YPFP DC Staff

Leadership Team


Merritt Ogle
Chief of Staff

Merritt is honored to serve in the role of Chief of Staff for YPFP. Merritt joined YPFP in May 2019 as the Director of Development & Special Projects. Working with the Executive Director and Finance Director, in her role, she worked to identify and build strategic partnerships for YPFP.  Additionally, she has managed additional projects such as the U.S.-China Futures Project, the Emerging as a Global Leader Experience (EaGLE) workshop, and youth summits. In her day job, she is a Senior Associate at Markon Solutions where she supports both corporate strategic growth and client project management. She is also the Director of Growth for #NatSecGirlSquad where she leads coalition building for advancing competent diversity in the national security apparatus. Merritt graduated from The Ohio State University in 2017 with degrees in Public Affairs and International Studies. Her professional passions include innovation for national security, building intrinsically inclusive environments, Eurasian studies, and advancement of LGBTQ+ professionals. Outside of work and “adult extracurriculars”, she loves traveling to obscure places, binge watching Somebody Feed Phil, and watching Ohio State football.

Merritt Ogle

Chief of Staff


Benjamin Lutz
Co-Membership Director

Ben has volunteered with YPFP since October 2018 and he joined as a member in September 2018. As Membership Co-Director he works with all of YPFP's global members by making data-driven decisions. He also is in charge of the technical database, Wild Apricot, which manages all aspects of the membership experience. Ben received his BA in International Politics from Elon University and his MA in Middle East Security and Peace Studies from the University of Bradford. He speaks Arabic and enjoys the vibrant cultural scene of DC.

Benjamin Lutz

Director of Youth Summits


Courtney Powell
Head of Special Projects

Courtney Powell

Director of Special Events

Communications Team


Evelyn Heck
Newsletter Editor

Evelyn Heck joined YPFP this summer when she moved to D.C. after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in May. She works for the Rumsfeld Foundation, a non-profit focused on free economic and political systems within the U.S. and abroad. She assists in facilitating the many activities of the Foundation, including the Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program and the Graduate Fellowship Program, as well as with relations with the Foundation’s network of partners, Fellows, military charities and more. She gained experience in public policy and diplomacy through internships with the U.S. Senate, UK Parliament, and the U.S. Department of State. She loves to run, explore new places in D.C., and has a passion for chocolate chip cookies & football.

Evelyn Heck

Newsletter Editor


Albert Fujii
Communications Officer

Albert has served as Communications Officer at YPFP since January 2020.

Albert currently works as Communications Assistant at AMIDEAST, a nonprofit organization
engaged in international education, training, and development activities in the Middle East and
North Africa. In this position, he crafts communications and marketing materials for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the Middle East and North Africa, from social media used by United States embassies and Department of State to student video campaigns and blogs.

Previously, Albert has enjoyed policy and communications roles in government and other
nonprofit organizations. Albert graduated from American University in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a minor in Arabic.

Albert Fujii

Communications Officer

Programs Team


Jeffrey Nahm
Deputy Events Director

Jeff is the Deputy Director of Programs at YPFP where he helps create, manage, and moderate various events with foreign policy thought leaders and organizations. Previously as his day job, Jeff was an IBM senior associate consultant contracted to the USDA's Foreign Programs Team (FPT). As a leader of FPT, he helped manage the USDA's foreign loan portfolio which includes resolving debt disputes, participating in interagency initiatives, and providing debt restructuring to disadvantaged countries. Jeff has since transitioned to a Strategy Consultant position at Deloitte where he will continue to apply his foreign affairs and business acumen in the public sector. He holds a BA in Economics and BS in Finance at the University of Maryland.

Jeffrey Nahm

Deputy Events Director


Marc Larance
Events Manager

Marc volunteers as an Events Manager organizing events and developing partnerships with various international organizations in DC. When he’s not wranglin’ speakers for events, he sits at a desk at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs begging people not to click on the phishing links they receive. Beyond that, you can find him taking silly pictures of his dog or reading obscure history books.

Marc Larance

Events Manager


Neil Decenteceo
Events Manager

Neil Decenteceo volunteers as an Events Manager for YPFP. He previously served as a policy intern at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, an Office of Foreign Service Operations intern at the USDA, and a political affairs intern at the Borgen Project. During the day, he works as a communications coordinator for the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security at USAID. He is also an International Development Fellow for YPFP. Neil received his B.A. and M.A. in political science with a focus on public affairs from the University of Florida.

Neil Decenteceo

Events Manager


Raquel Narvajas
Events Manager

Raquel Narvajas joined YPFP in July 2020 as an Events Manager in the Washington, DC branch. She currently works as a senior project management consultant in one of the world's largest global programs and project management consultancy, mainly managing projects for public and private companies in the aeronautical field. She holds a Master’s Degree in Trade and International Economic Relationships and as well as PMP, PMI-ACP and Lean Six Sigma Certifications. Raquel is highly interested in International Relationships and Foreign Trade. She is willing to help future emerging leaders to be better leaders and raise their voices to build a better world. In her free time, she loves traveling, practicing sports, meditation, and going to the beach with her friends. Celery juice is her must every morning!

Raquel Narvajas

Events Manager


Lee Ann Bryan
Events Manager

Lee Ann joined YPFP in 2020 and became an events manager in March 2021. She works as an analyst at International Technology and Trade Associates where she focuses on assessment of several industrial fields and a range of policy and regulatory issues related to energy and the environment.

Currently, Lee Ann is a Women Leaders in Energy Fellow with the Global Energy Center at the Atlantic Council. She recently launched Climate Change Matters, a public awareness campaign that aims to engage communities on global climate issues through education and discourse.

Lee Ann is a 2021 graduate of the George Washington University’s Master of Arts in International Affairs program. Her specialization is economic and energy policy with a regional focus on Eastern and Central Europe.

Lee Ann Bryan

Events Manager


Leah Shedrow
Events Manager

Leah Shedrow joined YPFP in December 2020 and currently serves as an Events Manager. She graduated from the University of Georgia's Grady School of Mass Communications and Journalism specializing in Entertainment Media Studies in 2018. Upon graduating, she has served as an English instructor in Spain and South Korea, and currently works as an Event Coordinator for the globally minded online publication, Global Atlanta. She plans to move to Washington D.C. to work in the non-profit sector combining her love of international education and media. 

Leah Shedrow

Events Manager

Discussion Groups


Molly Ellenberg
Co-Chair, Combatting Terrorism

Molly Ellenberg, M.A. is a research fellow at ICSVE. Molly is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland. She holds an M.A. in Forensic Psychology from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology from UC San Diego. Molly has presented original research at the International Summit on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, the GCTC International Counter Terrorism Conference, UC San Diego Research Conferences, and for security professionals in the European Union. She is also an inaugural member of the UNAOC's first youth consultation for preventing violent extremism through sport. Her research has also been published in the Global Security: Health, Science and Policy, AJOB Neuroscience, Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, the Journal of Strategic Security, the Journal of Human Security, Bidhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, and the International Studies Journal. Her previous research experiences include positions at Stanford University, UC San Diego, and the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism at the University of Maryland.

Molly Ellenberg

Co-Chair, Combatting Terrorism


Sheridan Bahar
Co-Chair, Combatting Terrorism Discussion Group

Sheridan Bahar is a Regional Analyst at the U.S. Department of Defense. He formerly served as a John McCain Fellow, where he worked for the Office of the Secretary of defense. Sheridan holds a master's degree in Security Policy Studies from George Washington's Eliott School of International Affairs. He received a bachelor's degree in Government and Liberal Studies from Georgetown University. Sheridan is fluent in Farsi, Dari, and Hebrew, and he has had his work published in Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, and Washington Jewish Week.

Sheridan Bahar

Co-Chair, Combatting Terrorism Discussion Group


Will Loomis
Discussion Group Co-Chair

Will Loomis is an assistant director with the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. In this role, he manages a wide range of projects at the nexus of geopolitics and national security with cyberspace, with a focus on critical infrastructure and software supply chain security. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, he worked on market research and strategy at an emerging technology start-up in Madrid, Spain.

Originally from New York, he holds a BA in Political Science, with a focus on International Relations and Securities Studies from Colgate University. Will is also a Certified Bourbon Steward.

Will Loomis

Co-Chair, Cybersecurity Policy and Technology


Joey Kalmin
Co-Chair, Energy and Environment Discussion Group

Joey joined the YPFP team as Energy and Environment Co-Chair in May 2021, having been a member of YPFP since 2017. Professionally, he is a lobbyist at The Livingston Group, primarily working in the Defense and National Security practice area. Prior to that, Joey worked in Congress as a Legislative Assistant for former Congressman Dan Donovan. He has long been interested in and involved in foreign policy, working with the necessary stakeholders to solve crucial issues. Aside from defense, energy, and environmental policy, he specializes in transatlantic relations and european affairs, especially when it relates to the UK and the EU. Joey graduated from the University of Maryland in 2014 with a B.A. in History.

Joey Kalmin

Co-Chair, Energy and Environment


April Song
Chair, International Trade and Finance Discussion Group

April is an analyst and senior paralegal in the International Trade practice group at Wiley Rein LLP. She works on research, data analysis, and writing to litigate international trade remedy cases, advise clients on national security matters, and contribute to public policy efforts on behalf of U.S. industry clients. April is also an international trade and national security contributor at The Burn Bag Podcast. Her work in foreign policy includes experiences at the United Nations Foundation, Bureau of Legislative Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Senate. April graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with degrees in Economics and Political Science and is an active alumnus of the Stamps Scholars, Michigan in Washington Program, and Michigan Foreign Policy Council. When she is not busy, she can be found at a boxing gym, modern art exhibits, or local restaurants.

April Song

Chair, International Trade and Finance

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Michael Tint

Chair, Grand Strategy


Samantha Milano
Human Rights Discussion Group Chair

By day, Samantha Milano is a strategic communication professional working in the public sector. As a YPFP Human Rights Discussion Group Co-Chair, she possesses a passion for understanding the perpetuation of conflict and security as well as its effects on human rights and foreign policy.

Samantha earned a Master of Arts in International Conflict Studies from the Department of War Studies at King's College London. One area of particular interest is the conflict in Northern Ireland—specifically the complexities behind, and the importance of, Brexit negotiations and their effect on the Northern Irish Peace Process. Before her master's, Samantha received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and World Affairs with a minor in Spanish from The University of Tampa.

Samantha Milano

Chair, Human Rights 

Matt Gallagher
Co-Chair, Environment & Energy

Matthew Gallagher is an incoming AmeriCorps VISTA with United Way Worldwide. Here, he will be exploring how food insecurity intersects with poverty, disasters, human trafficking, and migration. He earned a B.Sc. in Sustainability & the Built Environment from the University of Florida, for which he wrote a senior capstone paper on the role of ecosystem services in sustainable development and international security. 

As a co-chair of the YPFP Energy & Environment Discussion Group, Matthew’s interests include the geopolitics of clean energy, carbon offset and pricing systems, market development for products made from captured carbon, post-conflict ecological restoration, and curtailing illicit exploitation of natural resources. 

Matt Gallagher

Co-Chair, Environment & Energy Discussion Group


Leo Lin
Co-Chair, Information Warfare and Intelligence Discussion Group

Co-chair Leo S.F. Lin has a law enforcement background and served as the Taiwan police attaché to the U.S. between 2014 and 2019, working with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. He is currently a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Capital Area Political Science Association, and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), among others. He is also a senior analyst and sits in the editorial board of the Journal of European and American Intelligence Studies (JEAIS) of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

Lin’s work focuses on both traditional and non-traditional security issues, including cybersecurity, intelligence-led policing, and internet crimes. He has published numerous articles and regularly participates in international conferences, bilateral meetings, and invited talks on the above-mentioned topics.

Lin graduated from the Central Police University (Taiwan) majoring in Criminology, and he holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Indianapolis. He received a Crisis Management certificate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and a Major Event Security Framework certificate from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). He is the recipient of the 2018 IACP 40 under 40 award.

Leo Lin

Co-Chair, Information Warfare and Intelligence


Liam Bamford
Chair, Information Warfare and Intelligence Discussion Group

Liam is the chair of the Information Warfare and Intelligence discussion group and has been a member of YPFP since January 2018. He earned an MA in Information Operations / Managing Disruption and Violence from the Daniel Morgan Graduate School in 2018 and a BA in History and Political Science from Cedarville University in 2014. A voracious reader, Liam maintains a keen interest in the application of strategic communications principles to the challenges of national security and foreign policy. He currently works as a contractor with Cohere Technology Group.

Liam Bamford

Co-Chair, Information Warfare and Intelligence


Scott Weiner
Chair, Middle East Discussion Group

Scott Weiner is a policy analyst at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom covering the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, adjunct faculty in political science at George Washington University, and a board member of the Hay Institute. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Diplomatic Courier, Long War Journal, Carnegie Endowment's Sada Blog, and he has authored a report for the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. From 2013-14, Scott was a Visiting Research Fellow at the American University in Kuwait. He holds a Ph.D and Masters in political science from George Washington University, and a bachelors from Tufts.

Scott Weiner

Chair, Middle East Discussion Group


Justin Marinelli
Nuclear Weapons Discussion Group and Google AdWords program

Justin has been a member of YPFP since January 2018 and has been a staff member since July 2018. By day he works in the field of risk analysis and advisory, and by night he runs both YPFP’s Nuclear Weapons Discussion Group and its Google AdWords program. He earned his BA from Bucknell University, where he double-majored in Comparative Humanities and Philosophy, and he completed his Masters in Global Politics at Durham University in the United Kingdom.

Justin Marinelli

Chair, Nuclear Weapons


Robert Thomas
Co-Chair, East Asia Discussion Group

Robert is a Co-Chair of the East Asia Discussion Group and a former YPFP Asia-Pacific Fellow. Outside of YPFP, he works in management and strategy consulting, with a focus on projects and clients involving IT, human capital, and security. He also has a deep interest and research background in the relationship between economics and international security and in East Asian traditions of social and political philosophy. He received his MA in philosophy from George Mason University and his BA in economics and philosophy from Randolph-Macon College.

Robert Thomas

Co-Chair, East Asia Discussion Group


Jonathan Selling
Co-Chair, East Asia Discussion Group

Jonathan Selling is the Co-Chair of YPFP’s East Asia Discussion group. Jonathan graduated from Boston University with a MA in international affairs where he focused on the rise of China, India and the implications of their rise on the wider world. His research interests include how international systems are formed and maintained and the role that nationalism and ideology play in foreign policy decision making.

 

Jonathan Selling

Co-Chair, East Asia Discussion Group


Jonathan Meza
Chair, Europe & Eurasia Discussion Group

Jonathan Meza is the chair of the YPFP Europe Discussion Group. He holds an MA in global international, and comparative history from Georgetown University and a BA in diplomatic history from the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked in the think tank sector, journalism, and management consulting.

Jonathan Meza

Chair, Europe & Eurasia Discussion Group


Deniz Houston
Co-Chair, Europe and Eurasia Discussion Group

Deniz Houston has been involved with YPFP since moving to Washington, DC in 2016 and served as the Co-Chair of the Europe and Eurasian Discussion Group since November of 2018. Deniz currently works as a consultant for the U.S. Navy assisting with international mergers and acquisitions. Since graduating from the College of Charleston in 2016 Deniz has worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Public Diplomacy Program Assistant, served as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador as a member of the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange in Berlin, Germany, and worked as a Press and Media Assistant for the FIFA World Cup in Sochi, Russia. Deniz speaks German and Turkish fluently and is in the process of perfecting her Russian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the College of Charleston and is working on a graduate certificate in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Deniz Houston

Co-Chair, Europe & Eurasia Discussion Group


Stephany Ordóñez
Co-Chair, Spanish Language Discussion Group

Born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Stephany came to the U.S. to study abroad, where she graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Justice with a dual minor in Public Policy and Non-Profit Organizational Leadership. Stephany has previously worked at the Organization of American States (OAS), ASJ-Honduras, and the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program. She is currently a consultant at the National Immigration Forum, where she advocates for just and compassionate immigration reform. Stephany also serves as the committee member of Legal Affairs at ESPACIOH, a think tank driven to promote democratic governance in Honduras. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring coffee shops.

Stephany Ordóñez

Chair, Spanish Language Discussion Group


Emma Woods
Co-Chair, Latin America Discussion Group

Emma Woods joined YPFP in 2018 and currently volunteers as a Co-Chair for the Latin America Discussion Group. She works as a Business Development Associate for The Palladium Group and received her BA Spanish and Global Studies, focusing on national security, from the University of Virginia. Outside of work, you can find her attending live music events, hanging out in one of DC’s many parks, or talking about her new favorite podcast.

Emma Woods

Co-Chair, Latin America Discussion Group


Ruwan Al-Rejoleh
Chair, Arabic Language Discussion Group

Ruwan Al Rejoleh is a scholar and consultant with extensive experience in geopolitics, socio-economic, and political research, and strategic communications. Her work focuses on the Middle East and North Africa and provides a nuanced understanding of groups engaged in conflicts. She provided her informed analysis and briefs to various senior policymakers in London and Washington, D.C. Formerly, Al-Rejoleh served in research institutions such as Brookings Doha Center in Qatar, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in the United Kingdom, Navanti Group in the United States and Bank Audi in Syria. She has published many reports on violent extremist organizations and authored op-eds and analysis pieces featured in CNN, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and NATO Allied Command Transformations. Also, she is a regular TV commentator on BBC Arabic, and a member of the speakers bureau with the African Middle Eastern Leadership Project.  Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Damascus - Syria. Al-Rejoleh has a Masters in Global Development and Peace from University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and she is a Boren–EHLS award recipient as well as a Georgetown University alum.

Ruwan Al Rejoleh

Chair, Arabic Language Discussion Group


Justin Margolis
Co-Chair, French Language Discussion Group

Proudly Montréalais, Justin has been a member of YPFP since Fall 2016. Justin works at the Québec Government Office in Washington where he covers public, cultural, and academic affairs, la Francophonie and more. Past work experiences include the Québec Office in Brussels, the UN agency ICAO, and several NGOs. He has a Master’s in International Law from l’Université de Montréal and a B.A. from McGill.  Justin loves skiing, hockey, travel, witbiers, riesling, air conditioning, e-bikes & scooters, poutine, and anything maple.

Justin Margolis

Co-Chair, French Language Discussion Group


Paul Cormarie
Co-Chair, French Language Discussion Group

Originally from France, Paul is a recent graduate from Concordia University, Canada, and a current student at Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service and Master of Arts in Global History. Paul has interned at the United Nations Secretariat, where he wrote, in the official Journal, the agenda and the summary of events in French. He also interned at the British Department for International Trade at the UK Consulate General in New York, where he campaigned for US-UK trade during the times of Brexit, a General election in the UK, and during the Thomas Cook collapse. After having recently interned at the Atlantic Council, Paul hopes to build further think tank experience and to pursue a career later-on in the Foreign Service.

Paul Cormarie

Co-Chair, French Language Discussion Group


Tamara White
Chair, Africa Discussion Group

Tamara White graduated from Arcadia University with a MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution with a focus on human rights, the sustainable development goals, and governance. As an early career professional Tamara has lead projects focused on these issues in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently she is a Research and Project Assistant at the Brookings Institution Africa Growth Initiative where she focuses on topics ranging from gender equality, climate change, fragility, and economic integration. She also serves on the board of A Child for All, and non-profit dedicated to helping vulnerable children in Mali.

Tamara White

Chair, Africa Discussion Group


Ana Campusano
Chair, International Development

Ana Mariel Campusano was originally born in Santo Domingo, Dominican  Republic and moved to Maryland at the age of 11. As the daughter of a politically-driven journalist she developed a passion for politics and external affairs early on. Ana dedicated most of her early studies to learning about American government affairs, followed by her career in International Affairs. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Minor in International Relations, and a certification on National Security Studies from Florida International University. Her passion for the International realm motivated her to explore many areas thus concentrating her college courses in the region of North Africa and the Middle East, interning at Latin American and Caribbean Center, and studying abroad in Europe where she gained intermediate proficiency in the Italian Language. She is passionate about people and peace, making her an advocate for human rights and the enhancement of  diversity/inclusion through education. Her hobbies include traveling, passion for international cuisine, beauty and makeup, and tennis.

Ana Campusano

Chair, International Development Discussion Group


Blaine Johnson
Chair, Defense

Based in San Francisco, Blaine Johnson works as a consultant for the federal and climate & sustainability practices of Boston Consulting Group. Previously, Blaine worked as a policy analyst on the national security team at the Center for American Progress, conducting primary source and field research on PRC policies to develop recommendations for US-Asia policy. Outside of work, Blaine co-founded Young Professionals in Foreign Policy's Chinese Language Discussion Group and supports the Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Society. Blaine has an MPA from Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs and a BA from Dartmouth College. Blaine speaks Mandarin, Spanish, and almost enough French to read a menu.

Blaine Johnson

Chair, Defense Discussion Group

Charged Affairs


Aaron Tielemans
Director & Editor-in-Chief

Aaron Tielemans is thrilled to be serving as the Director and Editor-in-Chief of YPFP’s Charged Affairs publication. A two-time graduate of George Washington University, Aaron has earned both his B.A. in International Affairs and his M.A. in International Affairs, with dual concentrations in Conflict and Conflict Resolution and Africa. His graduate research, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), focused on Countering Far-Right Extremism through tech platform regulation, civil society integration, and building cohesion between stakeholders to develop holistic solutions.

Aaron currently works at GIFCT, where he supports their mission of fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing to prevent the exploitation of digital platforms by terrorists and violent extremists. Additionally, he is a long-time Segway tour guide at Capital Segway. He enjoys sharing downtown DC, the National Mall, and endless restaurant recommendations with visitors from all around the world.

Aaron Tielemans

Director & Editor-in-Chief


Michael Sexton
Managing Editor

Mike Sexton is a specialist in the Middle East and Gulf, cyber issues, and counterterrorism.

Michael Sexton

Managing Editor


Jeremy Fugleberg
Social Media Manager

Jeremy is social media manager for Charged Affairs and an editor for Gannett Corp. He hold an MA in International Relations from the University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, and is interested in energy as a national security issue and the domestic determinants of foreign policy formulation, with a particular focus on Middle East policy. 

Jeremy Fugleberg

Social Media Manager


Marcedes Yanora
Editor

Marcedes is a former student-athlete who ran Track and Field for Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Saint Joseph's with a BA in History and went on to get an MA in South Asia Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She has lived and worked in India and the United Kingdom and currently work for a higher education non-profit in Washington, DC. Professionally, Marcedes is interested in U.S. and South Asian national defense and foreign policy issues. In her free time, she likes to jet-ski, play sports, and read historical fiction.

Mercedes Yanora

Senior Editor


Anup Rao
Senior Editor

Anup is a senior editor for Charged Affairs and an Analyst at E3/Sentinel. He holds an M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University and is particularly interested in U.S.-Asia security relationships. Follow Anup on Twitter @anupnrao

Anup Rao

Senior Editor


Cynthia Kao
Senior Editor

Cynthia Kao is a senior editor for Charged Affairs and an analyst supporting change management on a national youth development project. She holds an MA from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and holds a particular interest in East and Southeast Asian affairs.
 

Cynthia Kao

Senior Editor

Fellowship Program


Sean McGuffin
Director and Managing Editor

Sean is the Director & Managing Editor of YPFP’s fellowship program, having started with the fellowship in 2017. During the day he works in finance at Booz Allen and graduated from Old Dominion University in 2016 with a BA in International Studies and Political Science. Sean’s greatest interests are travel and history, and he is determined to always have visited more countries than he is years old.

Sean McGuffin

Director and Managing Editor


Owen Daniels
Assistant Managing Editor

Owen Daniels is an Assistant Managing Editor in YPFP’s fellowship program, which he joined as an editor in 2017. He is a Research Associate in the Joint Advanced Warfighting Division at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), and former Associate Director at the Atlantic Council. He is an avid Liverpool FC fan.
 

Owen Daniels

Assistant Managing Editor


Nikolina Stoykova
Assistant Managing Editor

Nikolina Stoykova is an Assistant Managing Editor for the YPFP Fellowship Program, having joined as an Editor in 2018. She is based in Los Angeles and currently works as a threat analyst for a major media and entertainment company, focusing on geopolitical instability, crime, terrorism, and other security issues primarily in Europe and CIS.  Nikolina holds a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. 

Nikolina Stoykova

Assistant Managing Editor


Danielle Preskitt
Editor

Danielle Preskitt is currently a PhD Student in the department of security studies at Kansas State University. Her research is focused on agroterrorism, biological weapons, and insider threats with an overarching theme of eco-radicalism. She received her master’s degree in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (aka Monterey Institute) where she focused on Chechen terrorism and the Russian language.

Danielle Preskitt

Assistant Managing Editor


Ryan Gardiner
Editor

Originally from New Jersey, Ryan graduated from Rutgers University and received his commission in the U.S. Navy.  After six years, he attended the Fletcher School where he received his master’s degree, concentrating on international energy markets. Ryan currently works at the Department of Homeland Security and is an editor for the YPFP fellows program.

Ryan Gardiner

Editor


Dan Haverty
Editor

Dan is currently an intern at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. He received his BA in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross, and his MA in International Relations from the University College Cork. He has written extensively on contemporary developments in Irish and British politics, and he is most passionate about Irish history, culture, and language.

Dan Haverty

Editor


Elliot Waldman
Editor

Elliot Waldman is an associate editor at World Politics Review. Prior to joining WPR, he spent five years as a news producer at the Washington, DC bureau of Tokyo Broadcasting System, Japan’s oldest and largest commercial television and radio network. In that capacity, he was responsible for facilitating TBS’s coverage of U.S. politics and foreign policy, and he reported from over 15 different countries and 25 U.S. states. He has a master’s degree in international relations and international economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor's degree in international affairs from the George Washington University. He speaks fluent Japanese and is conversant in Vietnamese.

Elliot Waldman

Editor


Meagan Dashcund
Editor

Meagan is a Senior Program Assistant at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). She helps out with projects like the US-Egypt Science and Technology Joint Fund in the Policy and Global Affairs division. Before NASEM, she worked at The Rendon Group, where she monitored domestic and international media and compiled daily deliverables for U.S. federal officials. She has held multiple internships, including with ReThink Media, the General Delegation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization to the US, and with the US Army War College. She also served as a volunteer in Amman, Jordan for the non-profit Tamkeen. Meagan graduated from Dickinson College in May 2018 with a major in international studies and religion, a minor in Arabic, and a Security Studies certificate.

Meagan Dashcund

Editor