Learning to Lead through Public Service

Americorps Alums

Mara D’Amico is the Hillary Rodham Clinton Communications Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA from 2010-2011 at Miami Dade College and as an AmeriCorps Public Ally from 2011-2012 at the University of Miami. She has a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service, and a B.S. in International Business from Central Michigan University. Recently, she was awarded a Judith O’Connor Memorial Fund Scholarship from BoardSource which honors emerging nonprofit leaders.

Everyone leads. During my service as an AmeriCorps Public Ally, I came to more fully understand this idea that is so central to the model and core values of that program. For much of my life, I prescribed to the idea that society perpetuates that leadership is a position someone holds—something heroes are suddenly thrust into. That an employee is not a leader until they become a manager or CEO. That a figurehead is a better leader than someone in a strong support role. I believed an individual needed a certain collection of skills and qualities to lead.

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