The Ed Mierzwinski Fellowship
For more than 50 years, Ed Mierzwinski has dedicated his life to protecting consumers and advancing the public interest. Starting his public interest advocacy as a student at the University of Connecticut, Ed has been a central figure in advancing consequential consumer protections that have improved the lives of millions. His work has helped shape landmark policies, launch groundbreaking institutions, and inspire generations of advocates to stand up for our health, safety, and wellbeing.
The Ed Mierzwinski Fellowship is designed to carry that legacy forward. It offers aspiring advocates a chance to launch their own careers in consumer protection and public interest work—by taking real responsibility, gaining hands-on experience, and learning from leaders in the field. Fellows will work to advance consumer protections grounded in fairness, transparency, and accountability—just as Ed has done for decades.
Ed’s Career and Contributions
As U.S. PIRG’s longtime Senior Director of its Federal Consumer Program, Ed led successful efforts to curb abusive financial practices and worked tirelessly to make the marketplace safer and fairer for everyone.
KC Photo | Used by permission
Ed played a pivotal role in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—a federal agency established after the 2008 economic crash, and one that reflects the kind of consumer watchdog Ed had envisioned and worked toward since his early twenties. The CFPB has returned more than $21 billion to consumers.
Ed led PIRG efforts to advance the CARD Act, a government success story that cleaned up many unfair credit card fees and aggressive marketing to college students.
CNN | TPIN
Ed has won key consumer rights, including free annual credit reports and the ability to freeze credit files to prevent identity theft.
Johnathan Comer | Used by permission
Ed challenged predatory lending practices and unfair bank and ATM fees.
staff | TPIN
Ed’s advocacy extends beyond consumer finance, with a long record of championing consumer rights in areas like data privacy, hazardous toys, airline passenger rights, and playground safety.
Ed has served on the boards of Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, Flyers Rights, and the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue, an international forum he co-founded with U.S. and European consumer advocates.
His recognition includes appearing on The Hill’s list of top grassroots lobbyists for over a decade, and receiving the Consumer Federation of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Legacy of Mentorship and Movement-Building
In addition to his many accomplishments, Ed is equally renowned for his mentorship. His commitment to training and advising young advocates has helped guide the careers of former interns, PIRG advocates, and coalition partners—many of whom have become influential voices in consumer advocacy and public policy across the country.
Among those he has mentored or inspired are:
- Pam Gilbert, former Executive Director of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center
- Ira Rheingold, Jon Gollinger, Mark Ferrulo, Rich Williams, and many others making an impact in law, policy, and advocacy.
The Fellowship
The Ed Mierzwinski Fellowship is a launching pad for the next generation of consumer advocates. Fellows will:
- Receive mentorship from seasoned advocates in the field
- Take the lead on campaigns to strengthen consumer protections
- Build skills in research, policy analysis, communications, and organizing
- Join a community dedicated to advancing the public interest
This is more than a fellowship. It’s an invitation to continue a legacy.
Join us—and help write the next chapter in the public interest
Learn More: https://pirg.org/voices/we-are-carrying-forward-a-legacy-of-consumer-advocacy-with-results/