2021
ANNUAL REPORT
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN At Georgetown University, we believe any organization can leverage its strengths to make a positive impact on the world. Our strength is education, and through initiatives like the Pivot Program, we know it can be harnessed as a force for good. At the McDonough School of Business, we are proud to have partnered with the D.C. Department of Employment Services, as well as the Georgetown Prisons and Justice Initiative, to develop a program that creates a difference in our community. Our Pivot Program turns barriers into opportunities and despair into hope for individuals transitioning to life outside of prison. To date, 41 returning citizens have completed our rigorous certificate program and started anew with the support of a group of faculty, advisors, and mentors by their side. When we started the Pivot Program just three years ago, we embarked on a journey to both help individuals meet their potential, as well as to bring about awareness and change in the business community around second-chance hiring. We have accomplished so much, but we still have a long path ahead of us. Thank you to all of the organizations that have provided internships, employment, or other support to our Fellows, accelerating our impact. We are grateful for all who have walked alongside us on this journey and look forward to welcoming additional organizations to our Pivot family. Sincerely,
PAUL ALMEIDA Dean and William R. Berkley Chair
Professor of Strategy
TABLE of CONTENTS
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Program Overview and Mission
4 A Message From the Pivot Program’s Executive Directors
5 Pivot by the Numbers
6 Pivot Alumnus Tyrone Walker Returns to Georgetown
7 Meet the 2021 Pivot Fellows
9 Annual Pivot Pitch Competition
10 Alumna Wins at Bark Tank Competition 11 Pivot Alumni Spotlight: Antonio Arnett 12 Speaker Sessions
13 Pivot Alumni Spotlight: Lakina Edwards 14 Congratulations, Graduates! 16 Creating Second Chances 17 2021 Intern Hosts
18 Meet the Pivot Team
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND MISSION Across the United States, more than 7 million Americans are currently under some form of correctional control – including incarceration, parole, and probation – and one in three adults has a criminal record. In the District of Columbia alone, as many as 5,000 individuals are released from prison or jail every year, and less than half of them find sustainable employment. A lack of quality work opportunities is a great obstacle to reintegration, perpetuating a cycle of crime and incarceration, with devastating effects on families, communities, and the broader economy. The Pivot Program is an entrepreneurship-oriented reentry program that combines classroom training with internships at local businesses and nonprofits. It is designed to change the attitude of employers toward hiring individuals with prior criminal convictions and to provide returning citizens access to opportunities that would be otherwise out of reach. The program seeks to recognize and develop the untapped talents and human potential of the members of our community who have made mistakes in the past and are now committed to becoming leaders and role models for others. Our approach is based on the premise that a combination of higher education and employment – together with the social, emotional, and intellectual development that
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takes place in a university environment – will prepare returning citizens for positions as both entrepreneurial leaders and productive employees.
I GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PIVOT PROGRAM: ANNUAL REPORT
EMPOWERING STUDENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM Pivot aims to create an environment in which our Fellows thrive in challenging academic situations and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Our curriculum comprises a combination of liberal arts, critical thinking, business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, and professional and life skills, including technology training. There also is a heavy emphasis on written and verbal communication, and we coach students on the ability to present their personal narrative in a credible, concise, and compelling way. Fellows complete this full-time coursework between October and March each year. Throughout the program, participants also develop their own business ideas under the guidance of experienced mentors. Whether or not they ultimately choose to own and operate their own business, we believe the entrepreneurial skill set will create a greater sense of agency and empowerment, resulting in a more positive career trajectory.
From March through June, all Fellows are required to complete an internship, and the program makes use of Georgetown’s expansive network of business leaders to pair students with opportunities. This kind of network access sets an example for employers, creating more opportunities for the Fellows to be considered as permanent hires either after their internships or with other companies. Fellows officially graduate from the Pivot Program at the conclusion of their internships. However, those who have not yet secured permanent employment can opt into a two-month transition period where they continue to receive support from Pivot staff with their job search. Any Fellows who wish to focus on launching a venture, either in addition to or instead of seeking employment, are introduced to business coaches and also can apply for seed grants as part of Pivot’s venture incubation initiative.
THANK YOU PIVOT PARTNERS The Pivot Program is made possible through the support of our institutional sponsors and private donors.
THANKS TO:
D.C. Department of Employment Services
AEA Investors
A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PIVOT PROGRAM’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS People shouldn’t be defined by their biggest mistakes. In the Georgetown Pivot Program, we help returning citizens write their own stories, and not let their past actions dictate what their futures hold. Our Pivot Fellows receive a Georgetown education in business and the liberal arts, as well as training in the skills they need to succeed professionally. We also match them with local organizations for handson internships. When they graduate, they leave with much more than a certificate from Georgetown — they have the opportunities, confidence, and network to ensure they can chart a new path for themselves, their families, and their communities. We aim to reduce the barriers to success that contribute to high rates of recidivism. We believe that with each Fellow we bring into our program, we can have an impact on the D.C. community. We also know that we can bring about change on a much larger scale if we work together with the broader business community. We are excited to have joined the Second Chance Business Coalition this year and look forward to the difference we can make when we normalize second-chance hiring and reduce barriers to success. As we enter into our fourth year, we are proud of the tremendous successes of our graduates and look forward to seeing how their stories unfold. Sincerely,
PIETRA RIVOLI Co-Executive Director, Pivot Program
MARC HOWARD Co-Executive Director, Pivot Program
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I GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PIVOT PROGRAM: ANNUAL REPORT
PIVOT by the NUMBERS CLASS OF 2021
CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF GRADUATES:
10
11
Pivot Fellows
19
Courses
8
Guest Speaker Seassions
60% MALE
41
112
Class Hours
Internship Hosts
40% FEMALE
60%
30%
10%
of Fellows are employed full-time
are primarily focused on launching businesses
are continuing their education
LASTING IMPACT
In a survey of the second cohort of Pivot Fellows one year after their graduation…
100%
said the program helped them advance their career goals
83%
said they would be “very likely” to recommend Pivot to others
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PIVOT ALUMNUS TYRONE WALKER RETURNS TO GEORGETOWN Tyrone Walker, a graduate of the Pivot Program, joined the Georgetown Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI) as reentry coordinator in May 2021. In his new role, he provides direct support to returning citizens, including Pivot Fellows and alumni. Walker was a Prison Scholar and then among the first cohort of Pivot graduates in 2018. Since his graduation, he has become a leading advocate for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people and is deeply knowledgeable about the many obstacles facing returning citizens and the services available in Washington, D.C. “Tyrone is a leader and role model among returning citizens, and PJI is very lucky that he has joined our team,” said Marc Howard, director of PJI and executive director, Pivot Program. “His experience and vision will allow us to enhance and expand the support we can provide to our Prison Scholars and Pivot Fellows.”
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“I’m excited to work directly with the population I was once a part of. I know that education coupled with reentry support is so vital, and that is what we are going to provide.”
–Tyrone Walker
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MEET THE 2021 PIVOT FELLOWS ERNEST BOYKIN III
Boykin considers his time with the Pivot Program to be a tremendous period of growth in his life. In the virtual classroom with his professors and distinguished guest speakers, he learned something new every step of the way. Through Pivot, Boykin interned at LINK Strategic Partners, a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement firm. Boykin is continuing his work with LINK following his internship and continues to pursue his own venture ideas. “A lesson that has really stuck with me has been the Jesuit school of thought about helping the community and working to change the world for the better.”
TAI’ANTHONY CARTER
Carter said Pivot gave him the opportunity to hone his leadership skills and build the self-confidence he needed to combat the stigma around returning citizens. Through Pivot, he began an internship with DICK’S Sporting Goods and was hired in a permanent retail position. Carter also continues to work on his sports vending venture Equipt’d. “I always knew I was smart and that there was something bigger for me, but Pivot gave me the tools to realize that myself.”
2021 PIVOT GRADUATE EMPLOYERS
LENARD DAYE
Daye’s passion for serving others and his experience as a Pivot Fellow landed him a job offer several weeks before he officially graduated from the program. He works as a mentor for youth in the juvenile justice system, sharing his story in the hope of guiding his mentees in the right direction. “My takeaway from the Pivot Program is that you are somebody versus just returning citizens. There are people that care about your well-being, and you can still have a life after coming home from incarceration.”
KAAMILYA FINLEY
When she started the Pivot Program, Finley was experiencing homelessness. Now, she has secure housing and a job with one of the country’s top consulting firms. Over the course of the year, Finley demonstrated her determination to succeed in the program and in her career. Just days before graduation, she received an offer for a permanent position with Deloitte. “I’ve been afforded the opportunity to no longer live the way that I was living, but to have a new life.”
Deloitte
LINK Strategic Partners
DICK’S Sporting Goods
Negotiation Works
Georgetown University
New Beginnings Youth Development Center
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CHARLES HOPKINS
With the experience and mindset of an activist and organizer, Hopkins was uncertain that a business and entrepreneurship program was right for him. But the Pivot Program gave Hopkins the confidence and tools to create his own vision of what an entrepreneur looks like — and how to serve others in the process. Hopkins interned with Fair and Just Prosecution and plans to continue advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. He is continuing his education through the MORCAGeorgetown Paralegal Program. “Pivot gave me a sense of self-confidence to go into areas that I would otherwise not want to go in because I didn’t think that they would be receptive.”
VICTORIA HUNT
Hunt said the Pivot Program allowed her to envision a career that bridges her two passions: athletics and supporting underserved youth. Starting with her internship with DICK’S Sporting Goods, she’s already seeing that vision become a reality. Her internship led to a permanent position at the company focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Pivot gives you time to really figure out what your gifts and your purpose are to help others and also be successful.”
PASCAL LAPORTE
Laporte said Pivot allowed him to transform from “felon to founder.” His ambition, charisma, and natural entrepreneurial drive led Laporte to intern with Flikshop, a growing company focused on keeping families connected with their incarcerated loved ones. Laporte plans to lead his own startup, Tenpen, which will empower other formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs. “I have surely been able to make a pivot to a new way of thinking, a new path, a new journey.”
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MICHELLE MARSHALL
Even before beginning the Pivot Program, Marshall had an interest in finding business solutions to support people affected by incarceration. After interning with Vera Institute of Justice, Marshall is pursuing her entrepreneurship goals through several venture ideas. “No matter how old you are or where you are in your life, there’s always room for growth. It’s never too late to go back to school, and it’s never too late to want to change your life.”
LATASHA MOORE
Moore is passionate about serving others and creating educational opportunities for incarcerated people. While in the Pivot Program, she interned at American Prison Data Systems. In September, Moore joined the Pivot Program staff as a program associate. “I am determined to have a purposeful career that is focused on developing innovative solutions that improve education, job opportunities, and remove barriers for incarcerated individuals and returning citizens.”
DAVID SCHULTZ
Schultz’s graduation from Pivot marks one year to the day from his release from incarceration. He is committed to a career in the nonprofit sector with a focus on criminal justice reform and support for other returning citizens. Schultz interned at the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, and he accepted a permanent position with nonprofit Negotiation Works. “The Pivot experience has been wonderful. It’s been life-changing in the sense that it’s put me in a network and in a career field.”
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT WORK
ANNUAL PIVOT PITCH COMPETITION In the Pivot Program, the focus on entrepreneurship is about more than creating a venture idea — it’s about creating solutions. It’s about more than building a business plan — it’s about building confidence. Entrepreneurship is at the heart of the Pivot Program and a substantial part of the curriculum. Each Pivot Fellow goes through the steps of developing a business idea, whether or not they intend to take the idea off the ground. They identify a problem or opportunity, propose and vet a solution, think about the value to the customer, and work through the steps to see that venture succeed. “We’re big believers in the personal development that comes from that process, including the problem solving skills and the project management skills,” said Alyssa Lovegrove, academic director, Pivot Program, who also serves as a senior advisor to the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative. Pivot Fellow Charles Hopkins said he was wary of the entrepreneurship focus at first. But the curriculum shifted his thinking and allowed him to envision himself as his own type of entrepreneur, focused on providing a service rather than a product. “If you have the spirit and vision to produce something, you can be something. You can create something that can be self-sustaining and also help people,” said Hopkins, who hopes to one day launch his own reentry network. Hopkins and six other Pivot Fellows took their ideas to the virtual stage with an entrepreneurship event: the Pivot Pitch Competition. Each year, the competition gives Pivot Fellows the floor to showcase their entrepreneurship skills and business ventures in front of judges from across the business community. Those who wish to continue working on their businesses after graduation receive additional venture incubation support from the Pivot team to make their ideas a reality.
2021 PITCH COMPETITION At this year’s virtual Pitch Competition on June 25, Pivot Fellows presented six unique business ideas to a panel of judges and won a total of $10,000 in grant funding.
Winners: LaTasha Moore and Victoria Hunt Next Endeavour Diversity Staffing, a staffing firm focused on employing returning citizens.
First Runner Up: Pascal Laporte Tenpen, a platform for entrepreneurs impacted by the criminal justice system.
Second Runner Up: Kaamilya Finley Fresh Start, an online resource and information hub for returning citizens. Honorable Mention: Ernest Boykin III SURFACE, a platform to connect donors and volunteers with the families of incarcerated people.
Honorable Mention: Tai’Anthony Carter Equipt’d, a vending machine service that sells sports equipment at parks and athletic facilities.
Honorable Mention: Charles Hopkins Forgotten Voices, a multimedia service centered on the stories of incarcerated people and returning citizens.
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ALUMNA WINS AT BARK TANK COMPETITION Pivot Program alumna Izuo-Ere “Mimi” Digifa won $10,000 to put toward her startup venture at Georgetown Entrepreneurship’s Bark Tank Pitch Competition. Digifa was one of eight finalists competing for the Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize, an annual award that honors and supports Georgetown students who have launched or are preparing to launch business ventures that will address problems in the world around them. In front of a panel of 10 judges, Digifa pitched her business venture Flolango, a line of eyeshadow palettes aimed at empowering people through positive messages and poetry included on the inner packaging.
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“I was inspired to create Flolango by my love for poetry and makeup and also rendering positivity. These poems and quotes are meant to empower the individuals who use the product. The poems serve as words of affirmation to increase the beauty and self-love our customers feel on the inside, as our richly saturated colors heighten each wearer’s outer beauty.”
–Izuo-Ere “Mimi” Digifa
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PIVOT ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
ANTONIO ARNETT Antonio Arnett remembers receiving a laptop from the Pivot Program in 2019 and not knowing how to turn it on. Released from prison after more than a decade, he had a lot of tech skills to catch up on. Now, nearly two years later, Arnett is providing technical support to incarcerated people through his role as Help Desk Coordinator at American Prison Data Systems (APDS). Arnett began working with APDS as an intern in 2020, and his role has grown from there. As Help Desk Coordinator, he assists people in prisons accessing educational materials through tablets, which have become more common and more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on his time in the second cohort of the Pivot Program, Arnett said the experience provided the skills and the connections he needed to create the foundation for his career. “There are no other programs that I know of that are like Pivot — that are going to put you in front of people that you probably would never be able to be in front of,” said Arnett. “I know what I learned in Pivot can never be taken away from me.” Arnett had the chance to share his experiences through two interviews that were uploaded to the tablets. As part of a virtual course for incarcerated people on goal-setting and planning for life after release, Arnett spoke about a low point in his life and the importance of resilience. “Pivot helped us and made us comfortable with sharing our story because that’s actually a part of you. Without the past, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Arnett. “Through the work I do now, I get to share my story with my colleagues and also with incarcerated people.” Knowing the obstacles that returning citizens face when they’re coming home, Arnett also feels
“There are no other programs that I know of that are like Pivot, that are going to put you in front of people that you probably would never be able to be in front of. I know what I learned in Pivot can never be taken away from me.”
–Antonio Arnett a responsibility to pave the way for others in the workplace. “When I work, I work for the people who are coming behind me,” said Arnett. “It’s not just about me. I’m trying to be an example and to show that we do belong, we can do these things if you teach us.” With his entrepreneurship training from Pivot, Arnett hasn’t lost sight of his goal of someday launching his own business. “I’m not giving up my goal of becoming an entrepreneur because I still want to create opportunity,” he said.
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SPEAKER SESSIONS Guest lecturers from a wide variety of backgrounds shared their knowledge and experience with Pivot Fellows through the program’s Speaker Series. These virtual visits also allow the Fellows to expand their own professional networks and gain exposure to different fields.
Thank you to the guest lecturers who spent time with us this year: •
Paul Almeida, dean, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University
•
Dwayne Boothe, managing partner and CFO, Crews
•
Melissa Bradley, adjunct professor in entrepreneurship and co-founder, Ureeka
•
George Chochos, senior program assistant, Vera Institute of Justice
•
Todd DuBose, professor, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
•
Damien Dwin, founder and CEO, Lafayette Square
•
Joseph Ferrara, chief of staff to the President, Georgetown University
•
•
Earl Peek, founder and managing principal, Diamond Ventures
•
Kevin Ring, president, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
•
Ronald Garrett, reentry coordinator, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Chiquisha Robinson, deputy chief, Prisoner & Reentry Legal Services, Public Defenders Service for the District of Columbia
•
•
Michael Habtemariam, co-owner, Roaming Rooster
Warner Session, principal, Session Law Firm
•
•
Daryl Jones, pastor, Point Ministries
Dorothy Stoneman, founder, YouthBuild USA
•
Rosemary Kilkenny, vice president, diversity, equity, inclusion and chief diversity officer, Georgetown University
•
Jerusalem Tilahun, marketing manager, Roaming Rooster
•
Jeffrey Whitney, founder and president, The Sports & Entertainment Group
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Cheryl Mercer, clergy ambassador, U.S. Attorney’s Office
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PIVOT ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
LAKINA EDWARDS “I was able to believe in my future again.”
virtual environment.
Since 2018, the Georgetown Pivot Program has given dozens of returning citizens a second chance for career success. For Lakina Edwards, a 2020 graduate of the program, the Pivot experience and network of staff and other determined Fellows propelled her into a career that has continued to blossom since her graduation.
“She brought us together as we pivoted to virtual work, maintaining our family spirit and energy,” said Akin. “It takes a team to buy into that, but it takes a person to cultivate it, and Lakina has been that person.”
“The level of education, the freedom to pursue my dreams, and the quality of professional networking all contributed to growing my confidence in becoming the leader I believed I was meant to be,” said Edwards. Edwards credits the Pivot Program for training her in the skills needed to enter the workplace. Through Pivot, she interned with LINK Strategic Partners, a D.C. strategic communications and stakeholder engagement firm, in the spring of 2020. “By learning to properly manage my priorities and utilize my resources, I was better prepared to enter the fast-paced and demanding work environment,” said Edwards. As an intern, Edwards learned about the importance of strategic communications and built on her project management skills as she contributed to LINK’s work with clients. “Learning about how a company or organization’s messaging and public perception play an important role in the execution of its mission has been eyeopening,” said Edwards. After she graduated from Pivot in 2020, Edwards was offered a permanent position at LINK. She recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as a fulltime associate at the company. Michael Akin, LINK’s president, said Edwards is quick to go above and beyond for the company and her colleagues. At the beginning of the pandemic, she spearheaded the organization’s transition into the
In addition to her work with LINK, Edwards recently joined the board of Suited for Change, an organization that provides workforce training and professional clothing for women who are seeking employment. Suited for Change also works with Pivot to outfit Fellows for their own interviews. “While I knew I wanted to be of service to others, I have since determined that my greatest contributions lie in my ability to contribute to an organization as a thought leader and strategist,” said Edwards. Edwards’ leadership and approach to her work is shaped by her unique perspective as a returning citizen. “Returning citizens bring many of the same skills and the desire to make a positive impact in the community at large as do non-returning citizens,” said Edwards. “Many bring a unique brand of creativity, skill, and knowledge to an opportunity, allowing them to see possibilities not necessarily considered by others.” Edwards said when companies welcome these perspectives into the workplace by hiring returning citizens, everyone benefits. “Second-chance hiring opportunities are the arms and legs that help pull returning citizens out of fear, shame, and unbelief,” said Edwards. “A second chance becomes the actionable step toward a better world; one that exemplifies diversity, equity, and true inclusion.”
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Congratulations,
GRADUATES!
On June 30, the Pivot Program honored the graduating Pivot Fellows and celebrated their accomplishments through the program. The on-campus event recognized the 10 Fellows in the class of 2021, as well as the 16 Fellows in the class of 2020 who were unable to have an in-person ceremony due to the pandemic.
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In blue caps and gowns, each Pivot Fellow walked across the stage and received their certificate in business and entrepreneurship, the culmination of nine months of virtual learning and hard work on projects and internships. “I honor each of the Fellows today for pushing and not giving up, knowing that better is around the corner,” said Kaamilya Finley, Pivot Fellow. “You are allowed to sit here today screaming, ‘I did it!’ Success looks good on you.” For the third cohort of Fellows, graduation was one of the few times over the year they were able to gather in person. Pivot staff and guest speakers at graduation lauded the perseverance and determination required to complete the challenging program online amid a global health pandemic. “You are all a symbol of what is possible in this world, in the face of adversity. You exemplify what Pivot is all about, and that is
hope. And I mean real hope for the future,” said keynote speaker Rosemary Kilkenny, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Georgetown University. At graduation, Pivot Fellows celebrated their achievements and looked ahead to their growing careers and business ventures. Kilkenny and the Pivot staff reminded the Fellows that even though their time with the program was at a close, they would always have a home on the Hilltop. “What I would like the Fellows to know is that the lives they are really changing are ours – all the people here at Georgetown and beyond, who have the opportunity to get to know and support them,” said Alyssa Lovegrove, academic director, Pivot Program. “They have enhanced our lives every bit as much as we have theirs, and we are grateful for it.”
“Pivot has allowed the world to see us differently, reigniting our passion to succeed, and giving us the chance to show our brilliance.”
- Kaamilya Finley, Pivot Fellow
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CREATING SECOND CHANCES The Pivot Program joined the Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC), a cross-sector group of large employers committed to expanding hiring and advancement practices within their companies for people with criminal records. The newly formed SCBC promotes the benefits of second-chance employment and provides major employers with a set of tools, relationships, and expertise to successfully hire and provide career advancement and greater economic opportunities to people with criminal records. “The creation of the coalition underscores the need for businesses to make good on their pledges to build a more inclusive workforce,” said Alyssa Lovegrove, academic director, Pivot Program. “We are excited to partner with other organizations on solutions that create more hiring and career advancement opportunities for people with a prior criminal record.” Approximately 70 million Americans have a criminal record. Research shows that individuals with a conviction history often experience significant collateral consequences as a result, including barriers to employment and a lack of opportunities to advance professionally. For example, a criminal record alone can reduce the chances of a second interview by 50%. With labor markets tight and employers struggling to find qualified candidates for open positions, secondchance employment programs provide companies access to new sources of untapped talent. The SCBC is co-chaired by Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, and Craig Arnold, chairman and CEO of Eaton. In addition to the co-chairs, four other partner organizations lead the coalition alongside Pivot: the Business Roundtable, the Society for Human Resource Management, Dave’s Killer Bread Foundation, and Stand Together. There are two ways the coalition will help employers tap into a talent pool that includes nearly one in three U.S. adults who have a criminal record. First, the coalition will develop and share best practices, 16
“Second-chance hiring is not preferential treatment; it is simply equal treatment through the elimination of unnecessary systemic barriers.”
Damien Dwin, Alyssa Lovegrove, and Pietra Rivoli for Inc. magazine “What CEOs Can Do to Advance Racial Justice” including learning from subject-matter experts and developing and deploying tools to improve secondchance recruitment, retention, manager training, performance, and satisfaction, as part of an inclusive workforce. Second, members will launch pilot initiatives to test new approaches to second-chance hiring and advancement practices, including through partnerships with community service organizations and pipeline providers and by utilizing metrics to guide decision-making. The program’s initiatives continue to empower companies across a wide range of sectors to make second-chance hiring part of their business models, while recognizing the unique talents and perspectives that returning citizens bring to the workplace.
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2021 INTERN HOSTS Through three-month internships with businesses and nonprofit organizations, Pivot Fellows gain work experience and build their professional networks. The Pivot Program is grateful for our 2021 internship hosts:
APDS
Deloitte
DICK’S Sporting Goods
Fair and Just Prosecution
Flikshop
Frederick Douglass Project
LINK Strategic Partners
Vera Institute of Justice
2021 PIVOT PARTNER OF THE YEAR LINK STRATEGIC PARTNERS
The Pivot Program recognized LINK Strategic Partners for their support for the Pivot Program and the professional growth opportunities they have created for Pivot Fellows. “We’ve had a phenomenal partnership with Pivot. We are getting highly trained professionals who are coming in, adding value, and bringing some unique life experience to us that makes us a better and more connected firm.” - Michael Akin, president, LINK Strategic Partners
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MEET THE PIVOT TEAM LEADERSHIP TEAM
Valerie Coats Technology Coordinator
Aliyah Graves-Brown Assistant Director of Program Management
Ralph Green Program Assistant
Marc Howard Co-Executive Director
Amy Li (SFS’22) Communications Director
Alyssa Lovegrove Academic Director
Joshua Miller Managing Director
Jack Pedigo (C’24) Summer Communications Director
Binita Raval Director of Program Management, Executive Education
Pietra Rivoli Co-Executive Director
Evelyn Rupert Prisons and Justice Initiative Communications Director
Richard Williamson (MBA’22) MBA Program Assistant
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PIVOT FACULTY Bill Baber Professor Emeritus Andrea Bonior Adjunct Professor of Psychology Rebecca Boylan Adjunct Lecturer of Writing Anthony Cook Professor of Business Law Kerry Danner Adjunct Lecturer of Theology Karthikeya Easwar Associate Teaching Professor of Marketing Patricia Fairfield Professor Emeritus Shye Gilad Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship Talib Graves-Mann Managing Partner, Partners In Equity Lise Howard Professor of International Relations Marc Howard Professor of Government and Law and Co-Executive Director, Pivot Program
Charles King Professor of International Affairs and Government Alyssa Lovegrove Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship and Academic Director, Pivot Program Nick Lovegrove Professor of The Practice In Management John Mayo Professor of Economics, Business, and Public Policy Gina Merritt Principal, Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures Joshua Miller Assistant Teaching Professor of Philosophy and Managing Director, Pivot Program Bonnie Montano Teaching Professor of Operations and Information Management Hans Noel Associate Professor of Government Michael O’leary Senior Associate Dean for Custom Executive Education and Teaching Professor of Management
Erjona Prifti Chief Financial Officer, McDonough School of Business Melissa Reinberg Founder and Executive Director, Negotation Works, and Adjunct Professor of Law Mike G. Ryan Adjunct Professor of The Practice In Finance and Accounting Carolyn Stachowski Vice President and Program Director, Insight On The Inside Mark Stone President and Executive Director, Insight On The Inside Kathryn Temple Professor of English Jeanine Turner Professor of Communication, Culture, and Technology Sharon Welsh Adjunct Lecturer of Communications and Public Speaking Evelyn Williams Teaching Professor of Management
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STUDENT SUPPORT Will McNamara (B’22) Teaching Assistant Pivot Peer Tutors Solveig Baylor (C’22) Emma Garman (B’23) Jayan Hanson (B’21) Katherine Jacobe (B’23) Miranda Saunders (B’21) Pivot Instructional Technology Aides Francesca Darcy (C’22)
“I have learned so much by being a part of the Pivot Program. I’m sure I’ve gotten more out of this program than they have gotten from me.”
- Jeanine Turner, Professor of Communication, Culture, and Technology
Giavonna Darcy (C’23) Lindsay Howlett (NHS’21) John Kelly (C’23) Christina Knapski (C’23) Valerie Sanchez (SFS’20)
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CREATE CHANGE WITH US Interested in partnering with Pivot or employing a Pivot Fellow? Contact us today at pivot@georgetown.edu.
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