Student Profile: Deniz Kazanci, PRIB’25, DPSS’25, MPP Class of 2027

U.S. Navy veteran. Ten years of entrepreneurial leadership in the energy sector. Two deep-tech patents. Deniz Kazanci, who recently completed the Data and Policy Summer Scholars (DPSS) and Policy Research and Innovation Boot Camp (PRIB), now joins the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Class of 2027 with a breadth of professional experience. 

Before enrolling in the MPP program, Kazanci sought to strengthen her quantitative and analytical toolkit through Harris Credential programs. “In my career, I have primarily focused on institutional-level policy analysis. Looking ahead, I aim to expand into global public policymaking, where cross-border challenges and security considerations demand rigorous quantitative tools. To prepare, I sought to strengthen my skills in policy-related data analysis and R programming — which DPSS uniquely offered.”

The appeal of PRIB, she explained, was the opportunity to move beyond theory and engage directly with real‑world policy challenges. “I wanted a better understanding of both the research methodologies behind policy analysis and the ability to assess and verify data to make informed, sustainable decisions. PRIB equipped me with practical tools for navigating complex policy challenges.”

When asked for a program highlight, Kazanci pointed to the PRIB Hackathon. “It was incredibly rewarding to collaborate across disciplines to pitch a policy solution under a tight deadline. We had to come together as a team to address challenges such as stakeholder mapping, rapid prototyping, financial analysis, and policy storytelling that balanced technical depth with political feasibility.”

Her team’s work earned the Strongest Evaluation Design Award in the Policy Hackathon Challenge. “I was very happy that we received that award because it affirmed both the clarity of our execution and the strength of our approach.”

The Hackathon also deepened Kazanci’s understanding of leadership, which, she noted, is heavily influenced by her dog. “It may sound funny at first, but in many ways, my dog has been a mentor to me. He reminds me to lead with empathy, because his needs shape my priorities. For example, I have learned to understand his needs just from his breathing—I can tell when he’s stressed, hungry, or wants to do something. He’s really taught me to read people’s subtle clues, which informs my leadership style — which begins with listening. Leadership is as much about emotional depth as it is about execution.”

Looking ahead, Kazanci envisions a career at the intersection of climate finance, energy security, and geopolitical resilience. “I aim to bridge strategies essential to global security, driving outcomes at the nexus of climate finance, energy security, and geopolitical resilience. Public policy is where capital meets consequence, and Harris offers the analytical and strategic foundation to lead with purpose and scale.”