The Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University today announced its first class of 2025 Sine Fellows. This accomplished, all-female cohort will bring a wealth of experience to campus that features: earning the Nobel Peace Prize and making a lasting impact through human rights advocacy and engagement; leading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, and American University; and navigating the complex world of political media while earning respect and esteem at the highest levels of journalism. 

The Spring 2025 Sine Institute Fellows are:

• Nadia Murad (CAS/BA 24’), President and Chairwoman, Nadia’s Initiative; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• Tara Palmeri (SOC/BA ’08), Partner & Senior Political Correspondent, Puck; Former Lead Author, Politico Playbook; Former White House Correspondent, ABC News; Host, The Ringer’s “Somebody’s Gotta Win” Podcast
• Hon. Sylvia Burwell, Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Former President, American University; Former Director, Office of Management and Budget

The Sine Institute will also welcome as a 2025 Distinguished Lecturer Brooke Anderson, President of Pivotal Ventures and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. 

Starting in January 2025 and moving forward, the Sine Institute will welcome three Sine Fellows each spring and each fall, providing engaging and critical conversations all year-round. This first group of 2025 Sine Fellows will be the seventh class of experts from across industries hosted by the Sine Institute who engage the AU community - students, faculty, staff, and alumni - in meaningful conversations about the most urgent issues of today.

“American University’s Sine Institute’s cohort of Spring 2025 fellows will bring crucial perspectives to our campus as they engage on challenging issues and work with our students to create opportunities for dialogue and engagement,” said AU President Jonathan Alger. “This group of accomplished women will help the Sine Institute continue to be a university-wide center for collaboration, innovation, and learning.” 
  
As a non-partisan platform for policy innovation and discussion of some of the world’s most pressing challenges, the Sine Institute plays an essential role in American University’s unique experiential education that connects students to the leaders and practitioners who are shaping the future of policy, business, and culture. The Sine Institute was made possible through a $10 million gift from AU alumnus, trustee, and entrepreneur Jeff Sine, (SIS/BA ’76), and Samira Sine, a respected journalist and advocate for women and children. The Sine’s gift was a milestone in American University’s Change Can’t Wait campaign. 

“I look forward to another successful semester of engaging and productive conversations with this exemplary cohort of Sine Fellows,” said Amy K. Dacey, executive director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics. “This year’s highly accomplished, all-female roster will bring the variety of perspectives, visions, and experiences that we at Sine try to provide to students and the AU community as we work toward needed change. Through their diverse contributions, they will help to inspire a new generation of citizens, leaders, and policymakers.”

The 2025 cohort of Sine Institute Fellows will convene conversations on issues related to politics and policy, journalism, and international relations.

“These impressive and highly respected Fellows bring decades of unique experience that I hope will inspire students and the broader American University community,” said Sine Institute Founder Jeff Sine. “These conversations will help open minds, spur new ideas, and create actionable solutions to the challenges we face nationally and around the globe. As always, I thank each of the Fellows for their commitment to the Sine Institute and I look forward to seeing the ongoing impact of each of their contributions.”

The new Sine Fellows will be introduced to the AU community, the media, and the public at large during a special event on February 4th, 2025. 

More information about the Sine Institute’s programming, previous Fellows and Distinguished Lecturers, and upcoming opportunities is available here.