I am a third-year MPP/MBA student originally from the Philadelphia suburbs. I got my undergraduate degree in economics from Tufts University, and then I spent several years working in policy research and evaluation in DC. I focused mainly on education and health policy, both in my work and at the Ford School. I’ve had two internships while at Michigan: in 2015, I interned with an education-focused nonprofit through Education Pioneers. In 2016, I had a private-sector consulting internship with Bain & Company. I plan to return to consulting after I graduate.

Public policy isn’t one of the most obvious career paths. Describe the path that brought you to it.

Public policy actually felt like a natural fit for me. I love problem solving, and working in public policy lets you tackle some of the most interesting and complex problems that our society is facing. I was fortunate enough to work with some awesome MPPs during an undergraduate internship in education policy. The experience really solidified my interest in public policy because I was doing challenging work with a tangible impact for kids.

What’s on your reading list this week? What are you doing for homework? 

I’m reading a few different things right now! I’m taking a class on financial crises and economic policy, so I’m reading Timothy Geithner’s book about his experiences as Treasury Secretary during the 2008 crisis. I’m also in a class on the role of business in society, so I’ve been reading a lot about corporate social responsibility efforts. In my spare time, I’m also reading a fiction novel (Fates and Furies) for a book club that I’m in with some fellow students.

What’s your favorite place, at U-M, or in Ann Arbor or Detroit, to take an out-of-town guest? Describe it.

During the Fall, I always try to bring out-of-town guests to football games. My undergraduate institution was much, much smaller than Michigan, so this is a totally new experience for me! It’s a lot of fun, and a great reminder of the amazing Michigan community that extends every beyond the Ford School. I’ve run into fellow Wolverines everywhere from San Francisco to New York to Puerto Rico, which is pretty incredible.