At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we’re expanding our advocacy work and gearing up for a busy 2025 Texas legislative session, which will begin January 14, 2025. Part of that preparation includes welcoming two new team members to our policy and advocacy team: Sienzhi Kouemo, a Texas Instruments (TI) Founders Leadership Fellow, and Christy Beauchemin, a University of Texas CONNECT Fellow.

During Sienzhi’s year-long fellowship, he will support our work with the 89th Texas legislative session and other community impact initiatives. The Texas Instruments Founders Leadership Fellowship is made possible by a generous investment from the TI Foundation that builds a pipeline of recent graduates and emerging leaders within the nonprofit sector.

Meanwhile, this summer, Christy is working on a policy and advocacy data project on United Way’s advocacy metrics and engagement opportunities. The UT CONNECT fellowship program is run through the LBJ School of Public Affairs RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service.

Hillary Evans, vice president of policy and advocacy at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, said the two fellows will help expand our advocacy capabilities at a critical time.

“As we approach the 2025 legislative session, it’s vital for United Way to maximize our advocacy efforts to ensure all of our supporters speak up, together, about the issues that directly impact education, income and health in our community,” she said. “Sienzhi and Christy are already helping to ensure we can engage even more advocates and connect with our elected officials more efficiently and effectively.”

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