On the heels of the 2016 election, the Fels Institute and YiP will come together to explore leadership and opportunity for innovation within the Federal Government of the United States. In the face of modern issues such as the “Gray Tsunami” of the workforce and the global migrant crisis, panelists will discuss the resulting opportunities for innovation, diversity and inclusion, and effective leadership in the public sector. The event will feature a panel of three young public leaders, who bring experience from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and FEMA. The event will begin with a cocktail and networking reception and the panel discussion will conclude with a Q&A session. Participants will leave with insight into the issues impacting our government today and a greater awareness of opportunities to meaningfully contribute as rising leaders.
Panelists:
Jason Tarasco, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Jason Tarasco is a Senior Associate at the Federal Reserve, and a graduate of the Fels Institute of Government. In addition to his work as financial analyst, Tarasco contributes to the team tasked with preparing the Fed for the future, focusing on performance management and innovation.
Craig Hilliard, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Craig Hilliard is the Branch Chief of Contracting in Philadelphia with the Veterans Health Administration. In this role, he manages nine contracting officers who support Veterans' services, specifically healthcare for homeless Veterans and transitional housing for homeless Veterans, throughout all of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Craig is an Army Veteran and was on one of the 1st tanks in Baghdad in 2003. He previously worked as a Contracting Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. Hilliard is also a recent Fels alumnus, Presidential Management Fellow, and a Federal Executive Board Award recipient.
MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region III
MaryAnn Tierney was appointed Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III in August 2010. She also served concurrently as Acting Regional Administrator in FEMA Region II for ten months following the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on New York and New Jersey. As Regional Administrator, Mrs. Tierney is responsible for leading FEMA’s efforts in the mid-Atlantic to ensure communities are resilient against, ready for, can respond to and quickly recover from disasters of all kinds.
Moderator:
Leni Uddyback-Fortson, Regional Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Labor
Leni Uddyback-Fortson has served as regional director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Labor in Philadelphia since 2007. A Fels alumna with more than 25 years of experience, Leni has directed her talents to the public service arena, holding positions with the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia, Pa., The American Red Cross in Baltimore, Md., and The Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® in Philadelphia, Pa.