Brandon Popik joined Thorn Run Partners in April of 2024 with a background in legislative analysis, policy research, and government affairs. At Thorn Run, Brandon supports the firm’s general practice group by providing in-depth policy research and analysis for some of the country’s most prominent stakeholders in the financial services, technology, and defense sectors.

Prior to joining Thorn Run, Brandon gained valuable experience in policy and government affairs through a number of internships and fellowships. Most recently, he served as a Legislative Affairs intern with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, aiding the agency’s External Affairs team in maintaining strong relationships with Congress, conducting rigorous policy research on international development issues, and engaging in outreach to Capitol Hill. During his internship for a Washington, DC government relations firm, Brandon gained valuable experience by working with clients across the defense contracting ecosystem — from defense primes to entrepreneurial startups. He also interned in the Office of Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), where he conducted research on the then-ongoing Tigray War in Ethiopia and its implications for U.S. counterterrorism goals in the Horn of Africa. Finally, Brandon served as a Campaign & Policy Fellow on the 2020 campaign of former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY), where he worked closely with senior staff on formulating the campaign platform on foreign policy and assisted in preparing talking points for campaign events.

Brandon is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where he received his bachelor’s degree in history. In his free time, he enjoys trawling D.C. in search of specialty foods, catching a movie, and exploring new restaurants.