School of Public Policy Alumna Kelly Veney Darnell MPM ’93, Interim CEO at Bipartisan Policy Center, has agreed to be the School’s spring commencement speaker on May 23. This marks the completion of the School’s first academic year in its state-of-the-art new home, Thurgood Marshall Hall.
Darnell assumed the role of COO in April 2020 and was named Interim CEO in January 2023. The Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington, DC-based think tank that actively fosters bipartisanship by combining the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security and opportunity for all Americans.
“Kelly Darnell is truly representative of our distinguished alumni body and the impact we hope they realize. She has impressive multi-sector experience and the bipartisan and equity-focused lenses through which she practices public policy makes her an exemplary choice to send our new graduates out into the world,” said Robert C. Orr, dean of the School of Public Policy.
Darnell’s background spans politics, banking and nonprofits. Prior to becoming COO and Interim CEO at Bipartisan Policy Center, Darnell served from 2018-2019 as executive vice president and COO for The Executive Leadership Council (ELC). From 2012-2018, she served as COO for United Way of the National Capital Area. Earlier roles include COO of the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education and vice president at Bank of America. Darnell also worked on housing policy at Fannie Mae, and served as Atlanta’s federal representative in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Her career began as a legislative assistant for the DC Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA).
With an in-depth understanding of federal policymaking and local government, Darnell reflects, “I'm doing this work so that every kid has an equal opportunity. That's what I hope that Maryland is still creating in their students: an understanding that everyone should have an equal opportunity and how we can create that world.”
Darnell earned a BA in economics from Spelman College, a law degree from the American University Washington College of Law, and an MPM from the University of Maryland. Darnell currently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the School of Public Policy.
The School’s ceremony will take place at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, May 23 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dekelboum Hall. The University’s main commencement will take place on Monday, May 22 at 7pm.