Field Lab Alumni
Field Lab Alumni
For more than twenty years, the Greater Boston Applied Field Lab has cultivated a distinguished network of alumni committed to strengthening local and state governance. Field Lab alumni are public problem-solvers working across the United States and internationally—in city halls, state agencies, federal offices, global nonprofits, research institutions, and mission-driven private organizations. They carry forward the Field Lab ethos: rigorous analysis, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to public service.
Since the program’s founding in 2004, over 600 students have completed more than 200 projects with 70+ partner governments across Greater Boston, ten U.S. states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. These students leave the Lab prepared not only with technical expertise—financial modeling, GIS mapping, policy analysis, community engagement—but with the practical experience of working directly with municipal leaders to solve urgent, real-world challenges.
“You Can Have Real Impact While You Are Still a Student”
Recent HKS graduate Mary Treacy, MPP ’24, shares how two Greater Boston Field Labs—on Open Newbury Street in Boston and economic development in Long Beach—shifted her career path toward public sector consulting and deepened her commitment to local government impact. When Mary Treacy arrived at the Harvard Kennedy School, she thought her future might lie in academic economics. Instead, two Greater Boston Field Labs—one studying Boston’s Open Newbury Street program, another modeling redevelopment options in Long Beach—pulled her out of spreadsheets and into the messy, high-impact world of local government. In this Q&A, the recent MPP graduate reflects on the skills she built, the teams she relied on, and how real-world city projects helped launch her into a public sector consulting role at Deloitte.
Field Lab Alumni Impact
Field Lab Alumni have contributed to:
- Advancing regional transportation reform, including policy and financial analyses shaping Congressional debate on the North–South Rail Link.
- Designing resilience strategies for flood-prone municipalities such as Everett and Chelsea.
- Supporting statewide climate finance tools, including the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank and early design of the State Infrastructure Bank
Rappaport Public Finance Summer Fellows Alumni
Each year, a select group of Field Lab students continue their work as Rappaport Public Finance Summer Fellows, advancing long-term projects in city and state government.
Recent Fellows have:
- Modeled transportation investments for Congressional offices
- Designed capital financing structures for statewide infrastructure tools
- Advanced resilience strategies for coastal municipalities
- Supported redevelopment and zoning analyses for local planning departments
- Developed AI governance and service-delivery tools for municipal operations
Where Our Alumni Lead
Field Lab alumni have become chief resilience officers, budget directors, transportation planners, climate-finance experts, legislative staffers, COO-level leaders, nonprofit executives, consultants, and elected officials. Their work spans sectors and scales, but each shares a foundation forged through the Field Lab: hands-on problem solving in complex civic settings.
A recent alumni survey showed that 95% of students report the Field Lab directly influenced their career path, and over two-thirds have taken roles in local, state, or federal government, civic innovation organizations, consulting firms, and academic research.
HKS Alumni Resources & Alumni Directory
A comprehensive hub offering career development tools, professional learning programs, public leadership resources, and access to the HKS alumni directory. Whether you are advancing in government, transitioning sectors, or mentoring emerging leaders, these resources support your growth at every stage.
HKS Alumni Events
From global gatherings to regional meetups and policy discussions, HKS offers a wide range of events that bring alumni together to exchange ideas, deepen professional relationships, and collaborate across sectors. We encourage Field Lab alumni to attend these events to stay engaged with the School and one another.
