Hunter Johansson (MPA 2018) honored with NASPAA Award

NYU Wagner alumnus, Hunter Johansson (MPA 2018), received the 2022 Alumni Spotlight Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Service from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). 

Hunter Johansson is the founder and the CEO of Solar Responders, a nonprofit maximizing first responders’ capacity to save lives by providing renewable energy installations and backup power during hurricane season in Puerto Rico. The organization’s mission was developed in response to the devastation Hurricane Maria caused to the island’s power grid and emergency response infrastructure. Over the past several years, Solar Responders has spearheaded efforts to install solar power and storage on the island’s fire stations to enhance frontline workers' responsiveness to natural disasters.

He is the second member of the NYU Wagner alumni community to be honored with this award following alumna Kyleigh Russ (MPA 2020) who was recognized in 2021 for her nonprofit startup, Govern for America, which places college graduates in public sector jobs throughout the country.