Meet our 2020 Fellows
New Politics Leadership Academy Fellows are proven servant leaders, selected through a highly competitive process, who are focused on advancing political leadership. Fellows will bolster our vital mission to revitalize our democracy and transform our politics through advocacy, mentorship, and engagement.
The second cohort of NPLA Fellows will be composed primarily of servant leaders who recently ran and led campaigns across the country, talented military and national service veterans who chose to enter the political arena in pursuit of continuing their service and transforming our politics. They will have the opportunity to reflect on lessons learned during their campaigns, and share their learnings with the growing servant leader community. Fellows will help recruit more servant leaders to participate in the political process, and mentor servant leaders considering politics as a candidate or staffer. They will continue to serve as the voice and the face of the new generation of political leaders who are committed to putting country over party.
Meet our 2020 Fellows below!
Scott Cooper was a candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd District. He served our country for 20 years in the Marine Corps after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1997, the Marine Corps sent him to North Carolina where he put down roots, raised his two daughters, and deployed eight times, including five tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Scott went on to found Veterans for American Ideals—an organization that helps veterans to continue serving in their communities. The organization is committed to amplifying veterans’ voices to bridge divides and be a civilizing, unifying force in our fractious political landscape.
Amy Laufer was a candidate for State Senate in Virginia’s 17th District. A first-generation college graduate, she supported herself through school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee by working several jobs (including one packing fish in Alaska) and earned a bachelor’s degree in geology. After college, Amy taught elementary school in a rural town in Jamaica as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. After the Peace Corps, Amy was inspired to pursue a career as an educator. She attended Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City, graduating with a master’s degree in secondary science education. Amy taught math and science at Louisa Middle School and Tandem Friends School and was appointed to the Commission of Children and Families. She was eventually elected to the Charlottesville City School Board in 2011 and has since run for successful reelection. She served as the school board’s vice chair and chair from 2012–2016. Amy launched Virginia’s list, an organization dedicated to supporting Democratic women running for state office, in 2014. Currently, Amy advises women who run for school board across the Commonwealth.
Kathryn York was a candidate for State Senate in Mississippi’s 8th District. In 2004, Kathryn joined Teach For America and moved to Marks, Mississippi, to build a choral music program at Madison S Palmer High School. She led the choir to all Excellent ratings at their first District Choral Competition. Dedicated to education and the arts, Kathryn stepped out of the classroom to lead the Thacker Mountain Radio hour, where she built a 500+ membership program, expanded the program’s in-state reach, and founded a thriving internship group. Now, Kathryn serves as Teach For America - Greater Delta’s Chief of Staff and works with more than 125 teachers across Mississippi and Arkansas.
Joe Sherlock was a candidate for Haverhill, Massachusetts City Council. He grew up in Haverhill in a working class, immigrant household. He is currently a Paralegal Advocate at the Harvard Law School Legal Services Center Project on Predatory Student Lending where he helps students who were cheated by the predatory for-profit college industry. Prior to this, Joe was a middle school teacher and a campaign organizer. Joe taught for two years in a Title 1 high-needs school in New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught 5th and 6th grade social studies and organized Model UN Club and Cursive Club for his students. Joe believes in public service to his core and continued to support service-driven teams, helping reelect Congressman Seth Moulton in 2018 as a campaign field organizer.
Philip Du was a candidate for Legislator in Dutchess County, New York. He was born and raised in Chengdu, China and came to America as an adolescent. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. During his university years, Phillip was elected twice to the Student Senate. As a result of his work on Student Senate, Philip was able to expose the misuse and waste of student funding to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars. Through his experiences, Philip discovered a passion for public service which led him to join the United States Army as a Dental Specialist. During his service in the military, Philip was awarded the Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Medal. A disability resulting from his service concluded Philip’s military career. Currently, Philip is pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree from CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice while embracing and adapting to civilian life as a disabled veteran in the Town of Wappinger, New York.