Deven Kinney is a joint B.A.-B.S./M.P.P. candidate at the Jackson School of Global Affairs. At Jackson, Kinney focuses on public affairs, government relations, and public-private sector relationships across the technology, infrastructure, and energy sectors. His work reflects a commitment to bridging these sectors to address complex global challenges. As an associate consultant intern with WSP USA, Kinney supported numerous state and local departments of transportation and infrastructure to develop financing strategies for large-scale projects and to craft compelling applications for federal funding programs. This past summer, he was awarded a Global Affairs Graduate Student Summer Project Fellowship to conduct independent research on the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act. Through engagement with researchers, academics, and policymakers, Kinney’s research focused on assessing the Act’s strengths and limitations as a regulatory framework and evaluating its potential transferability to an American political and legal context. Previously, he has worked as a merchandising intern for rural life retailer Tractor Supply Company and as a campaign finance intern for the 2020 Democratic Nominee for Congress in New Jersey’s 4th congressional district.
Kinney holds a BA in global affairs and history from Yale University, graduating cum laude and with distinction in both majors. His studies in global affairs included interdisciplinary coursework in international security, development economics, comparative politics, and quantitative analysis. As a history major, Kinney concentrated in 20th century American history and his senior essay was awarded the Berkeley College Ketcham Prize for the Best Thesis in American History. His academic pursuits were complemented by his participation in the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy and his leadership as executive director of the Yale International Relations Association, Yale’s largest student-run undergraduate organization, where he led the professional development programming, educational initiatives, and philanthropic endeavors for over 550 members.
Kinney has long been an active member of the Yale community, singing bass in the Yale Glee Club, working as a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and spending four years as a member of the competitive Model United Nations Team. Originally from New Jersey, he has working professional proficiency in Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys reading fiction, watching movies, playing racket sports, and exploring New Haven’s many coffee shops.