Melissa Horste leads IPA’s United States Household Finance Initiative, managing a portfolio of research projects which measure the impact of innovations in financial product design and messaging to help low- and moderate-income Americans achieve financial health. Prior to joining IPA, Melissa worked for nearly eight years in the office of United States Senator Carl Levin of the State of Michigan. Melissa holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University, as well as an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.