Foundation for Public Affairs Names 2026 Fellows
Fourteen Rising Professionals Join the Fellowship’s Fourth Cohort
Washington, D.C. – The Foundation for Public Affairs (Foundation) today announced the 14 members of its 2026-2027 Fellows cohort, the largest class since the program began four years ago.
The Fellowship is designed to support talented early-career public affairs professionals build the skills, relationships and opportunities needed to grow in the profession and, over time, advance into senior leadership. Over the course of the year, Fellows participate in targeted skills training, work closely with mentors, and build professional networks. This year’s class represents corporate, association and nonprofit organizations.
Fellows are selected through a competitive process that considers professional accomplishments, leadership potential, commitment to the public affairs profession and the potential to benefit from the Fellowship’s professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Meet the 2026 Fellows:
Adedayo Adeniyi
Senior Manager, Advocacy & Operations
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Mark Borges
Senior Manager, Issue Advocacy
National Association of Manufacturers
Darian Burrell-Clay
Senior Manager, Federal Affairs
Children's Hospital Association
Carolina Gonzalez
Senior Policy Advisor
UnidosUS
Cameron Griffin
Engagement Advisor
Southern California Edison
Abigail Haigh
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Julio Hernandez
Advocacy and Policy Manager
American Association of Endodontists
Micaiah Kimble-Glover
Director
LSG
Sarah Lin
Chief of Staff, Policy
Lyft
Judy Ly
Senior Account Manager
Beekeeper Group
Taylor Nkollo
Manager, Government Relations
Austin Chamber of Commerce
Zayna Resley
Private Sector Partnerships Manager
Pacific Legal Foundation
Jasmine Scott
Government & Sustainability Affairs Lead
Syngenta
Nicholas Thompson
Senior Associate, Public Policy and Government Affairs
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
“The future of public affairs will be shaped by professionals who can navigate complexity, build trust and lead across differences,” said Nneka Chiazor, president and CEO of the Public Affairs Council. “The Foundation Fellows program is an investment in that next generation of leaders. These fourteen professionals already bring significant talent and experience; our responsibility is to help accelerate their growth.”
“Fellows consistently tell us the most valuable part is a room of peers working through the same challenges,” said Makini Nyanteh, senior vice president and chief communications officer at American Institutes for Research, a Public Affairs Council officer and chair of its Foundation Task Force. “We built the year around that: information they can use, mentors to guide them and a network that stays in touch after the program ends.”
Learn more about the Foundation for Public Affairs and the Fellowship.
About the Foundation for Public Affairs:
The Foundation for Public Affairs is a 501(c)(3) organization that invests in the future of the profession through workforce development initiatives to strengthen the field of public affairs. Learn more.
About the Public Affairs Council:
Both nonpartisan and nonpolitical, the Public Affairs Council is the leading global association for public affairs professionals. The Council’s mission is to advance the field of public affairs and to provide its 750 member companies, nonprofits and universities with the executive education and expertise they need while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Learn more at pac.org.
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