State and Federal Communications President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz received the PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network) Mentor Award in Washington, D.C., in a recent ceremony honoring exemplary leaders committed to education.

Ms. Bartz was recognized for her outstanding commitment to mentoring the next generation of women leaders in public policy careers. PLEN is the only national organization with the sole focus of preparing college women for leadership in the public policy arena.

Along with Ms. Bartz, other prestigious women receiving PLEN awards included Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03); Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21); Ms. Anne DeSeta DarConte, Principal, Beyond K Street, LLC and Co-Founder, Professional Women in Advocacy Conference; and Ms. Jen Stange, Program Coordinator, 21st Century Blueprint Committee, SEIU. PLEN selected these honorees for prioritizing the importance of women helping other women in their daily actions.

Ms. Ellie Shaw, Director of Federal Government Affairs, at American Express, nominated Ms. Bartz for the award. Ms. Bartz says, “Ellie has been involved with PLEN for years and is a great representative of how we need to offer a hand up to our future leaders.” She adds that PLEN’s mission is to increase the number of women in top leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public policy process by introducing college women to role models, career paths, and skills trainings before they enter the workforce.

Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of women students from colleges and universities across the country to Washington, D.C. where they can experience first-hand how public policy is shaped and implemented at the national level. Students meet with and learn from women leaders making and influencing public policy at the highest levels in Congress, the courts, federal agencies, the private sector, policy research and advocacy organizations, and the media. These women leaders serve as teachers as well as mentors.

According to PLEN officials, Ms. Bartz has shown commitment to mentoring college women and preparing them in the public policy arena. Ms. Bartz echoes this by commenting, “It is so important to help all students, both men and women, with career advice, resume reviews, and connecting with people who can provide their first jobs. Providing this assistance is something students remember and carry forward to help others. I am proud to support PLEN.”

PLEN is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C.