Current Fellows

Razaan Abnowf

2024-2025 Fellow with African Leadership Academy, South Africa

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Class of 2023

she/her/hers

Razaan, a Sudanese-American born and raise in North Carolina, is a 2023 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received a Bachelor of Science in Economics, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and a minor in Arabic Studies. Throughout her academic career, she has been exposed to a variety of interdisciplinary fields and techniques including econometrics, development theory, and health economics. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a teaching assistant for Principles of Macroeconomics and International Politics, as well as a co-author to an academic manuscript on the features and functionality of vaccination apps. Razaan received two university scholarships to study abroad in Meknes, Morocco. During her semester in Morocco, Razaan took courses in Advanced Modern Standard Arabic and the political landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Following her semester abroad, Razaan began an internship at RTI International, a nonprofit research firm with a mission to improve the human condition. Razaan was an intern within RTI’s Center for Applied Economics and Strategy (CAES) and provided research support to a variety of projects for national, international, nonprofit, and federal clients. Following her graduation, Razaan began working as an Economist in RTI’s CAES department, where she was a member of the Innovation Economics and Science Policy team. In this role, she utilized a variety of economic analysis methods to lead and support projects on topics ranging from global health to environmental restoration and preservation. Guided by the power of the people, Razaan aims to center the history and lived experiences of people in her work at the African Leadership Academy and beyond.

Senam Adedze

2024-2025 Fellow with Lwala Community Alliance, Kenya

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Class of 2024

she/her

Senam is a Ghanaian Rwandan American who is passionate about sustainable development. The inextricable link between public health, climate change, and human rights has guided her academic and career pursuits. Senam brings a global perspective shaped by her culture, commitment to social justice, and community leadership. She aims to use data science to advance health equity and sustainable development.

Amma-Sika Adomako

2024-2025 Fellow with Warc Africa, Ghana

Temple University Class of 2019

she/her/hers

Amma-Sika Adomako is a dedicated young professional committed to advancing organizational development and strengthening the human capital of African organizations. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from American University with a concentration in global agricultural and food systems development. As well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and certificate in Economics from Temple University. At Temple University, Amma-Sika received the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to study political science at Sciences Po Lyon. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal from 2019 to 2020 as a Business Advisor offering business training to individuals and organizations within the agriculture industry. Amma-Sika’s transformative time in the Peace Corps allowed her aspirations to become clear. After completing the fellowship, Amma-Sika intends to come back to the Continent to initiate a social agribusiness venture. This enterprise will concentrate on revolutionizing supply value chains for cosmetic products derived from indigenous African produce, employing education, technology, and sustainable practices. Outside of school and work, Amma-Sika enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She also enjoys the outdoors, food, and films.

Noor Badri

2024-2025 Fellow with Botswana Baylor (formerly BIPAI Botswana), Botswana

University of California, San Diego Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Noor Badri is a recent graduate from the University of California, San Diego. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Global Health with a minor in Human Rights and Migration. Originating from Sudan, Noor’s dual Sudanese-American heritage has enriched her with a profound cultural insight into both the global North and South. At UC San Diego, Noor held various leadership positions in many organizations including the Student Promoted Access Center for Education & Service, the Muslim Student Association, the Sudanese Student Association, and served as an ambassador for the University of California Global Health Institute. Noor’s professional journey includes serving remotely as a public health intern at Training, Research, Education for Driving Safety at UC San Diego School of Medicine, significantly contributing to driving safety initiatives as well as working as a lab intern at UCSD’s Displacement and Health Research Lab studying the Arab-refugee population in San Diego. She was also involved with the local refugee youth community in San Diego vis-a-vis the Majdal Center mentorship which she founded and directed. Noor aspires to work for organizations dedicated to health equity that view health as a human right. In her own life, Noor is very outspoken about global socio-political issues, often attending protests. She is deeply interested in working with under-served and marginalized communities in the global south that experience the repercussions of colonialism, climate change, and displacement. Following the Princeton in Africa fellowship, Noor plans to attend graduate school and receive a Master’s in Public Health before formally entering the workforce.

Claire Baney

2024-2025 Fellow with Pangea Global Ventures, Ghana

Purdue University Class of 2022

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Claire Baney has consistently committed her work to environmental sustainability and community impact. She graduated from Purdue University in 2022 with degrees in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Communication, ultimately developing specialties in sustainable food systems, community development, and environmental policy. Through her tenure as Indiana FFA State President and two-time National FFA Officer Candidate, she worked with local farmers, agricultural policy, and industry-leading agriculture companies. Later, Claire supported the state of Indiana’s agbioscience venture and startup ecosystem through talent development pipeline building and partnerships with global agtech accelerators. She channeled her experiences into building a regenerative farm and pursuing socioeconomic research on sustainable food systems and food access – a project awarded by Purdue University’s top 4 internationally ranked agricultural economics department. Most recently, Claire managed operations and partnerships for a tech startup bringing digital annotation solutions to highly regulated industries. Claire sees economic development and sustainable food systems as key components of lasting communities. As an Indiana native, she has steadfastly worked in her home state though understands that change in one community is not enough. As a result, Claire has worked on rural development projects in Ireland and intends to continue supporting community-driven growth internationally through bottom-up development, entrepreneurship, and policy. Following Princeton in Africa, Claire plans to pursue graduate school and continue building her career within environmental policy and impact venture capital to fuel climate change resilience solutions, expand food access, and strengthen local economies.

Malikia Cherubala

2024-2025 Fellow with Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners, Côte d’Ivoire

Appalachian State University Class of 2023

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Malikia Cherubala is a 2023 graduate of Appalachian State University where she earned her B.S. in Community and Regional Planning, with a focus on Sustainable Development, and she holds a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Her academic interests are rooted in the fabric of my upbringing. As a Congolese from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kinshasa, Malikia is passionate about redeeming Congo and other African countries to a place where people and the environments they live in are restored and valorized. The absence of foresight and safeguards for both people and the environment and the neglect of urban planning across Africa is this glaring gap that propels her toward the urban planning profession. Malikia’s overarching goal is to reshape perceptions and approaches to development within vulnerable communities while advocating for their sustainable advancement. Launching her professional career, Malikia interned with two local governments in the Transportation Planning sector. Her work involved extensive research and strategic planning to implement multimodal transportation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and across the state of North Carolina. Outstandingly, Malikia was selected as one of two undergraduate students from a class of 40 to serve as a data collector and analyst for a master’s-level project. Her expertise in transforming complex data into actionable insights was evident when she presented her findings at the County’s Housing Forum, communicating complex information effectively. Post graduation, Malikia made significant contributions as the Community Development and Housing Planner at the City of Salisbury. Malikia envisions her future in strategic planning and implementation and is honored to kick this off through her Growth and Insight fellowship with Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners in Côte d’Ivoire. In her free time, Malikia loves to fellowship and connect with people around food, art, love, and vision.

Eugenia Chow

2024-2025 Fellow with Mpala Research Centre & Wildlife Foundation, Kenya

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Eugenia recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar with degrees in public policy and interdisciplinary studies. Originally from Hong Kong, she has adopted a global perspective on addressing social inequities. Throughout her undergraduate experience, her interests in sustainable food systems and global development have led her to research Doughnut Economics in Amsterdam, community currencies in Costa Rica, and rights of nature laws in Ecuador. To culminate these experiences, she developed and taught a 16-week honors seminar course in the spring of her senior year, exploring alternative economic models centered on social and ecological well-being. She was also named a finalist in the Oxford Skoll Centre’s global systems mapping competition, where her team analyzed the root causes of unequal food access in Washington, DC. Through these experiences, she hopes to develop a cross-cultural approach to mitigating climate change while uplifting impoverished communities through redefining social progress. She has written extensively about these topics on her blog, where she shares bite-sized environmental education and has spoken on various global panels on climate justice and youth empowerment, reaching 10,000 people. Beyond academics, she worked as a barista and sustainability associate at UNC’s only student-run nonprofit coffee shop and enjoys playing ultimate frisbee. She recently represented Hong Kong in the Under-24 World Championships and served as the president of UNC’s four-time national championship-winning team.

Beata Corcoran

2024-2025 Fellow with Baylor Malawi, Malawi

Princeton University Class of 2022

She/her/hers

Beata Corcoran recently completed a Labouisse Fellowship assisting particularly vulnerable asylum seekers from Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia, including survivors of torture and human trafficking through the Caritas Cyprus Migrant Center (Nicosia, Cyprus). She is passionate about the delivery of ethical, life-affirming and community-informed health care delivery in low-resourced settings. She has experience in grant assessment and allocation as well as database management, project monitoring and implementation research from internships at USAID’s Center for Innovation and Impact and UNICEF’s Health System’s Strengthening Unit (Washington, DC). Beata was first exposed to community-led, trauma-informed support while working with Philani’s community health workers, who use a mobile clinic to treat malnourished infants and new mothers in Khayelitsha Township (Cape Town, South Africa). Beata has documented the work of numerous NGOs through visual and written storytelling for donor relations, including in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Tofo, Mozambique. Beata Corcoran graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Medical Anthropology, and certificates in Global Health & Health Policy and African Studies. Her academic research focused on structural violence and climate migration. As a student, Beata dedicated herself to humanitarian causes, volunteering with a campus organization aiding survivors of intimate violence and leading workshops on healthy relationships. Growing up in Washington, DC, Beata’s main interest lies in developing creative, effective solutions to bridging linguistic and cultural barriers. She considers herself a lifelong learner, and continually works to understand new communities and contexts. She plans to pursue graduate studies in humanitarian approaches to armed conflict and forced migration, laying the foundation for a career in global health crisis response or migration policy.

Merete Cowles

2024-2025 Fellow with Lwala Community Alliance, Kenya

University of Vermont Class of 2023

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Merete Cowles graduated from the University of Vermont with degrees in Health & Society, Anthropology, and a certificate in Global Health. While at UVM, she was awarded the George Henry Perkins Award and the Outstanding Senior Award for her academic and extracurricular achievements. With a special interest in displacement and crisis response, Merete spent a semester studying refugee health in Amman where she interned at the Institute for Family Health, leading projects on disability rehabilitation and psychosocial support for refugee survivors of gender-based violence and torture. Upon her return, she interned with the Humanitarian Affairs team at CARE where she mobilized resources for numerous successful USAID and private grants ranging from $55k to $5M. After graduating, Merete joined the Refugee Women’s Centre to deliver emergency aid to the displaced populations navigating France’s Northern coast. While providing mobile material, medical, and psychosocial support, she also developed and implemented innovative internal communications strategies to improve staff access to safeguarding, service referral, and capacity-building resources. She continues to use her strategic design and storytelling skills to celebrate the resilience of conflict-affected women and amplify their voices to global audiences while consulting at impactful organizations such as the Batonga Foundation and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders. Driven to create a positive impact while expanding her comfort zone, Merete loves to travel cheap, hike often, make art, and connect with friends both old and new.

Joyce Gitau

2024-2025 Fellow with Megnacio Company Ltd., Tanzania

Moi University Class of 2014

she/her/hers

Joyce is a highly skilled professional with a wealth of experience in business development, strategic leadership, and partnerships within the African market. With over 9 years experience in the Banking, Payments, and the Software industry, she has a proven track record in driving revenue growth and forging strategic partnerships. Her expertise spans market analysis, GTM strategy, client acquisition, and product positioning. In addition to her extensive experience, Joyce has a Msc Degree in Management & Organizational Development from USIU and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Moi University.”

Redeit Hailu

2024-2025 Fellow with Food for Education, Kenya

College of William and Mary Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Redeit Hailu is an Ethiopian-American from Washington, D.C. passionate about Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development. Growing up in Addis Ababa and DC, this fostered her interest in cultural immersion and deepened her passion for International Development. In 2024, she graduated from William & Mary where she earned her B.A. in International Relations and minored in Economics. At W&M through the Freeman Fellowship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, she served as an English teacher and fundraised to support the higher education of ethnically marginalized women from Myanmar. In Thailand, she recognized the necessity of local voices in shaping her framework of ethical International Development. Additionally, she worked as a Research Assistant with Aiddata to track underreported financial flows to assist policymakers at USAID understand the scope of Chinese commercial finance. Redeit’s diverse set of experiences within International Relations, from nonprofit consulting to advocacy, speaks to her multifaceted skill set and adaptability. She has a strong track record of community involvement, having served as the Undersecretary of Sexual Health, English Teaching Assistant in Prague, and a Representative on the Sexual Misconduct Steering Committee. With a multiregional educational background and a diaspora connection to Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, Redeit brings a distinctive perspective to addressing global challenges. With over three years of enriching experience in International nonprofit work, she consistently demonstrates her expertise in youth mentorship, project management, and fundraising. As a confident individual, Redeit remains eager to make a significant impact within International Development.

Sarra Hussien

2024-2025 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Kenya

University of Southern California Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Sarra Hussien graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Psychology from the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in Spring 2024. At USC, she served as the President of Glimpse from the Globe, a foreign affairs publication on campus. She was also the Assistant Director of Advocacy for the Middle Eastern and North African Student Assembly, served on the Executive Board for the East African Student Association, and Director of PBL Programming for the Global Policy Institute, in addition to other leadership positions she held in other student organizations. She was an undergraduate researcher for the Near Crisis Project, where she analyzed the escalation processes of crises in Africa. Sarra also served as an on-call Amharic translator at Al Otro Lado, a local immigration firm. This past summer, she worked for the Africa Office of the Bureau of Refugees and Migration at the Department of State and contributed to the formulation of federal-level refugee policy, gaining more insight on the socio-political history of Africa and how countries like Kenya and Tanzania are addressing the refugee crises. Previously, she spent three months in Amman, Jordan working for the Jordan Health Aid Society, a non-governmental organization that provides health and psychosocial support services in Zaatari Refugee Camp. She also took courses on humanitarian action and refugee crisis response at the School of International Training in Amman, Jordan. Originally from Texas, Sarra enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and learning languages.

Gorata Malose

2024-2025 Fellow with Farming Out of Poverty, Sierra Leone

Columbia University Class of 2022

she/her/hers 

Gorata was born and raised in Botswana, and she graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Her passion lies in leveraging data to maximize the effectiveness of development interventions in African communities. At Columbia, she served as an executive board member of the African Development Group, which aimed to foster diaspora involvement in African growth and development. She organized speaker events to facilitate dialogue on pressing issues facing the continent.

After graduating from Columbia University, Gorata returned to Botswana and started her career as a Project Support Officer for the European Union project to Support Job Creation and Investment Climate (JCIC) at the Botswana Ministry of Trade and Industry. This role was a transformative experience, exposing her to the intricacies of investment policy and public sector management, and introducing her to the field of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

Fueled by her interest in M&E, Gorata transitioned to M&E Research Assistant at Sunshine Cinema, where she gained a deeper appreciation for the role of grassroots movements in effecting change through social and policy advocacy. She further developed her interest in impact measurement by working with the impact lead on outcome harvesting for the organization’s flagship impact case study.

Gorata’s passion for M&E and data-driven initiatives continued through her role as a Research Officer at Youth Impact. Here, she gained exposure to impact evaluations, randomized studies, and interventions improving health and education outcomes. Her responsibilities included conducting field visits, programming surveys in SurveyCTO, and data cleaning and analysis to support monitoring and evaluation of the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program.

Gorata appreciates opportunities for cross-cultural learning and she is excited to join the Princeton in Africa community as a Project Impact Coordinator at Farming Out of Poverty. In her spare time, she enjoys solving jigsaw puzzles and cryptic crosswords.

Isabel Masawi

2024-2025 Fellow with Tanzania Education Corporation, Tanzania

Agnes Scott College Class of 2024

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Isabel Masawi is graduating from Agnes Scott College, in May 2024, with a B.S. in Physics, a B.A. in Mathematics, and a minor in The Foundations of Artificial Intelligence. Isabel was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Before the PiAf fellowship, Isabel also worked with Metis, an organization specializing in training leaders in education, under the ALforEducation apprenticeship. Isabel is passionate about education beyond the classroom, teaching younger children skills like programming, electronics, and robotics and about Africa’s technological and economic development. At Agnes Scott, she competed in intercollegiate soccer and made the list of all academic honors for three years in a row. She is an Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society member and a Tri-Alpha (AAA) National Honor Society member for first-generation college students. In the future, Isabel’s goal is to pursue a graduate degree in engineering and establish a technological and industrial presence in Zimbabwe or Africa, that speaks out for the youth, empowers them, and develops their talents inside and outside the classroom as she believes it is imperative to create a platform that introduces young people to problem-solving skills and engineering for those who would want to pursue the discipline.

Mahilet Mesfin

2024-2025 Fellow with Megnacio Company Ltd., Tanzania

University of Washington Class of 2021

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Mahilet Mesfin graduated from the University of Washington in 2021, completing an honours Bachelor’s in International Economic Development with a minor in Human Rights–and received a Henry Jackson School fellowship for her achievements. Additionally, Mahilet has recently finished her Master’s in Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), finalising a degree in International Social and Public Policy. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she is deeply committed to catalysing and unlocking transformative economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to redefine the continent’s narrative. Whilst studying for her undergraduate degree, Mahilet was elected President of the Black Student’s Union, leading and facilitating discourse on equity programs for its Black student body. Continuing her commitment to empowering the diaspora during her Master’s studies, she was elected as the Co-President of PFAL – Programme for African Leadership at the LSE. Within this capacity, she represented the interests of her fellow African leaders. Whilst also acting as a representative for the prestigious Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa.
Additionally, as a Lead Engagement Officer at the Seattle City Council, Mahilet worked to support her district’s elected Councilmember’s office. Undertaking issues concerning economic development, social mobility, and homelessness. Here, she managed and conducted concise research on the correlative effects of displacement and collected reports on community-backed civil service groups, organising engagement initiatives at the Seattle City Council. Organising engagement events with local stakeholders and community members in South Seattle, Seattle’s most economically diverse neighbourhood. During this, Mahilet contributed to over 20-analytically backed policy briefs.

Alexandra Middleberg

2024-2025 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Somalia (based in Kenya)

Kenyon College Class of 2018

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Alexandra (Alex) Middleberg graduated from Kenyon College in 2018 with a B.A. in International Studies. She also holds an M.A. in International Affairs from the George Washington University’s (GWU) Elliott School of International Affairs, where she focused her studies on transnational security, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding in the Middle East and Africa. For her capstone project, Alex designed an agricultural development program that aimed to facilitate the sustainable and peaceful return of Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan through the expansion of agriculture technical and vocational education and training programs and the country’s agricultural sector. Following her studies, Alex worked on the Central and West Africa team at the National Democratic Institute supporting governance and democracy programs in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. In her free time, Alex loves to travel, cook, spend time with friends and family, and jam to her favorite songs.

Sarah Namagonya

2024-2025 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Kenya

African Bible College Malawi Class of 2015

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Sarah Namagonya is a driven Malawian professional, she has worked as a Diplomatic Affairs Assistant Intern at the Malawi High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya where she supported accreditation to UNEP and UN-Habitat. As the head of the Upsell department at a solar tech company, she demonstrated significant leadership in commercial settings. Further, her passion for humanitarian work is demonstrated in her over three years of experience as a Research Assistant at the United Nations World Food Programme, where she honed her skills in data management and qualitative research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master of Arts in International Relations, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies from the United States International University. Sarah is adept at navigating complex diplomatic environments, facilitating international accreditations, and supporting high-level governance meetings. Committed to community service, she has dedicated six years to volunteering in social services, impacting prisons and hospitals. Sarah’s expertise is further complemented by her strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills, making her a valuable asset in international relations and humanitarian work. Sarah is characterized by her curiosity and a keen interest in expanding her horizon as she works with exceptional individuals to build a better future for generations to come.

Jackie Namala

2024-2025 Fellow with The Rwanda School Project, Rwanda

Princeton University Class of 2024

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Jackie Namala is from The Bronx, New York. She graduated from Princeton University, where she studied Public and International Affairs and Spanish. Having grown up in working class households in Uganda and the US, Jackie has always been curious about how individuals can be empowered to secure better livelihoods for themselves. She is primarily interested in the role education plays in both individual mobility and national development and envisions herself working as an international educational consultant. Her dream is to make quality education accessible to all. As an undergraduate student at Princeton, she joyfully took advantage of the liberal arts education; in her independent work, she focused on Africa, studying the relationships between racial discrimination and adolescent mental health in South Africa (vis-à-vis the US), socio-economic status and sub-Saharan women’s political participation and, for her senior thesis, universal primary education and intergenerational education mobility in Uganda. Furthermore, Jackie virtually volunteered as a K-12 tutor and an outreach associate with Hatch Tutors, an educational non-profit, and worked as a Peer Academic Advisor on campus. She feels very honored and excited to work with the students and educators at Rwamagana Leaders’ School. In her leisure time, Jackie loves to cook, sing and learn new languages. She also has newfound interests in travel and physical exercise, particularly running.

Abigail Nenkai

2024-2025 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Somalia (based in Kenya)

Strathmore University Class of 2022

she/her/ hers 

Abigail graduated with distinction from Strathmore University with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in Finance and Accounting, Abigail then began her career journey as a graduate trainee at a microfinance holding company. Her journey towards impactful change began here, where her passion for development finance grew, leading to her swift transition to the treasury department where she honed skills in financial analysis, reporting, data analysis, and funder management,
Outside her professional pursuits, Abigail remains deeply rooted in her community, as a volunteer finance associate for a foundation focused on women and youth empowerment, she channels her expertise to provide tools and resources for economic growth and wellness. Additionally, Abigail served as an associate teacher at a local primary school, nurturing academic excellence and instilling a sense of empowerment in her students. For Abigail, giving back to her community is not just a duty but a calling, reflecting the values instilled in her as a Maasai girl. She remains steadfast in her mission to leverage her experience and skills for the growth and development of Africa.

Saleef Nyambok

2024-2025 Fellow with International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya

United States International University - Africa Class of 2024

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Saleef is a graduate of the United States International University Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a focus on Broadcast Journalism. He has worked as a copywriter and production assistant at Radio Africa Group. In this multifaceted role, he has crafted persuasive and captivating content used in on-air advertisements, mentions, promotions, and social media campaigns, catering to diverse national audiences in Kenya. Simultaneously, he has played a pivotal role in nurturing and launching podcasts in the space while enhancing the overall quality of on-air content as a voice artist. Saleef has also served as a radio show host and news reporter at USIU Radio. A post he held for two years where he was actively involved in planning and executing social media communication campaigns for professionals across entertainment, financial, technological and educational sectors.He is a dedicated volunteer at the Promise Giving Organization – a local children’s home in his home area. He is also the founder of the Sisi Wanaume podcast which provides a valuable resource for teenagers and young men to openly discuss topics that are often marginalized by society. Through this platform, he aims to break down barriers and encourage candid conversations on issues pertinent to this demographic. His long-term goal is to leverage the power of communication to influence policies related to the development of youth communities in Kenya. After the Princeton in Africa program, he hopes to obtain his master’s in development communications. He enjoys singing, playing the guitar, swimming and watching quality TV shows and films.

Laura Rabago

2024-2025 Fellow with International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya

University of California, Los Angeles Class of 2021

she/her/hers

Laura Rabago graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a dual Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs. As an undergraduate, Laura interned with the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) and an India-based non-profit, Ladli Foundation Trust. After volunteering in Southeast Asia in 2019, she co-founded a student association focused on promoting sustainable development, global awareness, and ethical volunteering. In recognition of her academic and extracurricular achievements, Laura was named the recipient of UCLA’s 2021 International Development Studies Activist Scholar Award. After undergrad, Laura joined Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit that invests in women leaders taking on the world’s greatest challenges. She simultaneously supported the Los Angeles chapter of UN Women USA’s campaign focused on promoting the safety of women in public spaces. Prior to joining the Princeton in Africa 2024-25 Fellowship cohort, Laura provided communications and knowledge management support for USAID’s Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases | East program, led by RTI International. Most notably in this role, she produced and disseminated key communications materials to highlight USAID’s investment and impact on NTD control and elimination, promoted the expansion of Act | East’s scientific stature as the program’s conference coordinator, and developed a training curriculum based on the World Health Organization’s “Microplanning manual to guide implementation of preventive chemotherapy to control and eliminate NTDs”. Laura is excited to join the CGIAR Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Impact Platform team and to be hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi! Following the fellowship, she plans to pursue her Master’s and build a career in international development and nonprofit communications. Born and raised in California, Laura enjoys traveling, volunteering, and baking.

Raquel Ramirez

2024-2025 Fellow with USAP Community School, Zimbabwe

Princeton University Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Raquel Ramirez is a 2024 graduate of Princeton University with a degree in the School of Public and International Affairs and certificates in both Theater and Gender and Sexuality Studies. As a San Diego native with family on both sides of the US/Mexico border, she understood the importance of cross-cultural connection to facilitate understanding, tackle international problems, and grow together. She is passionate about studying that connection through the arts. At Princeton, she worked on a dozen plays and musicals through the Lewis Center for the Arts, centering Latinx voices and stories. In 2022, she led Princeton Summer Theater’s post-covid season as its Executive Director, raising money, directing a team of 40 individuals, and drawing audiences back after two closed seasons. For her senior thesis entitled Drag Dissent, she explores the role drag performance played as a form of performance protest in the past and what space it occupies today. She is also a proud dancer in Más Flow, Princeton’s only Latinx dance group, and an avid recreational tennis player. She is excited to be a Princeton in Africa Fellow this year, teaching Research Methods and Theater at USAP Community School.

Lyla Renwick-Archibold

2024-2025 Fellow with Tanzania Education Corporation, Tanzania

Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Lyla Renwick-Archibold is a recent graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in computer science and brain sciences. Through her experiences studying human rights and technology in Amsterdam and interning at a startup in Cape Town, Lyla developed an interest in the misuse of technology and how they affect society. She has continued to pursue this interest by spearheading a research project at the McKelvey School of Engineering about the toxicity of AI chatbots. She is interested in pursuing a law degree and working on developing global regulation to lead to equitable technology development and usage, and is excited to be a fellow working on STEM education in Tanzania.

Delana Turner

2024-2025 Fellow with Equal Education, South Africa

Sewanee: The University of the South Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Originally from Maryland, Delana graduated cum laude from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, earning a degree in American Studies, a minor in Politics, and a certificate in Civic and Global Leadership. While at Sewanee, she completed over 1,000 service hours as a Bonner Leader, primarily focusing on establishing a trail recognizing the university’s historically Black community through the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation. She also served as a philanthropy intern for the South Cumberland Community Fund, managing a $30,000 grant distribution to local community organizations. Outside of Sewanee, Delana studied abroad in Ghana, exploring globalization and the legacies of enslavement. Later, she earned a Biehl International Research Fellowship to return to Ghana for an independent research project in Nima, Accra. Additionally, she led outreach trips to Selma, Alabama, collaborating with university students to engage with civil rights foot soldiers and community organizers. Following the Princeton in Africa Fellowship, Delana plans to pursue a master’s degree for a career in foreign service. She enjoys rollerskating, bowling, and watching investigative documentaries.