Shaun Courtney, Patch Staff

I am a proud District resident, Go NATS! That said, as a native of the Philly suburbs, I will always be a Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Patch allows me to continue my work in online media and to connect neighbors eager to make a difference in D.C.

I graduated from American University in 2006 with degrees in Political Science and Communications. 

I married my husband, Peter, in October 2009 at the Washington Club in Dupont Circle; it rained, but we made the most of it.

In my free time I enjoy running, yoga, swimming, trying new food, cooking and good wine.

My favorite places in Georgetown are Rose Park and the Neighborhood Library.

Prior to working for Patch, I wrote for DCMud, a real estate and development online journal. There I learned the ins and outs of development, zoning and historic preservation in the District. I've never met a building permit I didn't like.

Prior to my writing career, I worked in various political capacities including a stint as a political director on a Pennsylvania campaign in 2008 and prior to that as a paralegal at the Justice Department. 

Your Beliefs

At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics 

How would you describe your political beliefs?

Are you registered with a certain party?

Politically, I would call myself a progressive independent voter, though I would formerly have identified myself as a staunch Democrat. Once I stepped outside the world of campaigns and started observing politics, I developed a healthy skepticism for it. I am a registered Democrat in the District, but that is largely because I want to have a vote in the primary election.

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

My moral compass is guided by Judeo-Christian values, but I do not subscribe to any one religion.