2026 Brown University MPA graduate Derek Czapek describes how his Watson experience has impacted his career. Czapek currently works as an associate consultant at Bain & Company.

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, Chamika Wanigatunga, a 2019 graduate of Brown’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program, uses the quantitative and qualitative research skills he developed at Watson to guide critical discussions at the World Economic Forum.

Annika Prinz, a fifth-year graduate of Brown’s Master of Public Affairs program, has successfully translated the lessons she learned during her Watson experience into a thriving career in corporate sustainability.

When Tamara Coger wanted to make a career pivot to work in climate policy, she found the perfect vehicle in Brown University’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program. The program provided her with the tools she needed — including a solid grounding in economics and statistics — as well as the flexibility to adapt its curriculum to her specific needs.

Bryan Joffe realized at a young age that access to a good education was the largest determinant of long-term economic success. A degree from Brown’s Master of Public Affairs has enabled him to fight for a level playing field for those most often shut out of high-quality education throughout his career.

Using the skills developed at the Watson School, Ellie Adair plays the infinite game in her role as chief operating officer at the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

While working as a global relations officer at Brown University, Diana Perdomo chose to take advantage of the University’s Employee Education Program to earn a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree. It was a decision that would accelerate her career growth, leading to impactful positions in government and the nonprofit sector.

Nate Blouin, who earned his Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree from Brown in 2019, dropped out of his freshman year of college and moved to Utah to ski. He then went on to become the youngest legislator in Utah's State Senate, defeating his opponent with 72% of the vote.

Internationally focused from a young age and growing up outside Washington, D.C., Marcus Burke experienced career growth after earning his Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree from Brown in 2017 as a mid-career professional.

Derrick Zantt earned his master's degree in public affairs from Brown in 2016. A fourth-generation service member, Zantt currently works as an analyst for the Department of Defense, where he puts his belief in open data and the knowledge he acquired at the Watson Institute to influence policy.

Sonia Cuesta, who earned her Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree from Brown in 2017, was happy to give back to the program that helped her establish a career in human rights and international relations. During the spring 2025 semester, Cuesta supervised a new generation of MPA students' Policy in Action project from her position at the United Nations.

After witnessing systematic inequalities first-hand while working two jobs supporting at-risk communities, Jillian Harvey decided she needed to further her education in public policy to make a real impact in her community. After graduating from the Watson Institute's Master of Public Affairs Program in 2019, Harvey became a leader in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the state of Massachusetts.