Hadley Hosford

Hadley is MDC’s 2026-2028 George B. Autry Fellow for Southern Policy & Research. She is passionate about advancing accessibility and strengthening public assistance programs in the U.S. South. She has conducted research related to Medicaid reimbursement, tax policy, foster youth, food insecurity, disability justice, and environmental justice. She has met with North Carolina legislators to advocate for funding to support foreign language education opportunities for students.

As an undergraduate student, Hadley served as a Learning Assistant for Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy, supporting students learning statistical analysis and Stata. Hadley received a Master’s of Public Policy with a concentration in social policy and inequality from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2026. She completed a BA in Public Policy and Global Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill in May 2025. Hadley also completed a one-year position as a Dan Broun Program Associate with MDC.

Hadley grew up in Leland, NC, and enjoys visiting farmers’ markets, reading, and spending time with her friends at the Eno River. She will start the Autry Fellowship in June 2026 and work full-time with MDC through May 2028.