Another set of young, progressive Penn State alumni will contend for three alumni-elected seats on the university’s Board of Trustees this spring.
Penn State Forward, a grassroots coalition that seeks to amplify the voices of younger Penn Staters, will sponsor three nominees in this year’s election cycle. The all-female slate features Olympian and World Cup champion Ali Krieger, federal attorney Melinda Kuritzky and investor Uma Moriarity.
This year’s slate seeks to support policy changes at Penn State that would promote “a safe, inclusive and sustainable university” through climate action, on-campus equity and governance reform. Penn State Foward’s 2023 platform is also emphasizing supporting workers’ rights at Penn State, including the implementation of a $15 hourly minimum wage on university campuses.
“Each of this year’s candidates will make a positive impact on the Board,” said Nora Van Horn, a 2022 Penn State graduate and the founder of Penn State Forward. “We face a budget deficit and public scrutiny about our failures to deliver on equity commitments and create fair workplaces. The Board self-reports a need for legal skills. Ali, Melinda, and Uma will fill important knowledge gaps if elected. Moreover, their bold vision for Penn State and their drive to fight for institutional change offer a new voice and a choice for alumni this coming election — one to move Penn State Forward.”
Perhaps best known for her soccer stardom, Krieger won the FIFA Women’s World Cup with the United States in 2015 and 2019 after starring for the Nittany Lions as a two-time All-American from 2003 to 2006 and guiding Penn State to four straight Big Ten championships. While also representing NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, Krieger more recently served as a key advocate for a new collective bargaining agreement that achieves equal pay for the United States national men’s and women’s soccer teams. Krieger graduated from Penn State in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations.
“I’m excited to create impactful change at Penn State’s highest level. It would be an honor to sit on the Board of Trustees and shape important decisions that will matter for years to come,” Krieger said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to be running for the Board and ready to motivate needed change at Penn State to create a more safe, inclusive, and welcoming community. We Are moving forward together!”
Kuritzky, meanwhile, works as an attorney-advisor for the U.S. Department of State, where he represents the United States in international disputes. Her career has largely focused on advising international law and policy, including sustainable development and climate risk, with organizations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. Kuritzky graduated from Penn State in 2006 with bachelor’s degrees in international politics and Spanish before continuing her education at Harvard.
“Penn State Forward offers alumni voters a unique opportunity to vote for a platform that puts the century’s most pressing challenges at the center of the conversation,” Kuritzky said in a statement. “The Board of Trustees has a responsibility to the Penn State community to demonstrate leadership in sustainability, educational equity, responsible governance, student safety, and workplace fairness. If I am elected to the Board, I pledge to advocate for more focus on these critical issues.”
Moriarty currently serves as a senior investment strategist for CenterSquare Investment Management, a $14 billion real estate firm at which she leads the organization’s climate-smart investment strategy. Moriarty also serves on a number of high-profile boards and committees, including the Green Building United board of directors and Penn State’s Smeal Sustainability Advisory Board. In 2014, she graduated from Penn State with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance, plus a master’s degree in accounting.
“Penn State’s greatness comes from its people — past, present, and future — and the Board of Trustees has a duty to advocate for the best interests of all these stakeholders. If elected to the board, I’m committed to doing just that,” Moriarity said in a statement.
Before Penn State Forward’s candidates officially appear on the upcoming alumni trustee ballot, they’ll need to collect at least 250 signatures each during the nomination period, which begins on Jan. 15 and stretches through late February. All Penn State alumni and most former students are eligible to nominate candidates and vote.
Once the nomination period ends, this year’s alumni trustee election will begin on April 10 when election ballots are delivered via email. The election will conclude at 9 a.m. on May 4. Those who participated in the 2022 election process will automatically receive ballots. Eligible individuals who don’t receive a ballot can request one online.
Penn State Forward’s campaign more formally kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 14, with a virtual “Meet The Candidates” event. Interested attendees can RSVP for the online forum through this link.
Formed in 2022, Penn State Forward sponsored three candidates for last year’s alumni trustee election cycle. The coalition successfully supported the election of atmospheric scientist Christa Hasenkopf, a former first-generation college student who graduated from Penn State in 2003. She’ll serve on the board through 2025.
For more information on the upcoming alumni trustee election, visit Penn State Forward’s website or browse the Board of Trustees’ election policies.
