Summer 2026 interns

News & Updates
Written By Public Servants Team

A trio contributing to public service through civic practice and creativity

As Public Servants welcome a new cohort of interns this summer, we’re excited to introduce three emerging creatives who are exploring what it means to make a meaningful contribution to public life.

Coming from backgrounds in design, writing, and research, each intern brings a unique perspective and a shared curiosity about public service. Through the program, they’ll have the opportunity to build new skills, learn from practitioners across the field, and deepen their understanding of how public institutions can better serve people and communities.

In their words below, each intern shares a little about themselves, their interests, and what they hope to gain from the experience this summer.

Illustration of Branda Ayo taking a selfie of the group, Polly Xu on her laptop, and Gina Bae drawing a cat on Polly's head while giving a peace symbol

Illustration of the 2026 Summer Intern cohort by Gina Bae
Left to right in illustration: Branda Ayo, Polly Xu, and Gina Bae

Gina Bae

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Illustration

  • What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?

    Sketching at museums and outdoors, neighborhood walks, and hiking.

  • What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?
    I’m excited to learn more about collaboration in a professional workspace and explore the civic and service design field. I’m especially interested in how I can use my illustration and animation skills to make a positive impact.

  • When are you most productive or creative?

    Mornings and evenings are when I’m most productive. Around midday, lunch tends to distract me, and I usually end up in a brief food coma.

  • What’s a non-negotiable for you?

    Shoes in my house or on my bed. I respect the rules and preferences of other people’s homes, but that’s definitely a non-negotiable in my space.

  • What’s your secret superpower?

    Making friends with the neighborhood cats. For some reason, they always seem to find me.

A young woman smiles with a hand raised—paintbrush in hand—painting an easel-mounted canvas in studio.
A hand holds up a couple of sketches of sculptures, behind the pencil sketches one of the featured sculptures is lit in museum lights.

Gina’s museum sketches.

Polly Xu

Parsons School of Design, The New School • Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Transdisciplinary Design • Minor in Civic Service Design

  • What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?

    I enjoy meditation, visiting museums, and life sketching

  • What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?

    I’m hoping to become more familiar with the professional world, continue strengthening my research skills, and, if possible, gain more experience with stakeholder engagement and coordination.

  • When are you most productive or creative?

    Usually between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with a break around lunchtime.

  • What’s a non-negotiable for you?

    I don’t drink alcohol, but I’m always happy to join for a non-alcoholic beverage and good conversation.

  • What’s your secret superpower?

    I can be quite intuitive, and cats generally seem to like me too.

A smiling young woman smiles in front of a formal portrait background.
A watercolor painting of an orange and white cat around patterns and textures

A painting by Polly featuring a cat.

Branda Ayo

The City College of New York (CCNY) • Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Branding + Integrated Communications

  • What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?

    Watching anime, K-dramas, and Love Island

  • What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?

    Getting more comfortable talking about my work, and keeping track of my progress

  • When are you most productive or creative?

    Early mornings (around 7-11 a.m.) and late evenings after 7 p.m. are when I do my best work.

  • What’s a non-negotiable for you?

    When people don’t share the mic in group settings, and when tourists stop right in front of train doors or station entrances.

  • What’s your secret superpower?

    My desire to help others and lead with empathy. I try to approach life with an abundance mindset whenever I can.

A young woman smiles warmly in front of a sunset toned background
A young woman smiles for the camera with a cafe drink to go in one hand. Over the image is the text "Lat week of class as a grad student at City College"

Branda marking her last week of class.

Public service isn’t the work of an individual or single organization. It’s built through many hands, perspectives, and through a shared commitment to doing better over time.

Established practitioner interested in collaborating? Learn about our Talent Network.
The call for applications for our Fall season Creative and Civic Practice internship will be announced later in the summer.

We’re grateful to spend this summer season learning alongside this strong trio. And we’re excited to see how their questions, ideas, and values shape the future of public interest solutions.

Public Servants Team

Public Servants LLC™ is a team of civic designers, strategists, and public service professionals strengthening how governments, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations design, communicate, and deliver public systems.

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