Spring 2013 Professional Fellows Congress
May 8-11, 2013 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CITIZEN EXCHANGES PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS DIVISION
Economic Empowerment Media Legislative Process and Governance
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The Professional Fellows Program provides targeted professional development and support to emerging leaders working in the fields of Economic Empowerment, Legislative Process and Governance, and Media. The Professional Fellows Program is designed to provide program participants with a four- to eight-week practical fellowship experience to broaden their professional expertise. Placed in private, non-profit and government offices across the United States, Professional Fellows learn about how issues in their respective fields are addressed in the U.S., interact with a broad network of professional colleagues, and develop a more nuanced understanding of Americans and American society. During the spring program, Professional Fellows from over 40 countries and territories will participate in fellowships across the United States. In 2013, the Professional Fellows Program will support approximately 450 foreign Fellows coming to the United States and reciprocal visits by more than 300 American participants in the fall of 2013 and the spring of 2014. The Professional Fellows Program offers a unique opportunity for the foreign Fellows and their American colleagues to work together to address issues of mutual importance, develop new insights into professional approaches to common issues, and broaden their understanding of foreign working environments, practices and society. PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS CONGRESS At the conclusion of the 2013 spring fellowship program, 220 Professional Fellows will travel from their fellowship placements to Washington, D.C. to participate in the seventh Professional Fellows Congress, May 8-11, 2013. The Congress marks the culmination of the Program and provides a forum for Fellows to share their experiences with each other. The Fellows Congress also provides opportunities for Fellows to network with program colleagues working within their professional spheres, learn about best practices and creative solutions in their respective fields, share key insights into effective leadership models, and explore ways to apply their learning and expertise to a number of concrete and innovative activities upon their return home. The Congress will focus on leadership development as it relates to civic engagement, addressing the themes of Economic Empowerment, Legislative Process and Governance, and Media.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE The State Department is the United States’ federal executive department responsible for the international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries. Created in 1789, the Department was the first executive department established. The State Department currently employs 19,000 U.S.-based employees and more than 50,000 people total in 190 countries. The State Department operates the diplomatic missions of the United States abroad and is responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the United States and U.S. diplomatic efforts. The Department is led by the Secretary for State, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The current Secretary of State is John Kerry. The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet official in the order of precedence and in the presidential line of succession. For more information on the history of the State Department, U.S. Diplomacy, and U.S. Foreign Policy, please visit history.state.gov or www.usdiplomacy.org/history/overview/statedept.php. EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA) The Congressional mandate to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State is “to increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries…and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations” (Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchanges Act of 1961). ECA engages youth, students, educators, and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries in both the developed and developing world through a range of academic, sports, cultural, and professional exchange programs. To conduct the Professional Fellows Program in 2013, the Department of State has partnered with 16 organizations: the American Councils for International Education, Bentley University, Hands Along the Nile Development Services, International Center for Journalists, International City/County Management Association, Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Community Action Commission, Legacy International-Institute for Practical Idealism, Michigan State University, Partners of the Americas, Portland State University, University of Connecticut, University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, University of Montana’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, University of Oklahoma, World Learning, and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. ECA has nearly 1 million alumni around the world, including more than 40 Nobel Laureates and more than 300 current and former heads of state and government. One-third of member states of the United Nations are currently led by ECA alumni. For more information, visit exchanges.state.gov and alumnistate.gov.
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Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
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Table of Contents
Professional Fellows Program Overview
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Hotel Map 6 Area Map 7 Congress Schedule 8 Countries of Origin: Spring 2013 Fellows
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Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Awardee Biographies 17 Speaker Biographies 22 Partner Organizations
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Fellow Biographies, Spring 2013 34 Action Photos from the Professional Fellows Program
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Staff Biographies: Professional Fellows Division
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Staff Biographies: Deputy Assistant Secretaries
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Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel Layout Second Floor
First Floor Outdoor Terrace Studio C
Studio E
s
Studio D
ator Elev Studio B
Prefunction PFC Information Desk
Salon 1
Boardroom Salon 5
Salon 4 Studio A
Terrace
Prefunction
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Salon 2
Studio F Salon 6
Ballroom Salon 3
Salon 7
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Arlington / Crystal City Map
Crystal Drive
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
2800 South Potomac Ave
Arlington, Virginia 22202 USA
WELCOME! Crystal City, Arlington’s largest downtown, features an abundance of fine restaurants, cafes, specialty stores, bike trails, and an award-winning theater. With its quick access to Washington, DC and its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the area has attracted many businesses, non-profits, artists, tourists, and residents. The neighborhood surrounding the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel boasts 86 restaurants that serve a wide variety of cuisines. Most restaurants are along Crystal Drive or along 23rd Street. Ask the hotel concierge for specific recommendations, or just go out and explore!
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Program Notes Welcome One and All! We look forward to meeting and learning from each Professional Fellows Congress attendee. During the Congress, Fellows should contact staff from their organization should they have any needs, concerns, or questions. The information desk is staffed with World Learning and U.S. Department of State staff who are also available to assist with questions. Map Exhibits: We have provided maps to demonstrate how geographically diverse our Congress is. On the world map, please find your country or territory and place a sticker on it. Then, on the U.S. map, place a sticker on the state where you completed your fellowship. Message Board: Please feel free to use the message board should you wish to connect with Fellows of similar interests, go out in the city with others who may be interested, find Fellows from particular countries/backgrounds, or seek any other information that you think would be of interest to your fellow Congress attendees. Dress Code: Dress pants, slacks, or dresses and collared shirts or professional blouses are the expected attire for the Congress. Please refrain from wearing jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, or other casual wear. Name Tag Color Codes: Media Fellows: Green Economic Empowerment Fellows: Dark Blue Legislative Process & Governance Fellows: Yellow U.S. Based Host Organization Staff: Light Blue (solid color) Connect via Social Media: While we ask that you respectfully refrain from using your phones, laptops and other devices during workshops and presentations, we encourage you to post photos on Facebook and tweet about the Professional Fellows Congress on Twitter during breaks. Professional Fellows Division: Twitter: @ProFellows Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProFellows Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: Twitter: @ConnectStateGov and @AnnatState (Assistant Secretary of State for ECA) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ExchangesConnect Hashtag: #ProFellows (please use in every tweet)
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Congress Schedule Wednesday, May 8, 2013: Arrival Day Check-in: The hotel will begin check-in at 3:00 p.m. If you arrive prior to 3:00 p.m., you may ask if there is a room available; however, if one is not, please ask to store your luggage with the concierge and retrieve it for check-in at 3:00 p.m. Be sure you state that you are with the Professional Fellows Congress. Please note that the cost of your room is covered by World Learning; however, “incidentals” are not covered. Incidental expenses include pay-to-view movies, room service, laundry, and telephone calls made from your room. Should you wish to use these services, the hotel will ask you to provide a credit card for payment. Ongoing - 12:00-6:30 p.m. – Congress Registration After you check in and take your luggage to your room, please take the elevator to the second floor. The registration area will be easy to identify. Here, you will receive your program book and packet of information from World Learning and Department of State staff. David Gustafson of the State Department will be at the desk each day to answer any questions relating to DS2019s or visas. Dinner is on your own; you may select from a variety of options in the neighborhood around the hotel. Please return by 7:00 p.m. for orientation. Ongoing - 12:00-6:30 p.m. – Time for Poster Preparation Location: Studio B
Tables and supplies will be provided for Fellows to prepare and display their posters.
6:15-6:45 p.m. – Administrative Meeting with Partner Organization Staff Location: Studio F
One representative from each organization should attend.
7:00-8:30 p.m. – Orientation and Networking Location: Ballroom (Salon 4)
7:00 p.m. - World Learning Welcome – Dr. Peter Simpson, World Learning
7:10 p.m. - Professional Fellows Program Overview – Ms. Carol Herrera, Professional Fellows
Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
7:40 p.m. - Introduction of Distinguished Alumni – Ms. Carol Herrera, Professional Fellows
Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
7:50 p.m. – Icebreaker Activity – Dr. Patricia Harrison, World Learning
8:30 p.m. – Ice Cream Social in the Foyer
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Thursday, May 9, 2013: Full Conference Day 7:00-8:30 a.m. - Breakfast Location: Ballroom 8:30-10:00 a.m. – Opening Plenary Location: Ballroom
8:30-8:35 a.m.- State Department Welcome
8:35-8:45 a.m.- Introduction of Panelists – Dr. Peter Simpson, World Learning
8:45–10:00 a.m. – Panelists: “The Power of One”
Ms. Shailey Hingorani, Professional Fellows Program Distinguished Alumni Awardee, India
Mr. Alexei Lazari, Professional Fellows Program Distinguished Alumni Awardee, Moldova
Mr. Andy Shallal, Activist and Entrepreneur, United States of America
Moderator: Mr. Michael Stanton, Chief, Professional Fellows Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges,
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
10:00-10:30 a.m. – Break 10:30 a.m. – Return to Ballroom for Explanation of Fellowship Experience Exercise 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Fellowship Experience Small Group Exercise This session is designed to give you an opportunity to share your fellowship experience with other Fellows in your field and to discuss together the impact of your fellowships on your future work. Each group includes a mix of Fellows from different regions. The discussion will be moderated by a leader of one of the partner organizations. Your group number is on the back of your nametag.
Group 1: Studio B
Group 2: Studio B
Group 3: Studio C
Group 4: Studio A
Group 5: Studio F
Group 6: Covered Outdoor Terrace
Group 7: Covered Outdoor Terrace
Group 8: Covered Outdoor Terrace
Group 9: Salon 1
Group 10: Salon 2
Group 11: Salon 3
Group 12: Salon 4 (Ballroom)
Group 13: Salon 4 (Ballroom)
Group 14: Salon 4 (Ballroom)
Group 15: Salon 4 (Ballroom)
Group 16: Boardroom
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Page 11 12:00-1:45 p.m. – Citizen Diplomacy Lunch with Washington-based Foreign Ambassadors and Embassy Staff Location: Ballroom
Ambassadors to the United States and local embassy staff from Fellows’ countries are invited to dine
and network with the Fellows. Please note that some embassies had no staff available to attend this
event. They sent their regrets and best wishes.
Welcome to Diplomats and Fellows - Ms. Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational
and Cultural Affairs
1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Professional Workshops These sessions will be interactive and will feature a guest facilitator and a moderator. Fellows may choose which workshop they would like to attend. Each session is offered twice to ensure that you will be able to attend the two sessions that will be the most valuable to you. Please note that rooms hold approximately 40 people each. If the room is full when you arrive, please select another workshop.
1. Conflict Resolution Skills for Effective Coalition Building
(Intermediate to Advanced Level)
This experiential workshop will teach a practical model with replicable skills for dealing with divisive
controversial issues that can divide a coalition. Fellows will learn how to deal with these issues in a
way that builds bridges, to learn how to work through conflicts between diverse groups, and acquire
the tools to reframe controversies to consider all sides of an issue.
Workshop Leader: Ms. Cherie Brown, Executive Director, National Coalition Building Institute
Moderator: Mr. Matt Lakenbach, Legacy International
Location: Studio C
2. Strategic Planning for Your Organization
(Intermediate to Advanced Level)
This workshop will focus on how to make critical decisions regarding your organization’s future,
including collaborating to decide on the focus of the organization, short-term and long-term
organizational goals, and how to best utilize the resources you have available.
Workshop Leader: Dr. Margo Bailey, Brighter Strategies
Moderator: Ms. Shpresa Hamili, Portland State University
Location: Studio B
3. Entrepreneurship for Economic Development
(Intermediate to Advanced Level)
This workshop will discuss start-up practices, using free or low-cost resources, empowering yourself in
business, and lessons learned, all within a broad international context.
Workshop Leader: Mr. Paul Graslie, Consultant and Business Owner
Moderator: Ms. Barbara Peitsch, University of Michigan: Institute for Social Research Location: Salon 3
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(Intermediate Level)
This workshop will cover current best practices for including minorities in policy decisions at various
levels of society. It will also include time for discussions on the rights of minorities and common
areas of concern.
Workshop Leader: Ms. Lobna, “Luby� Ismail, CEO, Connecting Cultures and Dr. Karyn Trader-Leigh
Moderator: Ms. Deena Mansour, University of Montana: Mansfield Center
Location: Salon 2
5. Political Messaging and Speech Writing
(Intermediate Level)
This workshop will empower you to voice your opinion on the key issues of the day by tapping
into the power of the media. Fellows will receive training on the following communications
skills: op-ed writing, developing talking points, public speaking, and speechwriting.
Workshop Leader: Ms. Sui Lang Panoke, Founder of Women Politics Media
Moderator: Ms. Leysan Dickenson, American Councils for International Education
Location: Potomac 1
(Go through door near Salon 5. Take elevator down one floor. Potomac 1 is around the corner.)
6. Trends in Journalism: Threat or Opportunity?
(Intermediate Level)
In this workshop, Fellows will look at the most important trends in digital innovation and how journalists
and media organizations can adjust to them. Fellows will learn how the latest trends in digital journalism
and social networks are transforming the media landscape, and how they and their news organizations
can adjust to the changes.
Workshop Leader: Mr. Patrick Butler, International Center for Journalists
Moderator: Ms. Gabrielle Equale, Partners of the Americas
Location: Studio A
7. Women and Leadership: Learn It. Own It.
(Beginner to Intermediate Level) This workshop will provide Fellows with tools to establish and communicate their brand and build their reputation as well as tools to use influence effectively in their organizations. Discussions will include cultural perspectives and opportunities and how to share best practices for developing and supporting women as leaders.
Workshop Leader: Ms. Surry Scheerer, Lecturer and Executive Coach, University of Michigan
Moderator: Ms. Elanie Steyn, University of Oklahoma
Location: Studio F
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8. Access to Capital: Meeting the Challenge of Fundraising
(Beginner to Intermediate Level)
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This workshop will provide insights into the latest developments including crowd-funding and related social media, as well as angel investors, venture capitalists, and foundations as funding sources.
Workshop Leader: Ms. Susan Kling Finston, President, Finston Consulting
Moderator: Ms. Jessica Ellerbach, World Learning
Location: Salon 1
3:15-3:45 p.m. - Break 3:45-5:15 p.m. - Professional Workshops (sessions will be repeated with the same moderators) 5:15-5:30 p.m. - GROUP PHOTO taken by Photographer Ralph Blessing. Please gather in the foyer. 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Dinner in the Hotel Ballroom, Evening Free
Friday, May 10, 2013: Full Conference Day Please board the buses outside after breakfast. Departure time is at 7:15 a.m. PLEASE BRING YOUR PASSPORT for security screening. If you do not bring your passport, you will be denied entry. Please do not bring any large bags because they will not be permitted. 6:15-7:15 a.m. - Breakfast at hotel 7:15 a.m. - Board buses and Depart for the U.S. Department of State 8:00-8:45 a.m. - Arrival at U.S. Department of State and Security Screening 9:00-9:30 a.m. - Welcome and Presentation of the Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Award Ms. Tara Sonenshine, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, introduced by Ms. Lee Satterfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Professional Fellows Program Distinguished Alumni Awardees: Ms. Shailey Hingorani, India and Mr. Alexei Lazari, Moldova 9:30-10:45 a.m. - Regional Briefing Panel Discussion with Q & A Michael Pelletier, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, African Affairs Susan Stevenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric Rubin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and Eurasian Affairs Richard Schmierer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, Near Eastern Affairs Jonathan Henick, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, South and Central Asian Affairs Kevin Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere
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Page 14 10:45-11:15 a.m. - Alumni Outreach Presentation: Darin McAnelly, U.S. Department of State Alumni Office 11:15 a.m. - Board buses and return to the hotel 11:45-1:00 p.m. - Lunch at the Hotel 1:00-2:15 p.m. - Professional Challenges Activity The Professional Challenges Activity aims to create organic discussions in small groups about issues that are important to you and other Fellows in your professional sphere. You will be given more detailed instructions at the beginning of the session about how to proceed. However, it is important to note that everyone must be an active participant for the sessions to be productive. Each small group will have one Fellow leading the discussion and a volunteer to take notes. The discussion will be driven by the Fellows, so please be ready to engage! Topic 1: Studio B
Topic 2: Studio B
Topic 3: Studio C
Topic 4: Studio C
Topic 5: Studio F
Topic 6: Studio F
Topic 7: Ballroom
Topic 8: Ballroom
Topic 9: Ballroom
Topic 10: Ballroom
Topic 11: Studio E
Topic 12: Studio D
Topic 13: Covered Outdoor Terrace
Topic 14: Covered Outdoor Terrace
Topic 15: Covered Outdoor Terrace 2:15-2:30 p.m. - Break and return to Ballroom 2:30-3:15 p.m. - Professional Challenges Activity Presentations: Three Points in Three Minutes Summaries from the Professional Challenges Activity will take the form of “Three Points in Three Minutes.” Please select a spokesperson for your group to go to the podium and tell the audience the Three Most Important Points the group concluded from the Professional Challenges Activity. The spokesperson will have Three Minutes to share Three Points. No PowerPoint or other A/V is permitted. We all look forward to learning Three Points from each group! 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. - Break to prepare for Poster Show 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Poster Show The Poster Show is an opportunity for Fellows to share their professional work and interests with other Fellows and the State Department. Participants in the Poster Show should be prepared to stand near their poster and talk with others about their work and explain the elements of the poster. All others are invited to walk around to view the posters and ask questions of the presenters. State Department staff and other outside guests have been invited to attend the Poster Show as well, so you may have an opportunity to discuss your work and professional interests with them. If you have business cards, this is a great time to hand them out, so bring your business cards with you. To enable everyone to present their posters and also to view others’ posters, please consider the following schedule:
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Fellows with odd-numbered posters host their posters while the Fellows with
even-numbered posters walk around.
5:00-6:30 p.m. – Fellows with even-numbered posters host their posters while the Fellows with
odd-numbered posters walk around. Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 15 Please note that a contest will be held. Ballots will be cast to determine the following:
Most Visually Engaging
Most Thought-Provoking
Best New Initiative or Idea
Best Covering Culture, Community, or Society
Best Overall
The winners will be announced at the farewell session on Saturday morning. 6:30 p.m. - Dinner and Final Evening of Networking and Dancing in the Ballroom A cash bar will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the dance floor will open at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2013 7:30-9:00 a.m. Breakfast at hotel 9:00-10:15 a.m. Outbound Panel Discussion: Professional Fellows Program Alumni will share their experiences and best practices for the American Outbound portion of the program. Panelists: Ms. Shailey Hingorani, Professional Fellows Program Distinguished Alumni Awardee, India Mr. Alexei Lazari, Professional Fellows Program Distinguished Alumni Awardee, Moldova Ms. Sherry Shapiro, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress Mr. Jeffrey King, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Moderator: Mr. Adam Meier, Professional Fellows Division of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State 10:15- 11:00 a.m. - Farewell Session 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. – Mr. Adam Meier and Ms. Karin Brandenburg, Professional Fellows Division of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
10:45-11:00 a.m. – Evaluations and Certificates, Dr. Peter Simpson, World Learning
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Hotel Checkout. Please remember to pay for any incidental expenses incurred while staying at the hotel. This is especially important, since all Fellows are sharing a room, to pay for those expenses that are yours. World Learning and the U.S. Department of State thank you for your attendance and engagement in the Professional Fellows Congress and wish you all safe travels.
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Countries of Origin: Spring 2013 Fellows
Armenia-2
Colombia-8
Kenya-3
Pakistan-22
Tajikistan-2
Azerbaijan-1
Costa Rica-15
Kyrgyzstan-2
Palestinian Territories-3
Tanzania-7
Bangladesh-11
Egypt-14
Laos-2
Panama-2
Thailand-6
Bhutan-2
Georgia-3
Libya-6
Peru-3
Tunisia-14
Brazil-4
Ghana-2
Maldives-2
Romania-5
Turkey-7
Bulgaria-4
Hungary-5
Moldova-3
Russia-4
Uganda-2
Burma-2
India-2
Nepal-3
Slovakia-5
Ukraine-3
Cambodia-2
Israel-4
New Zealand-3
South Africa-13
Vietnam-10
China-1
Kazakhstan-1
Nigeria-3
Sri Lanka-2
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Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Awardee Biographies
The U.S. Department of State selected the first winners of the Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Award, a new award recognizing the positive contributions of alumni of the Professional Fellows Program. For the Spring 2013 Professional Fellows Congress, two individuals were selected from over 60 applicants, whose participation in the program contributed to their ability to make a positive impact on their communities, countries, territories, or regions. The Award includes round-trip travel to the United States to attend the Professional Fellows Congress as a guest of honor. Awardees also have been invited to share and connect with current Fellows and inspire them to meet their goals for positive change. Please congratulate the Spring 2013 Winners!
SHAILEY HINGORANI, India Professional Fellows Program Participant: Legislative Affairs, Spring 2010
ALEXEI LAZARI, Moldova Professional Fellows Program Participant: Legislative Affairs, Spring 2012
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SHAILEY HINGORANI, India Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Awardee Professional Fellows Program Participant: Legislative Affairs, Spring 2010 U.S. Grantee Organization: World Learning U.S. Placement: Ohio Senate, Columbus, Ohio E-mail Address: shaileyhingorani@gmail.com Shailey Hingorani currently works as National Coordinator for Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children based in New Delhi, India. She works at the intersection of civil society, academia and government. As a policy advocate for the rights of marginalized communities, she has assisted in the drafting of the National Food Security Bill, built support for amending the current child labor legislation, assisted in developing implementation frameworks for the Right to Education, and reported on the performance of the government’s Integrated Child Development Scheme. She has previously worked with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Bloomberg Initiative. Ms. Hingorani has also co-established Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP), an independent, non-profit initiative that fosters debate among young Indians on key foreign policy issues. YFFP frequently partners with the Ministry of External Affairs, most recently by encouraging the involvement of outside talent in the ministry through a fellowship program for young analysts, and the first ever India-Bangladesh conference of young leaders to identify challenges and opportunities in bilateral relations. Ms. Hingorani holds an M. Phil in Political Science from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and has been recently awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study public administration in the U.S. About the impact of her Fellowship, Ms. Hingorani writes: As a Legislative Fellow in the U.S., I witnessed first-hand a system of functional symbiosis between civil society and policymakers that worked to address pressing national challenges. This system provided policymakers with intellectual and human resources for policy analysis, encouraged the participation of NGOs in the political process, and acted as a forum for dialogue between academics, civil society, and politicians with the objective of creating a real policy community. Wanting to use these lessons to make Indian policies deliver for children—who are routinely ignored by policymakers because of their ineligibility to vote—I returned to India and re-joined the Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy to apply the Fellowship’s best case examples on providing information and advising Parliamentarians. Having experienced the potential for empirical research and analytical thinking to improve public policies, I established and led systems to ensure that the organization’s policy proposals were based on meticulous fieldwork. This professionalization bore results when a paper I authored was used by the Indian Parliament to fine-tune the Right to Education Bill to address the unique needs of access to education and remedial support for India’s most marginalized children.
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Subsequently, in my work with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and Save the Children, I used both the quantitative and qualitative research methods learned through the Fellowship to make a convincing case for amending the anti-child labor law to ensure that no child below 14 years can be employed. Similarly, I used field research for a presentation to the Prime Minister of India on the need to appoint more health workers in order to reduce child and maternal mortality. As a result of these interventions, more children will now be able to attend school free of cost, fewer mothers will die in childbirth and more children will be born healthy in India. These interventions were widely acknowledged within Save the Children globally and I was invited to showcase them in an organizational conference in Mexico and at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Fellowship also inspired me to think more democratically about policymaking: I set up the Youth Forum on Foreign Policy, a non-profit organization that aims to get young Indians involved in debates over foreign policy, which is vital to India’s developmental aims. Prominent among our activities is the creation of intercultural dialogue, and we recently organized the first-ever conference of young leaders from India and Bangladesh to help delineate solutions to bilateral challenges. The Forum now has 5,000+ followers on Facebook and our work has been officially recognized by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. While social sector advocacy is common in Western countries, it still needs to evolve professionally in India. In this context, the Fellowship was extremely crucial in equipping me to better understand the crafts of politics and advocacy, respectively. In recognition of my professional and academic achievements, I was recently awarded the 2013-2014 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships for Leadership Development.
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ALEXEI LAZARI, Moldova Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Awardee Professional Fellows Program Participant: Legislative Affairs, Spring 2012 U.S. Grantee Organization: American Councils for International Education U.S. Placement: Department of Justice, North Carolina E-mail Address: alexei.lazari@gmail.com
Alexei Lazari currently serves as the Chief of Programs Development and Implementing Unit for the Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Moldova. He transitioned to this career from the non-profit sector in August 2011. Within this position, Mr. Lazari coordinates the unit and puts emphasis on project management development and implementation in the field of justice reforms, mainly focused on juvenile justice and prison system reform. During his Fellowship, Mr. Lazari had the opportunity to strengthen his understanding of the U.S. legislative process, enhance his appreciation of the role of civil society and its engagement in the political process, create partnerships between U.S. and foreign institutions, and establish a common language for developing practical solutions for shared problems and concerns. In August-September 2012, he implemented an outbound project entitled "Intercultural Exchange between Judicial Systems in the U.S. and Republic of Moldova: Prison System and the Probation Office". Previously, Mr. Lazari served as a teacher of history and ethics in Straseni, Moldova from 2002-2004. With seven other young leaders from his community, Mr. Lazari also created the NGO New Culture, where he worked from 2004 to 2008 as a project manager and as a founder of the organization. From 2008-2011, he worked as a project coordinator for Youth Generation Association. Mr. Lazari graduated from Moldova State University, Faculty of International Relations and Political Science in 2004, and completed his Masters in International Relations at Moldova State University in 2005. About the impact of his Fellowship, Mr. Lazari writes: The Professional Fellows Program was the biggest challenge in my professional career. The trainings and the exchange that took place during the Fellowship have played an important role in the reforms that we are now implementing in Moldova. The program gave me the opportunity to see and to think out of the box and now, with the help of my colleagues, we are reorganizing the prison system in our country. During the last nine months we organized theoretical courses and practical trainings based on the knowledge and materials I brought from the U.S. At present, we are in contact with the Departments of Justice in Ohio and North Carolina to make further official connections. Going forward, we intend to send 10 people each year to study at the North Carolina Academy of Justice.
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After returning from the fellowship, we began organizing monthly special courses for re-qualification of the staff from the Soviet type of prison to a modern one, and regarding the inmates, providing reeducation, giving them an opportunity to study, get a vocation, and prepare them for release. Also, after an outbound project took place we started to renovate the building and changed the principles of working in the prison for youth. All these changes are based on the experience that I had through the Professional Fellows Program. We shared these ideas and changes on television, Facebook, and official sites of the Moldovan Ministry of Justice to educate the community on the role of justice system reforms in a post-Soviet country. Considering the necessity of changing the principles of working with detainees and giving them hope that the changes we started will have an important impact on our society, the rate of recidivism will decrease significantly, the rate of social reintegration of released prisoners will grow, and the prison could be a new start for an ex-inmate.
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Speaker Biographies MARGO BAILEY, Ph.D. Margo Bailey, Principal with Brighter Strategies, has expertise in nonprofit start-ups, strategic HR, strategy implementation, and evaluation. She has served as a board chair for three area nonprofits, promoting the importance of developing strategic alliances with stakeholders and nonprofits. Dr. Bailey’s experience includes her former position as a graduate-level Professor at American University in Management Analysis, Human Resource Strategies and Nonprofit Management. As Director of Planning and Evaluation at Melwood Training Center, she led a senior-level team responsible for a staffing plan to support an organizational restructure. Her consulting engagements with nonprofit and government organizations include evaluations of leadership training programs and staffing assessments. Her knowledge of nonprofit HR is complemented with service as board chair for three organizations. One of her key tenets is promoting the importance of developing strategic alliances with stakeholders and other nonprofits to leverage limited resources. Dr. Bailey is the author of Cultural Competency and The Practice of Public Administration in Diversity and Public Administration: Theory, Issues and Perspectives. Dr. Bailey has a Ph.D. in Public Administration, a M.A. in Public Administration and a M.A. in Geography from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
CHERIE R. BROWN Cherie R. Brown is Founder and CEO of the National Coalition Building Institute. Ms. Brown has a M.Ed. in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and over the last 28 years she has built NCBI into one of the leading diversity training and grassroots leadership organizations worldwide. Ms. Brown’s work has been featured on ABC Evening News, National Public Radio (NPR), Christian Science Monitor World News, and in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times’ Sunday Magazine, The Washington Times, The New York Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and Fortune Magazine. In 1999, the work of NCBI was designated a “Best Practice for Racial Reconciliation” by President Clinton’s Initiative on Race. The U.S. Department of Education chose NCBI’s work on race and gender issues on college campuses as one of only five organizations to receive a designation of “Best Practice.”
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PATRICK BUTLER Patrick Butler is the vice president of programs at the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), based in Washington, D.C. He oversees the development and execution of ICFJ programs around the world and supervises program personnel. He has conducted training and spoken at conferences in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. He previously worked as a reporter and editor at The State (Columbia, S.C.), St. Louis Post-Dispatch and San Jose Mercury News. Butler completed a five-month Knight International Journalism Fellowship in Nicaragua in 1999. He has a B.A. in Spanish and journalism from the University of Missouri. He is fluent in Spanish and is proficient in French.
MARY DEANE CONNERS Director of the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Department of State Mary Deane Conners is currently the Director of the Office of Citizen Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). She is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor. Prior to this assignment in Washington, she was the Country Public Affairs Officer in Pretoria, South Africa (2007-2010). She has also served as the Director of Public Diplomacy/Public Affairs for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2004-2007), and as Public Affairs Officer in Guatemala and Mauritius. Other foreign assignments include positions in India, Argentina, South Africa (twice), The Netherlands, and Washington postings in the Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) Bureau and ECA (twice). Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 1980, Ms. Conners worked in publishing in her home town of Philadelphia.
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SUSAN KLING FINSTON, J.D./M.P.P President of Finston Consulting LLC since 2005, Susan works with innovative biotechnology and other clients ranging from start-up to Fortune-100 companies, providing support for legal, transactional, policy and “doing business” issues. Susan has extensive background and expertise relating to knowledge-economy issues in advanced developing countries, including India and South Asia, Latin America and the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. She also works with governments, trade associations, companies and NGOs on capacity building and related educational programs through BayhDole25. Together with biotechnology pioneer Ananda Chakrabarty, she is co-founder of Amrita Therapeutics Ltd., an emerging biopharmaceutical company based in India with cancer peptide drugs entering in vivo research. Previous experience includes 11 years in the U.S. Foreign Service with overseas tours in London, Tel Aviv, and Manila and at the Department of State in Washington, DC. She was awarded two Meritorious Honor Awards for work in trade and development. She served in the judicial branch of the U.S. Government for two years as a Motions Clerk at the federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Susan graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a joint J.D./M.P.P. degree and holds a B.S. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan Honors College.
PAUL GRASLIE Paul Graslie is a Development Consultant for international nonprofits with a primary focus on microfinance. His specialties include monitoring and evaluation reviews, technical writing and grant proposal assignments, SME loan advising, business plan development, and financial institution diagnostic assessments. He has worked on development projects in numerous countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Mr. Graslie has extensive market research experience, having developed and administered surveys in Colombia, Kenya, and Rwanda. He is also the owner of a business in Wyoming which has allowed him to be part of grassroots entrepreneurship and which has resulted in 10% growth in gross margin despite the lingering recession. His varied business plan consulting has assisted in the development of a new “sustainable” consulting division for a scrap metal company and the expansion of a small craft brewery. Mr. Graslie has a varied background in finance, ranging from credit union building programs funded by the Gates Foundation, USAID and the U.S. State Department, to risk management for a $1 billion asset value U.S. corporate credit union (Credit Union for Credit Unions). He has given speeches all over the world regarding financial best practices and entrepreneurship. He holds a B.A. degree in finance from Montana State University and a MBA from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
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LOBNA “LUBY” ISMAIL Lobna “Luby” Ismail, founder and president of Connecting Cultures, LLC, is a training specialist with over twenty years of experience in the areas of cross-cultural communication, cultural competence, Arab and American cultures, Islamic awareness, and religious diversity. Connecting Cultures has built a reputation as experts on this specialized training platform and has become recognized by many corporations, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. military as a go-to service for training and expert materials in the areas of cultural competence on religious diversity, Arab cultures and Islamic awareness. Luby’s most recent offering is Disability to Diverse Ability: Building a Disability-Inclusive Work Environment. Selected as a Peace Fellow for Seeds of Peace and a Malone Fellow in Middle East and Islamic Studies by the National Council for U.S. and Arab Relations, Luby participated in a study visit to Saudi Arabia. She has been selected to present at the Arabian Society for Human Resource Management conference and the Society for Human Resources’ Workplace Diversity and annual conferences on emerging cultural and religious diversity issues. Most recently, Luby helped develop and launch My Fellow American, America’s Unofficial Ambassadors and two exciting dialogue initiatives to break down barriers across faiths: 20,000 Dialogues and Ground Zero Dialogue, part of a nationwide campaign to stimulate discussion between people of different faiths through films. Her piece Change the Story offers an interactive experience to learn about Islam and apply lessons and techniques for engagement and understanding across faiths. Luby holds a Masters degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and a B.A. in International Service from American University in Washington, D.C. She has traveled throughout Europe, including Bosnia and Croatia, and in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel; and most recently, to Singapore and Mexico.
JEFFREY KING Jeff King is a Principal Planner with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). COG is the regional planning organization for the National Capital Region (NCR). At COG, Mr. King is a senior manager on a team that develops plans to improve air quality, increase energy efficiency and deployment of renewable energy, and to meet the region’s sustainability and climate change targets.
He is leading
efforts at COG to foster regional clean energy solutions, including deployment of advanced micro-grids, solar, combined heat and power, district energy, building energy retrofits, and electric vehicles.
He provides staff support to the region’s Climate
Energy and Environment Policy Committee (CEEPC) and Energy Advisory Committee (EAC). Prior to working at COG, Jeff was a senior consultant with ICF International where he managed a number of consulting engagements in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Russia.
Mr. King par-
ticipated in the ICMA Climate Fellows Program in 2011-2012, serving as the organizational host to experts from Chongqing and Xi’an, China. He then traveled to China with Rick Cole, the City Manager for Venture California, for his outbound experience. He has a Certificate in Public Management from George Washington University and a degree in Natural Resources from Cornell University.
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SUI LANG PANOKE Sui Lang Panoke is the Founder/ Director of Women in Politics Media, a global media and public leadership training organization designed to prepare today’s leaders to engage in traditional and new media and ultimately to use media as a vehicle to impact public policy. Ms. Panoke has facilitated media trainings and fostered partnerships with a number of national and international women, minority, and young professional organizations, including World Learning, the International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute, National Foundation for Women Legislators, Women & Politics Institute, the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, and the National Association of Professional Asian American Women, among many others. She is an op-ed author and political/media strategist who has published articles in the Washington Post and a number of local and state-wide publications throughout the country. She has served as an international trainer empowering women around the world to engage in the political process and ultimately run for public office, working on local, state-wide, and national campaigns through organizations such as Emily’s List, the Congressional Black Caucus’ PAC, and the Young Democrats of America’s Women’s and Minority Caucus. Most notably, in 2010 Women in Politics Media partnered with the International Republican Institute’s Women’s Democracy Network and IRI Nigeria to train 40 women aspirants, political party leaders, and media experts on political communications and messaging in Lagos, Nigeria. Ms. Panoke currently serves as Chair of the Young Women Leaders Board overseeing the WeLEAD program, a nonpartisan political leadership training program targeting young women. She also serves on the National Governing Board of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum and the Executive Board of Directors for the Patsy Mink Project. Ms. Panoke holds an MPA from American University with a Graduate Certificate in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership. She received the Outstanding Women & Politics Graduate Student award from the Women & Politics Institute. She earned her B.S. in Political Science from the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.
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LEE SATTERFIELD Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, U.S. Department of State Lee Satterfield serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). She oversees a broad range of professional, cultural, youth, and sports exchange programs to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people around the world.
Programs include the International Visitor
Leadership Program (IVLP), which for 70 years has brought established or potential foreign leaders and opinion-makers to the United States to meet with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand; as well as initiatives supported by the Office of Citizen Exchanges such as The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad and academic year youth exchanges, including Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX). Led by Ms. Satterfield, the Office of Professional and Cultural Exchanges also supports major public-private partnerships, including the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists and the Fortune/State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership. Prior to her current position, Ms. Satterfield served as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States. In this role, Ms. Satterfield oversaw the visits of chiefs of state, heads of government and other international dignitaries who visited the United States to meet with the President, Vice President or Secretary of State. She also oversaw the Diplomatic Partnerships Division which conducts outreach to the Diplomatic Corps based in Washington, D.C. and Presidential Delegations sent to attend official ceremonies abroad representing the President. Before serving in the Office of the Chief of Protocol, she lived abroad with her family in London, England for two years. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, she served in the Clinton Administration in several capacities. She was the Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Special Assistant to the President and Staff Director for The White House Office of Public Liaison, Special Assistant to the President and Presidential Scheduler for President Clinton, and Scheduler for Vice President Gore. Following her service in the Clinton Administration, she was Director of Convention Planning for the Democratic National Convention Committee, where she oversaw the site selection process for the 2004 Democratic National Convention held in Boston, Massachusetts. She also served as Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the Democratic National Committee. Ms. Satterfield is a native of South Carolina and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 28 SURRY SCHEERER Surry Scheerer, LMSW, is a leadership and organizational culture consultant, trainer and coach in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Scheerer is a consultant coach for custom programs at The University of Michigan Ross School of Business Executive Education Program. She has also coached Ross students in the Executive Skills Program and the Tauber Institute for Global Operations. Ms. Scheerer serves as a leadership development trainer, coach and team facilitator for the International Professional Fellows Exchange, a program sponsored and implemented by the U. S. Department of State and The University of Michigan. Ms. Scheerer is a Lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, where she teaches a course on “Pathways to Professional Development” to undergraduate and graduate students. Ms. Scheerer also consults with private firms on leadership development and organizational culture. Ms. Scheerer speaks and consults nationally and internationally on leadership development, communication, coaching skills, social styles and building effective relationships in the workplace. Ms. Scheerer received her B.S. degree in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan.
ANDY SHALLAL Anas “Andy” Shallal is an artist and social entrepreneur.
He was born in Iraq and
moved to Washington, D.C. with his family in 1966. He is the founder of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted. Mr. Shallal describes Busboys and Poets as “a space where art, culture and politics intentionally collide” and “a place to feed your body, mind and soul.” Busboys and Poets is named after the great poet Langston Hughes, who was known as the busboy-poet. Since its inception, Busboys and Poets has been a magnet for book talks, community gatherings, panel discussion and networking. Currently there are four Busboys and Poets restaurants in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. In the summer of 2009, Mr. Shallal opened Eatonville Restaurant, a Southern-themed restaurant with artwork, murals and food that pay homage to Zora Neale Hurston. Mr. Shallal’s businesses adhere to sustainable business practices and are listed in the United States’ Healthful Food Council REAL Certification program. They are also recognized in the Restaurant Opportunities Center’s guide to restaurants that treat their employees well and pay living wages as well as offer opportunities for advancement. He has received numerous awards, including the Mayor’s Arts Award and the Mayor’s Environmental Award. Recently Andy Shallal was named by The Washington Business Journal as one of the 100 Most Powerful Business Leaders in the Washington region. Mr. Shallal has founded or co-founded several peace and justice organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous others. He is the treasurer for the Institute for Policy Studies and the Co-Chairman of Think Local First DC, a local business association. He also sits on the board of several arts and peace organizations and continues to work to make his hometown of Washington, D.C. a more livable community.
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Page 29 SHERRY SHAPIRO Sherry Shapiro is a Senior Research Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Defense, Trade and Technology with the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. A graduate of the George Washington University and the Catholic University of America School of Information Science, Ms. Shapiro serves as the lead information specialist in the area of foreign policy, intelligence policy, national security, and issues related to U.S. defense, trade, and international technology issues for the CRS. She develops and tests databases to enhance access to information on national security, intelligence policy, foreign policy and foreign technology issues for the legislative branch. Ms. Shapiro provides information support for the 90-member research staff of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of CRS and to key Congressional staff. In the performance of her duties, Ms. Shapiro facilitates the design and implementation of complex interdisciplinary research projects involving national security, intelligence, law enforcement and trade policy. Ms. Shapiro speaks regularly to parliamentary groups on the role of the legislator as consumers of information and on U.S. information and foreign policy issues. Ms. Shapiro manages the Jefferson Congressional Reading Room of the Library of Congress. She has compiled extensive bibliographic studies on such topics as information policy, legislative information systems, reform of the intelligence community, information technology, and Parliamentary libraries.
PETER SIMPSON, Ph. D. Peter Simpson is Senior Director for Presidential Initiatives at World Learning, supporting World Learning President Adam Weinberg. He is responsible for advancing cross-organizational aspects of World Learning’s strategic framework, including establishing the World Learning Exchange, a forum for sharing ideas, networks, and resources among alumni and supporters. He previously was director of program units at World Learning and Delphi International, implementing professional and student exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, the Citizen Exchanges Division, and other clients. Since 1991, programs under his direction have arranged innovative, customized observational study tours and cultural exchanges for over 14,000 visitors from virtually every country in the world, under more than $125 million in grants. Dr. Simpson is a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the National Council for International Visitors, a leading NGO in the field of Citizen Diplomacy. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and a M.A. from Princeton University in Germanic Studies, and lived and taught in Germany for five years.
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TARA D. SONENSHINE Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State Tara D. Sonenshine was sworn in as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs on April 5, 2012. Tara was formerly Executive Vice President of the United States Institute of Peace. Prior to joining the United States Institute of Peace, she was a strategic communications adviser to many international organizations including USIP, the International Crisis Group, Internews, CARE, The American Academy of Diplomacy, and the International Women’s Media Foundation. Ms. Sonenshine served in various capacities at the White House during the Clinton Administration, including Transition Director and Director of Foreign Policy Planning for the National Security Council (NSC) and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Communications for the NSC. Ms. Sonenshine has had a distinguished career in communications and government, with high-level experience in broadcast, print, and online media. She has produced news programs for network television and authored numerous articles for national print and online media. She is the recipient of 10 News Emmy Awards and other awards in journalism for broadcast programs on domestic and international issues. Ms. Sonenshine graduated from Tufts University in 1981 Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in political science. She has remained active at Tufts on boards and advisory committees, including the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. Her broadcast career began at ABC News in New York, working for another Tufts alumnus, David Burke, then vice president of ABC News. Ms. Sonenshine went on to become editorial producer of ABC News’ Nightline, where she worked for more than a decade. She was also an off-air reporter at the Pentagon for ABC’s World News Tonight. A former contributing editor for Newsweek, Sonenshine is the author of numerous articles on foreign affairs published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, and other newspapers.
MICHAEL STANTON Chief, Professional Fellows Division, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State Michael Stanton assumed his duties as Chief of the Professional Fellows Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in August 2011. A career Foreign Service Officer, he previously served as Deputy Director of the Office of Western European Affairs. His overseas assignments include tours of duty in Iraq, the United Kingdom, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. He also served a year as a Congressional Fellow on the National Security staff of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
He was a Peace Corps Vol-
unteer in Paraguay, 1979-82. Mr. Stanton joined the Foreign Service in 1992.
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ANN STOCK Assistant Secretary of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State On June 23, 2010, Ann Stock was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, private sector, professional, youth and sports exchange programs. ECA exchange programs engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in the United States and in more than 160 countries. Alumni of ECA exchange programs comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and over 350 current or former heads of state and government. From September 1997 to June 2010, Ms. Stock was Vice President of Institutional Affairs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she oversaw the Center’s expanded efforts to increase its national and international profile. She also managed the Center’s International Arts Management Programs, and oversaw its Government Relations Office, Press Office, and Office of Institutional Affairs. From 1993-1997, Ms. Stock served as Deputy Assistant to President William J. Clinton and as Social Secretary at the White House. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations for Bloomingdale’s Department Stores. During the 1980 and 1984 Presidential election campaigns, Ms. Stock was Deputy Press Secretary to Vice President Walter F. Mondale. She started her career as an elementary school teacher. Assistant Secretary Stock, a native of Indiana, holds a B.A. from Purdue University.
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Partner Organizations
Great Lakes Consortium
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Partner Organizations
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Professional Fellows Spring 2013 Armenia Gor Movsisyan Research Fellow, Yerevan State University, Faculty of Law Email: gormovses@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Lewis & Clark Law School Motivation: To obtain knowledge and first-hand experience in environmental lobbying and advocacy.
Bangladesh Ponuel S. Bose Nairail District Correspondent, The Daily Star Email: pony466@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: Journal Record Motivation: To learn about leadership, news strategies, ethics, government transparency and women’s rights in the workplace.
Armenia Tirayr Vardazaryan Lecturer, Yerevan State University Email: vardazaryantirayr@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Heartland Alliance Motivation: To obtain knowledge about U.S. employment laws against human trafficking & forced labor.
Bangladesh Reffat Ferdous Lecturer, University of Dhaka Email: reffatferdous@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: OU Nightly Motivation: To be an expert in media education and be a knowledge provider among my students.
Azerbaijan Murad Mammadov Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, World Vision International in Azerbaijan Email: murad.mamedov@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Minnesota State Council on Disability Motivation: To learn about U.S. laws on children disability rights and the role of civil society in advocating for rights of children with disabilities. Bangladesh Samia Ahmed Director, SUPRO - Campaign for Good Governance Email: a.samia22@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance. Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of State Representative Mike Curtin) Motivation: To focus on developing an expertise in the strengthening of CSOs, policy advocacy, and best practices in good governance. Bangladesh Sima Rani Bhowmik Senior Staff Reporter, ABC Radio Email: simabhowmik@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: KGOU/NPR Radio Motivation: To gather experience of running a radio station all by myself one day.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Bangladesh Md. Tanvirul Islam Chief Motion Graphics Designer, Ekushey Television Ltd. Email: artistmithu@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: Telemundo/Tyler Media Motivation: To achieve all kinds of graphical presentation for news work fellows. Bangladesh Sultana Jahan Senior Sub Editor, The Daily Prothom Alo Email: ij_eve@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: The Oklahoman Motivation: To learn good page make-up, main focus on news and above all professionalism as a journalist. Bangladesh Ismat Jerin Khan Chief of Capital Market Desk, ATN Bangla Email: jkathika@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: Trifecta Motivation: To understand global outreach and cross-cultural synergy of mass-media communication.
Page 35 Bangladesh Sohana Nasrin Assistant Editor, ICE Business Times, ICE Media Ltd. Dhaka Email: sohana@weare19.com, sohana@nineteenbd.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: The Oklahoman Motivation: To acquire some of the dynamic mechanisms of the ever changing media industry.
Bhutan Changa Lhamo Legislative Researcher, National Council of Bhutan Email: c_lhamo@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Representative Michael Stinziano) Motivation: To increase knowledge on the roles of the legislature in the U.S. and regionally.
Bangladesh Sheik Rokonuzzaman Assistant Editor, Daily Samakal Email: skrokon@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: Norman Transcript Motivation: To experience how U.S. media formulates and implements editorial policy, especially on development and environmental issues.
Brazil Claudio Roberto De Barros Alencar Senior Budget & Policy Analyst, Legislative Assembly of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil Email: calfir@globo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Information not available Motivation: To learn from the experiences of American public budget and their mechanisms for transparency.
Bangladesh MD Golam Maula Rony Member of Parliament, Parliament of Bangladesh Email: gmrony1970@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Office of U.S. Congressman Danny Davis Motivation: To learn more about the U.S. legislative system and its society and culture.
Brazil Marcelo Gouveia Moreira Minas Gerais State Secretariat for Civil Affairs and Institutional Relations, Advisor for Strategic Management and Innovation Email: mgouveiam@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Legislative Services Agency State of Indiana Motivation: To learn from the institutions developed in the U.S. to assure citizen involvement in public policies.
Bangladesh Devashish Ranjan Sarker Senior Reporter and Presenter, Somoy TV Email: nomansland.du@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: The University of Oklahoma Fellowship Placement: KWTV/Channel 9 Motivation: To learn innovative viewpoints of news, strategies for information gathering and presentation of a news report with adequate professionalism. Bhutan Kinley Legislative Officer, National Council of Bhutan Email: kinley@nationalcouncil.bt Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Office of the Governor of Georgia Motivation: To learn more about the U.S. legislative process and how the government informs citizens about new legislation.
Brazil Ivan Moraes Filho Communications coordinator, Centro de Cultura Luiz Freire Email: ivan@cclf.org.br Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Free Press Motivation: To learn about media regulation in the U.S. and to share Brazilian related issues. Brazil Barbara Salles Legislative Assistant, the Federal Senate of Brazil Email: barbarasalles@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Indiana State Senate Motivation: To learn and share experiences about the legislative process and the daily work in offices.
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Page 36 Bulgaria Dzhevid Dzhevid Mahmud Consultant, European Roma Rights Centre Email: djakolinus@gbg.bg Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Communities Action Network and Organizing and Leadership Training Center Motivation: To learn more about minority community organizing and to find ways of its implementation in the setting of Eastern Europe, by focusing, on the largest minority group on the Old Continent, the Roma. Bulgaria Georgi Georgiev Member of Managing Council, Roma Integration Center Lom Email: profesor_29@abv.bg Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Logan Square Neighborhood Association Motivation: To expand my thinking and learn new ways for solving the problems in my town, especially with the Roma minority. To learn more about the problems of other communities and the solutions they have developed, to see which of these solutions can be adapted to Bulgarian reality. Bulgaria Delyana Mihneva Reporter, Host & Editor, National Darik Radio - Plovdiv Office Email: benjitka@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Missourian Organizing for Reform and Empowerment Motivation: To expand knowledge in successful social practices in the U.S., effective work and communication with different minority groups, leadership and decision making process during a project, and how a person can build and influence policy.
Bulgaria Milenko Milenkov Labor mediator-Roma mediator, Bureau of Labor Lom Email: milenko_georgiev@mail.bg Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Action North Carolina Motivation: To gain practical experience in community organizing, human rights, and also in problem solving with ethnic minorities and methods for finding and promoting the talents of the youngsters.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Burma Khaing Kyawt Director, United Amara Bank Limited Email: kay_kk@unitedamarabank.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: First Interstate Bank Motivation: To gain knowledge about how other international banks operate, and how it can apply to the banking industry in Burma. Burma Min Min National Project Manager, Myanmar Business Coalition on Aids Email: newgenerationmin@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: Montana Department of Agriculture Motivation: To learn about international marketing strategies including financing, network-building, sharing good practices, and the relationship between and among farmers and traders. Cambodia Kunthy Ok Maternal and Child Health Officer, Kamput Provincial Health Department Email: kunthyok@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: RiverStone Health Motivation: To learn about reducing out-of-pocket expenditures for health care, develop social health care, and universal health insurance. Cambodia Chhunn Noem Co-Founder and Training Manager, SmallWorld Email: monksplanet@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: John Balsam Associates, LLC Motivation: To understand the strengths and weaknesses of a Western culture and its application to community development in Cambodia.
Page 37 China Yunfeng Deng General Director of City Administration and Law Enforcement, Qingdao City Government, Shandong Province Email: yfdeng@qingdao.gov.cn Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: ICMA Fellowship Placement: City of Tulsa Motivation: To learn about the US experience in city management, legislative process and practices, citizen engagement, and citizenship education. Colombia Paola Andrea Aldana Mahecha Legal Counsel, CCX Colombia S.A. Email: pao.aldana@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Information not available Motivation: To learn about Common Law and legislative system, and to improve skills. Colombia Monica Cardenas Advisor on International Cooperation, Organizaciones Solidarias Email: monicapcarde@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Office of the Governor - State of Indiana Motivation: To observe how U.S. organizations collaborate, especially government and civil society for technical assistance programs.
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Colombia Maria Escobar Rodriguez Press chief, Afrodes - Asociaciòn Nacional de Afrocolombianos Desplazados Email: Maria_fernanda_escobar@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Family Independence Initiative-Boston Motivation: To learn how to make sustainable projects in with young people, according a differential focus. Colombia Daniel Feldman Mowerman Architect, Presidencia de la Republica Email: namdlef@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Rhode Island School of Design, Design and Social Justice/International Development Motivation: To learn about the creation and execution of community based income generation projects that can
Colombia Francisco Londono Villarreal Fundraising Director, Techo Email: francisco.londono@me.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Family Independence Initiative-Boston Motivation: To learn about economic skills that in the normal work of a NGO can join community ideas and develop them with seeking mutual growth. Colombia Astrid Cecilia Melendez Perez Lawyer, Tribunal Superior de Medellin Email: astridmelendez@une.net.co Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of Americas Fellowship Placement: Information not available Motivation: To learn about health advocacy. Colombia Sergio Alejandro Penazola Nader Junior Researcher, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Research on Biological Resources Email: sapenalozan@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Partners of the Americas Fellowship Placement: Motivation: To strengthen my research capacities in terms of methodologies used and validated by other agencies. Colombia Ginna Rodriguez Mentor enterprises, ICESI University Email: Ginnaencali85@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: University of Connecticut Extension Program Motivation: To learn best practices to become an agent of change in my country and Latin America. Costa Rica Manfred Aguero Head of Treasury Department, Coopenae Email: maguero@coopenae.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Motivation: To learn best practices in my professional area, and how companies, especially credit unions, conduct social economy, in order to implement initiatives in the company that I work, that can contribute to the development of my community.
become detonators for the physical development of communities.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 38 Costa Rica Douglas Arias Corporate Supplier, Coopealianza R.L. Email: iarias@coopealianza.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: CFE Federal Credit Union Motivation: To find out more about new trends in the work of the cooperatives in U.S. Also, to apply knowledge gained to my work and work of my coworkers, and become an agent of change in my union and community.
Costa Rica Randall Chavarria Financial Director, Coopebanpo R. L. Email: rchavarria@coopebanpo.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Alabama Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the efficiency in financial management, resource uses, innovation in financial products – services, and best practices in the organization to benefit the members of the organization.
Costa Rica Pablo Barrantes Customer Service, Human Resources Coordinator, Coopealianza R.L. Email: pbarrantes@coopealianza.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: CFE Federal Credit Union Motivation: To learn from the best practices of credit unions in this country. To provide ideas for increasing the value of products and services of my Credit Union, an organization that belongs to more than 150,000 members and is deeply rooted in the community.
Costa Rica Cecilia Granados Consultant, Catie Email: felicia1.granados@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center Motivation: To learn different ways of working with the corporate sector in the rural community for economic development, and how to articulate alliances with private and public organizations.
Costa Rica Heiner Bermudez System Engineer, Coope-Ande N 1 R.L. Email: hbermudez@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Rivermark Community Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the development and advancement in financial systems in credit and savings organizations, to learn about best quality process in the U.S., and to improve English language skills.
Costa Rica Walter Melendez Marketing Manager, Coopealianza R.L. Email: wmelendez@coopealianza.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: iQ Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the experience of the credit unions in planning and implementation, how to develop its strategies ahead of its competitors.
Costa Rica Alejandro Castro Alfaro Senior Consultant, Grameen Caldas Email: acastro18@gmail.com
Costa Rica Ana Mora Marketing Manager, Coope-Ande N 1 R.L. Email: cmora@coopeande1.com
Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Kenai Sports Motivation: To learn about best business and entrepreneurial practices used in U.S. to manage socially and environmentally responsible companies.
Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Redstone Federal Credit Union Motivation: To learn how credit unions work in the U.S., specifically in the marketing departments and another process like purchases, and applying this knowledge in my cooperative.
Costa Rica Ileana Castro Investment Services, Coopeservidores Email: icastro@coopeservidores.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: OnPoint Community Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the business of the credit unions for use in my cooperative.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 39 Costa Rica Eric Vargas Branch Manager, Coopenae Email: evargas@coopenae.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: FloridaCentral Credit Union Motivation: To learn about techniques and technologies on different financial products, specifically those made for young people.
Egypt Yomna AbouOmar Lecturer, The German University, Cairo Email: yomna.abouomar@guc.edu.eg Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Center for Entrepreneurship Motivation: To learn how to create an entrepreneurship program and student incubator in my university.
Costa Rica Maria del Milagro Vargas Assistant Business Administrator, FEDEAC R.L. Email: milagrov@fedeac.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Dade County Federal Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the cooperative model in U.S., new methods and practices in different areas, the culture of a developed country, practice the English language in order to transfer the knowledge to my organization, enhance opportunity for professional growth, and benefit my organization.
Egypt Asmaa Aly Mohamed Zaki Gender Officer, Cooperation for the Development of Emerging Countries (COSPE) Email: asmaa.aly@live.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Empower Peace’s Women2Women Program at The Rendon Group Motivation: To learn more about gender strategies from a different country and culture, gain further awareness about American society, and to build a strong network with like-minded organizations.
Costa Rica Cristina Zuniga Debit Card Officer, Coopeorotina R.L Email: czuniga@coopeorotina.fi.cr Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Innovations Federal Credit Union Motivation: To learn about the process of business administration in other countries.
Egypt Amira Habib Pharmacist/Entrepreneur, The Cardiac Center, Alexandria Email: amira.habib@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Bizdom Motivation: To learn how to grow my business and create jobs in Egypt.
Costa Rica Laura Zumbado Ramos Environmental Engineer, SurĂĄ Soluciones Ambientales Email: info@suracr.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Greenskies Motivation: To learn economic empowerment tools and knowledge to enhance a local micro economy that, in a sustainable way, to become a local development model enriching policy formulation and green jobs formation.
Egypt Walaa Hassan Ali Hassan Coordinator for the National Program Against Female Genital Mutilation, National Population Council Email: walaahassan2000@yahoo.co.uk Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy Motivation: To learn how to strengthen her leadership capacity, her awareness of American legislative processes and judicial systems, and her understanding of how these systems and processes, as well as civil society, NGO involvement and community pressure, that have been used to promote the participation and inclusion of women.
Costa Rica Guillermo Zuniga Website Administrator, Coope-Ande N 1 R.L. Email: gzuniga@coopeande1.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Fellowship Placement: Point West Credit Union Motivation:To know and learn about the job, the culture, and the lifestyle of the U.S. citizens. To learn about the strategies in social media of the Credit Union. To learn about the technologies used for web site administration, development, and graphical tendency. Also, to learn about the kind of creative marketing strategies for young people.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 40 Egypt Nermin Helmy Ahmed Senior Project Officer, ALROWAD Email: nerminhelmy@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: US Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY-7) Motivation: To develop skills and professional experience, especially leadership skills that will enable her to invent new initiatives in the fields of social development in Egypt. Egypt Nawara Magdy Belal Gender Expert / Gender Coorindator, EACPE Email: nawara.belal@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Motivation: To exchange knowledge and expertise with her American counterparts on media as an element of change in public spaces. Egypt Salma Ebrahim CEO/Founder, Be Green Email: salma.muhammad1112@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Green Garage Motivation: To learn more about environmental policies and companies active in this field. Egypt Vivian Mokhtar Thabet Ghaley Director of Women’s Rights, CARE Egypt Email: vthabet@egypt.care.org Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Motivation: To learn more about advocating for improvements to the legislative process and to learn about new tools for advocacy and lobbying for women’s rights. Egypt Sara Nader Azer Activist, Mewatna and Selmia social movements Email: azer.sara@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: The Connections Group Motivation: To understand political structures / processes through observation of the American democratic political system.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Egypt Ola Omran Trainer, Egyptian Red Crescent Email: Omranola@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: American Public Health Association (APHA) Motivation: To learn about leadership and how to develop and provide good and efficient public services and social development activities. Egypt Kareem Sadik Managing Program Specialist, Health Management and Research Unit, Center of Development Services Email: kareem.sadik@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: American Public Health Association (APHA) Motivation: To learn about community development through civil society; in reference to the current situation in Egypt, where reform and restructuring are taking place in a debatable way, the program will build capacities in the area of policymaking through civil society and provide related knowledge and skills. Egypt Ayman Shabban Account Representative, Schneider Electric (telecom) Email: a.aymansaeed@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Compuware Motivation: To learn about technology start-ups in the U.S. Egypt Youssef Talaat Elshahat Gerges Program Coordinator, Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) Email: youssef.talaat@ceoss.org.eg Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Powerful Voices Motivation: To learn how to mobilize civil society to support policies and legislation supporting women’s participation in all aspects of life, particularly by advocating with parliamentary figures.
Page 41 Egypt Aya Yossry Mohamed Aly Hassan Project Manager / Intern, Students in Free Entreprise at Cairo University / CARE Egypt Email: aya.yossry91@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Win/Win Network at Progress Alliance Motivation: To gain deeper awareness of the issues surrounding women’s empowerment and the achievement of equal inclusion in developing countries, and to be exposed to macro social development projects in practice. Georgia Irakli Kotetishvili Director, Civil Service Bureau Email: irakli.kotetishvili@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Law Library of Congress Motivation: To learn about U.S. law drafting process, electoral system and digitalization of government services. Georgia Irakli Mkheidze Legal Expert, Civil Society Institute Email: iraklimr@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of WI State Senator Lena Taylor Motivation: To learn about U.S. legislative system and bureaucracy. Georgia Nino Tvaltvadze Legal Manager, United Airports of Georgia - Kutaisi King David the Builder International Airport Email: Nino.Tvaltvadze@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations
Ghana Ekow Essabra-Mensah Chief Correspondent, Business & Financial Times Newspaper Email: essabrah@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Tallahassee Democrat Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S., the role that journalists play in society, and the challenges they face in doing their jobs. Ghana Albert Futukpor Reporter, Ghana News Agency Email: albertfutukpor@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: The Gainesville Sun Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S., the role that journalists play in society, and the challenges they face in doing their jobs. Hungary Laszlo Oliver Jakab Social worker trainee, DARTKE- Southern Great Plains Region Social Research Association Email: jakablac@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Action United Motivation: To learn good practices about community organizing and methods of involvement. Hungary Hajnalka Kiss Economist, Social Scientist, Szellemkep Foundation Email: kisshaj@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Virginia Organizing Motivation: To learn more about community organizing, methods and strategies on motivating volunteers at NGOs.
Motivation: To learn about American government and civil society.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 42 Hungary Timea Kovacs Social worker, Hungarian Baptist Aid - “The Happy Garden” - Residential Home Care for Man with Addictions Email: kovacs.timea.eva@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Alliance for a Just Society Motivation: To develop my professional skills.
Israel Claudia Ben Yaakov Founder/Consultant, CBY Business Email: cby.business@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Menlo Innovations Motivation: To learn best practices in small business growth in U.S.
Hungary Csaba Szikra Manager & trainer, Spark-Training Deposit Company Email: csaba.szikra@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Communities Action Network and Organizing and Leadership Training Center Motivation: To learn more about minorities and cross-cultural topics in America.
Israel Ayelet Cohen Student/Entrepreneurship Leader, Hebrew University – Siftech Email: ayouly@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Compuware Motivation: To learn how to empower students to start their own businesses.
Hungary Anita Vodal Trainee Lawyer at the Roma Program, Hungarian Civil Liberties Union Email: anitavod@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Chicago Homeless Coalition Motivation: To acquire knowledge on community organizing methods and practical tools.
Israel Rabea Ziyoud Student/Entrepreneurship Leader, Tel Aviv University Email: project1@startau.co.il Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: iCorp, Center for Entrepreneurship Motivation: To learn how to encourage Arab-Israeli students to start their own companies.
India Adil Rana Chhina Program Officer, Teamwork Email: chhina.adil@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Representative Bill Batchelder, Speaker of the House) Motivation: To explore how the U.S. political system promotes diversity and inclusion.
Israel Danny Weissberg CEO and Co-Founder, VoiceITT Email: danny@voiceitt.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Compuware Motivation: To raise money and grow my start up, and to learn how to help others in the IT/software development field in Israel to raise funds outside of the country.
India Rahul Rai State President, Indian Youth Congress Email: Rahulrai.nsui.iyc@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights Motivation: To learn about the positive/negative aspects of democratic processes being practiced in the U.S. and other participating countries as well as share how India’s democracy functions.
Kazakhstan Andrey Kravchuk Chairman, Almaty Branch, Society of Young Professionals of Kazakhstan Email: kan-2010@bk.ru Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Office of Ohio Governor John Kasich Motivation: To learn more about the U.S. governmental structure, and then create new projects that will assist in educating the populace about their own power in his home country.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 43 Kenya Joan Barsulai Print Journalist, Standard Newspaper Email: joan_barsulai@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Providence Journal Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S., the role that journalists play in society, and the challenges they face in doing their jobs. Kenya Siangani Shiundu Senior Parliamentary Reporter, National Media Group Email: shiunduonline@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: The Miami Herald Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S., the role that journalists play in society, and the challenges they face in doing their jobs. Kenya Bevertone Some Senior Investigative Reporter, The Standard Group Email: bevers83@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Las Vegas Review Journal Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S., the role that journalists play in society, and the challenges they face in doing their jobs.
Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Iliasov Founder/Director, “Futurus� Public Union Email: rovbek@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Senator Frank LaRose) Motivation: To learn how different interest groups are involved and influence the policy making process in the U.S. and how different interest groups interact with one another. Kyrgyszstan Asem Murzalieva Lawyer, Institute for Public Analysis Email: asema27@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Mecklenburg County Courthouse; 26th Judicial District of North Carolina; Mecklenburg County Courthouse Motivation: To increase knowledge on promoting civic initiatives through government agencies and Parliament.
Laos Soukanlaya Rattanavong Program Quality Assurance and Research Manager, Development Environment Community Association Email: soukanya99@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center Motivation: To learn about organizational management and effectiveness, resource mobilization approach in civil society organizations, product distribution channels, fundraising approach for community service organizations and writing project proposals. Laos Phouxay Thepphavong Email: phouxaylncci@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Motivation: To learn about small business financing, marketing strategies, public-private partnerships, and business community development. Libya Osama El Mehdawi Dentist, International Medical School, Benghazi Email: osama@mehdawi.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: NAAMA Motivation: To learn how to build a professional organization to support dentists in Libya. Libya Suliman Elrajoubi Head of Department, Misurata Power Plant, General Electric Company of Libya Email: ayman_libya2006@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) Motivation: To enhance skills through interaction with experts, learning the workings of government, and networking with potential contacts for future cooperation.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 44 Libya Fadiel Fadel Project Manager, Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company Email: fadeels@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Compuware Motivation: To gain exposure to civil society building and private sector development. Libya Saleheddin Gharman Founder and CEO, Shahed Organization for Election Observation Email: salaheddin_f_g@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Campaign Legal Center Motivation: To learn about the electoral process and transparency issues, especially with regard to elections at the local or national level. Libya Muataz Osheibi Lawyer, Oshebi Law Firm Email: m.aloshebi@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Senator Jon Tester (Montana) Motivation: To learn how legislation is made, the role of lawmakers, NGOs, the Supreme Court and the relationship between the states and the federal government. Libya Alaeddin Tantush Value Added Services Engineer, Aljeel Email: alaeddintantush@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: The Livingston Group Motivation: To gain professional expertise in advancing the legislative process in Libya in a professional manner and promoting understanding of the U.S. legislative process and society. Maldives Ahmed Mohamed Project Coordinator, Right to Information Project, Transparency Maldives Email: formea@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Aga Khan Foundation Motivation: To learn more about how groups effectively lobby and influence the legislature in the U.S.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Maldives Rahma Moosa Senior Legal Officer, Legal Affairs Department, Office of the President of Maldives Email: rahu@live.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Senator Chris Widener) Motivation: To cultivate a deeper understanding of the governance principles and practices of U.S. institutions as well as other countries in the region. Moldova Aleandru Cladco Prosecutor, Prosecutor’s General Office Email: a.cladco@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of HI State Representative Karen Awana Motivation: To learn about the best practices on U.S. judicial regulations, in particular with regards to human rights; he is also interested in learning about the cooperation between prosecution service and investigating agencies. Moldova Mariana Buruiana Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, Government of the Republic of Moldova Email: mariana.buruiana12@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of OR State Senator Floyd Prozanski Motivation: To learn about practices and regulations in the area of social affairs and public education. Moldova Victoria Capatici Civil Society Program Coordinator, Promo-LEX Email: victoria.capatici@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Heartland Alliance Motivation: To learn about civil society, the role of non-governmental organizations and their cooperation with the local government.
Page 45 Nepal Samjhana Kachhyapati Program Coordinator, Saathi Email: skachhyapati@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, Women’s Commission Motivation: To learn about U.S. legislative and political processes and civil society’s role in these processes. Nepal Dipendra Shrestha Chairman, Microvision Nepal Email: dipsnepal@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Community Chest, Inc. Motivation: To learn about U.S. society in order to apply positive components to my own country. Nepal Sabin Shrestha Executive Director, Forum for Women, Law and Development Email: sabinlaw@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Senator Keith Faber) Motivation: To enhance capacity and gain exposure to U.S. and regional legislative processes.
New Zealand Sandra Graham Governance Manager, Dunedin City Council Email: sgraham@dcc.govt.nz Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: ICMA Fellowship Placement: City of University Park Motivation: To gain insights on how to engage all sections of the community in the electoral process to enhance their participation and understanding and to learn more about the American Freedom of Information Act and how electronic information is handled.
New Zealand Jennifer McFarlane Manager, Legal and Corporate Support, Waipa District Council Email: jennie.mcfarlane@waipadc.govt.nz Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: ICMA Fellowship Placement: City of Albany Motivation: To meet people in my field and to exchange ideas and information and have learning experiences that I can bring back and apply to my work place and District, particularly in relation to the role of citizen advisory groups and community engagement. New Zealand Stephanie Rose Policy and Corporate Planning Manager, Wanganui District Council Email: stephanie.rose@wanganui.govt.nz Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: ICMA Fellowship Placement: City of Albany Motivation: To explore effective approaches for engaging citizens in the setting of a local vision and connecting with it, as well as to explore partnership tools for shaping a positive and resilient community. Nigeria Kabir Garba Assistant Arts/Media Editor, The Guardian Email: kabiralabi68@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Winston-Salem Journal Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S. and the role that journalists play in society and the challenges they face in doing their jobs. Nigeria Idris Hamza Journalist, Media Trust Ltd, Publishers of Daily, Weekly and Sunday Trust Email: hamzaidris6@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S. and the role that journalists play in society and the challenges they face in doing their jobs.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 46 Nigeria Lasisi Olanrewaju Senior Reporter and Producer, Channels Television Email: llasisi@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: KXAN-TV Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S. and the role that journalists play in society and the challenges they face in doing their jobs.
Pakistan Rafiq Azam Badshah President, Human Rights Development Organization Email: Rafi607@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Amnesty International Motivation: To meet and learn from a diverse group of people that may lead to better ways to develop and implement my projects.
Pakistan Muhammad Aashir Program Manager, We Can End All Violence Against Women Organization Email: aashirzzz@gmail.com; aashir@wecan.org.pk Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: YWCA of Kalamazoo Motivation: To broaden understanding of civil society’s role in the U.S. as well as the governance framework of the U.S.
Pakistan Gul Khan Naseer Baloch Founder & Program Manager, Azat Foundation Balochistan Email: gulnaseer@gmail.com, gulnasir2002@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Western Michigan University with Mr. Don Cooney, Kalamazoo City Commissioner and Associate Professor Motivation: To understand American society, culture, governance system and the role of civil society in national development.
Pakistan Muhammad Abdul Saboor Manager of Program Development and Research, Trust for Democratic Education and Accountabilities Email: mabdulsaboor@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Disability Network Southwest Michigan Motivation: To understand the linkages between governance and diverse social, political, and economic factors as well as understand the U.S. governance model and legislative process. Pakistan Salman Ahmad President, GADE Foundation Email: salman@gadefoundation.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Nevada Small Business Development Center Motivation: To better understand the structure of NGOs in the U.S. and learn current program management practices utilized by NGOs. Pakistan Muhammad Akbar Advocate /Chairman, Cultural Development Organization Email: lawyerakbar@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Chicago Cultural Alliance Motivation: To understand U.S. culture and strengthen my understanding of the different entities in the political process.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Pakistan Shah Jehan Chief Executive Officer, Kurram Welfare Home Email: Kwh_org1@hotmail.com; shah_jehan2000@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Edison Neighborhood Association Motivation: To learn about different political processes and methods for project management. Pakistan Amanullah Khan Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Society Of Collective Interests Organization Email: sociopak@yahoo.com; sociopak@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Godman Guild Motivation: To learn about NGO management in the U.S. Pakistan Prih Memon Program Officer, Civil Society Support Program Email: Prihmemon@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Communities in School Motivation: To build a greater professional network to support work with youth and development.
Page 47 Pakistan Kiran Munir Program Officer, Aurat Foundation Email: kyran.shah@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, Women’s Commission Motivation: To learn about the U.S. legislative process and women’s participation. Pakistan Ashfaq Rafiq Chief Executive/ Founder; Country Youth Coordinator, Election Watch Pakistan; Sustainable Peace and Development Organization Email: Ashfaq.rafiq@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Amnesty International Motivation: To explore the legislative process, civil society, and diversity in the U.S. Pakistan Riaz Ahmed Raisani Program Manager, Asian Development Organization Email: sarawaan@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Aga Khan Foundation Motivation: To understand U.S. legislative processes and civil society’s role in the political process. Pakistan Uzma Rashid Project Manager, Khwendo Kor Email: abbasi_uzmarashid@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ties that Matter Motivation: To explore the Presidential system of governance in the U.S. as well as American culture and values. Pakistan Anisa Shah Community Mobilization Officer, Agency for Cooperation of Technical Development (ACTED) Email: smashii@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Mercy Corps Northwest Motivation: To learn about the role of NGOs in public advocacy in the U.S. in order to bring new ideas and techniques back to my role as a Community Mobilization Officer.
Pakistan Imtiaz Ali Shah Skills Development Officer, Hashoo Foundation Email: Imtiazshah85@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: W.E. Upjohn Institute/Michigan Works! Motivation: To learn more about NGO management in order to strengthen my community socially, politically, and economically. Pakistan Syed Samiullah Shah M&E/Research Officer, Koshaan Welfare Society Baluchistan Email: samiullahdawn@gmail.com; syedsamidawn@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ministry with Community Motivation: To share best practices with U.S. and regional colleagues and explore U.S. culture. Pakistan Shazia Shaheen Program Specialist, Strengthening Participatory Organization Email: shaheenshazia@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Latin American Chamber of Commerce Motivation: To gain knowledge on political systems and processes from U.S. and regional peers in order to identify new interventions that may promote greater political and economic stability in Pakistan. Pakistan Fnu Shazia Coordinator, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation Email: g.shazia@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Raksha Motivation: To meet with U.S. professionals and utilize new knowledge gained to improve projects.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 48 Pakistan Qurban Ali Solangi Chief Executive Officer, PEACE Social Welfare & Education Organization Email: peacelarkana@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Albany Park Community Center Motivation: To establish linkages and build a network of civil society organizations in order to share best practices and learn from diverse experiences. Pakistan Hina Tabassum Program Manager, Forum for Human Rights Email: hinatsiddiqui1@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: NC Democracy Motivation: To explore the role of U.S. civil society in promoting human rights and generating awareness around civic issues. Pakistan Sana Tahir Cleaner Production Promoter/Environmentalist, National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC) Email: sanatahir1304@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.’s Watershed Resource Center Motivation: To improve leadership skills and learn more about advocacy practices that can be utilized at my organization.
Palestinian Territories Mohammed Dohdar Founder, Middle East Cosmetics, Ltd. Email: m.dohdar@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Bizdom Motivation: To learn best practices in financing start-up companies, and how to grow in international markets. Palestinian Territories Safa’a Hourany Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services Email: shourany@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: ACCESS Motivation: To gain exposure to best practices in youth entrepreneurship.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Palestinian Territories Rasha Jaber Program Manager, The Welfare Association Email: rashaj85@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: ACCESS Motivation: To learn how to promote economic development/entrepreneurship among young Palestinians. Panama Alberto Pascual Quiroz Director, Fundacion CoMunidad Email: apascual@mail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Human Impacts Institute Motivation: To create a network of cooperation, based on culture, knowledge and experience of the U.S., as a way to address global challenges. Panama Sixta Rubio Flores Founder and Owner, Centro De Formacion Professional Email: sixtarubio@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Yale New Haven Health System, Institute for Excellence Motivation: To learn and apply the strategies needed to replicate the skills and knowledge to become financially sustainable and foster change in my community. Peru Desiree Quinteros Alberca Analyst, Ministry of Economics and Finance Email: Desiree.quinteros@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: CBIA Motivation: To learn about the allocation and prioritization of national resources of the U.S. to improve the conditions of the community (education, employability), and how to develop a sustainable social project. Peru Maria del Carmen Valdivieso Ramos Executive Director, Nexos Voluntarios Email: Maricarmen.valdivieso@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Wholesome Wave Motivation: To learn how to make Economic Empowerment a part of an integrated concept of Development.
Page 49 Peru Violeta Vergara Blacido General Manager, Agroindustrias Huayllacan SAC Email: violevergara@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Connecticut Fellowship Placement: Hartford Food Systems Motivation: To learn economic skills and other best practices to become an agent of change in my community. Romania Simona Barbu Project Coordinator, Roma Center for Social Intervention and Studies Email: simona@romanicriss.org Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Alliance for a Just Society Motivation: To learn about the situation of the minorities in the US and the legislation to support them. Romania Ruxandra Borca Academic researcher, Literaturhaus Berlin Email: ruxandra_borca@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Logan Square Neighborhood Association Motivation: To learn how community organizing is done in the U.S. youth and migrant communities, how to identify their problems, and involve members of the community in the decision-making process. Romania Raluca Negulescu Project Manager, Policy Center for Roma and Minorities Email: raluca.negulescu@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Granite State Organizing Project Motivation: To understand and learn innovative methods to mobilize and empower people in marginal minority communities that the US organizations use in similar communities to the one in Romania. Romania Ioana Petrache Community Facilitator, PACT Foundation Email: ioana@fundatiapact.ro Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Action United Motivation: To develop my facilitation skills and abilities in order to help initiative groups grow into powerful and sustainable community organizations.
Romania Silvia Ursu Communication and PR Specialist, National Organization of the Disabled People Federation Email: silvia.elena.ursu@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Paraquad Motivation: To learn more about advocacy techniques used in U.S., the ways a NGO can contribute to the change of a law, ways of empowering minority groups and how to make them speak for themselves. Russia Mariia Mikhailova Deputy Head of Economy Department, Head of Municipal Economy Department, Administration of Irkutsk County Email: bordunova_mary@rambler.ru Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of HI State Representative Gene Ward Motivation: To learn about U.S. municipal institutions, local government management experiences and interactions between different divisions of the government. Russia Olga Ponomareva The Head of the Department of Social Programmes, Tyumen Region Office in Moscow Email: olgaponomareva777@yandex.ru Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of Demographic Analysis Motivation: To learn about US practices in developing and implementing social programs in the sphere of health care, education and youth; to learn about U.S. experiences in sphere of job creation, training and unemployment elimination. Russia Andrey Tikhonov Project Manager, Arkhangelsk Department of the Russian Association for the Deafs Email: tikhandy@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Chicago Lighthouse Motivation: To learn about the work of disability NGOs, lobbying techniques and education practices in the United States.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 50 Russia Elena Vodianenko Lecturer, Saratov State Law Academy Email: gulya-eva@rambler.ru Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Motivation: To learn more about legislative processes, legislative analysis and comparative law.
Slovakia Monika Vaskovicova Director, Agency for Development of the Gemer Region Email: monika.vaskovicova@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Communities Action Network and Organizing and Leadership Training Center Motivation: To experience the community collaboration in the U.S., the role, function and motivational tools of the leaders in the community.
Slovakia Daniela Batova Main State Advisor, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic The Office of the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities Email: daniela.batova@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS
South Africa Nick Allen Executive Director, Savant Analytic Email: nick@savantic.co.za Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: North Shore Innoventures
Fellowship Placement: Virginia Organizing Motivation: To gain valuable experience from the fieldwork with minority communities; to learn best practices from U.S NGOs and active citizens to start up change in Slovakia.
Motivation: To learn best practice in Technology Incubation and Venture Capital and to form lasting and beneficial relationships in the U.S.
Slovakia Maros Chmelik Project Manager, Education Centre for Non-profit Organizations (CVNO) Email: maros.chmelik@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Action North Carolina Motivation: To manage social and educational problems within Minorities (mainly Roma minority); to learn about examples of successful implementation of sustainable strategies within the relation Minority – Majority mentoring.
South Africa Janine Chantson Senior Manager, Licensing and Ventures, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Email: jtchantson@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: Tufts University Tech Transfer Motivation: To learn about the United States’ approaches and models for managing innovation, and to explore best practices in technology transfer and commercialization.
Slovakia Martin Klus Vice Rector, Associate Professor, University of SsCyril and
South Africa Selina Hlabedi Secretary General, Women in Agriculture and Rural Development in South Africa Email: hlabedi@webmail.co.za
Methodius Email: martin.klus@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Arkansas Public Policy Panel Motivation: To experience U.S. grassroots democracy and to gain new communication, mobilization and various kind of event organization skills.
Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Allen Neighborhood Center Motivation: To impart skills to other Women Forums that are affiliated to Women in Agriculture and Rural Development, youth and people with disabilities, and above all communities that are often marginalized in terms of information.
Slovakia Miroslav Ragac Email: m.ragac@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Great Lakes Consortium/WSOS Fellowship Placement: Chicago Homeless Coalition Motivation: To experience outreach work and community organizing practices as a problem solving method in a community with different backgrounds, cultures and issues.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 51 South Africa Angela Kgasago Managing Director, Melozi Avantu SA Pty Ltd. Email: angela@meloziavantu.co.za Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Women’s Center of Greater Lansing Motivation: To learn tools to equip women with social entrepreneurship and business models so they can be empowered through enterprise development and sustainable business. South Africa Babalwa Lobishe Project Manager, Never Give-Up Support Group Email: blobishe23@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Northwest Initiative Motivation: To gain fund raising, leadership, management, and communication skills. South Africa Luana Malan Social Enterprise Coordinator, Siyabhabha Trust Email: lmalan@sacbc.org.za Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: MSU Center for Community & Economic Development Motivation: To gain knowledge to plan better around issues and circumstances that keep women from progressing and to look earnestly at methodologies and evaluate if applicable to South Africa. South Africa Tiny Mazibuko Coordinator, Leading Women of South Africa Email: mvelwabo@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Northwest Initiative Motivation: To impart skills to other Women Forums that are affiliated to Leading Women of Africa, youth and people with disabilities, and above all communities that are often marginalized in terms of information. South Africa Tobeka Mdiza Managing Member, Lady of the Waters T/A to Bead Africa Email: t1965@webmail.co.za Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Entrepreneur Institute Motivation: To gain professional skills to enhance the marketing of products of a women’s owned business and to contribute to women’s economic empowerment through networking and self-employment.
South Africa Veronica Motloutsi Group Manager, IT Stategy and Business Enablement, Sun International Ltd. Email: veronica.motloutsi@za.suninternational.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: Cubist Pharmaceuticals Motivation: To observe U.S. new technology implementation strategies, develop leadership and management skills. South Africa Zulu Nodumo Researcher, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Email: nnzulu@csir.co.za Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: OPKBiotech Motivation: To acquire skills and the American tactics in the field of Bioprocessing, enabling my organization to provide affordable healthcare solutions which are desperately needed by my country. South Africa Mamatla Rantidi Test Analyst, iLab Email: rantidimd@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: COSM Motivation: To increase my understanding of the United States’ best practice process in implementation pertaining to software quality assurance and testing in the private and public sectors. South Africa Doug Sanyahumbi Director, Technology Transfer office, University of the Western Cape Email: dougsanyas@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Bentley University/South Africa Partners Fellowship Placement: Boston University Technology Development Motivation: To benchmark the new technology transfer and innovation processes in my organization against established best-in-class practices at a comparable organization in the US and subsequently leverage, adapt and adopt appropriate practices for my local setting.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 52 South Africa Natasha Siebritz Social Worker, Department of Social Development (Provincial Government) Email: nbsiebritz@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: SIREN/Eaton Shelter Motivation: To network and learn best practices to customize and effectively strengthen local interventions with services that are professional and relevant.
Tanzania Maryam Amour Medical Doctor, Medical Women Association of Tanzania Email: maryamamour@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: SIREN/Eaton Shelter Motivation: To learn marketing strategies, health economics, entrepreneurship, advertising, quality management, administration and leadership skills that can make a positive change for women in Tanzania.
Sri Lanka Nirosion Shyanaka Perera Aluthnuwara Ganithage Project Coordinator, Consortium of Integrated Rehabilitation Organization Email: nirrosion@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Representative John Barnes) Motivation: To gain exposure to the diversity of the U.S. and how inter-faith and inter-ethnic communities work together to solve local challenges.
Tanzania Fatma Juma Empowerment Project Officer, Ministry of Labor Economic Empowerment and Cooperative Email: jumafatma@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Allen Neighborhood Center Motivation: To gain knowledge to assist individuals and groups in product promotion and networking; to gain the necessary skills required to link individuals and groups with reliable markets, both locally and internationally.
Sri Lanka Mohamed Shariff Thowfeek Member of Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka Email: thowfique@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Office of Council Member Kwanza Hall Motivation: To engage with and learn about the U.S. legislative process.
Tanzania Victoria Koda Executive Director, Nia & Hope for Youth Organization Email: nia.hope4youth@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Women’s Center of Greater Lansing Motivation: To develop leadership and professional skills in economic development, especially in entrepreneurship for rural women and those engaged in the informal sector.
Tajikistan Zarrina Juraeva Office Director, The Pragma Corportation Tajikistan Email: zarrinaj31@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Ohio State House (Office of Representative Ron Amstutz) Motivation: To gain and strengthen knowledge on the U.S. legal and judicial system for use in career.
Tanzania Maria Matui Program Officer Legal Aid and Gender Desk Officer, Tanganyiga Law Society Email: mariamatui@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Haven House Motivation: To gain skills in articulating gender equality as a goal and to learn more about the role the legal sector can play in women’s empowerment.
Tajikistan Ekaterina Puseva Project Assistant, Water Management and Energy Security, OSCE Email: puseva.ekaterina@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: World Learning Fellowship Placement: Legislative Counsel Bureau Motivation: To widen horizons and gain practical experience in the legislative system and civil society’s role in the political process.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Tanzania Rehema Mginah Hospital Matron, Regional Administrative Secretary Email: rasdom2002tz@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: MSU Center for Community & Economic Development Motivation: To learn leadership and professional skills to help empower other women working in the public sector such as hospitals.
Page 53 Tanzania Gift Isaya Msuya Deputy District Secretary, Chama Cha Mapinduzi Email: isayagifft@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Entrepreneur Institute Motivation: To gain political and leadership knowledge of business management and economic empowerment. Tanzania Margareth Ngondya Human Resources Officer, President’s Office Public Service Management Email: margarethngondya@estabs.go.tz Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Michigan State University Fellowship Placement: Northwest Initiative Motivation: To gain skills and experiences needed to better my leadership skills, organization, and Tanzanian public services at large. Thailand Tasanee Aikvanich Director of Medical Services Department, City of Phuket Email: tasaneetu44@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: The International City/County Management Association Fellowship Placement: City of University Park Motivation: To learn about best practices in city engagement, the role of women, minorities and marginalized population in order to become a healthy and sustainable city. Thailand Annah Davis Chief of Local Administration Subdivision, Sadao Municipality, Songkhla Province, Thailand Email: anahdavis@live.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: The International City/County Management Association Fellowship Placement: Town of Basalt Motivation: To learn about effective management strategies for creating more resilient, livable and sustainable communities. Thailand Orathai Kokpol Assistant Professor/Director of College of Local Government Development, King Prajadhipok’s Institute Email: okokpol@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: The International City/County Management Association Fellowship Placement: Town of Basalt Motivation: To gain more knowlege and experience on local government management and governance as well as best practices in dealing with new challengings.
Thailand Payong Srithong Farmer and Consultant on Organic Agriculture and Environmental Management, Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR) Email: suphanorganic@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: PEAS (Program in Ecological Agriculture and Society) Farm Motivation: To learn about organic farm development and roles of organic agriculture in economic and social development, and among the low-income and disadvantaged groups in Montana. Thailand Trinnawat Suwanprik Sanitary Researcher, Chiang Mai Municiplaity Email: suwanprik@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: The International City/County Management Association Fellowship Placement: City of Tulsa Motivation: To gain knowledge and experience from the U.S. in issues related to citizen empowerment; to become an agent of change in my community. Thailand Natedao Taotawin Lecturer, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Ubon Ratchatani University Email: tnatedao@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: University of Montana Motivation: To learn about community enterprise, community development, and gender empowerment. Tunisia Mohamed Rafaa Ayadi Student/Entrepreneurship Leader, INSAT, Tunis Email: ayadi.rafaa@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Tech Arb Motivation: To learn about civil society building and community involvement in a democracy. Tunisia Sonia Barbaria Program Director, African Development Bank Email: sonia.barbaria@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Google Adwords Motivation: To gain exposure to best practices in micro-enterprise development.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 54 Tunisia Sameh Ben Cheikh Ahmed Project Coordinator, Club UNESCO Alecso Bardo Email: bsam_ch@yahoo.fr Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-7) Motivation: To learn about how the U.S. governmental system works and how it compares with the government of Tunisia; to learn about free speech radio broadcasting dedicated to youth. Tunisia Rabeb Ben Khalifa Research Assistant, International Organization for Migration Email: khlifarabeb@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) Motivation: To learn about breaking cultural communication barriers, spreading a culture of dialogue between Muslim and Western peoples, and moving beyond stereotypes. Tunisia Tasnim Gazbar Consultant, Viacompetences Consulting and Training Company Email: gazbarboulbaba@yahoo.fr Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Congressman Tom Petri (WI-6) Motivation: To understand key success factors of implementing democracy, share experiences with Americans and others in the democratic, social and economic transition process, and improve political skills. Tunisia Najla Jabnoun Assistant Professor for Human Rights and Public Liberties / Trainer in Human Rights, Institut Superieur des Sciences Appliquees et de Technologie / Gabes Action Association for Promoting Civic Engagement of Civil Society Email: jabnoun1980@yahoo.fr Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy Motivation: To gain experience in how American laws promote the participation of women in politics and society and their access to legal resources, especially among underserved demographics.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Tunisia Hela Kachoukh-Gafsi CPA, Net Systems Group Email: hgafsi@netsystem-group.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: University of Michigan Fellowship Placement: Menlo Innovations Motivation: To learn about best accounting practices in American companies. Tunisia Karim Karmi Lecturer in the Department of English, University of Manouba Email: karimkarmi08@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: German Marshall Fund of the US Motivation: To assist Tunisia in the process of democratization, improving skills as a language teacher, and understanding the strengths of the American system. Tunisia Arwa Kooli Journalist / Teaching Assistant, Assabah (newspaper) / Institut de Presse et des Sciences de l’Information Email: kooliarwa@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: The Connections Group Motivation: To become informed about the legislative process and women’s social and political participation in the US and to exchange information and network with professionals and the media in the U.S. Tunisia Souleima Majeldi Project Coordinator and Sociologist, Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) Email: souleima.majeldi@cawtar.org Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus Motivation: To enhance my capacities in leadership and learning from best practices in the U.S. and exchange knowledge on the situation of women in the US and Arab countries.
Page 55 Tunisia Oualid (Walid) Said Assistant Manager in the Office of Studies and Planning, Ministry of Higher Education / Association of Public Administration Workers Email: walid79.said@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Women’s Center at the University of Washington Motivation: To learn about the best practices and cultural aspects necessary for change, especially in promoting the inclusion of women in higher education and their equal representation among Tunisian civil servants. Tunisia Imen Trabelsi Communications and Public Media Relations Consultant, Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) Email: imentrabelsi89@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Hands Along the Nile Development Services Fellowship Placement: Legal Voice Motivation: To explore the structure and impact of American NGOs, their achievements and challenges, and to build partnerships with them. Tunisia Charfeddine Yacoubi Director, Ministry of State Property and Land Affairs Email: chouchou_1978@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: Legacy International Fellowship Placement: Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-7) Motivation: To learn more about how the US political system is organized, how checks and balances ensure that no one branch becomes too dominant, and how the U.S. government works to ensure effective and efficient public participation. Turkey Selek Meydanlı Dilek Expert, Ministry of National Education-Directorate General for the EU and Foreign Relations Email: selekdilek@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of HI State Senator Maile Shimabukuro Motivation: To gain experience about how to enable cooperation between civil society organizations and government agencies in order to enhance the quality of public education.
Turkey Muhtaroglu Erdem International Relations Specialist, Bornova Municipality Email: erdemmuhtaroglu@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Montgomery County Government, Office of Human Resources Motivation: To learn about civil engagement, local government and eco entrepreneurship. Turkey Ersoz Erhan Parliamentary Consultant, Turkish Grand National Assembly Email: ersozerhan@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Southeast Delegation, PA House of Representatives Motivation: To gain knowledge about U.S. legislative processes, civic participation, as well as the role of NGOs and CSOs in decision making processes. Turkey Sezen Mümin Prime Ministry Expert, Prime Ministry of Turkey Email: bumin1982@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: National Freedom of Information Coalition Motivation: To learn about the implementation of FOIA in the U.S. Turkey Acıkgoz Unsal Osman Prime Ministry Expert, Prime Ministry of Turkey Email: unsalacikgoz@hotmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of MA State Representative Nick Collins Motivation: To learn about the communication and cooperation processes between CSOs and government.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 56 Turkey Yalcın Sezen Project Assistant, SPoD - Social Policies Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association Email: sezen.yalcin@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Victory Fund Motivation: To learn about legislative procedures, civil society participation, NGO strategies in different countries and explore possibilities of future cooperation. Turkey Özer Yetkin Planning Specialist, Thrace (Trakya) Development Agency Email: yetkinozer@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Puget Sound Regional Council Motivation: To learn about civic participation, politics and disability issues. Uganda Ibrahim Emolu Senior Business Writer, New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Limited Email: ikasita@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: Tallahassee Democrat Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S. and the role that journalists play in society. Uganda Dorothy Nakaweesi Senior Correspondent (Business Reporter), Monitor Publications Limited (MPL) Email: dnakaweesi@yahoo.co.uk Fellowship Focus: Media Host Organization: International Center for Journalists Fellowship Placement: The Durango Herald Motivation: To learn about how journalism is practiced in the U.S. Ukraine Anna Gladka Lawyer, Municipal Institution “Donetsk Regional Youth and Children Centre” Email: anna.gladkaya@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of Legslative Counsel, California State Legislature Motivation: To gain practical experience in youth civil engagement in the U.S. to learn about cooperation between NGOs and local government in the area of youth civil engagement.
Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Ukraine Oleksandra Nechyporenko Chief Specialist of the Directorate on cooperation with the EU, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Email: mailing.alexandra@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: Office of MA State Representative Steven Howitt Motivation: To learn about U.S. legislative processes and economic policies. Ukraine Yuliya Ryzhykh National Long-term Advisor on Readmission at the State Migration Service of Ukraine, Mission of the International Organization for Migration in Ukraine Email: arbitr@ukr.net Fellowship Focus: Legislative Process and Governance Host Organization: American Councils for International Education Fellowship Placement: National Immigration Forum Motivation: To learn about methods of migration management and assessment of the migration processes in the U.S. To gain practical experience in drafting of migration regulations. Vietnam Ho Van Tai Assistant Manager, Business Information Center, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hochiminh Branch Email: hovantaibk98@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Portland Business Alliance Motivation: To learn how a developed country like the U.S. addresses and solves its economic issues. This practical knowledge will help me to understand more about the situation in Vietnam and become more effective in the formulation and implementation of socio-economic development strategies of the country. Vietnam Minh Dang Director, Hanoi Organic Roots Email: dqminh@rauthanhxuan.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: Homestead Organics Farm, Inc. Motivation: To improve my knowledge of social enterprises, organic agriculture, and try to build up my network through this program.
Page 57 Vietnam Nguyen Quynh Mai Dean, School of Business - International University, VNU-HCM Email: quynhmai1970@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: PSU School of Business Motivation: To learn from my colleagues who have the same interests in economic empowerment and sustainable development. Vietnam Nguyen Thi Van Department Head for Tourism and Hospitality, Hoa Sen University Email: cloudvan@yahoo.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Oregon Tourism Council Motivation: To meet experienced professionals in the tourism area and learn from current U.S. models and practices in these areas as well as providing a bridge for others to cooperate in economic development projects in tourism and hospitality in Vietnam, in particular with likeminded students, currently part of the Vietnamese tourist industry. Vietnam Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong R&D Director cum External Affairs Director, PACE Institute of Leadership & Management Email: meongo13@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Mark O Hatfield School of Government Motivation: To become an outstanding educator who can create a positive impact on the development of my country through initiatives that bring the world’s best knowledge to Vietnam and empower people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s global economy; and who will play an active role in promoting the mutual learning between Vietnam and other countries. Vietnam Nguyen Trung Thanh Hanoi Branch Manager, ACE Insurance Company, Ltd. - Vietnam Email: hoathanhfamily@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Oregon Health Authority/Office of diversity and inclusion Motivation: To have a good underwriting knowledge and become an effective leader in the insurance industry in an ever changing world, it is necessary for me to be well prepared for new challenges and adapt to new environments.
Vietnam Phan Thi My Trang Deputy Director of Capital Market and Advisory Department, HFIC Investment Joint-stock Corporation Email: trang.phan@hficinvestment.vn Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Motivation: To learn how to entice the private investors to participate more in Ho Chi Minh City municipal infrastructure development. Vietnam Phuong Tran Manager of Healing the Wounded Heart Shop, Fund of Genetic Counseling and Disabled Children (FGCDC) Email: phuong.ogcdc@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Mansfield Center/University of Montana Fellowship Placement: CorEnterprises Motivation: To learn about business, marketing, community development, and employment for people with disabilities. Vietnam Trần Thị Ngọc Hà Chief Account Manager, Cyworld Vietnam Email: Tranngocha2005@gmail.com Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: PSU Vikings/Athletics Motivation: To gain insights into how things can be in Vietnam, of the potential unlocked through better standards, work communication, and processes. I hope to be another asset for Vietnam, aiding in its economic development by teaching best practices proven internationally. Vietnam Vu Chi Thanh Director of FPT Polytechnic Hanoi, FPT University Email: thanhvc@fpt.edu.vn Fellowship Focus: Economic Empowerment Host Organization: Portland State University Fellowship Placement: Portland Community College Motivation: To join modern educational developing projects which improve the quality of local labor forces so that I can boost the local labor force in Vietnam.
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Staff of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Professional Fellows Division Michael Stanton Michael Stanton assumed his duties as Chief of the Professional Fellows Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in August 2011. A career Foreign Service Officer, he previously served as Deputy Director of the Office of Western European Affairs. His overseas assignments include tours of duty in Iraq, the United Kingdom, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. He also served a year as a Congressional Fellow on the National Security staff of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, 1979-82. M.r Stanton joined the Foreign Service in 1992. Linnéa Allison Linnéa E. Allison is a Program Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division working on a global portfolio of exchange programs. Her career has been spent in the field of international education and development with a special emphasis on higher education. Linnéa served with the first Peace Corps Group in the Republic of Moldova. In addition to her volunteer service, Linnea spent three years as the Moldova Country Director for a large non-profit organization. Linnéa has an undergraduate degree in history from Muhlenberg College and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Georgetown University. Brent Beemer Brent Beemer is currently a Foreign Affairs Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division. He has worked on various international exchange programs for the U.S. Department of State since 1994. From 2010 to 2012, Brent was the Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. He also served as the Acting Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2009. Brent holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University of Ohio and a master’s degree in international affairs from the American University in Washington, D.C. Karin Brandenburg Karin Brandenburg is a Program Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division and works primarily on the South and Central Asia programs. Prior to coming to the State Department, she worked in the field of international development pertaining to rule of law technical assistance in the regions of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet region. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis on Soviet politics from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and completed a master’s degree in government at The University of Texas at Austin. She grew up in West Germany and has studied Russian and lived abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia. David Gustafson David Gustafson is a Program Specialist in the ECA Professional Fellows Division. He has been with the Department of State since 2002. David earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University.
He served
as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali and spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Carol Herrera Carol Herrera is a Program Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division and has worked in ECA’s Office of Citizen Exchanges since December 2001. At the core of her responsibilities is evaluation of grant proposals and managing professional exchange programs involving participants from dozens of Latin American and African countries. Prior to joining the Professional Fellows Division, she managed Fulbright programs for American senior scholars and students going to sub-Saharan Africa. She received a master’s degree in French language and literature at the University of Professional Fellows Congress Spring 2013
Page 61 Maryland, College Park. Carol put her language and teaching skills to good use as an instructor at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. In addition to her volunteer service, Carol served as Peace Corps Country Director in both the Comoros and Guinea-Bissau. Curt Huff Curt Huff is a Program Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division with special interest in exchanges with African countries. Curt was previously an Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer (ACAO) for two years at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. Before that, Curt was a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria for four years. Curt received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Antioch College and master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University. He studied for one academic year as an undergraduate at the University of Besancon in France. Sue Levenstein Sue Levenstein is a Program Specialist in ECA’s Professional Fellows Division and in the Youth Programs Division, working on projects involving East Asia and the Pacific. Prior to coming to the State Department, Sue worked at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program where she conducted research and coordinated events on social, political, and economic issues in Northeast, South, and Southeast Asia. She has a master’s degree in international relations and communications from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Tufts University. A California native, Sue spent her formative years in Taipei, Taiwan, and had traveled extensively through China and parts of Western Europe. She speaks Mandarin Chinese and French. Adam Meier Adam Meier is a Program Officer in the ECA Professional Fellows Division. He has worked for the State Department for more than a decade, first in the Office of the Spokesman, and then in ECA as the Bureau’s primary Press Officer.
Adam now works on exchanges with East Asia and the Pacific, as well as global exchanges. He holds degrees
from the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University, and has taught English at a college in China through the Peace Corps. Steve Ramirez Steve Ramirez is a Program Officer in ECA’s Professional Fellows Division, involved with Middle Eastern and North African countries. Steve is a Foreign Service Officer, having served as a visa officer in Chennai, India, as a cultural attaché in Amman, Jordan and Lima, Peru, and as Public Affairs Officer in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to working at the U.S. Department of State, Steve worked in the Latino non-profit community in Washington, D.C. and later for the city of Washington for four years as a job recruiter and nine years with the court system. Patty Reyes Patty Reyes is a Spring Intern in the ECA Professional Fellows Division. She graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in integrative studies with a concentration in organizational administration. During her undergraduate studies, she took part in two study abroad programs; an Italian language program in Italy and the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College Internship in Australia. Alana Rudkin Alana Rudkin is a program coordinator and new media specialist in ECA’s Professional Fellows Division. Her work currently includes the development of a comprehensive communications strategy for the Division. Alana holds a bachelor’s degree in public communications and international relations from American University (AU), and is currently completing her masters in strategic communications at AU.
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U.S. Department of State Panelist Bios Michael Pelletier Michael Pelletier is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs in the U.S. Department of State. From 2009-2012, Michael served as Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy at the American Embassy in New Delhi, where he oversaw the U.S. government's public diplomacy mission in India, including operations at the Embassy, the American Center in New Delhi, and the U.S. Consulates General in Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Previously, Michael served as the U.S. government's Arabic language spokesman and founding director of the Arabic Regional Public Diplomacy Hub in Dubai. Michael is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, and has worked for the Department of State and the U.S. Information Agency in various public affairs positions including Counselor for Public Affairs in Amman, Jordan; Dakar, Senegal; and Bamako, Mali. He has also served in Kaduna, Nigeria; Cairo, Egypt; and Chennai, India. Michael has a Bachelors degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a Masters from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He is fluent in French and Arabic. Michael is married to Sujatha Pelletier, and they have two sons, Aniketan (age 9) and Ethan (age 5). Susan Stevenson Susan Stevenson was appointed Deputy Asst. Secretary for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in October 2012. She previously served as Director of the Foreign Press Centers in the Bureau of Public Affairs. Ms. Stevenson is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with extensive experience in Asia. From 2010-2011, she served as Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand, covering Northern Thailand and the Burma exile community. Ms. Stevenson was previously Press Attaché and Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing (2006-2010) and the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong (2002-2006). She also served as Asst. Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City (1998-2000) after beginning her career in the Press Office of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok (1994-1997). Ms. Stevenson has lectured extensively on government-media relations at journalism schools and with government spokespersons. Ms. Stevenson is a recipient of the State Department’s Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards. Prior to joining the U.S. government, she worked in product management for the Kellogg Company, including as Category Brand Manager for Children’s Cereal, Kellogg’s Produits Alimentaires, Paris, France. She holds degrees in multinational management and French from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. In addition to French, Ms. Stevenson speaks Thai, Mandarin Chinese, and some Spanish. Eric Rubin Eric Rubin assumed his duties as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in July 2011. In this capacity he is responsible for issues related to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and the Caucasus. He most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow (2008-2011).
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Page 63 A career foreign service officer, Mr. Rubin joined the State Department in 1985 following two years as a reporter trainee at the New York Times. His overseas assignments included working as the political and human rights officer in Honduras (1986-1988), Deputy Political Counselor in Kyiv (1994-1996), and Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand (2001-2004). His Washington assignments include the State Department Operations Center (1989); the Office of Soviet Union Affairs (1989-1991); regional and security affairs officer for Central and Eastern Europe (1991-1993); special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (1996-1997); Assistant White House Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs and NSC Director for Public Affairs (1997); special assistant to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering (1998-1999); Director of the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination of the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (2004-2006); and Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2006-2008). Mr. Rubin holds a B.A. in history from Yale University. He was Dean and Virginia Rusk Fellow and a resident associate at Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy from 1999-2000. He speaks Thai, Spanish, French, Ukrainian and Russian. Richard J. Schmierer Richard J. Schmierer assumed his current position as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in September 2012. He served as Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman from September 2009 through August 2012.
Prior to
his ambassadorship he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, from June 2008 through July 2009. Amb. Schmierer is a State Department Foreign Service Officer and member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. He began his diplomatic career in 1980, with assignments in Bonn, Frankfurt and Hamburg, Germany, through 1984. Amb. Schmierer then served a three-year assignment at the American Consulate General in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (1985-88). From 1988 through 1992, he was posted at the headquarters of the U.S. Information Agency, and then from 1992 through 1996 at the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany. He returned to Saudi Arabia in 1997, where he served as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh until 2000. From 2000 through 2004 Amb. Schmierer served as Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, followed by an assignment as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, 2004-2005. From 2005 through 2007 he taught at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he published a book entitled "Iraq: Policy and Perceptions." From June 2007 through June 2008 Amb. Schmierer served as the head of the Office of Iraq Affairs at the U.S. State Department. Amb. Schmierer holds a B.A. degree from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, and Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is married to Sandra J. Schmierer, also a long-time employee of the U.S. State Department. They have three grown children.
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