National Academy of Public Administration Announces 2026 Class of Fellows
News related to:National Academy of Public Administration · 2 min read
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 28, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The National Academy of Public Administration has announced the 2026 class of Academy Fellows, a group of 64 highly accomplished public servants who will join the organization's ranks. The Academy Board approved the new class on Friday, September 25.
This year's inductees include a diverse array of professionals from various sectors of public service, including academia, government, and nonprofit organizations. The new Fellows bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, which aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration.
Among the new Fellows are Whitney Afonso, a professor at the University of North Carolina, and Michelle Amante, a senior vice president of government programs at the Partnership for Public Service. Derrick Anderson, a vice president at the University of Utah, and Tanya Ange, a county administrator from Oregon, also join the prestigious group.
The class includes notable figures such as Lonnie Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, and Denice Ross, the former U.S. Chief Data Scientist. Other prominent members include Mark Bussow, a senior advisor for government reform at the United States Congress, and Andrew Kurtzman, the director of the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The new Fellows will be inducted during the Academy’s 2026 National Conference, which will take place from November 8-10 at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to bring together leaders from various fields to discuss pressing issues in public administration and policy.
The Academy's mission is to assist government leaders in building more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations. With the addition of these new Fellows, the organization aims to continue its work in addressing the growing management challenges facing the country.
The 2026 Class of Academy Fellows includes a total of 64 individuals, joining more than 1,000 current Fellows, which include former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, and state legislators. The new class also features prominent scholars, executives, nonprofit leaders, and more, bringing a diverse range of perspectives to the organization.
The selection process for the new Fellows is rigorous and involves a review of the individual's contributions to the fields of public administration and policy. A Nominating Committee, selected by the Academy’s Board Chair, reviews hundreds of applicants and makes its recommendations to the full Fellowship, which then votes on each nominee. The 2026 Nominating Committee was co-chaired by Kerry Neal and Jeanette Takamura.
The induction of the new Fellows is a significant milestone for the National Academy of Public Administration, as it continues to build its capacity to address pressing issues in public administration and policy. The organization looks forward to working with all the new Fellows and providing a positive vision for the future of public service.