A Bradley Fellow’s mission to bridge defense, policy and community

An active duty major in the U.S. Army and a Bradley Fellow , Hollabbi is part of a long-standing partnership between Georgetown and the Department of Defense that selects twenty mid-career officers annually for a three-year fellowship that consists of one year of study at the McCourt School followed by two years of service at the Pentagon. 

Ten Fellows are assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and ten to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This year, Hollabbi is headed to Undersecretary of Defense for Policy’s Strategy Office, where he will contribute to writing the 2026 National Defense Strategy—the document that charts the Department of Defense’s priorities and direction for years to come.

“It’s the first time a Bradley Fellow has been placed in that office, which governs the mission of the DoD,” Hollabbi shares. Even before securing the role, Hollabbi studied the 2022 National Defense Strategy—analyzing its strengths and shortcomings as part of his final project in Public Policy and Strategy.

His capstone for the Master of Policy Management (MPM) program continued this thread, focusing on how the Department of Defense can reform outdated, Cold War-era acquisition processes to keep pace with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors. “We’re at a point where the commercial sector outpaces the DoD in terms of research and innovation,” Hollabbi explains. “My capstone looks at how we can make our acquisition processes more agile to better engage with rapidly evolving technologies.”

The “Mayor of McCourt”: leadership beyond the classroom

Dubbed the “Mayor of McCourt” by Director of Student Engagement Jaclyn Clevenger , Hollabbi dove headfirst into student leadership. He serves as president of the National Defense Policy Initiative (NDPI)—an organization historically run by Bradley Fellows—and made it a priority to expand NDPI’s reach. “For the first time, next year’s leadership will include non-Bradley Fellows,” Hollabbi notes, a reflection of his commitment to inclusivity and broader engagement.

He also serves as the graduate chair for GU Politics, leading efforts to ensure that the Institute of Politics and Public Service remains connected to both the Capitol Campus and the broader McCourt community. This semester alone, every GU Politics Fellow held dedicated events on the Capitol Campus, strengthening ties between graduate students, undergraduates and national political leaders.

But Hollabbi’s leadership extends beyond national security. He worked on the Economic Security Team within McCourt School’s Policy Innovation Lab , partnering with Bread for the City on an advocacy campaign pushing for direct cash assistance programs in DC’s budgeting cycle. He also submitted a proposal for the Public Policy Challenge , volunteers with several local non-profits, and is awaiting a match for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. “DC has become a home base,” Hollabbi reflects. “Getting involved in local policy issues has been important to me—it’s the closest thing I have to a home city.”

Connecting purpose to policy

Hollabbi’s leadership style—whether in the military or at the McCourt School—is rooted in shared purpose. “In the military, uniting soldiers from  across the country means helping them understand how they fit into the collective mission,” he explains. “At the McCourt School, it’s the same—helping students connect with their purpose in policy.”

This approach shone through during Foundations , the McCourt School’s introductory course for incoming students, where Hollabbi became a trusted mentor. Later in the year, he went on to lead an interview workshop for first-year students preparing for internships, encouraging them to lean into personal storytelling as a way to convey their passion for public service. “Resumes are important, but telling your story—that’s how you connect with people and make an impact,” said Hollabbi.

Building bridges, shaping futures

As Hollabbi prepares to graduate and transition to the Pentagon, he hopes the imprint he leaves on McCourt is one of connection, service and bridge-building between military and civilian communities, between Capitol Hill and local DC and among students from all walks of life.

“We have a growing civil-military divide in this country,” Hollabbi reflects. “Programs like the Bradley Fellowship help bridge that gap. I’ve learned so much from my peers here, and I hope they’ve learned something from me, too.”

Hollabbi’s time at the McCourt School exemplifies the ethos of public service—rooted in policy, powered by community and driven by purpose.