Join Michael Fitzgerald, the Gretchen Hoadley Burke '81 Chair in Regional Studies in the Department of Economics, for a panel discussion with invited guests:Rajni Chawla, Executive Deputy Commissioner, OTDA Chawla is Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Prior to being appointed to her current position, Chawla served as the First Deputy Commissioner at OTDA and as Deputy Commissioner of Audit and Quality Improvement. Before joining OTDA, Chawla served as Director of Internal Audit at the Office of Information Technology Services, which is responsible for providing statewide IT strategic direction, directing IT policy, and delivering centralized IT products and services that support the mission of the state. She also worked as the Director of Internal Audit at the New York State Department of Labor. Prior to joining state service, she worked for the private sector in numerous capacities.Chawla received her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the DAVY University, India. She is also a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Information Systems Auditor.Kenneth Wells-Crannell, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs, OTDA Kenneth is Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs, which includes the Division of Administrative Hearings, Office of Legislative Affairs, and the Public Information Office. He has over 30 years of public policy and management experience, having served extensively in county governments across New York State prior to joining OTDA.Ken received his Master of Public Administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and earned a bachelor's degree from the State University at Albany.Paul Brady, Executive Director, New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) Paul is Executive Director of the New York Public Welfare Association, which was founded in 1869. It is the oldest public welfare association in the United States. Its role is to independently represent New York's 58 local social services districts.The Association fulfills a key public role while presenting a variety of different opportunities for the exchange of ideas, development of new initiatives, and refinement of existing programs and services. The NYPWA is an active partner with government agencies, associations, and community organizations.The association provides information, policy analysis, and technical assistance to federal, state, and local policymakers and direct support to districts.Daniel Auwater, Social Services Commissioner, Chenango County ​​​​​​​Daniel is ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Social Services Commissioner, Chenango County. The mission of the Chenango County Department of Social Services (DSS) is to ensure the provision of financial, medical, and Family and Children’s Services necessary to assist eligible residents of Chenango County towards enhancing family functioning and to reduce or eliminate dependency.This event is sponsored by The Upstate Institute in collaboration with the Department of Economics.