Anna Roberts’ commitment to public service began at 18, when she traveled to Haiti to help build a school. There she met a boy named Evantua, who wanted to be a doctor but had no pathway to get there. That early glimpse into how systems shape opportunity stayed with her and set her on a course toward government affairs.
She studied international affairs and political science in Cincinnati and headed straight to Capitol Hill. An internship answering phones quickly grew into a career rooted in policy. She became a senior legislative advisor and helped pass the READ Act, legislation that brought together ten federal agencies to work collaboratively on international basic education—everything from school meals and child labor prevention to education in refugee settings.
Eventually, when the READ Act was ready to be implemented, Anna moved to USAID and worked for nine years to make the Act operational, helping launch the first U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education. At its height, this work reached over 40 million children each year in 55 countries.
When the office closed last year and the sector contracted dramatically, Anna moved to the Basic Education Coalition (BEC). “The change sharpened my belief that government advocacy is essential to how systems function,” Anna said. “When it is done well—with clarity, integrity, and purpose—it can help protect vulnerable communities from the consequences of political shifts.”
Anna is pursuing an Executive Master’s degree in Policy Leadership at Georgetown University and is thrilled to be a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow. “The Fellowship gives me a professional anchor,” Anna said. “Being part of a community that champions ethical, effective government affairs has reaffirmed my belief that this work can help strengthen systems and make a meaningful difference.”
