SPAA Internship Spotlight: Kat Hurtado – Office of the First Lady of NJ, Tammy Murphy
Name: Kat Hurtado
SPAA Degree Program: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Graduation Month/Year: May 2025
Name of Organization: Office of the First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy
Location: Trenton, NJ
Title: Policy & Advocacy Fellow
Summary of Responsibilities:
As a Policy & Advocacy Fellow, I support the First Lady's initiatives, particularly the Nurture NJ maternal and infant health strategic plan, through policy research, stakeholder engagement, and interagency coordination. I help prepare briefing materials, support high-level events, and contribute to advocacy strategies to reduce racial disparities in health outcomes. I also monitor state budget proceedings and track legislative developments — especially in this challenging budget cycle with looming uncertainty around federal funding for maternal health and early childhood programs.
Favorite Aspect of Fellowship:
Collaborating with a passionate, women-led team transforming maternal health policy in real-time. I value opportunities to be in the room where policy decisions are made and to see how relationships, data, and lived experience can influence meaningful change.
Career Goals:
To work in philanthropy and intergovernmental relations at the intersection of policy and maternal/child health — supporting programs and policies that center the needs of historically underserved communities.
How has SPAA helped you navigate your fellowship responsibilities?
SPAA has given me the policy and management tools to navigate complex systems and shifting priorities. Courses in budgeting, intergovernmental relations, and public leadership have helped me understand the inner workings of government and how to advocate effectively within them. Especially during a budget season where every dollar counts.
What kind of skills did you learn during this fellowship?
In addition to legislative research and stakeholder engagement, I've gained insight into the budget process and how fiscal constraints can impact policy implementation. This has sharpened my ability to analyze public investments, track funding streams, and think critically about how advocacy efforts can align with budget realities.
Anything else you wish to add?
This fellowship has deepened my understanding of how state and federal priorities intersect and how advocacy must adapt in times of fiscal uncertainty. I'm proud to contribute to a mission that uplifts the voices of women and families, and I'm grateful to SPAA for preparing me to lead with empathy and strategy.