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Empower the Next
Generation of Leaders:
Support PLEN Today
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The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization [nonpartisan 501(c)(3)] with the sole focus of preparing college women and marginalized gender groups for leadership in the public policy arena.

PLEN’s mission is to empower, educate, and engage women and marginalized gender groups in public policy to promote diverse, inclusive leadership in policy making.

Since 1978, PLEN has brought thousands of students from across the country to Washington, DC, to explore careers in policy and connect with public policy leaders. PLEN seminars enhance their college/university class work and curriculum by giving students invaluable access to public policy leaders from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; nonprofit organizations; and the private sector.

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How is PLEN making a difference?

To increase the pipeline of young women and marginalized gender groups who will pursue leadership roles in public policy, PLEN offers programming that provide students with hands-on opportunities to hone their leadership skills and to be introduced to and network with outstanding leaders already working in the field.

Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of students from colleges and universities across the country to Washington, D.C. They experience first-hand how public policy is shaped and implemented at the national level. They are better prepared to become the next generation of public policy decision makers. Students meet with and learn from leaders making and influencing public policy at the highest levels in Congress, the courts, federal agencies, the private sector, policy research and advocacy organizations, and the media. These leaders serve as teachers as well as mentors. Students and schools report this experience is invaluable.

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PLEN’s IMPACT

PLEN has reached over 4000 students since 1978! 

This is how attendees said that PLEN helped them: 

93% said that they felt the PLEN seminar gave them the fundamental skills needed to start a career in public policy 

86% said that they felt confident in their networking skills after attending a PLEN seminar 

94% would recommend a PLEN seminar

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SUPPORT PLEN

All of our amazing speakers and mentors are volunteers and without the support of leaders like you, we would not be able to provide the exceptional programming that we do for the future leaders in public policy.

Join the PLEN community by becoming a volunteer or find other opportunities to engage with PLEN!

If you are a corporation interested in sponsoring a PLEN event, contact Interim Executive Director Sara Blanco (sblanco [at] plen.org).

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