In this session, we will learn about opportunities to work with children and families in other countries, what it’s like to live and work abroad, and how their experiences have influenced their career paths.
Featuring Thomas Cheng, Duke MPP and MBA student with global experience in schools, nonprofits, large companies, and emerging startups; Maria Goodfellow, Duke MPP student, former Peace Corp volunteer in Paraguay and Peace Corp recruiter; and Ruth Lee, currently with The Hunt Institute, formerly a teacher in Israel, Korea and Baltimore.
Thomas Cheng is passionate about educating, connecting, and motivating people to achieve great things. His background is in the education sector, with global experience in schools, nonprofits, large companies, and emerging startups. He worked in partnerships and growth at TAL Education Group (one of China's largest education companies) and VIPKid (edtech unicorn), as well as teaching, training, and fundraising at Teach For China (rural education nonprofit). He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy at Duke University.
Maria Goodfellow is part of the MPP class of 2024. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she studied biology and anthropology while also competing on the school's nationally-ranked Mock Trial team. After graduating, she served in the Peace Corps from 2016-2018 as an agricultural extensionist in Paraguay. Upon her return to the U.S., Goodfellow continued to work for Peace Corps, first as a diversity recruiter in New Mexico and Texas, and then as special assistant to the presidentially appointed associate director leading Volunteer Recruitment and Selection. Goodfellow is particularly passionate about DEI, financial literacy, and food security.
Ruth Lee joined The Hunt Institute as a senior policy analyst in January 2023. Prior to joining the Institute, she served in the Maryland Senate President's Office, working closely with the deputy chief of staff and communications director to develop equitable legislation regarding economics, education, childcare, and public health for the people of Maryland. Previously, Lee worked in higher education at Johns Hopkins University and was a teacher in Baltimore, Israel, and Korea. She holds a master's degree in education from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in human development and psychology from the University of California Davis.
This speaker series is for Duke students who want to learn more about careers in child and family policy. Meetings are designed to help students explore the wide range of job opportunities and careers available in the field of child and family policy while creating a network of students who share their professional interests.