she/her/hers

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.

she/her/hers

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.

he/him/his

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.

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.

she/her/hers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.