This timely panel will convene to analyze the direct and indirect effects of recent federal actions on the integrity, scope, and ethical foundation of the critical work of those in the public service sector.

Sweeping federal policy changes are disrupting public service for citizens and employees, both within government agencies and in nonprofits, academic institutions, and contractors serving public agencies and programs. Speakers and participants will discuss layoffs, radical changes in funding and policy priorities, control of speech, intimidation, the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, the shuttering of civil rights offices, detentions, and other changes that have significant implications for those in our community.

Speakers

Sharon Bautista is a Director of Qualitative Research on the Safety Net team at Code for America. Her most meaningful research experiences prior to joining CfA include program evaluation for early childhood education as an AmeriCorps VISTA and product research to support online privacy at Mozilla. For the last decade, Sharon has combined her passions for community organizing and learning to help lead the UX Book Club of Chicago. Sharon has B.A. and M.S. degrees from Northwestern University and lives in Chicago, where she enjoys teaching yoga, discovering the work of emerging visual artists, and doing anything along Lake Michigan.

Alexandra Mack leads innovative problem solving and strategy development based on a deep understanding of the surrounding culture and activities. She has brought this combination of customer-centered design, innovation, market research, opportunity identification, business planning, and cultural change to projects across verticals, including government, health care, retail, software, and financial services. She is the author of the book Talking to Stakeholders as well as numerous posts and papers on epicpeople.org. She is also an Entrepreneur in Residence with Yale Ventures, where she mentors student venture teams and advises faculty innovators looking to translate technologies into businesses.

Chelsea Mauldin is a social scientist and designer with a focus on government innovation. In addition to directing the Public Policy Lab, she is an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs and a frequent keynote speaker and panelist. Prior to co-founding PPL, Chelsea consulted to municipal and federal agencies, directed a community-development organization, led government partnerships at a public-space advocacy nonprofit, and served as an editor for publishing, arts, and digital media organizations. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and the London School of Economics.