The Public Service Project

Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley reflects on her remarkable public service journey spanning three decades, and shares her unfiltered thoughts on some of the most challenging and rewarding moments in her very public diplomatic career. She passes along some wisdom on resilience and dignity in unfriendly spaces; on walking away when it's time to go; and on sustaining a decades long marriage through seasons of personal and professional change. Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley still wakes up each day feeling inspired and motivated to contribute to the American project, and we're honored to have her participate in the Public Service Project.

Laurel Rapp is the Director of the U.S. and North America Programme at Chatham House, and she brings to this position all the wisdom and experience accrued through her nearly two decades of public service at the Department of State, the National Security Council, the United States Senate, and nonprofits. Laurel began her international affairs career as a Rotary Fellow researching voting attitudes in Morocco at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and went on to join the State Department covering Middle East issues during the Arab Spring. She talks about what it was like being a new officer covering a geographically small but strategically important country like Bahrain at such a complex moment in history, and then goes on to share her thoughts a wide range of topics, from the role of the United Nations, to the function(s) served by the Secretary's Policy Planning staff. Finally, we take an unfiltered look at the uncomfortable but necessary tension existing when many unique individuals come together to advance (and sometimes question) shared objectives, and it was an absolute joy and honor to have Laurel join me to unpack these challenging topics.

Nate Fick is an investor, CEO, Marine, author, and the first U.S. Ambassador for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. He's also a father, husband, brother, leader, and devoted American citizen. In this episode, he shared reflections on his idyllic childhood, his decision to join the Marines, his experience leading one of the first American units in both Afghanistan ('01) and Iraq ('03) and his decision to write his New York Times bestseller, One Bullet Away. Nate has spent his career moving between public service and the private sector, and he shares his perspective on innovation, culture, sovereignty, solidarity, and being the least popular dad in school. If you're grappling with questions around how to foster innovation with appropriate safety guardrails, or how to advance the U.S. national interest without having to go it alone, this is the conversation for you.

Katelyn Choe is a very recently retired Foreign Service Officer, who served 25 years in places like South Korea, the Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and most recently as Diplomat in Residence for Southern California, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. Katelyn's first experience with the U.S. government occurred when she and her family applied for their Immigrant Visas at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and remarkably, she found herself back on the other side of that window decades later. Katelyn's career is full of too many remarkable stories to capture in 30 minutes, but her message - that any and every background is relevant to the project of diplomacy - comes across loud and clear. It was a privilege to record this moment of reflection in the sacred pause between an incredible service journey, and what lies ahead.

Abby Andre is the Executive Director of The Impact Project, a new interactive platform to help visualize how federal employment, funding, and policy decisions affect our communities. She specializes in the art of connecting the dots, and her first step is plotting them on the map so we can all see what she sees - both data and narrative. Abby is a former DOJ Attorney, and her public service journey has been a fight for transparency, accountability, truth, and justice for every American citizen and charismatic megafauna. She is a connector, a matchmaker, a bridge, and she is using her fascinating collection of experiences and her brilliant brain to contribute to a better informed citizenry, a more accountable government, and a more resilient democracy. Not too shabby. Check out The Impact Project (a nonpartisan initiative for all Americans) here: https://theimpactproject.org

Delphi Cleaveland is a seasoned foreign policy professional with over 10 years of experience serving inside and outside government to advance human rights and democracy at home and around the world. She's continuing the mission of advancing and enhancing U.S. foreign policy by shifting her focus to providing public servants with the resources they need in order to live well, work effectively, and advance their policy objectives. Delphi is a ridiculously accomplished, deeply thoughtful, effervescent human being. This kind of conversation - incisive, constructive, relatable, honest, and fair - is exactly why I started this project. Listen in for Delphi's reflections on human rights, counterterrorism, the future of foreign policy, and the growing threat environment confronting public servants.

Jared Banks spent over 20 years in the Foreign Service, serving in DC, London, Geneva, Kabul, Warsaw, Brasilia, and advancing U.S. priorities on issues like critical emerging tech, science diplomacy, peacekeeping, and human rights. He's here to talk about his background as an academic, his time serving in Afghanistan as his family stayed behind, and his experience of faith communities as anchors in each new location. While its form has changed, the spirit of service has not left Jared! He's leading a Great Decisions discussion group at his local library with resources provided by the Foreign Policy Association, and in doing so, creating a safe space for learning and the exchange of ideas. Can you think of anything better for democracy? For more on the program, click the link: https://fpa.org/great-decisions/

Brianna Clarke-Schwelm is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Global Health Alliance, a nonprofit organization striving to advance the state as a center of global health. Brianna has spent her career blending her love of rural communities (starting with the one that raised her) with her passion for access to public health as the foundation for a good life - one that includes safety, equity, and opportunity. Our conversation touches on everything from birth order and sibling dynamics, to the college courses we loved and loathed, to motherhood, sacrifice, and social safety nets. We studied topics like religion and philosophy and politics to better understand how we organize ourselves and serve each other (especially in vulnerable moments), and then we had babies and got them through a global pandemic, so in many ways, every moment of this winding conversation is circling the same question: How do we want to live, and what can we do to get there?Toward the end, Brianna tells us all about how NC is a center for global health, innovation, medicine and tech, and then she drops some wisdom about translating international experience to state and local contexts. Public servants from all walks, listen to that part twice!

I had the privilege of sitting down for the first LIVE recording of the Public Service Project at my alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill (GO HEELS!), with a fellow alum, the incomparably brilliant Jennifer Davis. Jen is currently a Distinguished Professor of Practice at the University of North Carolina, and former Senior U.S. Diplomat and Attorney. In 22 years with the Foreign Service, Jen did everything from consular services for Americans abroad, to advising at NATO, serving as Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to Secretaries Rice and Clinton, to serving as Consul General in Istanbul. Jen has been generous with her time, her energy, and her wisdom as a public servant, and she continues her service as she guides and inspires the next generation of policy professionals at the University.Nothing is off limits as we talk about Jen's early life in North Carolina, the sources of her ambition, and all the things she's reflecting on today.

Jose Mercado is a U.S. national security and foreign policy expert with 30 years of U.S. government service. He's a U.S. Air Force Veteran and Diplomatic Security Special Agent, specializing in democracy, human rights, and crisis response, and recently serving as Deputy Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. He's also a father, son, husband, friend, and a true public servant at heart. Jose happily shares the twists and turns of the military and diplomatic chapters of his career, and bravely uncovers the many layers of his experience with service: uncertainty, inspiration, pressure, pride, imposter syndrome, and confidence. We talk about TV and movies, soft power and hard power, regional and functional bureaus, and so many other things. This guy's family gave him roots and wings, and this episode is a bit of a tribute to them, to him, and to public servants everywhere.

Dylan Lang is a lawyer, social worker, and human rights activist with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of diplomacy, law, and social justice. Some may see these credentials and think, which is it? Lawyer? Social worker? Human rights advocate? And the answer is, exactly. Dylan has pursued his career and life with passion and vision, and each facet of his experience has improved his effectiveness in all other areas. In this episode, he talks about what it was like being out in the workplace, and having the unique privilege of advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world. As someone who has Zoomed with Senators, written and delivered his own remarks on the floor of the United Nations, and prioritized service in every chapter of his career, Dylan has proven himself to be a powerful advocate for human rights. And he wakes up every day seeking new, creative ways to continue the work, which he seems to view as both a privilege and a responsibility. He is a true public servant, and a gem of a human being.

Dr. Abir Aldhalimi is a true systems thinker, who helps individuals along their path to healing after trauma, while she simultaneously works to co-create systems and structures that support better mental health and wellness for everyone. Her resume is beyond impressive (highlights below), but it pales in comparison to her wisdom and generosity as she draws from her own refugee experience and training as a clinical psychologist to guide others along their own path to healing and thriving.Dr. Aldhalimi specializes in psychotherapy and mental health policy. She's the Founder of Unknotted Mental Health, a Clinical Instructor at Yale School of Medicine, and a former Senior Mental Health Advisor for USAID. She's here to talk to us about trauma and healing, resilience, mental health policy and systems change, and so many other things.Dr. Aldhalimi's practice, Unknotted, provides innovative, integrated, and individualized mental health services to individuals and organizations. For more on Unknotted, and to access self guided resources that are especially useful for recently separated feds but also for anyone navigating change, visit the site and reach out to Dr. Aldhalimi: https://www.unknotted.com

Paul Kruchowski is a former senior U.S. diplomat and career member of the Senior Executive Service. In his final role at the State Department, Paul served as the Chief Operating Officer for Public Diplomacy, managing a $1.5 billion budget, and 5,000 person global organization. He's also an accomplished cellist, and in his post-government era, he's helping organizations integrate AI in a way that is people-focused, collaborative, and productive.In this episode, we talk about work life balance vs. integration; fractional work; personality and productivity; perfectionism; and what it takes to foster a healthy organizational culture. Paul also provides some unsurprisingly awesome advice for those navigating career transitions, and relays some wisdom about the efficient allocation of time and energy. He's an optimist, a pragmatist, a cellist... he's uncompromisingly honest and unfailingly kind.

Dr. Aubrey Paris is a national treasure, and that's fitting, since she is obsessed with the franchise. She's also a policy visionary (seriously), PhD scientist, author, and executive producer and creator of the award-winning podcast and community engagement series, National Treasure Hunt. You would think it would be intimidating to interview someone with this much #cred in this many areas (especially in podcasting) but if you spent 5 minutes with Aubrey, you would know that her wit and brilliance are only eclipsed by her kindness and authenticity. She is the queen of interdisciplinary thinking, a scientist who communicates and a communicator who... sciences? She's the poster child for Ursinus College and the manifestation of her parents' many defining qualities, all in one person - a realization that hit both of us on this show. She's never taken an IR or polisci class but she's out here crushing it, and not letting "it" crush her. Aubrey is a colleague turned friend, and by the end of this episode, you'll want her to be your friend, too.For more on National Treasure Hunt, including the America 250 Tour, go here: https://nthuntpodcast.com/

Brad Brooks-Rubin is his own multi-stakeholder initiative. He's a sanctions lawyer, a radio DJ and musician, a father, a husband, and a public servant. He's a fascinating person, whose work is so cerebral, so technical, but whose approach to his work and life is dynamic and oftentimes, spiritual. On this episode, we talk about Brad's experience as a Jewish lawyer-in-training working on human rights issues in the West Bank and Northern Israel with the Palestine Peace Project, and I challenge Brad to make sanctions make sense for those of us who are not technical experts and lawyers. Brad is dynamic, honest, and cool, and he has big plans for the future. At the end of the show, Brad previews the Changemakers Retreat - a collaborative project with his wife (another public servant), Liana. For updates on the retreat, reach out to Brad on LinkedIn.

Ambassador Tim Davis' career and life have been extraordinary. He carries with him a collection of memories and experiences that are reminiscent of Forrest Gump, and he also shoulders the weight of loss, grief, and trauma. He's honest about all of it, and at the end of the day, the word he chooses to describe it is celebration. His career has been a celebration of life, a challenge, an adventure, and a profound expression of humanity.His credentials are cool: Recent U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, former Executive Assistant to Secretaries of State Blinken and Pompeo, Consul General in Basra, Special Assistant to Secretary Clinton, Special Presidential Envoy to counter ISIL, and proud U.S. Marine, from a family of veterans. His experiences are unbelievable: from the great pirouette around President Obama, to meeting the late Pope Francis. But his honesty, courage, and vulnerability - particularly in sharing about his experience with trauma and the way it shaped his relationship with work - that's what makes this conversation special. My sincere thanks to Ambassador Davis for participating in this project, and for a lifetime of sacrifice, celebration, and service.

Christian Loubeau is a former U.S. diplomat, Teach for America public school teacher, and Associate Commissioner in NYC’s Department of Design and Construction. His diplomatic overseas postings included Haiti and Cuba, while his domestic postings included the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in NY, and the Office of Mexican Affairs in Washington, DC. His story is rooted in his multicultural upbringing, his experience being raised by parents in helping professions, and his perseverance - because if at first you don't succeed, apply, apply again! Chris is kind, funny, honest about the gifts and challenges that came along with his work, and clear-eyed about his personal goals and redlines. His warmth and humility are palpable, and he's openly sharing his public service journey, from his "aha" moment in the hills of Lebanon, to his current practice of service outside government. You'll want to be friends with Chris after listening to this one - and he'll probably welcome it!

Jessica Benton Cooney is a Senior Strategic Communicator and Storyteller who most recently ran the Communications team for USAID's Bureau of Democracy. Human rights, and Governance. She served with USAID overseas in Afghanistan and Liberia, and before that, with the Peace Corps in El Salvador. On this episode, Jessica is sitting down with us to share the tale of her near death experience in Liberia, her miraculous survival, and her decision to return to Liberia on her own terms. She's also passing along her wisdom on the art of storytelling, particularly when interviewing human rights activists and democracy defenders. AND her cat even weighs in on the power of intuition. We're just a couple of elder millennials, trying to make sense of the world. You don't want to miss this one!For more on Jessica's experience with cerebral malaria and the importance of foreign assistance programs like the Presidential Malaria Initiative, read the article that prompted me to contact Jessica: https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5265538-i-survived-cerebral-malaria-but-millions-of-others-wont-without-american-leadership/amp/

Alia Awadallah is a former U.S. Government official and Policy Analyst focused on the Middle East and Defense Policy. Alia most recently served on Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's senior leadership team, and before that, as Policy Team Lead and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army.What's extra cool is the fact that Alia has not only worked for the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and State, but also worked on campaigns, at think tanks, AND she found time to create the NextGen Initiative of Foreign Policy for America, because she wants other young leaders to have what they need to launch careers in foreign policy, as well.Alia is the quintessential public servant, and she's giving us a glimpse into the experiences that made her who she is.

Vedant Patel is a seasoned communications professional, most recently serving as a Spokesperson for the Department of State, and before that, for the White House. On this episode, Vedant walks us through his pivot from aspiring doctor into the world of politics, which initially stressed his parents as much as you'd imagine. He gracefully responds to my probing questions into the future of the Democratic Party, and then we spend some talking about the distinct (and ideally, mutually supportive) roles of political appointees and career public servants. Finally, I ask Vedant the question I have always wondered about being a spokesperson: Doesn't it totally suck being grilled by the press? His answer is unsurprisingly diplomatic.