People / Sonali J. Desai

Person · House

Sonali J.
Desai

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORHouse Democratic Caucus

Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus (since January 2023). Leads staffer training and development programs across the Democratic caucus. Previously served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) for nearly nine years, where she gained deep experience with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Prior to that, served as Legislative Director in Rep. Judy Chu's office and held roles as Director of Member Services and Outreach & Policy Advisor for the House Judiciary Committee. Over 10 years of Capitol Hill experience.

Last full-year salary

$208,566

Calendar year 2025 · summed across all roles

Career tenure

10.2y

4 roles tracked

Sponsored trips

3

$0 total

Career earnings

$1,423,404

Chapter I

Compensation Timeline

Summed annual salary across all tracked roles.

Preparing salary timeline...

Chapter II

Employment History

Roles are merged across compensation filings.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
House
Jan 3, 2023 to Present
CHIEF OF STAFF
Office of Representative Judy Chu
forDJudy Chu · Democratic · California 27th District
House
Aug 1, 2019 to Jan 2, 2023
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
Office of Representative Judy Chu
forDJudy Chu · Democratic · California 27th District
House
Feb 1, 2016 to Jul 31, 2019
SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
Office of Representative Judy Chu
forDJudy Chu · Democratic · California 27th District
House
Jan 1, 2016 to Feb 29, 2016

Chapter III

Earlier career

Prior roles per public sources. May overlap with employment records based on salary filings above.

Chief of Staff
Office of Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)
Legislative Director
Office of Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)
Director of Member Services and Outreach & Policy Advisor
House Judiciary Committee

Chapter IV

Sponsored Travel

3 trips · $0 combined disclosed value.

United Kingdom
House gift travel filing
Jul 25, 2025 to Jul 31, 2025
Pending
Middleburg, VA
House gift travel filing
Mar 22, 2024 to Mar 24, 2024
Pending
Stanford, CA
House gift travel filing
Aug 23, 2022 to Aug 26, 2022
Pending