Student Spotlight: Emmett Halloran (MPA-PNP 2026)

In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, we’re spotlighting the Stonewall Policy Alliance (SPA)—a student-led organization at NYU Wagner that deepens understanding of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and promotes dialogue between future policymakers and allies. Meet Emmett Halloran, the new SPA Co-Chair, who shares how his experience in finance, social impact, and advocacy is shaping his leadership at SPA and his vision for a more inclusive approach to public service.

Congrats on your new role as Co-Chair of the Stonewall Policy Alliance! What motivated you to step up in this way, and what is your vision for the year? 

I was motivated to step up because I want LGBTQ students at Wagner to have a strong sense of community throughout their time in the program. This year, Brant Wesley and I, along with some new board members, will be working together to make SPA a welcoming and inclusive space. We’re excited to offer a variety of events, from happy hours and book clubs to LGBTQ film screenings and more. 

You transitioned from working as an analyst at J.P. Morgan to pursuing an MPA at Wagner with a focus on Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. What inspired that shift from finance to public service?

Some of my most rewarding work with clients involved our team’s Philanthropy Centre—the group dedicated to helping clients explore their potential philanthropic legacy and charitable impact. Working with incredibly wealthy individuals, I saw firsthand how their donations could transform the trajectory of nonprofit organizations. That experience made it clear to me that I wanted to transition out of my banking role and into a position where I could engage directly with donors to raise funds for causes I truly believe in.  

You’ve spoken about wanting to bridge the worlds of finance and social good. Now in your second year at Wagner, how do you see your skills and experience in finance shaping your work in public service?

Working in finance, specifically for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, required me to be highly organized and confident—soft(er) skills that I believe will serve me well as I transition into the fundraising and development space after graduation. 

You’ve recently joined Uncloseted Media as a development and fundraising assistant. How does working with them influence your perspective on LGBTQ+ advocacy and policy?

Working with Uncloseted Media, an organization started by an NYU LGBTQ journalism professor, has shaped my perspective in a unique way. While the LGBTQ community gets demonized and attacked daily, I get to sit in meetings with a queer team that includes some of the hardest-working, passionate, and empathetic folks. It constantly makes me ask: where is the disconnect, and how can we foster compassion and empathy in place of hate and exclusion?  

What has been the most rewarding part of your Wagner experience so far? 

Soaking in knowledge from those around me. Because many of my classmates were previously in the public service sector, I have been educated on topics ranging from composting (you know who you are) and climate change to job prospects and industry recruitment.