Stories #83: Michael, Morgan, and Minna, PBHA Alums in Government Law

We are incredibly thankful to these PBHA alumni for sharing their stories with us and are so proud of their dedications to service through the legal field.

Michael (Mike) Thakur ‘01

Michael was actively involved with PBHA's Refugee Youth Enrichment Program (RYSE), where he nurtured his passion for service. This foundation has guided his career trajectory; after law school, he took on pro bono cases focused on voter registration rights and indigent criminal defense.

“As often said, Rent we pay for living. But it is also an unending source of joy. I have met many friends in my journey of service and I am grateful to continue the efforts that were kindled in the halls of Phillips Brooks House.” - Mike Thakur

He also contributed to his community in Miami by serving on a funding board for local projects, teaching ethics and leadership at law schools, and mentoring young leaders.

“It is difficult to say how any endeavor in which you devote significant hours later shapes you in ways both subtle and obvious. But I know that I am grateful and think back often to the encouragement I received from PBHA staff and alums, from the inspiring notes written to me by the RYSE students I taught and seeing their resiliency and eagerness to learn, from the late-night debates with my fellow counselors. It influenced who I am today.” - Mike Thakur

For over a decade, he has worked as a government attorney, dedicated to keeping his community safe. Reflecting on his PBHA experience, he values the relationships and skills he gained, which continue to influence his journey in public service.

“There is so much I learned from my time in PBHA. I became a better speaker by watching my articulate and eloquent fellow PBHAers, I witnessed how to run a meeting with a thoughtful board of directors, I experienced the art of fundraising by asking for countless alums for donations, I learned how to juggle responsibilities as I finished up course papers in the basement of Phillips Brooks House, and I remember the lessons of teaching a diverse group of RYSE students – that people have different ways of learning but everyone has a desire to do better.” - Mike Thakur

Morgan Bradylyons ‘02

Morgan Bradylyons credits PBHA with profoundly influencing their commitment to public service since graduation. She served on the board of a Massachusetts nonprofit and have actively engaged in PBHA alumni events, including the SUP mentorship program. Additionally, during the pandemic, she volunteered with her local election board and has spent the last 12 years as a government lawyer, inspired by her experiences at PBHA.

“I met many of my closest friends doing work at PBHA and they continue to be an important presence in my life. PBHA alumni activities are what make me feel connected to Harvard College today—it is a pleasure to see current students and all the exciting work they are doing now. I feel honored to be included and it is truly an inspiring group of alumni.” - Morgan Bradylyons

Through PBHA, Morgan formed lasting friendships and found a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to social justice and poverty issues. They reflect fondly on the impactful Stride Rite reflection sessions led by Maria Dominguez Gray, which shaped her understanding of public service at a critical time in her life.

“Working at PBHA allowed me to find a community of like-minded students at Harvard who had similar values, and that was incredibly important to me. It also really shaped my thinking on issues of poverty and social justice, and that has stayed with me for twenty years.” - Morgan Bradylyons

Serving as a SUP director marked their first significant leadership role, teaching her the importance of appreciation and reflection in effective leadership—a lesson they carry into their current work. PBHA not only helped her develop practical leadership skills but also encouraged collaboration with diverse communities beyond the Harvard bubble.

“PBHA has had an enormous impact on my involvement in service since graduation….PBHA inspired me to be a public servant!” - Morgan Bradylyons

Minna Elias ‘82

Minna Eliasjoined PBHA driven by a longstanding passion for community service, which deepened through their involvement in domestic violence advocacy. Their experiences volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, primarily working with children while their mothers received counseling, opened her eyes to the challenges many face. Conversations with the shelter’s leaders, who were formerly battered women, highlighted the pervasive nature of domestic violence across different backgrounds.

“PBHA was the only place I really interacted with people whose life experience was really unlike my own. At Harvard, everyone was highly educated…they were all looking forward to a middle class life. That was not true of the people in the shelter, although the woman I worked with most had come from a life of privilege and had been well-educated. And that was, to me, the most eye-opening of all. Privilege does not protect you from being battered.” - Minna Elias

PBHA provided Minna with their first opportunities to connect with individuals whose life experiences starkly contrasted with their own, challenging their understanding of privilege and adversity. This foundation in listening and empathy became invaluable during their subsequent work in constituent services for Congress. She previously served as Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for nearly 26 years, focusing on women’s rights and community service, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to making a difference.

“[Through PBHA] I learned to listen, a skill that served me when I did constituent service for a member of Congress.” - Minna Elias