Ellie Park, Staff Photographer

On Tuesday night, Neera Tanden YLS ’96, senior advisor to President Biden, visited Yale to speak about her life in politics at an event hosted by Yale College Democrats, Yale’s South Asian Society and The Politic.

The discussion, which was held in Linsly-Chittenden Hall, was sponsored by the Traphagen Alumni Speakers Series and the Yale College Office of Student Affairs. Prior to the event, Tanden joined members of SAS and Yale Dems for dinner, where she spoke about how politics has changed since Tanden began her career as well as the importance of role models and representation. 

“As a South Asian person and someone who is interested in politics, it was amazing to hear from her as someone who has had this experience,” co-president of SAS Kirin Mueller ’24 told the News. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of role models in politics and law.” 

Tanden was born to Indian immigrants in Bedford, Massachusetts and began her political career volunteering on Michael Dukakis’ presidential campaign in 1988. In 1999 and 2000, Tanden served as policy director and campaign manager for Hillary Clinton, later working as an advisor to Hillary Clinton in her campaign for the presidency in 2016. 

Prior to taking on this role as senior advisor to President Biden, Tanden worked in former President Barack Obama’s administration and also founded the Center for American Progress in 2003, later serving as its president and CEO in 2011. 

Her appointment as senior advisor to Biden in May 2021 came after her failed cabinet nomination to be the Director of Office of Management and Budget after she came under fire for her previous criticism of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. 

David Acquaah-Mensah ’25, the speakers director for Yale Dems, led the event by asking Tanden questions, then moderating the discussion. Acquaah-Mensah told the News that while he was “flustered” by Tanden’s compliments of his thorough research for the discussion, he was grateful for her responses to his and the audience’s questions. Acquaah-Mensah reached out to Tanden in early January and told the News that she expressed excitement about coming to campus. 

Logan George ’25, who attended the event, said she was particularly interested in the discussion about the long process of policy change, specifically discussing the Affordable Care Act, as well as longterm policy goals like universal childcare.

“I was inspired to see a woman of color working towards progressive change and enjoyed her unapologetic attitude about fighting against people who create barriers for that change,” George told the News. 

In a joint statement from the board of Yale Dems provided by communications director Kate Reynolds, they wrote that they thought the event went “really well” and that they enjoyed hearing about the importance of young people getting involved in politics. 

“Ms. Tanden has forged such an important path in politics, and we are all inspired by her impressive career, her advocacy for progressive policies, and her dedication to helping Democratic presidents improve conditions for American families — all while breaking down barriers for Indian-American women interested in public service,” the statement read.  

Tanden also worked on Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992.