What makes you proud to be an alum?
I am proud to be associated with the wonderful faculty at CGA and with current and former students as they continue to demonstrate academic excellence, and a commitment to make the world a safer, more just and equal place.
What are your main areas of responsibility in your current role?
Head of Save the Children’s policy and advocacy portfolio on conflict, natural disaster, famine and other humanitarian emergencies. Lead the development and implementation of successful lobbying and advocacy strategies and manage a team of six humanitarian policy and advocacy professionals, to produce measurable policy change in the legislative and executive branch arenas, to ensure children living in crisis settings are able to grow up healthy, educated, and free from all forms of violence, including gender-based violence. Coordinate global humanitarian policy work with other Save the Children offices, U.S. and international coalition partners, and other leaders in the humanitarian policy, advocacy, and programmatic community.
How did your time at the CGA help prepare you for this role?
My time at CGA helped me strengthen and gain confidence in my analytical skills and strategic thinking, and further taught me the importance of building and maintaining successful personal and professional relationships. While at CGA, I was also able to explore different disciplines in the field of global affairs which has enabled me to better understand at times conflicting or distinctive perspectives on global crises and the best path forward. This has allowed me to better identify and seek out more impactful policy solutions, as well as better fine tune/tailor advocacy messaging to resonate with audiences coming from different theoretical backgrounds and points of view.
Any favorite memories at the CGA?
I loved being a part of THRILL, taking a trip to the UN to listen to the Women, Peace and Security open debate at the Security Council, and the summer fellowship I did at the UNDP's Regional Hub for Arab States in Amman, Jordan, as part of the Workshop in Applied Peacebuilding course.