PLEN’s mission is to empower, educate, and engage women and marginalized gender groups in public policy to promote diverse, inclusive leadership in policy making. For over 40 years, PLEN has brought thousands of women, and more recently, marginalized gender groups, from across the country to Washington, DC, to explore careers in policy and ...

PLEN’s mission is to empower, educate, and engage women and marginalized gender groups in public policy to promote diverse, inclusive leadership in policy making. The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization [nonpartisan 501(c)(3)] with the sole focus of preparing college women and marginalized gender ...

PLEN is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C. Through introducing college women to role models, career paths, and skills trainings before they enter the workforce, PLEN’s mission is to increase the number of women in top leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public policy process.

PLEN women leave Washington, DC with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to successfully start a career in public policy. PLEN’s rich and diverse network of alumnae, speakers, and other volunteers provide students with life-long career resources, mentor opportunities, and support.

Washington D.C. – The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) was recently awarded a $200,000 donation from the B.A. Women’s Alliance which will help sustain and grow our organization. PLEN helps develop a pipeline of college women and marginalized gender groups in public policy leadership through our series of educational seminars.

PLEN’s mission is to increase the number of women and marginalized gender groups in top leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public policy process. Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of women and students a part of marginalized gender groups from colleges and universities across the country to Washington, D.C.

PLEN is pleased to announce Sara Blanco as its interim Executive Director, effective December 1, 2024. Sara comes to us through L Street Partners, a boutique association management firm headed by LeeAnn Petersen, a long-time supporter of PLEN and peer organizations.

Considering a career in public policy, government or public affairs? Join PLEN for this five-day, Public Policy Seminar. Participants will explore how to influence the policy issues they are passionate about and learn the range of professional opportunities and …

See what some PLEN alumnae have to say about PLEN’s impact on their professions: “The PLEN network is a terrific way to break into the world of public policy which can seem daunting when you are in school outside Washington, D.C.” – Christine Turner (1995), Director at National Security Council, The White House

PLEN has partnered with the Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown for the STEM Policy seminar. 1199 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20005. You will have the option to select between a triple, double, or single room. The hotel check-in time is 4:00 pm EST on March 13 and the checkout time will be 12:00 pm EST on March 16.