Allison Carlson (MPA ’05) started a new role as executive director at Wisconsin Local Government Climate Change Coalition, where she will work to support local governments in their journey towards a sustainable future. Previously, Carlson worked as senior managing consultant at ILLUME Advising, LLC and in various roles at the environmental consulting firm APTIM.
Farha Tahir (MIPA ’10) won the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Forward Award, which acknowledges rising stars who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea through an emphasis on service, discovery, and progress. Tahir currently works as a program analyst for the U.S. State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from UW–Madison in 2009 and completed her MIPA in 2010.
Ryan LeCloux (MIPA ’18) was promoted to senior legislative analyst at the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB). Since graduating from La Follette in 2018, LeCloux has worked as a research analyst for the LRB, conducting research and analysis on Wisconsin and federal laws and legislation, and on various policy issues.
Matthew Voss (MPA ’22) was appointed to the Ames, Iowa Planning and Zoning Commission in April. Voss works as a rural policy data analyst for the Public Science Collaborative at Iowa State University. While at La Follette, Voss won the Director’s Achievement Award for his outstanding academic record and his initiative and professionalism as a La Follette School student.
Hayley Barwick (MPA ’22) was promoted to associate performance evaluator at the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau. Over the past year, Barwick has contributed to the release of three audit reports: an audit of broadband expansion grant programs at the Public Service Commission, supplemental federal funds administered by the University of Wisconsin System, and the State of Wisconsin FY 2021-22 Single Audit. Earlier this year, she also attended a Joint Legislative Audit Committee public hearing as a member of the PSC audit team to present their findings to the committee. Barwick graduated with bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science and a certificate in public policy in 2020, and went on to complete an MPA in 2022.
Jenna Greene (MPA ’22) will be spending the summer in Vienna as a researcher through the Young Scientists Summer Program at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Since 2020, Greene has worked as a research assistant at UW–Madison focusing on carbon dioxide removal, technology adoption, and policy to address climate change. Currently a PhD student studying environment and resources at UW–Madison, Greene received an MPA from the La Follette School with a certificate in energy analysis policy in 2022.
Jean Vilbert (MIPA ’22) will start a PhD program in government at Harvard University this fall. He is currently completing a master’s degree in Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian studies at UW–Madison. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Vilbert’s research interests are in governance, economic and social rights, and judicial politics.
Fredrick Flores (MPA ’23) accepted a position as a community development specialist at Madison Region Economic Partnership. While completing his MPA, Flores worked as a community development specialist for the City of Middleton and as a policy project assistant at COWS, a national “think-and-do tank” that promotes high road solutions to social problems. He also worked as a project assistant to the associate director of the La Follette School, where he conducted research related to the program’s curriculum and supported events and fundraising efforts. Flores graduated in May with an MPA and a certificate in science communication.
Spencer Johnson (MPA ’23) accepted a position as legislative analyst with the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Previously, Johnson worked as a graduate fellow in the University of Wisconsin System Office of Finance and Administration, where he coordinated systemwide policy development through collaboration with policy owners and stakeholders.
Gillian Giglierano (MPA ’23) is starting a new position as an evidence analyst at County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, a program of the UW Population Health Institute, where she will focus on health equity policy analysis. While completing her MPA, Giglierano worked as a project assistant at County Health Rankings and Roadmaps supporting What Works for Health, a knowledge base tool that summarizes evidence for policy strategies that impact health.
Amber Joshway (MPA ’23) started a new position at Associated Physicians as the clinic’s first ever diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) manager. She will focus on employee hiring and retention and DEI-related policies and procedures. In May, Joshway completed her MPA and a master of science in urban and regional planning from UW–Madison.
Sam Schneider (MPA ’23) accepted a position as a research manager for the University of Chicago Crime Lab and University of Chicago Education Lab to identify, test, and help scale programs and policies with the greatest potential to improve human lives. Previously, Schneider worked in donor relations and development roles at The Brookings Institution, and as a development coordinator for Madison Public Schools Foundation, Inc.