SIPA in DC Event Brings Together Faculty, Practitioners, and Alumni for a Special Evening

On February 10, Columbia SIPA brought together nearly 400 alumni, faculty, and distinguished guests for SIPA in DC, an evening of engaging policy discussions and networking at the National Portrait Gallery. Held in the heart of the nation’s capital, this event highlighted SIPA’s deep commitment to shaping policy at the highest levels while strengthening its bonds within the school’s second-largest alumni community.

The program began with a warm welcome from Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, and Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations. She set the tone for the evening by reaffirming SIPA’s long and deep roots in policymaking circles in Washington DC. Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, who was also present, called SIPA an institution that is “investing in those future generations of leaders we so urgently need.” Both emphasized the important role universities play in fostering critical thinking and disseminating knowledge that is nonpartisan. 

The program featured a dynamic lineup of discussions led by world-class experts. The first panel featured prominent leaders discussing economic statecraft. Moderated by SIPA Dean Emerita Merit Janow, the panel featured Jacob Lew, former Treasury Secretary and current SIPA professor; Wally Adeyemo, former US deputy secretary of the Treasury; and Edward Knight, executive vice chairman of Nasdaq. The discussion delved into the complex landscape of the US economy—booming growth alongside rising inequality and political discontent. Adeyemo, who is also an Institute of Global Politics (IGP) Carnegie Distinguished Fellow and Center on Global Energy Policy Distinguished Visiting Fellow at SIPA, underscored the paradox—noting that while the US economy is structurally stronger than its competitors, many working-class Americans do not feel the benefits. The panel also explored the evolving use of economic tools such as sanctions and tariffs, and the risks of overreliance on these measures in a rapidly changing geopolitical context.

Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-Winning journalist and SIPA professor of professional practice, gave brief remarks on the critical need to combat disinformation in the digital age. She highlighted the launch of ROOST (Robust Open Online Safety Tools)—an initiative incubated at IGP that is designed to build AI safety infrastructure with support from governments, tech companies, and civil society. 

A special moment of the evening was the recognition of SIPA’s International Fellows Program (IFP), with alumnus Mozelle Thompson reflecting on the program’s role in training interdisciplinary problem-solvers. He shared how the IFP’s diverse, cross-disciplinary approach prepared him for leadership positions in both the US Treasury Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia and David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Affairs at SIPA, energized the audience with his remarks on SIPA’s role in shaping leaders who address both global and local policy challenges. He encouraged students to bridge international affairs with impactful domestic solutions, showcasing SIPA’s comprehensive approach to policy education.

A panel moderated by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton featured Victoria Nuland, a SIPA professor of practice, Lisa Anderson, SIPA Dean Emerita; Mauricio Cárdenas, a special lecturer at SIPA and director of the MPA in Global Leadership; and Thomas Christensen, SIPA’s James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations. The panel examined the shifting global order facing the new administration in Washington. Key topics included the evolving US role in global leadership, the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, and the unintended consequences of US policies in Latin America. The panelists stressed the importance of strategic alliances in the US-China competition and cautioned against short-term solutions in volatile regions. 

The evening concluded with an Across the Aisle discussion on the topic of energy. Moderated by Claire Shipman, cochair of Columbia University's Board of Trustees, the discussion brought together two leading experts from SIPA’s Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) who served in administrations of different parties: Paul Dabbar, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at CGEP and Jason Bordoff, founding Director of CGEP and SIPA professor of professional practice. The panel explored the future of US energy policy, emphasizing the need to balance energy production with environmental sustainability. Dabbar highlighted America’s rise as a top energy producer, while Bordoff warned against sidelining climate priorities in the pursuit of energy security. Both agreed on the urgency of innovation and infrastructure investment to navigate this critical sector.

In closing the evening, Dean Yarhi-Milo noted the energy and urgency in the National Gallery courtyard. “Evenings like this are sparks—we look forward to growing the flame,” she said to standing applause.