Current Fellows

Naomi Admasu

2025-2026 Fellow with Global Health Informatics Institute, Malawi

University of Cincinnati Class of 2022, The Ohio State University (MA) Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Naomi Admasu is a 2022 graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in public health and a minority health certificate. In 2024, she received her Master of Public Health degree from The Ohio State University with a concentration in health behavior and health promotion on the global health track. She has a strong background in health education, research, and fundraising. As an undergraduate student, she served as a peer educator for the Student Wellness Center and conducted health equity research. During her graduate education, Naomi served as a health communication intern for the Center for Foodborne Illness Ohio State University Extension TARTARE project, based in Ethiopia, where she developed dissemination items and updated their website. As part of her culminating graduate project, she created an advocacy plan focused on birth registration in a South African province, developed in collaboration with a faculty member’s research. Following her studies, Naomi worked at her local foodbank securing funding as the grant coordinator. As an Ethiopian American from Dayton, Ohio, Naomi is thrilled to return to Africa and work with Global Health Informatics Institute as a Princeton in Africa fellow. In her free time, Naomi enjoys exercising, spending time with family and friends, and reading.

Leleda Beraki

2025-2026 Fellow with Tech Care for All, Kenya

Yale University Class of 2024, Yale University (MPH) Class of 2025

she/her/hers

Leleda Beraki is a recent graduate from Yale University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and her Master’s in Health Policy and Global Health. Originally from Eritrea and having grown up in Botswana, Leleda is deeply committed to African health infrastructure and equity-driven work. At Yale, Leleda served as the first Black woman to be elected student body president, worked as a student assistant at the cultural center, and mentored first-generation college students pursuing STEM. She has conducted various research projects ranging from cellular chronic wound healing to dyadic analyses of patient-provider trust. In her professional career, Leleda has completed fellowships and internships with the CDC, the World Bank, and Pfizer in an attempt to understand key stakeholders in global health. Throughout her time at Yale, she also engaged in digital storytelling and evaluated the role of social media in health communication. Following the Princeton in Africa fellowship, Leleda will return to New York City for work and plans to attend graduate school.

Adwoa-Brittney Boateng

2025-2026 Fellow with African Leadership University, Rwanda

University of California Berkeley Class of 2022

she/her/hers

Adwoa-Brittney Boateng, a Ghanaian-American raised in Atlanta, Georgia, is a 2022 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and made history as the first Black student to graduate from the prestigious Global Management Program. Adwoa-Brittney’s work is centered on the development of African economies, with a focus on the education and finance sectors. Her career spans a range of industries from implementing full organization projects at Google to co-founding Aminat Venture Philanthropy in Sierra Leone, an organization dedicated to increasing the GDP of nations through women centered strategic investment. Since 2022, she has volunteered for the Ghana Food Movement which champions food system stakeholders working collaboratively to transform Ghana’s food landscape. Independently, she leads as President of She Lives Now Girls, an organization she founded to expose minority women to opportunities in academia and professionally for them to thrive. Currently, she’s collaborated with over 5 schools across Africa, donated over 15,000 pads, and led 2 ideation laboratories for secondary school girls to create solutions to community issues. With a diverse background in marketing, product strategy, and nonprofit leadership, Adwoa-Brittney has built a career rooted in social impact, systems change, and community-centered design. She is deeply committed to creating inclusive pathways for African women and youth to thrive. An advocate at heart, she has spoken at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) and continues to use her voice to amplify the experiences and brilliance of African women. Through every endeavor, Adwoa-Brittney champions a bold vision for an independent Africa driven by empowered women, innovative systems, and sustainable economic growth. Following Princeton in Africa, Adwoa-Brittney envisions her future in project/policy implementation and strategy in the education and finance sector in Africa. In her free time, she loves to read, decorate cakes, and spend time with family.

Kaitlyn Brus

2025-2026 Fellow with Baylor Eswatini (formerly BIPAI Eswatini), Eswatini

University of Florida Class of 2022, Emory University (MPH) Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Kaitlyn is a first generation student and graduate of the University of Florida, earning degrees in both Anthropology and Microbiology and Cell Science, as well as an alumni of Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health where she earned her Master of Public Health in Global Health with a concentration in Community Health Development. For her thesis work, Kaitlyn designed, executed, and analyzed a qualitative study related to the social support architecture and social network adaptability of adolescents living with sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis during periods of in-patient hospitalization through the support of the Emory Division of Palliative Care. Her passion for palliative medicine and qualitative research methodologies continued through her work with Emory’s Palliative Medicine Research Team on a variety of projects related to chronic illness and end of life care. In addition to her thesis work Kaitlyn has been published alongside her mentor Dr. Lowers in the Journal of Applied Gerontology with other academic papers in process. Kaitlyn’s interest in African culture began during her undergraduate public health work study in Botswana and continued as she completed CLS, a federal language immersion fellowship in Kiswahili. Following her time with PIAF Kaitlyn intends to pursue her PhD in Medical Sociology with a focus in adolescent palliative care and related socioemotional factors, particularly surrounding adolescents living with sickle cell disease globally. Outside of work and academics Kaitlyn enjoys hot yoga, baking, thrifting, pottery, and hanging out with her friends, family, and cats Bonnie and Mabel.

Saffiyah Coker

2025-2026 Fellow with Warc Africa, Ghana

Tufts University Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Saffiyah Coker is a 2024 graduate of Tufts University, where she majored in Economics and International Relations. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, she is of Gambian and Jamaican descent. Saffiyah is an early career researcher passionate about women’s economic empowerment, public policy, and community-centered work. In her final year at Tufts, Saffiyah was awarded the Marion Ricker Houston Scholarship for Economics, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Service Award, the Presidential Award for Civic Life, and the Wendell Phillips Award. She provided the Wendell Phillips Baccalaureate Address for the Graduating Class of 2024. As a Henry Luce Foundation Scholar based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saffiyah was placed at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), where she assisted in projects relating to the carbon transition, ESG governance, and the circular economy transition. While studying for a semester in Ghana, Saffiyah began conducting ethnographic research on the correlation between wages and gender amongst female head porters in Ghanaian open-air markets, returned the following summer with the Anne E. Borghesani Memorial Prize, and then wrote a one-semester economics thesis on women’s labor in Ghana’s informal sector. Saffiyah Coker is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Following the Princeton in Africa Fellowship, Saffiyah aims to pursue a combined J.D./M.A. in international law and economics to continue advocacy for marginalized communities globally.

Dominic Dominguez

2025-2026 Fellow with USAP Community School, Zimbabwe

Princeton University Class of 2025

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Dominic is a 2025 graduate of Princeton University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Theater. Before coming to college, Dominic worked in mental health advocacy and as an emergency medical technician. In college, he focused his studies on science related to the environment and had a particular interest in human impact on animal health. He also has a love for the performing arts, and spent much of his college experience in the theater as an actor, writer, designer, and director. Dominic has worked for years as a teacher, both in the sciences and the arts. He believes his education has been invaluable to him, and hopes to empower his students in Zimbabwe to capably pursue the work that interests them and benefits their community.

Leena Gurung

2025-2026 Fellow with Lwala Community Alliance, Kenya

Hollins University Class of 2022

she/her/hers

Leena Gurung is currently a Digital Communications Consultant at One Heart Worldwide, where she spearheads social media strategy, developing content and driving engagement to amplify the nonprofit’s mission of improving maternal and neonatal health in Nepal. This role builds on her previous experience as Program Associate at Every Mother Counts in New York, where she supported global maternal health programs through research, data collection, operational support, and content creation. A graduate of Hollins University with a degree in International Studies and minors in Social Justice and International Economics, Leena distinguished herself academically with Senior Class First Honors and Dean’s List recognition. She was also elected Student Government Association President, where she championed student initiatives and fostered community engagement. Her dedication to social impact is reflected in her diverse non-profit experience. At Diplomats and Consular Officers Retired in Washington DC, she supported fundraising efforts within the foreign affairs community, and contributed to anti-trafficking digital media campaigns at Maiti Nepal. Her time at Peace Boat US in New York included advocacy efforts and grant research. Prior to university, she facilitated global youth exchange programs as Vice President of International Exchanges at AIESEC Nepal, fostering cross-cultural understanding and youth leadership development. Following her Princeton in Africa fellowship, Leena aims to continue her work in international development, focusing on creating sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Evan Hall

2025-2026 Fellow with Botswana Baylor (formerly BIPAI Botswana), Botswana

University of Michigan Class of 2023, The University of British Columbia (MPH) Class of 2025

they/them/theirs

Evan Hall is a community activist and mobilizer, with a scholarship that centers on HIV health policy and prevention in the United States, Canada, and globally. Rooted by an interdisciplinary background, Evan focuses on the interconnected syndemic nature of HIV, addressing matters of housing, climate change, human rights, Indigenous relations, criminalization, and more. Their research is informed by the priorities of communities most impacted by HIV, covering the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating complex public and private healthcare systems, and policies against sexual health and gender affirming care. Evan graduated with highest honors from the University of Michigan with a degree in Biology, Health & Society, minoring in Chemistry and Music. Evan also completed an honors capstone project in Engaged Liberal Arts, focusing on HIV prevention among young people in Michigan. Moving north of the medicine line, Evan completed their Master of Public Health at the University of British Columbia on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Musequeam with a theme of Indigenous and Global Governance of Health Systems. Their work is not without the underpinnings of those who have and continue to fight for the end of the HIV epidemic and the liberation of their kin.

Marie Jambawai

2025-2026 Fellow with Warc Africa, Ghana

United States International University - Africa Class of 2023

She/her/hers

Marie Jambawai is a data and IT systems professional from Sierra Leone with cross-sector experience across East and West Africa. She holds a BSc in Information Systems Technology from the United States International University — Africa, with a background spanning IT support, project coordination, and data-driven operational improvement. Marie played a key role in achieving certification by leading internal information security awareness programs, delivering interactive training, and supporting regional IT infrastructure. She contributed to Kenya’s healthcare sector with Arnold Temple Visuals, where she provided IT and technical support for high-profile hybrid medical conferences in partnership with pharmaceutical brands such as AstraZeneca, MSD, Pfizer, and Roche. Marie also worked in the fintech sector with Monime, strengthening internal operations and supporting digital platforms.Passionate about youth empowerment, Marie mentored over 500 aspiring African entrepreneurs through the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship, helping several secure startup funding. She also served as Marketing Director of the USIU-A IT Club and is a Global Youth Ambassador with TheirWorld, advocating for equitable access to early childhood education. Marie is committed to using data and digital tools to drive inclusive, sustainable development. Through the Princeton in Africa fellowship, she aims to expand the reach of impactful tech solutions across the continent.

Cossy Lelei

2025-2026 Fellow with Tanzania Education Corporation, Tanzania

The Pennsylvania State University Class of 2023

she/her/hers

Cossy Lelei holds a Bachelor of Science in data sciences from The Pennsylvania State University where she is also pursuing a Master of Science in geography. She is passionate about integrating research and technology to generate insights, inform decision-making, and support policy in international development. Her academic pursuits are complemented by professional experience in scientific communication, enhancing her ability to contribute effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Sophie leverages her proficiency in statistical software applications such as R, Python, and SAS, and multimedia tools like Final Cut Pro, Canva, and Photoshop. She uses these tools to translate complex scientific concepts into engaging content to raise awareness and drive engagement on various topics among diverse audiences. Her expertise in these areas significantly boosts the reach and impact of her communications, particularly in her role as the editor of a bi-weekly newsletter for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Sophie continues to demonstrate her commitment to applying her training in practical settings through her research experience in health systems like the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and involvement in various STEM equity educational programs at Penn State. This practical application of her skills underscores her dedication to making a tangible difference in the fields of health and education. In addition to her academic and professional experience, Sophie is fluent in French and has intermediate proficiency in Kiswahili, expanding her communicative reach in international contexts. Sophie is eager to apply her expertise in data science and communication to impactful projects in Africa.

Farai Makunungunu

2025-2026 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Kenya

African Leadership University Class of 2024

she/her/hers

Farai Makunungunu recently completed her Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurial Leadership as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar from African Leadership University. With a passion for facilitating access to financing for impactful ventures, she has built extensive experience evaluating investment opportunities and implementing successful fundraising strategies in East Africa. Her work spans from analyzing agricultural ventures to securing funding for refugee empowerment programs, demonstrating her ability to bridge the gap between investors and impact-driven initiatives. As Women Empowerment & Fundraising Lead at Team Spirit International in Uganda, Farai secured a 20% funding increase through strategic donor relations and implemented monitoring frameworks that improved program outcomes for refugee women empowerment. Her data-driven approach to development was further strengthened during her KPMG Data Analytics consultancy, where she developed market analysis models and optimization strategies for B2B clients. As a Dream VC Fellow, she conducted due diligence on African startups, specializing in supply chains and market analysis. Her entrepreneurial mindset led her to develop AquaGraze, a hydroponic fodder production initiative designed to address Rwanda’s agricultural challenges. Additionally, she founded Invest Fairy, a financial education platform empowering Zimbabwean women through investment literacy programs. Her technical expertise includes financial modeling, grant management, and impact assessment, complemented by certifications in Financial Modeling & Valuation Analysis (FMVA) and Business Intelligence & Data Analysis (BIDA). Fluent in English and Shona, Farai brings cross-cultural experience from working across East and Southern Africa, with a proven track record of building partnerships and implementing successful community development initiatives.

Karen Nyondo

2025-2026 Fellow with Farming Out of Poverty, Sierra Leone

Malawi University of Science and Technology Class of 2022

she/her/hers

Karen Nyondo, born and raised in Malawi, is a graduate in Disaster Risk Management from the Malawi University of Science and Technology (Class of 2022). Her undergraduate program focused on environmental science, social science, policy, and governance. She also holds certificates in geospatial database management and drone and data technology. In her final year at the university, Karen interned at Concern Worldwide, an organization committed to ending extreme poverty. She supported a health project focused on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. After graduating, she joined Concern Worldwide full-time and spent three years working on various projects in the areas of sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, social protection, resilience, and emergency response. She served as a Field Monitor and later as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. During this time, Karen was based in rural communities, an experience that deepened her passion for community service and solidified her commitment to the mission of ending extreme poverty. She sees the fellowship at Farming Out of Poverty as an opportunity to continue that mission beyond Malawi. In her free time, Karen enjoys listening to music, exploring and creating beaded crafts.

Benjamin Oestericher

2025-2026 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Kenya

Georgetown University Class of 2024

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Benjamin Oestericher is a graduating senior at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he is studying African Studies and International Development. He has diverse academic and internship experience spanning the public sector, nonprofits, and the private sector related to economic development, governance, and peacebuilding. He is currently an intern at the US Agency for International Development, where he supports partnerships with developing countries in leveraging digital technology to improve development outcomes. He also previously interned with the public diplomacy section in the State Department’s Africa Bureau, where he was recognized as an Intern of the Year for his logistical support to President Biden’s US-Africa Leaders Summit. He also has significant experience with peacebuilding, having interned with Mercy Corps’ Peace and Governance unit and served as a Research Assistant with the US Institute of Peace’s inclusive peacebuilding program. He also has grassroots development experience in Africa, including interning in Dar es Salaam with a youth-led Tanzanian development NGO, conducting research fieldwork on climate change in drought-affected agricultural communities in Kenya, and studying development and conducting thesis research on conflict in Cameroon. Ben also has experience with private sector investments in Africa through his internship with the Africa Practice at Albright Stonebridge Group, where he provided geopolitical analysis of real-time developments in African politics and economies across the continent to leading foundation and business clients. Following the Princeton in Africa fellowship, Ben plans to finish graduate study at Georgetown and pursue a career in US-Africa policy.

Wedad Osman

2025-2026 Fellow with International Rescue Committee (IRC), Kenya

Georgetown University Class of 2025

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Wedad Ibrahim Osman graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law, Institutions, and Ethics, and a Certificate in African Studies in May 2025. At Georgetown, she served as Community Chair for the African Society of Georgetown and worked as a Student Assistant at the Women’s Center. As a Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Fellow, she conducted research on Sudan’s democratic transitions and completed her Leadership-In-Action project in Tanzania. She also served as a Research Assistant for the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, where she further studied Sudan’s revolutions. Her professional experience includes a Congressional internship in the office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, as well as an advocacy internship with Refugees International focusing on East and Southern Africa, where she published commentary on the Sudanese displacement crisis. She also worked as a Communications and Partnerships Officer for Hope 4 Young Girls Tanzania. Originally from Sudan, Wedad is passionate about refugee assistance and policy and enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Parker Prysiazniuk

2025-2026 Fellow with Baylor Eswatini (formerly BIPAI Eswatini), Eswatini

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Class of 2025

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Parker recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with highest distinction and highest honors as a Morehead-Cain Scholar. He earned degrees in Health Policy and Management from the Gillings School of Global Public Health and in Global Studies, with a minor in Data Science. Driven by an interest in equity and access within global health systems, Parker has worked on public health research and advocacy across Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the U.S. His honors thesis examined the relationship between population mobility and HIV service access in Malawi, using mobile phone data to explore seasonal migration patterns. He has conducted research with Cooper/Smith and UNC Project Malawi to improve HIV treatment delivery and served as a teaching assistant in Ghana, where he led lectures on health systems at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In the U.S., Parker contributed to digital equity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic with the City of Albuquerque, helping expand virtual access to healthcare and education for seniors. He also led global health policy advocacy on Capitol Hill through the United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign and the North Carolina Global Health Alliance. Following the Princeton in Africa fellowship, he plans to pursue a PhD and build a career in global health. Originally from North Carolina, Parker enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and has been involved with the Special Olympics for nearly a decade as a coach, delegation manager, and most recently, as the head of Team Peru at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Agata Rigo Saitta

2025-2026 Fellow with Mpala Research Centre & Wildlife Foundation, Kenya

William and Mary Class of 2025

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Growing up in Geneva, speaking five languages, and living in six countries, sparked Agata’s passion for international development and community-led conservation. She bridged her interests in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social equity by designing her own B.A. in Innovation for Sustainable Business at William & Mary, complemented by a Mathematics minor. Since founding her social enterprise empowering high school girls to pursue higher education, Agata has remained committed to educational outreach and capacity-building for underrepresented voices. This manifested in her two-year collaboration with TED Countdown, interviewing environmental leaders including Panama’s Environment Minister and hosting the first TEDx talk on Antarctica. As an undergraduate, Agata served on the Institute of Integrative Conservation’s Leadership Council, engaging interdisciplinary students in conservation initiatives. She also reached out to her community through political advocacy, working as the head recruitment intern on a senate election that would determine reproductive rights policies, and as a fellow for the Virginia Democrats. Agata continued her social impact work through a year-long research program exploring livelihood and conservation models for Maasai women in Amboseli, Kenya. She spent a month in Amboseli, engaging in entrepreneurial capacity-building and environmental stewardship. Agata continues this work at the Coalition for Rainforest Nations as part of the outreach team focused on disseminating educational content and developing capacity-building resources for environmental management in Africa and LAC – a professional trajectory she plans to pursue long-term. Outside of her development work, Agata can be found in a kitchen, working in Michelin-starred restaurants or baking for her pastry business.

Hilary Geneva Tackie

2025-2026 Fellow with The Rwanda School Project, Rwanda

Cornell University Class of 2023

she/her/hers

Geneva Tackie is a passionate education advocate with experience collaborating with global, national, and local leaders. Her professional journey includes roles at the White House Office of the First Lady, the City of Bowie under Vice Mayor Roxy Ndebumadu, and the education policy think tank New America. She is dedicated to enhancing learning experiences and outcomes for students worldwide, promoting equitable education, and increasing access to technology for underserved communities. In addition to her professional work, Geneva guides prospective college students through their admissions journeys and supports women and girls through the Dare 2 Dream Initiative. Her expertise lies in project management and policy-oriented roles, where she provides strategic support to senior executives and ensures the seamless execution of various education programs and initiatives.

Blaine Thomas

2025-2026 Fellow with Farming Out of Poverty, Sierra Leone

Swarthmore College Class of 2024

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Blaine Thomas is a 2024 graduate of Swarthmore College, where she earned a B.A. in French & Francophone Studies and Political Science with a focus on African politics. At Swarthmore, Blaine served as tour guide for the Admissions Office and a Program Intern at the Black Cultural Center. Blaine developed her passion for global development, sustainable natural resource extraction, and agriculture during her internship at the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa at the Department of State. In this role, she produced diplomatic cables on illicit mining in eastern DRC that were circulated to U.S. embassies to support policy briefings. She continued to pursue this interest while studying abroad in Yaoundé, Cameroon. As a food security and land rights intern for the Reseau de Lutte Contre la Faim, Blaine supported the implementation of activities for populations affected by malnutrition and mining in the Centre Nord and Eastern regions of Cameroon. She leveraged this experience to write her senior French thesis on deforestation and land rights advocacy for the Baka people. Following her graduation, Blaine began working at ACDI/VOCA providing operational and programmatic support for USAID-funded agriculture and market systems development projects in Central Asia and francophone West Africa. Following the Princeton in Africa fellowship, Blaine intends to pursue a Master in Business Administration or Public Policy. In her leisure time, Blaine enjoys figure skating, traveling, and jamming to Michael Jackson.

Davina Thompson

2025-2026 Fellow with The Rwanda School Project, Rwanda

Princeton University Class of 2025

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Davina Thompson is a Ghanaian-American from Greensboro, North Carolina. She graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Public and International Affairs, with minors in Journalism and African Studies. At Princeton, Davina was a QuestBridge Scholar and an active member of the Princeton Rose Castle Society, where she participated in initiatives promoting reconciliation and community dialogue. Passionate about service and human rights, she spent much of her undergraduate career engaged in civic service internships. Notably, she served as a Program Coordinator at the Aspen Institute and as a Press Intern for the Partnership for Public Service. This past summer, Davina was selected as a Humanity in Action (HIA) Berlin Fellow. In this role, she engaged with leaders and changemakers on the challenges of a post-migrant society, exploring both historical perspectives and contemporary strategies for fostering inclusion and belonging. Building on her senior thesis, which examined refugee integration policy, Davina is developing an action project as part of her HIA Fellowship. Her project focuses on highlighting refugee-host relations through a creative storytelling lens. Davina has completed study programs in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Cairo, Egypt. Following her service as a Program Coordinator at the Rwanda School Project with Princeton in Africa, she hopes to pursue a Masters degree and build a career in international policy and development. In her free time, Davina enjoys writing, creating ceramic sculptures, and traveling.