Pace MPA Alumna’s Path is about Public Service

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Andrea Grenadier

Class of 2016
Master of Public Administration

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent those of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System.

Tell us more about your current role at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

As part of my role at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, my team regularly meets with business, community, academic, and government leaders to obtain on-the-ground insights to inform our understanding of the national and regional economy. The work I do is extremely rewarding because it helps to humanize the data and bridge the gap between economic indicators and real-world experiences. I appreciate that the role is people-centered, and it feels good to know that the stakeholders I meet help to influence the monetary policy making process.

Why did you choose to study public administration?

I’ve always gravitated towards people-centered and mission-driven work and realized early that a public administration degree was necessary for career mobility. I saw the value of having a broad-based degree as a pathway to good-paying, stable jobs and wanted a foundation that would give me flexibility without pigeon-holing myself into one or two “types” of jobs/titles. Further, I knew that I could market myself for any position in the public or private sector.

Why did you choose to enroll in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Pace?

I chose to enroll in Pace’s MPA program (government track) because, first, it had an amazing reputation for those interested in a public sector career in downstate New York. Second was its convenience as I wanted to continue working full-time while getting my master’s degree, and Pace’s program allowed me to, ‘have my cake and eat-it too’–and not have to put my career on hold. At the time I was getting my master’s, most schools did not offer fully online programs or classes. Because of its bi-campus structure, Pace was ahead of the curve in the modality of its course offerings.

How have faculty in the MPA program been instrumental in your academic journey?

The Public Administration faculty are approachable, down-to-earth, and extremely considerate. They were always willing to meet with me and set me up for success. As a testament to the exemplary faculty, the relationships I built have lasted for years after graduation. Whether I’ve needed advice or a reference, I’ve relied on the strong relationships I built with them. A few of the jobs I’ve had during, and post-degree were a direct result of the faculty at Pace. They truly want to elevate their students.

Pace has opened many doors for me and was the catalyst to my career. I could not be happier with my decision almost 10 years ago to attend Pace.

How have your studies in the MPA program benefited you in your career?

My studies in the program have helped me to reflect on and analyze experiences in my career. I’m able to understand the systems/processes of the institutions I interact with and the degree allowed me to build a strong foundation which has made career progression easier. Many job postings require a certain number of years of experience or education/coursework in a relevant field. Consequently, the degree has been invaluable to me in terms of return-on-investment and career progression.

How did you get started in your career; what has been your trajectory to the present?

I started my career in municipal government in Westchester County, serving as a congressional staffer for a Westchester representative. From there, I pivoted to a communications role with a New York State Assemblyman who, after two years, gave me the opportunity to lend my communications skills to the Westchester County Executive campaign. I then landed a position with the New York City Mayor’s Office as an advance associate for Mayor DeBlasio.

Post-pandemic, I was able to pivot to the City Legislative Affairs Unit, where I stayed for half a year. Next, during the mayoral transition, I worked for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. In 2022, I found my way to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

How has your time as a Pace student influenced the person you are today?

Pace’s motto of Opportunitas has influenced the person I am today. My career has had peaks and valleys, and even during challenging and difficult situations, the motto of Opportunitas has allowed me to reframe and embrace the experiences as learning opportunities. I will always be grateful and pay it forward, as I keep in touch with many of my peers and classmates from the program who continue to inspire me both personally and professionally. Ultimately, my life would be a lot less rich if Pace was not a part of my story.

In addition, outside of Westchester County, I’ve been outnumbered by my peers with the same degree from Harvard, NYU, and Baruch. Though at first, I was intimidated, I quickly began to view being a Pace graduate as a competitive edge. Pace has opened many doors and was the catalyst to my career. I could not be happier with my decision almost 10 years ago. Go Setters!