CWGCS to Host Women & Public Policy Fellowship Reception

Standing (L-R) Liang Shen, Mary Greagan, Michalina Kulesza, Jessica Tanguay, Sarah Ferritto, Sarah Davies. Sitting (L-R) Casey O'Neill, Elizabeth Hayes, Mellissa Bala, Edidiong Mendie, Kelsey Dorado, Melissa Duquette, Shelbi McIlroy. 

ALBANY, N.Y. – Rockefeller College’s Center for Women in Government & Civil Society (CWGCS) is hosting a reception on Thursday, February 13th to introduce the 2020 Women & Public Policy Fellows. The reception will take place from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame Room on the Uptown Campus.

Annually, the Fellowship on Women & Public Policy gives a select group of women the opportunity to advance their career and develop strong leadership skills. The six-month fellowship provides professional development workshops, conferences, field trips, and community-based service activities; a network mentoring program; and a field placement in New York State government agencies and nonprofit organizations from January to June. Over the past 30 years, more than 300 fellows have assumed public policy leadership positions around the globe.

The 2020 Women & Public Policy Fellows are Mellissa Bala, Sarah Davies, Kelsey Dorado, Melissa Duquette, Sarah Ferritto, Mary Greagan, Elizabeth Hayes, Michalina Kulesza, Shelbi McIlroy, Edidiong Mendie, Casey O'Neill, Liang Shen, and Jessica Tanguay.

Thursday’s reception will include a keynote address by Rockefeller College alumna Catherine Bertini ’71. Catherine Bertini is an accomplished leader in international organization reform and a powerful advocate for women and girls. Getting her start as an undergraduate at UAlbany, she was named the 2003 World Food Prize Laureate for her transformational leadership at the World Food Program and for the positive impact she had on the lives of women. Catherine has held leadership roles in the United Nations and the U.S. government, having been appointed by five presidents and three secretaries general. She is a professor emeritus at Syracuse University and a distinguished fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, chair of the board of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and a board member of the Tupperware Brands Corporation and the Global Food Banking Network. Catherine has been decorated by the Republics of Italy and Ireland, and holds the University at Albany's highest honor — the Medallion of the University. She also created the Catherine Bertini Trust Fund for Girls Education at WFP/USA, which supports initiatives in developing countries to educate girls and women.

Registration for the Women & Public Policy Fellowship reception is strongly encouraged for planning purposes, but not required. Click here to RSVP.