Government at startup speed

How did you become interested in public service?  

Growing up in a multicultural household and attending public schools, I was acutely aware from a young age of how much place and policy shape a person’s trajectory. I saw firsthand the divergent paths my classmates took—how some were stymied by health crises or financial insecurity, while others found a way forward and succeeded. 

My family’s immigrant heritage was a constant reminder of what is possible with perseverance, education, and a bit of luck. I have always felt grateful for the opportunities I had, but I also carried a quiet understanding that the life I was living was not inevitable—it could easily have unfolded differently. That perspective fuels my work: I firmly believe that people want to be empowered; they want pathways and support to build their own futures. 

My parents instilled in me the belief that "to whom much is given, much is expected." Throughout my career, the throughline has been a desire to create economic opportunity for others. While I’ve worked across the private and social sectors, I’ve always believed that the government offers an unparalleled opportunity for scale. Ultimately, I am motivated by the opportunity to build a more responsive, agile, and innovative government that delivers the kind of results that positively change those life trajectories. 

What is the goal of your work? What is the impact?

My goal is to prove that the public sector can deliver for residents and help solve our most intractable challenges. I lead a multidisciplinary team within Governor Wes Moore’s office that sits at the intersection of data science, civic design, strategy, and policy. Our north star is to design and implement bold new solutions to big problems, starting with reducing childhood poverty and improving economic mobility.

The way we work is just as important as what we build. We function like a startup—rigorously understanding a problem, prototyping solutions, and scaling what works. We follow a "build with, not for" philosophy; we grounded our inaugural portfolio in direct research with over 700 residents, parents, and small business owners to ensure our work is rooted in their lived experience. Crucially, we deliver this impact through a cross-agency and cross-sector approach. 

We’ve already seen the impact of this approach. We built the Maryland Community Business Compass to meet community needs for child care and fresh food in underserved areas of the state by helping entrepreneurs looking to open or expand child care and fresh food businesses understand market gaps and access funding. It democratizes information—and opportunity—that was previously out of reach for many small businesses. We built it in-house in less than five months for under $5,000, and it reached nearly 7,000 active users within weeks. It launched alongside $10 million in new state funding, helping us drive precision investment into the neighborhoods that need it most. 

How did your time at HKS influence you? What does the HKS community mean to you? 

I came to the Kennedy School with a specific set of goals: to sharpen my policy toolkit, cement my own leadership and governing philosophy, and learn from the transformative figures who have led meaningful change. HKS delivered on all of that and more. 

My experience as a Zuckerman and George Leadership Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership was a particularly defining chapter. It provided a safe space to dig into thorny leadership questions and hone my own approach to changemaking. I still find myself reaching for those lessons in my work today: Marshall Ganz taught me that purposeful communication is the heartbeat of leadership, and Ron Heifetz’s concept of “getting on the balcony” helps me unpack complex leadership dynamics and see the bigger picture. 

Ultimately, the HKS community is more than just a professional network to me—it is a cherished brain trust of friends and peers I call on for technical expertise, guidance, and moral support. At a time when public faith in government is wavering, this community is a critical force in the collective effort to deliver results and restore trust in our public institutions. 

Who or what inspires you? 

I have to bring this one close to home—my family is my greatest source of inspiration. I feel incredibly blessed to have such a supportive foundation. From a young age, my parents instilled in my brother and me a growth mindset of continuous learning. Our dinner table was essentially a leadership seminar; conversations revolved around history, politics, and the challenges of the day. They taught us that we should never stop learning or questioning, and above all, to treat everyone with respect.

I am also deeply inspired by my husband, Joseph Sakran [MC/MPA 2015], whom I actually met at HKS. He is a remarkable human being who turned a personal tragedy into a lifelong purpose. After being shot at a football game in high school, he vowed to become a trauma surgeon so he could save the lives of others, just as his was saved. Today, he’s the executive vice chair of surgery at Johns Hopkins and chair of the board of the Brady Campaign.

What inspires me most isn’t just his professional success; it’s his steadfast commitment to his patients, no matter their circumstances. Seeing the excellence, humility, and grace he brings to navigating daily high-stakes crises—while still showing up fully for everyone in his life—is a constant reminder of what it looks like to lead a grounded and purposeful life.