Maxwell School News

In his new role, Kurian Thomas ’11 E.M.P.A. is responsible for overseeing more than 60 spirituality projects covering topics including education, health and well-being, and democracy.

Justin Wein ‘04 B.A. (PSc) will oversee Price’s congressional office; hire, train and supervise the congressman’s staff; and advise the congressman on political matters.

Michael Singer ‘86 M.A. (IR) has been named executive chairman of the board at BrainScope, a company developing assessment devices for brain-related injuries that can be used remotely. Singer was previously the CEO of BrainScope, a position he has held since the company was founded more than a decade ago.

Junko Takeda, an associate professor of history at Maxwell who focuses on European and global histories, has been named the inaugural Daicoff Faculty Scholar. The five-year appointment recognizes Takeda’s contributions as a teacher and mentor, productive researcher, and engaged citizen and leader at the school.

As the new chief privacy officer, Charles Cutshall ‘07 B.A. (IR)/’09 M.P.A. provides policy and program oversight for privacy compliance and is responsible for managing risks associated with personally identifiable information.

Scott Mitnick ‘89 M.P.A. now manages a staff of more than 240 employees as well as the city’s approximately $115-million budget.

Laura Hand '71 B.A. (PSc) has been a beloved member of the CNYCentral team for more than 40 years and is well-known throughout Central New York for her contributions.

“The faculty promoted are nationally recognized scholars, outstanding teachers, and engaged in making their work accessible to broader audiences in an effort to shape future research, and dialogue and practice,” said David M. Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School.

The prestigious distinction—a four-year, renewable appointment—is granted to faculty who excel in their fields and who have made extraordinary scholarly contributions as judged by their peers nationally and internationally. “Professor Harrington Meyer’s work is focused on some of the most persistent, difficult and relevant issues facing our society. Her research and teaching challenge us to think through and find solutions that better our communities,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly. 

As city clerk, Huma Ahmed '16 E.M.P.A./CAS (Conflict Resolution) will be the community face of the city, working with the city manager and translating the professional language of the city to the people.

Dan Gerlach ’90 M.P.A. is a former senior advisor for fiscal affairs in the North Carolina governor’s office, and former director of the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center.

The Center for Naval Analyses, a nonprofit research organization that applies operations research and analysis to a broad range of national security issues, has promoted Jessica Scott Wolfanger ’01 B.A. (PSt/PSc) to senior research scientist.

Flannery ’00 B.A. (IR) was named the new chief financial officer of the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. In her new role, she oversees the accounting of all funds, totaling $2.6 billion, and directs day-to-day financial operations for the city.

Zac Champ ’10 J.D./M.P.A. was named chief of staff for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. The Bureau develops and implements the FCC’s consumer policies and serves as the agency’s connection to the American consumer.

Sean Callahan ’98 J.D./M.P.A. has been promoted to deputy mission director for the Pacific and Mongolia at USAID. He previously served as deputy assistant administrator for program operations in USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.

Laurence H. Mass ’87 B.A. (Econ/PSt) has joined Dye Creek Capital as a partner. In this new role, he will focus on investments, borrowing and liability management, risk management and trust, estate and fiduciary services.