“‘What is your five-year plan?’ It’s one of life’s most stressful questions. My answer: ‘I’m not sure, but I know the best is yet to come.’ I am embracing that life presents unexpected opportunities, and you must be brave enough to take them when they come. Interested in international policy but having no educational background in foreign affairs, I was spinning my wheel trying to navigate how to work at the @unitednations. At an unrelated conference I attended annually, I had seen a man present several times about his continued work at the U.N. with the United Arab Emirates. He was very distinguished and a bit intimidating, but I mustered the courage to talk to him despite my heart pounding and sweating palms. We had an amazing conversation! The next day he secured me an invitation to a UN expert meeting on reducing recidivism rates. Being brave enough to ask and share my interest took me to Vienna…TWICE…and titled an ‘expert’ on top of it. … Two policy issues I’m deeply interested in are criminal justice reform and #mentalhealth. Society’s neglect of both have and do impact everyone of all ages, races, and genders — we are paying the price of stigmas of mental illness and criminal offenders. Before coming to @PrincetonSPIA, I worked as an attorney and a city councilperson for #Lexington, #Kentucky. In both roles, I witnessed the snowball effect on individuals, families, and whole communities when institutions fail the people they are supposed to serve. I’ve learned leadership takes on many different forms, and I’m simply focusing on how I can be a better problem-solver, continue to be brave, and believe the best is yet to come.” — Angela Evans MPP ’21.