Policy People

Public Service in Chicago with Emily Metz | S2E8

In this episode of The Policy People, we are joined by Emily Metz (Class of 2010), a lifelong Chicagoan who has dedicated her professional life to fighting inequity and reimagining public education and policy. While she spent years embedded in education, she recently transitioned into broad systems change and philanthropy at the Michael Reese Health Trust. We cover everything from how having two college-educated parents contrasted with the stark socioeconomic realities of her extended family, to how an undergraduate English major found her way to Harris, and the profound questions she uses to guide her career. In this episode, you will hear:  • The Roots of Mobility: How seeing the direct link between educational attainment and life outcomes among her aunts and uncles—ranging from entering the top 1% to experiencing chronic homelessness—fueled her drive to improve foundational stability for all Chicagoans. • The Path to Harris: Why she chose to apply exclusively to the University of Chicago, realizing during a Ralph Nader-founded public interest fellowship that a graduate degree was the key to unlocking a civic career in her hometown. • Navigating the Civic Ecosystem: Emily's journey through different levels of public service, exploring why national government contracts felt disconnected, the chaotic but direct impact of working inside a school district, and how flexible philanthropic funding supercharges local research. • The Missing Metric in Policy: Why rigorous quantitative data and econometric models aren't enough, and why understanding history, coalition building, and "messy human dynamics" is crucial for enacting real-world change. • Sacrifice vs. Suffering: Honest advice for new graduates on how to protect their well-being in social justice work, and how to know if a tough job is a worthwhile slog or just a path to burnout. This episode is a masterclass for anyone interested in local government, educational equity, or the realities of translating academic evidence into tangible community impact.

AI, Strategy, and Growth Marketing with Alejandro Cuauhtemoc-Mejia | S2E7

In this episode of The Policy People, joining the conversation is Alejandro Cuauhtemoc-Mejia, a Silicon Valley co-founder and strategist with a career path as unique as his name. Alejandro shares his journey from working at Televisa Univision to leading strategy for Didi, and eventually co-founding the Silicon Valley Certification Hub. In this episode, you will hear: • The Strategist’s Bridge: Why strategy is the essential link between where you are and your ultimate goal. • Growth Marketing Decoded: How data-driven digital acquisition differs from traditional marketing and why public policy graduates are uniquely suited for it. • The AI Shift: Alejandro’s perspective on "structural unemployment" and why he believes AI will build more jobs than it destroys. • The "In-Between" Advice: Practical tips for new graduates navigating a tough job market, including how to build an online presence and maintain mental resilience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to reshape their perception of what a Harris MPP degree represents and discover how to translate hard policy skills into the fast-paced tech ecosystem.

S2E6: Amber's Academy

Amber Mercier, class of 2010, has dedicated her career to supporting students on their exchange education journey. She strongly believes in the power of education,especially one that is globally diverse. In this episode with dive deeper into what she has done with IES and other volunteer activities for the betterment of youth and children and why she does it.

S2E5: Not a mistake, but an experience

Sarah Guminski, class of 2017, is currently head of startup experience at 1871, a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs. She comes from a heavy research background, thinking she would do a Ph.D only to later change her perspective and goal completely. Our conversation with her has one big takeaway: you never make mistakes in your 20s; you gain experiences and whatever you choose was the best thing you could have done at that very moment!

S2E4: The flip side

Jihan Varisco (Class of ‘14) has built something truly impactful during his time at Harris. Through The Flip Side [https://www.theflipside.io/], he is pursuing his mission of bridging the gap between liberals and conservatives. With more than 20,000 subscribers, the platform has grown into a space for uncovering perspectives beyond what mainstream media often presents. This special episode follows the assassination of Charlie Kirk (1993–2025), a man who dedicated his life to spreading his ideas and practicing freedom of speech.In memory of Charlie—and with the hope of restoring tolerance toward differing ideologies.