Staff

Setti D. Warren is Director of the Institute of Politics and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to this role, he served as executive director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. He previously served as mayor of Newton...

Zoe joined the Institute of Politics in March 2023. Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Westminster College and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Chatham University. Prior to working at...

Dan Balz is chief correspondent at The Washington Post. He joined The Post in 1978 and has been involved in political coverage as a reporter or editor throughout his career. Before coming to The Post, he worked at National Journal magazine as a reporter and an editor and at the...

Tessa joined the Institute of Politics in January 2024 and currently oversees digital communications at the IOP including its website, newsletters, and social media channels. Previously she spent five years at Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, where she was the Digital...

Kerri Collins first joined the Institute of Politics as a receptionist and staff assistant in October 1999, coming to the IOP at the Harvard Kennedy School with over ten years of experience in hospitality management with Interstate Hotel properties. 

As finance and administrative...

John Della Volpe is the Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics, where he has led research initiatives on American youth since 2000. His work focuses on understanding the attitudes, values, and behaviors of young Americans and their impact on...

Nora Doherty is a Program Manager at the IOP where she helps to bring thoughtful conversations and meaningful programs to students and the Harvard community. Prior to joining the team at the IOP, she spent nearly a decade shaping events and strategy at the local and federal...

Aaron joined the IOP in March of 2023, following five years working in communications and student engagement at Harvard College. In this role, he also worked with undergraduate students as a first-year advisor, and faculty advisor for Harvard Yearbook Publications. Previously, he...

Sarah Gordon joined the Institute of Politics in September 2025. Prior to coming to the IOP, she held roles as the Associate Director of Administration in the Harvard College Dean of Students Office and Director of Finance and Administration at Harvard's Asia-Related Research...

Erica joined the Institute of Politics in September 2025 and serves as the Director of Internships and Career Services. She provides advising to students around all aspects of careers in public service and ensures resources and opportunities are available to students via several...

Dejanee Miller joined the Institute of Politics in June 2022. Originally from Boston, Dejanee graduated from St. John’s University in May 2022 with a degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining Harvard Kennedy School, Dejanee interned with the New York Civil Liberties Union and...

Brigid joined the IOP in August of 2023. Previously she spent nine years at Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, where she was the Director of Communications and Outreach.  Prior to coming to Harvard, she was the Massachusetts Press Secretary for Senator John Kerry. Before...

Cathey Park is the Director of Student Programs. She oversees the 17 programs and works closely with the student advisory committee executive leadership team. Cathey works collaboratively with students on a wide variety of projects and initiatives. Prior to her current role she...

Betsy Pearlman joined the Institute of Politics in March 2024. Betsy comes to the IOP with over 7 years of Harvard experience, most recently supporting the Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the Harvard Alumni Association. Betsy also has 11 years of experience in...

Kimberly Peeples is Executive Director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to this role, she served as Senior Director of Administration and Finance, overseeing all financial management of the organization and supporting its strategic mission. Her...

Nikki joined the Institute of Politics in July 2025. Before coming to the IOP, Nikki spent four years as a writer on the communications team at Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She previously worked as a journalist covering social justice, politics, and breaking news at...

Taylor is Director of Fellows and Study Groups at the Institute of Politics. Prior to this role, she spent seven years as a program director in Executive Education at HKS, where she ran a diverse portfolio of programs, including the flagship Senior Executives in State & Local...