The MPPA Student Leadership Council
The MPPA Student Leadership Council and Alumni Board works to create opportunities and events that allow students and alumni to grow their knowledge of public policy and their professional networks. The Council began in fall 2016 with a kickoff event that brought current students together with alums, the first Public Policy Trivia Night. Since then they have hosted a number of events and brought in guest speakers from organizations such as the Illinois Campaign for Change, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Illinois City/County Management Association. All MPPA students and alumni are welcome to participate.
For more information about the MPPA Student Leadership Council and student events/opportunities, please contact mppastudentleadership@northwestern.edu.
Vision and Mission Statements
Mission Statement
The MPPA Student Leadership Council strives to serve the program by broadening awareness of public policy in practice and building a sense of community and inclusion in the graduate program.
2025 MPPA Student Leadership Council Members
Nekesa Josey
PRESIDENT
Nekesa Josey is a finance and policy professional with over a decade of experience in municipal government, county administration, and the private sector. She serves as President of the Student Leadership Council at Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies, where she is pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Administration. Her work focuses on public finance, economic development, and policy leadership. Nekesa previously held roles with the City of Chicago’s Committee on Finance, the Cook County President’s Office, and Mesirow Financial. She is a Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society member and holds an MBA. Beyond her professional work, she has served on the Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Navy Pier Associate Board.
Pardhasaradhi (Pardhu) Namburi
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Pardhu Namburi is an entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record of driving growth and impact across technology, business, and the nonprofit sectors. He has led and scaled multiple ventures, managed many volunteers, and guided organizations to expand while delivering innovative solutions. Recognized with numerous national service awards, he blends expertise in strategy, product development, marketing, tech, and leadership with a deep commitment to doing good in the world. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy & Administration at Northwestern University.
Anna Golackson-Timblin
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Anna Golackson-Timblin is the Event Coordinator for the MPPA Student Leadership Council. After graduating from UW-Madison with a degree in Spanish literature, Golackson-Timblin began her career in Human Resources. She now has over 14 years of professional experience across multiple sectors, including HR functions, and various modes. Golackson-Timblin currently works remotely as an HR business partner for a Fortune 50 company, delivering performance management and employee relations solutions. She’s an effective, active listener and common-sense solution developer. Anna is known for her ability to explain complex topics and her capacity for collaboration. She believes in the power of people and the importance of connection. Outside of work, she can be found running reasonable distances, reading unreasonable books, and taking excessive photos of her dog napping.
Connor Wielgos
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Connor Wielgos is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration at Northwestern. Raised in the Chicagoland area, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Political Science in 2023. Wielgos is passionate about advancing social equity and promoting community engagement. With a background in law, he enjoys spending his free time walking his dogs, reading history, and watching the Chicago White Sox.
Mariam Shawish
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Mariam Shawish is an Associate Product Manager at Quorum Analytics, where she works with government and nonprofit clients to track legislation, analyze policy issues, and strengthen advocacy strategies. In this role, she bridges the gap between public sector needs and civic technology by translating complex policy challenges into tools that help organizations engage stakeholders more effectively. Shawish is currently pursuing her Master of Public Policy and Administration at Northwestern University, with a concentration in Data Analytics. She is passionate about using data-driven insights to advance equity in state and local policymaking, with a particular interest in healthcare and child well-being. Originally from Massachusetts, Shawish earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Quinnipiac University, where she was active in campus leadership and inclusion initiatives.
Maria Ullmann
Alumni Liaison
Maria Ullmann currently serves on the Public Engagement Team for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, where she leads efforts to connect with communities across Illinois and promote the Secretary of State’s programs and resources. Previously, she worked on the Community Engagement Team in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration. She also served in the Peace Corps in Panama as a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Volunteer.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. During her time at Northwestern, she served as the President of the Student Leadership Council. She is looking forward to engaging with both students and alumni through the liaison role.
She is also active in civic leadership, serving on several boards, including The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund, where she co-leads the Economic Growth and Innovation group.
Networking Opportunities and Events Calendar
Visit the SPS Grad Programs event calendar to check for upcoming events.
If you are interested in receiving more information, be sure to opt-in to the SLC mailing list by filling out the form here.