Creating Sustainable Change: Isaac Sederbaum, Ph.D. ’25, MPA ’14

2025 Evans School Ph.D. Convocation Speaker

When Isaac takes the stage at the Evans School’s 2025 commencement, he will carry with him more than a decade of lived experience across the University of Washington, public service, and academic research.

Isaac’s relationship with the Evans School began in 2012 and has deepened over the years. After earning his Master of Public Administration from the Evans School in 2014, he worked for five years in criminal justice at organizations such as the Vera Institute of Justice and the Center for Justice Innovation. However, his desire to explore deeper questions and pursue research, his true passion, ultimately led him back to the Evans School to pursue a PhD. After six years of study, he is graduating from the Ph.D. program. His next step is as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.

While his academic learning was foundational, Isaac says what shaped him most during his Ph.D. program was the community he found along the way. “Community matters so much, it’s what got me through. I feel very lucky to have been part of a supportive and resilient one.”

Being asked to speak on behalf of Ph.D. graduates at commencement is meaningful in more ways than one. “There aren’t many of us, but it’s a nice way to close a long chapter, six years in the Ph.D. program, and eleven in total with Evans. It’s a chance to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come.”

Isaac hopes that graduates leave with a sense of realism and hope. “Whether you stay in Washington state or go elsewhere, it’s important to take care of yourself and each other. Sustainable change occurs when we remain grounded and support one another.” He wanted to convey that most people come to Evans to make the world a better place. While it can feel discouraging given the current uncertainty and complexity, we don’t have to face it alone. We possess the skills, knowledge, and community to move forward together.

As he looks ahead, Isaac carries with him a spirit of curiosity and a belief that public service is broad and expansive. “It’s not just government or nonprofit work. There are so many ways to contribute to the public good. What matters most is finding the one that aligns with who you are and the kind of work you can sustain.”

From managing teaching assistants and classrooms to diving deep into policy research, Isaac has grown as a scholar and a leader. “Evans has given me the tools to lead thoughtfully and effectively.”

For Isaac, commencement marks an important milestone and a moment for reflection and gratitude. The Evans School and the community have played a significant role in his life, and he hopes to inspire others to remember their purpose and the various ways we can continue to serve.

Learn more about the Evans Ph.D. program

Change is Still Happening: Megan Utemei, EMPA ’25

2025 Evans School EMPA Convocation Speaker

As the King County Outreach Director and a dedicated public servant, Megan has spent over eight years working in U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s office. She began her career as an intern in Congressman Adam Smith’s office and gradually advanced to work in Senator Murray’s office in Washington, D.C. Currently, she continues her work for Murray’s office in Washington state as the King County Outreach Director. She demonstrates dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to public service throughout her career.

Megan, born and raised in the islands of Palau and Guam, brings a wealth of professional experience and a strong sense of identity and purpose. She completed the Evans School’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program in March 2025, balancing full-time work and studies with grace, humor, and grit. She has effectively applied what she learned in the program, gaining new insights and a broader perspective to support her daily work.

Over the past 18 months, Megan’s cohort has become very close. Together, they supported each other through grief, newborn babies, and just through life. They continue to embrace their collective experiences. “They’ve become like family,” she says. She feels honored that her Cohort chose her to deliver the message, and she feels a great responsibility not only to represent herself but also to honor her colleagues, making it essential for her to convey the feelings and essence of their cohort in her convocation speech.

What stood out most during Megan’s journey through the program was learning to lead in public service with empathy and kindness. She expressed, “The program taught me the importance of work-life balance and how crucial it is to give others grace because we are all going through something. That’s life.” At times, she could introduce real issues to the class and seek advice from the Cohort. Megan credits the Evans curriculum and faculty members, like Dean Jodi Sandford and Ben Brunjes, for helping her apply course content directly to her work. This experience has enriched her view on leadership, allowing her to appreciate its depth and complexity.

In her speech, Megan focuses on joy and the importance of continuing in public service. She states, “I want to be genuine and give people hope, even though things are really hard right now. Our work is important at every system level, and even though change may be slow, it is still happening.” She aims to help people recognize that, no matter their situation, they should not lose hope.

As Megan reflects on her journey at Evans and thinks about the future, she feels honored to speak on behalf of her cohort. “We have accomplished something challenging together, and I hope we all carry forward the lessons of compassion, courage, and community.” Looking ahead, Megan aims to continue supporting her peers and the broader Evans network.

Learn more about the Evans EMPA program

Not Just Adapting, Leading: Josie Jackson, MPA ’25

2025 Evans School MPA Convocation Speaker

Born and raised on a horse farm in rural Michigan, Josie’s earliest lessons in public service came from watching her family and neighbors show up for one another. Whether through agriculture or her early involvement in community organizations like 4H, Josie learned early on that real change starts close to home.

After earning her legal studies and political science degrees with a minor in African American studies at Grand Valley State University, she spent two years working at a legal advocacy nonprofit in Grand Rapids. Her work brought her into direct contact with communities facing systemic barriers, eventually leading her to DC to advocate for student debt relief.

That drive to make a difference led Josie to Seattle and the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. The transition wasn’t easy. “I moved here with my best friend, but Seattle was a culture shock,” she says. “It was bigger, different, and I didn’t expect how much it would stretch me.”

Yet, Josie found herself not just adapting, but leading. Over the past two years, she served as Vice President of Students for the Evans Student Organization (ESO), placing her at the center of student advocacy. “My job was to be present, listen, and speak up,” she says. “If there was a student concern, I took it seriously. That work connected me deeply with our Evans community.”

This spring, Josie was selected to serve as the 2025 MPA student commencement speaker, a moment that she expressed still feels surreal. “I wasn’t expecting to be chosen. There is pressure, of course. You want to be encouraging but also real in the speech. We are stepping into policy work in a challenging world, and you can’t ignore that.”

She will shape her speech around two guiding ideas: pride and gratitude. “I want my classmates to feel proud of themselves and everything they’ve pushed through to get here. I want to thank the people who supported us, who helped us not lose ourselves when the world feels heavy.”

Josie credits two mentors, King County Council Member Sarah Perry and State Senator Victoria Hunt, for their steady guidance. She also highlights the hard work and dedication of Evans faculty and staff, such as Becky Corriell, Kate Sykes, and Crystal Hall, who she says “consistently show up for students.”

A passionate advocate for racial equity, Josie says one of the main reasons she chose the Evans School was their clear commitment to anti-racist work. “It wasn’t just talk. Evans named it, and that matters, especially coming from the Midwest, where those conversations aren’t always vocalized.” She hopes to carry that energy forward in her career, working to empower diverse communities and push policy beyond performative Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work and toward meaningful, systemic change.

She also sees a bright future for the Evans School. “I’m really excited for the incoming ESO leadership. They are dedicated and ready to keep pushing for progress. The school is in good hands.”

Looking ahead, Josie is attracted to environments where values and actions align, where policies are not only theoretical but also genuinely transformative. Evans reminded her of why she started this work, and she hopes to continue making a meaningful impact.

Learn more about the Evans MPA program

From Insights to Impact: Taylor Linke and Amy Dobbins, LPI ’25

A group of six people wearing blue graduation caps in front of a presentation screen, with a vase of flowers in the foreground. — Members from the Washington State Health Care Authority team at the Leading Public Innovation Capstone Day.

HCA's Experience in the Leading Public Innovation Certificate

In early 2024, the Evans School launched the Leading Public Innovation (LPI) graduate certificate to equip working professionals in the public sector with the tools they need to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of systems within their organizations. The initial LPI cohort was comprised of 40 participants from eight public agencies. Over nine months, the cohort learned new ways to lead equity-driven, human-centered innovations and bring systems-level change to their organizations.

We sat down with two members of the pilot cohort—Chief of Staff Taylor Linke, and Customer Experience Administrator Amy Dobbins—to reflect on how the program shaped their efforts to improve service delivery at the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) in the months following their LPI experience. Taylor and Amy were joined by several of their colleagues from the HCA in the cohort, which sponsored the participation of a diverse team including communications experts, process designers, and executives, to move projects forward within their organization.

For the HCA team, the LPI program provided a timely opportunity to improve outreach to Medicaid participants at risk of losing coverage—not because they were ineligible, but due to minor administrative reasons. Taylor remarked, “We didn’t want to see individuals lose coverage due to the fact that there was an administrative step that could have been resolved…we wanted to tackle a real-life project within our organization that could help us move forward.” The LPI program’s curriculum rooted human-centered design helped them focus on the journey and needs of their clients. They moved quickly to implement a set of questions for their call center agents to ask to learn more about the client’s perspective and communication preferences. HCA’s team also prototyped a series of interventions, from implementing a new text messaging campaign and robocalls, to adjusting the sequencing and content of other communications.

The collective efforts of program-level staff and HCA executives helped turn the team’s insights from the program into reality. Taylor notes that the intentionality behind the team gave them the ability to “target a critical project for our organization and actually do something with what we were learning.” These dynamics enabled the seamless implementation of thoughtful, co-created solutions across the HCA.

Although the project is still in the early stages of full implementation, Amy and Taylor have already seen improvements from adjusting their processes. Changes to their communication methods have resulted in fewer Medicaid/Apple Health recipients experiencing gaps in their coverage, as more enrollees resolve minor administrative issues within the 90-day grace period.

As Amy reflects on her experience in the LPI program, she notes how the emphasis on human-centered design pushed her to reconsider her default ways of thinking. “It’s really important to check your assumptions,” she says. “I have an added sort of perspective…I’m really thinking about the importance of understanding a person’s story, the human story.” Through the internal leadership of folks who participated in LPI, the HCA is working on embedding LPI’s tools and practices across other parts of the agency’s work, such as their lean and health-equity work. Taylor added, “We’re looking at the vision of how we do this overall—not just in one-offs, but how it can embed and mature these sorts of activities moving forward.”

While balancing graduate coursework with full-time roles was challenging, both Amy and Taylor agreed the experience was well worth it—for the insights, the growth, and the strengthened team cohesion. As we look to future sessions of LPI, Taylor closed by noting she hopes their peer agencies will continue to invest in sending folks to the program, particularly groups that include leadership team members that can champion implementation. “I’m hopeful that, even with budget reductions, other agencies will continue to see the real ROI in having sent people through the program and recall this when the budget improves. There is something to learn for every level of individual in the program.”

Learn more about the Leading Public Innovation graduate certificate.

NextGen SPA Profile: Arie Wactor

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Camden, South Carolina
College/University: North Carolina Central University
Major: Criminal Justice with a concentration in juvenile justice

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a junior Criminal Justice major with a concentration in Juvenile Justice at North Carolina Central University. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being a lawyer or a police officer. Being the reason a person gets the justice they deserve has always had a special place in my heart. Being a female in this field is already challenging because society thinks as if we aren’t strong enough mentally and physically for the job. But I want to be an example to society that it is possible.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I want to be a Criminal Defense Lawyer and run a non profit organization.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be my grandmother who passed away. She was one of my favorite people in the world and played a big role in raising me. She was always there when I needed someone to talk to, and she showed me so much love, care, and support. I really miss her warm hugs, her advice, and especially her singing. She had a beautiful voice that always made me feel better, no matter what I was going through. Having dinner with her again would mean everything to me. I would love the chance to hear her laugh, share stories, and just be in her presence one more time.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Judge Faith Jenkins, she offers legal insights and helps individuals navigate complex personal issues.

NextGen SPA Profile: Artist Tyson

Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Austin, Texas
College/University: Texas Southern University
Major: Political Science

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Artist Tyson and I’m from Austin, Texas. Growing up I performed in a number of oratory competitions so I’m a fairly well trained speaker. As far as hobbies I ride horses, read, write poetry and hike when I have the time. I enjoy jazz, rap, grunge, soul , blues and number of other genres. I’m a lively character who’s not timid and enjoys the moment and experience.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I’m considering getting involved in politics working as an commissioner and following this a senator in Texas.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

Malcom X and Martin Luther King jr. I would ask them how they feel about the modern state of the black american community.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Jasmine Crocket, I love how she presents herself and is able to navigate the court atmosphere and standing firm , never compromising her values.

NextGen SPA Profile: Sandra Teran

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Houston, TX
College/University: University of Houston
Major: Public Policy

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a first-generation college student majoring in Public Policy, with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences and Business Administration. I currently serve as the Social Media Coordinator for a nonpartisan grassroots organization focused on advocacy both on and off campus. I’m passionate about equity across various sectors, and using policy as a tool for social change.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

Policy Consultant

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, I’d choose Eleanor Roosevelt because she was not only a dedicated public servant who shaped international human rights, but also a compassionate advocate.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite is Bernie Sanders who has spent his life fighting for justice, and healthcare with compassion, always focused on helping ordinary people.

NextGen SPA Profile: Gurasis Singh

Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
College/University: University of Minnesota
Major: Entrepreneurial Management & Political Science

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Gurasis and I am a student at the University of Minnesota studying Entrepreneurial Management and Political Science. I am a fierce advocate for students and a deeply passionate about innovative education policy and law. In addition to my studies, I am a co-founder of an Ed-Tech startup, and in my free time I like to make pottery on the wheel and cook new foods!

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is to become the US Secretary of Education or a State Commissioner of Education. I would love to use this position to create systemic reform in American education and establish equitable practices in our educational institutions to promote growth and learning.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

I would love to have dinner with former president Jimmy Carter so I could hear about the establishment of the Department of Education.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Miguel Cardona. As US Secretary of Education, he reopened schools and established significant aid and support structures for students nationwide.

NextGen SPA Profile: Senthian Mugisha

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Bronx, New York
College/University: The City College of New York
Major: Political Science and International Science

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Senthian Mugisha. I am from East Africa, Tanzania, and first-generation undergrad attending the Collin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York. I’m currently majoring in Political Science and minoring in International Studies. I’m aspiring to one day be a dedicated advocate for social justice, immigration, education, and homelessness.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is to one day is one day start up a non profit to help resource children and mothers in underserved communities. The impact I hope to make is help provide education, supplies, food, housing etc.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with Viola Davis, because I’ve always looked up to her when I was younger and she is a great inspiration to me.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite public servant is, Vanessa L. Gibson because of her continues support and representation she has for The Bronx.

NextGen SPA Profile: Rossy Sierra

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
College/University: University of Washington
Major: Sociology

Tell us a little about yourself?

Hi my name is Rossy Sierra. I’m a third-year Sociology major with minors in Human Rights and Public Policy at the University of Washington in Seattle. My academic interests focus on immigration, access to higher education, and social mobility. I’ve been involved in community-based research with the WA Commission on Hispanic Affairs and another project through the Seattle Department of Transportation. Outside of my studies, I’m a Latine Student Union board member and enjoy reading and baking.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I don’t really have a dream job, but I know that I would love to help those in communities that look like one that I came from achieve their goals whether that be access to higher education, increasing their social mobility, or helping them on their pathway to citizenship.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

Norberta, she was a close family friend who passed away when I was young. I knew her as a person who cared for me up until the age of 6 but now as an adult I would love to get to know more about her life through her instead of stories through others.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite public servant is Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. I like how she has used her platform to discuss latine and working class issues.

NextGen SPA Profile: Pamela Ortega

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Dominican Republic/New York City
College/University: Baruch College
Major: Political Science

Tell us a little about yourself?

Hey everyone! I am Pamela and I am from the Dominican Republic a little bit over 4 years ago. I currently live in Manhattan and I attend Baruch College where I’m majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. I switched from Computer Science to Political Science over the winter, and now my expected graduation date is the Fall of 2025. I love hanging out with my friends, try new restaurants and dress up to take pictures. Looking forward to meet you all soon!

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I want to become a Congresswoman or an elected official at the state level. I want to work in the Public Service sector and maybe start off by working for an elected member of the Legislative branch or a member of the NY legislature. I want to run a non-profit with my best friend. I want to have several organizations that will help immigrants and children. I want to change NYC and make it a better place for the future generations to come, I want my baby sister to grow in a safe place and for her to have access to resources that I didn’t have growing up in an underdeveloped country. I want to have organizations that will uplift the economy of my home country to provide access to resources to those in need. I want to be the voice of those who don’t feel heard by their current representatives.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

My grandpa, I miss him and I want to know what he thinks of me right now. JESUS, because I want to meet him, and thank him.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

AOC and Carmen de la Rosa. Women who aren’t afraid to stand up to those who are wrong and who came from little positions to now be so influential.

NextGen SPA Profile: Denzel Massaley

Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
College/University: Pennsylvania State University
Major: Telecommunications and Media Industries

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am Denzel Massaley, a Telecommunications and Media Industries student with a minor in Public Policy and Leadership Across Sectors. I have a background in multimedia journalism and reporting as well as pre and post production. I’m from Philly, but I spent some time living in Houston.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is being an Executive Director for a newsroom covering policy. I hope to be able to providing digestible information symmetry on pressing issues to everyday citizens.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

Fred Hampton, I am curious about the organizational and rhetorical techniques he used when forming what would be called the Rainbow Coalition.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite public servant is Bernie Sanders. I think he’s a great orator and draws attention to working families’ issues.

NextGen SPA Profile: Marianna Lares

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Merrillville, Indiana
College/University: Indiana University
Major: Law and Public Policy

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am an undergrad at IU majoring in Law & Public policy. I am passionate about advocacy, social justice issues, and community development. I hope to become an attorney someday and practice in immigration law and use my knowledge to defend those in underrepresented communities. I am always looking for ways to better myself and connect along the way.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is to become an immigration attorney someday. The kind of impact that I hope to make is bettering other people’s lives and advocating for those specifically, in underrepresented communities.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite public servant is Alexandria Ocasio Cortez because she is a Latina woman like me committed to social justice through her advocacy.