Connecting National Policy Leaders

PPIA'S MOMENTUM IS BECOMING VISIBLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY

This spring Executive Director Josh Diosomito represented PPIA at major national conferences, leadership convenings, and institutional planning sessions focused on the future of public service, policy, and civic leadership.

Influence Shapes Opportunity

The organizations helping lead national conversations today are the organizations students, universities, employers, and partners pay attention to tomorrow.

For PPIA, Influence is one of the organization’s core pillars alongside Access and Advancement. It means ensuring PPIA has a voice in the rooms where decisions, partnerships, and leadership pipelines are being shaped. It also means creating greater visibility for PPIA students, alumni, Consortium members, and mission-driven partners across the country.

Experience The Momentum Live

Join Josh and hear from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and global affairs expert Carla Anne Robbins in a timely conversation about leadership, foreign policy, and navigating an increasingly complex world.

Reserve Your Spot At the Town Hall  →

Universities and Institutions are Investing in PPIA's Next Chapter

More than 30 schools have already joined the 2026 PPIA Consortium, reflecting the momentum PPIA is building through national outreach and renewed institutional engagement. Led by Josh, PPIA has been actively reconnecting with universities, partners, alumni, and public service leaders across the country. Their commitment signals growing confidence in PPIA’s mission, leadership, and long-term direction.

National Forum for Black Public Administrators Annual Forum (NFBPA)

Philadelphia, PA

At the NFBPA, Josh participated as a speaker and connected with 1,000+ public service leaders from across federal, state, and local government. The conference theme, “Grounded in Greatness,” focused on strengthening leadership and developing the next generation of public servants. Josh also engaged with participants in NFBPA’s leadership and mentoring programs while sharing PPIA’s commitment to expanding pathways into public service.

Pictured L-R: Josh with James-Christian Blockwood, President & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration; Josh speaking at the Forum; Josh with Stacy L. Rogers, President of NFBPA

American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA)

Hollywood, CA

At ASPA, Josh joined a national panel discussion on the future of the public service workforce alongside a Dean, nonprofit CEO, and senior federal official from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The conversations centered on leadership development, workforce readiness, and the growing importance of investing earlier in emerging talent. Josh was also featured on “Voices from ASPA,” where he reflected on his own journey into public service and the responsibility leaders have to create opportunities for future generations.

Pictured L-R: Roger Hartley, President-Elect, ASPA; Kate Driver, CEO, Institute of Public Administration Australia ACT; Josh; Dr. Gerome Banks, Senior Program Manager, U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Next Generation Service Corps Center

Arizona State University

Phoenix, AZ

In Phoenix, Josh participated in a two-day retreat with Arizona State University’s Next Generation Service Corps Center to explore collaboration opportunities and strengthen leadership pathways for students from first-generation, low-income, and historically overlooked backgrounds. The discussions resulted in Arizona State University joining the 2026 PPIA Consortium and expanding opportunities for engagement through ASU’s national NextGen Service student network.

Pictured L-R: Josh with Shannon Portillo, Director of the ASU School of Public Affairs; Josh at ASU; Brett Hunt, Executive Director of the ASU Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) Center and Josh; engagement with 70+ ASU Next Generation Service Corps students 

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

Alumni and Community Leaders Reception

Los Angeles, CA

Josh also attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Alumni and Community Leaders Reception in Los Angeles, where he connected with alumni, community leaders, and partners committed to strengthening the next generation of Latino public service leaders. The event created an important opportunity to deepen relationships, elevate PPIA’s mission, and explore future collaboration with an organization that shares a strong commitment to leadership development and public service.

Pictured L-R: Caroline Gonzalez Scott (Senior Vice Presient, CHCI) and Josh

Alumni Continue Helping Drive Momentum From The Ground Up

Los Angeles, CA

In Los Angeles, alumni and Board members gathered for a networking luncheon at Grand Central Market to reconnect, share career journeys, reflect on their JSI experiences, and discuss how to continue opening doors for future students. Those conversations matter because alumni remain one of PPIA’s greatest strengths. They carry the mission into government agencies, nonprofits, universities, advocacy organizations, and communities across the country.

Pictured L-R: Armando Meija (PPIA '89), Kelliana Lim (PPIA '23), Ernesto Martinez (Board Member), Magaly Lopez (Board Member), Josh, and Mytoan Nguyen Akbar (PPIA '01)

Across PPIA, the momentum is becoming harder to miss.  New leadership, a stronger Consortium, growing partnerships, national visibility, and alumni engagement helping open doors for the next generation of public service leaders. Together, these efforts point to a larger shift taking shape: PPIA is expanding its reach, strengthening its network, and creating more pathways for the next generation of public service leaders.