Teresa came to us from American University's School of International Service, where she received her masters in international politics. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University with a bachelors in political science and newspaper journalism. During the spring of 2005, Teresa worked for New York congressman Tom Reynolds. She also worked during summer 2003 for Louise Ellman, a member of the British Parliament.

Teresa was an intern at the Council for a Community of Democracies from September 2005 - September 2006.