Truman-Albright Fellows

Andee Baker graduated from Montana State University, summa cum laude, with degrees in Agriculture Communications and Psychology with a minor in Agriculture Business. With a passion for improving rural healthcare access, she has taken on this multi-faceted issue by completing projects rooted in research, public outreach, and education. Motivated by her experiences growing up in rural southern Montana, she seeks to create lasting change by providing these communities with access to quality care.

In 2024, Andee worked as a representative of the 2023 Class of Truman Scholars within the Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Budget focused on Medicare. Her work focused on behavioral health guidelines and managing state demonstration requests. In the future, Andee plans to pursue a Master of Public Health, furthering her down the path of helping rural communities.

Jackson Boaz currently works in communications and digital in the office of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) He serves in a similar capacity, as Director of Digital Rapid Response, on the Congressman’s campaign for the United States Senate. Previously, Jackson has served as staff for numerous campaigns and causes, including at the Democratic National Committee and for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Congresswoman Cindy Axne, Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls, and many more.

Jackson graduated from American University in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government, with a minor in Public Administration and Policy. He is particularly interested in issues affecting rural communities, with a focus on increasing access to and encouraging equitable distribution of federal grants. When he’s not working, Jackson is an avid cook and likes to prepare elaborate dinner parties for friends.

A proud Filipino-American, queer woman, Veronica Bonifacio Penales graduated in 2023 from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Professional Writing and Rhetoric. While in college, Veronica served as an advocacy intern for the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Political Advocacy Department, as a Deputy Field Organizer for Texas Rising, and as the Baylor Chapter President and Director for the National Pride Caucus of the College Democrats of America.

As a sophomore, Veronica also wrote the “No Crying on Sundays” Resolution which called for a reinterpretation of Baylor’s Statement on Human Sexuality and advocated for the rights of LGBTQ+ students on campus. This resolution bolstered her passion for activism and led her to become a lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit: Elizabeth Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education. 

Following her graduation, Veronica interned in the US House of Representatives for Representative Adam Schiff on behalf of the Victory Institute. She is now working for the U.S. Senate as the Digital Organizing Assistant for the Majority Leader, Senator Schumer’s Office. Veronica is motivated by creating lasting and meaningful change and solidifying the constitutional and basic human rights of all. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends, having girl crushes, listening to good music, cooking, sleeping, and working out. 

Yu Jing Chen (she/her/hers) is the Development Operations Manager at APIAVote. In this role, Yu Jing manages the strategic direction of APIAVote’s resource development operations and partnerships to enable the organization to achieve its mission and vision of building Asian and Pacific Islander American political power. 

Prior to joining the APIAVote team, Yu Jing has experience interning at different levels of government, from the US Government Accountability Office to the City of Miami Beach’s Mayor’s Office. She is originally from Chicago, IL, where she continues her advocacy work in Chinatown, a community she calls home. Yu Jing also holds a Master’s in City Planning as well as a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning with Computer Science from MIT, where she served as student body Vice President for two years. Yu Jing is also a Gates Scholar and now serves on the MIT Board of Trustees.

Yasmine is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, summa cum laude, where she earned her degree in Public Policy. Yasmine is a proud Dearborn Heights, Michigan native, where her lived experiences as an Arab and Muslim woman have shaped her interest in advocating for policies that seek social equity and inclusion.

This past summer, Yasmine worked at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) as an intern on the Immigration and Legislative teams. Throughout her college career, she has interned for Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib in the U.S. House of Representatives, served as the co-president of Students of Color in Public Policy, engaged in direct service with the Michigan Community Scholars Program, delivered identity-based columns for The Michigan Daily, and is currently serving a term as the BA Representative for the Ford School’s Alumni Board.

In the future, Yasmine aspires to craft transformative policy solutions that mitigate the struggles faced by politically misrepresented groups across the country. She hopes to pursue either an MPP or JD to propel her towards her goals.

Adam currently serves as a Management Analyst at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where he works to improve health insurance access and quality. Adam graduated from the University of Cincinnati in April 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in Medical Sciences and Liberal Arts. He is committed to mitigating barriers to education and health equity, especially those faced by refugees and immigrants.

He has served as the President of Refuge-UC, an organization that promotes higher education among refugee and immigrant students. Inspired by his time volunteering as a Refuge mentor, he has conducted public health research on improving the students’ health literacy rates. He has furthered this work through the co-founding of Refuge Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on empowering refugee adolescents. Adam interned with USAID and has studied Arabic extensively in Oman and Morocco as a Boren and CLS Scholar. He also worked on community-based projects in Thailand as part of GlobeMed at UC, a student organization partnered with the SAW Foundation to aid Burmese migrants. After graduating, Adam conducted research on refugee integration in Jordan as a Fulbright Scholar. He intends to pursue an MD/MPH and is particularly interested in leveraging policy to form community-led solutions.

Andy Flores is Special Assistant to the Director at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator for Political Economy & Regulation (VPA), where he coordinates the organization’s programming, communications, and research projects. The first in his family to go to college, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Leadership (PPL) and Philosophy. As an aspiring lawyer, educator, and movement-builder, Andy is interested in challenging structural barriers to higher education and understanding how educational institutions, as political sites, animate or obstruct the project of American democracy. In 2023, Andy was a FirstGEN Fellow at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where he supported the team of attorneys & advocates that defended race-conscious admissions in SFFA v. UNC. In 2022, he was a PPIA Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and an Afro-Latinx Líderes Avanzando Fellow with UnidosUS. In 2021, Andy founded HelpSaveHELP, which successfully mobilized over 2,000 Mississippians to protect the state’s only need-based financial aid program from being dismantled. Outside of work, Andy loves running, writing reflections, and laughing with his dear friends. He is currently studying for the LSAT through Yale Law School’s Launchpad Scholars Program.

Born and raised on the island of Guam, Christian is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Guam, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. 

During the fall, Christian will be a congressional intern with the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) in Washington, D.C. His interests lie in advancing and advocating for the LGBTQ+ and AANHPI communities, reducing homelessness and poverty, and providing easier, equitable access to affordable housing, healthcare, education, and transportation for low-income families and marginalized communities. He intends to pursue an MPA and/or JD to further his passion for public service, taking action not just on the island but all over the world.

Christian is open to any ideas for collaborations or opportunities for career and professional development. He would like to explore opportunities in policy and government, nonprofit management, campaigns, lobbying, volunteer work, etc.

Colin graduated from Georgia College & State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an Election Administration certificate. Being raised in a Christian household shaped his character, personality, and passion to serve. Colin is an advocate for the young generation becoming politically engaged to vote, run for political office, or be outspoken. Colin’s biggest passion is fighting for children to receive a quality education. Colin was raised in a home that prioritized academic excellence and investment in public education, since his mother is a public-school teacher. Therefore, Colin is vocal in supporting state-funded pre-k programs, school choice, and empowering state and local governments regarding education. Colin spends his spare time volunteering at local schools, daycares, and community events for children. His goal is to protect and build upon the American Dream for the next generation of Americans, which includes children obtaining a quality education. Colin will be participating in the Truman-Albright Fellowship Program while working in the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Colin plans to work in Washington, D.C. for a few years to obtain experience and knowledge that he can invest into his local community (Jones and Baldwin County) and the State of Georgia. Colin plans to continue his education by pursuing a law degree or master’s in Public Administration in the near future.

Beyonce Hammond joined ACLU-PA in September 2023 as the Legislative Associate. Before joining ACLU-PA, she spent 3 years working in legislative affairs and advocacy through political organizations, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Council of State Governments. Beyonce completed her Bachelor's degree in Political Science with minors in Pre-law and Leadership at the University of Central Oklahoma. During that time, she completed an internship with the Oklahoma House of Representatives and held multiple Research Assistant positions around issues related to mass incarceration, voting, and women's rights. In her free time, Beyonce enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring the city for good eats!

Luda Isakharov is a recent graduate of the University of Oregon, where she earned degrees in Political Science, Global Studies, and Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. During her time at the university, Luda dedicated herself to addressing challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon through culturally informed solutions. During her internship at the nonprofit Boost Oregon, she conducted interviews with Russian and Ukrainian-speaking stakeholders and community members to develop policy recommendations on vaccine dissemination for these communities. Luda was also an outspoken advocate for higher education affordability, regularly testifying before the Oregon legislature and meeting with members of Congress and Senators to push for increased financial aid and loan forgiveness. Her academic journey included an internship in Singapore with one of the country’s largest social service providers, culminating in a thesis that compared governance models in Singapore and the United States. Since graduating, Luda has focused her advocacy on combating antisemitism and all forms of hatred through her work with the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) national affairs team. This summer, she shared her personal story of facing antisemitism when she testified before the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Antisemitism and participated in a DNC panel alongside Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon and Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. Luda is continuing her work as a Fellow on the ADL's National Affairs team.

Eshika Kaul serves as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Tax Policy. Passionate about economic justice, Eshika has previously worked at the Congressional Budget Office’s Tax Analysis Division, the National Economic Council in the White House, and the Department of Commerce. She graduated summa cum laude from Wellesley College with a double major in Economics and Peace and Justice Studies. At Wellesley, she was a leader in civic engagement, expanding service opportunities for students by establishing partnerships with local nonprofits. She also worked alongside lawyers, accountants, and law students at the Harvard Legal Services Center Federal Tax Clinic to advocate for low-income taxpayers with IRS controversies. At the clinic, Eshika personally leveraged her tax certification to secure tens of thousands of dollars in benefits for under-resourced clients. These service experiences fueled her academic interests, culminating in her Economics thesis, “More Money, More Meals? The Effect of the Child Tax Credit on Child Food Insecurity." Eshika plans on continuing to advocate for under-resourced communities as a lawyer.

Liana joined Issue One as a Campaign Manager in April 2024. She is a recent graduate of Stanford University, where she earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering with honors in Ethics in Society. Most recently, she served as an Artificial Intelligence Policy Fellow on the U.S. Senate Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, where she helped craft legislation on AI policy issues such as federal procurement of AI, deepfakes, and agency use of AI. As an engineer, Liana cofounded a startup to help improve the situational awareness of tactical-level soldiers, programmed behaviors for the U.S. Navy’s first autonomous ship “Seahunter,” and used machine learning to optimize cache design in hardware microarchitecture. While at Stanford, Liana ran StanfordVotes during the 2020 election and helped found "Democracy Day," Stanford's annual day of civic service. She also served as a three-year captain of Stanford's varsity fencing team. In her free time, Liana loves to bake cookies, dance, travel as much as possible, and spend time outdoors.

Catherine Kish is a Research Assistant - Chinese Language Specialist at the RAND Corporation. Her research interests include security in the Indo-Pacific, forced labor practices in China, U.S.-China relations, U.S.-China military competition and deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, as well as human rights and far-right extremism and terrorism. Prior to joining RAND, Catherine worked as a Research Assistant at Sayari Labs, researching forced labor practices in Xinjiang, China and monitoring updates in legislation related to forced labor illicit networks in China. She also interned for the Department of State at the U.S. Embassies in Abu Dhabi and New Delhi, where she produced a cable on Chinese economic coercion in the MENA region and drafted updates on extremism, gender-based violence, and religious violence in India for the DoS' annual "Human Rights Report." As a Research Assistant at the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, she examined and drafted case studies on far-right hate groups in Europe and the United States. Catherine also served as a Project Manager for a Department of Homeland Security consulting project, creating and piloting a research-based after-school curriculum that aimed to reduce risks of radicalization through encouraging intercultural exchange. Catherine received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Chinese from Middlebury College and is a Truman Scholar.

Nidhi Krishnan was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, and she graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in American Culture Studies and a minor in Math. At WashU, she was an Army ROTC cadet for three years, and she is now a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. She is passionate about civilian protection during war and post-war reconstruction. In college, Nidhi studied Arabic for three years and served as a peer counselor for issues of sexual violence. She studied abroad twice during college in Fes, Morocco and Amman, Jordan. In the domestic realm, she has previously interned at WEPOWER STL and the ACLU of Missouri, where she contributed to the organizations’ work on racial justice. In the international realm, she previously interned at the United States Agency for International Development and Perseus Strategies, where she worked to advance human rights. In her free time, Nidhi enjoys watching sunrises, drinking coffee, and running.

Mia LeJeune is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and is a proud Democrat committed to electing leaders with progressive values up and down the ballot. Currently, Mia works for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as assistant press secretary working to make sure third-party candidates play by the rules when it comes to ballot access and informing voters that a vote for anyone other the Democratic nominee is a vote for Donald Trump. Recently, Mia worked as Jen Psaki’s anchor producer on her MSNBC show "Inside with Jen Psaki." After graduating from LSU with a degree in Mass Communications, Mia worked as a political coordinator at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and helped secure seats for 19 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mia was first introduced to Democratic politics when she worked on Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards' reelection campaign as scheduler at 18 years old. Mia is looking forward to one day going to law school, so she can advocate for free and fair election laws in her beloved Louisiana. Outside of work, Mia enjoys reading, trying new things around D.C., and snuggling with her cat, Miss Minnie.

Allen currently works as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary at the Department of the Treasury, where he is primarily responsible for supporting Secretary Yellen in executing Treasury priorities. Previously, he worked at the Department of Defense in the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Human Rights Campaign's AANHPI Queer Visibility Working Group. 

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Allen graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and a minor in Philosophy. Allen advocated for gender-inclusive housing on Auburn's campus during his undergraduate studies. His past research has focused on topics ranging from Social Security Disability Insurance to military policy in Western Germany. In his free time, he enjoys running, figure skating, spending time with his friends, and taking walks in Capital Hill.

Erin is a Strategic Communications Associate at the FrameWorks Institute, where she produces written and multimedia resources to help a wide array of audiences learn from and utilize mindset and framing research as a tool for narrative change. Erin graduated from Dickinson College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy, studied abroad at the University of Oxford, and earned departmental honors for her thesis on feminist care ethics and migration. Passionate about people, Erin views human rights issues as intrinsically connected and sees her role in the push for social justice as one in which she is a connector, facilitator, and creative strategist. In 2020, Erin worked as a field organizer for the Medicaid Expansion Campaign in Missouri, which made nearly 300,000 people eligible for healthcare coverage. She then made a full-time commitment to service by joining AmeriCorps. She engaged in direct service at pantries and food distributions, redesigned a non-profit’s hunger education curriculum, created a four-part project aimed at engaging young girls in public service, and started a sustainability initiative to reuse 8,000 pounds of unrecyclable plastic annually. Erin spends her free time reading, writing poetry, and finding opportunities to cultivate and learn from community.

Niko Malhotra is a Research Assistant on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship under Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). He focuses on small business innovation programs such as the SBIR and SBIC programs as well as capital access for small businesses. He is passionate about public policy and creating innovative conservative solutions to the challenges facing 21st-century America. Niko graduated cum laude from Williams College as a political science major and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. At Williams, Niko was the president of the Society for Conservative Thought and opinions columnist for the Williams Record and used his leadership positions to be a persistent advocate for free speech and robust academic discourse on campus. He previously worked in Congress as a legislative intern for both the Senate Small Business Committee and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Prior to his experiences in Congress, Niko also worked as a strategic research intern at the Pacific Legal Foundation, a field organizer on U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ 2020 reelection campaign, and a public policy intern at the Maine Policy Institute.

Thor Manson is an Army Veteran currently working in National Security Policy. He recently finished a tour serving on the National Security Council as a Duty Officer in the White House Situation Room. Prior to this role, Mr. Manson worked in the Department of Defense as an Analyst focusing on military issues in Europe, culminating in his work supporting senior U.S. Government policymakers during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. He has a broad range of experience ranging from local city and state government from his home state of Wisconsin to the Federal level. He has a Master of Science in International Economic Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from UW-Whitewater.

Greg is a senior research assistant at the Federal Reserve and will be applying to law school for fall 2025. He graduated from Michigan State University in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Greg has interned at the Council of Economic Advisers, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Irish Federal Government Department of Housing. He is a coach for the Open Goal Project in Washington, DC, a nonprofit providing free competitive soccer for low-income youth. He also volunteered as a soccer coach for refugee youth in the Lansing, MI, area during college. As a leader in the Fed Challenge, an academic competition on monetary policy, Greg transformed Michigan State’s team by making the Federal Reserve’s role in inequality in lending the primary focus of the team's presentation. He has since furthered this passion by contributing to research projects on inequality in zip codes at the Federal Reserve. During college, he participated in an economics research project that analyzed vaccine hesitancy in rural Wyoming. Greg is a proud native of Wyoming and a French dual citizen. His passion for skiing led to him receiving an Avalanche One certification.

Anna Mathis was born and raised in Valley Springs, a small, rural town in Northern Arkansas. A lifelong proud Arkansan, she continued her education at the University of Arkansas double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Leadership with a minor in Global Studies, where she graduated as the top female senior. She lived in Rome, Italy, for a semester and interned with the Syrian refugee nonprofit Hummustown. She had previously taken a gap year to serve as the 2020-2021 National FFA Secretary; delivering over 100 speeches and workshops, sitting on the Board of Directors, building relationships, and conducting legislative visits. She also serves as an inaugural member of the Her Mighty Hands Board of Directors, an international agriculture extension nonprofit in Uganda, where she directs communications and fundraising.

A San Diego native, Sandy graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) with a degree in Political Science and Sociology. She currently serves as a Confidential Assistant at the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to this, she worked as an intern in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. During her undergraduate career, Sandy served as the Vice President of University Affairs at Associated Students of SDSU, interned in the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-47), and completed a fellowship at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Having understood the impact of equitable resources through her experience tutoring refugee students, Sandy is dedicated to ensuring that the diverse needs of minority communities in the educational system are met with empathy and fairness.

Ranen (he/him) is an Emerson Fellow at the DC Office of Planning’s Food Policy Council working on analyzing LGBTQIA+ food insecurity in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s in Political Science, Sociology, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, where he served two terms as student body president, led his university’s Pride Alliance and Asian Multicultural Council, and was selected as a Truman, Udall, and Point Scholar. Outside of work, Ranen is a co-founder of OutVote, an organization building a culture of civic engagement in the LGBTQIA+ community. He has also worked as a public interest paralegal, interned at three Congressional offices, and worked at the American Civil Liberties Union, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Abortion Action Missouri, and a dozen political campaigns. In his free time, he enjoys exploring DC’s food scene, biking around the DMV with Capital Bikeshare, and spending quality time with his friends and family. 

Rafael, born and raised in Puerto Rico, went to college in Philadelphia thinking he’d study medicine. It was safe, socially acceptable, paid well, and was known for helping people in a mostly non-controversial way. Yet, after a biomedical internship the summer after his first year, Rafael noticed that he was more interested in the sociopolitical, rather than biological, questions regarding healthcare. Rafael started shifting his plans. He majored in Social Anthropology in order to study political issues through the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Rafael knew that getting such perspective was important if he wanted to go back to Puerto Rico someday to lead by example and try to make a change that he hadn’t seen before. In the last three summers, he interned at the Senate of Puerto Rico, at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy through PPIA, and (currently) at the bipartisanship-focused nonprofit American Policy Ventures in DC. In the next few years, he wants to explore how different job sectors influence policymaking and politics to better understand where and how to invest resources for achieving a more equitable world. PS: a fun fact about Rafael is that he’s getting into comparative constitutional law.

Aaliyah Moore graduated from Bates College in May 2024 with one degree in politics and another in African studies. She is interested in criminal justice, civil rights, and youth advocacy. Before attending law school, Aaliyah is sharpening her writing and research skills at Moses Weitzman Health System, where she will write op-eds about health policies in prison, school-based health care, and healthcare access for youth aging out of foster care.

Tay J. Moore is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University, where he earned dual degrees in Political Science and Music. His senior honors thesis examined the variation in COVID-19 relief spending on online resources among rural and urban public school districts in Louisiana.  As the son of a two-time war veteran and a community organizer, his passion for public service was inspired by his upbringing in rural Northwest Louisiana. During his time at LSU, Tay was named a Ron Brown Scholar, Harry S. Truman Scholar, Louisiana Service and Leadership Scholar, and Faith & Politics Institute John Robert Lewis Scholar; was elected to the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and Young Alumni Advisory Committee; and was involved in numerous community and student organizations and programs. He has interned with the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana State Senate, Ringgold Mayor’s Office, USDA Louisiana Rural Development Agency, and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Office of Outreach and Strategic Initiatives. This past summer, he worked for Levine Music, one of the country’s largest nonprofit community music schools, as Assistant to the Site Director for their fine arts camp at THEARC in Southeast D.C.

Jay is a recent graduate of Brown University, where he studied Applied Mathematics-Economics and Computer Science. Growing up in rural Maine, Jay saw firsthand the life changing impacts of public investment in a nearby military base, providing economic opportunity to thousands, while also being highly sensitive to international affairs. In line with this upbringing, he is interested in the intersection of national and global economic opportunity with trade policy.

Makaila is passionate about foreign policy, human rights, and economic development. Currently works at the White House as a Confidential Assistant and Project Manager at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Prior to working at OMB, she attended Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, where she obtained her Master’s in Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar. During her time, she researched China’s relationship with the United States regarding economics, climate change, human rights, and health. At Tsinghua, her thesis was titled “Comparing Next Generation Human Rights in the USA and China.” Her thesis focused on how youth are essential to the national and international discourse; whereas, young people today view human rights as intersectional and compulsory. She also served as a Bush-China Foundation fellow. In the future, she hopes to stay engaged in China-US relations.

Makaila received her B.A. in Biology and Government at Franklin & Marshall College. While in university, she was elected student body president. During her tenure, she strived to get a multitude of students involved in student government because she believed that students deserved to be involved in the processes that govern and dictate their experiences.

Natalia V. Rios Martinez, native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, graduated from Iowa State University with majors in Political Science, International Studies, and Public Relations. After graduation, Natalia began her career at the Pentagon, specifically with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (OSD(LA)), where she contributed to DoD relations with members of the U.S. Congress. Currently, Natalia works as a staff assistant and intern coordinator for U.S. Congressman Jeff Jackson (NC-14), where she continues to pursue her passion for public service and legislative affairs.

During her time at ISU, Natalia also conducted research in the Department of Sociology, identifying legal deserts in rural areas of the US. Additionally, she gained practical experience as a Government Contracting Assistant at the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, supporting small businesses in securing government contracts. Her previous experiences include internships with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Transportation in Iowa, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the non-profit Greater Greater Washington.

Driven by her dedication to civil rights and combating systemic racial inequalities, Natalia aspires to become a trial attorney, advocating for marginalized and underrepresented communities. In her free time, Natalia enjoys traveling, volunteering, and spending quality time with friends.

Katherine Sleichter is the Partnerships and Operations Manager at American Policy Ventures (APV), a nonprofit that aims to de-risk the work of cross-partisan policymaking and collaboration for our nation’s leaders — enabling them to reduce polarization, get things done, and address the critical issues of our time. Her time in the Senate as an intern, coupled with her bipartisan background and passion for building bridges, led her to APV. Katherine has experience working in and with a variety of nonprofits in donor engagement, fundraising, and development capacities. Additionally, she started a new professional development program at her university to connect and provide opportunities to underserved students. Her experiences in nonprofit fundraising and program coordination have honed her ability to strategically and innovatively utilize resources to accomplish a purpose. Katherine is a fifth-generation Kansan and graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s in Political Science and Global Food Systems Leadership.

Irene hails from Connecticut, where she worked as an undergraduate to support local survivors of armed conflict and develop international infrastructure to predict, prevent, stop, and punish severe violations of human rights within a global context. In addition to her involvement with the U.S. Department of State and Genocide Watch, Irene served as the founding director of the Student Coalition for Refugees, the founding President of UConn’s Human Rights Symposium, the Speaker of the UConn Storrs Undergraduate Student Government, and as a Co-Founder of UConn’s Middle Eastern Cultural Programs. Last summer, Irene interned with the Pentagon’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, where she worked closely with Congressional committees to further critical national security objectives. She was then selected to support the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the sole intern for both the Nonproliferation and Arms Sales division and the Communications team. Irene now serves as the youngest member of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy's staff, where she works in strategic communications as the Senator's Deputy Press Secretary.

Kaitlyn Vana is a recent graduate from Baylor University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Slavic and East European Studies. She commissioned from Detachment 810 and also completed the Baylor Honors Program. Her time at Baylor was characterized by an interest in international relations with a focus on Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. She is a Project GO recipient for Russian and Critical Language Scholar for Azerbaijani and hopes to continue to work in international relations policy and enforcement as an Air Force officer. Her undergraduate career was also characterized by research and work in women’s issues in the military, specifically as it relates to childcare and pregnancy policy. She has completed summer internships with the Keston Center for Religion, Politics, and Society, an archive and library established by the UK-based Keston Institute, as well as with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation this most recent summer. She is currently serving as an Air Force 2nd Lt and attending graduate school at Georgetown University for a Master of Science degree in Data Science for Public Policy. Following graduate school, she will attend the Air Force’s Undergraduate Helicopter Training at Fort Novosel. 

Sydney is a 2022 Truman Scholar from South Dakota who joined the Truman Foundation as a Resident Scholar in December 2023. Before this, she worked as a Nonprofit Programs Intern at Spur Local, where she supported small to medium-sized nonprofits in the DMV area to enhance their capabilities and connect with the DC community.

Sydney graduated egregia cum laude from the College of Saint Benedict in May of 2023 where she studied Political Science and Economics. As a Bonner Leader at CSB, she spent four years working with TRIO Upward Bound, a tutoring and mentorship program for low-income and first-generation high school students on a path toward higher education. While a student, Sydney completed a summer internship with the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., as a Fleischhacker Fellow for Ethical Leadership. She is an inducted member of Phi Beta Kappa, OIKOS Economic Honor Society, and Pi Sigma Alpha. In her free time, Sydney enjoys exploring DC’s farmer’s markets, baking, listening to Taylor Swift, and reading.  

Corbin Walls is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Public Administration & Policy at American University. Corbin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public & Nonprofit Administration and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Born and raised in small-town Oklahoma, Corbin has seen the importance of civil society firsthand. Accordingly, Corbin hopes to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of public service provision through knowledge creation in public management. He is specifically interested in exploring questions about nonprofit management, philanthropy, social equity, and public finance. Following the completion of his doctoral program, Corbin plans to support public and nonprofit organizations in a research-oriented role either in the academy or at a foundation. Corbin also engages in fundraising, program evaluation, and strategic planning consulting for nonprofit organizations. Most importantly, Corbin loves to cook, bake, and conduct visits with his Therapy Dog, Rosie. 

Jonathan works at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Budget. Originally hailing from Concord, New Hampshire, he concluded a three-year term on the Concord School Board (NH) at the end of 2023, where he chaired the City and Community Relations Committee. Throughout his time on the board, he increased school board member presence and engagement in the community, testified to the state legislature on behalf of the board, and promoted youth civic engagement as its youngest member. Concurrently, Jonathan completed his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. In 2021, he was nominated and selected as the 2021 Civic Leader of the Year, an annual award distributed by Stay Work Play NH and New Hampshire Public Radio. Jonathan is an avid soccer fan and can be found playing at one of the many fields in the DC area throughout the week.

Aubrey Wieberg graduated from the University of Dallas in May 2024 with a degree in Political Philosophy, German, and International Studies. As a student, she created the Dallas Refugee Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit to bridge gaps of support in Texas for refugees. Now, she serves on the board of directors for the organization. In her professional life, she works on refugee resettlement on an international scale with the U.S. Department of State. As a program analyst in Refugee Admissions, she works on both overseas and domestic issues to increase capacity for refugee resettlement.

In her spare time, she can be found trying new hobbies like soccer, yoga, Pilates, or baking!