Dear Search Committee Members:

We are writing in support of Ms. Vanessa Mendoza to be selected as the next President of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. We are all members of the Young Leaders Circle or members of the Young Leaders Advisory Committee.

Ms. Mendoza has shown remarkable leadership in growing the Young Leaders Circle in terms of membership and quality of speakers. Many of us have been attending Manhattan Institute events for several years. We remember when a speaking engagement would bring a few dozen participants to see an MI scholar speak. Through Ms. Mendoza's efforts, hundreds of YLC members regularly attend meetings with speakers that are recognized nationally for their expertise and commentary.

In addition to growing the Young Leaders program, Ms. Mendoza had helped many of us professionally, connecting like-minded people, mentoring younger members on their careers and making even the smallest donor to the Manhattan Institute feel like they are the most important person in the room. These qualities are not easy to come by in any leader.

We write with the utmost respect for all of the Manhattan Institute’s leadership, including Chairman Paul Singer, President Lawrence Mone, the board members, trustees and of course the scholars performing the necessary research to advance the Manhattan Institute’s values.

Please take our recommendation into consideration while searching for someone who can continue the important work ahead.

Sincerely,

Craig Caruana