Alumni Spotlights

Ripsime shares her motivations for starting the PLC, fueled by her desire to lead change more meaningfully in Los Angeles. She cites her academic experiences at Harvard Kennedy School as a key milestone in her leadership and public policy career trajectory.

“The journey was so transformative that I needed more than one and a half years of online classes. I wanted to complete the PLC all over again. I chose the next best option: I applied and was admitted to Harvard Kennedy School for a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.”

"The PLC allowed me to gain new complex problem-solving skills, and I learned to navigate complexities and develop solutions that consider various perspectives with a much broader vision,”

Mark began the PLC with a clear goal in mind: gain the skills needed to become the most effective board member he can be, with his north star always pointing towards bringing optimal value to the people he serves. 

“The lessons from PLC have helped shape my work, especially within the public sector. I use the decision making, policy delivery, and leadership frameworks and concepts from PLC regularly at my new organization,” 

Through completing the PLC, Nidhi overcame the challenge of understanding evidence-based policy making to measure the impact of a policy.

How Steven DeLuca’s Public Leadership Credential put him on the pathway to a Mid-Career Master’s

From climate change to social justice issues, Brett Smyth thrives on building policy and partnerships for meaningful global action.

“Every new learning opportunity can lead to a new mission or quest.”

"The Public Leadership Credential program at Harvard is an exemplary online program that quickly leads to immense learning."

“Thanks to the PLC program, I now have the knowledge and the tools I need to create change that is for the benefit of all.”

“My PLC experience was so positive, so enjoyable and transformative, it rekindled my love of learning and my desire to become a changemaker for good.” 

Prasad Sundararajan explains why he chose Harvard’s Public Leadership Credential program, and how he is already using the knowledge and frameworks he gained in the course.

Zarak Khan talks about how his childhood in Pakistan strengthened his resolve to make a positive impact in his community.

Catherine Neill, a seasoned Urban Planner, talks about how the comprehensive effect of her PLC experience changed the trajectory of her life.

Joanne Sowell, Attorney at Law, talks about how the PLC experience helped her reimagine what her career could be.

Dr. Carl Rosen, President of Ophthalmic Associates, explains how the Public Leadership Credential program helped him grow his practice, his business, and as a person.

“In my mind, I have always had this idea of studying public policy: looking at how society actually is and how to reform it to make it better.” 

“Making the theoretical practical. That’s one of the things I loved most about the program.” 

“It was always my dream to participate in a program at Harvard. The online PLC program answered my prayers.”

Mercy Samuel, Associate Professor at CEPT University in India, explains how she is using the knowledge she gained in the Public Leadership Credential program to motivate people and create change at the grass-roots level.

“The PLC is a really special program. It takes all the elements that make the Kennedy School the Kennedy School -- which is the marrying of research with real-world public policy work -- and delivers this knowledge online to people across the globe.”

Nora Delaney, Director of Communications at Harvard Kennedy School, explains why she decided to earn her Public Leadership Credential.

“I decided to complete the PLC program and use it as a bridge to a new chapter in life focused on an area I'm really passionate about.”

Rob Simonds talks about his motivation for pursuing the Public Leadership Credential and how he hopes to apply his learnings going forward.

“I went into the program to learn how to help address economic challenges, specifically in Black communities, but had no idea where to start. The PLC equipped me with those skills by teaching me how to identify and assess ALL of the causes contributing to a problem.”

Jenae Keith shares her reasons for pursuing the Public Leadership Credential at HKS and how it has made her a more effective leader.