NEW YORK – The transatlantic partnership relies on the relationships between individuals. The Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program fosters those relationships by building connections between experienced professionals in the United States and Germany through high-level work placements.

Since its inception in 1984, the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program has annually provided young American leaders the opportunity to advance their careers through a comprehensive professional development experience while immersed in the political, economic, and cultural environment of Germany and the European Union.

The program is fully funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, one of the largest foundations in Germany, and endeavors to develop a new generation of Americans committed to strengthening transatlantic relations.

This is the third year of a revitalized program, which offers additional flexibility for fellows. By including a broader range of professional fields, different program duration options, and updated eligibility requirements, the Bosch Fellowship aims to include more mid-career professionals from a wider variety of backgrounds in order to extend its reach and create even deeper ties within the transatlantic sphere.

Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce the 33rd class of Robert Bosch Foundation Fellows.

The 33rd fellowship class consists of 15 emerging leaders from across the United States in the fields of education, law, government, business, and urban planning, among others.

The 2016-2017 Bosch Fellows participate in three months of intensive private language tutoring in their hometowns and will spend the summer in group language classes in Germany. Depending on their elected program length, fellows will participate in a series of two or three professional seminars across Europe beginning in September and complete one or two high-level practical assignments at leading German institutions.

Each seminar lasts a week or longer and is designed to expose the fellows to an array of German, European, and transatlantic issues, as well as enhance their personal leadership development. During the work assignments, fellows work directly in their field of expertise alongside key decisions makers from Germany’s public and private sectors.

Since the inaugural group of Bosch Fellows began their transatlantic journey in the summer of 1984, more than 500 young Americans have taken part in this intensive intercultural professional experience.

The 33rd class of Robert Bosch Foundation Fellows, their experience and focus in Germany:

Benjamin Alsdurf

Education
M.A. in International Relations, University of Chicago
B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science, Calvin College

Experience
External Affairs Manager at TB Alliance
Consultant at BroderickHaight Consulting

Fellowship Field: Public Health
Fellowship Focus: Antimicrobial Resistance

Robert Barrett

Education
J.D., William and Mary School of Law
B.A. in German, Radford University

Experience
Attorney, Commercial Business at Advance Auto Parts
Ecommerce Manager at Advance Auto Parts

Fellowship Field: Law
Fellowship Focus: Data Privacy Regulation

Steven Beardsley

Education
M.S. in Journalism, Columbia University
B.A. in Comparative Literature, University of Georgia

Experience
Reporter at European Stars and Stripes
Reporter at Naples Daily News

Fellowship Field: Journalism
Fellowship Focus: Bundeswehr and German Foreign Policy

Erick Gregory

Education
M.S. in Architecture and Urban Design, Columbia University
B.A. in Architecture, University of Oklahoma

Experience
Senior Urban Designer at NYC Department of City Planning
Project Architect at CCS Architecture

Fellowship Field: Urban Planning
Fellowship Focus: Affordable Housing

Sarah Kimmerle

Education
M.A. in Museum Administration, San Francisco State University
B.A. in Art History and International Politics, Juniata College

Experience
Individual Giving Manager at Oakland Museum of California
Google Art Project Manager at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Fellowship Field: Cultural Management
Fellowship Focus: German Philanthropic Sector

Dalia Leven

Education
MS in Transportation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MCP in City Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Maryland

Experience
Manager, Travel Demand Forecasting at AECOM
Associate, Travel Demand Forecasting at Cambridge Systematics

Fellowship Field: Urban Planning
Fellowship Focus: Transportation Systems

Evan Matzen

Education
M.B.A. in International Business and M.A. in Finance, Tulane University
B.A. Religion and Geology, Bowdoin College

Experience
Head of Sustainability at HD Supply Facilities Maintenance
Director of Energy Efficiency at Element Markets

Fellowship Field: Business
Fellowship Focus: Corporate Sustainability

Sarah Morton

Education
M.A., University of Sussex
B.A., Dartmouth College

Experience
Administrative Director of Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Program
Research Associate at Harvard Business School Senior Legal Assistant
Special Projects Liaison at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defender

Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Criminal Justice

Sara Nichols

Education
M.A. in Environmental Management, Environmental Economics and Policy, Duke University
B.A. in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara

Experience
Air Pollution Specialist at California Air Resources Board
Research Fellow at Population Institute

Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Climate & Energy Politics

Megan O’Reilly

Education
J.D., University of Colorado School of Law
B.A. in Environmental Studies, University of Colorado

Experience
Principal and Owner at Arc Research and Analysis
Staff Attorney, Director Climate and Energy Program at Western Environmental Law Center

Fellowship Field: Law
Fellowship Focus: Energy Transition

Ana Ramic

Education
M.A. in International Relations, University of Chicago
B.A. in International Studies and French, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Experience
Director, Chicago Forum on Global Cities at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Consultant at National Democratic Institute

Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Foreign Policy of Global Cities

Kathryn Reynolds

Education
M.P.A., New York University
B.S. in Psychology, Fordham University

Experience
Deputy Director, White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Presidential Management Fellow at U.S. Department of Labor

Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Integration and Economic Opportunity for Refugees

Misha Simmonds

Education
M.S. in Educational Leadership, Baruch College/CUNY
M.B.A., Harvard University B.A. in History, Princeton University

Experience
Executive Director at University Heights Charter School
Partner and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Newark Charter School Fund

Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Closing the Achievement Gap

Brian Trauth

Education
M.B.A. from HEC Paris
B.S. in Business Administration, University of South Carolina

Experience
Director, Corporate Development at Milliken and Company
Principal at The Capital Corporation

Fellowship Field: Business
Fellowship Focus: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Perla Trevizo

Education
M.A. in News Agency Journalism, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
B.A. in Political Science, The University of Texas at Austin

Experience
Border Reporter at the Arizona Daily Star
Reporter at Chattanooga Times Free Press

Fellowship Field: Journalism
Fellowship Focus: Immigration and Integration

About Cultural Vistas
Cultural Vistas acts as the U.S. representative of the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program and has administered the program since its inception in 1984.

Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. We develop international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Our programs empower people to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society. Cultural Vistas is headquartered in New York with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Berlin. Learn more at culturalvistas.org.

Learn more about the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program at culturalvistas.org/bosch.

Follow @CulturalVistas and @BoschFellowship on Twitter

About the Robert Bosch Stiftung
Established in 1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH is one of the major German foundations associated with a private company. It represents the philanthropic and social endeavors of founder Robert Bosch (1861-1942) and fulfills his legacy by taking on challenges of modern day society, developing forward-looking concepts, and putting them into practice.

The Robert Bosch Stiftung works predominantly in the fields of international relations, health, and education. The Robert Bosch Stiftung, the objectives of which are exclusively non-profit, holds 92% of the capital stock of Robert Bosch GmbH. Since 1964, the foundation has provided over one billion euros in funding.

Follow @BoschStiftung on Twitter.