Meet the Fellows
What makes a good leader? We are thoughtful. Compassionate. Collaborative. Honest. Bold. Brave. Willing to show humility. Inclusivity. Empathy. Ready to engage in self-reflection. We empower, listen, and support. We take responsibility for mistakes we’ve made. We have a vision of how the world can be different and what we can do to get there.
These are all the qualities that make a good leader and define our community. A good leader is you.
We are a diverse and dynamic community and we reflect the people we serve.
Who we are
62%
identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
28%
are members of the LGBTQIA+ community
38%
are the first in their families to attend college
72%
identify as women, non-binary, or transgender
28%
have completed a graduate degree at the start of the program
26
unique home states represented
26
the median age of Fellows at the start of the program
92%
began the Fellowship with less than 3 years of full-time professional work experience
Discover our impact
Fellow Placements
Featured Fellows
Stories
Amber Pederson | 2020 GFA Fellow
Cheyenne Liberti | 2021 GFA Fellow
Michael Davis & Crystal Foretia | 2023 GFA Fellows
The Importance of Emerging Leaders
Meet Our 2026 Cohort
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Abigail Andresen
Epidemiologist
City of St Louis | Missouri
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Work: Abigail investigates patterns and causes of disease to inform public health policy and interventions.
Vision: “Public service means using my experience, knowledge, inquisitiveness and and eagerness to serve those in communities that are underserved. It is about listening to people, understanding their needs, and working toward solutions that create lasting benefits. To me, public service requires integrity, empathy, accountability, and a commitment to putting the public good above personal interests. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to contribute to work that helps people thrive.”
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Acacia Douglas
Public Health Program Representative
City of St Louis | Missouri
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Work: Acacia investigates communicable disease outbreaks; interviews patients to compile information; locates and interviews possible persons in contact with patients; conducts neighborhood surveys for possible contacts; consults with health care professionals to analyze lab results and epidemiological data to detect trends.
Vision: “[public service is] continuously striving for better quality of life for all people.“
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Ana Maria Ramos
Child Sexual abuse Prevention Trainer
The Children's Trust of Massachusetts | Massachusetts
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Work: Ana Maria teach adults how to keep children safe from sexual abuse.
Vision: “Public service, to me, is about helping people in ways they may never even notice. When government works well, people can access the services they need, trust the institutions that serve them, and focus on living their lives. I find that really meaningful.“
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Avery Santin
Special Assistant
City of Chattanooga | Tennessee
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Work: Avery’s role as Special Assistant to Mayor Kelly essentially operates as a junior chief of staff and program manager for his vision for city services, where she work to execute his vision by communicating between city departments, sharing data, and helping form strategic plans to improve city services.
Vision: “Local government has some of the most direct impacts on citizens of any level of government that I have seen. In these politically divisive times, it is clear to me that local government, specifically city government in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has the ability to improve the lives of our residents and create positive change almost immediately when there is political will. Public service means contributing to that mission and helping my community.“
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Britney Huynh
Program Development Coordinator
City of Austin | Texas
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Work: Britney coordinates an internship for youth ages 16-20 in Austin, TX to introduce them to green careers and do projects that support the urban forest.
Vision: “Public service means using my skills to serve and uplift my community.“
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Diego Angeles Marquez
Environmental Justice Fellow
Colorado Department of Natural Resources | Colorado
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Work: Diego supports environmental justice and community outreach at ECMC by helping make government processes, public participation, and regulatory information more accessible, transparent, and understandable for communities across Colorado.
Vision: “Public service means adhering to the public & being able to bring forward public interest or concerns. Public service means being a voice for many people and being able to fight for equity and property for all.“
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Emma Haines
Environmental Protection Specialist, Nonpoint Source Project Coordinator
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Colorado
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Work: Emma manages 319-funded non-point source water restoration projects across Colorado.
Vision: “To me, public service is working towards improving present and future community members, taking into account economical and environmental challenges.“
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Gabriela Davis
Community Engagement Specialist
City of Austin | Texas
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Work: Gabriela is responsible for connecting Austin Equity and Inclusion with its partners, stakeholders, and audiences.
Vision: “Public Service is work done not in your own best interest, but on behalf of a greater body of people that look to you to act on their behalf. It requires close community listening, a deeper understanding of the body being served, empathy, and above all, selflessness and a dedication to carrying out the will of the people.“
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Japhia Long
Data and Performance Analyst
Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing | Colorado
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Work: Japhia supports the department's strategic priorities by analyzing program data, monitoring performance, and helping teams use information effectively to improve outcomes.
Vision: “Public service means prioritizing the needs of your community, and meeting people where they are at to come up with solutions to complex and challenging issues.“
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Kamryn Smith
Assistant to the Town Administrator
Town of Medfield | Massachusetts
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Work: As an Assistant to the Town Administrator, Kamryn supports daily municipal operations and help move town priorities forward through communications, budgeting, and keeping residents informed about decisions that shape the community.
Vision: “Public service to me is work that connects government decisions to the people they affect. Working in municipal and state government has shown me how much happens behind the scenes that residents never see, but still feel in their everyday lives. It has made me value making that process clearer and more accessible, and being part of work that actually shows up in a community.“
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Meghan Brauch
Public Health Nursing Supervisor
City of St Louis | Missouri
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Work: Meghan is a Public Health Nursing Supervisor at the City of St. Louis Department of Health, managing the Tuberculosis Control Program, Perinatal Hepatitis B Program, and Medical Records Department.
Vision: “Public service means that the work I do directly benefits the people in my community and beyond. From the moment I walk through my door each day, my purpose is to make a meaningful difference. It means listening, reflecting, and understanding community concerns so that I can use the resources and skills available to me to drive real change.“
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Mikayla Smith
District Director
Office of Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid | Massachusetts
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Work: Mikayla is a connector, problem solver, researcher and surrogate legislator rolled into one.
Vision: “Public service, to me, is sacrifice. Sacrificing free-time, adequate pay, or natural cortisol levels for strong and productive networks, hands-on learning experience, and the satisfaction of successfully assisting someone at their worst.“
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Natasha Carny
Lead Testing Project Manager
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Colorado
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Work: Natasha manages Colorado’s statewide lead testing program for child care facilities, helping ensure safe drinking water by coordinating contractors, interpreting environmental regulations, and supporting community-centered public health implementation.
Vision: “To me, public service means being intentional about how systems, policies, and information reach people in their everyday lives. It is not only about creating programs or policies, but also about understanding whether they are accessible, trusted, and effective for the communities they are meant to serve.”
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Sophie Feldman
Health Care Analyst
San Francisco Department of Public Health | California
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Work: Sophie works to provide accessible health care to diverse communities across San Francisco.
Vision: “Public service means a commitment to the well-being of others. It involves collaboration and dedicated work, with the goal of furthering a shared vision for our future.“
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Tessa Adkins
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Colorado
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Work: Tessa leads stakeholder engagement for complex, large-scale projects, including policy, regulation, and technical matters related to water quality.
Vision: “To me, public service means directly engaging the public in state policy decisions and actively working toward outcomes that support all Coloradans.“
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Tiffany Do
Finance and Fiscal Administrator
Maryland Department of Health | Maryland
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Work: Tiffany supports the Behavioral Health Administration's fiscal and finance operations by tracking accounting activities, processing and reconciling payments, managing invoices, and ensuring financial transactions are accurate, timely, and aligned with State of Maryland awards and funding requirements.
Vision: “To me, "public service" means using my skills, experience, and knowledge to create meaningful, lasting impact within communities. Through my internships and work, I have learned that public service is not just about policies and programs, but rather, improving people's quality of life and ensuring communities feel heard, represented, and supported. I learned that it's about serving people with empathy, accountability, and a commitment to equity, especially for populations that are often underserved. Public service also means being willing to collaborate, adapt, and advocate for solutions that make healthcare more accessible and responsive.“
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Zeenath Khan
Drinking Water Compliance Specialist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Colorado
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Work: As a Drinking Water Compliance Specialist, Zeenath ensures that public water systems across the state of Colorado are providing safe drinking water to their consumers and are compliant with the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations set forth by the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act.
Vision: “Public service involves building systems to address the needs of a community and establishing processes that measure the real impact of those systems, while all along integrating community involvement and feedback, particularly from underserved and underrepresented groups. It also means fostering trust with the communities we serve, ensuring equitable access to services we provide, being responsible and accountable for the work we do, and keeping our environment (be it human, built, natural, etc.) at the forefront of our mission.“
Meet Our 2025 Cohort
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Alina Pantano
Technical Outreach Coordinator
Department of Public Health & Environment | Colorado
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Work: As a Technical Outreach Coordinator with the Air Pollution Control Division, Alina ensures public access to air monitoring data and facilitate connections between local public health agencies, community organizations, and Air Monitoring Technical Experts.
Vision: “Public service is the act of working to enhance the well-being of all communities, not only human populations but also the environmental ecosystems that sustain us. It encompasses any role that contributes to the greater good, whether at the micro, mezzo, or systemic level. This can include initiatives such as a neighborhood garden fostering local connections, community-driven mutual aid groups supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, or advocating for policy reforms that address systemic inequalities and protect vulnerable populations. Ultimately, public service is about creating lasting, positive change that benefits individuals and communities at every level.”
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Clinton Oreofe
City Manager's Fellow, Affordable Housing
City of Centennial | Colorado
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Work: As the City Manager’s Office Fellow, Clinton supports strategic housing policy, community engagement, and cross-departmental collaboration to advance Centennial’s goals through research, public input, and effective project coordination.
Vision: “I’ve been drawn to leadership not for recognition, but because I genuinely love helping people. I believe government has the power to be a force for good, addressing inequities and building systems that uplift communities. As a Govern For America Fellow, I would bring not just my experiences, but my deep belief in the power of collaboration, advocacy, and service. I’ve grown from a ten-year-old protester to a student leader because I’ve never stopped believing that change is possible—and I’m ready to dedicate myself to creating it.”
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Izzy Wallace
Environmental Policy Modeler/Research Scientist
Department of Public Health & Environment | Colorado
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Work: At CDPHE, in the Air Pollution Control Division, Izzy conducts air quality modeling and data analysis to support permitting decisions and policy development.
Vision: “Through my experience in both academia and outreach I developed a desire to not only pursue scientific inquiry, but to translate findings into actionable information that can be used to effect positive change in my community. At CDPHE, I have seen how technical research can better support policy, but also how navigating institutional structures requires more than technical expertise alone. I believe GFA offers a rare opportunity to build these additional capacities as well as a network of mentors and peers early in my career. ”
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Jamauri Bryan
Electronic Grants Analyst
Department of Education | Michigan
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Work: As a GFA Fellow in the Michigan Department of Education, Jamauri support the state’s electronic grant system by coordinating testing for grant applications, analyzing and resolving support tickets, leading report development, and ensuring system accuracy to help effectively distribute education funding across Michigan.
Vision: “To me, public service means using my skills and experiences to advance the common good, especially for those who have historically been excluded or underserved. It’s about building systems that are not only efficient but also equitable, accessible, and rooted in community needs. As someone who grew up navigating public programs and later served through AmeriCorps and civic tech roles, I see public service as both a responsibility and a privilege. It’s the ongoing work of listening, collaborating, and showing up with humility to help create a government that truly works for everyone.”
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Jonah Feldman
Grant System, Documentation, and Training Analyst
Department of Education | Michigan
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Work: Jonah helps the Michigan Department of Education streamline training and onboarding systems that are used by internal staff and external stakeholders.
Vision: “I know it may sound cliche, but to me, public service is about building systems that work for everyone. That means listening closely to the needs of your community and translating those needs into actionable solutions.”
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Marty Johnson
Consolidation and Infrastructure Grant Analyst
Department of Education | Michigan
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Work: Marty supports the Michigan Department of Education’s efforts to improve school infrastructure and student health by analyzing and managing grants that fund building upgrades, program consolidation, and healthy school initiatives.
Vision: “Public service has always felt personal. My grandfather spent over 40 years teaching in public schools, and my dad is still teaching today. I grew up watching them show up for their students every single day, not for recognition, but because it mattered. To me, public service means doing work that matters, even when it’s hard or no one says thank you. It means being useful. It means doing your job well because people are counting on you. That’s the mindset I grew up around, and it’s the one I carry with me now.”
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Mason Rothenberger
Program Performance Analyst
Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing | Colorado
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Work: Mason works to be the bridge between hard data and effective communication of that data to the public.
Vision: “Public service means dedicating your time and energy to the increased transparency and accountability of the government by working for the public who may not have the time to parse through all the necessary documents to be completely informed about government actions.”
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Matthew Holden
Epidemiologist
City of St. Louis Department of Health | Missouri
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Work: As an epidemiologist, Matthew supports the Department through various data products, assist in quality improvement initiatives, and support the work of our regional community health improvement plan.
Vision: “To me public service means working in community for community. It means listening to the specific needs of individuals and communities and working with them to “do small things with great love” to support our community.”
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Sofia Romero Campbell
Community Data in Air Permitting Coordinator
Department of Public Health & Environment | Colorado
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Work: To inject and defend environmental justice in the air permitting process for the state of Colorado.
Vision: “Growing up as the granddaughter of Colorado ranchers and farmworkers, I saw firsthand how government policies shaped the opportunities available to me and my community. That early awareness fueled a deep curiosity about systems and a desire to make them more equitable, transparent, and people-centered. Today, I work for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in the Air Pollution Control Division, where I focus on integrating environmental justice into the air permitting process. During Summer Institute, I hope to sharpen my leadership skills, connect with a community of values-driven changemakers, and build a strong foundation for a lifelong career in service.”
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Trekia Perkins
Database Specialist I
Department of Housing & Community Development | Maryland
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Work: Trekia works as a database specialist at Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development, where I support the research team in leveraging data to inform housing policies and drive community development across the state.
Vision: “ I believe that government can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I want to learn how to make that happen. Growing up, I saw firsthand how government programs can make a big difference, and that inspired me to become involved in public service. I'm passionate about using data to drive real change.“
Meet Our GFA Alums
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Aline Keledjian
2024 Fellow
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Departmental Analyst | Office of Career and Technical Education | Department of Education | Michigan
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Arjun Novotny-Shandas
2024 Fellow
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Kansas City Housing Fellow | Department of Housing | City of Kansas City | Missouri
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Campbell Small
2024 Fellow
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Social Determinants of Health Fellow | Department of Health Services | Arizona
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Dayne O'Brien
2024 Fellow
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Public Information Officer | Department of Gaming | Office of the Governor | Arizona
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Ciara Longsworth
2024 Fellow
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Policy Fellow | Department of Corrections | Pennsylvania
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Dontae Richards
2024 Fellow
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Departmental Analyst | Office of Educator Excellence | Department of Education | Michigan
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Imari Crumity
2024 Fellow
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Bureau of Air Quality Fellow | Department of Environmental Protection | Pennsylvania
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Jaclyn Jew
2024 Fellow
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Public Administration Analyst | Philadelphia Water Department | Pennsylvania
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Jenny Garcia Ruiz
2024 Fellow
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Departmental Analyst | Office of Educator Excellence | Department of Education | Michigan
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Kaitlyn Waynick
2024 Fellow
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Communications Specialist | Department of Early Childhood | Colorado
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Karla Arango
2024 Fellow
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Success Service Coach | Department of Service and Civic Innovation | Maryland
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Kegan Rascoe
2024 Fellow
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Kansas City Health Fellow | Department of Health | City of Kansas City | Missouri
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Lauren Harpold
2024 Fellow
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Kansas City Housing Fellow | Department of Housing | City of Kansas City | Missouri
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Marcelle Brooks
2024 Fellow
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Kansas City Health Fellow | Department of Health | City of Kansas City | Missouri
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Shania Green
2024 Fellow
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Departmental Analyst | Office of Nutrition Services | Department of Education | Michigan
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Sophie Comer
2024 Fellow
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Managing Analyst | Department of Economic Security | Office of the Governor | Arizona
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Stephenie Thorne
2024 Fellow
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Strategic Project Coordinator | Department of Human Services | Colorado
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Sylvana Soto
2024 Fellow
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Department of Health Communications Fellow | Department of Health | Pennsylvania
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Alejandra Vargas
2023 Fellow
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Community Development Specialist | City of St. Louis | Missouri
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Crystal Foretia
2023 Fellow
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Policy and Legislative Administrator | Department of Juvenile Services | Maryland
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Hannah Lang
2023 Fellow
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Durational Nexus Pilot Associate | CT Next | Connecticut
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Jacquelyn Torres
2023 Fellow
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor | Department of Energy & Environmental Protection | Connecticut
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Jax King
2023 Fellow
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Parent and Family Engagement Fellow | Department of Service & Civic Innovation | Maryland
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Jordan Ta
2023 Fellow
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Budget and Policy Analyst | Office of State Planning & Budgeting | Colorado
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Melia Allan
2023 Fellow
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Legislative and Administrative Assistant | Department of Public Health | Connecticut
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Mirka Estrada
2023 Fellow
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Community Development Specialist | Division of Community Development | City of St. Louis | Missouri
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Parul Kumar
2023 Fellow
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Partnership Development Fellow | Department of Service & Civic Innovation | Maryland
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Paula Andrea Pineda
2023 Fellow
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Durational Project Manager | Office of Consumer Counsel | Connecticut
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Sandy Gonzalez
2023 Fellow
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Budget and Policy Analyst | Office of State Planning & Budgeting | Colorado
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Sonali Alluri
2023 Fellow
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County Executive Fellow | St. Louis County | Missouri
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Toni Aniugo
2023 Fellow
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DEI Fellow | Department of Social Services | Connecticut
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Adam Thorp
2022 Fellow
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Community Development Specialist | Office of Broadband Development | Department of Economic Development | Missouri
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Alexis Han
2022 Fellow
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Research Fellow | Department of Education | Michigan
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Amaogechi Irechukwu
2022 Fellow
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Research Analyst Fellow | Office of Policy and Management | Connecticut
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Amber Kauppila
2022 Fellow
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Environmental Quality Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Ashley Fuller
2022 Fellow
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Environmental Quality Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Charlotte DeVaughn
2022 Fellow
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Data Management Fellow | Governor’s Office of Operations | Colorado
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CJ Larkin
2022 Fellow
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Broadband & Digital Literacy Fellow | Division of Rural Development | Tennessee
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Daisy Kielty
2022 Fellow
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Departmental Analyst | Office of Career and Technical Education | Department of Education | Michigan
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Darwin Contreras
2022 Fellow
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Vocational Opportunity Fellow | Department of Corrections | Connecticut
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Dmitri Farthing Jr
2022 Fellow
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Digital and Economic Opportunity Specialist | Department of Economic Development | Missouri
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Dylan Rozansky
2022 Fellow
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Departmental Data Analyst | Department of Education | Michigan
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Jasmin Tellez
2022 Fellow
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Board Liaison and Operations Project Assistant | Department of Labor and Employment | Colorado
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Jasmine Palmer
2022 Fellow
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Financial Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Lance Wood
2022 Fellow
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Project Manager | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Leah Camille Mims
2022 Fellow
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Broadband & Digital Literacy Fellow | Department of Rural Development | Tennessee
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Matthew Clark
2022 Fellow
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Environmental Quality Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Ricardo Steven Salas Murillo
2022 Fellow
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Business and Analytic Fellow | Department of Developmental Services | Connecticut
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Carolyn Wu
2021 Fellow
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Information Analyst | Office of Inspector General | Illinois
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Cheyenne Liberti
2021 Fellow
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School Nutrition Programs Consultant | Department of Education | Michigan
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Claire Handley
2021 Fellow
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Environmental Quality Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Courtney Fung
2021 Fellow
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Project Manager | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Harmon Lim
2021 Fellow
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Department Analyst Fellow | Department of Education | Michigan
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Harrison MacRae
2021 Fellow
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Data Fellow | Department of Administration | Missouri
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Jeni Dhodary
2021 Fellow
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Revenue and Operational Efficiency Fellow | Department of Revenue | Missouri
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Larabe Iqbal
2021 Fellow
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Safety Analyst Fellow | Department of Education | Michigan
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Lisa Thomas
2021 Fellow
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Engineer | Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy | Michigan
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Nadir Chaudhry
2021 Fellow
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Physicist | Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy | Michigan
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Sree Yeluri
2021 Fellow
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Assistant Analyst | Congressional Budget Office | Washington, D.C.
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Tracy Westmoreland
2021 Fellow
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Postsecondary Data and Policy Fellow | Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development | Missouri
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Tyler Foley
2021 Fellow
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Education Research Consultant | Department of Education | Michigan
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William Disser
2021 Fellow
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Environmental Engineer | Department of Environment | Great Lakes and Energy
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Zach Chamberlin
2021 Fellow
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Environmental Quality Analyst | Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy | Michigan
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Amber Pedersen
2020 Fellow
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Research and Data Analyst | Department of Corrections | Colorado
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Cortez Washington
2020 Fellow
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Policy and Legislative Fellow | Department of Corrections | Colorado
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Daniel Weinstein
2020 Fellow
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Behavioral Health Fellow | Department of Health | Louisiana
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Erika Roberson
2020 Fellow
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Development Specialist | Department of Health and Human Services | North Carolina
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Evan Doomes
2020 Fellow
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Vital Records Fellow | Department of Health | Louisiana
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Georquel Goodwin
2020 Fellow
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Budget and Policy Analyst II | Department of Human Services | Colorado
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Harrison Jensen
2020 Fellow
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Medicaid Fellow | Department of Health | Louisiana
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Kendra Offiaeli
2020 Fellow
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Adult and Aging Services Fellow | Department of Health | Louisiana
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Omar Estrada
2020 Fellow
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School Health Professional | Department of Education | Colorado
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Elise Alexander
2019 Fellow
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Program Specialist | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Eusebio Salinas
2019 Fellow
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Organizational Consultant | Department of Transportation | Connecticut
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Hannah Jolibois
2019 Fellow
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Budget Analyst | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Ibrahim Bharmal
2019 Fellow
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Research Assistant | Allegheny County | Department of Human Services | Pennsylvania
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Isabel Jones
2019 Fellow
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Program Specialist | Department of Public Safety and Corrections | Louisiana
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Johanna Schmidt
2019 Fellow
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Executive Secretary | Department of Children and Families | Connecticut
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Julia DeSimone
2019 Fellow
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Education Information Consultant | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Kelsey Pearce
2019 Fellow
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Program Specialist | Department of Public Safety and Corrections | Louisiana
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Lily Fielding
2019 Fellow
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Budget & Policy Analyst | Office of Management and Budget | Rhode Island
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Merlyn Tejada
2019 Fellow
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Budget Analyst | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Samantha Egge
2019 Fellow
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Education Information Consultant | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Sydney Anderson
2019 Fellow
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Education Information Consultant | Department of Education | Louisiana
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Van Nguyen
2019 Fellow
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Management and Program Analyst | U.S. Department of Education | Washington, D.C.
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Yasmin Yacoby
2019 Fellow
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Energy Justice Program Manager | Office of Energy Resources | Rhode Island