Carmela Clendening, Director, is a member of the State & Local Government Affairs team, where she is responsible for developing and executing a state-based engagement effort in California and across the West. In this role she works closely with the leadership of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Group (GAPP) and other cross-functional partners to form strategic relationships with policymakers to enhance BlackRock's narrative in key jurisdictions.

Prior to BlackRock, Carmela spent nearly fifteen years working on government affairs and public policy teams in large corporations (HP, Salesforce) and high growth start-ups (Stripe). Her last role was at a Series B start-up named Binti, a technology company focused on child welfare where she oversaw Government and Corporate Affairs. Before her in-house career, Carmela worked in Democratic politics in DC and San Francisco for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in a variety of roles within her leadership, political and district offices.

Carmela received an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a certificate in Asian American Studies from the University of Maryland College Park.