Political Consultant and Commentator Karen Finney Will Be A 2017 Fellow At Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School is pleased to announce that political consultant and commentator Karen Finney will be a 2017 Fellow. Examining the disruption created by a convergence of social, political and cultural forces, the diverse responses, innovation and adaptation to this disruption will be the focus of Finney's discussions with Harvard students during the 2017 academic semester. 

"Karen Finney's direct participation in key political events and her long-term observation of data and trends will challenge our students to examine commonly accepted beliefs about how our national dialogue has become increasingly hostile and divisive and to begin developing their own models for future activism and engagement," said IOP Acting Director Bill Delahunt.

Finney's experience working in media, national politics including four presidential campaigns, and political and communications strategy in both the public and private sectors informs her perspective on what she sees as a nation struggling to redefine its identity at a time of significant change.

"Public service is about solving problems, making people's lives better, meeting the challenges of our time and setting big goals, doing big things, thinking big ideas. There couldn't be a better time to be working with students as they grapple with these issues," said Finney.

The Fellows program is central to the IOP's dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to increase interaction between the academic and political communities. Over the course of an academic semester, Fellows interact with students, develop and lead study groups and participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community.

The former host of "Disrupt with Karen Finney" on MSNBC, she is a veteran of four presidential campaigns, and most recently served as Senior Advisor for Communications and Political Outreach and Senior Spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Additionally, she was Communications Director for Sen. Tim Kaine, the vice presidential nominee. As an independent consultant, Finney worked with political and corporate clients in the United States and globally on message development, crisis communications, branding, public affairs and strategy.

"It's exciting to see the energy and enthusiasm of so many young people who are making their voices heard, innovating and challenging us to think in new ways about public policy and civic engagement in aftermath of the 2016 election. So much of what we talk about today as political, social or economic policy will be led by and enacted by this new generation. At the IOP, we share the opportunity to be a part of a community where we can take a step back to look at the big idea and to learn from each other," said Finney.

Read Finney's biography at http://bit.ly/2017FallFellows.

The Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy. The IOP's mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis to inspire them to consider careers in politics and public service.  The Institute strives to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the academic world and the world of politics and public affairs. More information is available online at http://www.iop.harvard.edu.  

SOURCE The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School

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http://www.iop.harvard.edu