Duke's Sanford April Memo

Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends,

Spring at Duke is remarkably beautiful. Cherry blossoms line the drive to Sanford, redbud trees come into bloom across campus, and the gardens begin to fill with color. It is, in short, a lovely moment to welcome visitors to Sanford. Over the past week, we welcomed admitted students from across the country and around the world, both on Zoom and here in Durham. There is something so energizing about introducing prospective students to our faculty, staff, and current students, and giving them a sense of what makes Sanford such a vibrant place.

I am especially delighted to report that brilliant, motivated students are coming to schools like ours. Public policy continues to attract the best and the brightest, thoughtful, motivated individuals who want to learn how to improve the world through policy. They are eager to explore the full range of today’s public policy challenges: from national security and technology to health, environment, and education. Their sense of purpose was inspiring, as was their recognition of the unique mentorship offered by our world-class faculty. Spending time with them and hearing their stories, answering their questions, and imagining what lies ahead for them is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

Read the Full Blog

Manoj Mohanan

Interim Dean and Creed C. Black Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy

Sanford Serves with Duke Gardens

2026 Reunion Weekend
April 11, 10:00 - 11:30 am EST
Duke Gardens

Sanford Serves with Duke Gardens will be one of the events featured during the weekend. Guests are invited to join the Sanford Development and Alumni Relations team as we volunteer in the Gardens. Sanford believes in planting seeds of change within our communities and looks forward to volunteering with you

As you register for Reunion Weekend, look under “Bonus Events” to register for our event.

Sanford Serves Event – Register and Learn More

Reunion Weekend - Register and Learn More

Sanford Serves with Nicholas School of the Environment

April 18, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Raleigh

April is Earth Month at Duke and the Development and Alumni Relations teams at the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Nicholas School of the Environment invite you to join us as we volunteer at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Farm. Together, we will support local food sustainability through hands-on service, including planting, pruning, weeding, mulching, and greenhouse work—literally planting seeds of change in our community.

We look forward to a meaningful morning of conversation, connection, and community service alongside Duke alumni and friends – this event is open to all Duke alumni, parents, and friends of Duke. All participating Duke alumni will receive a custom Sanford Serves t-shirt to wear during the event.

Register and Learn More

Duke Career Conversations

Featuring Gonzalo Pertile MIDP‘17

April 15, 5:30 – 6:00 pm EST

Virtual

Join Duke alumni, parents, and current students for Duke Career Conversations featuring Gonzalo Pertile MIDP‘17, Vice President of Sustainability, Theory.

Gonzalo will be interviewed by Patricia Parada M.Eg.M.‘17, Senior Director of Population Health, Bristol Myers Squibb, and will share his perspective and insights, charting an international career path as a champion for environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility, and social impact.

Register and Learn More

Annual DC Summer Social

May 13, 5:30 – 7:30 pm EST

Duke in DC

Calling all Sanford Alumni: Join us for a summer gathering on the Duke in DC rooftop. This annual event brings together Sanford Alumni, recent public policy graduates, and Sanford students interning in DC for the summer.

Interim Dean Manoj Mohanan will share Sanford highlights as we set aside time to network, check in with each other, and enjoy light refreshments.

We look forward to connecting with each of you!

Register and Learn More

Annual Book Drive and Book Sale Supporting 'Turning the Page'

Book Drive: April 4-25, Greater D.C.

Pop-Up Sale: May 30, Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill

Join Sanford Serves to once again support Turning the Page, a nonprofit co-founded by Sanford alumnus Jason King PPS'94.

We will be supporting this philanthropy by collecting used books, CD's, DVD's and vinyl at drop-off points throughout the region. On May 30, you can sign up to volunteer at the pop-up book sale in Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill.

Register and Learn More

What does it take to steer the global economy through turbulence, and to lead at the highest levels of international policy? Join us for a fireside chat between Gita Gopinath, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Carlyle Group. Together, they will take on the defining topics of 2026: the anxiety of rising tariffs, rapid changes in international trade policy, the uncertainty of a shifting global economic order, and the policies that will shape the path toward sustainable growth globally.

Register and Learn More

Michelle Schwartz PPS’98

Founder & Principal

Takeoff Advisors LLC

Schwartz built a career across all three branches of the federal government before finding her niche in aviation, where she has held senior leadership roles, including chief of staff at the Federal Aviation Administration and an executive position at Los Angeles World Airports. Today, she leads Takeoff Advisors LLC, an aviation-focused consulting firm, and continues to apply her Sanford training to help organizations navigate complex policy challenges and build solutions through collaboration.

Each month, we want to share updates from our alumni.

Do you have a new job? Receive a promotion or an award?

Celebrating a wedding, birth, or other milestone?

Thank you to our amazing alumni who recently volunteered!

Barry Berke PPS'86 - Claire Kidwell MPP'24
Danielle Lemmon Zapotoczny PPS'96 - Eric Dinallo MPP'87 P'24
Geoff King MPP'09 - Hana Stepnick PPS'23 - Jason Gibson MPP'07
Megan Yeh MPP'19 - Meghan O'Toole PPS'08

Your participation brings invaluable knowledge and experience to the table for fellow alumni and current students, and we greatly appreciate your efforts. As a Duke alum, your unique experiences and talents have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. Consider lending your support as a volunteer to strengthen the Duke network while giving back. 

Resources for Alumni in Job Transitions

Sanford’s alumni network is a powerful and supportive community, and we are actively mobilizing to provide guidance and resources. If you have job leads, mentorship opportunities, or insights to share, we invite you to extend a helping hand to fellow alumni in transition. We will continue to look for ways to strengthen our network and provide meaningful assistance during this season.

Sanford Career Services Alumni Page

Sanford’s Career Services team offers resources to alumni, in particular the latest addition of alumni in job transition resources. Check back often to access the most recent resources.

Update Your Duke Alumni Profile

Keeping your alumni profile up to date ensures that your most current information and interests are viewable to all Duke alumni. The directory allows you to filter by location, affinities at Duke, your professional connections, and more.

Utilize Ask a Blue Devil

Ask a Blue Devil is a Duke alumni resource that connects you with the best alumni experts. This tool is a way for alumni to pay it forward by offering advice and introductions or asking for advice and introductions. With over 200,000 Duke alumni around the world, this tool is a great connector.

Update Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is a great way to share your professional background and highlights, all while connecting with fellow alumni. Be sure to follow Duke Sanford and explore the multiple LinkedIn groups affiliated with Duke, including Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Career Group.

Civic Match

Civic Match by Work for America is a nonpartisan program connecting federal workers and campaign staff with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country. Connecting top public sector talent with essential local government jobs.

Supporting Federal Employees Through Change

This hub is a resource that the questions Partnership for Public Services are frequently asked about how various proposals may affect federal employees, to create a safe space for information sharing and community building, and to respond to what they need in this moment and in the months to come.