International Politics, 2008
At Willamette, Helfer learned to lead through service to her community — an ethos she has put into practice ever since graduation. Through her work with AmeriCorps and the United Way of Larimer County (Colorado), she rallied thousands of volunteers to actively address and confront poverty, including mentoring at-risk youth, supporting low-income housing residents and championing disadvantaged teens at a local safe house. Helfer also engaged volunteers to help their neighbors affected by wildfires and floods in 2012 and 2013. In 2016, Helfer obtained a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School for Public Policy & Governance and aims to put her commitment and compassion to work for a global humanitarian organization. Currently, Helfer works as a Senior Project Manager and Analyst for Panorama Global in Seattle, Washington.