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Hannah Levine
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The Berry Institute of Politics is excited to announce our Spring 2026 Berry IOP Fellows and invite you to a Welcome Reception!
We are honored to welcome physician leader and public servant Jon Santiago and business leader, civic innovator, and champion for equity Tanisha Sullivan to serve as our Spring 2026 Berry IOP Fellows. Santiago and Sullivan will visit campus multiple times throughout the semester to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students who are exploring and pursuing careers in politics and public service. This is an opportunity for students to learn, network, and engage with public leaders and change-makers. Learn more at salemstate.edu/berryiopfellows.
Berry IOP Fellows Welcome Reception
Wednesday, January 28 from 12-2 pm
Short speaking portion will begin at 1pm
Forten 123, Harrington Campus
Join us in welcoming our spring 2026 Berry IOP Fellows to Salem State University. This is an opportunity for you to meet them, introduce them to SSU, and learn about the programs they will be hosting during their fellowship. Stop by for 10 minutes or join us for the entire reception. Refreshments will be provided.
Jon Santiago
Physician Leader and Public Servant
Jon Santiago, MD, MPH, is an emergency medicine physician, U.S. Army Veteran, and civic leader serving as Massachusetts’ first Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. In this cabinet role, created by 2022 legislation, he oversees benefits, facilities, and programs supporting more than 270,000 veterans across the Commonwealth, working to address systemic challenges, restore trust, and ensure high-quality, equitable care for veterans statewide. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Roxbury, Santiago’s early exposure to public health challenges shaped his commitment to public service. After attending public school in Texas and Peace Corps service, he returned to Boston, building a career spanning clinical practice at Boston Medical Center, military service, and policymaking in state government. Prior to being appointed to Governor Maura Healey’s cabinet, he represented the 9th Suffolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, focusing on public health, housing, and the opioid. A graduate of Yale School of Medicine, he lives in Boston with his wife and their young children.
Tanisha Sullivan
Business Leader, Civic Innovator, and Champion for Equity
Tanisha M. Sullivan, J.D., M.B.A., is an award-winning civic, legal, and business leader with nearly 30 years of experience across the life sciences ecosystem. She serves as Sanofi’s Head of External Engagement and Health Equity Strategy and has previously held senior roles within the company. A dedicated public servant, she served as the inaugural Chief Equity Officer for Boston Public Schools and led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Boston Branch for four terms; she now serves as President of the NAACP New England Area Conference. Sullivan chairs Governor Maura Healey’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and has led several public health and policy initiatives, including the Take the Lead anti-racism initiative, the Boston Office of Police Accountability and Transparency, and The State of Race with GBH. She has been recognized by BBJ Power 50, Boston Magazine’s Most Influential Bostonians, and BLOC’s 100 Most Impactful Leaders in BioPharma. Sullivan holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Boston College Law School and an MBA from the Boston College Carroll School of Management, along with executive leadership credentials from Harvard Business School.