
Miles Sandler
Director of Policy and Engagement
Kauffman Foundation
Washington, DC USA
“Regret is a waste of energy.”
Kauffman Foundation
Washington, DC USA
“Regret is a waste of energy.”
Director of Policy and Engagement
I manage the policy agenda for a private foundation.
My day-to-day involves a lot of meetings and planning. I need to get our policy agenda out to the right audiences, which involves webinars, meetings, and conferences. I also do analytic work—figuring out what policies we see actually working in the real world. We do deep analysis on local and state level work to see what's actually changing conditions. I also spend time working internally to connect with our teams and make sure we're elevating what's most important in priority.
Here's the first step for everyone
Know yourself. Take time to learn what drives you what you can't stand. The more you understand yourself, the more you'll find and draw opportunities. If you're specifically interested in policy work, experience is key. Volunteer for campaigns. Connect with local leaders—your mayor, council members, etc. I also recommend reading the news. Read multiple sources. Having a good understanding of what's happening in our country and the world helps sharpen your antenna for solutions and innovations.