Rising Experts 2026 Cohort Announcement

Talia Abrahamson is a Junior Fellow at the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, where she focuses on the future of local news and communication policy.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Foreign Policy and Journalism by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Talia has held positions at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics and her local Los Angeles newspaper, the Larchmont Chronicle; interned at the U.S. Department of State on U.S.-Russia relations and Transparency International in Riga, Latvia; and held a Free Expression Leadership Fellowship at PEN America. She serves on the Young Professionals Board of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

Talia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University with a B.A. in Russian Language & Culture and English.

Eamonn Bellin is a PhD Candidate in History at Georgetown University, where he researches the age of revolutions and unfree plantation labor in the United States and British Empire.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert on Europe by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Eamonn's writing has appeared in Law and Liberty, Providence, American Purpose, and other publications. He is a recipient of the Library Research Fellowship at the American Revolution Institute, Global Irish Studies Fellowship at Georgetown University, Academic Fellowship at the Tikvah Fund, and National Security Grant at The Public Interest Fellowship. Eamonn has previously completed the Alexander Hamilton Society's Security and Strategy Fellowship and the Hudson Institute's Political Studies Fellowship.

Eamonn earned his MA in history from Georgetown University and his BA in international relations and philosophy from the George Washington University.

Christina Bouri is a Middle East Fellow in the Office of Government Relations at The Episcopal Church. Formerly, she was a research associate for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She previously interned at Harvard’s Middle East Initiative and was a senior staff writer for the Harvard Journal of Middle Eastern Politics and Policy.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Middle East Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Christina has written on migration, humanitarian crises, and the implications of climate change in the Middle East. Her most recent work has focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the impact of the climate crisis on human security throughout the region. She is a native speaker of Arabic and is proficient in French.

Christina earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in French from the University of the Pacific, where she spent a year studying at the University of Jordan in Amman. She holds a master’s in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University.

John Connor is a senior analyst at TD International, a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk consultancy, where he focuses on strategic advisory projects across a variety of sectors including energy and critical minerals.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Critical Minerals by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, John has previously written for foreign policy publications such as The National Interest on topics including the geopolitics of oil, US-India relations, and Russian influence in Africa. He was previously a consultant at 14 North Strategies, an Africa-focused risk intelligence firm.

John earned his M.A. in War Studies from King's College London, where he received a First Class Degree with Honours. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in History and Foreign Affairs.

Spike Dearing is a Surface Warfare Officer and Integrated Air and Missile Defense Warfare and Tactics Instructor currently stationed at Fort Meade. He has served onboard USS BENFOLD, USS CHOSIN, and USS JOHN FINN, completing four patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in National Security by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Spike has previously completed fellowship programs with the Hudson Institute and Hertog Foundation. He has participated and coordinated multiple joint exercises with the Air Force and Marines, as well as international partners Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Spike earned his degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. He received his commission in 2021.

Thea Dunlevie is a Senior Project Manager at National Journal where she leads client-facing policy research projects spanning technology, defense, and education issues.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Grayzone Warfare by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Thea previously researched foreign policy and national security issues at multiple Washington D.C. think tanks, mainly focused on transatlantic security, international maritime security, and emerging technologies. Prior to that, she worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, and held a fellowship with the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Her analysis has been cited by outlets including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and BBC, and her writing has been translated into multiple languages.

She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a M.A. in security studies from Georgetown University. She has also participated in foreign policy-related fellowships through the Rumsfeld Foundation, Institute on Religion and Democracy, and the Alexander Hamilton Society.

Talia Abrahamson is a Junior Fellow at the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, where she focuses on the future of local news and communication policy.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Foreign Policy and Journalism by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Talia has held positions at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics and her local Los Angeles newspaper, the Larchmont Chronicle; interned at the U.S. Department of State on U.S.-Russia relations and Transparency International in Riga, Latvia; and held a Free Expression Leadership Fellowship at PEN America. She serves on the Young Professionals Board of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

Talia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University with a B.A. in Russian Language & Culture and English.

Anastasia is a master’s student in International Policy at Stanford University, specializing in great power competition and its impact on countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert on Central Asia by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Anastasia has a proven track record in the think tank space, including roles at the Center for International Security and Cooperation, Migration Policy Institute, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Her writing has been featured in The Diplomat, and she is a recipient of numerous awards, including a DAAD scholarship.

Anastasia earned her BA with a double major in Politics, Rights, and Development and Psychology from New York University.

Alexandra Helfgott is a Master’s in Public Policy Student at Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. She is the founder and chief research analyst of Moments in Mexico, a platform dedicated to tracking developments in Mexico’s domestic politics and translating their implications for the US-Mexico relationship.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Mexico Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Alexandra has spent the past four years working at the Wilson Center, researching and writing about global supply chains — particularly critical minerals, semiconductors, and electric vehicles — as well as energy in North America. In addition, she worked with Wilson’s Mexico Institute to develop the 2024 Mexico Elections Guide, the premier English-language resource for Mexico’s recent electoral cycle. Before joining the Wilson Center, Alexandra worked as a Fulbright García Robles English Teaching Assistant in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Alexandra earned her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from the Honors College at the College of Charleston.

Laurel Holley is an Analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she supports U.S. government operations with a particular eye for open-source research, as well as organizational transformation and change.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Conflict Resolution by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Laurel has previous experience in academic research and public affairs, where she has consistently focused on amplifying understanding between differing groups. She served as an intern in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, supporting former Ambassador Katherine Tai's work to administer a national trade policy enabling the average American to thrive - while bolstering substantial dialogue with international partners. She has also contributed academic research on U.S. public opinion regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the growing trend of geopolitical pluralism, and transnational systems of media consumption. Most recently, Laurel earned honors for her thesis project, "Reimagining Redress," examining the paths to reconciliation and healing chosen by survivors of the Japanese Imperial Army's "comfort women" system.

Laurel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and International Comparative Studies (Asia-Pacific) from Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. She is fluent in Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

Joseph Howard is an officer in the United States Air Force whose work focuses on great power competition, gray-zone conflict, and the evolving ways states and non-state actors contest power below the threshold of war.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in International Security by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Joseph previously served as a Student Research Fellow at the University of Oklahoma’s Carl Albert Center and was a member of the Society of Fellows at the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage. For his work, he received the American Enterprise Institute's Award for Civil Discourse in Public Policy.

Joseph earned his M.A. in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and he is currently pursuing an M.S. in Global Security. He graduated with high distinction from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in International Studies and minors in European Studies, International Security, and Aerospace Studies.

Alexandra is a recent M.A. graduate from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies specializing in international human rights law and the role of multilateral diplomacy and global governance in advancing human rights.

Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Human Rights by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Alexandra has held positions at the European Union Delegation to the United States’ Political, Security, and Development Section, the Council on Foreign Relations’ International Institutions and Global Governance program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Global Order and Institutions program, and the International Crisis Group. Alexandra has been published by the Carnegie Endowment and the Yale Journal of International Affairs.

While at Johns Hopkins, Alexandra served as the Editor in Chief of The SAIS Review of International Affairs and examined whether international law provides a right to restorative justice for past human rights abuses in Namibia through the International Human Rights Law Clinic. She also graduated with a B.A. in Peace, War, and Defense with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Karolina Kisiel is a contributing writer at Defence24, where she analyzes Russia’s military strategy, European defense, and Nordic-Baltic security. She also serves as a Working Group Leader for International Relations and Diplomacy at the EPIS Think Tank. Named a 2026 Rising Expert in Europe Defense by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, she has gained professional experience through placements in the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Warsaw. She completed the Institute for Youth in Policy fellowship in public policy development with distinction and was a member of the winning team of the 2025 Cybersecurity Challenge. Her research on European strategic enablers was selected for presentation at the Transatlantic Policy Symposium 2026 at Georgetown University. Karolina is currently completing her M.A. in War and Defense Studies at the Swedish Defence University (Försvarshögskolan). She holds a B.A. with honors in Liberal Arts and Sciences (International Relations) from University College Maastricht and completed the European Academy of Diplomacy’s International Security program. She speaks Polish, English, Spanish, and Russian.

Henry Large is a doctoral candidate in Latin American Studies and a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, where he researches the history of the One China Principle in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is also the Opinions Editor for the Oxford Review of Latin American Studies. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Washington, Beijing, and the World by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Henry has worked for the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies in Washington D.C. and an education-focused NGO in Guatemala City. His work has been published in a variety of foreign policy journals, including The Diplomat, the Global Taiwan Brief, the SAIS Review of International Affairs, Latin America Reports, and Latinoamerica21. He speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese as well as conversational Mandarin. He holds a master's with distinction in Latin American Studies from Oxford. He graduated from Yale University as a double major in Spanish and History with distinction in both majors.

Mariam Lomtadze is an AI Strategy & Innovation Manager at Project Destined, working at the intersection of technology, public policy, and digital systems. Named a 2026 Rising Expert in Technology Governance by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Mariam has held roles with the United Nations, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, UNDP, the Virginia General Assembly, and a range of policy and governance institutions across the United States, Europe, and Australia. Her work bridges diplomacy and innovation, focusing on how technologies and digital tools can strengthen governance, civic trust, and institutional resilience in transitional states. Mariam earned her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Political Science from the University of Richmond as a Presidential and Global Scholar.

Jonathon Marek is Assistant Director, Technology and Geoeconomic Affairs, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), where he leads NBR’s research and engagement on Indo-Pacific emerging technology innovation and policy issues, U.S.-China economic statecraft, and U.S. trade and technology partnerships with regional allies. He is also a Young Leader with the Pacific Forum. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Indo-Pacific Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Jonathon has written and published on Taiwan’s drone and semiconductor industrial policy efforts, Chinese economic coercion, U.S. tech policy, and risks associated with authoritarian influence over digital infrastructure and platforms. He has also edited NBR reports on China’s economy, U.S.-Japan tech and economic security cooperation, and China’s global digital strategy. Jonathon graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in International Political Economy with a Chinese minor and Asian Studies certificate. He speaks Mandarin fluently.

Nikolaos Ntarzanos is a Doctoral Student at the University of Piraeus, where his research focuses on the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and EU external relations. He is also a researcher at the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence EXCELLEM 2.0 and at the War Games Laboratory of the Hellenic Air Force Academy. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in EU Security and Defence Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Nikolaos is a Doctoral Fellow of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). His research interests include the CSDP, the Mediterranean region, EU–NATO relations, and the European defence industry. He speaks Greek, English, and French. Nikolaos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science from the Hellenic Air Force Academy and a second Bachelor’s degree in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus. He also holds a Master’s degree in European Politics and Governance from Neapolis University and attended the High-Level Course on the Common Security and Defence Policy in 2025.

Cole Penz is a master’s student at the University of Cambridge where his research is focused on the internal armed conflict in Colombia and US-Latin American relations. He is also a research assistant at the university’s Centre for Geopolitics. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Latin America Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Cole previously worked as a political-military analyst for the US Department of Defense in Washington, DC and the US Embassy in Mexico City. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Cole graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University with a BA in international affairs.

Jay Philbrick is an Analyst at Bain Capital, where he invests in domestic and international industrial and services companies. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Economics & Development by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Jay has worked at the U.S. Treasury Department as a speechwriter to Secretary Janet Yellen, at the White House Council of Economic Advisers advising President Biden's policy agenda, and at the Maine Governor's Economic Recovery Committee informing the state's strategic initiatives. Jay has also conducted research at Yale Law School, where he was on the founding team of The Budget Lab; the Brookings Institution, where he contributed to a forthcoming book on the global economic order; and the Federal Reserve and US Securities and Exchange Commission, publishing papers on domestic and international finance. Jay was also named a Harry S. Truman Scholar. Jay earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics-Economics and Computer Science from Brown University, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Clara Riedenstein is a Program Assistant at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), where she concentrates on the effects of technology on political, legal, and social institutions. She also contributes to Tech Policy Press and hosts the "Tech is All Around" show on Voices Radio. Named as the 2026 Rising Expert in Technology Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Clara has co-authored numerous op-eds and four peer-reviewed white papers, which have been featured by the European Council and been published in European View. She is regularly invited to present her research at academic conferences, including at the Weizenbaum Institute, Warwick University, and Koç University. Clara frequently appears in media, including podcasts and major outlets such as Deutsche Welle. She is fluent in Portuguese, German, and French. Clara obtained her MSc in Political Theory from Oxford University as a C Douglas Dillon Scholar. She graduated with First Class Honours from Oxford with a BA in Philosophy and Modern Languages (French), receiving the Henry Wilde Prize in Philosophy (proxime accessit) and the Gibbs Prize.

Sarah Rolling is a civil servant at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she focuses on energy infrastructure and manufacturing revitalization. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Rural Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Sarah is a dedicated advocate for small-town and rural economic development. She began her professional career at the Tennessee Valley Authority and has extensive experience supporting energy, workforce development, and rural policy at the local, state, and federal levels. During her tenure in the private sector, she advised investment banks, commodity trading firms, and Big Tech leaders on data-driven strategies, international law, and regulatory risks. Sarah graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Management with a concentration in International Business. During her studies, she conducted academic research on economic inequality and completed international business coursework in Europe.

Ashley Ruiz is a civil servant at the U.S. Department of the Air Force, where she advises on cyber policy and strategy. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Technology by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Ashley has conducted research on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Office of Naval Research, University of Michigan Physics Department, Charleston Police Department, and The Citadel. She has presented research at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, and published research in academic journals such as the Journal of Strategic Security. Ashley earned a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University. She also graduated Valedictorian from The Citadel with two Bachelors of Arts. Disclaimer: Ashley's participation in this program does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or Department of the Air Force. Any views expressed are the member’s alone.

Adam Salzman is a Research & Strategy Associate at the African Tech Futures Lab, where he focuses on emerging technologies and the energy transition across Africa and the international landscape. His work sits at the intersection of research, strategy, and external engagement, and centers on turning early-stage, policy-driven climate and energy ideas into concrete projects, partnerships, and commercial pathways. Named a 2026 Rising Expert in Climate & Energy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Adam has completed fellowships with the Council on Strategic Risks and the U.S. Department of Energy. He has presented strategic insights on energy, innovation, and development in Washington, D.C., New York, Nairobi, and Cape Town. In parallel with his energy work, he conducts and presents original research on inoculation theory and political communication. Adam earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College, graduating magna cum laude with a major in Government and a minor in Environmental Studies.

Fox Walker is a Defense Analyst at GlobalData Plc, a leading data analytics firm in London, where he focuses on transatlantic relations and unmanned military technology. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Transatlantic Relations by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Fox has completed fellowships at the Council on Geostrategy, NATO Field School, and London Politica. Fox has been named a Maritime Leadership Fellow by the Council on Geostrategy and is a regular contributor to army-technology.com. Fox earned an MA from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. He is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied Government and Arabic with the Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Brian Wee is an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, where he focuses on global health governance, international coordination, and health systems. He is the founder of the HMS Health Policy Society, a student group that connects trainees with real-world policy workshops and challenges, and he previously founded the World Pre-Health Conference, an annual global gathering for advancing health that has served more than 3,300 attendees from over 100 countries. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Global Health Governance and Diplomacy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Brian conducted research on technical cooperation in Mexico and Paraguay, working with experts from the Pan American Health Organization and government officials. He also worked at the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the development of its five-year strategy as part of a team reporting directly to the chief executive. He previously worked in the Sabeti Lab at the Broad Institute on infectious-disease surveillance and epidemiology and is now contributing to Sentinel, a project focused on pandemic prevention. Brian speaks Spanish and French. Brian earned his MPP and MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated from Harvard College with highest honors in Chemical and Physical Biology and Government, with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy.

Garrett Wright is a Federal and International Programs Coordinator with the Applied Research Institute, where he coordinates programs which bridge the gap between innovators and the US defense technology community for agencies like DARPA, the CDAO, and other DoD activities. Garrett is also an Associate Editor for the Georgetown Security Studies Review, where he edits and authors articles covering political affairs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Named the 2026 Rising Expert in Africa Policy by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Garrett has held several positions which guide his expertise on the African continent. With the Africa Faith and Justice Network, he supported congressional advocacy to ensure that foreign aid directed to Africa was just and sustainable. With the Critical Threats Project, he used open-source intelligence techniques to record and analyze geopolitical developments in West Africa, tracking complex networks of Salafi-jihadi groups in the region. Garrett has several published articles covering political crises across Sub-Saharan Africa and regularly interfaces with international partners in his role with the Applied Research Institute. Garrett is a current master's candidate with the Georgetown University Security Studies Program, concentrating on International Security. Garrett graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University, majoring in Law & Public Policy and minoring in International Relations and Philosophy.