Policy Pitch Competition

Emma Kern (MPP, ‘21) worked at the Hawai'i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice on their poverty report, collecting both data and personal stories on how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought inequity to the forefront.

Returning Ford School master's and BA students completing summer internship experiences will have the opportunity to reflect on their internship experience and celebrate the start of the upcoming school year.

Hannah Rosenfeld (MPP ’21) said her background in science and technology had prepared for her internship at the U.S.

Mariatu Santiago (MPP ‘21) used her passion for storytelling to help establish a blog series University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park, to highlight to its target community the range of opportunities available to them.

Judges announce the winners of the 2020 Policy Pitch Competition. New this year is an audience prize, as selected by audience members.

J'Taime Lyons (MPP/MBA ‘22) was able to apply the tools she has gained at the Ford School to make an impact in community engagement at the Durham Children's Initiative, which creates a pipeline high quality services from birth through high school

Mariam Sayeed (MPP ‘21) chose to work at Direct Relief to learn how international organizations impact communities that are in the most need by sending resources and care to local organizations, especially as COVID-19 affects displaced communities

Returning Ford School master's and BA students completing summer internship experiences answer questions from the audience.

Eli Gold (MPP/MS ‘22) made a difference with Detroit-based Soulidarity, to help the people of Highland Park recover their street lights and have safer neighborhoods (and he made a true pitch for funding!)  

Safiya Merchant (MPP ‘21) examined one issue while at the City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department: How to design an inclusive community that preserves affordable housing and improves the quality of life for the most vulnerable even i

Clary Baudraz  (MPP '21) says her time at Save the Children allowed her to promote her concern for women’s and girls’ political participation, to make sure that girl's voices are being heard in the policy debates that affect their lives. 

Karolina Ramos (MPP ‘21) contributed to The Aspen Institute’s Financial Security program by looking at how human-centered policies can help recipients of government aid better manage the process, happy that her social media skills can be policy-re

Dylan Horowitz (BA ‘21) said the COVID-19 interruption of his in-person internship at the U.S.

Karl Hoesch (MPP '20) discusses his passion for access to affordable housing as well as climate change, which directly tied into his work with the Office of Climate and Energy at the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Ene

Avril Prakash (MPP/MBA '21) discusses her experience working for General Motors in Detroit in their Energy and Environment Team under the Public Policy Center and how her experience has deepened her passion for ensuring equal opportunity in this d

Brooke Bacigal (BA '20) talks about her organization (Re)Vive that aims to improve the lives of refugee students by helping them with everyday tasks that can be barriers to these people such as emails, cover letters, and job applications.

Monika Anderson (MPP/MSW '20) tells us about their work for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in New York and how they are committed to speaking up about mental health issues. 

Aloka Narayanan (MPP '20) speaks about her work withBrilliant Detroit to tackle issues regarding early childhood education, food security, and homelessness.  

Gerson Ramirez (MPP '20) speaks about his experience working for Detroit Public Schools Community District and his passion for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in their education.

Brandan Pierce (MPP '20) describes his work and research with Boston Public Schools in the Office of Human Capital and the goals they are working on such as diversifying faculty/staff for the benefit of the students.

Presenters deliver pitches highlighting their internship organization, policy interest areas, policy impact and engagement, skills gained and takeaways from their internship as they move forward with their careers.

Pranav Govindaraju (BA '20) talks about fear, excitement, and the ability to learn and grow while tackling large tasks during his internship at the Federal Reserve Board. 

Director of the Program of Practical Policy Engagement Elisabeth Gerber and assistant director at Graduate Career Services Peter Vasher introduce the 2019 Policy Pitch Competition.

Jonatan Martinez (MPP '20) describes his internship with the LEAN Team at the Mayor's Office in Detroit, and explains how his own background has sparked his devotion to breaking the cycle of poverty and serving his community.

Chigozie Okwu presents at the Policy Pitch Competition.

Megan Nestor (MPP '19 Ford Fellow) talks about how her internship at the Detroit Mayor's Office gave her life–changing impact in expanding the city's Pre–K programs.

Anthony Fowlkes (MPP/MA '19) talks about his experience as a first–generation student of color and his internship at the Center for Minority Serving Institutions in Philadelphia.

Hira Mumtaz (MPP '19 Fulbright Scholar) talks about her use of economic analysis to help stakeholders at World Bank and how global policymakers can fight energy challenges.