Fellows

Iryna has six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s of Art in Sociology from the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. As a Research Associate at the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER), a think tank in Kyiv, Ukraine, she applied her expertise in sociology, economics, and project management. She coordinated research projects which focused on the analysis of business climate in Ukraine. Previously, Iryna worked for Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (UDAR), a liberal democratic Ukrainian political party that pursues economic and institutional reforms in Ukraine. There, she gave recommendations for the party’s policy based on electoral research and monitored current events. She also prepared statements and talking points for the party representatives. Outside of work, Iryna founded an informational website for students and youth which highlights events and opportunities in the field of civil society. Throughout her career in think tanks and politics, she has developed research, statistical analysis, and strategic planning skills. She has gained experience in analysis of economic and institutional reforms, benchmark indexes, and giving public policy recommendations aimed at improvement of institutional conditions for business. Her research interests include business climate and civil society development.

Host Organization : Heritage Foundation

Role at Host Organization: Iryna will preform independent research into all aspects of economic freedom and development, with a particular focus on Europe and Central Asia, and assist in the online, print and media packaging and presentation of the research, along with other research by The Heritage Foundation, for audiences in the United States and overseas. Iryna will contribute to research and drafting for the Index of Economic Freedom, and assist with outreach efforts.

Julie has six years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned
her M.A in Business Administration at Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. She is in process of obtaining her Ph.D. in Sociology. In 2008, Julie
started the Work and Family Institute, a social enterprise that provides better information on how to balance work and family life. She provided consultations on how to have a more flexible work environment, as well as educational programs to enhance the quality of life for working parents. In 2010, Julie founded a
nonprofit organization on her own, the Korea Work and Family Foundation. She successfully persuaded investors to help fund her foundation. She has worked on numerous projects with government officials and corporate sectors for a better working environment for working parents, and received an outstanding recognition award from The Ministry of Gender Equality Family and The Ministry of Health & Welfare. She was involved in many policy making processes, including workers’ rights, childcare, and flexible working time for working parents, with government officials. She advocated using press, news and media via off and online channels. Through these experiences, Julie developed project
coordination and government relations skills. Julie enjoys focusing
on the topics of Corporate Social Responsibility and Women’s issues,
and has a strong passion for Social Entrepreneurship.

Host Organization: Net Impact

Role at Host Organization: Julie will play a key role in Net Impact’s success by supporting projects that present skill building opportunities for students created in partnership with corporations and organizations such as Banana Republic, Walmart, and the National Park Service.

Karuna holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights from the Indian Institute of Human Rights. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi in India, and a Graduate degree in Information Technology from the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), in India. She has extensive experience working with communities and the government sector, as well as six years of experience in the non-profit sector. Karuna has engaged in volunteer work with prominent nonprofits such as Prayas, Project WHY and Rotaract in India. Initially, Karuna enjoyed a brief exposure in the corporate sector with IBM and Adecco India. In her most recent role, Karuna worked as a Program Officer with Multiple Action Research Group (MARG). Her experience includes project management and implementation in the areas of empowerment, gender & governance, media and policy advocacy, youth development and capacity building on projects supported by UNICEF, UNDP and Oxfam India. She has closely worked with the media, advocacy groups, and the Delhi Task Force to combat trafficking and to mobilize support and create awareness of child labor. Prior to MARG, Karuna worked with the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), one of India’s leading non-profits, contributing to multi-donor projects in order to combat human trafficking. As a part of the Delhi Task Force on Child Labor, she led teams in rescuing more than 300 victims of human trafficking from Jharkhand, Orissa, Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, Bangladesh & Nepal. Karuna is passionate and committed to the cause of working towards bettering lives of marginalized women and children.

Host Organization : CARE International

Role at Host Organization: Karuna will be engaged in supporting research and analysis around implementation of donor and government policies addressing early forced marriage in Bangladesh and Nepal and will contribute to the development of an advocacy strategy to influence key stakeholders at global and national level. Karuna will also be engaged in supporting the Tipping Point team in strategic planning and project implementation including activities aimed at capacity building, communications and knowledge management.

Kate Kiama is passionate about the law and in addressing social injustices that affect women and adolescent girls globally. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London and is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Kate undertook her articles at Tripleoklaw Advocates LLP. She currently works at Akili Dada which is an international, award-winning leadership incubator cultivating transformative leadership in a generation of young African women from underserved backgrounds who are passionate about social change. She works as the Director of Programs at the organization. Kate currently serves as the Coordinating Ambassador to the One Young World as well as a Board Member of the Multiregion of the United Religions Initiative.

Host Organization: Nike Foundation

Role at Host Organization: Kate helped the Nike Foundation use her Investment Fund intelligently to take the Girl Effect to scale. Kate managed a portfolio of grant relationships that delivered and maximized return on investment, captured and distilled learning, and inspired large-scale initiatives for girls living in poverty globally.

Munyaradzi has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector and holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies with the University of the Free State in South Africa. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe in 2007. Currently, Munyaradzi conducts and coordinates research that informs the efforts of the organization towards improved welfare for women, children and families. While working as a Special Programs Coordinator for World Education under the USAID funded OVC Program in Zimbabwe, Munyaradzi helped improve the lives of children with disabilities. He also set up coalitions for advocacy around issues affecting children with disabilities and participated in the development of new models for service delivery. Before joining World Education, Munyaradzi served Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Zimbabwe as a Program Officer and later as a Program Coordinator and Team Leader. While holding these positions, Munyaradzi facilitated service provision for children, women and youth and provided training and support to community leaders and stakeholders on governance, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, education, nutrition, child rights, and advocacy. Munyaradzi has volunteered as a Field Officer for ADRA Zimbabwe, providing psychosocial support to vulnerable children, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. He also volunteered as an Administrator for Tukondo Children Trust and helped set up the organization. Through these experiences and education, Munyaradzi has developed strong training, project management, monitoring and evaluation and research skills. Munyaradzi enjoys designing and conducting research to add value to the work of organizations and is passionate about children’s rights, youth empowerment and the well-being of families. He believes in amplifying the voices of various rights holders and holding the government and other duty bearers accountable.

Host Organization : Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota

Role at Host Organization: Munya will provide leadership in working with the services for people with disabilities and the services for older adult teams as it relates to specific projects, service delivery systems, research and evaluation to enhance the service delivery systems of the organization. Munya will be working closely with executive leadership and their teams in a statewide delivery system structure.

Patricia has ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in International Studies at the University of Nairobi. Patricia presently works as the Programs and Communications Officer for the Social Protection Actors Forum, a coalition of Non-State Actors committed to support social protection in Kenya through the promotion of citizen’s engagement in the development, implementation and evaluation of social protection interventions. She is responsible for the delivery of public engagement and communications needs of the organization. Previously, Patricia worked with Grassroots Alliance for Community Education, an international nonprofit organization building the capacity of grassroots community based organizations to implement self-determined high impact and sustainable initiatives for better health and development. She worked directly with diverse grassroots organizations in implementing PEPFAR funded HIV/AID programs, sustainable income generation activities, and promotion of early childhood development education. Patricia is a self-motivated individual with a ‘can do’ approach and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge and skills that allow people to make informed choices.

Host Organization: Global Press Institute

Role at Host Organization: Patricia will lead Global Press Institute’s regional operations in East Africa. Jennifer will work with GPI reporters and editors across 4 countries in East Africa to train, story coach, fact check and copy edit feature news stories for publication on the Global Press Journal. Jennifer will be responsible for managing workflow, assigning deadlines, providing educational feedback on all stories and tracking reporter development.

Paul has five years of experience in the charitable organization and nonprofit sector, and has earned a Bachelor’s of Education, Diploma in Education, and Certificate in Teacher Education from both the University of Nkumba as well as the Kyambogo University in Uganda. Paul worked as a Project Manager with Good Neighbors International South Sudan, in implementing Community Development Program and in collaboration with the local authorities. As a Project Officer with War Child Holland, Paul also implemented a Connecting Teaching project under DUTCH & UNICEF. Paul trained government officials to build their capacity on education management and planning, particularly with computer usage to develop wide research skills in teaching profession. Paul has executed his expertise in teacher training, HIV/AIDs Awareness, entrepreneurship skills, life skills/lifesaving messages, and capacity building. Paul led the implementation of small business management and vocational skills training among youth through planning, coordination, and implementation. Through these experiences, Paul developed strong project coordination, implementation and monitoring skills. Paul enjoys focusing on the topics of Peace education, human rights, children’s rights, gender sensitivity, conflict resolution and management, and has a strong passion for youth and women empowerment, specifically children who are termed as wealth earners in society.

Host Organization : Meridian International Center

Role at Host Organization: Paul will be supporting The Pan African Youth Leadership Exchange Program (PAYLEP) and The Business and Entrepreneurship Exchange Program (BEEP). Paul will help develop concepts for emerging leader programs for professionals, entrepreneurs and, youth, research and develop innovative U.S.-based and in-country short term educational programs, write proposals and explore funding options and further develop programming opportunities for countries of interest such as Pakistan.

Rehema is currently a public policy advocate and social change trainer with global-level expertise and experience leading and supporting policy advocacy and communication efforts on a wide range of issues that include; women’s rights, youth leadership and empowerment, and social justice and accountability in different parts of the world. She has worked in various capacities with organizations such as Women Deliver, White Ribbon Alliance, World Learning, and – most recently -Oxfam America at the international level.

Rehema is the Founder of Re!gnite Africa, youth-led and youth-focused nonprofit that has directly worked with over 200 young leaders in Uganda and beyond to enable them to achieve their career development, leadership, and advocacy potential. She has an MA in Sustainable Development from SIT Graduate Institute and a Bachelor in Mass Communication from Makerere University.

During her time as an Atlas Corps Fellow, Rehema served as a Communications Associate with Women Deliver in New York City and supported the organization with online communications and social media management.

Host Organization: Women Deliver