Latoya Francis

Latoya is Vice President at Walkers

My journey to LSE began with a dream: to leave the world better than I found it through innovation and inspiration. I've always been a dreamer. When considering my next career move, I was drawn towards pursuing government and public policy programs in Europe. This interest in public policy was sparked by a conversation with a friend I met during the Clinton Global University 2011 cohort in San Diego, California. This background is significant because my application and subsequent acceptance into the MPA curriculum faced low odds due to various socioeconomic factors. Ultimately, I chose the LSE MPA program because I believed that, given the calibre of its alumni, it would provide me with opportunities to meet and build lifelong connections that would assist me in fulfilling my God-given purpose: creating spaces and opportunities for others to realize their full potential.

I won't sugarcoat it – the MPA program is not for the faint of heart. This program is designed to equip those who aspire to be game changers in their respective industries. My first year was one of the most challenging periods of my academic journey. I struggled significantly with the courses and battled imposter syndrome. However, I reached out to the staff at the School of Public Policy, who were incredibly supportive and connected me with a coach to assist me during this time. I'm not sure I would have received that level of support anywhere else.

My time in the MPA program was filled with many memorable and life-changing experiences. The professors and the variety of electives to choose from were fantastic. I had the opportunity to work with the founding team of what is now known as the LSE Africa Summit, as well as participate in the Tata Social Internship. The interdisciplinary approach of the program was a key feature. I appreciated the fact that students are given the chance to apply the concepts learned in the program to real-life policy scenarios through the Capstone Project. My Capstone team had the opportunity to work with the IMF and the Ministry of Finance for the Government of Senegal on the Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES). We had a supportive supervisor and also got the chance to visit Senegal to present our findings. During our time in Senegal, we even had the opportunity to meet with the British Ambassador at the time. This is a testament not only to the high calibre of the program but also to the connections you will make during your time in the MPA.

The MPA program played an instrumental role in shaping my career. The program's rigorous yet inspiring nature helped me build a solid foundation and a deep love for various policy areas. In my current role, I work as an AML Officer for Hedge Funds and oversee the audit and testing of the policies and procedures of third-party administrators. All of this was made possible through the MPA. I encourage incoming students to think outside the box when planning their time in the MPA. If you choose the MPA, I also believe that the MPA chose you. On your journey to change the world through the MPA, I encourage you to make the most of your time, have fun, and build lifelong relationships.

Latoya is happy to connect on LinkedIn.