This past Thursday, May 14, the 2014-2015 Fellows in Public Affairs graduated as Coro alumni at Hosanna House. You can see photos from the event on Facebook.
It’s not easy ensuring the leadership development of 12 diverse young people, so we would like to thank those who helped Coro make the 2014 - 2015 cohort of the Fellowship in Public Affairs so successful. While this list is long, it may not be exhaustive. If you believe anyone has been omitted, please get in touch as soon as possible so that we may correct any errors.
Fellowship in Public Affairs 2014 - 2015 Graduates
Berenise Bermudez
Hometown: Highland, California
Education: Bachelor of Art in Political Science and Ethnic Studies, University of California, San Diego
Berenise’s leadership in three words or less: Energetic, Passionate, and Empathetic.
Plans upon graduation: Berenise is returning to Southern California and will be seeking opportunities there.
Fellowship Projects: Keystone Research Center • Neighborhood Learning Alliance • The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Volunteer Activities: Coordinator of Girls Mentoring Program for Neighborhood Learning Alliance
Flavia A. Bleahu
Hometown: Canfield, Ohio
Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
Flavia’s leadership in three words or less: Confidence, conversation, and catalysts.
Plans upon graduation: Flavia will work full-time as the Assistant Program Coordinator of the Braddock Youth Project until she begins the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM) program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College this fall.
Fellowship Projects: North Hills Nonprofit Consortium • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Office of Programs and Partnerships • Allegheny County Facilities Management Department • McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation
Volunteer Activities: Volunteer at the Braddock Youth Project
Kenny Chen
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
Kenny’s leadership in three words or less: Adaptable cooperative excellence.
Plans upon graduation: Kenny is in the process of evaluating job offers that he has received from different companies and organizations, but is open to exploring additional opportunities. In the meantime, he is pursuing funding for a startup and always on the lookout for investors or partners.
Fellowship Projects: Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti • City of Pittsburgh, Department of Innovation & Performance
Volunteer Activities: Membership Chair of Pittsburgh Young Professionals • Partner & Board Member of Social Venture Partners Pittsburgh • “Super-Connector” at Pittsburgh Connectors • Coordinator for Open Pittsburgh • Practice Lead at Pittsburgh Taiko • Advisory Committee Member for Everydayhero
Andrea Elcock
Hometown: Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Education: Bachelor of Science in Management & Community, Environment and Development, Pennsylvania State University
Andrea’s leadership in three words or less: Engage, Motivate, Excel.
Plans upon graduation: During her Fellowship, Andrea worked alongside several Wilkinsburg-based organizations to update progress on the community’s strategic plan. She would be able to bring that experience to a position in the future. In the short-term, Andrea will remain with the Port Authority of Allegheny County to continue with the project she began with them.
Fellowship Projects: Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation • Borough of Wilkinsburg • Hosanna House • Port Authority of Allegheny County
Alex Wallach Hanson
Hometown: Arlington, Massachusetts
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Tufts University
Alex’s leadership in three words or less: Listening, bringing together
Plans upon graduation: Alex will begin a full-time position as a Community Organization with Pittsburgh UNITED on May 18th. He will work on their affordable housing campaign and support lowwage worker organizing. While a Fellow, Alex spent much of his time with Pittsburgh UNITED and established himself as a credible community organizer in the process, having coordinated a Day of Action that culminated with 1500-person march through Oakland.
Fellowship Projects: Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group • Pittsburgh UNITED (Clean Rivers Campaign, Worker Organizing Table) • Fast Food Worker Campaign
Aaron King
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, University of Arizona
Master of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh
Aaron’s leadership in three words or less: Empathetic, Inclusive, Driven.
Plans upon graduation: Over the summer, Aaron will be giving back as a volunteer with multiple organizations: NextGen:Pgh, City of Asylum for its summer programming, and as an In-Home Mentor Program for Jewish Family & Children’s Services. Aaron is also open to consultant opportunities that align with his interests.
Fellowship Projects: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Department of Development & Modernization • City of Pittsburgh, Department of Innovation & Performance • City of Asylum
Patrice McKenzie
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Morgan State University
Patrice’s leadership in three words or less: Results-Driven, Motivational and Positive.
Plans upon graduation: Patrice will continue to serve as the Civic Engagement Committee Chair for Urban League Young Professionals until July 2015. In her role, she manages a team of 6 members to plan multiple events related to politics, police brutality, community engagement, and community safety. Patrice is interested in consulting and full-time opportunities.
Fellowship Projects: Allegheny County Department of Facilities Management • Bridgeway Capital • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Volunteer Activities: Civic Engagement Committee Chair for Urban League Young Professionals
John Chilton McAuliff
Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies, Jepson School of Leadership at the University of Richmond
John’s leadership in three words or less: Connecting potential partners.
Plans upon graduation: John will take part in the Governor’s Fellowship Program in Richmond, VA this Summer before beginning the Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management program (MSPPM) at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College this fall.
Fellowship Projects: Keystone Research Center • City of Pittsburgh, Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Performance • Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group • 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
Volunteer Activities: Audience Vote Winner at Start-up Weekend: Education • Coach for Social Venture Partners
Prisca Akello Ohito
Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota
Education: Bachelor of Humanities and Arts in Public Policy and Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University
Prisca’s leadership in three words or less: Purposeful, inquisitive, inspired.
Plans upon graduation: Interested in the intersection of policy and design, Prisca is open to and interested in consulting opportunities.
Fellowship Projects: Neighborhood Allies • FOCUS Pittsburgh • University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) • The Design Center
Volunteer Activities: Volunteer at Assemble
Ruth Spurlock Kim
Hometown: Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, Smith College
Ruth’s leadership in three words or less: Compassionate communication.
Plans upon graduation: Ruth will soon launch Miss Ruthie’s Spanish School, a summer Spanish program for Pre-K students. She will also continue to work with Best of the Batch (in some capacity) and return part-time to her previous employer, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
Fellowship Projects: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Housing Choice Voucher Program • Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group • Best of the Batch Foundation
Ryann Tanap
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Minor in Middle Eastern Studies, College of William and Mary
Ryann’s leadership in three words or less: Respect, Empower, Engage.
Plans upon graduation: Ryann continues to be on the lookout for consulting and full-time opportunities to exercise her passions for the arts, mental health awareness, and diversity.
Fellowship Projects: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust & Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council • McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation • National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern PA (NAMI SWPA)
Volunteer Activities: Board of Directors for Global Playground, Inc.
Nenha Young
Hometown: Englewood, NJ
Education: Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies, Minor in Architecture, Cornell University
Nenha’s leadership in three words or less: Positive change agent.
Plans upon graduation: Nenha will soon begin work as an Urban Planner in the Division of Strategic Planning for the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning.
Fellowship Projects: ACTION-Housing, Inc. • Richard King Mellon Foundation
Volunteer Activities & Associations: Volunteer STEM Teacher for Omega Psi Phi Carter G. Woodson Academy at the Kingsley Center • Manchester TreeVitalize Volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh • Member of National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) • Member of Rising Tide
Partnering Organizations
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania • ACTION-Housing, Inc. • Allegheny County Facilities Management Department • Best of the Batch Foundation • Borough of Wilkinsburg • Bridgeway Capital • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Office of Programs and Partnerships • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Special Events • City of Asylum • City of Pittsburgh, Office of the Mayor • Crisis Center North • FOCUS+ Pittsburgh • HEARTH - Transitional Housing for Women • Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti • Hosanna House • Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh • Keystone Research Center • McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation • Neighborhood Allies • Neighborhood Learning Alliance • Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust • Pittsburgh UNITED • Port Authority of Allegheny County • Richard King Mellon Foundation • The Design Center • The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania • University of Pittsburgh - University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) • Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation
Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs)
To be updated.
Interviewees for Fellows’ Projects
Community Affairs Week
Jay Gilmer, Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime (PIRC) • John Tokarski, Department of Public Safety • Liz Style, Coordinator, Safer Together Pittsburgh, Department of Public Safety • Valerie Roberts, Chief Urban Affairs Officer, Office of Mayor William Peduto • Professor Al Blumstein, Carnegie Mellon University • Kendall Pelling, Director of Land Recycling, East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI) • Peter Brewton, East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI) • Brandi Taylor, Coalition Against Violence (CAV) • Bruce Kraus, City Council President • Cameron McLay, City of Pittsburgh Police • Renee Johnson, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh • Brandi Fisher, President, Alliance for Police Accountability • Professor Aaron Steinfeld, Carnegie Mellon University • Tyian Battle, ACH Clear Pathways • Aaron R. Gibson, Executive Director, Thelma Lovette YMCA • Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh • Stephanie Chiappini, Operation Safety Net, Program Manager • Heather Gaines, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
State Affairs Week
To be updated.
National Affairs Week
Senator Tim Kaine (D – VA), Alum (Kansas City ’78) • Chiling Tong, CEO of International Leadership Foundation (ILF), Alum (Los Angeles ’89) • Colin Rogister, Special Advisor, National Economic Council at The White House, Alum (New York ’09) • Daniel Kramer, Co-Owner at Duke’s Grocery, Alum (Los Angeles ’05) • Kate Pielemeier, The White House, Alum (Pittsburgh) • Melanie Duppins, Senior Director Policy and Human Capital, DonorsChoose.org • Robert Kim, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Operations and Outreach in the Office for Civil Rights, Dept. of Education • Spiros Protopsaltis, Deputy Assistant Secretary at ED for Higher Education and Financial Aid, Dept. of Education • Kaitlin Pennington, Educational Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress • Emmanuel Caudillo, Special Advisor, The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics • Jaclyn Smith, Director of Alumni in Public Leadership and Community Engagement, Teach for America • Lucas Hitt, Chief of Communications at Bureau of Economic Analysis • Ben Miller, Economic Growth Policy Analyst, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation • Sara James, NADO Research Foundation • Daphne Kwok, former chair/current member of WHIAAPI President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders • Dr. Jackie Williams, Director, Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development • Unisa Barrie, HUD Choice Neighborhood Team • Dr. Yolanda Butler, Deputy Director at Office of Community Services • Annie Donovan, Director of CDFI Fund • Eric Paul Smith, Technical & Policy Advisor at the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, US Economic Development Administration • Holly Richards, Public Affairs Officer, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development • Paul Singer, Politics Director, USA Today • Michael Strazzella, Practice Group Leader – Federal Government Relations, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney • Jeannine Bender, Director of Government Affairs, Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) • Jonathan Westin, Health & Long-Term Care Government Relations Executive at Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) • Devorah Goldman, Legislative Correspondent to Sen. Pat Toomey • Mark Hendrickson, Associate Director of Government Affairs, Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) • Shawn Bishop, Principal, SB Health Policy, SNP Alliance • David Rosenbaum, Office of Rep. Dina Titus • Anne Pfrimmer, Director, Affordable Care Campaign, SEIU Healthcare • Matt Dinkel, Director of Communications, U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) • Tran Doan, Global Health Development and Marketing, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti • Lisa Frank • Tri Le • Ray Prushnok, Coro Pittsburgh Board Member
Graduation Attendees
Julaine Bongolan, in support of Ryann Tanap • Klara Brown • Cary Cameron, Board Member • Ashlee Carter, Eden Hall Foundation • Derek Chen, in support of Kenny Chen • Richard Ekstrom, Board Member • Marita Garrett, Borough of Wilkinsburg • Susan Harrington, in support of Ryann Tanap • Susan Hunter, in support of Andrea Elcock • Frances Hunter, in support of Andrea Elcock • Brandon Johnson, in support of Patrice McKenzie • Howard Kim, in support of Ruth Kim • Erika Kotroba • Ahmed Martin, in support of Nenha Young • Breen Masciotra, Port Authority of Allegheny County • John F. McAuliff, in support of John C. McAuliff • Ryan McConnell, in support of Ruth Kim • Mary McDonnell, in support of John C. McAuliff • Terri McKenzie, in support of Patrice McKenzie • Preston McKenzie, in support of Patrice McKenzie • Paige McKenzie, in support of Patrice McKenzie • Christine Michaels, in support of Ryann Tanap • Reena Naik • Stacy Pethia, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh • Dean Richards, current Public Ally and Leaders in Learning alumnus • Chris Sandvig, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group • Yvette Shipman, in support of Berenise Bermudez • Christa Sivack, in support of Andrea Elcock • Esther Spurlock, in support of Ruth Kim • John Spurlock, in support of Ruth Kim • Becky Spurlock, in support of Ruth Kim • Jennifer Stover • Joanne Tanap, in support of Ryann Tanap • RyKai Wright, in support of Ruth Kim • Leslie Young, in support of Nenha Young • Ciera Marie Young, incoming Fellow • Rachel Zadnik, in support of Berenise Bermudez • Steve Foreman, previously served as Subject-Matter Expert • Khalif Ali, former Coro staff • Harry Johnson, BMe Pittsburgh Program Manager • Delbert Tyler, guest of Harry Johnson • Romulus Bleahu, in support of Flavia Bleahu • Chloe Velasquez, Board Member