January 18, 2017 | Kathleen Haley

While working for the non-governmental organization Refugees International from 2006-10, Camilla Campisi G’05 traveled on multiple missions to countries in Africa and Asia to meet with displaced people. Her focus was on assessing their situations and advocating for their protection and humanitarian needs.

She still recalls their stories, which have had a lasting impact.

“For me, the stories that I would hear makes the world feel a lot smaller,” says Campisi, who immigrated to the United States from Sweden as a child. “We all have the same needs—we want to be able to go home, we want to work and we want our children to have access to food and health care. Remembering their stories and the challenges they faced continues to motivate me.”

Campisi brings that caring and knowledge to her new role as an Empire State Fellow, working in New York State government with the Department of State and the Office for New Americans. The Office for New Americans works with local communities to assist immigrants and refugees in integrating with their community and fully participate in its civic and economic life.

Campisi, who graduated with a master’s degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was one of eight people selected for the 2016-18 fellows class. Mid-career professionals are recruited into the program from the private sector to join the next generation of state government leaders and policy makers.

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