We're excited to announce two new junior policy fellows who have joined Connecticut Voices for Children! Please join us in welcoming them.

Nick Defiesta joins us with experience and interest in state fiscal policies that affect children and their families. A resident of New Haven, Nick was born and raised in Seattle. Prior to joining Connecticut Voices, he attended Yale University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 2014. At Yale, Nick was a reporter and editor for the Yale Daily News, volunteered for several New Haven nonprofits and served as treasurer of KASAMA: The Filipino Club at Yale.

Sarah Iverson joins us with experience and interest in early care, education and juvenile justice. Sarah earned her B.A. in Sociology at Smith College. While at Smith, Sarah conducted qualitative research on mixed race communities and identity as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. She also served as a sociology department student liaison and volunteered with the Northampton Interfaith homeless shelter. Before moving to New Haven, Sarah worked closely with communities of color across the country as a member of the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps.

Nick and Sarah join us as part of our fellowship program, aimed at fostering the next generation of child advocates. Connecticut Voices for Children provides these two-year positions to exceptional recent college graduates with a strong interest in advancing public policy to benefit children and youth.