Public Service in Practice: Alumni Share Career Insights
February 3, 2026
Ana Luo Cai and Zaakirah Rahman, alumni from Cohorts 5 and 7, shared their motivations behind pursuing careers in public service and the ethical principles that steer their work during a panel for current fellows. Ana reflected on the policy and legal analysis she conducted in her prior role as a Senior Policy and Budget Associate for the New York City Public Advocate. Zaakirah, who has a background in education policy, discussed what ethical community engagement and coalition-building look like in practice, drawing from her experience as a CUNY Rising Alliance Coordinator.
