Class 16

Lucia has ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Science in epidemiology from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in León. Currently serving as a research coordinator, Solorzano works in translating research protocols and logistics planning with a team of researchers in Nicaragua. Before this, Solorzano worked as a research assistant in the mental health unit of CIDS UNAN León coordinating and conducting research, and providing methodological tutorials, logistics, and capacity building programs. Solorzano also worked as a program coordinator for Global Glimpse in Nicaragua, where she had the opportunity to create and implement an international education program for secondary students, which led her to establish a new Global Glimpse site in the Dominican Republic. Through her experience as a program manager in Global Glimpse Dominican Republic, Solorzano gained valuable knowledge in nonprofit management, and the creation and execution of international educational programs for youth and leadership development. Solorzano’s current interests are in research, nonprofit management, and youth leadership. In addition, Solorzano is excited by the prospect of creating a leadership program for youth in a new country while maintaining and respecting the dynamics and characteristics of her Nicaraguan heritage.

Host: Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)

Mr. Prem is millennial development professional with MBA in Management and carries 14 years of professional experience. During professional career he has served at mid to senior management level with national and international non-government organizations including USAID, World Bank and DFID funded programs in the areas of education, economic empowerment, children protection in conflict affected areas of Pakistan. Prem’s expertise includes strategic management and leadership, communications and advocacy, proposal writing, program execution and knowledge management. Currently he is leading knowledge management, communication and reporting for USAID funded education program in disaster affected areas of Pakistan. He has successfully led three multi million dollars projects within given time and resources at the provincial level positively impacting more than 50,000 lives directly. Prem is innovative team leader with can-do attitude and in-depth technical experience in program management and liaison with implementing partners. In recognition of his contribution in disaster and conflict affected areas in Pakistan, he was given Best Humanitarian Award by the Government of Sindh, Pakistan. He is skilled in designing and implementing communication strategies and advocacy plans to influence child rights policies at provincial level. Last but not the least he is well versed in three languages; English, Urdu and Sindhi and recognizing his competencies he was awarded prestigious fellowships like; Netherlands Fellowship Program, South Korea Cultural Exchange Program and One year U.S. Based Atlas Corps Fellowship for emerging global leaders.

Host Organization : CARE

Role at Host Organization : Prem served his fellowship with CARE USA and International Relief and Development. During his fellowship he provided technical and managerial backstop to field based programs (Community Mobilization Program while serving in IRD) and Child Marriage Prevention Program in CARE USA. His expertise in communications and gender mainstreaming helped organizations in smooth execution of their field based programs. He has also provided his inputs in business development process at CARE USA.

Sarahzin has eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s of Social Science in International Relations from the University of Dhaka. She earned a Post Graduation Diploma in Journalism from the Bangladesh Press Institute under the National University. Currently she is working at Plan International Bangladesh for more than 2 years as Communications Coordinator. Her focus is in Mass Communications, and thus, is developing communications strategy, yearly implementation planning with budget, and writing reports for the Donor like Netherlands Foreign Ministry. While working in Save the Children for 17 months, she was the team member of translating United Nations Concluding Observations from English to Bengali. She has also contributed her expertise in formulating National Child Policy. Besides participating in a Training of Trainers (ToT), Project Cycle Management, and Executive Certificate Course on Understanding Developments, she also conducted trainings for journalists and Fellows of American Center, Dhaka on child rights and protection. Through these experiences, she developed qualities of strong project coordination, making large campaign program and capacity building. Sarahzin finds interests in developing diversified communications materials for different types of stakeholders. She wishes to develop more knowledge and skills on child rights and protection issues, and to work for the common good.

Host Organization: Save the Children

Role at Host Organization: Sarahzin will join Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She will work with the child protection team and represent Save the Children on the community level. She will also work to provide assistance to field based projects. Sarahzin will develop skills in program development and research through her experiences working with project leaders and stakeholder groups.

Safa is a woman entrepreneur who has more than five years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing in 2007, from the “Ecole Nationale de Commerce et Gestion” (ENCG) of Settat in Morocco. While working as Citizenship and Public Affairs Coordinator for Microsoft Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan, in Istanbul she supported over fifteen local teams reaching their goals in empowering nonprofit organizations and youth through technology. In Morocco she started her own handicraft venture in October, 2012, to support Moroccan artisans and cooperatives in reaching international markets and spreading the Moroccan design. Safa is currently President at Junior Chamber International (JCI) at her local committee of Marrakesh. JCI is a worldwide organization of young leaders and entrepreneurs that provides young people with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, social responsibility, and entrepreneurship and networking opportunities necessary to create positive change. She also represents JCI at Marrakesh’s Regional Counsel of Human Development. Through all these experiences, she developed strong regional project coordination, networking and coalition skills and team leadership skills. Safa enjoys focusing on the topics of entrepreneurship, economic development, and has a strong passion for capacity building.

Host Organization: Meridian International Center

Role at Host Organization: Safa will join Meridian International Center’s Global Connect division, focusing on shaping Meridian’s Social Action Development program curriculum and honing training facilitation skills by presenting the developed modules for different youth and academic exchange programs as well as training Meridian staff on facilitation. Safa will have the opportunity as well to understand and learn how international exchange programs are developed.

Nicolás has more than six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in activities related to labor unions, social and legal empowerment of vulnerable workers, and community development. Nicolás is a lawyer and graduated with high distinction from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and also earned a master in Public Policy from the Central European University in Hungary. While studying at the Law School he worked as a monitor at the Center of Labor Studies Alberto Hurtado, a nonprofit organization dependent on the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, training union and social leaders in labor law, leadership, and communication skills. After graduating from Law School, Nicolás worked as a lawyer in Ernst & Young Chile, rendering consultancy services in labor law, employment taxes, social security and immigration. Before starting his masters’ studies in Hungary, he contributed as a labor law professor at the Institute of Popular Education and Training in Santiago, working with vulnerable workers in order to improve their employment conditions and self-empowerment. During his professional career, Nicolás focused on labor studies, vulnerable workers employment conditions, and the effects of labor unions and collective bargaining on income distribution and poverty.

Host Organization: Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)

Role at Host Organization: Nicolás will contribute as Job Developer for the Workforce Investment program. Nicolás work with the LAYC will focus on placing vulnerable youth in jobs, internships, and apprenticeship in order to achieve better employment conditions and self-empowerment. For this purpose creating employment networks and partnerships with private firms and public agencies will be crucial, coordinating with different actors of the job placement process.

Michael has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor degree in Archaeology from University of Juba in South Sudan. While working as a stringer for voice of America in South Sudan, for a half hour program for a one-year period, he reports on current events and breaking news from the Western Behr el Ghazal state. Previously, Michael worked with Voice of Hope radio under Catholic Radio Network to promote peace and reconciliation among different community. He has worked as a journalist on varieties of radio news, feature stories, and programs in South Sudan. Through these experiences, he developed a strong sense of identifying relevant topics and reports on them. Michael expects to expand his skills in journalism, storytelling, and produce radio reports for international broadcast.

Host Organization: Voice of America

Role at Host Organization: Michael will serve with VOA staff to identify and research news and feature stories in Sudan and South Sudan that are of interest to the target audience, and will conduct interviews. He will expand his skills in journalism and produce radio reports for international broadcast. In addition, Michael will support the editorial process of planning a daily radio program.

Medha has eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s in Public Health from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s Studies from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. She is currently working as Capacity Development Specialist for a USAID funded program ‘Health for Life Logistics’ in Nepal. She is also the Vice President of a youth-run and led organization named YUWA in Nepal. She has worked as Program Coordinator of YUWA in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of young people and women, where she led a team of young people to advocate for comprehensive sexuality education, capacity building of young girls to combat sexual violence, and capacity building of young key population of HIV and AIDS. She represented Asia and the Pacific in the New Generation Leadership Strategy of UNAIDS. Medha worked as an intern in the Monitoring and Evaluation unit of Nepal government’s National Centre for AIDS and STD Control where she specialized on data management and reporting. Medha has developed strong skills on grant development, program implementation, team management, and advocacy. She has published several articles and blogs on national newspapers on women and gender issues, youth issues, and sexual reproductive health issues. Her college gave Medha the titles of ‘Miss Fresher’, ‘Miss Nobel’, and ‘Leadership Award’ for her excellent academics and extra curricular performance at college. She aims to emerge as a professional on the issue of women and adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Host Organization: Nike Foundation

Role at Host Organization: Medha will help the Nike Foundation use its Investment Fund intelligently to take the Girl Effect to scale. She will help manage a portfolio of grant relationships that deliver maximize return on investment, capture and distill learning, and inspire large-scale initiatives for girls

Lucy has over seven years of nonprofit experience focusing on elections, public health, and youth development. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Resource Management from Kenya Methodist University. She also earned a Diploma in Community Development and Social Work, and a Certificate in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Kenya. Currently, Lucy works as a stringer for the Voice of America’s South Sudan Program where she reports on a variety of political, humanitarian, and social issues affecting South Sudanese in their day-to-day lives. In 2012-2013 Lucy worked as a Producer for the Institute of War and Peace Reporting project in South Sudan, training young women journalists and empowering them through training in gender sensitive radio reporting skills, and outreach strategies by raising fundamental rights issues at local, regional, and national levels. Lucy successfully coordinated the production of more than 50 half an hour women magazine programs. Previously, Lucy worked as a News Editor for one of South Sudan’s most trusted radio stations, Eye Radio, formerly Sudan Radio Service, a USAID funded radio where she spearheaded the coverage of some of the most important historical events in the country. As the news team leader she focused newsgathering efforts primarily on stories of national interest including political stories from Khartoum and northern Sudan, and reviewed news coverage patterns to ensure a balanced coverage of all the states of South Sudan. Through these experiences Lucy has cultivated a range of contacts and has developed an understanding of how media operates, and some basic understanding of the role a nonprofit has in its community. Lucy is passionate about educating the vast majority of South Sudanese population that is illiterate on their political, human and social rights to improve their living standards through radio.

Host Organization: Voice of America

Role at Host Organization: Lucy will serve with VOA staff to identify and research stories in Sudan and South Sudan that are of interest to the audience, and conduct interviews. She will expand her skills in journalism and put together her own radio segment. Also, Lucy will support the editorial process for a daily radio program, and potentially host live programs.

Lara has 7 years of experience in communications with a particular focus on nonprofit work, and earned a Master’s degree in Multimedia Communication from the University of Milan in Italy. She demonstrates strong skills of a Media Relations specialist. After obtaining her masters degree, she traveled to Cote d’Ivoire, where she was the Manager of a marketing company that specialized in events and advertising. Lara previously worked as External Relations Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Abidjan. She was a Public Information Officer for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan where she started up the office in the Warrap State; prior to this she was the Media Relations Officer for the Spokesperson of the United Nations Mission in Sudan. She was immediately entrusted with important assignments during active hostilities in Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan, and her performance during several UN high signor visits was praised. She was also a Web and Communication Assistant for an Italian American nonprofit with a mission to provide educational programs primarily to the Italian immigrant community in New York. While working as Media Relations Officer for the Italian NGO COOPI, apart from being in charge of designing communications plans and Media Relations strategies, she was responsible for various country-specific and institutional communications and advocacy campaigns; specifically taking the lead for communication for the 2010 Haiti earthquake, by acting as a liaison to other international organizations. In addition to being a native Italian, she is fluent in English and French, and she is proficient in Spanish.

Host Organization: UN Foundation

Role at Host Organization: Lara will join United Nations Foundation in Washington DC. She will serve in the Media and Communication Department, where she will plan and execute digital diplomacy events with the diplomatic community, manage online campaigns, support in writing projects, press releases, outreach, translating and event planning and production.

John has eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Land Management and Informal Settlement Regularization from IHS of Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands. He has previously worked with Oxfam GB and Uganda land Alliance as an Advocacy Officer and Project Manager respectively advocating for the Land rights of the poor and vulnerable communities. John has been involved in extensive research on land rights and land use to inform policy development processes in Uganda and has engaged policy makers in the development of the National Land Policy and Amendment of the Land Act. He is actively involved in building the capacity of communities, local leaders and policy makers in land rights advocacy and has participated in the development of tools for regularization of tenure for informal settlements and the documentation of land transactions within the rangelands. In his line of work he has developed leadership, research, communication, and facilitation skills that have aided his participation in forums that address natural resource governance. He attended the Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia University in New York, which empowered him to effectively advocate for human rights at national and international fronts. He has participated in initiatives for peace and reconciliation most notably, ‘A case for justice,’ a documentary by International Centre for Transitional Justice in New York. John is driven by the desire to see communities actively engage in resource management using every opportunity to promote their participation.

Host Organization: International Accountability Project

Role at Host Organization: John will work with IAP to develop and provide information to communities that have been affected, and those yet to be affected by large-scale investments on land. He will participate in Global Land initiatives led by IAP that promote international level engagement with community activists and civil society organizations.

Isaiah Owolabi has over six years of experience working to implement and advocate for development initiatives aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Environment Degradation and incorporating business models for such interventions. He is the project director and co-founder of HACEY’s Health Initiative, a nongovernmental organization supporting and empowering vulnerable children, women and young people in Africa to live a healthy and productive life. He is also a co-founder and currently serves as the executive chair of the International Youth Alliance on Family Planning (IYAFP). He is the author of the book HIV/AIDS – The future of the infected and affected. He is also a contributing author to the Girls Sexual Health Promotion training manual and the co-author for the Sanitation and Hygiene Training Manual for School Children. Isaiah holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Physiology. He is a One Young World Ambassador, Alumni of the United States Consulate Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, a member of the International AIDS Society, Young Investigator Award winner for his presentation on Oral contraceptive at the International Union of Physiological Science Congress in Kyoto, Japan, and a 2012 finalist for the Commonwealth Youth Award for excellence in development. Isaiah is an International Associate of Wagner College, New York- a recognition of his completion of 6 weeks experiential learning program on Civic Leadership. In July 2014, Isaiah became an alumni of President Barack Obama’s prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program (Young African Leaders Initiative – YALI). He is passionate about implementing programs and advocating for policies that will help vulnerable people live a healthy and productive life.

Host Organization: GBCHealth

Role at Host Organization: Isaiah, in his role as Program Manager, will provide management and leadership for GBCHealth’ Corporate Alliance for Malaria in Africa (CAMA). He will bring his technical and programmatic expertise to increase business engagement in multi-sector collaboration to fight malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hulu has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English. While working as a Project Coordinator with Shining Stone Community Action in Beijing for 3 years, she was responsible for trainings and community development projects. She helped build the capacity of residents, community workers, and nonprofit workers, government officials on governance, and conflict resolution, as well as participatory meeting methodologies. She also kept international communications and exchanges with trainers and facilitators around the world to learn and share experiences. Prior to this work, Hulu worked with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in Amsterdam to advance mainstream of sustainability reporting and GRI guideline. Through these experiences, she developed strong communication, training, project coordination, implementation, management, and monitoring and evaluation skills. Hulu enjoys focusing on the topics of social enterprise, and corporate social responsibility, and has a strong passion for facilitation and international exchange.

Host Organization: Youth For Understanding

Role at Host Organization: Hulu will support the expansion of the mission of global citizenry through public diplomacy and international exchange; explore, develop, and implement new programs in Exchange with China; and access to volunteers within the organization to provide resource.