Alex Evans (MPP '85) rejoined the workforce after a two-year "mini-retirement" and became a partner at Fulcrum Strategy Group, where he does strategic consulting and opinion/market research.
Susan McLaughlin (MPP/MBA '93) recently testified on Capitol Hill about the risks associated with the growing federal debt, and policy actions that are being taken— or can be taken—to enhance the resilience of the Treasury market.
Holly Donnelly (MPP '96) and Jorlie Cruz (MPP '00) recently retired early from the IRS. Jorlie spends part of the year in Puerto Rico, and Holly visits him there for some less taxing activities.
Nicole Bartlett (MPP '98) earned her PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts in August. Her dissertation produced a new framework for improving coastal management by bridging communication gaps between satellite data experts and practitioners. She is in her 26th year of federal service at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration in Woods Hole, MA.
Antony DiGiovanni (MPP '00) retired from federal service after 14 years with the Department of Energy and 11 years in the Senior Executive Service at the National Science Foundation. He now begins the next chapter of his career as co-lead of the energy practice at Lewis-Burke Associates, advocating for institutions of higher education and other research and education organizations. Tony is very happy at Lewis-Burke, known as "the nerdy lobbying firm," where he feels that he has found his people, including fellow Fordie, Isabel Simons (BA '25).
Mike Scholl (MPP '02) was elected to the Thompson School District R2-J Board of Directors in Larimer County, CO. The district serves approximately 14,000 students, operates with an annual budget of roughly $286 million, and employs more than 2,000 full- and part-time staff.
After countless hours of studying and practicing (and making more than a few memorable faux pas), Tarek Anandan (MPP '03) passed his language exam and is now a dual U.S.–French citizen.
At a U-M event in February, Michael Lens (MPP '03) discussed his book, Where the Hood At?, which examines the characteristics and trajectories of Black neighborhoods across the U.S. over the fifty years since the Fair Housing Act.
Paul Hanna (MPP '05) is moving to Geneva this summer to take up a new posting as an inspector at the UN's Joint Inspection Unit, where he will provide independent oversight. He previously worked for the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Mission to the UN in New York. Paul and his family are looking forward to their new international adventure.
Abbey True Harris (MPP/JD '05) is a partner at Connell Foley LLP in its Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Group.
Chuck Benya (MPP '06) received his Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University. In December, he was appointed CEO of Artspace Southern Illinois and managing director of the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, KY.
Patrice (Harduar) Gopo (MPP/MBA '07) is pleased to share that her second picture book, Ripening Time, received a 2025 North Carolina Book Award.
As the new CEO of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, Maggie Koziol (MPP '07) works with state leaders across the country to strengthen public vocational rehabilitation systems and expand pathways to employment for individuals with disabilities.
Airea Matthews (MPA '07) has been appointed provost of Bryn Mawr College.
Holly Parker (MPP '07) was named CEO of Fair Food Network, Detroit, MI.
Maxim Nowak (BA '09) was elected to the partnership at Herrick, Feinstein LLP, where he is a member of the Litigation, Securities Enforcement, and White-Collar Defense & Investigations groups.
In her first Olympic assignment for NBC Sports, Nicole Auerbach (BA '11) served as the on-site reporter at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, covering cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.
Molly Maguire (MPP '11) and her family moved to Barcelona, Spain, where she founded Avenir Advisors, a consulting practice focused on policy design and fundraising for non-profits that address college access and completion.
Parvati Patil (MPP '11) founded Tiny Traditions (www.tinytraditions.com), a Seattle-based startup dedicated to helping families celebrate global holidays with screen-free, hands-on boxes for kids ages four to nine. Inspired by her own children, she aims to build cultural connections and spark curiosity and togetherness. Tiny Traditions ships nationwide. Go Blue!
Harlyn Pacheco (MPP/MBA '12), Agentic Commerce PM and ventures advisor at PayPal, recently chaired a citizen steering committee on bond issuance for technology within the Dallas Independent School District. He has also advised the Gates Foundation on AI investment and strategy and remains an active investor in emerging technologies that foster global impact.
Andrew Bracken (MPP '13) started a new role as a capital program manager with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
DJ McKerr (BA '13) was appointed vice president of strategic operations & innovation at Gastro Health, the nation's largest independent gastroenterology practice.
Sarah Zárate (MPP '13) was appointed chief of staff to San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in January 2026. She previously served as the City of San Jose's director of the Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations.
Kyle O'Meara (BA '15) was recently named a member of Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC, where he has worked as an attorney since 2018 in the Municipal and Water and Environmental Resources practice groups. The firm represents over 200 local government units in Michigan, and Kyle appreciates being able to utilize his Ford School education to navigate legal challenges in the public arena.
Matthew Y. Bishop (MPP '16) began a new role as vice president/COO with the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Andrew Rising (BA '16) and Kelsey Rising (LSA '16) celebrated the birth of their daughter, Sophia Olena (BA '48?), last summer! This February, Andrew left the Department of Justice to become policy counsel for Governors Safeguarding Democracy.
Ali Abazeed (MPP/MPH '17) was appointed chief public health officer by the City of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield.
Nishant Malhotra (MPA/MBA '17), founder of The Middle Road, an upskilling platform for the social impact sector, published his debut book, Global Development Impact. The courses offered through his startup span a wide range of topics—from finance and economics to ESG, sustainable finance, impact evaluation, entrepreneurship, and investment management—and most are free.
As if getting elected as a city councillor in Rosemère, QC (Canada) in November 2025 was not enough, Elmer van der Vlugt (MPP '17) and his wife, Mylène, also welcomed their son, Sacha, in January.
Julian Buchwalter (BA '20) joined the office of Commissioner Karen Douglas of the California Public Utilities Commission in August 2025.
Gina Lucchesi (MPP '20) and Adam Watkins (BA '14) welcomed a son, Julian Watkins, in October 2025.
Neetu Singh (MPP '20) married her soulmate!
Olivia Davis (BA '23) is pursuing her JD/MPP at Georgetown. Over the next two years, she will primarily be at the law school while completing her thesis research. Olivia has accepted a summer associate position at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton for 2026 and 2027 and will join the firm full-time after graduation in 2028.
Melanie Grund (MPA '23) is pleased to report that Welcome Oakland, a new division for immigrant support and equity for Oakland County, Michigan, is finally real. It has an official logo and staff (one, but it's a start!). She thanks everyone who listened and laughed with her over the years!
Sarah Wagner (MPP '23) started performing in community theater and will make her professional debut in The Handmaid's Tale at the Detroit Opera House this March.
Lydia Kado (BA '24) was accepted into law school! She is excited for this opportunity to continue her education and take the next step in her career. School reveal coming soon!
In memoriam
Sean Casey (MPP ’82) passed away in December 2025. To honor his legacy, Ford School alumni, friends, and colleagues have established the Sean Casey Memorial Fund, which provides tuition and internship support to Ford School Master of Public Policy students, prioritizing first-generation graduate students and those with a demonstrated interest in fostering public engagement in the policy process.
The Ford School invites others to contribute to the Sean Casey Memorial Fund.
George Delmer Ferrell (MPP ’79, PhD ’88) passed away on February 4, 2026, in Ann Arbor. He enthusiastically supported the Ford School’s efforts—in concert with a consortium of other top public policy schools—to attract talented young people from underrepresented groups to the field of public policy by helping conduct summer “math camps.” George taught review courses in algebra and calculus, with emphasis on key tools used in public policy research and analysis. He took great satisfaction from mentoring students in this program and was delighted to watch many of them go on to careers in the field.
Related spring 2026 State & Hill stories
← Read all stories in the spring 2026 edition State & Hill