The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization with the sole focus of preparing college women and marginalized gender groups for leadership in the public policy arena. PLEN is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C.
PLEN’s mission is to increase the number of women and marginalized gender groups in top leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public policy process.
Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of women and students a part of marginalized gender groups 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.