2026 Alumni Board candidate statements
Alumni Board Candidates' Statements
Graduate Candidates
Cristina Sylvester Cantor, MPP ‘10
Denver, CO
U.S. Government Accountability Office, Senior Analyst
I'm interested in serving on the FSPP Alumni Board because I love Michigan and want to give back some of what it gave to me during both my BA and MPP. I'm reliable, detail-oriented, and excited to work with my fellow alumni to support the Ford School. I've spent the past 13 years with the Government Accountability Office and am currently a Senior Analyst in GAO's Education, Workforce, and Income Security team. My passion is child welfare, and much of my work has been on issues that impact children and families. During my GAO career, I've had the opportunity to engage in important policy conversations, grow as a professional, and support a family. Unfortunately, in the current climate, a secure and fulfilling federal career no longer feels attainable. I want to be a voice for Federal Fordies on the alumni board as many of us navigate this reality. I hope you'll vote for me and I look forward to doing the good work of the Ford School and reconnecting with all of you!
Christian Ilarraza Colon, MPP/MBA ‘23
Philadelphia, PA
Vanguard, Enterprise Transformation Manager
My career has taken me across public service, consulting, and financial services. After serving as a Peace Corps education volunteer in the Philippines and working at Guidehouse, I earned my MBA and MPP at Michigan in 2023. At Vanguard, I have worked across business strategy and enterprise transformation, leading initiatives involving client experience, organizational culture, and performance measurement. My experience and policy interests span education, international development, and access to financial services.
I would bring the Alumni Board a practical perspective on how policy graduates can build meaningful careers across sectors. I could contribute through career panels, mentorship, employer engagement, and recruitment conversations with prospective students. My strengths in stakeholder engagement, program leadership, and measurement would also help the Board turn priorities into concrete activities and assess their impact.
I want to serve to strengthen the connection between Ford's education and the opportunities available to its graduates. I am particularly motivated to help students recognize the range of careers where their policy skills can make a difference.
Wayne Jones, MPP ‘18
Manhattan, KS
Kansas State University, Senior Assistant General Counsel
I would like to serve on the Alumni Board to advance the mission of an institution that has given me so much. As an alumnus of both the Ford School's PPIA Summer Institute and MPP program, I understand the impact of its investment in students.
Since earning my MPP, I have earned a JD from the University of Kentucky and an Ed.M. in Higher Education from Harvard University. My professional experience includes health policy community organizing in Boston, research and evaluation management at the University of Michigan, and civil rights investigation at HUD. Currently, I serve as Senior Assistant General Counsel at Kansas State University, advising primarily on student affairs, contracts, and healthcare.
I would bring expertise in law, higher education, and institutional policy to support the Board's initiatives. My varied career path would allow me to mentor students exploring public service and interdisciplinary careers. Having experienced Ford through both PPIA and graduate study, I am eager to help future students access the opportunities that shaped my own journey.
Olga Ioffe Kasher, MPP/MA ‘99
Washington, DC
World Bank, Independent Evaluation Group, Consultant
I bring more than 27 years of experience in international development, with expertise in results measurement and evaluation, donor and investor relations, fundraising, and strategic communications. I currently consult with the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group and previously worked with the International Finance Corporation, UNDP, and the World Bank. My career has focused on translating evidence into stronger development outcomes and working across institutions, sectors, and cultures.
As a current member of the Ford School Alumni Board, I saw firsthand how alumni can strengthen the Ford community. During my tenure, I mentored and supported more than 20 international students and helped facilitate three internship opportunities at the International Finance Corporation for Ford students.
I would bring this same commitment, along with extensive international experience, a strong professional network, and a particular interest in mentorship and career development.
As a two-time Wolverine (BA '97, MPP '99), Michigan has shaped my life and career. I would welcome the opportunity to continue giving back to the Ford community.
Sophia Kittler, MPP/MBA ‘14
San Francisco, CA
City and County of San Francisco, Mayor's Budget Director
Hello! I am the Budget Director for the City of San Francisco. Since graduating from Ford, I've held leadership roles in city government, worked in both the public and private sectors, and have experience across budgeting, legislation, community engagement, and innovation.
I take it as a mission to represent Ford on the West Coast. For the past 3 years, I focused on supporting students considering work in local government and technology, and I am committed to connecting new grads and job-seeking alumni with my network. In the AI capital of the world, my team has been on the forefront of thinking about how cities and companies are using AI and technology, how that affects workers, and in turn, how that might turn up in the Ford curriculum.
In a second term, I want to keep building West Coast connections for Ford, help alumni with government hiring, and continue the conversation about modern skills in the Ford curriculum. I'd appreciate your vote. Go Blue!
Nicholas Nonnenmacher, MPP/SEAS ‘25
Washington, DC
RMI, Associate
My professional expertise spans energy and climate. As an Associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), I model clean tech finance and policy, and convene stakeholders across sectors and geographies. I have delivered work to audiences from international economics conferences to local fishing communities, and have supported projects from nuclear energy investment strategy in DC to village reforestation financing in Madagascar.As a board member,
I would bring a unique combination of energy expertise, connections across University schools, and a recent graduate's perspective to complement the board's strengths in government, law, and advocacy. As an elected SEAS student leader, I have proven experience in peer mentoring and building community. My background could help address Ford's underrepresentation of energy experts, and offer the Board subject matter perspective into a fast-growing topic within national politics.
A Ford alumni connection directly led me to a nuclear energy internship, which set me on my current career trajectory. Serving on the Alumni Board is how I want to provide that support back to students and faculty, past, present, and future.
Shally Prasad, MPP ‘92
Canton, MI
The Carter Center, Washtenaw County Coordinator
I am a proud UM graduate (BA ‘90 & MPP ‘92) and international development executive with 30+ years of experience directing multi-million-dollar foreign assistance programs advancing democracy, human rights, governance, peace, security, and gender equality in the global south. As a former USAID Foreign Service Officer, I spent 26 years working on policy, program, and personnel management for foreign assistance programs worldwide. I directed high-impact portfolios ranging from $120 million- $1 billion, cultivated strategic partnerships, supervised staff, and leveraged global resources.
My expertise in international development, combined with my active mentorship of Ford School students since 2025, allows me to add immediate value to the Alumni Board. Having guided BA and MPP students navigating the evolving international development landscape, I bring a nuanced understanding of students' interests and needs, and practical experience providing strategic advice and leadership to students.
I am eager to serve on the Alumni Board to give back to the institution that shaped my career. I live near Ann Arbor and stand ready to help build the next generation of public policy leaders.
Sarah Sargen, MPP ‘02
San Diego, CA
The Lewin Group, Director
Over the past 15 years at The Lewin Group, a healthcare and human services policy research and consulting firm, I have managed projects for federal clients including the Office of Head Start, the FDA, and CMS. My experience spans health and education policy, program evaluation, and Federal budgets. Like many mid-career professionals, my path has been shaped by both professional passions and the realities of balancing career and family priorities.
As a prospective board member, I am particularly interested in supporting the Ford School connect to emerging trends in the public policy employment market. Through my work with government agencies and consulting clients, I'm experiencing in real-time how AI, remote work, and shifting political and funding environments are shaping policy careers. I would love the opportunity to contribute in a small way to preparing Ford School students for their post-graduation lives, from the job market to finding their own professional/personal balance as they achieve their career goals.
Eboni (Wells) Taylor, MPP ‘13
Detroit, MI
Higher Heights, Vice President of Programs
At the Skillman Foundation, I helped to spearhead President Obama's My Brother's Keeper (Detroit), convening stakeholders at every level of government to assess policies impacting young Black and Brown boys and men. For over six years, I served as the Michigan Executive Director of Mothering Justice where I advocated fiercely for women and mothers of color. Under my leadership, the team secured significant policy victories, including the successful campaign for earned paid sick time in Michigan. Today, I serve as Vice President of Programs at Higher Heights, leading programmatic and political work to help Black women seek and win elected office. I can bring non-profit and political experience to the Ford School Alumni board. My additional skills include coalition/partner building and some event planning. I want to serve on the alumni board to sow back into the institution that helped me establish lifelong friendships and solidify my passion for real societal improvement through policy change.
Lydia Wileden, PhD ‘22
Hartford, CT
University of Connecticut School of Public Policy, Assistant Research Professor
I'm a proud Ford School PhD graduate and research faculty member at UConn's School of Public Policy, where I serve as Acting Research Director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy. Throughout my career—spanning the federal government, housing nonprofits, and state and local policymaking—I've worked to translate research into actionable solutions for communities.
As a PhD alumna on the board, I'd bring a doctoral grad's perspective to alumni engagement, student recruitment, and career development. I'd welcome opportunities to mentor students considering a PhD, help doctoral students explore careers beyond academia, and connect alumni navigating higher education's changing landscape. During my eight (!) years at Ford, I built relationships across undergraduate and graduate cohorts and would love to strengthen those connections through alumni programming and mentorship.
Public Policy at Michigan is a family tradition, connecting my grandfather (MPA '49), my aunt (MPP '83), and me. Serving on the Alumni Board would deepen that connection, be a meaningful opportunity to give back to the Ford community, and help future Fordies navigate their own journeys.
Undergraduate Candidates
Andrea Paine, BA ‘16
Ann Arbor, MI
Huron River Watershed Council, Program Manager
In my decade since graduating from the Ford School, I have gone on to lead local, state, and federal initiatives on water resources policy. In my role at the Huron River Watershed Council, I support work to implement local policy, ordinance, and master plan changes to protect land and water, facilitate local policy implementation of and compliance with Clean Water Act requirements, and advocate for state-level bills to improve river management, including those related to dam safety, inland lake levels, polluter pay, and stormwater utilities. I could add environmental and water policy perspectives to the Ford School Alumni Board and also share experiences as a professional working primarily on local/state policy. I also bring experience working with other alumni engagement boards, including with the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute, as well as skills in project management, community engagement, marketing and communications, grant writing, and nonprofit management. I am interested in serving on the Alumni Board to engage with other alumni and shape the future of Ford School for students to come.
DJ McKerr, BA ‘13
Nashville, TN
Gastro Health, Vice President of Strategic Operations and Innovation
As VP of Strategic Operations & Innovation at a leading healthcare company, I have over a decade of experience defined by a commitment to improving healthcare access and reducing health disparities, particularly for those with chronic illnesses across the United States.
As a current member of the Alumni Board, I would continue to bring strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strong relationships to the board. My participation on the Fundraising Committee and chairing the Neil Staebler Award Committee has deepened my understanding of the Board's mission and opportunities to support students, strengthen alumni relationships, and sustain fundraising momentum.
Serving on the board allows me to foster a sense of community and support within the Ford School alumni network, thereby continuing the legacy of dedication to health equity and community well-being.
My commitment to the Ford School is both personal and professional. My grandfather, Bob McKerr, was a Ford School alumnus and Staebler Award recipient. I hope to honor his legacy of public service while helping future generations of Ford School students succeed.
Hattie McKinney, BA ‘16
Los Angeles, CA
O'Melveny & Myers, Attorney
I am a corporate attorney who previously worked in education. Through my four years of practice, I engage with a range of policy areas, including water and economic development. At my firm, I support our recruiting program and hold a firmwide leadership position.
This work keeps me attuned to student challenges, including AI's impact on careers, while sharpening my judgment on the consequential decisions that shape a major institution.
As a student, I helped lead GRP, built programs to support my peers, and recruited for what was then a new degree program. As a Board Member, I will help guide the program through this new era, support the dean and faculty, and secure the resources the Ford School needs to thrive.
No one chooses the Ford School by accident; it draws those wired to change the world. I am a Fordie to my core, and I would be honored to answer the call to serve the community that shaped me.