YPFP Fellowship Cohort

Elizabeth Spencer
Chief of Staff

Elizabeth Spencer

Chief of Staff

Noni Abdur-Razzaq
Operations and Finance

Noni Abdur-Razzaq is currently a Program Assistant at the Council on Foreign Relations. Prior to that, she gained experience in research, project management, and program development working for several international non-profit organizations. Her interest in international politics and development encouraged her extensive service work and study abroad as an alumna of both the Semester at Sea Program and Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program through the U.S. Department of State. Noni received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Global Comparative Politics from Binghamton University. Her professional passions include African politics and political economy, democratic governance, sustainable development in emerging economies, and global gender policy. Outside of work, she loves traveling, studying French, Latin dancing, and exploring New York City's culinary scene.

Noni Abdur-Razzaq

Operations and Finance 

Owen Daniels
Publications

Owen Daniels is the Publications Fellow at YPFP, where he has also led the organization's Rising Experts Program focused on helping young professionals develop their writing and analytical skills. He is a Policy Communications Specialist at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), working across the organization’s analytical portfolio. Prior to that, he worked in the Joint Advanced Warfighting Division at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), where he researched artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons norms and joint operational concepts. He has also worked as an Associate Director in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and as a defense researcher at Aviation Week Magazine. Owen attended Princeton University, majoring in International Relations with minors in Arabic Language and Near Eastern Studies.

Owen Daniels

Publications

Jessie Moore
Programs and Events

Jessie is a Georgia native who completed her master's in international affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2021. During her academic career, her research focused on development and gender equity, particularly in the context of food security and sustainability. Jessie has worked for several nonprofits, including time with CARE and AmeriCorps. Currently, she is residing in Arlington, Virginia and working as a data policy analyst for USAID. When not working, she can be found reading mysteries, roller skating, and running with her corgi named Banjo.

Jessie Moore

Programs and Events

Christina Alvarez
Communications

My name is Christina Alvarez and I am your Communications Fellow for YPFP. I am passionate about foreign relations and policy and exploring the dynamics of culture and diplomacy to promote global peace and international relationships.
Being passionate about this work is why I am so thrilled to be a part of this organization and work alongside like-minded individuals who are striving to be proactive global citizens. Some of my previous involvement include -- being a returned Peace Corps volunteer (Peru) as well as a San Diego Diplomacy Council intern. I currently work for the Department of Defense as an Installation Management Specialist under the Army Career Program 29. I work in the Directorate of Operations and Emergency Management. I am looking forward to continuing my professional growth and utilizing my education and skills to bring forth progress and awareness within foreign policy and national security.

Christina Alvarez

Communications

Nigel Vinson
Global Coordination

Nigel Vinson is a research assistant for the Technology and National Security Program at CNAS. His research interests focus on Australian foreign policy, the maintenance and modernization of U.S. alliance structures in the Indo-Pacific, including properly leveraging Indo-Pacific alliances to compete in the emerging technologies and digital space.

Before joining CNAS he was an intern and researcher with the Reconnecting Asia Project at CSIS focusing on the digital aspects of China's BRI. During his undergraduate degree, he spent time working with former combatants of the Yugoslav war on a peace-building mission in Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania, while also spending a summer in Hong Kong studying the economic and intellectual trends of 20th century China.

Vinson is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and he received his B.A. in East Asian Studies along with a Mandarin proficiency certificate from Ohio University and his M.A. in International Relations from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Vinson is also a current member of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs North Korea Cyber Working Group.

Nigel Vinson

Global Coordination

Washington, DC Team


Phillip Davis
Deputy Director, Global Operations

Phillip R. Davis II joined YPFP in June 2020 and currently serves as the Deputy Global Operations Director at YPFP. In this capacity, he helps maintain relationships between YPFP’s headquarters team located in Washington, DC, and its branches around the globe. During the day, Phil is a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) at the U.S. Department of State working on issues pertaining to the Near East and international security. Previously, he gained experience in international affairs and government working for the U.S. House of Representatives, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), and the United Kingdom Parliament.  Phil received a BA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. He recently graduated with a MA in International Security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies - University of Denver.  In his free time, Phil enjoys all aspects of music (especially The Weeknd), travel, and brunch. He’s happy to be back in the DMV.

Phillip Davis

Deputy Director, Global Operations


Evelyn Heck
Newsletter Editor

Evelyn Heck joined YPFP summer 2019 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 and football.

Evelyn Heck

Editor, Newsletter


Courtney Powell
Head of Special Events

Courtney Powell

Director, Special Events


Tia Potskhverashvili
Director, Discussion Groups

Tia Potskhverashvili currently works as a Deputy Director for the Office of The United States Trade Representative, Office of Environment and Natural Resources. 

In this role, she provides her team with support and research on a variety of environmental trade policy issues, including illegal logging, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, wildlife trafficking, and marine litter.  Additionally, Tia’s portfolio includes monitoring the environmental obligations as written in the Free Trade Agreements between the U.S. and Chile, Bahrain, and Oman.  Prior to her assuming this role at USTR, Tia worked at the U.S. Senate and U.S. Treasury, developing her skillset in policy research and analysis, as well as press and communications.  

Tia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Economics from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in addition to fulfilling coursework at Institut d'études politiques de Paris and London School of Economics.

Tia Potskhverashvili

Director, Discussion Groups


Jeffrey Nahm
Deputy Director, Programs

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 Director, Programs

Brussels Team


Marija Sulce
Managing Director, Brussels

Marija has been leading the YPFP Brussels team as the Managing Director since February 2023, having previously served as the Director of the Security and Defence team. She is responsible for strategy implementation oversight, coordination, and team management for the whole Brussels branch. Outside of YPFP she is specialised in European security and defence as well as corporate communication with experiences at the EU and NATO. Originally from Lithuania, Marija has also lived in Japan, UK, France, and now Belgium.

Marija Sulce

Managing Director, Brussels


Petra Grech
Director of Programmes, Brussels

Petra, who has recently completed her MA in International Political Economy at the Brussels School for International Studies within the University of Kent, is currently working as a Project Adviser for EISMEA (an executive agency within the European Commission). She has a passion for policy-making and economics, which is one of the main reasons why she decided to pursue her Masters in this area within the heart of Brussels! By profession, Petra is an Accountant with numerous years of experience within the field of Audit and Accounting in well-renowned global companies. However, last year, she decided to make a career change and instead focus on chasing her passion for policy. Petra has always had a passion for student activism and over the years, she has been heavily involved in numerous student organisations and unions in her home country, Malta. When she moved to Brussels last year, Petra continued to be involved in as many student initiatives and organisations as possible, so, you will always find her keeping herself busy with different projects. Petra has also been working for Wetlands International Europe, as their Communications and Project Management Assistant.

Petra Grech

Director of Programmes, Brussels


Matteo Tomasina
Director of Security & Defence

Matteo joined the Executive Team as Security & Defence Director in February 2023. In this capacity, Matteo is responsible for developing a portfolio of initiatives that provide professional development opportunities to YPFP members interested in security and defence topics. Outside of YPFP, Matteo works as a strategy consultant for international organizations and corporate clients. At the beginning of his international career, Matteo completed an internship at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk (VA), USA. He holds a M.A in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs. He is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Matteo Tomasina

Director of Security & Defence, Brussels


Laura Ponikelska
Director of Communications & Marketing

Laura is currently working as a Communications Officer in the renewable energy sector in Brussels. She holds Master's degrees in Communications and Digital Humanities, and a Bachelor's degree in English and Russian languages. Previously, she has worked as a Communications Manager in an NGO and Schuman trainee in DG COMM of the European Parliament. Of Swiss and Czech nationality, she is a German native speaker and fluent in English, French, Czech and Russian.

Laura Ponikelska

Director of Communications & Marketing, Brussels


Lena Eisenreich
Director of Membership & Benefits

Lena joined the executive team as Memberships & Benefits Director in February 2023. Within this role, she oversees our YPFP Brussels members. Lena holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in European studies. She has worked across various industries and has experience in various NGOs and youth-led organizations. She previously completed a traineeship within the European Commission. Furthermore, she is passionate about building meaningful relations, engaging communities, and social impact. Based in Brussels but originally from Bavaria, Lena has worked and lived in Spain, the United States, Costa Rica, France, and Poland. She loves to explore the world.

Lena Eisenreich

Director of Membership & Benefits, Brussels

London Team

Annabelle is the Managing Director at YPFP London, responsible for driving the chapter's sustainability and growth.

Annabelle works as an Investigator at the Mintz Group, focusing on anti money laundering, asset tracing, political risk and due diligence issues in Latin America and the Middle East. Previously, she was an Analyst at the Tactical Opportunities and Competitive Intelligence department at Linklaters and a Threat Intelligence Analyst at Hozint Intelligence.

Annabelle holds a Masters in Middle Eastern Studies from King’s College London and a BA in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.

Annabelle Saba

Managing Director, London


Ian Perrin
Director of Programming, London

We are currently recruiting a Director of Programming. If you'd like to apply please follow: https://www.ypfp.org/build/join-our-volunteer-team/london-director-events/

Vacancy - currently recruiting

Director of Programming, London


Livia Godaert
Director of Communications, London

Livia Godaert is the communications director for YPFP London. She is also a nonresident fellow and former assistant director with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, where she managed portfolios on the European Union, the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, and the Western Balkans, and was responsible for the Europe Center's communications strategy and digital content.

Livia has a BA in Political Science from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, and is currently pursuing a MSc in Media and Communications Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

For any YPFP London comms and media queries please contact Livia at livia.godaert@ypfp.org

Livia Godaert

Director of Communications, London

New York Team


Sepideh Behzadpour
Managing Director,
New York

Sepideh Behzadpour

Managing Director, New York


Deysi Flores
Programming Director,
New York

Deysi Flores

Programming Director, New York


Laurne McCranie
Editor In Chief, Emerging Voices,
New York

Lauren McCranie

Editor In Chief, Emerging Voices, New York


Vacant role
Communication and Marketing Director,
New York

VACANCY: Currently recruiting

Communication and Marketing Director. Click here to learn more & apply. 


Vacant role
Membership and Partnerships Director,
New York

VACANCY: Currently recruiting

Membership and Partnerships Director. Click here to learn more & apply. 

Toronto Team


Angie Khayan Rojas
Managing Director, Toronto

Angie received her Hons. B.A. in Political Science and Statistics from the University of Toronto where she specialised in issues of international security. Alongside her undergraduate studies, she served as delegate for the 63rd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for VOW Canada and was the News and Politics Correspondent at Acta Victoriana. Originally Colombian-Venezuelan, Angie grew up across the Americas and Caribbean, East Asia, and the Middle East before moving to Canada for her undergraduate studies. Her passion lies in blockchain and its potential for humanitarian work and volunteers as an interpreter for Canadian Government-Assisted Refugees and Refugee Claimants.

Angie Khayan Rojas

Managing Director, Toronto


Jeff Dexter
Deputy Managing Director, Toronto

As a director with Control Risks, Jeff protects clients from crippling regulatory fines with due diligence, corruption / fraud investigations, and AI solutions to mitigate risk from third parties. He has more than twelve years of experience advising clients on anti-bribery and anti-corruption regulations, anti-money laundering laws and conventions, and sanctions compliance. Previously with PwC and Kroll, he was awarded 35 under 35 by Consulting® magazine for excellence in client service. He has deep experience and knowledge of the Middle East, with a specialization in the Levant. Jeff lived in Syria in 2009 and 2010 where he studied Arabic. He holds a graduate degree in international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rhode Island. During his education, he interned with US Congressman James Langevin, the Rhode Island Human Rights Commission, and International Crisis Group (intern for Rob Malley). Before moving to Toronto, he was a member of YPFP DC.

Jeff Dexter

Deputy Managing Director, Toronto


Reena Manjania
Director of Events and Partnerships, Toronto

Reena has experience in the not-for-profit and public sectors, including working as a policy advisor in both the federal and provincial governments.  Currently, Reena is working with the Government of Ontario to support the uptake of low carbon vehicle technology within the province. Over the past two years, she has been working with the Government of Canada, where she has supported work to increase inclusivity and diversity in federal procurement and developed program advice to advance renewable energy capacity within Canada. Reena’s passions lie in supporting climate change mitigation efforts and advancing gender equity.  Reena holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto.

Reena Manjania

Director of Events and Partnerships, Toronto


Xinhua (Tina) Yang
Director of Communications and Marketing, Toronto

Tina has spent most of her career in government where she provided expertise and advice to senior management on the implications of investment projects, federal decisions (e.g., the accelerated phase-out of coal), and new policy tools (e.g., new tax incentives). She has led and assisted on specially referenced projects such as:

Phase-out of coal power plants,

Economic impact analysis for investment proposal. In her personal time, she started learning the guitar to fight her mid-age crisis. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, a three-year-old girly looking little boy.

Xinhua (Tina) Yang

Director of Communications and Marketing, Toronto


Surriya Z Khan
Membership Coordinator, Toronto

Being raised in South Asia, the Middle East and North America, I was eager to understand how national law and policies impact global relations. From one state having a strong interest in maintaining a monarchy and the other in promoting a democracy, I was stunned to see how states with differing values collaborated on global issues. As I began my undergraduate studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, I realized how tightly intertwined law and policy issues are and how much of an impact they have in addressing global inequalities. I attained my BA (Hons.) in Legal Studies with a minor in Forensic Psychology and a specialization in Alternative Dispute Resolution and began working in the legal field through an immigration firm. Being an immigrant myself, I passionately defend and advocate for the immigrant community. I have worked as a Research Assistant for organizations seeking to reform Canadian immigration laws in hopes of making them more inclusive. I also have experience in international human rights advocacy with the United Nations Association of Canada Toronto Branch (UNACTO). My interest in a career in international law and policy drove me to pursue an LLB degree from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Thus, I am currently an international student who is very passionate about legal and judicial development in developing countries, refugee law and human rights issues. 

Surriya Z Khan

Membership Coordinator, Toronto

San Francisco Team


Timothy McGuire
Executive Director, San Francisco

Tim is the Executive Director of YPFP San Francisco, where he is responsible for overseeing the growth and sustainability of YPFP activities in the Bay Area. He is focused on securing partnerships and amplifying public-private sector dialogue. In his day job, he works on data analytics and engagement at the Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley, accelerating commercial technology for national security. Tim is a U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 10 years of experience in the fields of logistics, linguistics, cyber operations, and in offices of inspectors general. Before joining YPFP in 2018, Tim was a fellow with Veterans in Global Leadership.

Timothy McGuire

Managing Director, San Francisco

Tokyo Team

Lauren Power

Managing Director, YPFP Tokyo Branch

Professor of Global Humanities, Temple University Japan

Researcher and Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tokyo

Lauren is an award-winning researcher, author, speaker, and migrant advocate. She is an Adjunct Professor of Global Humanities at Temple University Japan and a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Tokyo with a focus on understanding the economic and social lives of highly skilled migrants. Lauren is the Founder and Managing Director of YPFP Tokyo Branch. Lauren is currently a contributing researcher to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR) and is the Co-founder of the University of Tokyo Violence Against Women Working Group (UT-VAW).

Lauren was the Founder and Country Leader for the Japan Migration Working Group of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN-MGCY), leading comprehensive international research and publications on youth and migration and was selected as a civil society spokesperson for the United Nations Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Migration in 2021. In 2020, Lauren was appointed Head Delegate of the American Delegation to the G20 Youth Summit (Y20) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was selected for the Global Dialogue Fellowship. Lauren has subsequently served as a member of the C20 Working Groups on the 2030 Agenda and Education and Global Citizenship for the 2021 G20 Summit in Rome. Lauren previously worked as an Official for the OECD, an entrepreneur starting her own consultancy, and a member of the Editorial Boards of the Journal for Human Security Studies Special Edition and the Refugee Review.

Lauren Power

Managing Director, YPFP Tokyo Branch

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