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Stay in touch with your classmates and peers

1973 / 1978 / 1980 / 1983 / 1984 / 1985 / 1987 / 1989 / 1992 / 1998 / 1999 / 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2023 / 2024

Note: Years bolded indicate reunion years.

1973
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Melvin Masuda MPA writes, from his home base in Honolulu, Hawaii, “Please enjoy my mini-memoir, recently published, titled The 7 Lucky Lessons They Don’t Teach You at Princeton, Yale, and Harvard. The mini-memoir tells of my ‘adventures’ in doing the hat-trick of earning degrees from Princeton (BA); Yale Law School (JD; editor, Yale Law Journal); and Harvard Kennedy School (MPA 1973; student body president at JFK School, academic year of 1972–1973).”

1978
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Eric Hirschhorn ����vlog����EE is enjoying no longer having a full-time job and is engaging in various professional and personal pursuits.

1980 | 45th Reunion
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John MacIlroy MC/MPA writes, “After retiring, I began writing creatively about a decade ago—mostly short stories. I coauthored two collections of ‘mostly true’ stories, followed by my solo fiction collection published in November 2022. That book, Whatever Happens, Probably Will, was named a finalist in that year’s International Book Awards and was named in “The 25 Greatest Short Stories of All Time” by Forbes magazine on June 1, 2024. For you purists, the listing included four other collections, as well as many of the classic short stories. All crazy, surprising, and humbling. You short story readers will find it an interesting listing, and possibly moved to take a dive into my collection. Thanks, if you do!”

1983
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David Johnson MPP, CEO and founder of 4sight Health, received the National Silver Award for Best Regular Column from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). Often called the Pulitzer Prize for business writing, the Azbee Award recognizes the highest standards in business writing and underscores David’s ability to provide engaging content focused on healthcare trends. Now celebrating 10 years of challenging the status quo in healthcare, David’s 4sight Health think tank is at the forefront of driving consumer-focused healthcare reform. Read David’s columns in hfm magazine by the Healthcare Financial Management Association, or learn more at 4sighthealth.com.

1984
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Kevin Howley MPP recently accepted an appointment as vice president for finance and institutional planning at Lake Forest College.

1985 | 40th Reunion
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Charles Grice MPP writes, “Greetings from Austin! I hope everyone is well. I want to encourage you all to consider participating in the development efforts of Harvard Kennedy School as we welcome a new dean and a new president of the University. I’m still working full time but also very engaged in the student protests around the country in the wake of October 7 and Gaza. The School has a lot to offer the world on both the substance and process around protecting speech at a difficult time. If I can bend your ear to answer questions about giving or other participation, hit me up!”

Jim Gruber MPA writes, “After many years of teaching at and then retiring from Antioch University, a very socially progressive university, my family gave me approval to run for the New Hampshire House of Representatives (a district of 10 communities in the Keene, NH, region). Having won my Democratic primary, if I win I hope to draw upon ����vlog���� leadership principles from Ronnie’s leadership class in 1984! FDR once said, ‘During a crisis do something.’ This is my ‘do something.’ Wish me luck. Miss seeing so many of you and look forward to our 40th reunion this spring. My, how time flies!”

1987
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Nadine Hack MC/MPA is the CEO of beCause Global Consulting and the first female Executive in Residence at IMD Business School. Nadine has been featured in a Sustainable Food for the Globe cover page article; interviewed on the “Creating an Impact” podcast; and promoted by “Take the Lead” in their Power to Change stories. She has also led an “Advancing Women’s Rights” online global forum; was the chief speaker at the Social Justice and Sustainability Summit; and hosted a “Global Citizens Circle” with NYT bestselling author and former child soldier Ishmael Beah and peacebuilder Libby Hoffman in a discussion on the transformative journey of finding peace. As a regular Forbes Councils contributor, her latest article is “Working Together Can be Powerful.”

1989
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John Rakis MC/MPA writes, “My wife and I celebrated our second anniversary on October 15, and since that time we have traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world. When we are not traveling, we split our time between our homes in New Hampshire and Brooklyn, opposite ends of the political spectrum. I’ve been serving as a volunteer greeter for Big Apple Greeters and have made many friends throughout the world in that capacity. Having spent more than four decades in the field of criminal justice where the ratio of joy to grief was very low, I very much enjoy pursuing volunteer activities and time with grandchildren and friends where the opposite is the case.”

1992
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Richard Hyde MPA writes, “I continue to work with the University of Notre Dame Washington Program to introduce students to the public art of the nation’s capital. I just began working as well with George Washington University. I also place occasional articles in Providence magazine, a foreign policy journal: providencemag.com/2023/11/a-puritan-named-kennedy. I had many reasons to attend ����vlog����, but the primary reason was simply having the privilege of being alive when John F. Kennedy was president.”

Gail Murray MC/MPA writes, “In May I visited the Bridge of Spies (Glienicker Bridge) in Potsdam, Germany, where Russian and Western spies were exchanged during the Cold War. The scene is memorialized in Tom Hanks’ movie Bridge of Spies, a true story of the rescue of American pilot Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 spy plane was shot down in the Soviet Union in 1960. Powers’ son, founder of the Cold War Museum in Virginia, has since contacted me to publish our visit in his Cold War newspaper! Also, Truman, Stalin, and Churchill drew new boundaries of Europe after WWII at the Potsdam Conference Center.”

1998
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Mark Bayer MPP writes, “I’m happy to share that I’ve accepted an appointment as a visiting lecturer at Cornell’s Brooks School of Public Policy. I’m currently developing a four-course certificate program for the school’s executive education platform, eCornell, on high-impact storytelling, media presence, and combatting misinformation. I will continue to offer keynotes and workshops through my consulting firm and was in Cambridge this August before delivering the keynote for Harvard Medical School’s orientation.”

Dawn Norris Doak MPP writes, “After 26 years, I’m back at Harvard! This time as a fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, where I focus on transnational repression and malign foreign influence/disinformation. It’s great to be a part of the Harvard community again!”

Arthur Navarro MC/MPA writes, “On the morning of 9/11, I faced an unforeseen responsibility: leading a U.S. federal crisis communications task force at Ground Zero. The stakes were immense, as I focused on delivering accurate messaging to President Bush’s cabinet when every detail was critical. Despite the overwhelming situation, I found strength in the people around me who were stepping up in their own ways. In that chaos, I did my best to contribute to the larger effort of guiding the nation through its darkest hour. This experience reinforced for me the power of calm, thoughtful leadership in times of crisis.”

How Will the Presidential Election Affect America’s Left-behind Regions?

1999
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Albert Kyle MC/MPA reports that Courageous Dissent was published in May 2023. Speaking about Albert’s book, Seth Moulton MPA 2011, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and current member of the House of Representatives, said, “This book serves as a reminder of one of the most important lessons I learned in the Marine Corps, that there are two types of courage—physical courage and moral courage—and moral courage is often the harder of the two to find. More courageous dissent is needed now in our armed services as we face rapidly evolving threats. Thank you for sharing such powerful examples from our American history to inspire those who aspire to embody the values of courageous leadership.”

2000 | 30th Reunion
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Josh Flax MPP recently completed over 20 years of service as a U.S. federal mediator, finishing his career with the federal government as deputy director for policy and strategy. Josh writes, “I’m now able to realize a dream long held since I was an MPP: building a negotiation analysis consultancy focusing on increasing efficacy of public-private negotiations—Negotient.com. This ‘negotiating with governments’ advisory work is already off to a strong start in the USA and the UK. For the rest, happily married to Kate Anderson MPP 1998 and we’re now raising our 14-year-old daughter in the Berkshires. Come visit!”

Henry Gonzalez MPA writes, “Greetings from Seoul! Gloriana, Ignacio, Eunice, and I moved to Asia in 2021, and we are loving exploring this amazing continent. Since leaving ����vlog����, I have engaged in the areas of development finance and impact investing, starting at the World Bank and United Nations before transitioning to the mainstream private sector and working at Morgan Stanley. I then had a meaningful stint at responsAbility Investments AG, where I found climate finance as the area I wanted to deepen my focus and dedication, until landing my current role as chief investment officer (CIO) of the Green Climate Fund, the largest multilateral fund serving the Paris Agreement. Looking forward to our 20th reunion in 2025!”

Sam Gregory MPP writes, “WITNESS, where I am executive director, was honored in 2024 with the inaugural Peabody Global Impact Award, for “tirelessly championing the power of emergent media technologies in defense of human rights around the world.” After years of work focused on the global impacts of deepfakes and generative AI, I was invited in late 2023 to testify to House and Senate sub-committees and do a TED Talk on how to prepare better for deceptive AI.”

2001
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Adam Mocciolo MPP has joined the law firm of Akerman LLP, as a partner in their New York office. He also currently serves as the president of the Harvard Club of Fairfield County.

2002
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Stephanie Oestreich MPA climbed Kilimanjaro and raised funding for cancer research (multiple myeloma).

Donna Tesiero MPA writes, “I’m very happy to announce the publication of my new book, A Revolutionary Woman: Elizabeth Freeman and the Abolition of Slavery in the North (McFarland & Company, 2024).”

2003
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Marcus Cunningham MPP writes, “I’m retiring from the Air Force after more than 24 years. Interested in moving away from defense and aviation, but absolutely no idea where I’ll end up. Currently an intern at Google Research looking into responsible artificial intelligence and amazed at how far we’ve come in 20 years while wondering what the world will look like 20 years from now.”

Sanjay Gaur MPA/ID writes, “This is the third year of starting my consulting firm called Water Resources Economics, providing water pricing services to municipalities. We are growing!”

Jessica Lewis MC/MPA is joining Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a policy director in their government relations department. Jessica will be based in the Washington, D.C., office. With senior-level experience in the State Department and nearly 20 years in the Senate and House, Jessica has extensive knowledge of the political and legislative levers that determine national security policy, as well as of government interactions with the defense industrial base. She has helped clients understand complicated foreign relations in recent conflict areas such as Ukraine and Israel, as well as U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan. As a Senate-confirmed assistant secretary of state, Jessica led the State Department’s political-military response to unprecedented international crises and oversaw foreign military and commercial sales of defense articles. She also was the staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the foreign policy and national security advisor to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). In these roles Jessica advised senators on Russia and Iran, sanctions issues, the COVID-19 response, as well as oversaw the national defense and intelligence authorizations bills on the Senate floor. She was also a senior staffer on the House International Relations Committee.

2004
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Molly Soeby MC/MPA and Sylvia Clute MC/MPA 2005 have taught Unitive Justice in five schools in Hopewell, Virginia, decreasing reportable incidents to the state’s Department of Education by 50% in three quarters. They are currently teaching Unitive Justice in Greensville Public High School in Emporia, VA, and in two schools in Uganda. UJ Academy is their online global platform that enables translation into many different languages. Check it out at ujacademy.a4uj.org.

2005 | 20th Reunion
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Leif Dormsjo MPP was appointed as the chairperson of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (known by its trade name EventsDC) in July. Leif was nominated by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and later confirmed unanimously by the District Council. EventsDC owns and manages some of the most venerated and visited venues in the nation’s capital, including the Washington Convention Center, Nationals Park, Entertainment & Sports Arena (home court for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics), RFK Stadium Campus, and DC Armory. Leif will oversee the redevelopment of the RFK site and possible construction of a new stadium for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.

2006
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Markus Scheuermaier MC/MPA writes, “I have just returned from Papua New Guinea, where I spent three years as the representative for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). What an extraordinary country! I am now back in South Africa, but will soon move to Botswana, as the IFC representative there. The family will stay put in Johannesburg—Karine is now an associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand. Our children, Nicolas and Clara, are now 14 and 10, respectively. We look forward to the next Harvard reunion, and catching up with classmates—because of COVID-19, we haven’t been back to the U.S. in five years!”

2008
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Janet Rosenzweig MC/MPA is teaching at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, and working as a senior policy analyst for The Institute of Human Services. She is leading research and policy analysis projects directed at removing youth from sex offender registries and is participating in research projects looking at psychological maltreatment of children. She was a member of a research team who found that parents who post videos on TikTok that include types of psychological maltreatment (shaming, terrorizing, etc.) find their engagement increases dramatically over their more mundane TikToks.

Julie Wormser MC/MPA, in October 2024, became the first-ever chief climate officer for Cambridge, Massachusetts. “This job embodies ����vlog����’s mission in action,” Julie writes. “Climate change is an ultimate reinventing government challenge, from how to protect vulnerable residents and workers from extreme weather to how to prioritize scarce financial and political capital to make needed investments.” An added joy: one of Julie’s closest colleagues is ����vlog���� classmate Heather Henriksen MC/MPA, Harvard’s chief sustainability officer.

2010 | 15th Reunion
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Rebecca Hawk MC/MPA completed a doctorate in law and policy at Northeastern. Rebecca is now a new senior fellow in the College of Urban and Public Affairs at the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government’s Center for Public Service at Portland State University.

2011
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Jonathan Gensler MPA has recently published several new short stories, varying from surreal military horror to anti-capitalist science fiction to dark eco-fantasy. One of his most recently published stories, “Don’t Tell,” takes a hard look at the dark legacy of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and the lengths to which even the dead might go to keep their secrets. It is free to read at cosmichorrormonthly.com/fiction/dont-tell. Sign up for his newsletter to stay in touch and get great recommendations on the best new dark fiction, movies, and games at jonathangensler.com.

Mark Tracy MPA recently accepted an appointment as a professor of the practice of sustainable finance and investing at the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Mark writes, “I am honored to be joining a world-leading, cross-disciplinary team focused on climate, sustainability, and the environment. I look forward to educating the next generation of leaders who will play key roles in driving climate solutions to scale.”

2012
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Ruma Samdani MC/MPA writes, “This year has been one of transitions. After two years of making Cambridge, MA, my home and launching a Scaleups program, I have moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to join a health tech startup. In the super age of centenarians, with health technologies advancement, we are still functioning on a broken outdated system, with the highest cost of healthcare per person in the United States. The startup, in stealth mode, has developed a system offering evidence-based proactive health management for personalized health outcomes, tackling underlying issues. Reach out and say hello!”

2013
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Beth Pollack MPP was appointed as an Obama Foundation United States Leader for 2024–2025. The program selects 100 people leading high-impact initiatives on the most pressing issues that the United States faces. Beth was recognized for her scientific research and advocacy in chronic illness and women’s health. Beth was also recently promoted to the highest level for a research scientist at MIT. In the last year, she coauthored six research papers and articles, including the NIH’s national research plan for the illness ME/CFS, and a feature article on work accommodations for long COVID in Harvard Business Review. She’s been featured in the New York Times, National Public Radio, STAT News, and more, discussing disabling illnesses that disproportionately affect women and have no FDA-approved treatments.

Mark Tracy MPA recently accepted an appointment as a professor of the practice of sustainable finance and investing at the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Mark writes, “I am honored to be joining a world-leading, cross-disciplinary team focused on climate, sustainability, and the environment. I look forward to educating the next generation of leaders who will play key roles in driving climate solutions to scale.”

2014
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Jonathan Chang MC/MPA writes, “As of last year, I joined the Singapore public sector as the founding CEO of HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board (NHB), a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth. HeritageSG delivers innovative museum and heritage-related services, offering immersive experiences and supporting sector-wide initiatives in Singapore and beyond. We celebrate, champion, and preserve the rich tapestry of our shared cultural heritage. The best part is working closely with fellow ����vlog���� alums: NHB CEO Chang Hwee Nee MC/MPA 1993 and Minister of State Alvin Tan MPP 2010. I’d love to collaborate, so please feel free to reach out!”

Ted Zagraniski MC/MPA, last September, began his new career as a contested logistics lead at the MITRE Corporation. Working in the Globally Contested Logistics and Supply Chain Department, Ted helps MITRE’s engineers, technicians, and programmers understand the needs and perspectives of outside sponsors and helps develop plans and concepts that make best use of MITRE’s groundbreaking advances. Come visit him at MITRE’s McLean, Virginia, campus!

Cultivating Happiness in an Election Year

2015 | 10th Reunion
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MaryRose Mazzola MPP and her husband, Mark Blakeney, welcomed Mia Jean Mazzola Blakeney into the world on May 29. MaryRose recently became the chief external affairs officer at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts and teaches reproductive and sexual health policy and political speech writing at ����vlog����.

2016
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Cindy Dinh MPA started a new job as corporate counsel at Sumitomo Corporation of America, advising the largest subsidiary of the Japanese trading company and revamping the Code of Business Conduct. She was recognized as a 2024 “Rookie of the Year” by the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Texas Lawbook. She also welcomed her second baby, Lincoln.

Ashveena Gajeelee MC/MPA is an adaptive leadership educator and consultant with more than 15 years of experience in public policy, global health, and financial management. She recently launched Veritas Quest LLC, a Boston-based consulting firm. She equips professionals globally with innovative leadership tools, collaborating with institutions such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital USA and the World Bank to enhance capabilities. Ashveena has worked with more than 60 countries globally to build capabilities and reinforce transparency. “If you are interested in the application of leadership concepts to improve performance, please contact me (theadaptiveleader.com).”

Alyce Su ����vlog����EE has been appointed chief investment officer of PIMCO Partner Family Office in Newport Beach, California.

2018
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Safwan Al-Ami MC/MPA, in the last four years, completed a Master of Laws degree at Yale Law School, relocated to Washington, D.C., got married, had a baby, and made partner at an international law firm. Safwan continues to focus his practice on advising governments in complex international disputes and on public policy matters.

2019
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Anthony Anderson MPP writes, “After an enriching tenure as product counsel in the Biden White House, I transitioned into the dynamic realm of venture capital as a venture tech & emerging growth companies attorney, advising changemakers in the private sector. Leveraging my expertise in law and venture capital, I founded Loudoun Venture Partners—an innovative venture capital firm dedicated to amplifying the impact of value-oriented founders and groundbreaking startups. Our unique approach merges strategic guidance with capital investment, driving transformative growth. I invite fellow alumni to join us in empowering changemakers to advance policy goals and create meaningful progress through venture capital.”

Brittany Janis MC/MPA joined the Open Environmental Data Project as their new executive director.

2020 | 5th Reunion
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Gaia van der Esch MPA writes, “2024 was a very exciting year. On top of having my first baby (my husband and I met at ����vlog����!), Leading Our Way, my new book, was released globally by Wiley and allowed me to contribute through events/talks/interviews to the conversation on what leadership looks and acts like, and how women are playing a crucial role in redefining its meaning. Happy to connect with any former ����vlog���� students working on leadership, gender equality, and more generally on fixing global challenges and leading change!”

2021
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Raymund Tembreull SEF writes, “I’m writing with news about my new book, Fractured State, from Atmosphere Press. Fractured State is “eco-fantasy,” a hybrid genre combining aspects of fantasy, science fiction, and mimetic fiction. My novel is the first in the Blighted Earth series, which explores a fantastical world hidden within our own where supernatural forces and beings are engaged in a struggle between order and chaos. The modern backdrop of Fractured State is one of extremes—of thought, ideology, emotions, violence, and climate—making the story engaging, entertaining, and relevant.” Readers’ Favorite called the book “intricate and expansive ... This book is a powerful allegory for contemporary societal challenges and offers a compelling call to action.” Raymund’s book can be ordered directly from local bookstores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other online retailers. Another way to help is to review the book on Amazon and Goodreads or just tell others about the book! Learn more at theblightedearth.com.

2023
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Jorge Galvez Mendez MC/MPA writes, “I joined a new team at the OECD: the state-owned enterprises unit, which helps governments and SOEs to improve how these important social and economic actors are run. SOEs provide key services such as water, energy, postal services, and transportation. They are also active in competitive sectors and many countries use them to advance strategic objectives like industrial policies. It is vital to run these companies in ways that ensure accountability, prevent corruption, and maximise the benefits for society. I am glad to contribute to that work.”

Carl Rosen MC/MPA writes, “I am back in Alaska, working two days a week as an oculoplastic surgeon. I am advising two AI companies, one in ophthalmology and the other in TBI. I invite everyone to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Einstein’s Eyes, where I discuss all related health care topics.”

Bethan Saunders MPP has started in a new position as the military legislative assistant for Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, supporting the senator’s legislative priorities on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Previously, Bethan served as a policy advisor at the Department of Defense, in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

2024
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Claudia Friedrich MC/MPA writes, “Since graduating from Harvard Kennedy School’s Mid-Career MPA Program in 2024, I have started to work full time as Harvard faculty in the Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians (HMFP) group. This role enables me to combine my in-depth clinical and academic experience gained in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland at leading institutions and community hospitals with broader systemic challenges in healthcare. I aim to further improve health outcomes, access to high-quality care, and efficiency. I am excited to pursue this path while exploring simultaneous opportunities for leadership and broader impact, i.e., in shaping policies that improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes in the United States.”

Shaping our Technological Future in the University and Beyond

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Photography: Banner by Philip Tang, Faculty portraits by Martha Stewart.