MPA-GL Class of 2026

Darryl Alfred earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, where he studied Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Human Rights. He is from Trinidad and Tobago and has worked across the immigration field—from small boutique law firms to global organizations like Berry Appleman & Leiden, White & Case, and Amazon. His interests lie at the intersection of global mobility, immigration policy, and the psychological impact of migration. He is driven by a commitment to advancing the freedom of movement and building systems that center the dignity and mental well-being of migrants.

Fahima Atawna, a proud resident of Hura in the Negev, is a trailblazing leader dedicated to community empowerment. As VP of Community Outreach at Synergy7 and former CEO of the Siraj Association (2019–2024), she has advanced hi-tech opportunities in Bedouin society. Previously, she led health and environment programs at AJEEC-NISPED and served as an EMT volunteer. With a Master’s in Public Health and a BA in Industrial Management, Fahima brings deep expertise and passion. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to education, health, and inclusion, making her a powerful advocate for change in the Negev and beyond.

Hyun-sik Chung has worked in consulting, investment, Islamic finance, and Middle Eastern banking, driven by a passion for cross-border, corporate/public, and interethnic collaboration. After studying in the U.S. and working in South Korea, he spent the past 14 years in the Middle East, gaining hands-on experience in diverse cultural and economic settings. These experiences have shaped his deep interest in how people of varied backgrounds and goals can collaborate effectively. He is eager to explore new ways the public and private sectors can partner to create meaningful impact—and continue growing his career at that intersection.

Natnael Daniel (Nate) is the founder and Managing Partner of an early-stage venture capital firm investing at the intersection of innovation and policy across the Middle East and the United States. Over the years he has advised and backed startups spanning fintech, AI infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He draws on his experience as an operator and his global context having lived and worked internationally. Prior to starting his firm, he was on the founding team of a venture-backed media startup dedicated to expanding access to news and information across Asia. Nate holds a BA in Political Science from Trinity College.

Dinara Datbayeva is a public policy professional from Central Asia with experience in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. She led a presidential initiative to launch an internationally oriented School of Humanities in Uzbekistan and has worked on economic policy, research coordination, and talent development across the region. Her focus is on building global partnerships that support institutional growth and innovation in emerging markets. Dinara is currently pursuing an MPA at Columbia SIPA to deepen her expertise in investment and policy. She loves to travel, cook, and is excited to build a meaningful life in New York—a city she’s long admired.

Eric DySart is a Senior Specialist at the Department of State, focusing on adjudication, passports, investigations, and compliance with the Foreign Affairs Manual. He produces intelligence assessments on potential threats to determine the U.S. Citizenship and nationality, and contributed to a crisis task force addressing developments in the Middle East (Israel/Iran). Previously, with UNDP in Moldova, he worked on risk mitigation and political stabilization to bolster Moldova's resilience for potential NATO & EU membership while countering pro-Russian influence. He analyzed data to improve social cohesion and reconciliation, emphasizing gender equity, civic engagement, and human rights. His work contributed to Moldova’s political stabilization, corporate and civic engagement, social impact policy, reputation development, and the country’s historic 2020 presidential election, which resulted in the election of its first female president. Eric is now exploring new opportunities in private sectors after years in government.

Nasser Fakhro has over a decade of experience in management consulting, public policy, and high-level diplomacy. He has led transformation projects and advised governments across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe on national and development-focused initiatives, including shaping strategic outcomes at major international events. His interests lie in systems thinking, cross-sector collaboration, and leveraging emerging technologies to advance global development efforts.

Silvia Ferrari Abud has dedicated her career to advancing policies for children in Brazil with 10 years of experience in the public sector. She served as Parliamentary Advisor at the State of São Paulo Legislative Assembly, where she coordinated the childhood agenda and led the Parliamentary Front for Early Childhood. Her work includes advocating for the prohibition of harmful cell phone use in schools, which resulted in a pioneering law in São Paulo, and drafting an amendment to ensure greater transparency in the state budget for early childhood. Previously, Silvia led the São Paulo City Hall's Strategic Planning Unit, the mayor’s priority projects, and the Sustainable Development Goals localization. Silvia holds a Master’s in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s in Law, with a focus on public law.

Annie-Marie Gergi is the Executive Director of Teach For Lebanon – United States, where she leads growth and mobilizes the Lebanese-American diaspora to support educational equity in Lebanon. A former Teach For America corps member in Miami, she has also consulted for dozens of nonprofits on strategy and fundraising. At the UNDP, she worked on initiatives promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions in line with SDG 16. Annie is passionate about global education, peace- building, and the U.S.–Middle East relations. As a nationally ranked figure skater, she has competed internationally for the U.S.

Jennifer Illanit Gibli is an attorney with 20 years of experience advising U.S. and international corporations on high-stakes legal matters involving complex jurisdictions, intricate regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies. As Managing Associate General Counsel, Compliance at Verizon Communications, Inc., she led the global trade and anti-bribery compliance function, guiding the company through crises and advising on national security, economic sanctions, and risk mitigation in conflict regions, including Russia and the Middle East. Jennifer is a trusted adviser known for building sophisticated compliance programs and counseling global teams on innovative technology and product development initiatives.  

Dana Ginzburg has over a decade of experience working at the intersection of policy, strategy and research. In recent years, she has led consulting teams at Deloitte’s Public Sector practice, partnering with Israeli government ministries and NGOs to develop strategies for addressing pressing socio-economic challenges and to support their implementation. Her work focused on developing national programs in education, economic development and inclusive growth. Earlier in her career, she served in the Israeli Air Force’s research unit, where she led research efforts to support decision-making.

Mateo Hoyos is a Colombian-American lawyer raised in South Florida and Colombia, admitted in New York and Colombia. After early lessons in his family’s coffee, energy, and real-estate businesses, he now bases in New York City while shuttling to Colombia, Mexico, and other Latin American tech hubs. He has been passionate about continuous learning, he has a JD, MBA, and LLM but always focusing on compounding his knowledge for business. 

Currently, Mateo guides companies and investors with a US nexus on corporate and regulatory matters. In the MPA, he hopes to exchange perspectives on inclusive growth and responsible innovation.

Hani Iqbal is a seasoned central banker with over 14 years of progressive experience at the State Bank of Pakistan. Recently promoted as Senior Joint Director in the Digital Financial Services Group, he now leads initiatives on CBDC and digital finance. He previously spearheaded a $25 million currency automation project and managed public debt and AML/CFT compliance. Hani has also led HR and industrial relations, including CBA negotiations and a bank-wide workload analysis. He has represented SBP in international conferences, central bank visits, and IMF training. His current focus is driving financial inclusion through a robust digital financial ecosystem.

Edmund Janniger has served at the highest levels in the government of a major NATO power, the Republic of Poland, in both the Ministry of National Defense as a high-profile official and in Parliament as Deputy Chief of Staff. Edmund’s peer-reviewed articles have been published in scholarly journals; his editorials and commentaries have been featured in mass media outlets. Edmund supported enhanced Polish global engagement and international dialogue, being the principal architect of key initiatives. He founded the International Security Forum under the official patronage of the Ministry of National Defense as a platform for discourse on pressing issues.

Dr. Ezzeldin Khalaf is a public policy professional and water resources specialist with over 15 years of experience leading national projects in Egypt. He combines deep field expertise with strong academic grounding, holding a PhD in civil engineering and serving as a trainer and lecturer in water management and infrastructure safety. At the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, he focuses on sustainable systems, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Ezzeldin is driven by a passion for innovative solutions and global collaboration to shape a more resilient and equitable future.

Lieutenant Colonel Caleb Joseph Lazarre, a native of Haiti, earned his medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric medicine and completed his residency in foot & ankle surgery at Dwight D. Eisenhower and Womack Army Medical Centers. He has been serving on active military duties as a foot & ankle surgeon in various capacities. Colonel Lazarre is a graduate of U.S. Army Command General Staff College, Graduate of Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic & Advanced Courses, AMEDD Captains Career Course, Advanced Individual Training, and Basic Military Combat Training. He is a member of various professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, the New York Academy of Science, and the National Medical Association. His military awards include the Army Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army superior Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Eylam Leshem is a visionary serial entrepreneur committed to advancing democracy, participatory frameworks, and systemic reform. As Co-Founder and CEO of the Israeli Foundation for Democracy, he raised $30M, established a strategic investment hub, and scaled ventures from seed to impact. Eylam co-founded the Israeli Movement and Israel 2050, leading dozens of structural reforms while fostering civic engagement and training leaders at both national and local levels. Recognized as one of Israel's most influential leaders, he brings a distinguished background in negotiation and crisis management from his military leadership experience. Leading with empathy, Eylam champions the belief that real change requires alliances and sustained effort. His multidisciplinary expertise in economics, business, and the philosophy of science informs his innovative approach to governance and societal progress. He served as the Next Generation Representative on Israel’s National Council for Planning and continues to empower emerging leaders, ensuring future generations drive transformative solutions.

Hollie Mazzocchi is a career military officer and foreign affairs specialist with extensive experience working on defense cooperation issues in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. She has previously held positions at U.S. Embassy Warsaw, the Joint Staff J5 at the Pentagon, and with Air Force Materials Command Foreign Military Sales Division. She is interested in exploring humanitarian issues, particularly the displacement of affected peoples, which emerge as a result of climate change and energy reliance. She hopes to continue her career working to help people relocate, address food scarcity, and solve problems that are directly or tangentially caused by the compounding of globalization and technological advancement.

Subhasmita Mishra is a software engineer turned public administrator with 14 years of experience in Corporate, Nonprofit and Government Administration. After working in three MNCs (Wipro Technology, Bangalore; Ericsson Technology, Ireland; and Accenture, Pune), she joined the Odisha State Civil Services in 2016. As a provincial bureaucrat, she monitored and supervised the efforts in revenue and development administration, district disaster management plan, law and order, and welfare schemes implementation meant for poverty alleviation, social security, women empowerment, and infrastructure building in some of India’s most underserved districts. While studying at UChicago, she interned at the World Bank and worked with economists from Oxford Martin School. Further, she worked with UNCDF, contributing to research on inclusive digital economy and sound financial health that emphasized the need for an enterprise pathway for women to advance economically and socially. 

Karen Pang brings 18 years of front-office investment banking experience at top-tier financial institutions and most recently served as Head of Equity-Linked Origination Asia at Deutsche Bank before joining the MPA-GL program. She has led landmark equity and capital markets transactions globally, advising corporate clients on strategic, bespoke financing solutions. Deeply committed to civil society, Karen served on the board of a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace education. She holds a BBA in Global Business from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and an LLB from the University of London.

Premika PoSaw is a UX designer and public sector innovator who starts each day asking: What could spark joy? How can we make the most of the day? She brings curiosity, optimism, and collaboration to everything she does – breaking silos, solving real-world problems, and crafting moments of delight through design. With a background in behavioural design, she champions innovation and inclusive digital governance. Premika is especially interested in the intersection of technology, policy, and governance in a more connected, yet fragmented world and is driven by a vision of public service that is agile, collaborative, and designed to uplift everyone.

Carlos Puerta Ortega is a Climate Finance and Carbon Markets professional with over a decade of experience designing and scaling solutions for the energy transition across Latin America. His work focuses on unlocking capital for climate impact through innovative finance, blended investment vehicles, and public–private collaboration. Carlos previously led the Business Development Division at FENOGE, Colombia’s national renewable energy and energy efficiency fund, where he developed fundraising strategies and mobilized climate finance for decentralized energy access, social infrastructure, and just transition initiatives. Before that, Carlos served as Director of Business Development for Latin America at South Pole, advancing climate project pipelines and advising corporations on net-zero strategies and carbon markets. Earlier in his career at Ecopetrol, Colombia’s national oil company, Carlos helped drive the shift toward clean energy by building a +1.000 MW renewable project pipeline (solar, wind, biomass, hydro), leading energy efficiency programs, and supporting corporate portfolio strategy.

Gillian Sagansky began her career in media, working in the features department of American Vogue and then as the contributing features editor at W Magazine, where she focused on art and culture. Driven by a commitment to social impact, she moved to Berlin to launch Porsche’s mental health podcast, which ranked in the top 1% globally, and hosted symposiums and live recordings on psychological resilience. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Gillian relocated to Poland to support an NGO providing humanitarian aid during the initial refugee crisis. She later worked with Help 99, an Estonian NGO, assisting with frontline fundraising and the deployment of military vehicles and drones to Ukraine. At Columbia University, she is specializing in Russia and the former Soviet republics, focusing on conflict and security. 

Parul Saklani is a passionate and purpose-driven development professional with nearly a decade of experience designing and leading grassroots and systems-level initiatives across India. Parul has built a strong foundation in education reform, community-led development, and climate resilience, anchored by a deep belief in inclusive and adaptive models for social change. She has worked with organizations such as the Gandhi Fellowship, Piramal Foundation, Sattva Consulting, and EdelGive Foundation, focusing on education reform, climate resilience, and community-led development. At EdelGive, she led grant management for the ₹100 crore GROW Fund, supporting 100 grassroots NGOs in scaling impact and building resilience. She now leads strategic partnerships to promote collaboration-based philanthropy. 

Parul aims to deepen her policy and systems-thinking expertise, and envisions a future where grassroots organizations are at the forefront of climate-resilient development, supported by collaborative and adaptive global frameworks. Her goal is to influence international development and philanthropy to centre community-led, just, and inclusive climate action.

Tilek Salibaev holds a law degree and has over 13 years of experience in legal and diplomatic public service. His professional background includes positions at the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic. Most recently, he served as First Secretary and Legal Adviser at the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations in New York, where he was responsible for matters related to the Sixth (Legal) and Fifth (Administrative and Budgetary) Committees of the UN General Assembly.

Ali Serdar currently serves as a Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Türkiye to the United Nations in New York. Prior to his current post, he held positions at the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His work focuses on analyzing global political developments, drafting official statements, and preparing high-level policy briefings. With a specialization in diplomacy and conflict resolution, he regularly takes part in international negotiations as a member of diplomatic delegations addressing regional and global issues. He holds a degree in Political Science and International Relations from Boğaziçi University.

Áslaug Arna Sigurbjornsdottir is a political leader from Reykjavík, Iceland, with over a decade of experience in government and public service. She has served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and has been a Member of Parliament since 2016. She has held prominent leadership roles, shaping national policy on justice, education, innovation, and technology. She has also held leadership positions within the Independence Party. Before entering politics, she worked as a journalist and a police officer.

Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyay is a career central banker and currently responsible for the Corporate Strategy and Budget of Reserve Bank of India. He has around 20 years of experience in RBI and has served in the various jurisdictions in the Indian states of West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra. He has an expertise in the areas of Digital Payment Systems, Cyber security, Financial Inclusion, Currency management and Banking Supervision. He has authored several articles and book chapters in the above areas which are published in national / international journals / books. He was closely involved in the celebrations of 90 years of RBI, which was presided over by the Hon’ble President and Prime Minister of India. His interests include meditation and music and he loves to play cricket and badminton.

Vincent Wilson Jr. is a SIPA MPA student at Columbia, with a background in psychology, global security, and cybercrime. A retired Army veteran with 20 years of service as a linguist, recruiter, and instructor, he served internationally and managed teams across all military branches. Wilson worked at the NSA in various leadership roles, overseeing over 100 professionals within the intelligence community. Born in Long Island, he joined the military at 17, serving in roles such as Platoon Sergeant and Section Chief. His experiences fuel his passion for global security and innovative leadership.

Sardor Yusupov is Head of the International Relations and Investments Department at the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of Uzbekistan. With experience in banking, logistics, and public administration, he has led impactful initiatives in social protection, including the "Aqlvoy" mobile kindergarten and "Imkon" centers for children with disabilities. He has represented Uzbekistan in high-level meetings with U.S. officials and organized international delegations. Sardor managed a $100M World Bank project and secured $56M in grants from the UN and others. His work focuses on expanding inclusive social services and building global partnerships to strengthen social protection systems.