Pictured, from left to right: Audrey Damis, Abigail Mammo, Ana Mims.
The Sycamore Institute would like to offer a warm welcome to Audrey Damis, Abigail Mammo, and Ana Mims, our summer Policy Interns. We asked them to share a little bit about themselves below. If you or someone you know is interested in an internship with Sycamore, please visit SycamoreTN.org/jobs.
Name: Audrey Damis
School: Princeton University
Hometown: Glen Rock, New Jersey
Why did you want to intern at the Sycamore Institute?
I have always been passionate about the employment of intricate research towards the development of policy solutions to prevalent public issues. The ability to contribute to the Sycamore Institute’s mission of providing nonpartisan data insights to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public of Tennessee therefore really inspired me. It also resonated with me due to the importance of supplying state governments and the public with unbiased information at a time in which polarization and gridlock at the federal level has increasingly led concentrated interests to target lobbying at state legislatures. This trend alongside the modern decline in local news media undermines democratic strength and local electoral accountability, thus I am passionate about interning with the Sycamore Institute as its work serves to counter these threats. I am also especially excited by the opportunity to expand upon my skills in policy analysis and writing.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
In 15 years, I see myself working as a lawyer at a public interest law firm, using my interests in analysis, writing, and collaborative engagement to defend individuals’ civil rights or consumer interests, for example. I hope to live in a big city that I can explore in my free time.
What are your interests and activities outside of school?
I am a part of my school’s debate panel and am the co-president of our chapter of the Legacy Project, an initiative that seeks to capture the stories of senior citizens and share them through the publication of its resulting book. I also love sports – I am a part of my school’s club volleyball team and love to run in my free time.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I grew up listening to older country artists like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, so I’m super excited about being in Nashville this summer!
Name: Abigail Mammo
School: Brown University
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Why did you want to intern at Sycamore Institute?
I knew I wanted to be part of an organization making an impact in my home state of Tennessee. I came across Sycamore and was immediately amazed by how they cover such a broad range of issues, making them accessible, without sacrificing depth or substance.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
I would love to channel my love of learning, teaching, and mentorship into my career as a professor. I also hope to continue finding new ways to engage in public interest work, especially at the intersection of academia and its practical applications.
What are your interests and activities outside of school?
I enjoy playing card games, drinking lattes, and cheering on the Titans. I also love watching Jeopardy or engaging in any form of trivia.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
I love listening to Christmas music all year round.
Name: Ana Mims
School: University of Tennessee: College of Social Work
Hometown: Currently, Nashville, TN
Why did you want to intern at the Sycamore Institute?
As a Master of Science in Social Work student focusing on macro practice, I know that sustainable change requires looking at the bigger picture. I was excited to find an organization like Sycamore that takes a data-driven, nonpartisan approach to addressing the everyday issues Tennesseans face. I admire the commitment to making policy information accessible and digestible. I wanted an opportunity to learn about policy analysis and research in a hands-on environment outside of the classroom. I’m looking forward to learning more about how policy can create tangible, better outcomes for all.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
For the past nine years, I have worked in direct care settings, collaborating one-on-one with individuals in healthcare, substance abuse recovery, and sexual violence response and prevention. That hands-on experience is what inspired my shift toward the processes and policies involved in systemic change. In 15 years, I see myself combining my background with policy research and community advocacy to tackle complex public challenges. My goal is to be a trusted researcher and advocate, using data to address the broader issues I used to see on an individual level. While I am unsure of where exactly that will lead, I believe my time at Sycamore will help me find that path.
What are your interests and activities outside of school?
Outside of school, I love spending time with friends, taking long walks, reading, and baking. As an avid reader, I will pick up almost anything and have lately been mixing fiction, memoirs, and social sciences as a break from my coursework. I am also constantly experimenting with gluten-free recipes to make them indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts (and I have to say, I am pretty good at it).
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I have lived in 5 countries and didn’t live in the U.S. until I was 17!
