Thanks to all who joined us for our incredible alumni celebration last month. It was wonderful to see so many of you in Washington, D.C., as we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program. Over the past decade, this impressive community has grown to nearly 600 alumni. We are proud of this network, which encompasses leaders from a wide range of backgrounds united by a shared commitment to service and leadership. Relive the celebration and view photos from the event here.

As we celebrate the past 10 years of PLS and look forward to the years of impact ahead, we are excited to announce that Amy Kroll, 2020 PLS alumna and founder and executive director of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School, will become co-director of the PLS program for the Clinton Foundation, and Todd Connor, co-founder of Veterans for All Voters and 2016 PLS alum, will become facilitator of the PLS program in January 2026. Todd and Amy are examples of the dedicated leaders who are part of the PLS alumni community, and we are looking forward to these two remarkable leaders joining our staff.

While we celebrate you and this incredible network, we are also mourning the loss of a member of the PLS family – Elisabeth Avila Luevanos, Class of 2022. As Superintendent of Milano ISD, Elisabeth inspired, uplifted, and championed students, teachers, and her community. Remembrances shared by the Class of 2022 below demonstrate her lasting impact on the PLS program and her fellow Scholars. Elisabeth’s family and loved ones remain in our thoughts.

Sincerely,

Mike Hemphill, Ph.D
Director, Presidential Leadership Scholars
Clinton Foundation

Kelley Jiou
Director, Presidential Leadership Scholars
George W. Bush Institute

“Elisabeth was the brightest light in any room she was in, and always had the kindest words of encouragement for those around her. She was a passionate advocate for the kids she served as Superintendent of Milano ISD and a loyal friend - she will be greatly missed.” — Wade Lairsen, Class of 2022

“Elisabeth was the heart and soul of the 2022 Presidential Leadership Scholars class. She was the absolute best among us – always a force for good, always encouraging others, and always dedicating herself to the community she served, her family and friends. I thank God that I had the opportunity to share in this lifetime with such a bright and brilliant light as Elisabeth.” — Victor Jones, Class of 2022

"Elisabeth’s radiant soul will always be remembered. She carried a beautiful energy that uplifted everyone around her and filled every space with light and love." — Melissa Martinez, Class of 2022

"Elisabeth was a shining light in every sense of the word – a power plant of energy and servant leader who poured her heart into young people through education. As the superintendent of the Milano Independent School District, she led with passion, humility, and relentless optimism. Elisabeth’s legacy will live on through every student she inspired and every leader she helped lift up – including me. I’ll honor her by continuing our shared mission – helping more people lead, grow, and win from within." — Andy Riise, Class of 2022

PLS 10-year anniversary

The PLS program continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. Here are ways you can join us to mark this incredible milestone:   

• Share reflections with your personal and professional networks about your PLS experience and how the program has helped you deepen your impact. Click here for an alumni social media toolkit with 10-year anniversary graphics and sample social media posts. We can’t wait to see what you share to celebrate #PLSat10.  

• Reach out to Casey Rodriguez if you’d like to share how the PLS program has impacted you both personally and professionally. We may feature your story on our PLS website or social media channels for our #PLSat10 series.  

PLS LinkedIn group 

We’re shifting the PLS Alumni LinkedIn Group to a new “Strictly Business” focus. This dedicated space will now center on concrete asks and actionable responses—helping alumni make targeted requests, offer meaningful resources, and connect through action. It’s a streamlined way to leverage the power of our network to advance goals and create real impact.

Please take a moment to join if you haven’t already and start connecting with fellow alums!

Webinars

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the PLS Program, we’re excited to bring you webinars highlighting some of the leaders who have played a pivotal role in the program since the very beginning. 

• November 17, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT with Jean Becker on her book “Character Matters and Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush” (view details on Flip)

Supporting PLS

The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is long-lasting and impactful – and our goal is to continue that! We aim to run a fiscally sound program that is of no cost to its participants. We know that you, as alumni, want to be helpful to ensure the program is sustainable for years to come. As you think of your end of year giving, consider supporting PLS. Please reach out to Kelley Jiou or visit the PLS website if you or someone in your network wants to donate to the program or get involved. 

Update your contact information

Send any email and mailing address updates to Casey and your Alumni Committee members, so we can keep in touch and update you on the Presidential Leadership Scholarship program. 

PLS at 10: Larry Temple, LBJ’s White House Counsel, on the success of PLS
The Chairman of the LBJ Foundation discusses the impact of the PLS program, the influence of LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson, and his hope for the future of the program.

Alumni updates:

• Lisa Hallet (2018) received the 2025 JBLM civilian of the year award.

• Dean Fealk (2015) received the distinguished alumni award at Michigan State University

• Jin-Ya Huang (2020) received the HerStory 2025 achievement award & was accepted into the Clinton School of Public Service Graduate Program.

• Todd Mosher (2024) started a new position as Scholar in Residence, Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

• Amanda Gardiner (2023) started a new position as Executive Director, U.N. Global Compact Network USA.

• Amit Acharya (2025) started a new position as Professor, Division of Public Health Sciences at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

• Josephine Ibironke (2020) started a new position as Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University.

• Henish Bhansali (2024) was recognized as one of Pearl Health’s top 50 value-based care thinkers of 2025.

• Reshma Gupta (2020) started a new position as Professor of Medicine at the University of California.

• Stacy Phillips (2023) started a new position as Adjunct Faculty Member at The Catholic University of America’s National Catholic School of Social Service.

• Venu Gupta (2022) started a new position as Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

• Kaitlin McCarthy (2025) was named as one of Boston Business Journal’s 40 under 40 honorees.

• Byron Sanders (2017) received the C.B. Bunkley Community Service Award from J.L. Turner Legal Association. 

• Eugenia Flores Millender (2023) started a new position as President-Elect of the America Psychiatric Nurses Association.

• Ajay Sahajpal (2019) started a new position as Medical Director, Wisconsin Oncology Service Line at Ascension.

• Rani Elwy (2024) started a new position as Warren Alpert Foundation Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University.

• Jose De La Cruz (2024) started a new position as Director, State Government Affairs at Microsoft.

• Melva Wallace (2016) as President of Huston-Tillotson University, received $150 million in largest donation ever to an HBCU.

• Rachel Brown (2020) started a new position as Senior Advisor for Conservation and Strategic Partnerships at Native Americans in Philanthropy.

• Stephiney Foley (2025) has been selected as a member of the 2025-2026 International Women’s Forum (IWF) Leadership Fellows Class. 

• Moses Dixon (2024) was named to the Forttuna Global 100: The Legacy Makers 2025 List.

• Patrick Payton (2015) announced his new book titled The Middle: How the Quiet Majority Can Mend a Divided Nation.

Please join us in officially welcoming the new President and CEO Shilo Brooks to the Bush Center. We’re excited about the vision and leadership he brings as we continue to advance our mission and serve our community.

Game Changer: United by Sports
Supported by Garry Weber

Experience Game Changer: United by Sports, an all-new exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum in which sports make history and our nation takes the field. Through unforgettable stories and legendary sports memorabilia – some never before publicly displayed – this special exhibit tells the story of how sports have inspired change beyond the game.

‘Profiles in Pluralism: Americans who are keeping this country united’ | The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute

The summer edition illustrates the various ways in which a vital abstract concept, pluralism, plays out in American life today. Profiles in Pluralism highlights people around the country working on the conviction that our differences don’t have to divide us – they can make us stronger, including our own Lawrence Adjah, 2024 PLS alum. 

Vice President Mike Pence | The Strategerist podcast

Vice President Mike Pence surprised guests at the Bush Center and sat down for a special taping of The Strategerist podcast before a live audience. He discussed his views on divisiveness in our country, leadership, America’s role as a global leader, and his own new role as a professor.

Beyond the Broadcast: Bob Costas | The Strategerist podcast

In this episode, legendary sports broadcaster Bob Costas joins Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Kevin “Sully” Sullivan, senior advisor at the Bush Center, to discuss what went on behind the scenes of broadcast moments. He reflects on the art of the introduction and explains why sports continue to bring us together.

In September, just days before the federal government shutdown, three U.S. budget experts urged bipartisan action to improve the country’s fiscal outlook in a conversation at the Clinton Center. The panel included Secretary Janet Yellen, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Clinton Administration; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Chief Economist of the Council of Economic Advisers in the George W. Bush administration; and President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Maya MacGuineas. You can watch the program here.

Clinton Global Initiative Marks 20th Anniversary

Dozens of Scholars attended CGI’s 2025 Annual Meeting in September. The meeting included major announcements to address global challenges, including an HIV prevention breakthrough, and introduced new action-focused Working Groups. Watch highlights from the Annual Meeting here.

Watch Now: Clinton Center Events

Recently, we’ve explored White House art and history, gone behind the scenes with Clinton administration alumni, and heard about the experiences of rural Black Arkansans with Walter Pryor and Stacey Abrams. These programs and more are available on the Clinton Center’s YouTube channel.

Dr. Chelsea Clinton’s New Public Health Podcast

If navigating today's health chaos feels overwhelming, you're not alone. Join public health expert Dr. Chelsea Clinton each week on her new podcast That Can't Be True as she talks with doctors, dietitians, and health experts to expose pseudoscience and fact check your feed.