What are the skills that will be needed to build a strong foundation for leadership in a multicultural modern America? What are some of the challenges that are likely to face policymakers of color both at home and abroad in the years ahead? These were just a couple of the questions examined at the COMPAS Project's 2000 conference, "Power & Influence in Public Policy: Building Multicultural Leadership."

Alfred Ramirez, president of the National Community for Latino Leadership,
recounts career advice while moderator Nina Segal takes notes during the 
career panel at the COMPAS Conference.

Held at Columbia University's School of Public and International Affairs, the conference featured a series of policy workshops designed to move beyond the headlines, and examine some of the pressing public policy problems facing minority communities across the nation.Divided into one of two tracks, workshops either explored professional development issues or discussed current "hot" domestic and foreign policy issues

on topics from education reform to working with youth. Issues explored at "Power & Influence in Public Policy: Building Multicultural Leadership" included:

• Public Finance: "Public Finance 101: Selling the Brooklyn Bridge and Other Tales..." 
• Community Development: "Building a Foundation for Community and Economic Development: New Trends and Innovations..." 
• International Affairs: "The New Economy & Its Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy..." 
• Running for Public Office: "Campaign Development: Issues and Obstacles that Face Minority Candidates" 
• Technology & the Digital Divide: "What does it mean and what are we doing about it?..." 
• Youth Policy Issues: Serving Our Young People: A Look at Public Policy and Practice" 

Lasting slightly over an hour each workshop panel featured a mix of seasoned professionals from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Workshops at "Power & Influence in Public Policy: Building Multicultural Leadership" featured speakers including:

Participants listen to perspectives on obstacles that face 
minority candidates during a workshop at the COMPAS Policy Conference

- Dudley Benoit, SEEDCO  - Lionel McIntyre, Urban Technical Assistance Program  - Luis Miranda, Hispanic Federation, Advisory  - Desmond Saunders Newton, U.S. Department of Defense  - Lance Freeman, Columbia University, Urban Planning Department

- Sandra Timmons, Girls Inc
- John White, New York City Comptroller's Office 
- Margaret Lezcano, Goldman Sachs 
- Amy Laskey, FITCH
- Melanie Tung, Dexia Group
- John Lui, 2001 New York City Councilman Candidate

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