In 2007, The Fund for American Studies launched the TFAS Leadership Fellows Program – a yea long educational and networking program for young alumni in the Washington, D.C. metro area working in the field of public policy.
The Class of 2009 kicked off their fellowship at TFAS Headquarters on Jan. 28 at a reception welcoming them into the program. At the event, the 2009 fellows met their classmates for the coming year as well as graduates from the 2007 and 2008 programs.
DC Chapter President Jenna Welch (J 02, I 03), a member of the outgoing Class of 2008, welcomed the incoming class with words of advice and encouragement. “The combination of intellectual stimulation and the forging of new friendships represents the true spirit of TFAS culture, and I am confident you will benefit from such a rewarding program – just as we have.”
The goal of the year-long fellowship is to provide young alumni with events throughout the year that will allow them to:
• Develop strong connections to other alumni working in public policy
• Network with key public policy leaders
• Participate in academic discussion sessions led by TFAS Faculty
• Enhance their professional development through skill-building sessions
• Strengthen their involvement in TFAS alumni activities
The 2009 Fellows can look forward to busy year of activities, including an upcoming weekend retreat in historic Annapolis, Maryland. The fellows will also attend the TFAS Annual Conference this April, a fall retreat in October and four monthly speaker events during the year. The monthly speaker series begins in March with a discussion led by TFAS President Roger Ream on the book, Good to Great by Jim Collins.
The 2009 class is made up of a diverse group of alumni ranging in age from their early twenties to early thirties. They represent a variety of different institutes as well as career paths in public policy, including positions with the government, nonprofit organizations, and think tanks.
The 2009 Fellows:
• David Arnold (B 00), Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation
• Bruno Atieh (I 07, CSF 07), Center for Global Peace
• Ken Barbic (B 00), formerly Congressional Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Rep.
• Lauren Belive (B 05), Office of Congressional Affairs, The White House
• Saltanat Berdikeeva (A 01), Risk Metrics Group
• Siri Buller (P 04), Internal Revenue Service
• Kristen Cambell (J 03, EJI 04), National Conference on Citizenship
• Andy Christianson (B 04, HK 05), Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN)
• Caroline Dierker (B 05), formerly Department of Homeland Security
• John Dogero (CSS 06, I 06), US Department of State
• Claire Durling (E 01, A 02), Naval Facilities Engineering Command
• Kristen Glenn (E 01), Congressman Tom McClintock (CA)
• Melissa Kohilakis (I 06, B 07), US Department of Justice
• Erika Liliedahl (P 99), Georgetown University
• Amy McMahon (J 07), NATSO, Inc.
• Blaise Misztal (A 00), Bipartisan Policy Center
• Charise Pastor (B 05), Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
• John Sweda (J 99), US Government
• Adam Waldeck (CSF 06, LSI 07), American Solutions