Kierstin McMahon graduated from Boston Latin School this past year. In the fall, she will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she will be studying Social Thought and Political Economy. She was born in Boston and grew up in various neighborhoods around the downtown Boston area.
Kierstin was an active member of her school community. She participated in the Boston Latin School student council as an elected representative as well as serving as an appointed member of the School Site Council and the Personnel Hiring Committee. She also was a longtime member of the student advocacy group Ladies’ Collective and played two seasons of Softball. Finally, she pioneered a novel section of the school newspaper in which they began publishing easy recipes for busy students to make and attached resources for students experiencing food insecurity.
Outside of school, Kierstin held internships every summer at organizations including the Boston Fire Teen Academy, the Harvard Kennedy School Center for International Development, and in Massachusetts House Chair of the Ways and Means Committee Aaron Michlewitz.
Kierstin’s decision to apply for the John William Ward Public Service Fellowship was driven by her long held belief in the value of community and the duty of government to create the conditions under which community and civil society can thrive. This summer, Kierstin is working with Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins. As a fellow, she is excited to learn and gain experience in her office as well as from her peers. Additionally, she hopes to further her connections in the field to allow her to continue a career in public service.