Fellows

Fayyaz Yaseen is a development practitioner with four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He earned his Master’s degree in Economics and completed several professional courses on monitoring and evaluation, learning and accountability, qualitative and quantitative research methods, report and project proposal writing, and project cycle management. In 2012, the IDRC-SDPI awarded Fayyaz a fellowship in governance, security and justice for his M.Phil. in International Development Studies. Throughout his career, he has gained diverse experience by working in remote areas of Pakistan in different fields such as education, health, voice and accountability, women’s participation in political process, violence against women, child labor, and conflict resolution. In September 2012, in Islamabad, Pakistan he was one of the coordinators of the South Asia Economic Summit organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Fayyaz continued his work on the promotion of good governance in Pakistan with the help of civil society initiatives by establishing nationwide networks of CSOs known as Pakistan Social Accountability Networks (PSAN) to over 125 organizations. These diverse experiences in education, health, women’s participation in political processes, violence against women, child labor and conflict resolution provided him with various skills and competencies; such as project design and management, research tools design, donor liaison and reporting, resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation and financial management. His hobbies include reading political analyses and reviews and traveling.

Host Organization : The Atlantic Council

Role at Host Organization: Fayyaz will serve as a Research Associate, and will conduct on-the-ground research for an issue brief on U.S.-Pakistan relations in terms of security, public policy, and economic development.

Hae Soo Park has three years of experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Kyung Hee University in Republic of Korea. Currently, Hae Soo is interning for Good Neighbors International, a Korean nonprofit humanitarian organization focused on child education, community development, health, sanitation, and disaster relief projects. She is researching case studies of global campaigns and international governance, as well as updating current international issues and trends. Prior to her internship, Hae Soo was a Research Assistant at a private financial company in Korea, Woori Investment and Securities, for almost two years. She joined the firm in 2011 and assisted the equity research analyst in researching market trends, industry trends, and company updates. In 2009, she completed an internship for nine months at The Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). Her work mostly dealt with assisting the executive coordinator with updating membership database and information. She was also responsible for covering meetings on behalf of CoNGO at the United Nations. Finally, she assisted the staff of New York in organizing the logistics for CoNGO-sponsored meetings and receptions, including CoNGO Board Meetings as well as the Civil Society Development Forum. Through her experiences, Hae Soo has not only learned research skills, but she has also learned how to work proficiently in a fast paced environment. Hae Soo enjoys and feels passionately towards topics related to children’s empowerment, education, and rights advocacy.

Host Organization : InterAction

Role at Host Organization: Hae Soo will provide support to InterAction’s Standards related work, as well as support the planning and execution of the 2014 InterAction Annual Forum.

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.

Jennifer has over six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on policy-centered research. Jennifer holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan, a degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, and a degree in Public Policy from the Central European University in Budapest. She also holds a certificate in Health Law and Policy from the University of Latvia. Her professional interests include governance, energy, urbanization and environment. Jennifer was a member of the team that authored the Citizens’ Guide on Fossil Fuel Energy Subsidies in Nigeria. Jennifer conducted the evaluation of the 2009-2010 AGDC/International Youth Foundation Samsung Real Dreams in Nigeria. In the spring of 2013, she had the privilege of teaching seminar classes on Informal Politics in Africa at the University of Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic. Recently, she participated in the development of a database of data visualization tools for think tanks in Central Europe for the Open Society Institute Think-Tank Fund Office in Budapest. She also worked with a team to produce an advocacy document based on a study of housing policies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the Habitat for Humanity CEE Regional Office. Through these experiences, Jennifer has developed skills in research, monitoring and evaluation and promotion of research uptake. Jennifer enjoys working in new environments, the performing arts, and writing.

Host Organization : Urban Institute

Role at Host Organization: Jennifer will join the research staff of the center and work as a part of a team implementing a series of research and advisory projects addressing issues of service delivery, municipal finance and governance and the enhancement of policymaker understanding of these issues.

Karam has two years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She double majored in Business Administration and Mass Communications, with a minor in English Literature, at Yonsei University in Korea. With her previous experiences at a social enterprise and in private equity, Karam has recently been concentrating on impact investment at the Happiness Foundation. She reviewed business proposals that were submitted by social enterprises which needed funding to scale up, evaluated their financial and social value, and structured investment instruments. Previously, she worked as a CFO at Delight, a social enterprise which manufactures and retails hearing aids. She negotiated investment terms and conditions with potential impact investors, developed annual cash flow forecasts, and obtained B Corp certification. As an analyst in a private equity investment team with Hana Daetoo Investment Bank, she reviewed investment opportunities, forecasted corporate values and monitored portfolio companies. Through these experiences, she developed financial management and evaluation skills. Karam enjoys focusing on the topics of novel financial investment structures in the social economy sector and has a strong passion for empowering the disabled, women, and youth.

Host Organization : Agora Partnerships

Role at Host Organization: Karam will work to strengthen Agora’s Investor and Mentor Networks in support of the Accelerator Program. She will plan and execute IIA, Agora’s largest event of the year and culmination of the Accelerator ’14. She will also support key initiatives in strengthening Agora’s brand in the US and internationally.

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.

Mahmoud Bader is a lawyer and legal reform activist in Libya. Mahmoud is currently completing his Master’s degree in International Law from Cairo University. He finished his Bachelor of Law from Tripoli University in Libya, focusing on International Law. Mahmoud’s main emphasis is on rule of law, human rights, and access to justice issues. He is working in Libya with local and international organizations to build a more tolerant society, incorporating the ideas and political participation of the country’s youth while building concrete foundations of rule of law in Libya. Prior to Atlas Corps, Mahmoud was working as the American Bar Association Rule of Law Project Manager. Mahmoud is the co-founder of the Libyan civil society organization established in 2011, H2O, which supports the transition to democracy and empowers youth participation. The organization was named “H2O” as an indication of their commitment to the values of transparency. While at H2O, Mahmoud managed a large project called Eye on the General National Congress, in which he monitored parliamentary performance and then provided the public with practical information about their elected body. He did this in order to help Libyan citizens regain trust in civil society and to close the gap between voters and GNC representatives. Throughout his career, he gained vast experience in legal consultancies, researches, and project management. He is very passionate about the field of youth development, civic education and participation, and human rights.

Host Organization : Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED)

Role at Host Organization: Mahmoud will aid POMED in expanding and refining its Libya-focused programming. Mahmoud’s activities at POMED will be housed within two different programs: advocacy and research where he will be working on many different projects.

Maiwen Dot Pheot has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Maiwen earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from the University of Juba in South Sudan, and is currently pursuing Postgraduate Studies in Public International Law at the University of London through distance education, focusing mainly on refugee and human rights law. While working as a Protection Associate for the UNHCR office in Abyei, South Sudan, Maiwen carried out assessments among returnees and displaced persons and initiated a case management strategy that helped hundreds of vulnerable women and elderly to access humanitarian assistance. As part of this case management strategy, he coordinated with many partners in different humanitarian sectors including health, non-food items, livelihood and protection clusters to advocate and follow up on the case of those vulnerable persons and to ensure that they have timely and unhindered access to their needs. Maiwen attended several professional trainings on protection, international humanitarian law, refugee law, human rights law, and community services. In addition, he completed a six-month UNHCR protection program called the Protection Learning Program (PLP), which aims at improving the capacity of UNHCR’s protection staff to understand the overall legal and humanitarian context of refugees and internally displaced persons. Before joining UNHCR, Maiwen worked for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) as a translator in Abyei, South Sudan. He helped his office by providing oral and written translation, including interpretation in official meetings with local authorities and community leaders. Through this experience, Maiwen initiated good relations with local community leaders and authorities in the area.

Host Organization : The Enough Project

Role at Host Organization: Maiwen will serve as a South Sudan Research Associate at the Enough Project, where he will contribute to the policy team’s research and writing on South Sudan. While at Enough, Maiwen will write short op-eds and add to components of longer reports, conduct ongoing research on situation in South Sudan, with a focus on Abyei and Jonglei, make introductions and facilitate meetings with contacts in the field, and make contributions to the analytic work of the Satellite Sentinel Project.