2024alphabetical order

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  Benjamin CHANG

  Harvard College Class of 2024

  Benjamin is a senior at Harvard studying Chemical and Physical Biology and Computer Science. He is interested in developing gene circuits for therapeutics and using machine learning for biology to help people and the planet.

  Outside of lab, you can find him racing the M2 bus on his skateboard, sleeping in the observatory, or thinking about giant pumpkins.

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  Charlie POZNIAK

  Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2025

  I am a Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. For the last three years I have worked for the World Bank at the intersection of poverty reduction and evidence-based policymaking, after graduating with a degree in History from the University of Oxford.

  My work has focused on a range of digital development issues, such as regulating emerging technologies and applying them for public good. I am currently undertaking research at Harvard Law School into AI applications for urban datasets the city of Boston, with a view to balance privacy, innovation, and public service delivery in our world of abundant data generation. During my time at the World Bank, I worked primarily on a data-driven governance program, focused on improving government statistical capacity and poverty reduction efforts across the five Central Asian states.
  I am also passionate about understanding risk and uncertainty, particularly around designing future mechanisms for financing adaptive disaster responses, particularly concerning climate change. At the World Bank, I worked on various adaptive social protection strategies, while at Harvard I am a teaching fellow for a course on analytic frameworks for public policy,
  Before moving to the World Bank in Kazakhstan, I played professional sport in the United Kingdom. Alongside staying active, I love coding, reading, and playing the piano.

• 

  Chetan AGGARWAL

  Harvard Kennedy School MPA Class of 2024

  Chetan Aggarwal is a candidate for a Master in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School, currently on a Public Service Fellowship. Originating from India, he brings over six years of experience in governance, policy, and politics, along with three years of entrepreneurial insight.

  He was educated at the prestigious The Doon School and Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, and an MBA from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.
  Chetan chose to leave a career in investment banking and entrepreneurship for public service. He has played a leading role in advancing India’s digital engagement for civic participation and the expanded reach of public programs at MyGov India, an entity of the Government of India. Additionally, he served as a Policy and Communication Advisor to Minister Piyush Goyal within the Government of India, contributing to a variety of ministries including Trade, Industry, Railways, and Energy.
  His commitment to public service has been characterised by efforts to drive change through the power of technology, citizen engagement, and entrepreneurship. This includes initiatives to secure universal access to clean electricity, facilitate last-mile vaccine distribution, and foster vibrant start-up ecosystems. His work has also involved facilitating the conversion of citizen feedback into tangible policy inputs, notably for the National Budget and Drone Policy.
  Chetan’s current focus is on promoting innovation and technology to ensure equitable access to public goods, with a particular emphasis on reaching the most underserved individuals at the bottom of the pyramid.

• 

  Emil Bender LASSEN

  Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2025

  Emil Bender Lassen is the 2023 Crown Prince Frederik Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School pursuing a Master in Public Policy. His interests focus on exploring systemic solutions to climate change and economic inequality, particularly within urban development.

  Prior to HKS, he spent six years in the realm of social entrepreneurship. First, as the CEO of Project Access International, a charity he co-founded in 2016 to increase access to top universities for less privileged students. He stepped back to chair its Board of Trustees in 2020.
  After a brief stint at McKinsey & Company, he co-founded Home.Earth in 2021, a real estate investor and developer established to address growing urban inequality and climate change, where he still functions as a shareholder and advisor. Home.Earth is backed by a group of leading investors including the Danish sovereign wealth fund (EIFO) and some of Denmark's most impact-driven family offices.
  Emil serves on the board of Teach First Denmark, as the Chair of Trustees for Project Access International, as a Goalkeeper with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as a WEF Global Shaper, and as an advisor to the Open Social Value Bank.
  Originally from Middelfart, Denmark, he holds a BSc in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from King’s College London with visiting undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College, where he focused on the political economy of inequality, development economics, and ethics in public policy.

• 

  Emmanuel Castro HERNANDEZ

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Husband to Becki and Father to Emma. Amateur marathoner, beginner hiker. Passionate about Japanese culture and Economic development policy.
  DISTRIBUIDORA MODELO. Principal. May. 2019- Present. Beverage wholesale distribution company.

  SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC. Senior Advisor to the Vice President of the Senate. May 2022- Present.
  priti.mx. Principal. Jul. 2021- Present. Next day delivery Online One Stop Shop for Business-to-Business in the convenience industry.
  FIDEL VELAZQUEZ TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (6,000 students). Member of the Board of Trustees. Jan. 2022- Present.
  GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF MEXICO. Sep. 2011- Sep 2017. Private Secretary to the Governor of the State of Mexico.

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  Fabian Frederik BRAUN

  Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2025

  Frederik Braun is a Master in Public Policy candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School and scholar of the German Academic Exchange Service. At HKS, he studies how public management and digital government innovations can improve public service delivery.

  Previously, Frederik worked at McKinsey & Company in Berlin, where he worked with European and German agencies on tackling challenges in digital transformation, performance management, and talent engagement. Upon graduation, he seeks to continue his work on Policy Evaluation units.
  Frederik has worked for two Members of Parliament of the governing political party at the Bundestag and worked on digital participatory democracy and misinformation. Previously, he worked for the state's party headquarters on federal and state elections and has been an active campaigner.
  In his spare time, he has been a member of the European Commission's working group against youth radicalization (RAN Young), where he formulated recommendations for EU policymakers on combatting violent extremism. As part of the UK Counter-Terrorism Policing's youth advisory group, he further represented victims and survivors of terrorism.
  Originally from Germany, Frederik holds a BSc from the London School of Economics as the Harold Laski Prize Scholar and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge. He has been a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.

• 

  Fahad A. ALTHENAYYAN

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Fahad is a candidate for the Mid-Career Master of Public Administration and Edward S. Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and Building Science from King Saud University and a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he earned the Business Analytics Certificate.

  During his time at MIT and Harvard, Fahad focused his studies on urban policy, infrastructure, analytics, and finance. He also served as the Vice President of the Arab Student Business Association and the Sponsorship Chair of the first MIT Sloan Gaming Industry Conference.
  With a specialization in real estate and infrastructure development and investment, Fahad served as a Senior Development Manager at SEVEN, a company owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, where he contributed to multiple cutting-edge projects in numerous cities aiming to transform Saudi Arabia’s entertainment landscape. He has also served in governmental roles, where he promoted private sector growth and fostered bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and partner nations.
  Fahad is passionate about youth advocacy, and over the years, he represented Saudi Arabian youth in prestigious forums such as the UN Economic Social Council, the G20 Youth Summit, and the bilateral Saudi Youth Dialogue Forums.
  On a personal level, Fahad is a curious traveler and enjoys exploring new cultures, street and landscape photography, and is an avid snowboarder.
  Looking forward, Fahad aspires to return to Saudi Arabia and engage in projects and that harness future technologies, contributing to an enhanced quality of life through human-centered developments that target resident and tourist needs with a futuristic mindset.

• 

  Jason HSU

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Jason Hsu currently is an Edward Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. From 2016 to 2020 Hsu served as Legislator At-Large in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (the national parliament) where he focused on defense, technology, trade and foreign policy.

  Among the crucial legislative bills that he initiated and sponsored include FinTech Regulatory Sandbox Act, Autonomous Vehicles Management Act, Amendment on Anti-Money Laundering Law, Cybersecurity Management Act and Virtual Currency Guidelines (Security Token Offerings), Artificial Intelligence Development Act, Digital Economy Principal Act. Hsu is also prominent advocator for socially progressive legislation. He co-led the effort to pass Same Sex Marriage Act and championed for End-of-Life Dignity Act (Voluntary Euthanasia).
  As a senior research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, Jason conducts research on semiconductor policy and geopolitics and has taught seminars and gives lectures on Taiwan and geopolitical risks of semiconductor, export control, Outbound Investment. Previously, Hsu was a visiting scholar at Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School where he led a research team to design a war game on Taiwan blockade contingency in collaboration with MIT’s Center of International Security.
  Hsu has published and is widely quoted and interviewed by media for his views on tech and geopolitics including the Project Syndicate, Wilson Center, Brookings Institution, New York Times, Financial Times, BBC, Bloomberg, Harvard Korea Security Summit, Aspen Institute Cyber Working Group, MIT Technology Review, Fast Company, and etc. Hsu has lectured at University of Toronto, UCSD, IE University, Naval War College, Yale University, Columbia University SIPA, UC Berkeley and Stanford University.
  Hsu is a recipient of Eisenhower Fellowship in 2022 and a Draper Hills Summer Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Democracy Development and Rule of Law (CDDRL) and also selected as an IVLP (International Visitor Leadership Program) fellow by U.S. State Department in 2019.

• 

  Lili VESSEREAU

  Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2025

  Lili Vessereau is a Dias and Fulbright Fellow, a Teaching Fellow for Capital Markets, Political Economy of Trade and Behavioral science. She is also a Research Scholar at the Center for International Development, as well as a Master in Public Policy candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School.

  She previously worked for the French Government on public policy advisory and at the United Nations. She graduated from Sciences Po Paris, La Sorbonne, and in the top 1% of HEC Paris. She is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum, where she founded an initiative for better social mobility for youth in France.

• 

  Navneet KUMAR

  Harvard Kennedy School MPAID Class of 2024

  My name is Navneet Kumar, and I am pursuing a Master's in Public Administration in International Development from Harvard Kennedy School. My experience is rooted in public financial management within the Indian Ministry of Finance.

  I have led pivotal projects, including digitizing government platforms, managing extensive projects, and introducing innovative technological solutions. My efforts have significantly enhanced financial transparency, operational efficiency, and digital integration in government systems. My expertise in data analytics, digital payments, and strategic planning makes me a forward-thinking figure in governmental financial reforms. I have a bachelor's in technology from the Indian Institute of Technology.

• 

  Nazmul HAQUE

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Nazmul Haque has over 20 years of experience in structuring and financing infrastructure, renewable energy, and PPP projects in Bangladesh. As the Chief Investment Officer of IDCOL, the largest development financial institution in Bangladesh, he managed a loan portfolio of USD $1+ billion, played an important role in negotiating sovereign debts, and supported the government on various policy matters.

  In addition to conventional infrastructure projects, Mr. Haque played a lead role in designing and implementing several ‘Access to Energy’ programs in the country that provided clean energy, water, and cooking solutions to millions of rural people and reduced indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases among women and children. In recent years, he worked on promoting energy efficiency across multiple sectors and mobilized US$ 500m+ to support industries and buildings in adopting clean technologies and reducing their CO2 footprints.
  Mr. Haque is an international coach on project and climate finance and has consultancy experiences in several developing countries in Asia and Africa. He delivered speeches and presented papers at many seminars/conferences across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America.
  Mr. Haque is an Edward S. Mason Fellow in Public Policy and Management and an MC/MPA candidate at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. A Summa Cum Laude in his class, Mr. Haque also has an MBA from North South University, Bangladesh.
  He loves traveling, cooking, pottery-making and is a proud father of two beautiful children – Zayed and Zubi.

• 

  Patrick Thomas BOLAND

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Pat Boland is a U.S. Diplomat with the Department of State who is currently a Mid Career Master's in Public Administration candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School.

  He has been a Foreign Service Officer since 2010. In June 2023, he completed a four year assignment in Taipei, Taiwan, where he served as an Economic Officer responsible for promoting U.S.-Taiwan economic ties, with a focus on the semiconductor industry, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. In Washington, Pat worked at the Office of Taiwan Coordination and completed an excursion practicum at GE’s office in Washington, DC. Overseas, Pat managed governance and stabilization assistance programs on the Syria Transition Assistance Response Team at U.S. Consulate General Istanbul (2015-2017), served as a consular officer at U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, China (2013-2015), and supported civil society assistance programs as a political officer at U.S. Embassy Cairo (2010-2012).
  A native of Falls Church, VA, Pat is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he studied Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies. He is married to Monica Liau, a freelance writer, and is the father of a two year old son. When back in his native Virginia, he and several close friends help manage a farm and AirBnB operation in central Virginia.

• 

  Rafael MONGE

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Rafael, a Costa Rican Economist and a Mid-Career Master's in Public Administration student at Harvard Kennedy School, exemplifies a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world impact.

  With a rich professional background spanning over 9 years at Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy, Rafael has been a driving force behind the implementation of science-based environmental policies. His tenure as the director of the National Center of Geoenvironmental Information of Costa Rica was marked by significant achievements, including leading the development of the groundbreaking National Land Use, Land Cover, and Ecosystems Monitoring System (SIMOCUTE). His efforts were pivotal in facilitating Costa Rica's accession to the OECD and in crafting the reporting of environmental indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
  Rafael's dedication to environmental stewardship extends beyond national borders. He has represented Costa Rica in various international forums, including the OECD, the United Nations Environment Program, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Group on Earth Observations, displaying his commitment to global environmental dialogue and cooperation.
  At Harvard, Rafael is channeling his passion for sustainability into exploring how innovative technologies including AI and remote sensing data can revolutionize decision-making in the Global South. This pursuit aligns with his broader ambition of addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability on a global scale.
  Beyond his professional endeavors, Rafael is deeply passionate about politics and societal well-being. He aspires to leverage his expertise to positively impact individuals' lives across diverse nationalities and identities. His goal is to contribute significantly to the welfare of Costa Rican citizens, the preservation of the country's unique ecosystems, and the promotion of sustainable practices and policies globally.

• 

  Santiago CREUHERAS

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Santiago Creuheras served as deputy minister for the Environment and Sustainable Energy in Mexico. Recently, he was a senior consultant on sustainable infrastructure and energy at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). He was also a senior consultant for energy policy at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and a member of the Group of Expert Advisers on Sustainability and the Environment of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico (Mexican Congress).

  Internationally, he has worked with the United Nations Organization (UN-Environment, UN-Industrial Development and UN-Sustainable Energy for All), World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Energy Agency, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Embassy from Mexico in Washington, Mexico-United States Chamber of Commerce; and in the Office of Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (MA) in the United States Congress, among others.
  Santiago was recently appointed as Graduate School Director for the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). He completed his term as an HAA Elected Director with endorsements from the Coalition for a Diverse Harvard, Harvard Forward, and more than 20 other Harvard organizations.
  He is also a member of the Mexican Council for Foreign Affairs, the Academy of Political Science, Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, the Leading Change Network, and the Cambridge Sustainability Network, co-president of Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment, and Vice-President of the Cambridge Alumni Society in Mexico.
  Santiago completed his bachelor's degree in Economics at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, and he obtained two master's degrees: in Government and Economic History from Harvard University, U.S.A. He was also awarded a Master's degree in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, U.K.

• 

  Sara Bin MAHFOOZ

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Sara Bin Mahfooz is currently a mid-career Masters in Public Administration student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Sara's career in international development started in 2007 with the World Bank, where she served as an Operations Analyst focusing on Human Development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

  Her passion for education led her to join UNESCO's Young Professional Programme in 2011, where she focused on various educational areas, such as education policy, applying data to inform better policies, and highlighting the vital importance of happiness and well-being in improving learning outcomes. While at Harvard, she worked closely with the Center for International Development, striving to connect the dots between research, academia, and real-world policy and practice.

• 

  Sebastian SONG

  Harvard College Class of 2027

  I'm Sebastian Song, an eighteen-year-old freshman at Harvard University with a passion for mathematics and a dream of becoming a professor in the field. When I'm not buried in books, you can find me indulging in my other interests like reading, listening to music, watching films, hitting the slopes for some skiing, or enjoying a serene horseback ride.

  But what really sets my heart racing is the allure of Japan – its rich literary traditions, exquisite cuisine, and vibrant culture have always fascinated me. Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) at Waseda University, leaving me with a lasting impression of the country and its academic prowess. Since then, I've been eagerly awaiting the chance to return and delve deeper into the intricacies of Japanese life and learning.
  Imagine my excitement when I received an invitation from the Yamauchi family to join a group of fellow students on a thrilling study tour of Japan! It's a chance of a lifetime, and I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to explore Japan's landscapes, immerse myself in its customs, and perhaps even uncover new mathematical insights along the way.I can't wait to embark on this journey, forging new friendships, expanding my horizons, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Here's to embracing the unknown and embracing the adventure ahead!

• 

  Shan Sherwan HUSSEIN

  Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Class of 2024

  Shan Sherwan Hussein stands out as a leader in gender-based violence programming, women’s economic empowerment, and humanitarian initiatives. With her advanced education from Harvard University, the University of Southern Indiana, and the University of Sulaymaniyah, she has honed a keen expertise in developing and executing programs that address critical issues in challenging environments.

  Her time at Harvard Kennedy School is particularly notable for deepening her understanding of policy design and analysis, emphasizing organizational behavior, diversity, and equity, preparing her to tackle complex problems with nuanced solutions.
  Fluent in Kurdish, English, Arabic, and possessing basic Ukrainian, Shan’s linguistic skills enhance her ability to navigate and thrive in diverse cultural settings, fostering meaningful collaborations. Her work, deeply rooted in a commitment to improving women's rights and economic positions in conflict and post-conflict affected regions, showcases her dedication to making a tangible difference.
  Serving as a Civil 7 advisor during the Japan G7 presidency, Shan provided invaluable insights into international policy debates. Her academic pursuits, including a significant thesis on women's employment in Japan, reflect her strong analytical skills and commitment to advancing gender equity. Shan's career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of justice and equality, positioning her as a key contributor to global discussions on gender and development.

• 

  Sheila XU

  Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2024

  Sheila is an oral and signing Deaf woman pursuing MPP and MBA degrees at Harvard University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and has earned her Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

  Her goal is to become an impact investor, entrepreneur, and policymaker breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. Her areas of interest are at the intersection of space, policy, technology, and business, which includes developing and investing in accessible space technology and advocating for policy changes to open up aerospace and aviation traditionally closed to people with disabilities.
  Sheila’s mission is the culmination of her past endeavors: interning for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; backpacking solo around the world for a year; moving to Italy to teach American Sign Language at a university; and being awarded a Fulbright grant on deaf Italian entrepreneurs based on her MIT thesis. She is currently a Deputy Director of Development for AstroAccess, a non-profit organization advancing disability inclusion in the space sector. In November 2022, Sheila made history as one of the first deaf individuals to participate in an analog astronaut training program in Arizona. Following this, she conducted scientific experiments aboard a parabolic zero-gravity flight in December 2022. These efforts were part of AstroAccess’ initiative to demonstrate the potential and feasibility of deaf astronauts.
  She is also the first deaf Asian female pilot after completing her pilot training through a partnership between Able Flight and Purdue University. Her call sign is “Cool" after surviving an emergency plane landing.

• 

  Tushar KANADE

  Harvard Kennedy School MPA Class of 2024

  Tushar is an Aga Khan & Tata Scholar at Harvard Kennedy School, currently enrolled in the 2-Year MPA. He was also a Summer Investor at Voyager Ventures (www.voyagervc.com) and is currently exploring writing a book on ‘Frontier Technologies & Innovstion - Lessons from Japan, China, & India’.

  He co-hosts a series of high-profile talks at Harvard called ‘The Frontier State’ & writes on Frontier Tech & Policy on Substack at: thefrontierstate.substack.com
  Concentrations:
  - Urban Policy & Energy-Climate Transition at HKS
  - Mobility Tech, Human Augmentation at MIT/Media Lab
  - Outer Space Law & Private Equity at Harvard Law School
  - Future of Work, GTM & Space Economics at Harvard Business School
  From 2019 to 2022, Tushar served Virgin Hyperloop as 'Public Policy Advisor - India', overlooking its public policy initiatives and negotiations with various State governments in the country, as well as the Government of India. He has also represented the company at various public speaking platforms and has authored original economics research on prospective hyperloop-based regions of the future. Previously, he was a Special Advisor - Hyperloop to the Govt. of Maharashtra, and a 2017-18 Chief Minister's Fellow at the Chief Minister's Office of the Govt. of Maharashtra where he initiated and led the Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop route's strategic engagement and researched the bus network makeover of Mumbai's bus transit entity, B.E.S.T. Throughout a collegiate debating career spanning 5+ years, 10+ cities, 150+ debates & 2 continents, he has represented India as a Speaker at the World Universities Debating Championships in 2013 (held in India) and in 2015 (held in Greece); also selected to/as a Judge in 2016 (held in The Netherlands). Tushar completed his PGD in Economics from the Meghnad Desai Academy of Economics, University of Mumbai, on an Adam Smith Scholarship, and his Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from NMIMS.
  From 2014-2019, he secured admits to numerous full-time Masters programs including:
  (1) 2022-24 Harvard MPA (Aga Khan & Tata Scholar)
  (2) 2018-19 Oxford MBA (Chevening Scholar)
  (3) 2018-20 Rotman MBA (Joseph L. Rotman Scholar)
  (4) 2019-20 PGP (MBA) at the Indian School of Business
  He was also selected for the following prestigious scholarships:
  (1) 2022-23 J. N. Tata Endowment Scholarship
  (2) 2022-24 Aga Khan Foundation International Scholar
  (3) 2019-20 Chevening Scholar, among the top 2% globally
  (4) 2018-19 British Chevening Scholarship Reserve Candidate
  (5) 3rd Joseph L. Rotman Scholar at the University of Toronto (Full Scholarship)
  (6) 2017-18 Young India Fellow at Ashoka University (Full Tuition)