Maddie Brown Shirley is a second-year Master of Public Policy Student specializing in the intersection of fiscal policy and social infrastructure. She grew up in Washington State and received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Post graduation, she hopes to build a career that focuses on increasing economic opportunity in a fiscally sustainable way. She is also passionate about running and creating fun memories with friends in D.C.

Giovanna Calderon is a first-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) student concentrating in Non-Profit Management. She works full-time as a Senior Program Associate and DOJ Partially Accredited Representative with the Children’s Program at Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. Giovanna holds an MA in Ethics, Peace, and Global Studies; a BA in Law and Society; and certificates in Politics, Policy, and Law as well as Advanced Leadership Studies from American University. Her research focuses on policies related to housing and immigration, with a particular focus on Unaccompanied Children. Giovanna lives in Washington, DC, where she enjoys spending time outdoors, baking, or visiting her dog, Dolce, in New York!

Hailee Clack, an alumna of Hampton University with a degree in Political Science and a pre-law focus, is committed to advancing urban policy and education reform through equitable policymaking. She is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration with a field study in Urban Education Politics, Policy, and Administration. Hailee is building her expertise in government relations and policy analysis through internships in DC and through her nonprofit, The FBC Initiative, in Michigan. She hopes to one day run for office and leave a lasting footprint in the communities that have supported her.

Samantha Cotter is a second-year Master of Public Policy student concentrating in Social Policy. She has a background in policy, advocacy, and nonprofit fundraising. Samantha graduated from American University in 2021 with a BA in Political Science and a certificate in Leadership Studies. In her free time, she enjoys walking her pitbull Quinny around D.C., reading thrillers/nonfiction/essays, and attending yoga classes.

Motunrayo Fatoke is a second-year Public Policy graduate student with a concentration in Technology and Regulatory Policy. She brings over five years of transnational experience working across the technology, education, and sustainability sectors at the intersection of research, policy, and practice.
Her interests span technology policy, AI governance, trust and safety, regulation and compliance, ethics, privacy, and consumer protection. Motunrayo has collaborated with several multilateral and global organizations, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNESCO, UNICEF, Theirworld, and The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre.
Her impactful contributions to advancing access and equity in education, particularly for vulnerable women and girls, earned her recognition from the African Union as one of the 25 Women of Impact in Africa.
She enjoys writing, mentoring young people, and exploring how technology can drive inclusive and ethical development.

Carolina Gutierrez is a Master of Public Policy candidate at The George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School, concentrating in nonprofit management and social policy. She has a strong background in immigration and advocacy, with professional experience as a Legislative Analyst and as an Immigration Paralegal. Her policy interests focus on comprehensive immigration reform, equitable nonprofit governance, and inclusive public service delivery. She remains deeply committed to advancing policies that support underrepresented communities. In her spare time, Carolina enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends.

Leo Martin is a second-year MPA student concentrating in Politics, Policy, and Administration. Originally from the United Kingdom, he grew up in Sydney, Australia, and earned his undergraduate degree in History from Carleton College. Since graduating in 2018, Leo has held a variety of roles with Democratic campaigns and political action committees, and currently works for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). His policy interests include macroeconomics, labor rights, and transit. He is also passionate about classic films.

Saumya Mutatkar is a second-year Master of Public Policy student specializing in social policy. She currently works as a Legislative Analyst at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, where she supports policy research, legislative tracking, and strategic advocacy efforts. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs. In her free time, Saumya enjoys reading, drawing, and puzzling with friends.

Miguel Ramon Hermosillo is a first-year Master of Public Policy student at the Trachtenberg School. He is from San Jose, California, and graduated with honors from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s in Political Science. His research interests focus primarily on energy policy and infrastructure, drug addiction and treatment, the proliferation of criminal organizations in Mexico, and Latin American security issues. Outside of school, he spends his free time trying to find new things to do around the city, cooking new recipes, going to concerts, and finding good Mexican food in D.C.

Adair Sand is a second-year Master of Public Policy student specializing in national security and foreign policy. She grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Boston College in 2024 with her BA in Political Science. Adair currently works as a Paralegal at Bertram LLP where she assists with executive employment litigation. In her free time, she enjoys running, skiing, and hiking.

Lydia Woodley is a first-year MPA student with a concentration in State and Local Government. She is a Wolcott and Women’s Leadership Fellow. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and reading.

Vannia Yalan is a Master of Public Administration candidate at the George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. She serves as a Writer for Policy Perspectives, contributing to both the print journal and online blog. Originally from Peru, Vannia brings five years of experience working across Canada, the United States, and Latin America in areas of justice advocacy, sustainability, and international development. Her professional background includes collaboration with organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WBG), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Her research interests center on the intersection of public administration, social equity, and science and technology policy, with a focus on improving governance and citizen trust in institutions. Beyond her academic and professional work, she is passionate about storytelling, photography, and cultural diplomacy.

Jacob Carson is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Trachtenberg School. He graduated with a degree in Finance and a minor in Behavioral Economics from the University of New Haven, where he also competed in collegiate Track and Cross Country. Jacob’s past experiences include consulting for a startup tech company, conducting research on tax-credit scholarship policy for a think-tank, and authoring a research paper on a state school-choice program. After graduation, Jacob aims to work in public and private fields to promote evidence-backed policies that address economic, educational, and societal inequities. In his free time, Jacob can be found running, playing basketball, reading, and cheering on both UCONN basketball and the New York Jets.

Adrienne Davis is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate within the Trachtenberg School, on track to receive a certificate in Regulatory Policy and Practice. Originally from Washington, D.C., she recently graduated from Towson University with a degree in Healthcare Management, minoring in Business Administration. She currently serves as the Quality, STARS, and Risk Adjustment Project Coordinator for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s national account, with a focus on initiatives aimed at closing care gaps and enhancing effective member outreach. She also has experience in small insurance brokerages and customer relationship management (CRM) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She hopes to transition into government affairs, working on social and educational policies that impact her fellow native Washingtonians. Outside of work and school, she enjoys trying new restaurants, traveling, and attending concerts.

Mary Macklem is a first-year Certificate in Budget and Public Finance candidate at the Trachtenberg School. She most recently worked for the National Endowment for the Humanities as a Senior Program Officer in the Division of Research, where she led a portfolio of grant programs for faculty at HBCUs, HSIs, and TCUs and served as the co-chair of the NEH HBCU Working Group. Mary holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (Music History) and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Music and Italian, with Distinction). She lives in Montgomery County, Maryland, and enjoys going to museums and concerts, and exploring the outdoors.

Cyrus Unvala is a second-year Master of Public Administration student. He is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard and has served on buoy-tending and ice-breaking vessels in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes, and the Antarctic. He holds a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Sciences from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, an M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). In his free time, Cyrus enjoys exploring the District by bicycle and participating in any other outdoor activities.

Zoha Zafar is a first-year Master’s in Public Administration student and a native of the DMV area. She graduated from American University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Law & Society. Currently, she works as a project specialist for the Campagna Center’s Wright to Read program. Zoha is passionate about youth and family advocacy and completed her AmeriCorps VISTA service year with the City of Alexandria’s mentoring partnership.