2026, Maddie has completed several internships spanning social insurance, taxation, and budgeting, including time at the Senate Budget Committee. Each experience has strengthened her passion for using budget and tax analysis to improve economic mobility in a fiscally sustainable way. In her free time, Maddie loves long-distance running, camping, and hosting events.