Fall 2023 Industry Weeks:

Non-Profits Making a Difference Week of October 16th-20th.
Monday October 16th 7pm EST Virtual Alumni Panel. Registration opens September 5th
Tuesday October 17th 4pm EST In-Person How to Network: Pre-Reception Workshop
Tuesday October 17th 4:30-6pm EST In-Person Networking Reception
Student Registration
Employer Registration
Alumni Registration

Spring 2023 Industry Weeks:

Working for Justice Industry Week
Monday April 17th 6pm EST Virtual Panel
Tuesday April 18th 4pm EST In-Person How to Network Workshop
Tuesday April 18th 4:30-6:30pm In-Person Networking Reception
Employer Networking Reception Registration
Alumni Networking Reception Registration

Monday February 13th 5pm EST Campaign Virtual Panel
Tuesday February 14th 5pm EST Lobbying (Advocacy) Virtual Panel
Wednesday February 15th In-Person How to Network WorkshopWednesday February 15th In-Person Campaigns, Congress, & Lobbying (Advocacy) Networking Reception

Fall 2022 Industry Weeks:

Nonprofits Making a Difference Industry Week Virtual Panel
Nonprofits Making a Difference Industry Week In-Person Networking Workshop
Nonprofits Making a Difference Industry Week In-Person Networking Reception

National Security & Intelligence Community Virtual Panel
National Security & Intelligence Community IN-Person Networking Workshop
National Security & Intelligence Community In-Person Networking Reception

Spring 2022 Industry Day Events:

Campaign Panelists:

Michael Grieco

Member of the Florida House of Representatives, 113th District

Representative Michael Grieco is currently serving in his second 2-year term in the Florida Legislature. Michael graduated from AU’s School of Public Affairs in 1997 and during his time in DC he also spent time working as an aide in the U.S. Congress and at C-SPAN. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. After law school, Michael worked in the Miami prosecutors office, focusing mostly on longterm gang and narcotics investigations before becoming a felony division chief. Upon his departure from the public sector in 2006, Rep. Grieco went on to private criminal defense work and still manages his solo boutique firm today. Michael has appeared countless times on CNN and MSNBC as a legal analyst and still handles many high profile state and federal cases. In 2013, public service again called and Michael ran for an won a seat on the Miami Beach Commission. In 2018, Rep. Grieco chose to pivot into state politics, winning his election by 25% and then returning unopposed in 2020. Michael is now running for the Florida State Senate and if successful, will represent over 550,000 people.

Michael Worley

President & Founder | MDW Communications

Michael Worley is a nationally recognized political strategist with over a decade of experience helping progressive campaigns and causes win. 

The recipient of over a dozen industry awards for excellence in political media, Michael has successfully advised some of Florida’s most competitive campaigns since 2014, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and State Senator Shevrin Jones’ history making victories in 2020.

He has also served as a top advertising consultant for advocacy campaigns on behalf of some of Florida’s largest corporations and political organizations, including Uber, The Seminole Tribe of Florida, The Miami Dolphins and Formula 1, Planned Parenthood of Florida, Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), Equality Florida and the United Teachers of Dade.

After serving as the National Communications Director for the College Democrats of America, Michael founded MDW in his college apartment in 2011, while finishing his education in Washington, DC.

Under his leadership, MDW has grown to become one of the most sought-after political agencies in the Southeastern US, named “the go-to for digital and mail for Florida Democrats” by FloridaPolitics.com. 

He currently serves on the executive boards of the American University Alumni Association and the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 

He lives with his wife and son in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Zack Carroll

Campaign Manager for Rep. Val Deming's U.S. Senate campaign

Zack Carroll (SIS '15) has been working on political campaigns since his days at AU with the AU College Democrats when he worked for then-Rep. Tammy Duckworth's first win to Congress in 2012. Having worked in field, fundraising and management on ten campaigns throughout his career across seven states, Zack managed Rep. Andy Kim's upset win to Congress in 2018, followed by Jaime Harrison's campaign in 2020. Zack is currently managing Rep. Val Demings' campaign for U.S. Senate in Florida. 

Lobbying (Advocacy) Panelists:

Laura Uttley

Principal | Lewis-Burke Associates

Laura Uttley develops and executes comprehensive advocacy strategies that resonate with congressional and federal agency audiences. In close consultation with clients, she leverages experiences gained on Capitol Hill, with federal agencies, and in academia to advance client priorities across a diverse issue portfolio.

As the firm’s lead for defense health and biosecurity issues, Laura has broad federal agency expertise, including the Department of Defense (DOD), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), among others. The breadth of this knowledge benefits clients’ interagency priorities and promotes multi-pronged approaches to achieving federal funding goals. Laura couples her agency expertise with legislative advocacy to successfully promote client interests in authorization and appropriations legislation.

Awesta Sarkash

Government Affairs Director | Small Business Majority

Awesta Sarkash directs Small Business Majority’s policy and government affairs efforts in our nation's capital and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Awesta served as the Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), a nonprofit membership association that supports the community development sector in DC. She was responsible for facilitating the development and execution of CNHED’s budget and policy advocacy strategies across a broad range of community development issues, including workforce development, small business entrepreneurship and neighborhood-based commercial corridors. Prior to joining CNHED, Awesta served as the grassroots and advocacy manager for the American Land Title Association. She also served as assistant director for the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies’ Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute at American University and in Brussels for the European Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute. 

Originally from Afghanistan, Awesta grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and received her Master’s in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C. with a focus on American politics and advocacy.

Joe Layman

Joe Layman is a Professional Staff Member at the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations. He works on the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee where he oversees domestic nutrition programs within the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), and the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area which is the Department of Agriculture’s focal point for the Nation’s farmers and ranchers. Joe came to Capitol Hill in 2018 as a Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow in the office of Representative Sanford Bishop (GA). He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University in 2010 and his Masters of Public Administration from American University in 2011. Previously, Joe was a Budget Analyst for the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Mike Panetta

Fall 2021 Industry Day Events:

Take part in the U.S. Intelligence & National Security Industry Week - Monday, Nov 8-Thursday, Nov 11. Students will connect with employers in intelligence, cybersecurity, counterterrorism & national security fields. Review ways to connect below!

Employer Panel & Networking:
Hear from representatives of the FBI, DHS & CP3, followed by networking.

• Monday, Nov 8, 7-8:30pm - Panel & Networking

Employer Meet-Ups:
Meet with employers & get questions answered during info sessions:

• Tue, Nov 9, 2-3pm U.S. Dept. of State - Bureau of Intelligences
• Tue, Nov 9, 4-5pm - Partnership for Public Service
• Wed, Nov 10, 3-4pm - NSA
• Thurs, Nov 11, 2-3pm - Chemring Sensors & Electronics Systems (Zoom link)

Resume Drop:
Share your resume with employers!

• Drop your resume here by Fri, Nov 12 Shared with intelligence & national security employers.

Jobs & Internships in Handshake:

• Review current jobs & internships in Handshake here

Nonprofits Making a Difference Industry Day: Monday, September 13^th at 7pm EST

Panelists:

Steven Marchio (they/them), BA SPA ’16: Steven joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in May of 2020 as the Associate Director of Affiliate People Operations. They lead on all things related to people (HR) and talent functions for the ACLU’s 54 affiliate offices. Through best practice development and individualized affiliate support, they seek to deploy solutions that work best for an affiliate in regards to employee policies, hiring, retention, compensation, and beyond. Prior to the ACLU, Steven led talent recruitment and onboarding for two education non-profits and served as a career coach in support of job seekers with disabilities and barriers to employment. Prior to graduating with their Bachelor’s in Political Science in 2016, Steven worked as a Peer Advisor in the AU Career Center and Marketing Assistant with the Office of Enrollment. Originally from Somerville, MA, Steven now lives in Seattle, WA with their Pitbull, Oogi.

Jaleesa Hall is a native of Miami Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Arts, Radio, TV, Film from Clark Atlanta University, Master of Public Administration from American University, and is a recent graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary where she attained a Master of Divinity and Community Engagement Fellowship. In 2017, Jaleesa founded Raising A Village Foundation (RAV), a non-profit organization that provides high-quality intervention programs and community resources to underserved children and families.

Prior to Raising A Village, Jaleesa held leadership positions at some of the most notable non-profit and government organizations in the District, including Center City Public Charter Schools, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, and Wesley Theological Seminary. She’s also been awarded numerous fellowships including the Newman Civic Fellowship, The Change Makers Project (London, England), and the Community Engagement Fellowship. As Founder and CEO of RAV, it is Jaleesa’s mission is to improve the lives of children and families by creating innovative and sustainable programs that encourage safe, healthy, and whole communities.

Kristen Scott Kennedy is the Council on Foundations' Chief of Staff. Prior to joining the Council she was a director in the office of the president at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations where she supported the priorities of the president and CEO, facilitated GEO’s Board of Directors, managed partnerships and developed programming on emerging topics in philanthropy.

Previously, Kristen worked for the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, a membership organization that promotes the use of cooperatives as a development paradigm. For four years she was managing director at The Bhutan Canada Foundation, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to improving education in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Kristen began her career in communications and operations at The Unusual Suspects Theater Company in Los Angeles before working in fundraising at The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health in Palo Alto, CA and Macmillan Cancer Support in London, UK.

Kristen received her master of public administration from American University’s School of Public Affairs. She is an alumna of the University of Southern California and a recipient of the Nonprofit Executive Scholarship at the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Lizzie Martinez is passionate about using fundraising and communications to connect people with social justice and anti-poverty initiatives. She has spent the last decade fundraising for incredible nonprofits in Portland and Washington, D.C. In Portland, she has worked as a fundraiser for Housing Oregon (formerly Oregon Opportunity Network) and Latino Network. She is currently Director of Development at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, the statewide anti-hunger advocacy group. In Washington, D.C., she worked for ServiceNation (now part of Service Year Alliance) advocating for expansion of AmeriCorps programs. She is a proud AmeriCorps VISTA alum and lifetime Girl Scout member! She is a graduate of Linfield College (B.A.) and American University (MPA).

She currently volunteers as a member of the Multnomah County Library Advisory Board and as board chair with MRG Foundation. She also leads the Fundraisers of Color affinity group, through Willamette Valley Development Officers. With WVDO, she is also an instructor in the Nonprofit Certificate program. In her spare time, she likes to travel around the world (when it's not a pandemic!), read good books, play with her nieces and nephews, and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Working for Justice Industry Day

Panel: Wednesday April 7th 7-8pm EST

Virtual Networking Time Period: April 8th - April 22nd

Join the Career Center and AU's School of Public Affairs at our Working for Justice Industry Day Virtual Panel Wednesday April 7th from 7-8pm EST. The panel will be moderated by Department of Justice, Law, & Criminology Assistant Professor TaLisa J. Carter, PhD. This panel provides students the opportunity to gain insights, advice, and continue building their professional networks by hearing directly from people working in this industry. This industry includes areas like loss prevention, re-entry, working in non-profits, policing, private security, and more. Panelists will offer first hand experiences and tips to participants. Panelists will also take questions from participants. This panel will not be recorded.

Panelists:
Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Chief of Police for the Fairfax County Police Department, Retired
Mr. Edwin C. Roessler Jr. recently retired as the Chief of Police for the Fairfax County Police Department after more than 32 years in the law enforcement profession. During Mr. Roessler’s career with the Fairfax County Police Department he served in all ranks from Patrol Officer to Chief of Police.

Mr. Roessler was appointed Chief of Police in 2013 and during his tenure he led strategic transformational reform initiatives that were co-produced by the organization and community. Through engagement with all stakeholders, the co-production model for law enforcement reforms has become the gold standard for creating real change for use of force, responding to mental health calls for service, transparency, accountability, diversity recruitment, and constantly meeting the needs for the delivery of essential police services.

Mr. Roessler is a graduate of Arizona State University, the George Washington University, and the American University’s Key Executive Graduate Program. Mr. Roessler has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute and National Academy. Mr. Roessler continues to serve on many committees and boards to transform the law enforcement profession. Additionally, Mr. Roessler is an advocate for mental health wellness programs for public safety employees and community members.

Lori James-Townes, President & CEO of Expand-Now, LLC. & Assistant Training Director for the National Association of Public Defense
Lori James-Townes is President & CEO of Expand-Now, LLC. She also serves as an Assistant Training Director for the National Association of Public Defense. Lori’s passion is adding value to others through speaking, training, development activities, coaching, and consulting. Lori has over 25 years of teaching, clinical social work, leadership, and management experience in juvenile justice, mental health, and public defender settings. She is an adjunct clinical instructor at Towson University, Department of Family Studies and Community Development. 

Her most recent public defender position was Director Social Work, Leadership and Program Development, with Maryland Office of Public Defender. With over more than 800 employees, she served as one of the first Directors of Leadership in a public defender setting. While in this position, she demonstrated her ability to help others grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership, and management. She also led the agency’s social work staff, consultants, and interns. Lori is a certified John Maxwell Trainer, Coach, and Speaker. She has developed programs that are now national models for other agencies. In 2015, The Daily Record Newspaper named her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. As a speaker, she is requested both nationally and internationally. She resides in Maryland with her daughter, Maya.

Ashley Nellis, Ph.D. Senior Research Analyst, The Sentencing Project
Ashley Nellis, Ph.D. has an academic and professional background in analyzing criminal justice policies and practices, racial disparities, juvenile justice systems, and long-term imprisonment. Her documentation of the prevalence of life imprisonment has served as a national resource for academics, advocates, policymakers, reporters, and incarcerated persons. She is the coauthor with Marc Mauer of The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences (The New Press, 2018) which has received praise from the Los Angeles Review of Books, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly, and has been featured on National Public Radio. Dr. Nellis is also the author of A Return to Justice: Rethinking our Approach to Juveniles in the System (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015) which chronicles America’s historical treatment of youth in the justice system and the need to reorient juvenile justice practices toward the original vision. She has presented her work at a wide range of academic and policy convenings, and is frequently interviewed by a range of news media. Dr. Nellis received her Ph.D. in Justice, Law and Society from American University’s School of Public Affairs.

Campaigns, Congress, & Lobbies Industry Day

Campaigns and Lobbying-- have you heard about these industries but aren’t entirely sure what they entail? Do you know you want to pursue opportunities in either or both of these fields? Do you just want to get more information about these industries to help you make more informed decisions? If so, please join us for these virtual panels featuring alums and employers who have worked or currently work in them. Students can attend one or both panels. After the second panel, registered students will have the opportunity to set up one on one virtual meetings with alums and employers to learn more and ask questions.

Monday, March 15th Virtual Campaign Panel moderated by Department of Government Professor Candice Nelson. Students register through your Handshake account.

Tuesday, March 16th Virtual Lobbying Panel moderated by Department of Government Distinguished Professor James Thurber. Students register through your Handshake account.

Wednesday March 17th - Wednesday March 31st One on One Networking time frame. 

Campaign Panelists:
Christian Curto, Senior Account Executive and Political Director, Campaign Solutions
Tom Bonier, CEO, TargetSmart
Anne Caprara, Chief of Staff, Governor J.B. Pritzker
Quentin Fulks, Executive Director, Think Big Illinois

Lobbying Panelists:
Laura Uttley, Principle and Lobbyist, Lewis-Burke Associates 
Awesta Sarkash, Government Affairs Manager, Small Business Majority
Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Campaigns
Mike Panetta, Partner, Beekeeper Group

Non-Profits: Making a Difference

Education, Housing, Food, Environment & Sustainability, and or Social Advocacy & Equity Nonprofits. If you work for an organization focused on any of these areas, or if you’re interested in working in these fields, please join American University's School of Public Affairs and Career Center for a virtual networking event. Employers, AU students, and alumni will have the opportunity to network, provide helpful tips for entering the field, and discuss available opportunities.

Tuesday, October 6th Nonprofits: Making a Difference Panel. Students need to register, through Handshake, in order to get instructions and links for both parts of the industry day. Please register by noon EST October 6th.

Wednesday, October 7th - Wednesday October 21st One on One Networking time frame. Alums and Employers register here. Students register through Handshake.

Panelists:
George Garcia, Director of Education & Workforce for Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)
Jaleesa Hall, Founder & CEO of Raising a Village
Kristin Scott Kennedy, Chief of Staff at Council on Foundations
Lizzie Martinez, Director of Development at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
Marley Rave, Director, Individual Relations and Philanthropy for Autism Speaks