1961
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Arnold Zack MPA just completed his 30th year teaching dispute resolution/mediation in the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School. “Have been teaching the same topics for MIT/Sloane School at its affiliated business schools in China twice a year for the past five years.”
1966 / 50th Reunion
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1967
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Harry Harris MC/MPA writes that retirement continues to elude him. After a long career in government and academia, he remains as founder and president of HealthCare California. Entering its 11th year, the company maintains its position as the largest home health agency in central California. With the Affordable Care Act and a dynamic health care industry, the company’s achievements abound. At the same time, Harry is an inveterate global traveler enjoying the pleasures of new adventures and establishing friendships along with occasional consultancies.
Douglas Johnston MC/MPA received the inaugural Distinguished Scholar Award in Religion and International Affairs from the International Studies Association at its annual conference in New Orleans on February 20, 2015.
1969
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Jack Underhill MC/MPA presented a paper at the annual conference of the American Society for Public Administration in Chicago, titled “The Unfinished American Dream: Reducing Youth Crime and Violence.” He has previously written on prison reform, strengthening low-income families, education, and poverty-related topics.
1971 / 45th Reunion
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1972
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Michael Dyett MCRP is still at Dyett & Bhatia doing city and regional planning for cities in California and Arizona, with some work in the Gulf for the UAE. The Urban Planning Council is fascinating and supporting good initiatives on sustainability. “Pursuing VanVeber Photography to keep my visual awareness alive!”
Henry Ryan MC/MPA writes, “A book of mine, Turning Points: Stories of Love, Crime, and Faith, has just become available on Amazon and Kindle. It consists of four novellas and appears under my pen name, Duke Ryan. The easiest way to find it is to type ‘Turning Points Duke’ in the search box.”
1973
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Melvin (Mel) Masuda MC/MPA, professor of law at Hawaii Pacific University, has been named one of “Hawaii’s Living Legend Lawyers” by the Hawaii Bar Association.
You can see a video interview of Mel recounting his law career in Hawaii at hsba.org. Mel, who started in the MPP program and switched to MPA, had a nice one-on-one reunion with U.S. Senator Jack Reed MPP 1973 (now ranking minority leader of the Senate Armed Services Committee) when Jack passed through Hawaii recently.
1974
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Sandford Borins MPP, public sector innovation guru, has done presentations based on his recent book, The Persistence of Innovation in Government, at the OECD in Paris, a conference on open government in Mexico City, and the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.
1976 / 40th Reunion
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1978
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Robert Sabbatini MCRP writes, “Since 2006, I have been working as a sole proprietor specializing in the planning and design of university and college campuses. I am currently leading a team of consultants on a campus physical framework vision plan for the University of Oregon. More can be viewed on my website: www.sabbatini-loyd.com.”
1979
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Peter O’Connor MC/MPA is living on Longboat Key, Florida, where he now writes a weekly opinion column for a local newspaper. “After Kennedy School I worked in Saudi Arabia and in Boston. I spent 10-plus years in local government here, including two terms as an elected Commissioner (before defeat in a reelection bid — watch those developers).”
1980
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Edward Burns MC/MPA was awarded the 2014 Gideon’s Trumpet Award for his distinguished pro bono representation of poor defendants in civil cases. The Senior Partners for Justice, in cooperation with the Boston Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, awarded the prize. Edward was chosen from among 1,000 eligible candidates. His specialty is predatory lending in credit card and/or student loan cases.
1981 / 35th Reunion
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William Hamilton HKSEE received a 2015 University of Nebraska Distinguished Alumni Award in May. His wife, Penny R. Hamilton, will be similarly honored. A nationally syndicated columnist, pilot, and parachutist, William is already a laureate of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma University Army ROTC Wall of Fame. In addition to HKS and Nebraska, William earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma, The George Washington University, and the U.S. Army Language School and was named a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.
Richard Paton MC/MPA has published his second management book. He will be teaching an MPA course at Carleton University, in Ottawa, on leadership in nonprofit organizations. His book is Leading Business Associations: Making Successful Transitions.
1982
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Gasby Brown MC/MPA is a newly elected board member for the Recreation Wish List Committee board of directors. RWLC’s mission is to support the Washington, DC, Department of Parks and Recreation to achieve its goals of providing quality enrichment services to District children and teens during nonschool, weekend, and summer hours in safe, well-maintained facilities and parks. Access to recreation and sports, technology, and academic enrichment programs provides an alternative to antisocial behavior.
Ahmad Chowdhury MC/MPA writes, “Hi, classmates. I would love to know your present status and continue our connections. An email from you would be welcome. Thanks.”
Guy de Fontgalland MC/MPA writes, “After some 25 years on the long road across some 20 countries, with various assignments, which included short stints with the World Bank/IFC, the UNDP, in Bangladesh and Afghanistan, I am settling down now for some five years in Georgia in the Caucasus, directing a boutique investment company. Georgia is newly born from the former Soviet empire, has wonderful people, culture, and traditions, and is bordered by Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia. It is one of the vibrant emerging markets with a current GDP of 5.8 percent and set to grow. Get in touch if you wish to know more.”
Bob Gleeson MPP now serves as Professor and Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.
Matt Palmer MPA writes, “Lisa and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary recently and our three daughters are now grown and out of the house (oldest two both are engaged)! I continue to serve as president of The Joseph Group Capital Management, an investment advisory firm established by my twin brother, Mark, and me back in 1999.”
1983
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Richard Backer MCRP, after a 25-year career in corporate real estate acquisition and development at Pembroke Real Estate at Fidelity Investments and Gunwyn Development, transitioned to a new career and was ordained as a rabbi in January following nine years as a hospital and hospice chaplain. “I am currently the pastoral care coordinator at Winchester Hospital and Lahey Health, Boston-Metro North.”
Ferdous Begum MC/MPA was recently appointed as council member of the International Institute on Ageing (United Nations– Malta) Satellite Centre for SAARC Countries, “and my credentials as the first woman tax commissioner of Bangladesh have been placed in the Tax Archives.”
Janet Corcoran MCRP has been working with the Aspen Institute’s Franklin Project, NYC Service, and the United Way of New York City to expand service-year opportunities for New York City youth. She’s also recently joined the NationSwell Council.
Ned Daly MCRP is pleased to report that his debut film, Pastiche Vol1 No1, was an official selection at the Seoul International Extreme Short Image and Film Festival in September 2014.
Paul Sturm MC/MPA has been appointed executive director of the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, a professional learning community working to elevate and strengthen philanthropy and civil society across the United States and Canada.
1984
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Richard Gann HKSEE retired after 41 years of fire safety research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He wrote the government’s reports on the 9/11 building collapses, led the research that enabled the less fire-prone cigarettes that are now mandatory in much of the world, and received the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award, the highest recognition for a senior federal employee. He chairs the ISO Subcommittee on Fire Threat to People and the Environment. His recent textbook, Principles of Fire Behavior and Combustion, provides firefighters and fire protection engineers with understanding of how fires start, grow, cause harm, and are extinguished.
J. Gregory Payne MC/MPA was a guest lecturer on public diplomacy at Blanquerna School of Communication in Barcelona. He is also interim chair of communication studies at Emerson College in Boston, a position he held for a decade in the 1990s, during which time the graduate program grew to more than 350 students.
Earl Anthony Wayne MC/MPA writes, “I am enjoying my fourth year as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. I have worked hard to promote increased educational exchanges as well as to grow the economic ties and to help deal with security issues. Still draw very good lessons from my MPA year at the Kennedy School.”
1985
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Tessie Catsambas MPP founded EnCompass LLC in 1999 with Laverne Webb MPP 1984. “We work in leadership development, training and e-learning, and evaluation. A recent evaluation of Brazil’s Early Childhood Development Initiative brought me to Harvard, where I interviewed Ron Heifetz, whose adaptive leadership model is part of the initiative. What a joy to circle back to HKS! Now, with the 30th HKS reunion, the MPP 1985 class has been reconnecting, and it is great to see all the good things everyone is doing! From cyber security to the U.S. Congress, from social service to defense. Yeah MPPs ’85!”
Elaina Norden MPA has several patents in biofuels. She’s back from being in Europe a year. She has a second master’s from Johns Hopkins University.
Sally Tom MC/MPA, after 35 great years in midwifery, started a second career in animal welfare by volunteering in a shelter with rescue groups and with a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping dogs out of shelters. “I am now a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and have been training professionally for over five years. I am currently gathering experiences in helping clients with their dogs’ behavior problems to amass the 300 hours needed to certify as a canine behavior consultant. The work provides daily opportunities to offer up-to-date scientific advice, to hold puppies, and to practice kindness. What work could be better?”
1986 / 30th Reunion
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David Boghossian MC/MPA writes, “Enterprise Innovation Partners continues apace advising growth-stage companies, including AthenaHealth, BigBelly Solar, Kennedy School start-up OpportunitySpace, and others. Formed a partnership with Arjuna Capital to invest in ‘for benefit’ companies and other mission-driven impact investments that yield competitive financial returns and solve societal problems. We’re about halfway to the target $40 million fund. Elizabeth and I enjoy hosting alumni board members Bob Ferri MC/MPA, Wendy Pangburn MC/MPA (chair!), and David Rosenberg MC/MPA when they come to Cambridge and usually can gather the usual suspects-Steve Singer MC/MPA, Jim Corcoran MC/MPA, the Harvey/Griesemers both MC/MPA (all HKS 1986) and others for the customary frivolity. Join in!”
Alasdair Roberts MPP was appointed as a professor of public affairs at the Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri, beginning in September 2015.
Bill Toby MC/MPA has been appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration to a five-year term as cochair of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program. DSRIP is a five-year, $8 billion, Medicaid waiver designed to transform New York’s health care delivery system from an acute-care system to an integrated and comprehensive coordinated health care system.
1987
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Nadine Hack MC/MPA was named Mentor of the Year by the Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers & Consultants. The award was presented in London at an international ceremony.
Tom Zizys MC/MPA is a labor market analyst and a fellow of the Metcalf Foundation. He has recently released a paper titled “Working Better: The Path to Good Jobs Is Through Employers.” It advocates focusing attention on the demand side of the labor market to improve outcomes. He looks forward to hearing from other HKS grads interested in workforce development.
1988
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Whaimutu Dewes MC/MPA writes, “Tena kotou. New Zealand domiciled. Currently fully occupied serving on a number of boards of directors — tangata whenua (indigenous) development, energy, seafood, forestry, the Treasury. Judy and I enjoy hosting classmates from HKS that make the trip to visit our mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and seas. Na reira, haramai ra.”
David Lebryk MPA was recently named a recipient of the 2014 Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership. Since 1978, American University and its School of Public Affairs have annually granted the Roger Jones Award to two federal career executives in recognition of their exceptional public service and dedication to the work and goals of government. David was recently named fiscal assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury. The fiscal assistant secretary is the department’s most senior career official.
1989
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Susan Froetschel MC/MPA writes that Fear of Beauty, her fourth mystery novel, received the Middle East Outreach Council’s youth literature award and the top prize for mystery/suspense from Military Writers Society of America. Her fifth novel, Allure of Deceit, was published in February. The books focus on parents and children who question policies and customs their communities take for granted. Feel free to contact her about fundraisers.
Momodou Sallah MC/MPA retired 10 years ago. “I am back to school after being certified as MCSE and MCITP-Enterprise. Currently, I am doing my BL, having completed the LLB. I have plans to return to the United States to do LLM at the Harvard Law School or at Yale, if admitted. I am spending my retirement by doing as many courses as possible just for fun and joy. I am having a lot of fun as a student at the age of 62.”
1990
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Bruce Deal MPP writes, “Hard to believe we are coming up on a quarter century since graduation. I have been with Analysis Group for 20 years, serving as an expert witness and leading economic consulting projects. Lisa and I have two kids in college and one more in high school. Let me know if any classmates are passing through Silicon Valley — my office is in Menlo Park.”
William Decker MC/MPA is still with the Medicare program, “and the show in Washington, DC, remains as zany as ever. Now that the ACA looks like it is working out, I’ll finally retire in a couple of years and have more time to spend with the grandkids and finally write that book I’ve been meaning to get to. Or maybe not.”
Jay Madigan MC/MPA writes, “My wife, Marta, and I are living and working in Orlando, Florida. I serve as the deputy chair of the Strategic Management Practices Committee for the American Water Works Association and hope to promote ever-improving practices to natural resource management.”
Lyn Paleo MC/MPA obtained a DrPH from UC Berkeley, with a dissertation on comparing conventional and participatory evaluation. She has been teaching the master’s level course on evaluation for a decade and is evaluation manager at First 5 Contra Costa in California.
Pierre Spaninks HKSEE is a senior business writer in the Netherlands. He led a team of independent journalists in an investigation of the debate on the New Workforce. The Dutch economy is in a stage of nearly jobless growth. On the one hand, freelancers are being blamed for the destruction of steady jobs and lifetime employment. On the other hand, they are commiserated with as the new “precariat,” because they lack a secure income, insurances, and pensions. Yournalism.nl organized both the crowdsourcing and the crowdfunding of this project.
1991 / 25th Reunion
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Aixa Beauchamp MC/MPA was featured in the April 2015 edition of Hispanic Executive Magazine for her philanthropic work as cofounder of the Latino Legacy Fund — a permanent, committee-advised fund with a mission to strengthen the diverse Latino community of Greater Boston and to support issues and organizations that advance the socio-economic status of Latinos.
Fabiana Feld MPA is a chief financial officer at International Finance Corporation in Washington, DC. She travels to emerging markets to structure sustainable investments to improve the lives of people at the bottom of the pyramid. She is trying to instill this passion in her three boys.
Jacquelyne Weatherspoon MC/MPA received the NAACP Excellence in Service Award from the city of Manchester, New Hampshire, in October 2014.
1992
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Gail Murray MC/MPA is the newly appointed chair of the Capitol Corridor Board of Directors. The Capitol Corridor is a daily intercity train that runs from Sacramento to San Jose. Gail continues to serve on the board for the commuter BART train in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gail and her daughter Julia Brenman MPP 1993 traveled to Cuba in May as part of the Sisters Across the Straits program sponsored by the Florida League of Women Voters.
Paul Tauber MPP is a partner in the business practice group at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP in San Francisco. In February 2015, he traveled to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, as a representative of the Pacific Council on International Policy. There, he observed a week of the pre-trial hearings in the case U.S. v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who stands trial along with four others in a military tribunal for the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
1993
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Mark Feldman MPA received a Daily Point of Light Award for his ongoing commitment to the corporate responsibility field and his volunteerism in the Boston community. The award, established by President George H.W. Bush, celebrates individuals for their community service and power to spark change and improve the world. Mark is the managing director of Cause Consulting, a Boston-based social impact strategy and communications firm dedicated to strengthening business and impacting society.
Rudy Ruiz MPP was recently published. His book, Seven for the Revolution, won four International Latino Book Awards in 2014 and was named one of the Top 10 Books by Latino Authors in 2014 by TheLatinoAuthor.com. According to Kirkus Reviews, Rudy’s exploration of the Latino immigrant struggle gives “voices to the voiceless” and offers “fresh perspectives on long-standing societal problems.” Rudy writes frequently on immigration issues for CNN.com. As a social advocate, he serves on the board of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and is CEO of Interlex Communications, a leading advocacy marketing agency.
1994
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Karen Feldman MPA has been running Young Voices, a nonprofit she founded nine years ago. The organization transforms low-income youth of color from across Rhode Island into advanced leaders who push for systemic change in the public education system. The youth are actively engaged in pushing for policy change, testifying at the statehouse, and meeting with the mayor of Providence and the governor of Rhode Island to promote an education platform that they created. She would love to connect with other alums who are interested in unleashing the power of students to make public education work for everyone.
Susan Hackley MC/MPA would love to connect with classmates who want to help bridge the civilian-military divide in the United States. “I’m making a documentary film called A Child’s Guide to War, about the impact of war on the lives of America’s children and families. Veterans need our support, and so do their families. Nearly 2 million American children have a parent who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan. All of us are impacted by war, and we need to have honest and respectful conversations about war. The impact on families should be factored into the true costs of war.”
Reinhard Junghanns MC/MPA, having served two consecutive terms as head of cooperation at the delegations of the European Union to El Salvador (2007–2011) and to Venezuela (2011–2013), has returned to EU headquarters. “At DG DEVCO in Brussels I worked on budget support and financial management. On the occasion of our class of 1994 reunion I enjoyed returning to the United States for the first time since graduation. Finally, I decided to retire from the European Commission in July 2014. However, I continue to travel and give advice to NGOs and local authorities in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.”
Sergio Loya HKSEE has been a senior economic advisor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since late 2014. His principal duties include economic planning, economic development, and management consulting to various industrial cities around Saudi Arabia.
1995
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Elena Conterno MPA is learning to foster good public policies from different endeavors in Peru. For the past two years she has been president of the Peruvian Fisheries Association, and previously spent 10 years in the public sector and 8 in the field of international cooperation. She is married with two kids.
Michael Feiner MC/MPA is currently at the end of his term as German ambassador to Niger. “(If in doubt as to the exact location, pls. check a map.) About to be reposted, at time of going to press no reliable information as to when and where, though. Regrettably, I won’t be able to make it for our 20-year class reunion. Wishing all attendees a joyous and fruitful celebration!”
Sue Klaseus MC/MPA is resource development director for Good Samaritan Society–Ambassador in Minneapolis. Good Samaritan is the largest nonprofit provider of senior care and services in the United States. “After an extensive career in financial services and HKS, I spent 13 years leading university external relations efforts. I also consult with nonprofits shaping their strategic futures and preparing for campaigns. Recently, I was appointed to Wayside House board, one of the nation’s oldest treatment centers devoted to gender-specific needs of women. I am blessed by good friends, a loving family, and a continued thirst for learning, growing, and giving back.”
Kathryn McNiel MC/MPA writes that the Houston Theater District board of directors appointed her as president/CEO of Houston Downtown Alliance.
Jack Needleman PhD has been named chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management and Fred W. and Pamela K. Wasserman Professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
Geralyn Sheehan MC/MPA is working for Opportunity International on innovations in community-led economic development in the global South, targeting innovators in India, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. “Minnesota will always be home, because family’s there. Empty nest now, still trying to adapt!”
1996 / 20th Reunion
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Ray Boshara MC/MPA, after serving as vice president of the New America Foundation — a Washington, DC–based think tank — joined the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. At the Fed, he serves as senior advisor and directs a research center looking at family wealth. He published a book in 2009, The Next Progressive Era, and continues to write for national publications, most recently the Washington Post. He also brought Robert Putnam to speak in St. Louis in April. Ray is married to Lora Iannotti, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Ray and Lora have three children, ages 18, 16, and 13.
Stephanie (Ralston) Khurana MPP recently joined DRKFoundation as a managing director and provides investments to social entrepreneurs while helping to build capacity and scale impact. She loves traveling and spending time with her husband and three kids, who are now 18, 16, and 13 with the oldest off to college this fall!
Dennis Weiner MC/MPA writes, “After more than 33 years of public service in the area of public safety, I’ve started an angel investment firm focused on bringing disruptive technologies to the public sector by making strategic investments in start-up companies. My nearly 20 years as chief of police for several police departments has given me an ability to understand the impact various technologies will have on public safety. That experience, along with formal schooling in entrepreneurial finance and a significant professional network, has allowed me to operate in this niche market. My goal is to empower public safety agencies through innovative technologies.”
1997
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Marc Goodman MC/MPA recently published his new book: Future Crimes: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable and What We Can Do About It, (Random House/Doubleday). Future Crimes takes readers deep into the digital underground to expose the alarming ways criminals, corporations, and even countries are using new and emerging technologies against us — and how this makes everyone more vulnerable than ever imagined. Goodman offers a way out with clear steps we must take to survive the progress unfolding before us. The book was listed among the most anticipated of 2015 by Apple iBooks, NPR, Inc. Magazine, and New Scientist.
John Meredith MC/MPA is serving as the executive director and general counsel for SpringSpirit, a nonprofit in Houston, Texas, that prepares lower-income youth for success on the field, in school, and in life.
Alex Rodriguez MPP was promoted to vice president, Southern Arizona Regional Office, by the Arizona Technology Council. An author, decorated military officer, and leading authority on business leadership, Alex began his career with the council in 2012 as the office’s director.
1998
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Fatimah Gilliam MPP is happily living in New York City. After leaving the UN World Food Programme last year, she decided to start her own consulting company — The Azara Group — focused on career strategy, leadership development, negotiation advising, and diversity and inclusion. She’s spoken at conferences, consulted for Fortune 500 companies, and worked with clients in the sports industry. She’s advised clients on gaining strategic leverage in advancing their careers, getting more money on the table, and creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces. For now, she’s hung up her marathon shoes, but still enjoys the great outdoors and traveling.
Jason Kaune MPP ran for and was elected to the board of trustees for the Orinda Unified School District in 2014. “Our sons, Alek and Will, attend the local schools, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lead the political law practice at Nielsen Merksamer, a firm specializing in government law and compliance since the Watergate era.”
Jenny Korn MPP presented at the largest music, interactive, and film festival in the United States, the South by Southwest Festival, for her third consecutive year.
Sebastian Lorenz MPA received a direct commission from the DEU Navy as a full commander (O5) and attending psychiatrist in the Medical Corps and was tasked with treating soldiers returning from the Afghanistan theaters with PTSD. He remains CEO of CareMetrics Health Services Research, the company he founded while at HKS, and maintains his private medical practice. He is based out of Berlin, Germany, and St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Jodie Smith MPP made a mid-career trip through law school and is now in her first year of practice in San Francisco at Moscone Emblidge & Otis. Her specialization is public law litigation, encompassing a broad array of issues related to public decision making, from constitutional challenges to neighborhood disputes. Her pro bono work is representing minors in school expulsion proceedings. Jodie is on the board of the Harvard Club of San Francisco and would love to hear from you if you’re in the Bay Area.
1999
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Michael Caccuitto MPA continues to work for the Department of Defense — currently the U.S. Army — looking for opportunities to translate research into innovation providing new military capabilities. “I am in the fantastic Research Triangle area of North Carolina, safely out of DC!”
2000
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Clayton Bond MPP writes, “Ted, TABO, and I are delighted to announce the addition of Miss Lucile Elizabeth Bond-Osius to our family.”
George Cheung MPP, after a decade working in nonprofit advocacy in Seattle, took a position in Chicago as a senior program officer at the Joyce Foundation. “There, I manage a portfolio of democracy-related grants covering the Midwest. Last May, Tibor Horvath and I got married and took an amazing honeymoon to southern China and Vietnam in January. While in Hanoi, we had an amazing dinner with Clayton Bond MPP and his husband, Ambassador Ted Osius. Looking forward to reconnecting at the reunion!”
Joel Cusker NSF retired as Brigadier General after 34 years of military service and is now the deputy director of the Defense Critical Language and Culture Program (DCLCP) at the University of Montana. DCLCP courses enable students to learn languages and understand cultures of strategically significant nations in the world of modernity where bilateral and multilateral relations are increasingly complex. The DCLCP provides students with language fluency (basic to advanced) and cultural awareness, allowing the conduct of effective interaction with heritage populations.
John Haederle MC/MPA has recently joined The Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, as its new executive vice president for finance and operations. Previously, John was senior director of operations for The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Ken Johnson MPP has lived in Washington, DC, since graduation, with his wife, Gina, and two kids, Liana and Elias. “I have served as CFO of the Securities and Exchange Commission for the past five years. Before that I worked at the SEC in other roles for six years, focusing on the agency’s budget. I also spent three years at the Congressional Budget Office. Gina also works in the public sector, serving as COO for an international development nonprofit called Results for Development. Liana and Elias attend DC public schools, and are developing an interest in current events and public policy as well!”
Rosemary Powers MC/MPA assumed the post of chief operating officer for the New York State Department of Transportation in February. She will be directly responsible for the regional offices, ROW, and business service initiatives.
Steven Rahman MPP appeared recently on Bloomberg News discussing alternative uses for the block chain technology that enables Bitcoin. “Currency, it’s just the first use case. You could imagine that anything, like prescriptions, could be managed with the blockchain technology,” he writes.
Kimberly Reott MPA writes, “I am loving living in Brussels with my husband (a U.S. diplomat at the U.S. Embassy to the EU) and two daughters. I am running a 30-plus-person social innovation design firm focused on community building called Context Partners (www.contextpartners.com) for clients like DFID, Rockefeller Foundation, WWF, and Microsoft. Would love to connect with other HKSers. Be in touch if you are in the area.”
Luis Socorro MC/MPA was appointed as investigations advisor in charge of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) by the United Nations Development Programme. GFTAM projects represent more than $1.9 billion for UNDP implementation.
Ajay Thomas MPP joined William Blair & Company, a Chicago-based global investment and asset management firm, as a managing director and head of public finance in the debt capital markets group. Located in the firm’s newly opened Austin office, Ajay is responsible for collaborating with his team to oversee public financing projects in Texas markets and surrounding regions. With more than 15 years of experience in Texas municipal banking groups, Ajay is a key player in establishing William Blair’s presence in the Texas market and increasing the firm’s national presence through expanding financing services in the municipal sector.
2001 / 15th Reunion
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Michael Boyle MPP was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor at La Salle University in Philadelphia. His first book, Violence after War: Explaining Instability in Post-Conflict States, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Thomas Hedderick HKSEE was appointed financial and administrative director of the Framingham Heart Study at Boston University in 2014. One of the world’s most informative and longest-running studies on cardiovascular disease, the study remains a global epicenter for epidemiological research today. Current research focuses largely on identifying genes and proteins associated with various risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. In total, Framingham investigators have identified hundreds of DNA sites associated with stroke, atrial fibrillation, valvular calcification, and other pressing health conditions. “Our collaborations span universities and nations. I hope to hear from the New/Old England group of ’01, especially those from the UK!”
Cynthia Hogle MC/MPA is currently pursuing her PhD in public administration at the University of Kansas. Her dissertation focus will be on Veterans Treatment Courts — specialized courts based on the model of Drug and Mental Health Treatment Courts — offering treatment over incarceration. Cynthia also maintains her interest in issues related to Afghanistan and Iraq. She remains in contact with several of her former U.S., Iraqi, and Afghan colleagues.
Finbarr Livesey MPP is now in his second year as a lecturer in public policy and deputy director for the new MPP at the University of Cambridge. “We’ve successfully launched a one-year MPP (first class started in 2013) and we’re now expanding the program and our research. Besides the teaching and research, I’m part of a new weekly podcast from our department in the run-up to the UK general election — reminds me of writing for the Citizen through the 2000 U.S. presidential!”
David Evan Markus MPP received double ordination as rabbi and spiritual director from the Alliance for Jewish Renewal after six years of study. He serves as vice chair and general counsel of ALEPH and as rabbi of Temple Beth-El of City Island, New York. In secular life, he serves as a judicial referee for the New York Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District. Previously he served as special counsel to the chief judge of New York and lead counsel for the New York State Senate.
Ken Rizer MC/MPA defeated an incumbent opponent with 53 to 47 percent of the vote in the 2014 election, and will now serve the people of his district in the Iowa House. Ken, a retired colonel, credits hard work, a popular message, and applying what he learned from his classmates as well as HKS’s Mickey Edwards and Bill Richardson for his victory.
2002
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Michael Baumgartner MPA/ID was elected to another four-year term in the Washington state senate and named the chair of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. His wife, Eleanor, whom he met when they worked together on a counternarcotics team in Helmand, Afghanistan, in 2009, is expecting their fourth child this year.
Christopher Hickey MPP writes, “After a decade as a strategist in Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan, I am attending the Army War College. Next year I will start work on a PhD in international security and economic policy at the University of Maryland. After that, I will join the Army War College faculty as a permanent military strategy professor.
2003
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Catherine Barber MPA/ID has recently moved to Brasilia to lead the United Kingdom government’s efforts to promote prosperity in partnership with Brazil. She works on low-carbon economics, innovation, science, and education as well as in the business environment. She is constantly grateful to her adventurous and adaptable husband, Wayne Diamond. Sings with three choirs in her spare time — a great way to meet new people. “Would love to meet HKS alumni in Brazil.”
Vianney Basse MPA just joined the Paris office of the executive search firm Eric Salmon & Partners. He will focus on industry, finance, and public service. Previously an investment banker (M&A) and a government officer (foreign affairs, defense), Vianney looks forward to combining his previous private and public sectors experience with a strong flavor of good old PAL courses!
Marty Martin MC/MPA writes, “Braving Boston’s snow, Frances Sun MC/MPA and I participated in the roundtable discussions at HKS during the 2015 China–U.S. Philanthropy Forum hosted by the Beijing-based Center for China & Globalization. I spoke on nonprofit board leadership and fundraising at the 2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals’ International Conference. I will provide training for international and U.S. nonprofit practitioners through the Duke University executive certificate in nonprofit leadership and the related nonprofit intensive track program. I continue to provide legal, tax, and board training services for nonprofit boards and senior leadership across a wide range of issues and geographical locations.”
2004
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Ken Biberaj MPP was recently appointed to serve as the chairman of the board of directors for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
John Cogbill MC/MPA was selected as a member of the inaugural class of Presidential Leadership Scholars, a unique leadership development initiative that utilizes the resources of the U.S. presidential centers of Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush. The curriculum draws on archives related to leadership moments from each administration and benefits from the participation of President George W. Bush and President Clinton. John is working on a personal leadership project that aims to reduce veteran suicides by increasing resiliency in active duty soldiers.
Gagik Yeghiazarian MC/MPA, the CEO and cofounder of Zangi Livecom, is happy to report that Zangi now delivers the best real-time HD video streaming experience on mobile devices. “We have achieved 720p/30fps resolution, first in the industry. Our unique Stream Control Protocol gives us at least 2x lead in bandwidth usage compared with Skype and others: ultra-low bandwidth usage helps us bring HD communication to the developing world and places where Internet is an issue. Best battery and phone resource usage, free roaming, best cost efficiency, and more. Join us on iOS and Android and thanks for your reviews.”
2005
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Candace Bertotti MC/MPA asks, “Heard of TED talks?” Candace delivered her “Big Idea” keynote on the simple and extraordinary powers of being curious and being present. Watch “Mastering the Art of Getting to Know Someone” on YouTube.
Myung-Hwan Cho MC/MPA is a professor of microbiology and immunology at Konkuk University, in South Korea, and an adjunct professor of American government at University of Maryland University College. He is a scientist, public health advocate, and entrepreneur. He served as president of the AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific and coauthored AIDS: Take a Long-Term View. He has been duly acknowledged as Man of the Year representing Asia, Man of the Year in Public Health, and Leading Innovator of the Year. He is also a recipient of the Korea Creative Management Grand Prize for his contribution toward promoting Korea’s creative economy.
Pablo Cruz Morales HKSEE has been selected as director of engineering for the southern region of the USDA Forest Service base in Atlanta, Georgia. Pablo has dedicated his entire career to federal public service. For the past 22 years he has served as forest supervisor of El Yunque National Forest, in Puerto Rico. He was honored to be the second island-born forest supervisor of El Yunque — a unique tropical rain forest with a rich history spanning more than 100 years.
Arturo Franco MPA/ID writes, “Dear MPA/IDs: As I was heading out to the HKS European Alumni Summit in London today, it just struck me: 2015 is our 10-year graduation anniversary! (Damn. Time flies).”
Hyun Kim MPP works at the UN Department of Political Affairs in New York, following a tour in Darfur as a special assistant to the head of the UN Mission and a tour in Somalia as a member of the political and mediation group. He now advises on conflict prevention and political affairs affecting East Africa and the Great Lakes region.
Dimitry Léger HKS writes that in January, Amistad/HarperCollins published his debut novel, God Loves Haiti, a love story set in Haiti after a devastating earthquake. The New York Times called it “energetic, unusual, and unforgettable.”
Annie Lord MPP writes, “Hi, everyone! Dallas has become more interesting and pleasant as I have gotten to know it. I still work for Citigroup in its community development division, which has been truly inspiring. Especially inspiring is my son, Alex, who just turned one this March. Every day is some delightful new discovery—dandelions! bubbles! gravity! Nick and I are blessed to enjoy a great family, kind friends, and meaningful work. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the reunion!”
Sarah Norman MPP writes, “My husband and I welcomed our son, Gabriel Avi Norman Fields, on August 29, 2014. He’s full of smiles, laughter, and an endless array of funny babbling words and noises. I’m at NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit in the community development field, where I’m leading an initiative to expand our health impact. I still live in Baltimore and am involved in a lot of local organizations, including serving on the board of Baltimore Medical System. If you are ever in Baltimore or DC, give me a ring. I’d love to catch up!”
Roopal Thaker MPP has spent 10 years working as a freelance nonprofit project manager based in Ottawa. In June she coauthored a research paper with Tessa Hebb MC/MPA 1996 titled “Partnerships between not-for-profit organizations and business: Challenges and opportunities.” In August, an innovative project she helped to manage opened its doors: The Somerset West Community Health Centre Rosemount Branch will provide primary health and social services to 1,100 local residents. To cap off a busy summer, Roopal married fellow Kenyan Deepak Dave on a rainy September afternoon. She is now exploring professional options that leverage her nonprofit experience.
2006 / 10th Reunion
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Chunmei Chen MC/MPA writes, “Studying at HKS gave me strength to deal with difficult situations both at work and in my personal life. I have been working to promote cultural understanding between China and the United States, and have organized various cultural events to further deepen the people-to-people understanding between the two countries, as well as the bilateral cultural relations between China and Pacific Island countries and South American countries. This year we will open the China-Canada cultural year, and next year will be a China–Latin America cultural year. I am proud to play a major role in these operations.”
Brooke (Brody-Waite) Eisele MPP and her husband, Scott, welcomed their first child, Skylar, in August. Brooke also left the House Intelligence Committee for a new and exciting job on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Harumi Furuya PhD and her sisters Sakiko Furuya and Mimi Furuya — all Juilliard graduates — started their own concert series in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For more information on the Furuya Sisters Concerts Series, please visit FuruyaSisters.com. “You are all welcome to come to our concerts! Also, at least one concert per season is livestreamed nationally and internationally, which you can watch at home, live, anywhere in the world.”
Angela Joo-Hyun Kang MC/MPA, founder and executive president of Global Competitiveness Empowerment Forum, authored the book Global Competitiveness of Innovative Leaders: CSR Strategy and CSR Talent, published by Starbooks in Korean in February. It is a pragmatic guideline book that can help businesspeople upgrade CSR (corporate social responsibility) strategy and nurture CSV (creating shared value) talent, core of global competitiveness backed by company cases and an author’s field experiences.
Felix Maradiaga Blandon MC/MPA is a cofounder of Pioneer Capital Partners, an investment firm that manages investments and provides advisory services in Central America and the Caribbean. He is currently partnering on a project bringing renewable energy to underserved communities in Central America. He is a strong believer in the transformational power of the private sector to support post-conflict reconstruction and economic development. Prior to cofounding Pioneer, Felix founded the Civil Society Leadership Institute, one of Central America’s premier training centers on civic leadership. He was recently honored with the prestigious Gus Hart Fellowship by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Ron Pailliotet MC/MPA was promoted to captain and assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area in San Francisco.
Markus Scheuermaier MC/MPA, HKSEE 2015 writes that Nicolas Scheuermaier welcomed his baby sister, Clara, on October 27, 2014. The parents, Karine and Markus, and the siblings are all doing well. Markus is still working for the International Finance Corporation in Johannesburg, South Africa, focusing on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in African post-conflict countries. He returned to the Kennedy School in May 2015 for an executive education course on PPPs.
2007
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Godwin Chan Christoph Hermann MPP, in addition to getting married on July 4, 2015, sold a majority share of the business news site he co-founded in Germany to Bonnier media group in Sweden. The site, Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten, has been Germany’s fastest- growing business news media online with the biggest reach in social media.
Kusi Hornberger MPA/ID writes, “My wife, Laura Ardila Rueda MPA/ID, and I are proud to announce the birth of our first child. Ariana Alizeti Hornberger was born October 29, 2014, in São Paulo. In true MPA/ID style, she is already a proud holder of three passports!!”
Vesselin Valchev HKSEE has completed his term as ambassador of Bulgaria to the Republic of Cyprus and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as secretary general. “My latest appointment is Ambassador-at-large for Antarctica.”
2008
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Godwin Chan HKSEE has been elected for a second term as director of the national Federation of Canadian Municipalities and appointed to the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance & Intergovernmental Arrangements and International Relations for the new term. In October 2014, he had successfully won his third term as councillor of Richmond Hill with 73 percent of the vote, and now serves as the chair of the Economic Development Task Force.
Tina Doerffer MC/MPA is excited and proud to share the news that she started her own business: Doerffer Leadership Group. The aim is to provide strategic advice and action options to executive clients in one-on-one settings and in CEO leadership circles. “Let me know if I can help — I’d love to hear from you!”
Roshan Paul MPP writes, “Hello from Kenya! My start-up, Amani Institute, is growing rapidly. Our mission is creating new education models to prepare people for social sector careers around the world. After two years in Kenya we are about to expand to Brazil. I still live in Nairobi and would gladly try and host any HKSers who are passing through. On a personal note, I’d love to announce that I just published my first novel, called Such a Lot of World. You can find it on Amazon. Do check it out!”
Jose Luis Romo Cruz MPP was appointed director of planning and evaluation for Mexico City’s new international airport. With an estimated cost of $15 billion, the construction of this airport will be one of the three largest infrastructural airport projects worldwide. It will not only be emblematic in terms of design, construction, and operation, but it will also define Mexico’s new way to develop large infrastructural projects. With comprehensive strategy, which includes transit, environmental, economic, and social measures, the project will transform the center of Mexico into a new development center for the country.
Shehzad Tarique HKSEE sends greetings to the global Harvard village. “Over the previous two years, I have been in Nepal going about my work on local financial sector reforms. My wife is in Pakistan assisting in management of a prep school of 400 kids. My sons are in Europe continuing to study and work to become entrepreneurs. In general, my family is considered a global set of individuals in this overly globalized planet.”
Letha Tawney MC/MPA and Brian Tawney were pleased to welcome Connall Wyam Corliss Tawney on December 22, 2014, in Portland, Oregon. His two big sisters are thrilled to have a baby brother. Letha is still a senior associate at World Resources Institute, now leading global work to expand access to affordable, renewable energy.
2009
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Melissa Braunstein MPP is thrilled to announce the birth of her second daughter, Annabelle Ileana, on July 26. “Three-year-old Lila has quickly and lovingly adapted to life in The Big Sisters Club. Our newly expanded clan continues to enjoy life in the nation’s capital, where Todd works at a law firm and I am an independent writer, writing primarily about parenting and pop culture (www.melissabraunstein.com).”
Kristen Green MC/MPA reports that her first book, Something Must Be Done About Prince Edward County, was published by HarperCollins in June. “The book, a hybrid of history and memoir, tells the story of my rural Virginia hometown, which closed its public schools rather than desegregate.”
Akinwale Ojomo HKSEE is a special advisor to the director-general and CEO of the Centre for Management Development. Before that he was an executive producer of the TV show Global Culture and senior partner of Roy Synergy Group. “Due to the amazing and increasing opportunity in Africa,” he relocated to his home country in 2012 to be part of the brain gain and developmental drive for the growth of Nigeria. His current projects include SME Business Incubator, attracting business to Nigeria, Diaspora Conferences, and 100 Documentary. Akinwale is currently writing two books “with collaborative opportunity with Harvard, especially in diaspora research.”
2010
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Ryan Androsoff MPP moved to Paris in January to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, where he is part of its digital government team, working on initiatives to support governments in the use of information technology to reform the public sector. He is on leave from the Canadian government, where, since graduating from HKS, he has been leading efforts to develop social media policy and promote the use of online collaboration systems inside the public service.
Manisha Dookhony MC/MPA was elected to the Alumni Board this year. “I wish to thank all alums who voted for me and pledge to do my best to help alumni networks around the world. I am completing my third year in Kigali as advisor to the Government of Rwanda. It has been a real treat to see so many HKS alums visit. I started the year on the island of Rodrigues, crossed by Mauritius several times, visited South Africa, Turkey for my fourth class reunion, France, Ethiopia, Kenya, Massachusetts, and now I am en route to Oman.”
Brandt Hershman HKSEE was one of six individuals honored by The Tax Foundation with the second annual award for Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform. The honorees were selected for their extraordinary efforts to advance the cause of simpler, smarter tax policy. Brandt, a Republican Indiana state senator, in 2014 worked to expand Indiana’s trend of substantive reforms in recent years. He authored or coauthored the reduction of Indiana’s corporate income tax rate, elimination of the inheritance tax, enactment of property tax caps, lowering of income tax rates, and reform of the state’s treatment of personal property taxes, which now serves as a model for other states.
Sebastian Litta MPA is now a partner at company companions GmbH and president of the McCloy Alumni Association.
Mehmet Örgen HKSEE writes, “My classmates, I hope all are doing well. I retired from the navy after 29 years of service. Now I am working for a holding company in Istanbul, as strategy and corporate development manager.
Edward Redmond HKSEE writes, “In response to the many acts of violence and injustice impacting the African-American community today, I created a new song and video called Heartbroken. The song calls for us all to work together to uphold our individual rights to liberty and justice. You can view the music video Heartbroken from my homepage at www.e-redmond.com. Let’s all work collectively as one HKS community to be the voice of change and peace this nation needs to hear right now.”
Maia Sandu MC/MPA has led the Ministry of Education of Moldova for the past three years. “I had to deal with a range of problems: widespread corruption, huge inefficiencies, poor results, and no interest for education. I built a strong team, and by the end of the first year, we managed to significantly curb cheating in schools. This has upset many people, but also uncovered the truth about the real situation in education and helped us push for significant reforms. In 2014 I was elected to the Moldovan Parliament. I gave up the position and returned to the ministry.”
Allison Shapira MC/MPA was thrilled to return to the Kennedy School as an adjunct lecturer in public policy, teaching The Arts of Communication in spring 2015. She continues to live in Washington, DC, where she is growing her public speaking business, and she commutes weekly from DC to Boston when teaching. Allison is also excited to release her second album titled Joan & Joni, based on her tribute show to Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, which she is currently performing around the country with fellow singer/songwriter Kipyn Martin.
Patrick Soper HKSEE 2010, 2012 is a lead examiner for the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), a regional association, that provides assistance to schools in California, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, and East Asia, currently serving approximately 4,600 schools.
Deanne Titus MC/MPA has been named to the board of directors of the Charm City Pearls Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization created to provide financial resources and community support to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated — Psi Phi Omega Chapter. The organization partners with selected city officials, corporate sponsors, and community organizations to provide community service and scholarship programs in Baltimore.
2011 / 5th Reunion
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David Bray HKSEE 2011, 2013, 2014 has been selected as a 2015 USA Eisenhower Fellow. David will travel to synthesize perspectives across the private and public sectors of Australia and Taiwan regarding strategies to address the exponential rate of change and new opportunities posed by the rising “internet of everything.” David was one of nine outstanding U.S. leaders from the public and private sector chosen as USA Eisenhower Fellows in 2015.
John Butler HKSEE was appointed chief of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. John earned his MS in Management in 2007 from Johns Hopkins University and was an attendee at the April 2011 HKS Executive Education program Leadership in Crisis.
Ziad Haider MPA writes, “Aaka and I are overjoyed to have welcomed our first child — Aman Pande Haider — into the world this past January. We remain in Washington, where I currently serve on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s policy planning staff at the department of State, covering the global economics portfolio.”
Jim Secreto MPP is currently deputy associate counsel in the Office of the White House Counsel. He also served at the Department of Energy as acting chief of staff to the deputy secretary and senior advisor in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. “I remain grateful for the opportunity to attend HKS and the chance to work in public service.”
Tyler Thigpen MC/MPA has rejoined the Harvard community, this time as a doctoral candidate in education leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In his first year, he and his cohort mates have consulted with organizations such as the New York City Department of Education, Boston Public Schools, Coca-Cola, the education ministry of Lebanon, and numerous others. Tyler and his wife, Joy, now live with their four children in Arlington.
Dehlia Umunna MC/MPA was appointed clinical professor of law at Harvard Law School.
2012
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Erica Elizabeth (Harrison) Arnold MPP continues her third year of practicing law in Atlanta. She was recently nominated for Alston & Bird LLP’s 2014 Philip H. Alston, Jr. Award for pro bono services recognizing her legal representation of low-income individuals. Erica’s independent education consulting business, HarMcC Heritage LLC, continues to grow with new clients and projects. In January 2015, she married Marcus Allen Arnold.
Juliet Asante MC/MPA writes, “My focus is on using film as a tool for highlighting social issues in and around Africa. Silver Rain is a movie that highlights class gaps and political dynamics in Africa. This is done through a young market girl in Accra who decides to find love outside her class and inadvertently starts a class war. The project is based in the five African countries of Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. Silver Rain is presently making theatrical rounds across the continent and internationally. Find out more at mysilverrainmovie.com.
Andrew Buks HKSEE continues to reside in South Dakota. Apart from teaching at Northern State University’s School of Business, he has recently joined Dakota Guardian Trust Company as a vice president. Dakota Guardian Trust maintains offices in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota. The company is a joint venture between Stockmens Financial Corporation and Smith Hayes Legacy Partners. In his new role, Andrew provides access to a wealth of legal and tax advantages and access to the most favorable trust laws in the United States. Andrew also serves on boards of directors of Harvard Alumni for Agriculture and Hope Center.
Rey Faustino MPP was nominated for the San Francisco Chronicle’s inaugural Visionary of the Year Award for his work starting and running One Degree (1deg.org), a nonprofit technology organization that is revolutionizing the way low-income families access nonprofit and social services.
Haney Hong MPP is now serving on the National Navy Reserve Policy Board, a board required by law to advise the secretary of the navy on policy matters affecting the Navy Reserve.
Alexandro Lopez-Cardenas MC/MPA returned to his hometown, Mexico City, after graduation to resume work for the Mexico City government. “After 14 years of public service in the capital city of my country — in such areas as investment projects, public transportation, budgeting, and economic development — I was invited to join a team to spearhead the recovery of institutional, economic, societal, and developmental areas in the Mexican state of Michoacán — unfortunately, one of the most affected by insecurity and the lack of a strong government and solid institutions. Currently, I serve as coordinating minister for development planning for the state.”
Charles Seigel MC/MPA writes, “I’ve been enjoying trying something new for me that my year at HKS inspired . . . I’m teaching a class one day a week this semester on American government and politics at the University of La Verne in La Verne, California, just east of Los Angeles. I’m really enjoying the experience, learning about teaching and interacting with the students.”
2013
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Chike Aguh MPA married Crystal Agi on August 30, 2014.
Manuel Chavez-Angeles MPA/ID works on common-pool resources and evolutionary game theory. He’s a member of the International Association for the Study of the Commons and a professor at the Universidad de la Sierra Sur, in Oaxaca, Mexico. “Have two wonderful kids.”
Jeanne Dietsch MC/MPA has founded Sapiens Plurum (“the wisdom of many”), an organization advocating for the benefit of humankind in norm-setting around artificial intelligence, biosynthesis, and other technologies with vast power. The group is seeking volunteers to assist in education, publicity, and bottom-up policy building at SapiensPlurum.org.
R. Erdem Erkul HKSEE was elected vice president of the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies in Brussels. CEPIS is the representative body of national informatics associations throughout greater Europe. CEPIS’ main aim is to promote the development of the information society in Europe. It has grown to represent more than 350,000 ICT and informatics professionals as members in 32 countries. CEPIS also supports the European Commission and European Union in technology-related policy issues through its activities. While at HKS, Erdem worked with faculty members Calestous Juma and Jane Fountain.
David Greenwell HKSEE is pleased to announce an unopposed re-election to the Oklahoma City Council in March 2015. OKC is one of our country’s most vibrant communities and continues to be recognized as a destination city for businesses and entrepreneurs. Many of the principals and strategies presented at HKS are utilized here.
Aaron Hake HKSEE has been appointed to the Riverside County (California) Planning Commission and as Corona City treasurer. Aaron continues to serve as government relations manager for the Riverside County Transportation Commission. These roles place him at the forefront of public policy in one of California’s fastest-growing regions, known as the “Inland Empire.” “My focus is on infrastructure and sustainable growth, combating ‘brain drain’ of the region’s most talented young people, and elevating the Inland Empire’s role in state and national policy-making; it’s time we live up to our potential as a driver of California and the nation’s future.”
Shannon McAuliffe MC/MPA is the proud director of the home site of Roca, Inc., based in Chelsea. “Roca, funded in part by the HKS SIB lab, is engaging proven-risk young men and changing how they think, feel, and act so they stay out of jail and alive. We do this through relentless outreach, programming based in CBT, teaching them to work, and engaging in all institutions relevant to them. We are constantly adapting, learning, and striving to get better. It’s a bumpy ride for sure, but there is no place I’d rather be.”
Jon Murad MC/MPA writes, “After commencement, my prediction in the Graduate English Address came true, and I was assigned to patrol in the 034 precinct. But when Commissioner William Bratton returned to the NYPD in January 2014, I ended up in headquarters, working on his reengineering project. In October, I became his speechwriter. It went well, and on December 19, the commissioner appointed me assistant commissioner, strategic communications — a six-rank leap. The next day, two officers were assassinated in Brooklyn. That tragedy reinforced what’s at stake as we seek to bridge the police-community divide and make a safer, fairer city.”
Rajesh Talwar HKSEE writes, “I’ve almost finished a year working for the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in March a new book came out aimed at guiding the lay population through the labyrinthine corridors of the Indian legal system: How to Choose Your Lawyer — and Win Your Case.
Reeves Whalen HKSEE has become a partner with Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine. Reeves has practiced law with Burg Simpson since passing the bar in 2008. He is a community advocate, a recognized leader in consumer rights, and a Colorado trial attorney. While in practice, he has been widely recognized with the American Constitution Society’s Progressive Young Leadership Award, the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100, and the Denver Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. He serves on the board’s of directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Inner City Health Center.
2014
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Subhash Ghimire MPP was appointed editor-in-chief of Republica, Nepal’s biggest English daily, in October 2014. “I am the youngest ever editor-in-chief. We publish with the International New York Times. I now live and work in Kathmandu.”
Benjamin Hill MC/MPA is now a monitoring and evaluation consultant for the Inter American Development Bank. Before doing his MC/MPA at the Kennedy School, he was the head of the Performance Evaluation Unit in the Ministry of Finance of Mexico.
David Kalinske HKSEE writes, “I’d like to introduce Global Hybrid Company, pioneering never-before-seen airborne logistics capabilities that can virtually eliminate the need for traditional infrastructure development with the use of hybrid airships. By providing our transformational airborne logistics service, we immediately enable the transportation of goods, supplies, and commerce to locations where access was previously impossible. Hybrid aircraft are a critical and revolutionary enabler for remote economic development. They significantly improve year-round access to austere areas, and are capable of staging operations virtually anywhere — a dirt field, marsh, ice, and even open water.”
Adam La Reau MC/MPA is the founder of One Summit, a nonprofit mentorship program that builds resilience in children with cancer. Recently, Adam was selected, as a 2015 honoree for Massachusetts General Hospital’s “The One Hundred,” honoring 100 individuals taking extraordinary action in the fight against cancer. He is also the cofounder of O2X, an active lifestyle company focused on maximizing human performance. O2X works directly with corporations and first responders, including the Boston Fire Department, to increase effectiveness and improve overall health, wellness, and development.
Robin Lipp MPP is serving as a fellow in nonprofit law at the Vera Institute of Justice, in New York City.
Jessica Montoya HKSEE recently marched with Representative John Lewis and the Obama and Bush families to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama.
Adam Ranson MPA and Vivian Lu Ranson MPP 2013 were married on June 28, 2014, in Berkeley, California. They are grateful to have shared their special event with many cherished HKS friends. Vivian is currently consulting to federal government clients on strategy and operations, while Adam is consulting to private sector clients in the transportation and energy industries on similar topics.
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In Memoriam
Steve Bonano MC/MPA 2009
Evangeline Crisostomo-Escobillo MC/MPA 2009
James Frankel MPA 1990
Nurlan Kapparov MC/MPA 2003
Tom Kennedy MC/MPA 2005
Nestor Sadiarin HKSEE 2008
Claire Miller Zimmerman MCR 1982