Age: 29
Mayor, City of Menasha
While studying political science as an undergraduate at UW Oshkosh in January 2020, Austin Hammond had a life-changing experience: the opportunity for an internship with the Biden for President campaign in Iowa.
“I gained a deeper understanding of public service and what it really means to advocate for your values,” Hammond says. “I learned what it meant to be a public servant from working for this campaign.”
Hammond, who served as alderman before being elected mayor in 2024, also comes to the role with a master’s degree in public administration from UW Oshkosh, experience working in nonprofits, and a good cup of coffee.
One of the biggest issues in Northeast Wisconsin is affordable housing, he says: “Updating zoning policies to allow for more variety in housing is imperative.”
Best advice: No travel experience, job or educational opportunity is ever a waste of time. Even if it’s not directly related to your ultimate career goal, each one helps shape who you are and equips you with skills and perspective that will serve you in the future. I started my educational journey with going to school for radio, TV and film thinking I wanted to work in radio for my career.
Biggest fail: Trying to make everyone happy all of the time isn’t sustainable in the long run.
I wish I’d known: that you don’t need to know everything and a commitment to continual learning is essential.
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