Hanna Doerr

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in public service or policy, and how did your time at the Trachtenberg School shape that path?

I was working at a consulting firm doing public outreach for large infrastructure projects. Soliciting public comments, alerting residents to what the impacts would be to them and the environment. I found myself doing a lot of work to figure out what the minimum we had to do was, so we could check the box that the public had been notified per the letter of the law/statute/policy. And I saw that this meant we were not really reaching the people most impacted by these projects, who often ended up being poor people and people of color. I thought “Someone ought to write a better policy than this!” Then I thought that someone could be me. 

I came to GW wanting to focus on issues of racial equity in policy. But the biggest impact that GW had on me was to bring me into the world of education. At our orientation we were told about the opportunity to volunteer as tutors at Anacostia High School and I signed up right away. I met bright, curious students who were not being served by the education system. They could read the words, but had little reading comprehension in order to turn those words into deeper thought without a lot of prodding and support. It wasn’t that they didn’t have the interest or the intelligence, it was that they weren’t provided with the skills to put that intelligence to work for themselves. It was then that I realized that even if I could waive a magic wand to eliminate all inequalities in the world and give everyone a fair shot, if young people didn’t have tools to take advantage of that fair shot it wouldn’t matter. From then on, I have focused on helping to create a public education system that serves the students who need it most.

What does being named a Trachtenberg Alumni Impact Honoree mean to you personally?

I’m so honored to be highlighted among this great group of alumni, including several of my classmates and friends, working in different sectors but all with the aim of making our country and the world a better place. The breadth of what each of the honorees does really highlights that a graduate degree from Trachtenberg provides the knowledge and skills it takes to make a change in whatever section of society the person is inspired to focus on. I’m thrilled to be a part of this accomplished group!

What advice would you give Trachtenberg students and alumni who want to make a meaningful impact?

My advice is to focus on what you are passionate about. We spend so much time at work and thinking about what we are working on, so make sure you are working on something you are committed to. I’m definitely not saying you owe all your time and energy to your work - just make sure that the time and energy is going towards something you care about deeply. Otherwise the work-life balance will always feel like more of a struggle than it already is. I strive to ensure that when I am away from my family that I’m focused on something that’s making the world better for my son, otherwise I would rather just be home.

Who or what has most influenced your approach to public service or leadership, and why?

Hands down, my parents influenced my approach to public service the most. My mom raised us all to give back in whatever way we could at every age. Donate money, time, blood. If you find $20 on the ground, put it in the Red Cross bucket. Pay attention to those around you and what they might need. My dad worked to ensure we know how lucky we were to have what we had (even if it wasn’t everything). In the work I do now, my goal is to ensure that the students I work with have the same opportunities I had when growing up - a great public education, access to extra curricular activities to expand my horizons, opportunity to try things outside of my comfort zone, and the ability to play team sports. All of this comes from my parents.