SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Executive MPA Testimonials from Current Students and Alumni

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John W. Dandola, Class of 2010

Having spent twelve years working at the Department of the Army, a number of which were spent in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East, has served to galvanize my view of the power of globalization.  After transitioning into local government, my recent work at the New York City Police Department has kept me professionally engaged in a variety of tasks concentrating on internal policy analysis.  In my experience, the influence of international affairs has generated substantive challenges for local government and its institutions.  However, to excel professionally in such an industry demands an adept ability to exploit the synergies where the public and private sectors converge.  In order to further my professional development and bring me to the forefront of the industry I needed to acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the underpinnings of governance in a global system as well as refine my analytic and quantitative abilities.  In searching for an optimal institution to distill such competencies I couldn’t have found a more ideal institution than Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).  The unparalleled multinational and professional diversity of a select student body has been as much a part of SIPA’s world-class pedagogy as has been their faculty comprised of the foremost public-sector practitioners as well as academia’s premier scholars.  The administration’s sedulous attention to designing an unrivaled academic environment has made the program the quintessential human capital investment.  To date, my experience at SIPA's EMPA program has been the single greatest investment in my future and I’m certain will pay dividends well beyond my expectations

 

Steven Newmark, Class of 2010

I served as an attorney in 2004 for the Kerry/Edwards campaign helping to organize lawyers for voter protection activities.  Following the 2004 election, I helped to form the National Democratic Lawyers Council, and I was a founding member of both the New York and DC Chapters of that group. During the 2008 presidential election, I served as the National Coordinator for Young Lawyers for Obama, an organization of over 11,000 attorneys with 86 chapters in 47 states nationwide.  More recently I served as co-chair of the young professionals committee for Cy Vance's campaign for Manhattan District Attorney. I was attracted to the EMPA program because it provided an opportunity to gain skills that I was lacking.  Having studied philosophy and political science in undergrad, I never learned important quantitative skills that classes at SIPA provide.  Moreover, the opportunity to improve my management skills and learn from people like Professors Cohen and Eimicke about their real world experiences with innovative techniques in government is something that no other program could offer. More important than the skills, however, are the people that I have met at the program.  I am constantly amazed by the backgrounds of everyone in the program: from lawyers to doctors to non-profit professionals to finance professionals to government employees and more, the people around you clearly give you insight that cannot be gained in just any graduate setting. The program will challenge you in ways that you have never been challenged before, and your career will benefit as a result.  The EMPA staff is extremely accommodating about problems that may arise from conflicts at work.  No matter your background, or your future, the SIPA EMPA program will give you an extra edge that will last throughout your career.  You will not regret being a part of this great institution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faiq Sadiq, Class of 2010

I came to SIPA Columbia University in the fall of 2008 as a senior executive, heading the US business for a major South Asian financial institution. My decision to come to SIPA was primarily to transition into the public policy arena with a focus on international trade, business and global policy making. I thoroughly enjoyed my first year at SIPA. We have a diversified student body ranging from professional and management background like: education, health, legal, financial, HR management, technology, NGOs, multilateral organizations, foreign consulates in NYC and others. The EMPA program allowed me the unique opportunity to continue my employment as well as pursue my ambitions to earn a prestigious degree from one of the top and leading universities of the world. Our diverse debates and discussions at SIPA on current global events and crisis were eye opening and gave me new tools and techniques to help me better understand and learn the current trends in economics, finance and global policy making. The renowned faculty, challenging curriculum, helpful and experienced staff, and amazing diverse student body at SIPA’s EMPA program played an integral role in shaping my academic goals and in assisting me in deploying my new learned techniques.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Howard, Class of 2010

I started the Columbia EMPA program in the fall of 2008.  From the beginning I was inspired to make an impact, and become directly involved in public service.  Some say running for public office makes you question one's sanity.  Yet, I was undeterred.  I ran for, and was elected Mayor of Unionville, NY on March 18th, 2009, and took office on April 1st, 2009. As a candidate, Mayor-elect, and now Mayor, and I have visited with constituents, established organizational roles, appointed new board members, revised and set policy, balanced budgetary matters, and ratified local legislation.  Throughout this process, my leadership skills have been increased and enhanced by the Columbia EMPA program. It has been exciting and very rewarding. Perhaps it is uncommon for individuals to take the oath of office after just one semester of executive studies in public administration. I am confident that there is absolutely no other school, with a curriculum as strong as that found at SIPA’s EMPA program, to prepare one for doing so.

 

Richard Lattanzio, Class of 2009

I came to Columbia University in 2007 as a mid-career financial manager with an inchoate desire to transition into public policy and socially-meaningful work. After two years of intensive study in public management, quantitative techniques, and economic analysis, I graduated from the SIPA EMPA program to the position of Presidential Management Fellow and policy analyst at the U.S. Library of Congress. I would neither have discovered nor have been prepared for this career transition without the benefit of my studies at Columbia. The strength of the EMPA program was that it allowed me the opportunity to refocus my core competencies and educational background while giving me the flexibility to remain employed in New York City’s science and technology sector. The renowned faculty, challenging curriculum, experienced staff, and diverse student body of the EMPA program played an integral role in shaping my academic goals and assisted markedly in the attainment of my professional objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vincent Morgan, Class of 2006

I have almost two decades of experience that includes work in banking, economic development, government and political arenas. Currently, I am a Vice-President with TD Bank and is responsible for Community Development for New York State and Northern New Jersey. My career highlights prior to becoming a banker were service as a Director with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and several years working for a prominent New York Congressman. I serve on several boards and is the current Chairman of the 125th Street Business Improvement District. I am also planning a run for political office in the not so distant future. I was attracted to the EMPA program for two important reasons. The first was the schedule. The program allowed me to sharpen my skills without slowing my career trajectory and put what I was learning into practice immediately at work. The second was the people. My colleagues in the program were leaders in the organizations they came from and brought powerful insights from their different experiences to our classes and assignments. The program has provided me with a credential that matters and the confidence to take on tougher challenges. Two years go by much faster than you think! So stay current with your assignments and take advantage of the time you spend at Columbia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Barlup, Class of 2010

For seven years I have worked within the non-profit sector providing and managing social service programs for mentally ill, underserved individuals. I am passionate about working to eradicate poverty and improve access to and quality of health care and housing to all. Most recently, I have been fortunate to watch a small homeless outreach initiative grow into the largest housing placement model in the country by partnering with the city government. Seeing the impact public-nonprofit partnership can bring, I wanted to enhance my own effectiveness through further education within a rigorous program that encourages inter-sector collaboration. SIPA’s EMPA program provides exactly that. The professors have expansive knowledge of their equally comprehensive teachings. The diverse, energetic and supportive student body is a life-changing experience on its own. I joined the EMPA program to enhance my skills in management, finance, and public and non-profit administration in hopes that it would bolster my ability to effectively lead a program internally, advocate for change externally, and ultimately affect issues of poverty and disenfranchisement in New York City and beyond. Not only have I learned a great deal already, but I continuously implement my growing foundation into my current career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afsheen Mazhar, Class of 2009

I am working at the Queens Hospital Center (QHC) and we are part of the New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation. The administration at QHC was really happy with my progress and provided me with an opportunity for promotion after starting the EMPA program. I worked as an Associate Director in the Innovations Center as a facilitator and team leader. I facilitated and lead events by going through different departments and streamline their processes. Recently, I was promoted again to the Administrative Director of ER. I am managing day-to-day operations in an extremely busy ER. We are currently seeing approximately 100,000 patients a year, which is constantly increasing due to the closure of 2 hospitals in the borough of Queens.The EMPA program equipped me with the tools that I needed. It also helped me succeed in this tough economic time by using Statistics, Budgeting, and other management tips. Among other things, I have really enjoyed my two years with our diverse faculty and students as well as the networking events coordinated by the EMPA program. The EMPA program also provided me with flexibility that allowed me to perform well at work, school, and still make it to my son’s baseball games. SIPA was the best thing I did for myself!

 

Todd Jacobson, Class of 2006

I work at the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the Vice President of Community Relations responsible for the department that manages the NBA and WNBA global social responsibility efforts, community partnerships and public service initiatives. The best thing about the EMPA program is that it offered me the flexibility to continue to work full time while pursuing my degree. The program is structured in such way that it complemented my work and enhanced my ability to do my job more efficiently and effectively. Interacting with such an experienced and diverse faculty and student body helped me expand my knowledge base in areas such as finance and management, challenged me to analyze issues from different perspectives, and provided me the opportunity to develop a strong network of colleagues in both the public and private sector.

 

Ross Lovell. Class of 2009

The longer I worked on Wall Street, the more myopic my career became. Over the years I could feel myself concentrating more and more on a small segment of the market, and I needed a program that would broaden my vision. The MBA track didn't interest me at all, and the one-year financial engineering program was too similar to my daily work. I chose the EMPA track at SIPA specifically for its international economic policy coursework. I was impressed with the nature of the course offerings, and I knew public policy, combined with intense economic analysis, would keep me interested, and broaden my mind. The two most important decisions I've made in my lifetime have been to serve in the US Army, and to take on the EMPA program at SIPA. Those two decisions rank equally in importance to me, and both have shaped me into the person I am today. If you enjoy a challenge, have a hunger for knowledge, and understand the concept of public service as a duty, your choice to apply will have been made for the right reasons. There is an intelligent and proud group that has walked this walk ahead of you, and we look at the world with intentions of changing it for everyone, not just for ourselves.

 

Dan Lipka, Class of 2005

In 2005, I received a Master's in Public Administration from the School of International Public Affairs Executive Program at Columbia University. My Degree from Columbia provided the formal credentials and technical skills that I needed in order to secure my senior-level position at the Westchester Children's Association. Additionally, it has bolstered my professional portfolio, leading to independent consulting service projects for a variety of public and private organizations, including the New York Community Trust and Fordham University. I have joined the Bronx Charter School for Children as their Director of Development.  In this senior leadership position, I oversee all aspects of fundraising including major gifts, grants, special campaigns, events, information management and communications. 

 

Jenna Mandel Ricci, Class of 2004

My interest in working for local government came directly out or relationships with classmates who worked in that sector. The EMPA program enabled me to develop quantitative skills and improve my critical thinking, especially related to how policy decisions affect various constituencies. The program also provided me with hard skills, as well as a better understanding of how to effectively work in the government and policy sectors. More than anything, the program gave me the confidence to handle complex tasks and assignments. When I entered the program, I was serving as the Director, External Relations, Conference and Event Planning at the National Academy Foundation (NAF). One month before graduation I became the Director of Special Projects for the Division of Epidemiology. In this capacity I work on projects related to health research and policy, as well as grants. I came to the program because I wanted to develop quantitative skills as well as have the exposure that would help me make a career change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Anthony Thomas, Class of 2009

I serve as the Deputy Director for City Futures, which is the parent company of the Center for an Urban Future and City Limits. The EMPA program provides a concrete management framework for policy making and organizational leadership. The students are excited and talented and offer a wealth of diversity in experiences, careers, and backgrounds. With the increase in accountability and responsibility of the public policy sector and the expanding areas of need, it is critical for organizational leaders and management teams to know how to measure success, strategically plan for the unexpected, and build sustainable organizations and entities that serve the public well. The EMPA program provides the core skills to do this - leaving graduates with the quintessential skill sets to be the next set of global policy leaders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingrid Amaya, Class of 2006

I am an Officer for the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) with its headquarters located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I transitioned to INSTRAW while in the EMPA program; the EMPA curriculum had a tremendous impact and equipped me with the tools necessary to infuse change in my organization. Previous to my INSTRAW and EMPA experience I worked for the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations in Italy, and the Balkan area, as well as the UN NY Headquarters.        

 

Leonardo Fernandes, Class of 2010

I’ve always wanted to study in one of the top American Ivy League Universities. After I was transferred to New York from Brasilia, I started to research top graduate programs that had the highest standards possible. Through references, I became aware of the EMPA program. Now, I clearly realize that the SIPA faculty has really worked hard to carefully design a rigorous curriculum that perfectly integrates the classes to each other. The right balance of quantitative and qualitative classes make the program unique, and provides the students with a broad perspective on public and international affairs. The world-class professors are constantly challenging us to thrive and the student’s cohort really makes the executive program extraordinary. "My classmates are brilliant and experienced professionals that have in common a solid intellectual background". I am currently working at the Consulate General of Brazil as a Vice Consul, and I am sure that the program will provide me with a lifelong unforgettable professional and personal experience.

 

Matthew Millea, Class of 2004

I am currently the Acting President of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, a public benefit corporation that provides low cost financing and technical assistance for drinking water and waste water infrastructure projects throughout the state. Columbia's EMPA program provided me with many lifelong friends as well as the tools, know how, and the confidence to tackle these very challenging and very rewarding opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn Sherwin, Class of 2008

I entered Columbia University’s EMPA program in search of a mid-career transition. After spending several years in investment banking and gaining valuable quantitative skills, I was looking for a job that would allow me to apply these skills for the public good. The EMPA program allowed me this   opportunity without forcing me to exit the workforce during the pivotal growth years of my career. The EMPA program taught me key performance management, strategic planning, public sector financial management, and public policy analysis skills. But beyond this, I was exposed to the talent and accomplishments not only of the qualified Columbia faculty, but also of my hard-working and well accomplished classmates. Learning as much from those I shared the classroom with each week as I did from those who taught the courses, I was immediately able to apply the skills I learned on the job and in interviews as I looked towards a new career. I am now a consultant with Deloitte Consulting LLP in the Public Sector Strategy & Operations practice. I assist State and Local governments improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations and the services they provide to the public.

Thierry Trottereau, Class of 2007

Among other programs, the executive program is perfectly designed for professionals whose determination in life and ambition for a better future is greater than the fear of the effort. It is true that going to class for 2 years every Saturday morning and sometimes on Tuesday and Thursday nights is hard, but the intellectual and social reward is immensely more gratifying. I personally enjoyed every minute of the many hours spent in class, working hard with my teammates and professors as well as preparing for exams. Today I am the Director of International Sales for the US operations of the Group Lactalis, 2nd largest Dairy Manufacturer in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron J. Miller, MD, Class of 2010

I am a member of the NYC Mayor's Task Force on Child Welfare and Safety and I recently started an initiative called Partnership to Protect Children. As Director of the Lincoln Child Advocacy Center in the Bronx, where I work with a multidisciplinary team to evaluate and provide treatment to children in cases of suspected physical and sexual abuse, I chose SIPA's EMPA Program as a vital tool for me to learn and grow relationships across sectors as I continue to move forward with educational and policy issues in the field of child protection. The rich diversity in classes and in the students who enroll in the EMPA Program provide unexpected opportunities: within six months of starting classes, one of our classmates helped sponsor two others of us to travel to Malawi to help establish the country's first-ever multidisciplinary Child Advocacy Center. I am currently in my third semester of classes and am excited to see what doors may open next.

 

 Roger Fisk, Class of 2004

As a Manager of Finance in Corporate Planning and Analysis at American Express I estimate global business metric performance while tracking macroeconomic conditions, and analyzing company forecasts and results for bimonthly CFO, CEO, and Operating Committee briefings. Before joining American Express in 2007, I worked for the MTA New York City Transit Authority’s Capital Planning and Budget division as a Principal Transportation Planner. The EMPA program provided me with a quantitative skill-set and analytical framework for making enlightened and strategic business decisions, and for formulating policies which have the intended outcomes. Additionally, the program has provided me with the perspective and approach necessary to transform my professional role from that of a solid individual contributor to that of influencing organizations to act strategically. The alumni and student network since graduation has played an indispensable role in opening each of the 'critical doors' on my career path. The program can be quite rigorous at times although it is also flexible and the EMPA faculty and administration do an excellent job of helping students manage through their various circumstances, anticipated or otherwise. The EMPA can hone time management skills and can make you even more effective at whatever you do. The program is truly amazing and while it is no small undertaking, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again for the benefit it has afforded me both personally and professionally.