Alumni Notes & News
Alumna Maisha Leek, Chief of Staff to Congressman Chaka Fattah, has been asked by the Kennedy School at Harvard University to speak about “Women in Politics Attacking Poverty.” Ms. Leek presented the same program last fall and will focus on how her office has been able to successfully legislate and advocate, in a divided Congress, issues important to poor communities and communities of color....
The Fels Institute of Government would like to congratulate faculty member and alumnus, John Hawkins on his recent promotion to Vice President for City Relations at S. R. Wojdak & Associates, LP. Since joining the firm almost 8 years ago, Mr. Hawkins has effectively lobbied on a variety of issues in Philadelphia City Hall and has been recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the city’s...
The Fels Institute of Government mourns the loss of two alumni: Eric Reinholt, '94 and Graham W. Watt, '51.
Both were veterans, esteemed public leaders, and valued members of the Fels community. To read more about Mr. Reinholt and Mr. Watt, or for memorial fund information, please click the links below.
Eric Reinholt, '94
Graham W. Watt, '51
Melissa Castro (‘08) has accepted the position of Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez’s re-election campaign and will step down from her six-year role as Director of Outreach for Southern New Jersey. Castro previously served as a Congressional Aide to New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.
Congratulations to Fels alumnus Dafan Zhang (MPA ‘12) for winning a Fish & Richardson 1L Diversity Fellowship. Zhang was among four of 250 candidates to receive a $5,000 academic scholarship, a paid summer associate position, and the opportunity to receive mentorship from firm members. Zhang expects to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2014. Click on the link below to...
On May 7th, 2012 Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake appointed Alexander M. Sanchez ’97 Chief of Staff for her administration. Since 2009, Mr. Sanchez has served as Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). In this position he oversaw over 2,000 State employees and a $315 million budget. Prior to DLLR, Mr. Sanchez served as Senior Vice President for Community Impact...
Lilly Bertz (MPA ’11) delivered the closing speech at a benefit for the Global Health Corps at the historic Jefferson Hotel in Washington D.C. Hosted by former First Lady Barbara Bush this February, the event was attended by many notable figures, including Laura Bush and several ambassadors.
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Alumna Maisha Leek, class of 2009, has recently been named one of the top 40 under 40 most influential staffers on Capitol Hill. Loop 21 and IMPACT have joined together to recognize the most promising and impactful up and coming staffers in Washington D.C. Leek is currently Chief of Staff for Congressman Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania’s second district and an adjunct professor at Trinity...
A graduate of West Point and veteran of two tours in Iraq, Joe Myers (MPA ’11) crafts a powerful and personal op-ed about “the saddest acre in America,” Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Published on April 20, 2012 in the Washington Post, the article highlights the lives of three men and their dedication to the country they fought to defend. Please click on the link below to read the...
The Fels Institute of Government congratulates Robert McKenrick, '94, on his appointment as Federal Security Director (FSD) at LaGuardia International Airport. Before accepting this position, Rob served as the Acting FSD and the Deputy FSD at Philadelphia International Airport, as well as Acting Deputy FSD at Newark Liberty International Airport. With over 27 years of experience in law...
