Empire State Fellows Program

Applications for the 2027-2029 Empire State Fellows class are now being accepted through June 1, 2026.

The Empire State Fellows Program is designed to attract talented professionals from outside of State government with demonstrated leadership potential who want to refocus their careers on public service. Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic and professional experience, demonstrated leadership potential, and commitment to public service.

To apply: Applicants must apply online

A complete application will include:

1. Professional Resume or CV
2. Personal statement explaining your interest in the Empire State Fellows Program, your demonstrated leadership skills, and why you should be selected (no more than two pages)
3. Two professional references

Resume and personal statement must be uploaded into the online application before submission. All application materials must be received before 11:59 p.m. on June 1, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should possess the following qualifications:

Professionalism:

• Creativity and strong leadership potential
• Excellent analytical and evaluative skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, efficiency and flexibility
• Ability to establish priorities, plan, coordinate and monitor work
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating with a team
• Ability to identify issues, recognize best practices, formulate options and make recommendations

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of full-time professional experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Managerial experience is a plus
• Applicants may come from all professional backgrounds

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master's degree, JD, PhD or equivalent) is desirable, but a candidate with only a Bachelor’s degree may be considered if he/she has substantial professional experience
• Applicants may come from all academic disciplines

Additional requirements:

• Candidates must be eligible to work for New York State without employer sponsorship
• Candidates must be available to work in Albany, New York throughout the two-year program
• Current New York State executive and legislative branch employees are ineligible for the Empire State Fellows Program

What qualities are the Empire State Fellows Program looking for in applicants?

The Empire State Fellows Program is designed to attract talented professionals with demonstrated leadership potential who want to refocus their careers on public service. All qualified applicants who are interested in policy-making roles in New York State government are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to applicants from historically marginalized and traditionally underrepresented groups. Applicants should have an advanced degree and at least five years of professional work experience. An applicant with only a bachelors degree may be considered if they have substantial professional achievements.

Fellows may have a variety of educational and professional experience. For example, a social justice advocate working at a nonprofit organization, a lawyer with experience at a large law firm, and an environmental scientist with experience working on climate policy, could all be strong candidates if they demonstrate superior academic and professional credentials and a strong interest in public service. Of course, applicants who have studied public administration, political science, or public policy would also be competitive. All competitive applicants will demonstrate a strong interest in a career in public policy, substantial accomplishments in a professional environment, and notable academic achievement.

The diversity of applicant qualifications reflects the needs of our state government, which seeks talented leadership for agencies as varied as the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Children and Family Services. Once Fellows are selected, their skills, interests and experiences will inform their assigned role in New York State government.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Empire State Fellows Program?

Individuals who are eligible to work for New York State without employer sponsorship, residing anywhere in the world, are eligible to serve as Empire Fellows, so long as they can work in Albany, New York throughout the two-year Fellowship. Individuals currently employed in the legislative or executive branches of the New York State government are not eligible to apply. Empire State Fellows must have a minimum of five (5) years of full time professional experience. The most competitive applicants will have an advanced university degree (master's degree, JD, PhD or equivalent); however, a Bachelor's degree in combination with other relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Is a candidate’s political affiliation a consideration in selecting Empire State Fellows?

No. Empire State Fellows are selected on a non-partisan basis.

How do I apply for the Empire State Fellows Program?

Applications for the 2027-2029 Empire State Fellows class are now being accepted through June 1, 2026.

To apply: Complete the Application

A complete application will include:

1. Professional Resume or CV
2. Personal statement explaining your interest in the Empire State Fellows Program, your demonstrated leadership skills, and why you should be selected (no more than two pages)
3. Two professional references

Resume and personal statement must be uploaded into the online application before submission. All application materials must be received before 11:59 p.m. on June 1, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who will review applications and select Empire State Fellows?

All applications will be reviewed by the New York State Department of Civil Service. A panel of judges will interview the most promising applicants, and finalists will have a second interview with selected senior executives at the Department of Civil Service.

What is the Empire State Fellows Program schedule and selection timeline?

Applications will be reviewed in June and preliminary interviews will be conducted in July. Finalist interviews will be conducted in August. Candidates selected for placement in the Empire State Fellows program will receive offer letters in September, which will be contingent on the applicant completing a full background check.

Applicants will have one week to confirm their participation in the program and to complete the paperwork required for the background check. Background checks should be completed by the start of the program.

Empire State Fellows will begin work in Albany, New York in January 2027. The first several weeks of work will consist of an intensive orientation seminar, which will introduce Fellows to state government operations and current policy issues. After this orientation, Fellows will resume full-time work in their assigned roles.

Empire State Fellows commit to serving in their roles for the duration of the two-year Fellowship program. Empire State Fellows will participate in the educational program throughout the first year of the Fellowship. Fellows will participate in professional development events throughout the two-year Fellowship.

What is the Empire State Fellows Educational Program?

The educational component of the Empire State Fellows program opens with a week-long session that introduces Fellows to New York State government. Some topics to be covered may include:

• Constitutional and Legal Context of New York State Government
• State Agency Operations and Intergovernmental Relations
• Budget Policy and Budget Process
• State-Local Relationship
• Communications and Press
• Ethics

After completing orientation, Fellows will begin full-time work. Throughout the first year of the Empire State Fellows Program, Fellows will attend semi-monthly seminars on weekday evenings. In between class sessions, Fellows will dedicate between one and two hours per week to academic reading and exercises. The semi-monthly classes cover topics relevant to the policy process and State operations.

How are Empire Fellows assigned to state agencies and can I pick the department or agency to which I am assigned?

Upon reviewing applicant skills and agency needs, the panel of judges will recommend that each fellow be appointed to work closely with a particular policymaker within the New York State executive branch. Final placement decisions will be determined by senior executives at the Department of Civil Service. If the applicant accepts the recommended placement, the applicant will be appointed to serve in that role. Although agency needs will ultimately determine fellow placement, the panel of judges will duly consider each applicant’s preferences, experience, and skills in determining how they could best serve our state.

Are Empire Fellows provided compensation and benefits during the Fellowship?

Yes. Empire State Fellows are full-time, non-competitive, New York State employees. Fellows will receive an annual salary of $90,000, plus a generous benefits package.

Does the Empire State Fellows Program provide housing during the Fellowship?

No. Fellows are responsible for their housing arrangements.

Are applicants required to undergo a security and background investigation?

All accepted Empire State Fellows must submit to a prospective employee background investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the NYS Center for Recruitment and Public Service. All Fellows' appointment and continued employment in the Fellowship is contingent upon this background investigation.

An Empire State Fellow may be subject to a secondary employee background investigation depending on the Fellow’s placement agency. Please note that this is not a requirement of the fellowship itself, but an agency-specific requirement.

Can an Empire Fellow remain in their placement after the Fellowship?

The role of Empire Fellow lasts only two years. However, upon completion of the two-year Fellowship, each Empire State Fellow’s performance will be evaluated with the expectation that successful Fellows will continue to serve in a full-time role within New York State government.

Where can I direct additional questions?

If you have additional questions, please email us at [email protected].

Check back for updates on the next application period.

Carey Gabay Fellowship Program

The Carey Gabay Fellowship is a paid two-year, full-time legal Fellowship program created in honor of Carey Gabay, a former assistant counsel in the Governor's Office who was killed in 2015 by an act of gun violence.

The Carey Gabay Fellow is appointed every two years to work in the Governor’s Counsel’s Office. The selected Fellow works directly with the Counsel to the Governor and their staff on issues such as violence prevention, economic equality, and community development – policy areas that Gabay championed throughout his career.

The Carey Gabay Fellow will earn a competitive salary plus a generous benefits package. The Fellow also participates in an educational program along with participants in the Empire State Fellows program throughout the first year of their Fellowship, including bi-weekly evening classes and other career development sessions.

The successful applicant should be a bar-admitted attorney who, like Gabay, is committed to public service, hails from an economically disadvantaged background, and most importantly, embodies the integrity and kind-heartedness that distinguished Gabay personally.

How to apply:

1. Professional Resume or CV
2. Personal statement not to exceed 750 words explaining your interest in the Carey Gabay Fellowship and how you embody the characteristics Carey portrayed during his career. The statement should also identify the particular issue areas most of interest to you and demonstrate thought to the role of state government in those issues.
3. Three references (name, title and phone number), who can speak to your leadership skills, leadership capabilities and professional preparation for the program.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The selected candidate must submit to a background investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the NYS Center for Recruitment and Public Service. Fellowship appointment is contingent upon this background check.

The application period for the 2026-2028 LGBTQ+ Fellowship is now closed.

The New York State Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Edie Windsor LGBTQ+ Fellowship was established to support the ongoing efforts in the Governor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across New York State government. The fellowship is awarded every two years to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to social justice, a history of championing LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a strong interest in a career in public service.

The Fellow will serve for two years in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and assist the Chief Diversity Officer in achieving New York State’s diversity and inclusion goals, which includes continuing to build the State's leadership as a champion of antidiscrimination and equal access for all. In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and in furtherance of the State’s continued goal to serve as a model employer for New Yorkers of all gender identities and sexual orientations, the Fellow also will work to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion across New York State government and services through drafting policy proposals and providing content expertise, managing statewide initiatives and projects, composing strategic communications, and tracking key legislation.

The fellowship is named in recognition of three New York LGBTQ+ leaders: Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their movement leading work against gender identity discrimination and their advocacy for transgender inclusion within the larger LGBTQ+ movement, and Edie Windsor for her groundbreaking advocacy successfully challenging the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. These LGBTQ+ leaders have—with their courage, tenacity and perseverance—raised awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and made a lasting difference in advancing civil rights for some of the most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Fellow will have the opportunity to network across New York State agencies, build relationships with external partners, and to participate as an Empire State Fellow in educational and professional development programs, including a week-long orientation session and biweekly evening classes. These opportunities will help them serve as an effective government leader and strengthen the network of policymakers working to advance LGBTQ+ equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in New York State.

The Fellow will serve from January 2026 to January 2028 and will earn a salary of $90,000 plus a generous benefits package.

How to Apply:

Applicants must apply online. A complete application requires the following:

1. Professional Resume or CV
2. Personal Statement explaining your interest in the Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera & Edie Windsor LGBTQ+ Fellowship and why you should be selected (no more than two pages)
3. Two references (name, title, and phone number), who can speak to your leadership capabilities and professional preparation for the program.

Resume and personal statement must be uploaded into the online application before submission. All application materials must be received before 11:59 pm on July 31, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

2026-2028 Empire Fellows

Begonia-Zeke Garcia – Office of Employee Relations, Chief Diversity Office

Begonia-Zeke Garcia (they/them/theirs) is placed as the Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (JEDIA) Coordinator for the Office of Employee Relations’ JEDIA Unit. They serve as an advisor, providing support for the implementation of JEDIA strategic planning, programs, services, initiatives, and continuous improvements for the benefit of state employees. Beyond state service, Zeke has a background in implementing DEI interventions and strategies in behavioral health non-profit settings. Some of their experiences included supporting in the establishment of suicide prevention programming and providing social work services in case management for transgender and gender non-conforming youth in Buffalo, NY in partnership with diverse stakeholders. Zeke also helped establish an educational and supportive network for behavioral health professionals interested in topics affecting transgender youth titled the TRUTH (Therapist Roundtable for Understanding Transgender Health) Network which continues its work today. Zeke holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in English/Creative Writing from SUNY Geneseo.

Fernando Gomez – Department of Health, Office of the Commissioner

Fernando T. Gomez, LMSW, C-SWHC is placed at the New York State Department of Health, where he aims to collaborate on department-wide initiatives advancing health equity and improving health outcomes for all New Yorkers. Fernando brings more than a decade of experience across healthcare, behavioral health, and community-based services. He is a licensed social worker and certified Social Worker in Health Care with specialized training in child and family therapy and crisis counseling. His professional background includes clinical practice with children and families, supervision of hospital-based social work teams, and leadership in program development serving medically complex, aging, and underserved populations. Throughout his career, Fernando has focused on patient- and family-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating frontline clinical insight into effective systems-level solutions. He holds a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University and post-master’s certificates from New York University.

Pascal Hannou – Department of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner’s Office

Pascal Hannou (he/him) is placed at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the Commissioner’s Office. A Queens native, Pascal brings experience leading large-scale sustainability and waste management operations in government, guided by a belief that resilient public systems must be both sustainable and equitable. Prior to the fellowship, he served as Operations Lead for Schools at the New York City Department of Sanitation, where he led citywide recycling and composting programs across more than 1,800 public and private schools, supported innovative containerization pilots, and coordinated cross-agency initiatives to advance climate resilience and infrastructure, urban sanitation, and environmental health for diverse communities across New York City. His work focuses on improving how public systems serve communities that have historically been underinvested, ensuring that environmental policy and infrastructure initiatives deliver measurable, on-the-ground results through strong program management and cross-sector coordination. He has previously participated in civic leadership and advisory roles, including service on Manhattan Community Board 11 and New York City’s participatory budgeting process through the Civic Engagement Commission. Pascal holds a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from CUNY Queens College.

Yarelis Leonardo – Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Youth Justice

Yarelis Leonardo is placed at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Youth Justice. She is a dedicated criminal justice professional with over ten years of experience working across the juvenile justice system, with a career rooted in advocacy, equity, and system transformation. Yarelis has worked in some of New York City’s most complex and high-need environments, including Rikers Island, Horizon Juvenile Center, the New York City Courts, and mission-driven nonprofit organizations committed to youth justice and reentry. Prior to joining the Empire State Fellowship, Yarelis served as Reentry Manager at Getting Out, Staying Out (GOSO), where she worked closely with incarcerated youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 at Rikers Island. In this role, she provided individualized, wraparound support to help young people successfully transition back into their communities while navigating the systemic complexities of reentry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she also earned an Advanced Certificate in Race and Crime. Through her fellowship, she brings both expertise and empathy to advancing policies and practices that promote meaningful, sustainable outcomes for young people across New York State.

Mari Kate Mycek – Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Services

Dr. Mari Kate Mycek (she/hers) serves as an Empire State Fellow in the NYS Office of Children and Family Services in the Department of Child Care Services. Across her career in community development, she has led evaluations, developed technical assistance programs, and translated complex findings into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders. She has partnered with government agencies, community organizations, researchers, and private-sector leaders to manage complex initiatives and support collaborative planning. She brings a career-long focus on helping organizations and individuals embed equity into program design, partnerships, and decision-making to create lasting positive social change. Mari Kate holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Sociology from North Carolina State University and a B.S. from SUNY Purchase.

MJ Okma (Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera & Edie Windsor Fellow) – Executive Chamber, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

MJ Okma (he/him/his) is the Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera & Edie Windsor Fellow, placed in the Executive Chamber with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, focused on LGBTQ+ policy and furthering New York State's diversity and inclusion efforts. MJ is an advocacy and public affairs strategist with over a decade of experience, including work at national LGBTQIA+ organizations and New York-based human services organizations such as SAGE, GLAAD, and the Human Services Council of New York. Before entering state service, MJ ran a consulting firm that helped small community-rooted nonprofits become more involved in New York City and State advocacy by developing and implementing strategic budget and legislative campaigns. In 2023, MJ was awarded the New York State Department of Health Commissioner's Special Recognition Award for LGBTQ+ Health in recognition of his work building a diverse coalition of stakeholders, who successfully advocated for the passage of New York's LGBTQ+ and HIV Long-Term Care Bill of Rights. MJ holds a BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stony Brook University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Southern California with a focus on the needs of transgender elders and older adults living with HIV.

Justine Porter – Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal

A Hudson Valley native, Justine Porter is placed with New York State's Office of Community Renewal. She brings 15+ years of experience in community wealth building, organizational change management, and facilitation. Prior to joining the fellowship, Justine directed programs at The Democracy Collaborative in Washington DC, where she supported research, strategy, and technical assistance for inclusive economic development initiatives across the US. During the pandemic, she co-founded Found & Fixed, a worker-owned cooperative based in the Hudson Valley. Earlier in her career, Justine worked for social enterprises around the world. Justine holds an MBA in Sustainability from Bard College and BAs in international relations and French literature from SUNY Geneseo. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors by hiking, climbing, and spending time with her family.

Missi Wooldridge - Department of Health, Office of the Commissioner

Missi Wooldridge, MPH (she/her), is a public health practitioner, nightlife harm reduction pioneer, and drug policy and education thought leader with nearly 20 years of experience advancing community health and health equity. She brings her vast experience to her placement in the Commissioner’s Office at the New York State Department of Health. She is a mentor with the New York State Public Health Corps and Adjunct Professor of Public Health and Subject Matter Expert (SME) at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where she helped develop and teaches the core curriculum for the online Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) program. Missi also serves as Co‑Founder of the Center for Psychedelic Public Health and Associate Executive Director and Interim Chief Operating Officer at Brooklyn Psychedelic Society. Missi has previously served as an appointed Commissioner on the Denver Drug Strategy Commission, contributor to the Los Angeles County Electronic Music Task Force, and Executive Director of DanceSafe–a leading nonprofit best known for peer-based, honest drug education and for introducing the Dutch model of drug checking to North America as a harm reduction strategy, while establishing the only publicly accessible drug checking lab in 1998. She co-authored seminal research linking drug checking and behavioral intention published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Missi is currently a DrPH student in Implementation & Evaluation Science at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health and a Co‑Investigator on Emory University’s Post‑Psychedelics Challenges Study. She holds an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences & Community Health, BS in Community Health with a minor in Sexual Health, Leadership Certificate for Nonprofit Chief Executives, and completed a Certificate Program in Corporate Social Responsibility.

Angela Wright – Office of Mental Health, Executive Office/Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Center (BHCTAC)

Angela Wright serves in the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Division of Crisis Services. She brings more than a decade of experience advancing behavioral health policy, strengthening cross-systems collaboration, and supporting state, Tribal, territorial, and local communities in improving outcomes for individuals and families experiencing behavioral health challenges. Before joining OMH, Angela spent over eleven years at Policy Research Associates, Inc., where she served as a Senior Project Associate for the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center. In this role, she managed complex federal contract operations and developed innovative initiatives, including a national suicide prevention effort focused on American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. She also played a key leadership role in launching and sustaining the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, supporting implementation across all 50 states and five U.S. territories. Angela’s expertise spans suicide prevention, crisis response systems, military and veteran behavioral health, adult learning, strategic planning, and the development of evidence-informed tools and technical assistance products. Angela holds a Juris Doctor with a concentration in Health Law from Saint Louis University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She is also a U.S. Air Force veteran. In her fellowship role at OMH, Angela is committed to strengthening New York State’s crisis response continuum, advancing equitable and person-centered policy, and supporting initiatives that promote safety, connection, and hope for individuals and families across the state.

2024-2026 Empire Fellows

Andy Blancero

Andy Blancero (he/him) is a Staten Islander first and foremost. His placement is in the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, where he gets to work toward the goals of assessing and addressing climate risk at parks throughout New York State. Andy’s varied work and volunteer history has throughlines of nature-based solutions and community development, having both office and field experience across diverse disciplines such as urban planning, solid waste management, restoration ecology, green stormwater infrastructure, and nonprofit development. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and has completed significant coursework at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, with a focus on environmental planning.

Heather Burgess

Heather Burgess (she/her) is placed at the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Working under the Bureau of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Programming, Heather utilizes policy, research, and program development skills to advance culturally responsive services within the gender-based violence response system. Before the Fellowship, Heather worked at the NYC Board of Correction monitoring the NYC Department of Correction’s adherence to PREA Standards. She was also the BOC representative on the NYC TGNCNBI Task Force, a collaborative group that works to improve the treatment and housing of transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex people in custody through policy and practice development. Heather holds BAs in Sociology and Criminology & Law from the University of Florida and an MSW from the University of Pittsburgh.

Omar Cyrille

Omar Cyrille (he/him) is placed in the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)within the Office of Youth Justice. He shares an expertise in Restorative Justice practices. Prior to becoming an Empire Fellow, Omar was a Men of Color Victim Services Advocate in the New York County District Attorney’s Office starting in 2021. Omar was tasked with serving victims and witnesses of crime while implementing a public safety model. He developed a keen understanding of how violence can impede the progress of an entire community by utilizing restorative justice processes such as circles, and dialogues between victims, offenders, and community members. He is a co-founder of the Brotherhood program, formed while in high school, which seeks to encourage, support, and develop young men with a determination of success in both academia and society. His work at the Center for Justice Innovation as an Engagement Specialist resulted in the publishing of an implementation guide, Restorative Justice In Schools: A Whole-School Implementation Process. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Medgar Evers College.

Maribel Espinosa-Hernandez

Maribel Espinosa-Hernandez (she/her) is placed at The Department of Labor, Office of Division of Employment and Workforce Solutions. She brings a wealth of professional experience that includes higher education leadership and community engagement. Throughout her career, Maribel has worked with low-income, undocumented, and marginalized populations, including those affected by mental health issues, substance use disorders, and victims of crime. She has played a pivotal role in coordinating trainings on immigration fraud, labor trafficking, and wage theft. Her participation in the Wage Theft Task Force, a collaboration of several city, state and federal agencies, highlights her commitment to protecting workers’ rights. As an Empire State Fellow, Maribel is dedicated to leveraging her extensive experience to support the Department of Labor’s initiatives, with a continued focus on inclusivity within underserved communities.

Andrea Fairbank Biffle

Andrea Fairbank Biffle (she/her/hers) is placed at the Office of Children and Family Services. As an Empire State Fellow she supports programs related to youth with high acuity/complex needs and their family systems. Andrea has a history of providing evidence based mental health services, to both children and families, that has spanned over 30 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has been both a former foster parent and family advocate. Her areas of clinical specialization include services to pre-school aged children, youth in foster care, and the effects of trauma/loss on the individual. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of North Carolina and a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Pardeep Singh

Pardeep Singh is placed within the Executive Chamber supporting AI and Emerging Technology Policy. A Brooklyn-native and research scientist by training, Pardeep brings a diverse set of experiences from scientific, legislative and diplomatic environments. Prior to joining the Empire Fellows Program, Pardeep was a Science and Innovation Officer within the British Consulate in Los Angeles where he led the deliverance of US/UK science policy interests in the southwest US through facilitating high-level coordination of matrixed stakeholders related to Engineering Biology, Quantum, AI, Semiconductors and Energy Transition. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020, Pardeep and a small team of scientists opened a COVID-19 testing lab in Brooklyn and secured enough testing probes to test 25,000 people for free. This experience led to his recruitment into the New York State Senate with the Chair of the Health committee, Gustavo Rivera. Having attended Binghamton University and City University of New York, Pardeep started his research career studying risk factors of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in both academic and industry environments. Having visited multiple innovation hubs across the US and the world. Pardeep is keen on nurturing New York’s emerging technology ecosystem at the state, federal and NGO levels during often rapidly changing and uncertain global affairs.

Samantha K. Slusher

Samantha K. Slusher (she/her/hers), a Long Island native, serves in the Office of Customer Experience within the Executive Chamber. In this role, she is dedicated to refining and enhancing services to better meet the needs of all New Yorkers. Prior to entering state service, Samantha served as the Director of the Equity in Infrastructure Project, where she engaged with efforts to promote economic opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses and communities. With a background in public affairs and communications, Samantha brings a wealth of expertise to her current position. Her career is distinguished by her advocacy with a diverse range of organizations, including non-profits, labor unions, employee associations, and private entities. Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Art History from the College of William & Mary and a Master’s degree in History and Literature from Columbia University.

Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus

Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus (she/her/hers) is placed at the New York State Education Department in the office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR). Ryane was previously a Professor of Political Science at the College of Saint Rose, where she taught courses in American Politics. She has presented her research, which examines how schools of choice impact racial integration in public education, at regional and national conferences and published in several peer-reviewed journals. Her book about Albany charter schools, Divided By Choice: How Charter Schools Diminish Democracy, will be published by NYU Press in 2025. Ryane has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Social Science and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. Ryane’s goal as an Empire Fellow is to apply her broad academic knowledge about public policy to better understand and improve policy development in New York State.