Trachtenberg School Alumni Impact Honorees

Each year, the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration proudly celebrates our alumni who are driving meaningful change in their communities, professions, and the world. These individuals exemplify the values of public service, leadership, and innovation that define our school’s mission. Whether advancing equity through grassroots advocacy, shaping policy at the local level, or driving impact in socially responsible private sector roles, our Alumni Impact Honorees represent the diverse and powerful ways Trachtenberg graduates shape society.

Each year, several outstanding graduates will be named Impact Alumni Honorees, joining a growing network of past award winners who exemplify leadership, service, and innovation. This is more than an honor—it's a celebration of the powerful legacy and future of Trachtenberg alumni.

• Register for the Alumni Impact Honorees Celebratory Toast on May 1, 2026 (4pm, 2000 Penn on the GW Campus). Please join us for a sparkling cider toast and a selection of sweets! 

2026 Honorees 
 

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Michelle Amante

MPA '04

Senior Vice President of Government Programs, Partnership for Public Service

Carol Baillie

MA-ENRP '24

Project Manager, US Environmental Protection Agency

Layla Brooks

MPA '22

Legislative Director, US House of Representatives

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Malena Brookshire

MPA '05

Chief Financial Officer, Calvert County Government

Emmanuel Caudillo

MPP '08

Senior Advisor, White House Initiative on Advancing Education Equity, Excellence & Economic Opportunities for Hispanics

Hanna Doerr

MPP '07

Deputy Director, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)

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Kathleen Enright

MPA '96

President and CEO, Council on Foundations

Ryan Greenstein

MPA '23

Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Sarah Hofman-Graham

MPA '22

Team Lead, Office of Waste Division, DC Government

Julia Kerson

MPP '07

Deputy Mayor for Operations, City of New York

Kai Martin

MPP '21

Senior Special Project Manager, Howard University

Sylvia Otieno

MPA '20

Senior External Affairs Analyst, Lwala Community Alliance

Alivia Roberts

MPA '20

Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association

Andrea Sampanis

MPA '07

Director, Grants Quality Service Management Office, US Department of Health and Human Services

Katie Santoro

MPA '16

Director, Corporate Strategy, AARP

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Jason Twiss

MPA '10

Nonprofit Executive

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Carlos Villacis

MA-ENRP '16

Vice President - Climate and Mobility, Antenna Group

Alumni Awardees Honored in Previous Twenty Years

All previous award recipients will be automatically integrated into the TSPPPA Impact Circle to celebrate the sustained influence of our entire network. This designation formally recognizes the enduring legacy of service and achievement.

 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award 

• Blessing Boma Douglas, MPA '20
• Traci Kraus, MPA '14
• Rachel Breslin, PhD '19
• Lieutenant Commander Paul Miller, MPA '14
• Commander Zeita Merchant, MPA '10
• Dominique Harris, MPA '11
• Kristen Easterday, MPA ‘07
• Emily St. Martin Lord, MPA '08
• Kara Ryan, MPP '07
• Alex Lawson, MPP '08 

Distinguished Alumni Award and Service to the School Award

• Dr. Kyle Farmbry, BA '92, MPA '94, PhD '99
• Kelly Waldron, MPA '07
• Terry Hartle, DPA '82
• Dr. Charita Castro, PhD '07
• Ambassador Susan Schwab, PhD '93
• Vice Admiral Scott Buschman, MPA '96
• Amy B. Peeples, MPA '91
• Dr. Mark Esper, PhD '08
• Jeff Marootian, MPA ‘03
• Dr. David J. Bernstein, MPA '83 and PhD '00
• Dr. Cynthia Pierre, PhD '06
• Dr. Jeffrey Levi, PhD '99
• Commander Timothy Cronin, MPA ’08
• Dale Didion, MPA ’83
• Christa Fornarotto, MPP ’05
• Dr. Nancy Potok, PhD ’09
• Michael Stinziano, MPA '04
• Frank DiGiammarrino, MPA '95
• Edwin Verburg
• Dr. Demetra Nightingale, PhD '98
• Alfredo Campo, MPA '86
• Allison Gurnitz, MPA '91
• Claudia Oakes, MPA '83
• Dr. Kathryn Mohrman, PhD '93
• RAdm. John M. McConnell, MPA '86
• Robert Efrus, MPA '82
• Kenneth Yellis, MPA '87
• Mary Beth Morgan, MPA '97
• Susan Brita, MPA '83
• Winnie Stachelberg, MPA '90
• Michael Freimuth, MPA '79
• Mark Duffy, MPA '82
• Nancy Tate, MPA '80
• Adm. Thad Allen, MPA '86
• John Berry, MPA '78
• Matthew Crouch, MPA '90
• Dr. Jay White, PhD '82
• Michelle Mrdeza, MPA '83
• Dr. Anne DeBeer, PhD '80
• William Haden, MPA '65
• Dr. Harry West III, PhD '73
• Christopher Smith, MPA '86
• Sec. Henry Cisneros, PhD '76
• Elizabeth Craig, MPA '83
• Gen. John Vessry Jr.
• Natalie Flores Prim, MPA '03
• Rep. Gilbert Gude
• Cpt. Patrick Stillman, MPA '88

Know Someone Who Embodies This Spirit?

Nominate them—or yourself—and help us spotlight the transformative impact of our alumni community.

• Nomination Period: November 1, 2025 - February 1, 2026
• Brief Nomination Form
• Impact Alumni Honorees Announced: March 1, 2026
• Celebratory Toast: May 1, 2026 (prior to the Capstone Expo and Graduation Celebration), GW University Student Center

Eligibility

• Candidates must have an MPA, MPP, ENRP/ESP or PhD degree (or their predecessor degrees) from the George Washington University.
• Embodies the spirit of service and innovation through work in government, nonprofit, advocacy, academia, or mission-driven private sector roles.
• Demonstrates a commitment to advancing the values of public service, equity, and ethical leadership central to the Trachtenberg School’s mission.
• Serves as a role model for current and future Trachtenberg students by demonstrating integrity, leadership, and a commitment to the public good.
• Is willing to submit a high-resolution, color headshot that, if selected, can be published by George Washington University and utilized for social media features.