Keynote: A Presidential View of Public Impact Research
Posted On: 03-12-2026
Posted In:
Angela Bednarek, Ph.D. (Panelist), leads Scientific Advancement at The Pew Charitable Trusts, which includes
efforts to support groundbreaking science and ensure research informs public policy and improves
outcomes. In this role, she oversees scientific grant and fellowship programs and co-founded and leads
the Impact Funders Forum, a global collaborative aimed at closing the gap between research and
outcomes. She has published and presented widely on improving the connections between research,
policy, and practice and serves on a variety of scientific and public policy advisory committees and
boards.
Bednarek has served an American Association for the Advancement of Science diplomacy fellow in the
Office of Environmental Policy at the U.S. Department of State, a fellow at the Earth Institute at
Columbia University, and a scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Bednarek holds a doctorate in
biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
A quick program update: Dr. Ana Mari Cauce, President Emeritus at the University of Washington and co-chair for the Presidents and Chancellors Council will now present at the Keynote: A Presidential View of Public Impact Research at 11:30 am CDT. We are happy to welcome her to the Summit.
As the past-president of one of the world’s great public universities, Ana Mari Cauce (panelist) led the University of Washington in advancing its mission in four key areas: providing a leading-edge student experience, conducting research and scholarship that has a global impact, upholding the UW’s dedication to its public mission and infusing the entire university with a commitment to innovation. A member of the UW faculty since 1986, Cauce became interim president in March 2015, having previously served as provost and executive vice president, and the UW Board of Regents selected her to become the UW’s 33rd president at a special meeting Oct. 13, 2015. Raised in Miami after emigrating with her family from Cuba, Cauce earned a B.A. in English and psychology from the University of Miami and a Ph.D. in psychology, with a concentration in child clinical and community psychology, from Yale University. She maintains an active research program, focusing on adolescent development, with a special emphasis on at-risk youth. She is also a strong advocate for women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Cauce remains active in the classroom and continues to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Benjamin Olneck-Brown (Discussant) is an Officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts, leading the Evidence Project to improve the use of evidence in policy and practice. As a Senior Associate, Benjamin supported the launch of the Transforming Evidence Network and the Funders Network. Previously, Benjamin worked as a Policy Analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Teaching Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Legislative Intern at the Wisconsin State Assembly, and a Research Assistant at the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Benjamin also gained experience in electoral campaigns and environmental conservation efforts. Benjamin holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison and a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Political Science from Vassar College.
Event Timeslots (1)
April 1, Day 3
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Panelists: Angela Bednarek, Ph.D. and Ana Mari Cauce,Ph.D.; Discussant Benjamin Olneck-Brown
Speakers will share perspectives on research impact from the lens of the Presidents and Chancellors Council on Public Impact Research, a partnership with the Impact Funders Forum at The Pew Charitable Trusts. The conversation will include examples from Penn State’s award-winning Public Impact Research Initiative as well as information on the Impact Funders Forum. Panelists will also discuss the role of public impact research across institutional and philanthropic strategic thinking.