For the first time in 40 years, retiring Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California will not be returning to Congress in January.
CNN has learned where she will direct her legendary energy — at the University of California, Berkeley, which is creating the Nancy Pelosi Institute. The institute, dedicated to research, learning and civic engagement, is slated to open in January 2027.
“I think all of us in public service who have an opportunity to do so, want to use our experience to train leaders for the future,” Pelosi said in a phone interview.
“I viewed this as a liberation for me from the political, not politics, but partisanship. Because you’re going to an academic institution. It’s about what our founders had in mind with our Constitution, and it’s a beautiful story to tell,” she said.
The former House speaker said a group of administrators and about eight professors at Berkeley approached her almost a year ago with the idea of the Nancy Pelosi Institute. She said she was complimented and, even, “dazzled” by the proposal, but also surprised — so much so that she took some time before agreeing to go forward.
