Convening, Program Design, and National Security Policy
I am currently an Associate Manager at Meridian International Center, a nonpartisan organization that strengthens diplomacy by connecting U.S. and global leaders across sectors. In this role, I lead Meridian signature programs, collaborate across teams, and build strategic partnerships that extend the organization's reach.
Previously, I spent more than seven years at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in the Program on Violence and Extremism, where I ran State/CT programming and built multilateral relationships with the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and their member states. Much of that work supported partner governments in strengthening the internal mechanisms required to manage the return of families of former terrorist fighters, delivered through workshops, tabletop exercises, and sustained network building.
Prior to USIP, I worked at the Wilson Center's Latin American Program and Brazil Institute on U.S.-Brazil bilateral relations. There I helped lead a multiyear USAID project on climate change adaptation in Latin America and directed an annual congressional delegation of Brazilian legislators focused on innovation.
I am a public policy professional with expertise in government relations, stakeholder engagement, convenings, national security, Latin America, and policy research, drawing on over a decade of work across think tanks, advocacy organizations, and government institutions. I am adept at building relationships, tracking policy trends, and advancing research on emerging policy issues.
Meridian International Center
Washington, District of Columbia
I help lead Meridian signature programs, collaborate among teams, and develop strategic partnerships that expand impact. Working closely between private sector, USG, and diplomatic community.
United States Institute of Peace
Washington, District of Columbia
Led engagement with federal policymakers, international organizations, and research institutions on counterterrorism policy and national security.
Oversaw implementation of GCTF Terror Watchlist Initiative, drafted the New York Memorandum on Good Practices for Interdicting Terrorist Travel, which was adopted by GCTF.
Organized policy-focused roundtables and events featuring government officials, academics, and industry experts.
Drafted policy briefings and reports on technology, security, and governance for internal and external stakeholders; draft talking points for principals/director.
Oversee finance and budgeting for Program on Violence and Extremism, travel, and event management, represent program at meetings, events, and internal programs/leadership.
From 2020-2021, worked directly with the RESOLVE Network on event management, +30 events in 2021, finance tracking, conduct research, and worked with Network Members to increase engagement, build strategic engagement, compile monthly network newsletter.
Wilson Center
Washington, District of Columbia
Managed day to day operations and annual budget of $1.5M, manage Advisory Board, fundraising, and develop long-term planning and policy initiatives and organized on average 3-5 events per month. Engaged with Capitol Hill. Supervised Program and Research Assistants.
Program manager for $400,000 USAID grant on climate change adaptation and mitigation in Latin America/Caribbean. Planned and organized four workshops in LAC (Colombia, DR, Barbados, Jamaica).
Coordinated an annual Brazilian delegation of 12-15 scientists to take part in scientific exchange with leading US academic institutions (MIT, Berkely, UC Davis, WVU, OSU, NC State) to strengthen academic relationships, grants, and funding opportunities.
Coordinated policy dialogues and Congressional delegation visits focused on innovation, technology policy, and economic cooperation.
Managed and oversaw annual Brazilian Congressional Delegation trip to enhance bilateral relationship in political and scientific cooperation focused on improving innovation and overhauling intellectual property rights in Brazil working alongside US industry and public sector for guidance and implementation.
United States Institute of Peace
Washington, District of Columbia
Manage $1M+ in funding, overseeing programmatic and financial aspects of U.S. State Department initiatives.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with policymakers, think tanks, and advocacy organizations to advance public policy research and engagement.
Organize high level workshops, seminars, write and deliver tabletop exercises related to rehabilitation and reintegration of returning families of FTFs (40-60 participants per session from 27 member states, CSOs, UN-entities).
Since 2018, organized and planned nine workshops in North Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Western Balkans, Middle East, and Europe.
Manage day-to-day activities for Program on Violence and Extremism, serving as the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), manage yearly budget of over $1M, write proposals/Scopes of Work, develop Interagency Agreements (IAAs), develop M&E plans, quarterly reporting, federal acquisitions. Manage contractors and PSCs.
Collaborate with internal teams and external experts to develop policy recommendations and research publications – led a research project with OSU’s Mershon Center on reconciliation.
Track policy developments and stakeholder commentary to inform strategic planning and public engagement with focus on time-sensitive issues, represent program to leadership and at events.