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Alumnae in Office
The Oval Office program prepares students to run for office. Below is a listing of program gradautes who have gone on to win campaigns and serve in elected office.
State Representative Stefani Carter
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Representative Stefani Carter, Harvard Kennedy School ’05 and Oval Office '05, serves as a member in the Texas House of Representatives from District 102. Elected in 2010, Representative Carter is the first Republican African-American woman to serve in the Texas House. Representative Carter spent her childhood in Dallas, growing up in a large family. After graduating from high school, Representative Carter became a Longhorn attending the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Journalism. Carter then went on to graduate from Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Upon receiving her degree, Representative Carter returned to Dallas and served Collin County as an assistant district attorney. |
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State Representative Lori Ehrlich
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Representative Lori Ehrlich, Harvard Kennedy School ’05 and Oval Office '05, has served as a State Representative of the 8th Essex District of Massachusetts since March 2008. She won four elections in 2008 -- two primaries and two general elections, starting with a special election. In the final election prior to her becoming representative, she defeated two opponents, winning with 57% of the vote. Representative Ehrlich was an active member of the 2005 Oval Office cohort, while she earned her Mid-Career/Master in Public Administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School. Regarding her time in the Oval Office program, Lori said, “Phenomenal. More than even my coursework, the Oval Office program was like a well-stocked tool box I reached into daily for my campaign for State Representative.” |
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City Councilmember Hilda Zacarías
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Councilmember Hilda Zacarías, Harvard Kennedy School ’06 and Oval Office ’06, has served on the City Council in Santa Maria, California since November 2006. She is only the third woman in Santa Maria’s history to win election to the City Council. She is currently running for California State Assembly, District 33. While earning her Mid-Career/Master in Public Administration degree at the Harvard Kennedy School, Councilmember Zacarías was a dedicated and charismatic member of Cohort 2006. After graduation, she returned to her home in California to begin her campaign. Her commitment to strengthening sustainable communities echoed in her campaign slogan: “Growing Smart. Growing Strong. Growing Together.” Her local newspaper, The Santa Maria Sun, called her “the new face of politics.” Councilmember Zacarías placed a close second in a six-way race for City Council. The top two candidates won seats on the council. Regarding her experience in Oval Office, Councilmember Zacarías said, “The support was great and it was especially wonderful to go back a year later and meet so many of the new participants! Remember that our life of service is not limited to what is comfortable...in fact, doing the uncomfortable brings out the BEST in each us!” |
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