Brodi Fontenot, Class of 1999

Q: What was the path you took to get to where you are now?

A: Out of the MPA program, I came to Washington to work at the GAO.  I had a great 5 years there and applied everything I learned in the program including data analysis, public speaking, and writing.  From there I had the privilege of working on budget issues in the US Senate, at the US Department of Transportation and Treasury on high level issues helping to manage large departments of tens of thousands of people.   I am now a consultant and teach at American University.  The path I took in short was not direct, but I did always want to serve and hope to continue to do that in the future.   

Q: Have you pursued any other certifications since your MPA?

A: I am a National Association of Public Administration fellow, a Strategic Advisor to Government Executives (SAGE) with the Partnership for Public Service, and a senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute.   

Q: Is the field you are working in now relevant to your MPA degree?

A: Yes, I currently teach government executives about leadership at American University. In my consulting work, I have led large nonprofit projects, advised companies how to make their products more applicable to the public sector, and written on topics of public policy. 

Q: How did the MPA program specifically prepare you for future work experiences or inform what you do now?

A: The MPA program’s multi-disciplinary approach to public sector management was the best training I could have hoped.  Not only did I have the analysis background to support decision-makers, I also used the writing and public speaking skills central to the MPA program to clearly communicate the results and implications of the proposed course of action in an understandable way.  The MPA program made me ready day one and I still use lessons from the program more than 20 years later. 

Q: Have you been able to fulfill goals formulated while in the MPA program? If so, how?

A: Great question.  I came to the program to understand how to make public organizations run better to serve citizens in the most effective way.  I have had multiple opportunities to do that, and I hope I have many more.