SPS Next 2026

Troy Blackwell

Troy Blackwell is an award-winning public relations executive whose work sits at the intersection of culture, media, and public diplomacy. He currently serves on Google’s Changemakers Advisory Board and is Fundraising Co-Chair of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, among several leadership roles.

Blackwell previously served in both the 44th and 46th Presidential Administrations, holding senior roles in public affairs and engagement. Appointed by President Joe Biden, he served as Deputy Chief Communications Officer at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he directed external affairs for a $4.5 billion agency with 14,000+ employees and became the agency’s highest-ranking Latino official during the administration. Before this, Blackwell served as the Peace Corps’ Global Spokesperson the first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the role leading communications across 64 countries and spearheading the agency’s landmark “Bold Invitation” global recruitment campaign. He represented the United States at major international convenings, including the Global Citizen Festival and the U.S.–Africa Leaders Summit.

A native New Yorker, Blackwell has also held roles in New York City government and the private sector. He has guest lectured at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and has provided expert commentary on democracy across CNN, MSNBC, and Times Now India.

Khushi Rajani

Khushi Rajani is a Master’s student in Applied Analytics at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, where she focuses on using data to inform strategy and decision-making. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Finance from the University of London, with academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Khushi is passionate about applying data and analytics to address complex business and societal challenges, particularly in healthcare and urban systems. She has gained experience in healthcare operations, digital initiatives, and business intelligence through roles spanning healthcare and financial services. Beyond her academic work, Khushi is an avid dancer who enjoys traveling and discovering new cities over a good cup of coffee.

LeShunta Sanders

LeShunta is a nonprofit operations professional and graduate student in the Nonprofit Management program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. With more than 20 years of experience supporting executive leadership across sectors, she focuses on turning strategy into effective systems that strengthen organizations and expand impact. As a formerly incarcerated woman of color, she brings both lived experience and professional insight to conversations about equity, dignity, and how institutions can better support the people they serve.

John Paul Lancione

John is a founder and researcher focused on the future of local food systems. He leads Seasonal, a platform building digital infrastructure for community-supported agriculture and farm-direct commerce. A Yale graduate and Columbia University sustainability management master’s candidate, his work explores how technology can strengthen regional food economies and support a more resilient, equitable food system.