Scholars

Abubakar Kagermanov has six years of experience in the nonprofit sector and two years of work in university. Abubakar graduated from Grozny State Oil Technical University in Russia. During his second year of studies, he realized his goal of working to solve social problems in the local community. He couldn’t leave the university, as his parents were paying tuition fees and they had their own expectations. But it didn’t stop him from volunteering at local NGOs and creating his own social projects focused around conflict management, peacebuilding, communication, and human rights. After graduating from university, he started to work as an Assistant Director of the local NGO “Youth the Future.” In 2017 Abubakar received a scholarship for his Master of Arts on Theory and Technology of Social Work at Chechen State University.To this day, he is continuing his research on the topic: Socialization of Children with Disabilities in the Chechen Republic. He also created a project on socialization of children with disabilities and is still engaged in the project as a volunteer. For the last five years, the project helped more than 220 children and involved more than 150 volunteers. Since 2013, Abubakar participated in different long term programs and has won grants to support his local activities and projects. For the last two years, he has worked at the Chechen State University. Thanks to this job, he was able to attract young people’s attention to certain social problems, create new workshops, and facilitate sessions for the students to improve their soft skills and find creative solutions for complex social issues.

Alexandra Bakiewicz has years of experience in communications and engagement, and she has earned her degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York, Polytechnic Institute. In 2018, Alexandra founded the digital communications firm AM Bakiewicz Consulting. Having been employed at a variety of companies and international non-profits across the United States, Alexandra has worked tirelessly to amplify her clients’ voices in the digital world. While working at international non-profits, she has developed digital media strategies to further her clients’ missions on an international level. Alexandra strives to uplift the voices of emerging social sector leaders worldwide. It is her personal passion and mission to make sure their stories are continuously told.

Alice Aluoch is a Senior Associate for Grassroots Expansion at RESULTS. She is responsible for starting new RESULTS advocacy chapters and developing partnerships with like-minded organizations interested in learning about global health issues including child survival, child nutrition, diseases of poverty, and learning advocacy skills. She also leads RESULTS efforts to reach more diverse underrepresented communities in the RESULTS movement, with a particular focus on African Diaspora with direct experience related to RESULTS global campaigns. She has over seven years of experience in health advocacy, social justice, and economic empowerment on women and girls, as well as significant experience in grassroots organizing, advocating with members of congress, and community engagement. Alice has firsthand experience in living and working in developing countries. Previously, she worked as a network engineer in Kenya leading technology firms and — after personally experiencing the inequality and vulnerability that young women living in poverty in Kenya face — Alice founded Mfariji Africa, an initiative focused on ensuring girls and young women to complete their education. In 2014, she served as a Global Youth Ambassador for A World at School, a global movement of young leaders working to get every child in school. In 2015, she was awarded the Social Entrepreneur Award of the year by Start Up Africa for her commitment to empowering young girls. She is also a recipient of a three-year fellowship from the Vital Voices which offers training and mentorship to women who are pioneering change for women and girls in communities and countries across the globe. She joined RESULTS in 2014 and started the RESULTS Delaware chapter where she was a group leader for 3 years before transitioning to full time staff.

Anna Goltermann has two years of experience in the non-profit, government, and legal sectors. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University. Currently, Anna works for the Center for International Private Enterprise as a Program Associate for Europe and Eurasia. Anna’s work focuses on facilitating cohesion in a rapidly growing department, supporting projects in Europe and Eurasia that promote healthy economic environments, and assisting the Regional Director with a wide-range of programmatic responsibilities on a global scale. Anna’s interests involve promoting women’s economic empowerment, advancing human rights and civil liberties in Europe and Eurasia, and conducting research on regional political trends. Prior to her experience at CIPE, Anna received a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship to study in an intensive language immersion program in Moscow, Russia where she gained proficiency in Russian and participated in cross-cultural exchanges with Russian university students. During her time at George Washington University, Anna interned at Capitol Hill with Congress-member Karen Bass and worked for the Institute of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies. With these experiences, Anna cultivated a strong skill set in research, project management, and interpersonal communication.

Bayu Ramadhan Putra has years of experience in both the private sector and government, which all of which are related to finance, economics, and education. After graduating, Bayu gained experience in marketing and sales at Prime Blue International, LLC then Corporate Banking at KEB Hana Bank, specializing in analysis and feasibility on Indonesian corporate accounts. With the knowledge and experience, he decided to serve in the government where he is currently posted at the Ministry of Trade of The Republic of Indonesia. Bayu’s previous proved to be influential in government work, utilizing it in helping to formulate regulations, increase Indonesia’s trade balance, enhance international trade cooperation, maintain stability in the domestic market especially on basic goods, and elevate local small to medium enterprises to be financially feasible and export worthy. For over the last two years, Bayu has seen first-hand the importance of how information on trade regulation and the economy is evenly spread in the country, also how education plays a huge part in shaping the economy. From previously working with multi-national companies to serving in the interests of the economy of all classes, it was obvious that the level of education and access to information influenced people’s ethics, determination, and mindset. This experience, together with organizational and social activities throughout high school and university, developed Bayu’s passion for fair trade, education, and the development of society, determined to continue working and studying in order to best serve the economy.

Benjamin Shako has over three years of experience in the social change sector and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While working as the Communications Chair for the Union for Democracy and Social Progress/Youth League in Congo, Benjamin helped establish and maintain the strategic direction of the organization, develop communication plans and messages for various youth league activities, and raise awareness about the league platform as a networking hub for youths. Benjamin is also a Thought For Food (TFF) Ambassador, where he raises the reputation of the food and agriculture industry to create a sustainable food system nationally and globally. Previously, Benjamin worked with a community-based organization, where he conducted an awareness campaign on Ebola prevention and ending child marriage in Congo. Benjamin has volunteered for several nonprofits, including the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa, the Center to Support Marginalized and Exploited Youth, International Youth Fellowship, and AIESEC in support of Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13, and 16. Through these experiences, he developed strong communication, planning, volunteer management, and advocacy skills. Benjamin deeply values empathy, team work, and global collaboration. In the future, Benjamin plans to serve in an elected position to effectively promote solutions to address the social issues facing his country. He enjoys focusing on the topics of leadership, marketing, governance, and agriculture, and has a strong passion for youth and community development.

Chaima Chaouachi started her own social enterprise, Tela.tn, during the pandemic with one objective: Economic relief for the vulnerable professionals affected by the global pandemic COVID-19. Chaima graduated from the prestigious Tunis Business School, Tunisia with a Professional Master’s degree in Management of Non-Governmental Organizations and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics and Marketing. Chaima held several positions as Project Manager and Communication Manager in both the non-profit and the private sector on a multinational level, where she succeeded to form new partnerships and long-lasting relationships with various local and international stakeholders. Chaima believes in the power of social and economic gender equality, that is why one of her life’s missions, is to create empowerment opportunities for Tunisian women and young people. Chaima aspires to be one of the Tunisian leaders who create change in the world.

Channell Mellish is an impact-driven public affairs professional with an unwavering commitment to fostering positive social change. With more than a decade of experience working in the government, nonprofit, legal, and civil society sectors, she found that her skills are best utilized at the intersection of policy and effective public engagement. Channell specializes in amplifying issues that affect women and marginalized communities. Channell served as the first citywide Director of Public Affairs for the Office of the New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams; liaised with the international diplomatic corps, federal and state representatives, and municipal agencies. She managed all aspects of external affairs including constituency communications, digital marketing, intergovernmental relations, and public-private sector partnerships. She previously worked for the Office of the Mayor for New York City Bill de Blasio, the First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, and various nonprofit organizations. As a Jamaican immigrant who deeply believes in community empowerment, Channell volunteers with the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies. She is the Co-founder of Talkin’ Back, an organization focused on addressing domestic violence through advocacy. Channell also serves as the Chief Young Ambassador for the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute and is the Partnerships Director for ColorComm New York. In her spare time, Channell enjoys exploring new cultures and reading autobiographies.