National Convening Program Books 2016 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 32

Detailed Agenda
ALAN JENKINS The Opportunity Agenda
Alan Jenkins is executive director of The Opportunity Agenda, a communications, research,
and policy organization dedicated to building the national will to expand opportunity in
America. Before joining The Opportunity Agenda, Jenkins was director of human rights at
the Ford Foundation, managing grant making in the United States and 11 overseas regions.
His prior positions include assistant to the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of
Justice, where he represented the United States government in constitutional and other
litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, and associate counsel to the NAACP Legal
Defense and Educational Fund, where he defended the rights of low-income communities
facing exploitation and discrimination. He is a frequent commentator in broadcast and
print media, including MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, and the Huffington Post.
He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. in media studies from the New School
University, and a B.A. in psychology and social relations from Harvard University.

SUSAN SHAH Vera Institute of Justice
Susan Shah is the chief of staff at the Vera Institute of Justice, which drives change to
build and improve justice systems that ensure fairness, promote safety, and strengthen
communities. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those who are
vulnerable and marginalized by laws, policies, and inadequate services. She oversees Vera’s
community policing projects, particularly those that focus on institutionalizing community
policing, increasing community engagement in public safety problem solving, improving
police-immigrant relations, and equipping law enforcement to effectively serve limited
English proficient populations. Shah was previously a program director in Vera’s Center on
Immigration and Justice, where she guided police, justice officials, and lawyers in improving
immigrants’ access to justice and safety. She earned her J.D. from Northeastern University
School of Law, an M.P.H. from Tufts University, and a B.A. in journalism from Drake
University.

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Policy Council Breakout Series
YEOs should divide by level of office to discuss the priority issues from
the day, and to create the annual YEO agenda.
(A) State Level – Great Room 2
(B) Local Level – Industry 1
(C) Local Level – Industry 2
(D) School Board – Workroom 1

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DETAILED AGENDA