Sarah Dumont Merchak is the Senior Vice President of Congressional Affairs and Chief of Staff at the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a trade association representing the U.S. consumer reporting industry.

At CDIA, Sarah leads federal government relations and connects Capitol Hill with CDIA’s advocacy efforts. As Chief of Staff, Sarah executes strategic planning, operations, and budgeting.

With over 25 years of experience in senior policy roles in Congress, in-house Corporate and the executive branch, Sarah Dumont Merchak brings valuable advisory and advocacy knowledge to CDIA. Always approaching issues with a bipartisan and bicameral philosophy, Sarah utilizes her broad network of policymakers in all corners of government to drive meaningful outcomes.

Prior to joining the CDIA, Ms. Merchak served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In that role, she was responsible for managing and advising the Director on all legislative issues before the Agency. During her tenure at the Agency, she oversaw preparations for multiple Congressional hearings, negotiated legislative proposals including key provisions in the CARES Act, regularly worked with other financial regulators and federal agencies, and supervised Hill policy briefings and congressional inquiries for Members of Congress and staff.

Sarah previously was a leading public policy advocate for both USAA and Visa. In both roles, she created and executed successful strategies to bolster the global government relations agenda, while also managing relationships with strategic third-party allies. While at Visa, Merchak established and oversaw the government relations activities for Visa Canada. She managed data privacy and technology issues while in her role at USAA.

Ms. Merchak has Capitol Hill experience in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. She served as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Banking Committee and, while in the House of Representatives, as a senior legislative staffer for several Members of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC). She began her Capitol Hill career as a staffer on the HFSC Capital Markets Subcommittee.

Ms. Merchak is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College. She and her husband live in Virginia with their children, dog and any variety of foster pets.