Yusuf Dahl, MPA '17
CEO, The Century Promise

Yusuf Dahl has been on both sides of the fight to strengthen America’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. As a teenager, he operated a network of drug houses before being sentenced to 10 years in prison.

During the financial crisis, he became an unlikely real estate investor and affordable housing advocate. Starting with a single two-family house in one of Milwaukee’s poorest ZIP codes, he built a portfolio of over 200 residential and commercial units and founded an award-winning property management company.

Yusuf has served as president of Wisconsin’s largest apartment owners association, was the inaugural Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Lafayette College, and founded the Real Estate Lab in Allentown, PA. He now serves as CEO of The Century Promise, where he works to expand educational and career opportunities for underserved communities.

After being denied housing due to his 25-year-old conviction, Yusuf launched the national campaign to repeal the Thurmond Amendment, a relic of the failed War on Drugs that imposes lifelong housing barriers on individuals with drug distribution convictions. In 2024, he succeeded in getting the Fair Future Act introduced, a landmark bill that would restore Fair Housing protections for over 5 million Americans.

Above all, Yusuf is a dedicated father, a role that has shaped his perspective on responsibility, opportunity, and redemption.

Policy is often viewed as a bureaucratic tool, but at its core, it is a lever of power—one that can perpetuate inequity or serve as a force for justice. This opening plenary will explore how policymakers, advocates, and communities can harness policy to dismantle systemic racism, address economic disparities, and build a more just society. Panelists will discuss their experiences working at the intersection of law, advocacy, and governance, highlighting both the opportunities and obstacles in advancing racial and economic justice. Through individual insights, a moderated discussion, and audience engagement, this session will set the stage for the symposium’s broader themes of confronting racism and reimagining justice.

Mustafa Ali-Smith, MPA ‘25

Mustafa is a Master in Public Affairs student at the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs concentrating in domestic policy. Prior to enrolling at Princeton, Mustafa worked for several years in the criminal justice space. He was appointed by the Mayor of Knoxville, TN to help build out a new Office of Community Safety that focused on violence prevention through alternatives to 911 calls and street outreach teams. He also previously worked at the Vera Institute of Justice, a national nonprofit working to end mass incarceration, where he provided technical assistance and urged prosecutors to take up diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration through community centered approaches. Mustafa graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration and received his Master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania concentrating in criminal justice, education, and race.

Nadia Ben-Youssef, AB '06
Advocacy Director, Center for Constitutional Rights

Nadia Ben-Youssef is the granddaughter of artists, refugees, and revolutionaries. A human rights lawyer by training, Nadia currently serves as the Advocacy Director at the Center for Constitutional Rights, a legal and advocacy organization working with social movements and communities under threat to dismantle racism, cisheteropatriarchy, economic oppression and abusive state practices. She has expertise in international human rights fora and mechanisms, and extensive experience developing advocacy strategies to influence U.S. decision-makers. Her work often centers at the intersection of art and advocacy, and she curates exhibits and artistic programming that document key human rights concerns, celebrate social movements, and allow creatives the space to chart the future. Central to Nadia's lifework is a commitment to the liberation of Palestine, and she is a proud co-founder of the Adalah Justice Project. Nadia is a member of the NY State bar, and serves on the Boards of Adalah Justice Project, the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, and Multitude Films. Together with her family, Nadia is currently documenting the life and vision of her grandfather Salah Ben Youssef, a Third World revolutionary and freedom fighter of Tunisia’s independence movement who was assassinated in 1961.

Amber Greene, MPP '12
Former Acting Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, U.S. Department of State

Amber Greene is a former senior official in the Biden-Harris White House and U.S. State Department, where she led efforts to advance racial and economic justice both domestically and globally. As Special Assistant to the President, she spearheaded the Administration’s whole-of-government equity agenda, overseeing transformative federal actions. At the State Department, she represented the U.S. in global human rights efforts, combating systemic racism and discrimination.

With executive experience spanning crisis management, policy innovation, and strategic communications, Amber has driven initiatives in climate resilience, public health, economic justice, and voting rights. As Director of Policy for NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, she authored 40+ legislative initiatives, including the landmark NYC Salary History Ban, a national model for closing the gender wage gap. A Princeton and SUNY New Paltz alum, she serves on Princeton’s Advisory Council and currently consults as a Senior Advisor with the National Urban League, where she coordinates the Demand Diversity Roundtable, a coalition of 20 leading civil and human rights organizations

Austin J. Edwards, Esq., MPP '23
Senior Policy Counsel, Salvation and Social Justice

Austin, a proud Trentonian born and raised on Rutherford Avenue, grew up learning the importance of caring for his community at Little Light True Gospel Church. His extensive experience includes positions on Capitol Hill, with the US Coast Guard, Federal Judiciary, multiple federal agencies, and Ernst & Young. He returned to Trenton to serve in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, focusing on police-community relations and financial law reform. Currently, Austin is Senior Policy Counsel at Salvation and Social Justice, advocating for a just and equitable New Jersey.

As a double graduate of Howard University (BA in Political Science and JD in law) and Princeton University (Masters in Domestic and Public Policy), Austin actively volunteers with the Howard University Alumni Club (Metropolitan Trenton), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Lambda Lambda Sigma Chapter), and the Trenton Urban League Guild. He’s also an alumnus of New Leaders Council and New Jersey Lead. As President of the local Trenton NAACP, Austin leads initiatives aimed at ending poverty, improving housing and health outcomes, promoting environmental justice, and rehabilitating community members. Passionate about youth empowerment, he proudly provides scholarships, supports diverse youth-focused spaces, and combats the school-to-prison pipeline.

Stories shape our understanding of justice, identity, and power. Education and media are among the most influential tools in shaping public perception and policy – yet they also have the potential to reinforce inequities. This panel will explore the role of education systems, media representation, and storytelling in fostering an equitable society. Panelists will examine how narratives influence public discourse on race, power, and justice, and discuss strategies for amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging systemic bias in these fields.

Krystal Cohen, AB '21, MPA '25

Krystal Cohen is a second-year MPA student at the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs, with a background in education policy. Previously, Krystal held positions at the NYC Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, and Foundation Academy Charter School, where she worked to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in K-12 public schools. She is also the founder of KYC Nonprofit Consulting, which provides grant writing and communications support to mission-driven organizations. She holds a BA in Sociology from Princeton University with certificates in Statistics and Machine Learning and African American Studies.

Simone Webster, MPA '17
Chief Program Officer, Black Wildflowers Fund

Simone Webster is a dedicated leader with a passion for solving complex challenges through creativity, collaboration, and strategic pragmatism. With over six years of experience in philanthropy, Simone currently serves as Chief Program Officer at the Black Wildflowers Fund, where she has successfully implemented an inclusive and equitable grantmaking process. This groundbreaking initiative supports Black teacher leaders in launching innovative microschools, driving meaningful educational impact and systemic change.

In addition to her role at Black Wildflowers Fund, Simone has offered strategic expertise as an Independent Consultant to distinguished organizations, including CityWorks DC, the Wildflower Foundation, and Columbia University. Previously, she held key positions at Education Forward DC, serving as both Manager and Senior Analyst. In these roles, Simone managed rigorous due diligence processes for prospective grants, provided tailored strategic support to education-focused ventures, facilitated collaborative network-building events, and conducted detailed quantitative and qualitative data analyses to forecast and enhance school performance and investment impact. Simone holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from New York University and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs.

Suzi Ragheb, MPA '22
Advisor, Integrity Institute

Suzi’s background covers tech policy and its interactions with human rights, civil liberties, and economic growth. She has worked at the NJ State Legislature, the US Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation in various roles addressing tech and internet policy issues. She has also worked as an advisor for the 2020 Democratic National Committee Convention. Suzi grew up between Egypt and the US. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, a fellow MPA.

Tatiana Forero, MPA '23
Education Consultant, Inter-American Development Bank

Tatiana Forero is from Bogotá, Colombia, and currently works as an Education Consultant with the Digital Transformation in Education team at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington, D.C. She provides technical assistance to countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region to promote context-based digital transformation strategies in education. This includes conducting teachers’ digital skills assessments, analyzing data, systematizing findings, and creating knowledge materials from regional experiences.

With more than eight years of experience in the education sector, Tatiana has been a classroom teacher, advisor at Colombia's Ministry of Education, innovation coordinator at a local education non-profit, and a graduate intern at the OECD's Education Division. She holds degrees in administration and philosophy and a Master's in Public Affairs from Princeton University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching films, and visiting D.C.’s museums.

Climate change is a public health crisis. From extreme heat and polluted air to food insecurity and disease, environmental hazards disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Poor infrastructure, limited healthcare access, and systemic inequities amplify these risks, deepening racial and economic disparities. This panel will explore the intersection of climate and health justice, discussing policy solutions, grassroots advocacy, and innovative interventions to protect vulnerable populations. Panelists will examine how equitable environmental policies can build healthier, more resilient communities and ensure that climate action prioritizes those most affected by its consequences.

Ayushi Vig, MPA ‘25

Ayushi is a second year MPA student focused on the intersections of global climate and health policy. At SPIA, she is pursuing Field II (International Development) through both the STEP and HHP certificates. Prior to SPIA, she partnered with individual donors, foundations, and funder networks to advance bold giving strategies through her consulting practice. Across a holistic range of environmental justice issues (integrating health, economic, racial, & gender justice) her portfolio centered on building bridges between wealthy institutions and the grassroots. Ayushi was honored as a 2023 Climate Leader by the People's Climate Innovation Center, and currently serves on the boards of Clean Energy Works and the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center.

Vivien Li, MPA '83
Member, MA Energy Transformation Advisory Board
Bullard Award Recipient

Vivien Li is a nationally recognized expert in waterfront development, climate resilience, and environmental justice, whose activism began in high school and continued with part-time environmental planning work for the City of Newark during college. In 1979, Vivien coordinated the national City Care Conference in Detroit, uniting 750 civil rights, labor, and environmental leaders to establish an urban coalition addressing environmental justice, jobs, housing, and health. She served under Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner and Governor Michael Dukakis before leading The Boston Harbor Association (now Boston Harbor Now) for over two decades, becoming the first person of color to serve on the board of a national environmental organization. At the Boston Harbor Association, Vivien significantly advanced public access, ecological restoration, and climate action along Boston’s waterfront, initiating the city's first Sea Level Rise Forum in 2010. Her influential roles include participation in Boston’s Green Ribbon Commission and co-chairing the advisory committee for Boston’s 2014 Climate Action Plan. Vivien later served as President and CEO of Riverlife in Pittsburgh, promoting riverfront public access as well as amenities including public restrooms and electric vehicle charging stations. Currently, Vivien serves as a trustee at Barnard College, a member of Princeton University’s SPIA Advisory Council, and contributes to the Sierra Club’s Investment Advisory Committee. Her extensive community involvement includes volunteering at local soup kitchens and food pantries. Her leadership and lifelong dedication to environmental justice and climate action have been documented in an oral history recently released by UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library. Vivien holds degrees from Barnard College and Princeton University, and her numerous accolades include an honorary degree from Allegheny College and recognition as one of Boston’s Most Influential Asian American and Pacific Islanders in 2023.

Suman Sureshbabu, MPA '07
Managing Director, The Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet

Suman has over 20 years of experience designing and executing global programs that generate climate smart, inclusive economic development in Africa and Asia. Currently a Managing Director at the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet, Suman leads a global team focused on using green energy to drive improved economic outcomes for vulnerable communities; managing a portfolio of over $60 million across 7 countries. Additional expertise includes gender, private sector investment, climate and community organizing.

Eric Tate
Professor of Public Affairs

Eric Tate is a Professor of Public Affairs at the School of Public and International Affairs, specializing in research focused on flood hazards, social inequity, and water resources. His work employs spatial indicators to investigate interactions between society and the environment, shedding light on the complex dynamics that lead to disasters. He actively contributes to policy and research initiatives as a member of the Board of Directors of the Anthropocene Alliance, on the Gulf Environmental Protection and Stewardship Board at the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering & Medicine, and as co-author of the Social Systems chapter of the Sixth US National Climate Assessment.

Professor Tate holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Texas, and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Rice University.

Economic security is a fundamental component of racial equity. From redlining to predatory lending, historical injustices have systematically excluded communities of color from wealth-building opportunities. This panel will examine the barriers to financial security, housing access, and economic mobility, while exploring policies and initiatives aimed at closing the racial wealth gap. Panelists will share insights on community-driven economic empowerment, investment in minority-owned businesses, and policy strategies for fostering long-term generational wealth.

Mohamad Moslimani, MPA '26

Mohamad is an economic and demographic researcher interested in inequality and social mobility, racial and ethnic statistics, and state and local economic policy and public finance. He previously worked at Pew Research Center as a Research Analyst on the Race and Ethnicity team where he published findings about U.S. racial and ethnic populations. His publications include statistical portraits exploring diversity within major racial and ethnic groups and the correlation between wealth and demographic characteristics like race, ethnicity and immigration status. Mohamad has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Claremont McKenna College.

Mozelle Thompson, MPA '80
CEO, Thompson Strategic Consulting
Bullard Award Recipient

Mozelle W. Thompson is CEO of Thompson Strategic Consulting where he provides strategic legal, regulatory, policy and business advice to innovative corporations and startups. He frequently appears on news and business programs on CBS, NBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance and CNBC where he provides expert guidance on a variety of market and regulatory issues, such as Antitrust, Data Privacy and High Technology. Thompson served as a Commissioner on the US Federal Trade Commission where he developed leadership roles in international consumer protection, technology antitrust, data privacy and intellectual property. He also served as Chairman of the OECD Committee on Consumer Policy where he established groundbreaking policies to promote competition and protect consumers around the world. Prior to the FTC, Thompson served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and in senior positions in New York State Government. He also practiced law with the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York.

Commissioner Thompson is a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia Law School and was an International Fellow at Columbia’s School of Public and International Affairs. He received his MPA from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and has taught at Fordham, Princeton and Stanford universities. Thompson has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award by the UC Berkeley School of Law and its Center for Law and Technology and the Hong Yen Chan Award by the Asian American Bar Association of New York. In 2014 he was awarded the John Jay Award by Columbia College and in 2016 Columbia University gave him its highest alumni honor – the Alumni Medal. In 2024 he received the Edward P. Bullard Award for Distinguished Service from Princeton SPIA. Commissioner Thompson’s professional, philanthropic and educational activities include leadership positions with several non-profit and mentoring organizations for underserved communities.

Aron Goldman, MPA '01
Association of Black Foundation Executives

Aron Goldman is a nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to equity and social justice, and a track record of helping US-based and international organizations, movements, and leaders make meaningful change. Trust-based relationships drive his work with grassroots organizations and larger systems, funders and grant seekers, senior professionals, lay leaders, and community stakeholders. Focused on root causes, structural change, and long-term sustainability, Aron employs creative approaches to strategic planning, board development and governance, participatory evaluation, collaboration and partnerships, data/policy/systems change, RFP and grant program design, and program and proposal development. Aron is an experienced OD consultant, program officer, board member, facilitator, trainer, writer/editor, educator, and activist. Aron is also an enthusiastic father of two, runner, open water swimmer, mediocre guitarist, podcast host, and falafel aficionado.

Tina Lee, MPA ‘25

Tina Lee is a Master in Public Affairs student at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. In addition to being a full-time student, Tina is working part time doing housing consulting work in California, working on a broad range of research and strategic planning projects for clients ranging from civil rights law firms to pro-housing organizations. She also worked at the Deputy Mayor's Office for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce in the City of New York, working on improving inter-agency coordination on tenant-issues to improve outcomes for vulnerable New Yorkers.

Prior to SPIA, Tina worked at the National League of Cities where she managed eviction prevention technical assistance programs for cities in partnership with the Stanford Law School Legal Design Lab during the COVID-19 pandemic and managed research projects on topics such as policy responses to short-term rentals and understanding the impact of institutional investors on local housing markets. Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Environment Studies from the University of Toronto.

Immigrant justice is racial justice. The struggles of immigrant communities—ranging from family separation policies to labor exploitation—are deeply entwined with systemic racism and xenophobia. This panel will explore the ways in which immigration policy reinforces racial inequities, while also highlighting grassroots and policy-driven efforts to advance immigrant rights. Panelists will discuss advocacy strategies, legal battles, and policy reforms that can help create a more just and inclusive society for all.

Madeleine Legemah, MPA '26

Maddie is a MPA student, focused on the intersection of international relations, food security, and humanitarian work. Prior to Princeton, she worked at Bain & Company and held roles at the UN World Food Programme and World Economic Forum, focusing on food systems transformation and innovation. Growing up in London and with mixed British-Nigerian-German heritage, she is committed to advancing multiculturalism and equity through public service.

Maribel Hernández Rivera, MPA/JD '10
Director of Policy & Government Affairs for Border & Immigration, ACLU
Bullard Award Recipient

Maribel Hernández Rivera is the National Director of Immigrant Community Strategies at the American Civil Liberties Union. She was previously the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for Border and Immigration at the ACLU, and before that, served as the organization's Deputy National Political Director and Equality Division Director. Maribel’s professional and lived experience has centered around advocating for immigrants' rights.

She previously served as District Director for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez where she established and oversaw all day-to-day operations of two district offices, liaised with community and local government stakeholders, served as the offices’ in-house expert on immigration, and participated as a post-election observer on behalf of the House of Representatives. Prior to joining Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s office, Maribel served as Executive Director of Legal Initiatives for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs where she designed, implemented, managed and coordinated the operation of ActionNYC, an approximately $9 million citywide initiative providing immigration legal services in New York City public schools, Health and Hospitals facilities, and community-based organizations. Maribel earlier served as Supervising Attorney at Immigrant Justice Corps, a staff attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and a Litigation Associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Maribel received a MPA-JD from New York University School of Law and Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, and her AB from Harvard University. Upon law school graduation, Maribel served as law clerk to the Honorable Mary M. Schroeder in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is a native Spanish speaker and is the ACLU's Spanish language spokesperson.

Sergio Rodriguez Camarena, MPA '24
Criminal Justice Research Manager, Arnold Ventures

Sergio Rodriguez Camarena is a Research Manager in the Criminal Justice team at Arnold Ventures. He is responsible for facilitating and managing research grants that surface new, evidence-based solutions to reduce crime and improve outcomes for everyone who interacts with the criminal justice system.

Prior to joining Arnold Ventures, Sergio worked at the Vera Institute of Justice on the Vera California team focusing on supporting Los Angeles County’s efforts to expand alternatives to incarceration, pretrial diversion, and community-based systems of care. Prior to joining the Vera California team, Sergio worked in Vera’s Unaccompanied Children Program ensuring legal representation for immigrant children facing deportation without a parent or legal guardian. Sergio is an alum of the Immigrant Justice Corps, serving as a Department of Justice accredited representative and representing and providing relief to more than 200 immigrants in Staten Island. Sergio received his master in public affairs from Princeton University and holds a bachelor of arts in international relations and a minor in French from Pomona College.

Uma Mengale, MPA ‘25

Uma Mengale is a Master in Public Affairs candidate at Princeton University, focusing on International Relations. She has built a diverse background in humanitarian aid implementation and management consulting. Prior to Princeton, Uma worked at Deloitte, managing technical projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, and at Accenture Federal Services, where she led policy development for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. When not focused on policy analysis or strategic planning, Uma enjoys swimming, cooking, and exploring new music.

For decades, the Students and Alumni of Color (SAOC) community at SPIA has provided a space for connection, mentorship, and professional growth. This panel will explore how SAOC has shaped members’ experiences, fostered a sense of belonging, and influenced career trajectories across various fields. Panelists will share personal reflections on the organization’s impact, discuss its evolving role in supporting students and alumni, and explore how its network continues to create opportunities and build community. As SAOC grows, this conversation will highlight its lasting influence and the ways it continues to empower and support its members.

Sophie Bandarkar, MPA ‘25

Sophie is a MPA candidate at Princeton University SPIA in Economics and Public Policy. She is interested in working in comparative urban economics with a focus on social housing, tenancy, and migration. Prior to SPIA, she worked for four years in public sector consulting and transit planning. She has also been a tenant organizer for the past 8 years. At Princeton, she is an organizer with Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (PIAD) and a graduate researcher at the Eviction Lab. This past summer, she worked at the OECD supporting research on homelessness and social housing. Sophie is French and Indian and grew up primarily in northern California. She has a BA from UC Berkeley in Political Economy and City Planning.

Lauryn Williams, MPA '18
Former Chief of Staff,
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy

Lauryn Williams is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy and Non-Resident Fellow with the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology. She previously served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), where she spearheaded release of the first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan. Immediately prior, Lauryn was Director for Strategy in the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) and drove the White House strategic initiative on space system cybersecurity. This work - which leveraged extensive interagency, industry and international collaboration - resulted in the first-ever minimum cybersecurity requirements for federal space systems included in President Biden’s January 2025 cybersecurity executive order. The White House simultaneously released a report capturing findings from a series of regional technical workshops that brought together over 125 U.S. and multinational space companies to discuss cyber challenges and opportunities.

Lauryn joined the White House from the Pentagon's space policy office, where she led efforts to better leverage commercial space capabilities - which earned her an Office of the Secretary of Defense Achievement Award - and to develop the first-ever U.S. norms of responsible behavior in space. She has also served in the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration as an international export control project manager and at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Lauryn received her bachelors degree from Stanford University and her MPA from Princeton SPIA, where she also served as SAOC co-chair in 2017-2018.

Julieta Cuéllar, MPA '19
Strategic Initiatives Lead,
Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division 

Julieta Cuéllar works for the Maryland Department of Labor, where she has been helping build the state’s forthcoming paid family and medical leave program since 2023. Julieta leads a small team within the new division that serves as an in-house consulting team, developing strategies to address organizational challenges. Julieta previously worked for social impact start up, Propel, that helps over 5 million low-income Americans manage their food stamps, disability benefits, and tax credits. At Propel, she led research on food, housing, and financial insecurity among app users, and translated policy changes related to EBT card benefits for the product development team. Julieta also served as Director of Policy and Communications for former Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras. Julieta graduated with an MPA from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs in 2019 and now serves on the School’s Advisory Council. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Julieta lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland.

Cydney Gardner-Brown, MPA '24

Cydney Gardner-Brown is a native Detroiter whose experience includes serving as an American Rescue Plan Act Junior Fellow with the City of Detroit, focusing on workforce development. At the University of Michigan, she conducted policy research and advocacy on education equity and literacy initiatives. She also gained legislative experience as an intern for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and contributed to social justice initiatives with the Detroit Justice Center. Cydney holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. She has studied abroad in Costa Rica, Senegal, and France and is proficient in Vietnamese. She served as a SAOC Co-Chairs in 2024.

Hope alone won’t change the world—action will. This energizing, hands-on workshop is your chance to move beyond discussion and start shaping the future you want to see. Led by the dynamic Lisette Nieves, a distinguished public sector leader, this session invites you to dream big, think boldly, and build real strategies for justice and equity. Through interactive presentations, breakout discussions, and collaborative brainstorming, you’ll analyze the current landscape of racial and economic justice, unpack the biggest challenges ahead, and uncover the skills, tools, and policies needed to break down systemic barriers. But this isn’t just about identifying problems—it’s about creating solutions.

Throughout the symposium, you’ll have the chance to share your ideas on our community board: “What do you believe an equitable world would need?” These collective insights will help shape the workshop’s discussions and inspire our final blueprint for action. Walk away inspired, empowered, and equipped to drive change—because the future isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we build.

Lisette Nieves, MPA '01
President, Fund for the City of New York (FCNY)
Bullard Award Recipient

Lisette Nieves is currently the President of the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY), an institution charged with developing and helping to implement innovations in policy, programs, practices and technology in order to advance the functioning of government and nonprofit organizations in New York City and beyond. Key FCNY programs include the Cash Flow Loan Program that has lent over a billion dollars in interest-free loans over the last twenty years and the Partnership Program which provides back-office support and capacity to 100 diverse nonprofit organizations. Also, FCNY hosts the Community Fellows Program and selects the annual Sloan Public Service Awards and Sloan Math and Science Teaching Awards and the Center for Youth and the Future of Work.

Prior to the Fund Lisette was the Director of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Full Clinical Professor at NYU Steinhardt where she co-led the design and implementation of a new doctoral program in Leadership and Innovation. Lisette is also a Distinguished Clinical Instructor with NYU, overseeing doctoral students and supporting research initiatives. Lisette holds a B.A. from Brooklyn College, a B.A./M.A. from the University of Oxford, an M.P.A. from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and a doctorate with distinction in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Truman Scholar, Rhodes Scholar, Aspen Pahara Fellow, and a Richard P. Nathan Public Policy Fellow.