WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a time when America’s leadership on the global stage is even more critical, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) is proud to announce the 2025 class of the Next Generation (Next Gen) Global Leaders Network—an urgent and timely initiative to equip rising leaders with the tools to champion strong U.S. engagement in the world.

This year’s diverse and bipartisan cohort represents a powerful force of emerging leaders who understand that America cannot afford to retreat from the world given everything at stake and that our role in global development and diplomacy is not just important—it is essential. As threats to democracy, economic instability, and global conflicts continue to escalate, these leaders will be on the frontlines, championing policies that ensure America remains a beacon of stability, security, and prosperity.

Over the course of the next year, these advocates will receive specialized training from USGLC’s top experts, engage with policymakers, and build networks that prioritizes democracy, global stability, and America’s long-term security and prosperity. This new class brings together professionals from across the country who are ready to reinforce the fundamental truth that what happens globally directly impacts American families, jobs, and national security.

The 2025 class includes 40 rising leaders from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, including veterans, business leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community organizers—all committed to ensuring America remains engaged and leading on the world stage.

For more information about the Next Gen Global Leaders Network, visit our website.

Alabama

Dr. Carolina D. Robinson – Director, Education Abroad, The University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, AL

Arizona

Kathleen Tate Mulligan – Fellow, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations; Graduate Student, Thunderbird School of Global Management – Phoenix, AZ

California

Nouman Kante – Associate Account Executive, Armanino LLP – Alameda, CA

Colorado

Brandon Pleiman – Upgrade Support Specialist, Cochlear Americas – Denver, CO
Sacha Francois Heppell – Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International; Board Member, Sister Cities International – Denver, CO
Djenita Svinjar, ESQ – Senior Counsel, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP; Founder, Svinesq LLC – Denver, CO

Delaware

Connor Vincent – Agent, King Crop Insurance – Laurel, DE
Ruth M. Muli – Community Living Specialist, Keystone Human Services; Delaware African Coalition – Newark, DE

Florida

Kelen Quintana – Staff Assistant, City of Gainesville; APSIA Fellow; UNICEF Fellow; Graduate Student, Columbia University – Gainesville, FL

Indiana

Sophia Menyhert – Partnerships and Communications Coordinator, Building Tomorrow – Indianapolis, IN

Kentucky

Tanelle Sawyer – Associate Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development, Kentucky Community and Technical College – Louisville, KY

Maine

Brandon McDonald – Regional Hub Coordinator, Northern Maine Development Commission – Presque Isle, ME
Mardochee Mbongi – Board Chair, Immigrant Community Integration; Advisor, Maine Community Health Worker – Biddeford, ME
Topaz Smith – Founder, EN-NOBLE – Portland, ME
Abigayle Eames – Litchfield, ME

Michigan

Ernestine Lyons – Global Entrepreneur In Residence Program Manager, Global Detroit; Founder, Linglobal – Harper Woods, MI
Drew Johnson – Global Entrepreneur In Residence Program Manager, Global Detroit – Grand Rapids, MI
Helina Melaku – Owner and Chef, Konjo Me – Detroit, MI

Minnesota

Matthew Breeze – Recruitment Operations Manager, MBA and MS Programs, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota; Master of Public Policy Candidate, Humphrey School of Public Affairs – Saint Paul, MN

Nebraska

Thomas Blanton – Fiduciary Account Representative, U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration; Executive Director, Vote Wise Nebraska – Lincoln, NE

Nevada

Timothy “Tito” Torres* – Senior Advisor, National Security, Access Partnership; Founding Partner, SOF(t) – Reno, NV

New Jersey

Jackie Schiffer – Global Goals Ambassador, United Nations Association USA – Princeton, NJ

New Mexico

Makalah Biddle – Research Analyst, Gorstra Research Group – Albuquerque, NM

New York

Rory Mondshein – Communications Associate, Coalition for the UN We Need; United Nations Association of the USA – New York, NY

North Carolina

Jamie Stivers* – Civil Affairs Officer (LTC), U.S. Army – Aberdeen, NC

Ohio

Edelyn Huijun Park – PhD Student, Cleveland Clinic; UN Delegate, United Nations – Cleveland, OH

Oklahoma

Srijita Ghosh – Venture Advisor, i2E – Oklahoma City, OK

Pennsylvania

Kenyatta James – Deputy Executive Director, The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
Linda Kusi – Founder & Executive Director, SALTED Health; Board Member, Sickle Gene International Foundation – Philadelphia, PA

South Carolina

Austin Donahoo – Senior Advocacy Specialist, World Relief Upstate SC – Greer, SC
Marion Harris – Volunteer Manager, East Cooper Community Outreach – Mount Pleasant, SC

Tennessee

Tim Gehring – Vice President, Bridge Public Affairs – Nashville, TN

Texas

Rafael Eduardo Struve – Communications Director, Bienvenido; President Emeritus, Houston Young Republicans – Houston, TX
Jan Ross Sakian– Vice Chair, Secretary & Young Professionals Chair, World Affairs Council of San Antonio; San Antonio, TX
Breana Oliver* – Chief Operating Officer, LoneCypressAI Inc. – San Angelo, TX
Pratikshya Mudvari – Equity and Inclusion Officer, City of Dallas; Chief Marketing Officer, Lacuna Creations – Dallas, TX
Staci LaToison – Founder & CEO, Dream Big Ventures; Podcast Host, “Her Money Moves” – Houston, TX
Hannah Johnson – Senior Program Manager, Global Policy, George W. Bush Institute – Dallas, TX
Courtney Sanders – Founder & CEO, CLS Training International – Houston, TX

Virginia

Michelle Furmansky – Program Coordinator, Digital, Business Council for International Understanding – Arlington, VA

Washington

Michaela Doelman – Chief Human Resources Officer, State of Washington; National Nordic Museum – Olympia, WA

*Indicates Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces