Executive Office

Liz Schrayer, President & CEO

@LizSchrayer

Liz serves as President & CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), a broad-based coalition of over 500 businesses and NGOs that advocates for strong U.S. global leadership through development and diplomacy. Under her leadership, the USGLC has grown to a nationwide network of advocates in all 50 states and boasts a bipartisan Advisory Council, which includes virtually every living former Secretary of State, and a National Security Advisory Council consisting of nearly 270 retired three and four-star generals and admirals.

Ms. Schrayer currently serves on the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s Development Advisory Council, USAID’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACFVA), as well as several advisory boards and committees for the University of Michigan, including the Ford School of Public Policy. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

In addition to running the USGLC, Ms. Schrayer serves as President of Schrayer & Associates, Inc., a nationwide consulting firm founded in 1995, which works on a wide range of domestic and international issues.

Read More

Jason Gross, Executive Director

Jason serves as Executive Director of the USGLC, tapping over 20 years of public policy, Capitol Hill, and Presidential campaign experience to oversee day-to-day operations of the nationwide coalition. Prior to rejoining the USGLC, Gross served nine years as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut. Gross launched Courtney’s office in the House and led the office from a razor-thin 83-vote victory in 2006 to four strong reelections and Courtney being named Congress’s 8th highest over-performing Democrat by the Cook Political Report in 2014. Previously, Gross became the USGLC’s first full-time employee in 2001 and contributed to the organization’s growth from a nascent coalition to an established organization in six years as Managing Director.

Read More

Emily Benovitz

Emily Benovitz, Chief of Staff

Emily serves as the Chief of Staff of the USGLC. She joined the USGLC in 2011, most recently serving as Program Director, overseeing the organization’s events and programming in DC and across the country.  Prior to joining, Emily spent two years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee managing activity for AIPAC’s top political activists, and has previous experience working at an education non-profit and on Capitol Hill.  In her community life, Emily is a member of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, a premier young leadership development program that educates and connects the next generation of global Jewish leaders and philanthropists.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and co-chaired many programs and initiatives.  Emily is a native of Louisville, KY, and received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Elyse Compton

Elyse Compton, Executive Assistant to the President & CEO 

Elyse serves as the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of the USGLC. Prior to joining the USGLC, Elyse worked as an Executive Assistant at Molly Allen Associates.  She helped raise over $15 million as a staffer for Jeff Jackson’s successful campaign for Attorney General of North Carolina, the most expensive Attorney General race in U.S. history. She also interned for former U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo of Colorado. Elyse earned her undergraduate degree in Criminology from the University of Denver and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Government at Johns Hopkins University. A Massachusetts native, she lives in D.C. with her golden retriever.

Government Relations

Ariana E. Reks

Ariana E. Reks, Government Relations Director

Ariana serves as Government Relations Director of the USGLC. She brings nearly ten years of federal government experience working on foreign policy and national security issues. Most recently, Ariana served as the Director of Senate Affairs in the Department of State’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs. In this capacity, she advised the Department on how to advance U.S. foreign policy, national security, and development priorities in Congress and managed the Department’s relationship with the U.S. Senate. Prior to joining the State Department, Ariana served as the Foreign Policy and Defense Advisor to Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) responsible for the Senator’s foreign policy, national security, and related appropriations portfolios. A native of Syracuse, New York, Ariana spent a year studying in Paris, France, before earning her bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a minor in French Literature from Johns Hopkins University.

Sarah Callaway

Sarah Callaway, Deputy Government Relations Director

Sarah serves as Deputy Government Relations Director of the USGLC. Prior to joining, she served as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay, where she was responsible for democracy and governance, human rights, and religious freedom issues. Previously, as Deputy Director of Global Partnerships at UNICEF USA, Sarah worked with civil society and faith-based organizations in support of UNICEF’s programs for children around the world. She also spent several years on Capitol Hill, serving on the legislative team for Congressman Thomas J. Rooney (R-FL), where she focused on appropriations for the international affairs budget. Originally from Florida, Sarah earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Florida State University and a Master’s in International Politics from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Rachel Hugman

Rachel Hugman, Deputy Government Relations Director

Rachel serves as the Deputy Government Relations Director of the USGLC.  Rachel’s most recent professional experience was serving as Legislative Advisor for the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia at USAID. Previously, Rachel served as Special Assistant to the President at U.S. Institute of Peace, Legislative Director for Representative Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania and Legislative Assistant for Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico. She has experience in political campaign consulting and served as the Aide to Chambers to Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Rachel is a native of Texas and earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration focusing on international security policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

 

Sammel Abodo

Sammel Abodo, Government Relations Assistant

Sam serves as a Government Relations Assistant of the USGLC. Prior to joining, he interned at the American Foreign Policy Council, the National Interest, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Squire Patton Boggs. Throughout his internships, he wrote on foreign policy issues in publications including Newsweek and RealClearDefense. Sam earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Politics from Carnegie Mellon University. Outside of work, Sam enjoys playing and watching soccer. Originally from New York City, he is excited to be back in Washington, DC and working with USGLC.

Lillian Jacobson-Klein

Lillian Jacobson-Klein, Government Relations Assistant

Lily serves as a Government Relations Assistant of the USGLC. Prior to joining, she interned in the office of Congressman Derek Kilmer, following her work on his re-election campaign in 2022. Lily earned her degree in International Relations and Spanish from the University of San Diego, where she had the opportunity to study in Prague, Czech Republic, researching democratic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, she spent time working as an au pair in Alto-Adige, Italy. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Lily now resides in D.C. and is thrilled to be working with the USGLC.

National Outreach

Michele Sumilas, National Engagement Director 

Michele currently serves as the National Engagement Director of the USGLC, after providing stellar service to the organization as part of our campaign surge efforts. Prior to joining, Michele served as USAID’s Acting Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources, ensuring alignment of operations and resources with policy and development priorities. Earlier, as the Assistant to the Administrator of the Bureau for Planning, Learning and Resource Management (PLR), she provided the Agency’s policy voice and leadership in interagency forums to better align budgetary considerations, planning processes, implementation discipline, and monitoring and evaluation with development and humanitarian priorities.

Read More

Jeremy Tolbert

Jeremy Tolbert, Deputy National Outreach Director, Eastern Region

Jeremy serves as the Deputy National Outreach Director for the Eastern Region of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Jeremy worked in the Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). During his tenure there, he focused his efforts on military affairs outreach, directed the Military Academy Nominations Program and served as the Senator’s liaison to various groups and organizations. In addition, he was involved with Department of State issues and organized and directed major events. To date, he has worked for two U.S. Senators and has been a part of several federal campaigns, including the historic election of Tim Scott, who became the South’s first African-American Senator since Reconstruction. He is a graduate of Clemson University where he served as the Governmental Affairs Director and advocated for higher education on behalf of Clemson’s undergraduate student body. Jeremy is a proud native of Greenville, South Carolina.

Luke Wenz, Deputy National Outreach Director, West and Military

Luke serves as the Deputy National Outreach Director, West and Military. In addition to overseeing USGLC’s Veterans for Smart Power program and work in the Western United States, Luke manages USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council (NSAC), a group of over 270+ retired three- and four-star general and flag officers. In addition to his work with USGLC, Luke is the President of Big Stick Consulting, LLC – a Nebraska-based strategic consulting firm focusing on a broad range of public policy and political affairs issues, and currently serves on the Advisory Board of Global Ties Arizona.

Read More

Eric Moorer

Eric Moorer, Outreach Director, Heartland Region

Eric serves as the Outreach Director for the Heartland Region of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Eric served as Deputy Canvass Director for the Grassroots Team’s DC office, fundraising on behalf of Amnesty International. Previously, Eric interned for a U.S. Senator’s state operation and served as a Catholic Community Connection fellow for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Earlier, Eric worked as a political campaign coordinator for a Cleveland City Council candidate and as the executive assistant for an Ohio gubernatorial campaign. A native of Northeast Ohio, Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Notre Dame College, where he served as the college student representative to the Propel Ohio Collegiate Leadership Summit and was a 2-time conference champion for the college’s track and field team. Eric is a proud Cleveland sports fan and excited to manage outreach efforts in the Ohio Valley.

 

Carey Campbell

Carey Campbell, Outreach Director, South Region

Carey serves as the Outreach Director for the South Region of the USGLC. Prior to rejoining USGLC, Carey worked to address domestic hunger issues during the pandemic. She has served as Chief of Staff to the South Carolina House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader James Smith, where she oversaw all political and legislative priorities. Her experience also includes serving as South Carolina Deputy Political Director for the Hillary for President campaign during the 2008 primaries and a former lobbyist for a South Carolina education organization. Carey has worked on numerous political campaigns at the local, state, and presidential level overseeing field, fundraising, and policy development. She graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina, where she focused on political science. She is a native of Decatur, AL and spent several years in Nashville, TN.

Sara Eide

Sara Eide, Outreach Director, Central Region

Sara serves as the Outreach Director for the Central Region of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Sara worked for the Iowa Catholic Conference as both Associate and Executive Director. She also spent ten years working for MercyOne Health System in Iowa, where she led the Government Relations work and served as Vice President of Community Health, where she developed system-wide efforts to address social determinants of health in communities across Iowa. Previously, Sara worked for the Iowa Senate as majority leader and on several state and national political campaigns.  Sara holds a Master of Public Administration from Drake University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Iowa. A native of Iowa, Sara has previously lived in Ecuador and Guatemala and currently resides in West Des Moines.

Kiersten Kullenberg

Kiersten Kullenberg, Outreach Director, Texas–Colorado–New Mexico

Kiersten serves as the Outreach Director for Texas–Colorado–New Mexico of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Kiersten served as Director of Programs at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, designing and coordinating public speaking engagements to educate the North Texas community on global issues. She first joined the Council’s staff in 2018 following an internship with the programs department. A Dallas area native, Kiersten attended Louisiana State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and international relations, with a minor in religious studies. While in school, Kiersten studied abroad in Morocco and focused her studies on the Arabic language and women in world religions. She was a proud member of The Golden Band From Tigerland and is an alumni member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sigma Alpha Iota. Kiersten is currently based in Dallas, TX.

Adam Svolto

Adam Svolto, Director of Veteran Outreach

Adam serves as the Director of Veteran Outreach of the USGLC. An Air Force veteran, Adam served as a C-130 navigator stationed at Pope AFB in North Carolina and Yokota Air Base, Japan. Prior to joining, he served as Director of Policy and Engagement for the North Carolina Justice Center, advocating for consumer protections and tenants’ rights. At the non-profit, Adam built a strategic alliance with the North Carolina chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to expand health care coverage statewide. Earlier, Adam worked for the North Carolina Pediatric Society in support of a statewide initiative to improve health care for children in the foster system. Adam holds a Bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master’s in Public Administration from North Carolina State University. He resides in Raleigh, NC with his family.

Rose Leonard

Rose Leonard, Outreach Manager, Farmers for Prosperity

Rose serves as the Outreach Manager for the Farmers for Prosperity of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Rose worked with the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Department for Social Inclusion. Prior to her time at the OAS, Rose was an English teacher for three years in Madrid, Spain, where she also earned a master’s degree in international relations from Instituto de Empresa (IE University). A native of Massachusetts, Rose received a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from Simmons University in Boston. She is thrilled to continue assisting in outreach efforts for USGLC.

Liza Brilliant

Liza Brilliant, National Engagement and Special Projects Manager

Liza serves as the National Engagement and Special Projects Manager of the USGLC. Prior to joining, she graduated from Kenyon College, where she majored in Anthropology with concentrations in African Diaspora Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies. Building on her interest in international relations and her passion for human rights advocacy, Liza spent time abroad in Copenhagen studying international human rights law, transnational human trafficking, and modern-day slavery. Originally from Chevy-Chase, Maryland, Liza is now based in Washington, D.C., and excited to be working with the USGLC.

James Lovett

James Lovett, Outreach Assistant, Heartland Region

James serves as an Outreach Assistant for the Heartland Region of the USGLC. Prior to joining, James interned in the offices of Representative Trey Gowdy and Senator Tim Scott, both of South Carolina. He is a recent graduate from American University, with a major in International Service, focused on global health and conflict resolution. James also studied in Madrid, Spain furthering his comparative analysis of Western European vs. U.S. health systems. James is originally from Greenville, South Carolina.

Mia Roub

Mia Roub, Outreach Assistant, Eastern Region

Mia serves as an Outreach Assistant for the Eastern Region of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Mia interned in the Washington, D.C. Office of Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07).  She also interned at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She is a recent graduate from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with a focus on Identity and Social Justice and a minor in Dance and American Culture. Mia also spent a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she took courses on International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflict, Criminology in Scandinavia, Democracies at Risk in Europe, and Migrants and Minorities in Denmark. After growing up in Los Angeles and spending four years in the Midwest, Mia is thrilled to be back in the Nation’s Capital and working at USGLC.

Communications

Joshua Cohen

Joshua Cohen, Director of Communications

Josh serves as Director of Communications of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Josh was at the State Department as Senior Advisor and Speechwriter to Acting Deputy Secretary Victoria Nuland and Under Secretary John Bass—managing strategic communications to articulate and amplify the Department’s global efforts to advance the security, prosperity, and values of the American people. Earlier, Josh served for more than a decade in policymaking circles at the Department of Defense and on Capitol Hill, including as Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Lois Frankel, and as the Middle East Subcommittee Staff Director under Congressman Ted Deutch. Josh holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School. A native Michigander, Josh and his wife, Kelly, now live with their son in Washington, DC.

Martha Van Lieshout

Martha Van Lieshout, Deputy Communications Director

Martha serves as Deputy Communications Director of the USGLC. Previously, Martha led USAID’s strategic communications team at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, overseeing programs across South Asia and leading communications for the Mission’s COVID-19 emergency response. Earlier, as Congressional and Press Advisor in the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance, she managed the rollout of the President’s Budget Request and subsequent funding announcements. Her earlier experience includes serving as a Legislative Assistant for Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, as a Staff Assistant for Representative Bob Dold of Illinois, and as an English teacher in South Korea. A native of the Chicago suburbs, Martha earned a Master’s in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland.  Martha is looking forward to moving back to Washington, D.C., where you’ll find her trying new restaurants or making seasonal bouquets at the farmer’s market.

Kelsey Carolan

Kelsey Carolan, Communications and Press Manager

Kelsey serves as the Communications and Press Manager. Previously, Kelsey led the Virginia Democratic Party’s communications team in Richmond during the 2024 and 2025 election cycles. Previously, as a Communications Officer at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), she helped manage the organization’s media relations and storytelling strategies, advancing the mission of strengthening worldwide democracies. She started her career as a political reporter at The Hill, co-authoring a daily newsletter about Congress and the White House, and held fellowships as a Washington correspondent for the Texas Tribune and Durango Herald. A native of Philadelphia, Kelsey earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C. If she is working from home, her cat Toki will also probably be reading your email.

Gabrielle Gorman

Gabrielle Gorman, Digital Communications Manager

Gabrielle serves as the Digital Communications Manager of the USGLC. Prior to joining, she worked in digital marketing at Sony Pictures and content strategy at Paramount. Her films have been featured on Amazon Fire TV and PBS, and she has earned national recognition including being named a National YoungArts Winner and earning a nomination for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts program. Gabrielle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Television from UCLA and was honored as the commencement speaker for her graduating class. Originally from Los Angeles, she enjoys wandering through bookstores, hugging animals, and embarking on long hikes while listening to Disney music. Gabrielle is honored to join the Washington, DC community and contribute to the impactful work of USGLC.

Megan Pleasanton

Megan Pleasanton, Data–CRM Senior Manager

Megan serves as the Data/CRM Senior Manager of the USGLC. She has over 14 years of experience in marketing, including six in database analytics and CRM Strategy. Prior to joining, Megan served as the Manager of CRM Strategy with PENN Entertainment, Inc.  There, she established and managed the CRM strategy of eight casinos throughout the northeast. Additionally, she worked as a Membership Marketing Specialist for the AAA Club Alliance in Wilmington, DE where she helped grow their membership base and create new marketing efforts. Originally from Delaware, Megan earned her B.S. in Marketing from Wilmington University. She now calls Reston, VA her home where she lives with her family.

Feiras Rahman

Feiras Rahman, Data & Digital Marketing Associate

Feiras serves as the Data and Digital Marketing Associate of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Feiras worked at Project Sunshine, a nonprofit that provides developmental support to pediatric patients. There, he spearheaded their email marketing and website restructuring in efforts to establish a more efficient system that helped boost lead generation and overall brand recognition. Previously, he was a consultant at the United Nations Capital Development Fund where he supported the development of a framework for the integrated appraisal of municipal waste management projects. Feiras earned his Master’s degree in International Development and Nonprofit Management from New York University and received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Economics from American University. Feiras’ upbringing as a third culture child involved growing up in five diverse countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Kamsi Obiorah

Kamsi Obiorah, Communications Assistant

Kamsi serves as the Communications Assistant of the USGLC. Previously, Kamsi was a policy and advocacy intern at Mercy Corps, where she supported the organization’s engagement with Congress on international development. She also interned at Eurasia Group’s Institute for Global Affairs and The Carter Center. Kamsi earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Emory University. A native of Washington, DC, Kamsi is excited to contribute to the USGLC’s mission.

Programs

Emily Jennings French

Emily Jennings French, Program Director

Emily serves as Program Director of the USGLC, overseeing the strategy and implementation of the numerous events hosted by the organization each year in Washington, DC, and around the country. Prior to joining, Emily graduated from American University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and the Russian language, which included a semester spent living in St. Petersburg, Russia. A native of Burlington, Vermont, Emily has lived and worked in the DC area for over 15 years and currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and their young children – a son and twin daughters.

Brynn MacDougall

Brynn MacDougall, Deputy Program Director

Brynn serves as Deputy Program Director at the USGLC. Prior to joining, she held a variety of positions at nonprofits in Philadelphia, where she spearheaded girls leadership programs for Women’s Campaign International and directed development and communications at Philadelphia Legal Assistance. Brynn was a recipient of the Citizen Action Diplomacy Fund and the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange for her work in Kenya and Malawi, and served on the inaugural delegation of Young American NGO Leaders to Taiwan. Brynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Roanoke College and a certificate in Nonprofit Ascending Leadership from Bryn Mawr College. A New Jersey native, Brynn is now happy to call Washington, D.C. her home.

Lou Manalo

Lou Manalo, Program Manager

Lou serves as a Program Manager at the USGLC. Prior to joining, she completed a fellowship with the National Park Service, where she organized, managed, and facilitated training for the National Capital Region. Before coming back to the DC area in 2022, Lou gained experience in program management, communications, research, and journalism through internships with EuCham – European Chamber, CEEweb for Biodiversity, Institute for Cultural Relations Policy, Malaya Business Insight, and Brigada News FM National. She also volunteered at the Philippine Embassy in Hungary where she participated in the planning and execution of cultural events. Lou graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications where she earned credits for that degree from the University of Toronto and the University of the Philippines and received her master’s degree in International Relations from Budapest Business School. Having lived in five countries, Lou is thrilled to be back in the first place she called home.

Brenden Kazensky

Brenden Kazensky, Programs Assistant

Brenden serves as the Programs Assistant of the USGLC. Prior to joining, he held a position as an Immigration Advisor for Arizona State University, managing F-1, J-1, and H-1B visas for the international student population. Brenden was also the Graduate Fellow Intern for the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, assisting in the implementation of events, policy research, and data management. He holds a Bachelor’s of Public Service and Public Policy along with a Master’s of International Affairs and Leadership, both from Arizona State University. This has afforded him the opportunity to study abroad in Morocco learning Arabic and is the recipient of the Arizona World Innovators Study Abroad and Internship Scholarship from the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy, and National Security Lab, spending months studying and working in Amman, Jordan. Although a Washington State native, Brenden is excited to be in Washington D.C. and be a part of the USGLC mission.

Policy and Strategy

Richard Parker, Senior Policy Advisor

Richard serves as the Senior Policy Advisor of the USGLC, returning to the organization after previously serving as the Communications Director. He is a seasoned public relations, advocacy, and policy executive with managerial experience at the global, federal, and state levels and knowledge of the private and non-profit sectors. He is a Principal at RAMP Solutions and formerly served as the Vice President of External Affairs at both Food for the Hungry and Project Concern International. He was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Legislative & Public Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Read More

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson, Deputy Policy Director

Tom serves as the Deputy Policy Director of the USGLC. He previously served at USAID from 2020-2025, including as acting deputy for USAID’s New Partnerships Initiative, a reform effort launched under Administrator Mark Green to strengthen the Agency’s external collaborations. Prior, Tom handled Congressional reporting at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and worked for U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren of Illinois. Tom has been involved in organizations dedicated to democratic values and internationalism, including the Institute on Religion & Democracy and the International Churchill Society. Originally hailing from suburban Chicago, Tom earned degrees from Wheaton College (IL) and the University of Chicago. When not working, he enjoys volunteering through his church, making pilgrimages to the UK, and exploring local history.

Julia Ellings

Julia Ellings, Democracy and Security Fellow

Julia serves as the Democracy and Security Fellow of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Julia served as a Senior Program Coordinator at the McCain Institute, where she managed the Ukraine portfolio. Previously, she worked for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber, liaising with government agencies, foreign embassies, and interest groups to develop legislation. Julia earned a MPhil in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Oxford, where she was the vice president of the Ukrainian Society, and B.A. in government from Georgetown University. She is proud of her advanced-level Ukrainian language proficiency and enjoys practicing yoga in her free time.

Olivia Slavov

Olivia Slavov, Policy Assistant

Olivia serves as a Policy Assistant at the USGLC. Prior to joining, she graduated from the University of Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Economics. Olivia most recently served as a French language intern for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, where she contributed to the Bureau’s policy work for security partnerships. Earlier, Olivia consulted for a Georgia county’s economic development team and interned at an international human rights organization. Olivia is excited to make the move to DC and join the USGLC team.

Alexandre Brun

Alexandre Brun, Policy & Government Relations Assistant

Alex serves as a Policy and Government Relations Assistant. Prior to joining, Alex interned for the European Division of the Library of Congress and in the Washington office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03).  Alex also lived in Paris, France where he participated in a year-long teaching exchange at Paris-East Créteil University, instructing undergraduate courses for the English Department and master’s courses for the Public and Political Communication Department. Alex is a proud graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) where he majored in Government and French Studies and competed as a distance swimmer on the varsity swim team for all four years. A native of the D.C. metro area, Alex is thrilled to be back and working to support the mission of USGLC.

Sidney Traynham

Sidney Traynham, Senior Director for Policy and Strategy

Sidney serves as Senior Director for Policy and Strategy of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Sidney gained over a decade of experience in communications, policy and advocacy in the US, Europe, Asia and Africa. He most recently led the national press outreach and digital campaign efforts on immigration and refugee issues for Church World Service’s DC office. Prior to returning to DC, he worked in the international humanitarian and development sector in Geneva with the ACT Alliance, after which he was based in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Thailand with Church World Service. A DC native, Sidney received his undergraduate degree from American University and more recently earned his Master’s in international peace and security from the War Studies Department at King’s College London.

Development

Dana Bruce, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

Dana serves as the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships of the USGLC. She joined the USGLC in 2016, with over a decade of non-profit management experience, and currently leads the organization’s fundraising, partnership building, and external engagement efforts. Most recently, Dana served as a managing consultant for then-Governor Nikki Haley’s One South Carolina Flood Fund, where she developed the protocol to manage and distribute funding to disaster relief organizations.

Previously, Dana served as the Executive Director for the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Palmetto Chapter in Columbia, SC, for over seven years, where she was responsible for the geographical growth of the chapter to include national advocacy, fundraising, and event planning. Early in her career, Dana worked in immigration services at the University of South Carolina, supporting international students and scholars as they navigated the complexities of U.S. immigration policies.

Read More

Philip Huppe

Philip Huppe, Deputy Director of Development

Phil serves as the Deputy Director of Development of the USGLC. He brings over a decade of experience in fundraising, strategic partnerships, staff management and nonprofit leadership. Throughout his career, Phil has focused on disaster response, international development, and humanitarian assistance, driven by a deep passion for supporting vulnerable populations around the globe. Phil has held leadership roles at Convoy of Hope and Mercy Chefs, where he developed and executed fundraising strategies and cultivated donor relationships. His work has significantly contributed to the growth of each organization and enhanced their ability to serve communities in need. Phil holds a Master’s in Public Policy, with a concentration in International Development, from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis. He resides in Reston, VA with his wife and their three children.

Haniz Zattam

Haniz Zattam, Senior Development Manager

Haniz serves as a Senior Development Manager of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Haniz graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in International Relations. She served as the Executive Director for the World Affairs Council Columbia, SC chapter where she also managed the sister city relationships for the City of Columbia. She also became involved in the Somali Bantu Refugee Program where she was responsible for over a dozen refugees and their integration into US society. After several years Haniz moved to Doha, Qatar where she directed INJAZ Qatar, an NGO that focuses on youth development, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. A dedicated volunteer, she has over ten years of supporting, building, and giving back to the local Northern Virginia community for boards, schools, and political efforts where her three children attend school. Prior to joining USGLC as a senior development manager, she served as a consultant for USGLC for over a year.

Finance and Administration

Dular Niyangoda

Dular Niyangoda, Chief Financial Officer

Dular serves as the Chief Financial Officer at the USGLC and is responsible for the organization’s finances, accounting, human resources, technology, contracts, and administration. Prior to joining, Dular was the CFO for Optica (formerly The Optical Society) where he led finance and customer service departments. For over twenty-five years, Dular has served as a trusted business partner and advisor for not-for-profit entities to strategically align finances and operations to maximize the impact of key programs and initiatives. Prior to returning to the not-for-profit sector, as an entrepreneur, Dular worked with farmers around the world to introduce sustainable organic agricultural products to the US and EU markets. Dular lives with his wife and two children in Washington, DC.

Grace Gordon

Grace Gordon, Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Grace serves as Senior Human Resources Business Partner of the USGLC. Prior to joining, Grace served as the HR Manager for a private regional professional services firm, the Calibre CPA Group. Her background in HR management includes leadership, benefits administration, process improvements, and employee relations. Grace earned her bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY). She also holds the SHRM Certified Professional credential. Grace is originally from the island of Jamaica and now considers the DC area her home.