Meet Mary Christina Riley, Macy McFall and Ed Hula….. three extraordinary Political Panthers being celebrated for 40 under 40 awards and learn how they’re doing things THE STATEWAY to make a difference in their organizations and communities. To view all 40 under 40 recipients, please click on the following link Georgia State University Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40
2024 Honorees
Chanel Zeisel
Chanel Zeisel
Juris Doctor ’22
College of Law
Director of Housing Policy, Mayor’s Office, City of Atlanta
As the director of housing policy for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, Chanel Zeisel (J.D. ’22) works to develop and implement policy initiatives and programs that promote housing affordability. Since joining the city administration in 2020, the native of Honolulu, Hawaii, has helped establish programs that protect vulnerable residents from unscrupulous landlords and help low-income Atlantans find affordable housing.
Zeisel began her career in affordable housing development and compliance in New York City. She then led a division of Citi Bike, the largest bike-share system in the U.S., before moving to Georgia to complete a law degree at Georgia State and a fellowship with Bloomberg Associates. An avid and competitive cyclist, Zeisel coaches girls and women in the sport and hosts weekly rides.
Chanel Zeisel
Ralph Woolfolk IV
Ralph Woolfolk IV
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies ’20
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Major, Atlanta Police Department
A proud Atlanta native, Maj. Ralph Woolfolk IV (M.S. ’20) serves as commander of the Violent Crime Interdiction Section of the Atlanta Police Department, which is responsible for fighting criminal street gang activity, firearms crime and narcotics-related crimes in the city of Atlanta. Prior to his promotion to major, Woolfolk ushered in a wave of new and analytics-focused processes and brought a targeted response to the city’s Special Enforcement Section.
Woolfolk, a member of the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., is an active part of both the Atlanta and Georgia State communities. He serves in the Atlanta Police Department’s Secure Neighborhoods Program. Woolfolk remains connected with Georgia State by providing Panthers with internship opportunities with the Atlanta Police Department, and by supporting the chair of the Criminal Justice Program in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.
Ralph Woolfolk IV
Bernice Butler
Bernice Butler
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology ’06
College of Arts & Sciences, Honors College
Executive Director, D.C. State Board of Education
As executive director of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, Bernice Butler (B.A. ’06) serves as the agency lead for the elected State Board and is responsible for furthering the board’s policy and research, as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the agency and support staff. Having more than 15 years’ experience in local government and education advocacy, Butler previously served as a senior associate at the Data Quality Campaign, where she analyzed emerging state education policies and practices, convened national thought leaders and worked with partner organizations to aid Washington D.C., leaders in using evidence to improve student outcomes.
Butler cites her experiences with Georgia State’s Evolving Experiences Dialogue Series with fundamentally changing her and fostering the empathy, compassion and courage that led her to pursue a career in public service. A former foster youth, Butler aged out of the foster care system as a Georgia State undergraduate and has worked philanthropically to provide educational opportunities and support for other young people in the system.
Bernice Butler
2023 Honorees
Mary Christina Riley
Mary Christina Riley
Bachelor of Arts ’11
College of Arts & Sciences
House Committee on Education & the Workforce at the U.S. House of Representatives for Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05)
Mary Christina Riley (B.A. ’11) advises U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor on issues in higher education, meets with constituents and higher education stakeholders, drafts legislation and helps prepare committee members for congressional hearings. Riley has more than eight years of experience working for members of Congress or in congressional offices. She previously served as legislative director for Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and held roles handling education and workforce issues as professional policy staff member for Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and former Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).
Riley also served as senior advisor in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education, where she led legislative efforts to streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provide funding for Minority Serving Institutions, reinstate Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals and worked with Congress on crafting COVID-19 relief provisions in the CARES Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Currently the vice president of membership for the Georgia State Society in Washington, Riley is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Pi Sigma Alpha political science honors society.
Mary Christina Riley
Macy McFall
Macy McFall
Juris Doctor ’20
College of Law
Lobbyist and Attorney, the Robbins Firm
Macy McFall’s (J.D. ’20) extensive government experience provides her with critical insights necessary to understand legislative, regulatory and administrative issues for the Robbins Firm’s clients. McFall spent eight years working in Georgia politics, most recently as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. In this role, she oversaw all day-to-day operations and was the top strategist for public policy decisions, legislative initiatives, media outreach and constituent relations for the Lt. Governor’s Office.
Before rising to become the first female chief of staff for a lieutenant governor in Georgia, McFall spent eight years working in state politics, holding key roles in which she provided strategic advice to policymakers and cultivated relationships with state, local and corporate partners. While obtaining her law degree, McFall was legislative policy analyst in the Senate Research Office, advising legislators on ethics and elections policy. McFall is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers.
Macy McFall
Ed Hula III
Ed Hula III
Bachelor of Arts ’09
College of Arts & Sciences
Press Secretary, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05)
Edward B. Hula III (B.A. ’09) works in the U.S. House of Representatives as the press secretary for Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), who represents the district that contains Hula’s childhood home, his current residence and Georgia State University. Prior to his current position, Hula had his own communications consultancy working with corporate and institutional clients around the world. In his previous profession as a reporter, he covered major events at the White House, United Nations and multiple Olympic games.
A sought-out public speaker, Hula has delivered speeches in various countries including Switzerland, Azerbaijan and Cape Verde. Dedicated to both his field and community, Hula is a Georgia State Panther Athletic Club board member, graduate of Catholic Charities of Atlanta’s leadership class and is involved in Toastmasters clubs throughout Atlanta.
Ed Hula III
Contact Us
Brian Harris
Director, Government & Community Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2030
Jason Thomas
Assistant Director for State Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1405
Debbie Jones
Associate to the Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2030
Vinesh Sahadeo Singh
Data Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1405
Address
Government and Community Affairs
Centennial Hall
100 Auburn Avenue, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
