GPIA Alumni by Sector: Government
Sector: Government/Diplomacy, Private Sector/ESG, Human Rights
Name: Daniel Ibarra
Degree: MA International Affairs 2018
Title: Sustainability Coordinator at the Bogota Chamber of Commerce
Daniel’s work focuses on promoting sustainable practices, especially among SMEs, to face climate change challenges. He also plays a key role in international cooperation efforts, working with different public and private organizations to seek collaboration opportunities and achieve common sustainability goals. Additionally, Daniel works on sustainable finance opportunities and seeks to support local businesses in accessing funding and resources to implement green initiatives. Through these and other activities as an LGBTQ activist he is committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future for his community and beyond.
Sector: Government, Urban Development
Name: Oscar Romero
Degree: MA International Affairs 2017
Title: Chief Information Officer of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission
Oscar’s work focuses on building innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems to address urban inequality across NYC by leveraging civic engagement, emerging technology, and global partnerships. He oversees the design, management, and evaluation of global multi-stakeholder partnerships to address diverse urban development challenges in the US’ largest urban economy. Ranging from issues on displacement, safety, access to social services, workforce development, access to STEAM education, access to representation, housing rights, accessible mental health services, and access to critical infrastructure.
Sector: Government, Urban Development, Asia
Name: Melissa De la Cruz
Degree: MA International Affairs 2017
Title: Special Projects Manager, Cebu City Government;
Interim Head Secretariat, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
Melissa R. De la Cruz is a civic researcher and designer crafting better experiences for the residents of her hometown, Cebu City. Since returning to the Philippines in 2020, she established CoLab, the country’s first Strategic Design Unit, and launched education pilots in the city. In her current role as Special Projects Manager and Head Secretariat for the City’s Disaster Council manages the interests of the City’s ₱2 billion peso Local Disaster Fund.
Sector: Government/Diplomacy
Name: Mahmoud Ameen
Degree: MA International Affairs 2016
Title: Second Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mahmoud Ameen started his career as an adviser at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York. After completing his graduate studies at the New School, he was promoted to Second Secretary and worked at the Executive Office of the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. He then joined the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime in Nairobi as an Associate Project Officer.
Sector: Development, Government
Name: Eddy Pierre
Degree: MA in International Affairs 2016
Title: Senior Communications Officer, Research & Innovation, International Rescue Committee
Eddy has over six years of experience in the public health space. He has worked for Partners in Health in Haiti and is currently working in the Emergency Management and Planning division of NYCDOHMH.
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Sector: Government, Diplomacy
Name: Kenya James
Degree: MA International Affairs 2015
Title: Political Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok
Kenya is now a public diplomacy coned Foreign Service Officer, who joined the U.S. Department of State in 2015. Before joining the Department, Kenya worked as a press assistant with the U.S. Senate Democratic Policy and Communication Center, an office under the leadership of the late Senator Harry Reid and current Senate Majority Leader Senator Charles Schumer. In 2013, Kenya was awarded the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship. Kenya served her first tour at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; as a Consular Officer, where she adjudicated non-immigrant and immigrant visas. Most recently, Kenya served as the Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea. She specialized in cultural outreach and promoting cultural exchanges between the United States and Guinea through U.S. Embassy programming and initiatives. In addition to being selected as a 2022 Aspen Strategy Group Rising Leader, Kenya serves as secretary on the 2022 Pickering-Rangel Fellowship Association Board and a member of the Gathering Spot.
Sector: Government, Diplomacy, Arts and Culture
Name: Fatema Hayat
Degree: MS International Affairs 2015
Title: Minister of Sports, Government of Kuwait
As the first female Sports Minister in Kuwait, Hayat organized Kuwait’s first women’s soccer tournament. She develops the women national teams in different age groups, creates and establishes leagues, trains and recruits women referees and coaches. Hayat works closely with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and hopes to launch Kuwait’s first national women’s soccer team.
Sector: Government
Name: Brian Longin
Degree: MA International Affairs 2014
Title: Senior Analyst, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General
Brian currently works in the Office of Surface Transportation Audits which is responsible for audits, evaluations, and economic analyses of highway, transit, rail, maritime, pipeline and hazardous material programs, and projects as well as transportation financing issues. Some of his most recent work focuses on identifying challenges the USDOT faces as it begins to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Before his government work and attending The New School, Brian was a Peace Corps Volunteer (Dominica, Eastern Caribbean 2010-2012).
Sector: Government/Diplomacy, Environment
Name: Nicholas Barber
Degree: MA International Affairs 2009
Title: Deputy Director, Multilateral Affairs Division in the International Affairs Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada
Dr. Nicholas Barber is the Deputy Director of the Multilateral Affairs Division in the International Affairs Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada, where he leads a team responsible for Canada’s policy and negotiations on climate and environment in multilateral fora including the G7, G20, APEC, OECD, and Arctic Council. Before taking on this role, Nick worked on the team leading the climate and environment track for Canada’s 2018 G7 Presidency. Before joining the Government of Canada, Nick worked as a Lecturer in International Development, Anthropology, and African Studies at McGill University. He has also worked for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and on development projects in Cameroon, Kenya, Brazil, Lesotho, and Ghana, with a focus on community and participatory media. He holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from McGill University, a Master’s in International Affairs from The New School, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Political Studies from Queen’s University.
Sector: Government, Security, Diplomacy
Name: Alexandra Bell
Degree: MA International Affairs 2006
Title: Senior Policy Director at Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, US Department of State, Washington D.C.
Bell’s areas of focus include arms control and non-proliferation, Euro-Atlantic security, diplomacy, and Congressional affairs. Previously, Bell served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. She has been quoted and published in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, Politico, Vox, and more.