Career Pathways in Political Science Event

Maxwell Bernstein, Communications manager at Defi Education Fund

Max Bernstien serves as the DeFi Education Fund’s (DEF) communications manager and is responsible for the development and execution of all aspects of DeFi’s integrated communications strategy. Prior to joining the Fund, Max spent five years as an in-house communications consultant, serving clients in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Max has experience working with companies in finance and fintech, healthcare, and automotives, advising clients on issues such as pending legislation, DOJ investigations, and mergers and acquisitions. Max holds a B.A. in PPEL from the University of Richmond (‘17).

Emily Churchill, Senior Researcher at ORB International

Emily Churchill is a 2019 graduate of the University of Richmond who studied International Studies (now Global Studies), Spanish, and Women’s Studies. Emily’s research interests are focused on Latin America, public health, and conflict resolution. She currently works as a Senior Researcher at ORB International in Charlottesville, VA, a research agency that specializes in hard to reach populations, complex environments, and conflict affected areas in over 115 countries. She has been at ORB International for over a year

Kyungsun Lee, Program Manager, Guaranteed Income at Economic Security Project

Kyungsun Lee is a 2016 University of Richmond Political Science and Social Entrepreneurship alum. She recently obtained her Master of Social Work, Social and Economic development, and Policy Specialization from the Washington University of St. Louis. She currently works as Program Manager for Guaranteed Income at the Economic Security Project in St. Louis, Missouri. Her areas of interest include developing policies, ideas, and campaigns that promote equity, justice, and liberation.

Anna Lowenthal, Chief of Staff of the Office of Communications for the U.S. Surgeon General

Anna Lowenthal is a graduate from the class of 2019 who majored in Rhetoric and Communication Studies and Political Science. She has experience in political communications, speechwriting, operations, and engagement in the private and public sector. She worked as a press intern and fellow in the US House of Representatives and currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Communications in the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States under the Department of Health and Human Services.

Carter Quinley, International Affairs Specialist at U.S. Department of Labor

A 2011 graduate, Carter Quinley has over 10 years experience with the anti-human trafficking movement, having worked with non-governmental, governmental, and multilateral organizations across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe to address child and forced labor. Carter helped to develop the Freedom Collaborative, an online platform bringing together stakeholders from around the world to end human trafficking. She also served as Strategic Partnerships Director at a non-profit organization in Thailand providing access to justice for survivors of trafficking and child sexual exploitation. She is a part-time faculty member at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and serves on the board of The Freedom Story, an organization preventing human trafficking through education. She holds a Master of International Policy and Practice from George Washington University.

Ryan Rinn, Economic Development Businesses Services Manager at City of Richmond

Ryan Rinn graduated in 2004 from the University of Richmond where he studied Rhetoric and Communication Studies alongside Political Science. In 2012 he got his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has over ten years of experience in urban planning and community development and now works for the City of Richmond as the Economic Development Business Services Manager under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.

Robert Ryan Jr., Consultant at Rock Health

Robert Ryan Jr. is a University of Richmond graduate from the class of 2019 who studied Political Science and Economics. His interests are healthcare innovation, digital health, and hospital strategy. Rock Health Advisory’s mission is to encourage companies to adopt cutting-edge digital technologies in health. As a consultant for Rock Health, Robert helps industry leaders build and scale up innovations that make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and equitable. He also has experience leading market research and customer engagements in medical and commercial strategy as well as hospital strategic planning.

Dr. Rachel Wildfeuer, Research Analyst at Center for Policy Research

Rachel Wildfeuer is a 2010 University of Richmond graduate who majored in Political Science and Sociology. She obtained her Doctor of Sociology at Temple University in 2022. At Temple, she worked on a FRPN-funded study on maltreatment attributed to fathers in the child welfare system as well as on a variety of other quantitative and qualitative projects related to father engagement, child maltreatment, family risk and protective factors, and child health disparities. Rachel has co-authored journal articles, reports, and presented both at academic conferences and in applied research settings. She joined theCenter for Policy Research as a Research Analyst in 2022.

Kevin Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Farmer’s Pride International

Kevin Wilson is a UR Political Science alum from the class of 2013. He is an experienced Executive Director in the non-profit organization management industry, focused on Innovation Development, International Relations, Social Entrepreneurship, Microfinance, and Community Organizing. In 2017, he obtained his Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Relations from American University. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Farmers Pride International, a division of Global Peace Let's Talk (GPLT), an international NGO promoting peacebuilding through agricultural activities and microfinancing.