Hometown: Lima, Peru
Why did you choose McCourt? As a mid-career professional with substantive public management experience in both the federal and legislative branches of government, I chose McCourt because I wanted to boost my management skills through cutting-edge theory and practice that furthered my impact in public service in the school housing the top government practitioners, seasoned, public servants, and leading thinkers on the spectrum of existential issues our generation faces today — from gun violence to climate change.
What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt?
I have about seven years of experience as a public manager working in the federal (domestically and abroad from a U.S. Embassy) and legislative branches of government at the intersection of policy (grasping substance) and politics (establishing relationships), as well as in political campaigns (serving on President Biden’s campaign from the Wisconsin Democratic Party in 2020).
My experience entails acting as a public manager in two congressional offices on Capitol Hill, where my roles were serving as the Director of Scheduling to Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford, current Congressional Black Caucus Chair, and prior to that as a scheduler and special assistant to Representative Nanette Barragan, current chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
My experience also includes education and development work in the West African region (specifically in Nigeria and Sierra Leone), working as a teacher and consultant for the World Bank, respectively, in the planning of a teacher development program.
Before McCourt, I was a political appointee serving in the Biden-Harris Administration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What has been the best part of your experience so far? I think the best part of my experience so far has been to experience on a daily basis in very tangible ways the vibrancy of our McCourt community — from its robust network of student-led organizations spearheading dozens of events a week to being in a class with mid-career leaders coming from of a wide range of policy areas and distinct institutions (from the military to the development world) that have enriched my very own understanding of the world and the challenges we share.
What internships have you had so far during your time at McCourt? As part of my McCourt-NUF fellowship program, I currently work as a fellow and Policy Associate at Everytown for Gun Safety, inside their Legal team.
Student organization involvement while at McCourt: I am the current Vice President of the McCourt Student Association (MSA) and also serve as an advisor to The Georgetown Latino Policy Initiative (GLPI) focused on addressing policy issues facing Hispanic communities in the United States.
Undergraduate University, degree, and major: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Political Science and Government
Hobbies/ Interests:
To expand a bit more on policy areas of interest: Democratic governance, elections, government, and politics (political strategy and intergovernmental affairs), gun control, inclusive democracies, public management, lobbying, Public Interest Technology (“Civic Tech”), Human-centered Design, smart governance, and empowered participatory democracy.
Outside school hobbies: I love social runs, boxing, yoga, and doing high-intensity cardio workouts. I also enjoy traveling, podcasting, and exploring new cities.
Reach out to me about: 1. Government career pathways (i.e., Capitol Hill), 2. building your professional network in D.C., 3. getting involved in student organizations, 4. What campus life and the McCourt community look like. How to step into big institutions as a first-generation/immigrant/minority student? I’d love to talk!