40 Under 40 :The Faces of Social Change Part 4 of a 5 Part Series

Just as irresponsible corporations have tarnished a sector which includes many, many decent for-profit businesses, elected officials that have spurred unsavory headlines categorically diminish those in the public sector who use their position to do great social good. The New Leaders Council's 40 Under 40 Awards clearly separate the wheat from the sheaf in recognizing some impressive candidates and elected officials that truly deserve the praise as well as the classification of "public servant."

Representative Cedric Richmond, Louisiana House of Representatives has demonstrated real leadership, having served with distinction since 2000. Instrumental in many crucial issues, he devised the State New Markets Tax Credit program in the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, generating over $250 million in investments for the state. As Co-Chairman of the Legislative Audit Advisory Committee, he was instrumental in putting an end to waste and misappropriation of funds in the Orleans Parish School system. Currently, Cedric is running for United States Representative in Louisiana's Second Congressional District.

Doctor Mana Trivedi is the Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional district, despite having been outspent by more than 5-to-1 in the final weeks leading up to the Primary. Upon completing medical school, he became a physician, then a Naval Officer and is now a decorated Iraq War Veteran. For his outstanding service, Lt. Commander Trivedi earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Commendation Medal and his medical unit received the Presidential Unit Citation. In 2008, Manan served as a campaign Health Policy Advisor to then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

Alan van Capelle serves as Deputy Comptroller for Public Affairs City of New York. In April 2003, he was the Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda, becoming one of the youngest LGBT leaders in the nation as well as the longest serving Executive Director of the organization. Under his leadership, the Pride Agenda won passage of a number of statewide measures, including a law guaranteeing same-sex domestic partners the same access rights as spouses and next of kin when taking care of loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes and a law giving domestic partners the same priority as spouses in making decisions about burial of a loved one. Prior, Alan worked for nearly ten years for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), ultimately becoming the Deputy Political Director in 2001 of SEIU Local 32BJ, the largest building service union in the country. He was the driving force behind the landmark New York City Displaced Worker Law, which created job protection for building service workers when residential and commercial properties were transferred from one owner to another. Alan is credited with turning around what was a declining political operation at Local 32BJ into one of the most active and successful organizations in the labor movement. In 2008, Alan was elected as a member of the New York State Electoral College, casting his first votes in that capacity for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.

Representative Jay Goyal, Ohio House of Representatives, was initially elected in November 2006. Jay now serves as the Majority Whip in the 128th Ohio General Assembly and was named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Association of County Boards. Jay has received major recognition and numerous awards for his public service, which has focused on technology-based economic development, introducing House Bill 348 which would incentivize $100 million of private venture capital investments in Ohio. In addition to his political responsibilities, he has voluntarily served a vast realm of roles in several not-for-profit organizations.

Representative Janet Petersen, Iowa State House of Representatives, currently serves her fifth term. She is Chairwoman of the House Commerce Committee and serves on the Ways and Means and Human Resources Committees. Formerly a senior public relations account executive, Janet served as the lead Democrat on the Work Group, creating the Iowa Values Fund Work Group. In 2004, she helped launch Iowa's stillbirth registry project, bringing more than $1.3 million in research funding to Iowa to help find causes and potential cures for stillbirths, which cause more than 26,000 deaths annually in the United States. Janet fought for much needed enhancements to the child care system as well as access to quality preschool. In 2008, she sponsored Iowa's Smokefree Air Act, one of the strongest in the country.

Nancy Bui-Thompson Board Member Sacramento Municipal Utility District, (SMUD), was elected in November 2008. As the sixth largest publicly owned utility, SMUD has become renown nationwide for its innovative energy programs. SMUD is the first utility to have 20% of its energy come from renewable resources. Nancy will play a central role in the current efforts to bring SMUD to 33% renewable by 2030. She has consistently fought for low rates for consumers, while continuing to push a progressive energy policy.
Jasper Hendricks, President of BRAT-PAC, provides a funding vehicle for those who seek the noble role of putting service above self! BRAT-PAC employees a three-pronged strategy to make a positive difference, changing the face of the politics and policies that affect the African American community by recruiting and funding viable African American candidates; assisting candidates in building and running effective campaign organizations; and mobilizing African American voters to help elect candidates across the nation.

Justin Krebs is the Executive Director of Living Liberally, a political group dedicated to creating social communities and networks around progressive politics. Through social networks and events, Living Liberally promotes political engagement, facilitating collaboration among progressive organizations. Living Liberally takes politics to the places and activities where people naturally gather, socialize, learn, love and live by creating easy entryways into progressive political involvement, fostering a community that shares common values, while cultivating this social capital. Living Liberally is built upon networks of local gatherings; their active projects include: Drinking Liberally; Laughing Liberally; Screening Liberally; Eating Liberally; and Reading Liberally. In addition, Living Liberally sponsors special events with and for progressives.

Stephanie Schriock is the current President of EMILY's List, a community of progressive Americans dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to every level of office. Founded on the belief that the power of women as candidates, as contributors, as campaign professionals, and as voters can bring about great change in our country EMILY's List has advanced social change for more than 25 years.

Emily Sneed Arata, Deputy Mayor for External Relations City of New Orleans, oversees the Mayor's executive office, the Communications Department and the Intergovernmental Relations and Constituency Services. Emily launched her career as a partner in High Note Communications, a New Orleans-based firm handling public relations and public affairs work for various clients in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. She has previously served as Campaign Manager for Mitch Landrieu's primary victories for Mayor of New Orleans in 2010 and for re-election as Lieutenant Governor in 2008.

Gigi Traore, Executive Director for Power Network - Ohio, hosts Power @ the Polls and the Marshall Institute Policy Program. Through these pioneering initiatives, college team members develop leadership skills related to public speaking, community organizing, delegation, team and coalition building as well as program and event development. Power Network prepares future progressive leaders so they may go into their various communities and fields of study, continuing to advocate, educate and raise awareness of the various issues affecting communities of color throughout the nation. Additionally, Power Network Ohio intends to develop a network of collegiate leaders who will continue the current work on political issues and provide mutual support for one another.

Monica Youn is the Democracy Program Counsel for The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a non-partisan public policy and law institute focused on the fundamental issues of democracy and justice. Monica's work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from racial justice in criminal law to presidential power in the fight against terrorism. As a singular institution, The Brenna Center is part think tank, part public interest law firm and part advocacy group. It combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector.

All of these awardees are creating real change, including how we view public officials. The next and final post in this series will present the social entrepreneurs who were recognized for their extraordinary impact on social change with the 40 Under 40 Award.

Faces of Social Change Part 5

Photo credit: Lauren Michelle