Fall 2026 Fellows

For nearly 60 years, the Institute of Politics Resident Fellows Program has provided Harvard students with the opportunity to learn from prominent public servants, engage in civil discourse, and acquire a more holistic and pragmatic view of our political world.

This semester's cohort brings experience spanning diplomacy, national security, elected office, public policy, and political journalism. The IOP’s Fall 2026 Resident Fellows cohort includes: Kelly Craft, Doug Ducey, Chris Lu, Alejandro Mayorkas, Nathalie Rayes, and Chris Whipple.

The Visiting Fellows Program brings distinguished veterans of public life for a short yet comprehensive stay at the Institute of Politics. Each fellowship is individually tailored to the background of the visiting fellow, as well as his or her calendar availability. The IOP Fall 2026 Visiting Fellow is former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Click on each fellow below to see more information.

Resident Fellows

Ambassador Kelly Craft

Study Group: Diplomacy and War in the Age of Trump
Tuesdays, 4:00pm, L-166
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Craft served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2019 until 2021. While leading the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, she oversaw the implementation of the Abraham...

Governor Doug Ducey

Study Group: Leading and Governing
Wednesdays, 4:30pm, L-163
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Ducey was elected the 23rd Governor of Arizona in 2014 and was reelected for a second term in 2018. Before becoming governor, he served as Arizona State Treasurer from 2011 to 2015. Earlier in his...

Ambassador Chris Lu

Study Group: In the Room Where It Happens: Public Leadership in Practice
Thursdays, 4:00pm, L-166
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Chris Lu is a public servant and diplomat whose career has spanned the White House, United Nations, Congress, and a Cabinet department. Twice confirmed by the U...

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Study Group: Homeland Security: Policy, Governance, and Leadership in Some of the Momentous Issues of Our Time
Thursdays, 4:30pm
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Alejandro N. Mayorkas most recently served as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. In that position, he led 260,000 employees...

Ambassador Nathalie Rayes

Study Group: Democracy in Practice: Leadership, Diplomacy, and the Responsibilities of Public Service
Wednesdays, 4:00pm
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Nathalie Rayes is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia. As ambassador, she strengthened the bilateral relationship...

Chris Whipple

Study Group: All The President's Men and Women: The White House Chief of Staff, CIA Director, & Presidential Campaign Manager
Tuesdays, 4:30pm
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Chris Whipple is an author, political analyst, and documentary filmmaker. As a Contributing Writer for Vanity Fair...

Secretary Gina Raimondo

Gina M. Raimondo is the Co-Chair and CEO of RAISE US, a national, nonpartisan organization partnering with states, employers, training partners, and workers to help Americans make a successful transition to an AI economy.

Previously, she served as the 40th U.S. Secretary of...