News
NEW YORK — Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce the 15 emerging leaders of the 36th class of the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program.
The latest cohort of Fellows have backgrounds in the fields of law, government, business, international security, urban and regional planning, cultural management, and the NGO sector, among others. Upon arriving in Germany, they will join a prestigious club of more than 580 young Americans who have completed the transatlantic journey as Bosch Fellows since the inaugural program in the summer of 1984.
The 2019-2020 marks the sixth annual edition of a revitalized program, offering added flexibility for fellows. By including a broader range of professional fields, different program duration options, and updated eligibility requirements, the Bosch Fellowship aims to involve more mid-career professionals from a wider variety of backgrounds to extend its reach and create deeper ties.
The program is fully funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, one of the largest foundations in Germany—which is committed to developing a new generation of American leaders strengthening transatlantic relations by offering comprehensive intercultural professional experiences immersing Fellows in the political, economic, and cultural environments of Germany and the European Union.
After three months of intensive private language tutoring in their hometowns, the Fellows will take group language classes in Berlin. Depending on their elected program length, the Fellows will then participate in a series of two or three professional seminars 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 and transatlantic issues, as well as enhance their leadership development. During the professional assignments, Fellows will work directly in their field of expertise alongside key decision-makers from Germany’s public and private sectors.
Introducing the 36th Class of the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship:
Aaron Allen
Washington, D.C.
Education: MA Security Policy Studies, Georgetown University; BA Political Science, University of California Berkeley
Professional Experience: Senior Legislative Assistant, Representative Juan Vargas; Democratic Professional Staff Member, Committee on House Administration
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: International Security
Natalie Betts
Austin, Texas
Education: MPA, Indiana University; BA in Political Science, Emory University
Professional Experience: Circular Economy Program Manager, City of Austin – Austin Resource Recovery; Global Business Recruitment and Expansion Coordinator, City of Austin – Economic Development Department
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Sustainable Economic Development
Michael Brown
Rockville, Maryland
Education: MS in Urban Planning, University of Illinois at Chicago; BA in Architecture, Hampton University
Professional Experience: Planner Supervisor, Montgomery County Planning Department; Chapter President, American Planning Association – National Capital Area
Fellowship Field: Urban Planning and Policy
Fellowship Focus: Sustainable Development
Anna Bruen
Fairfield, Iowa
Education: Master of City and Regional Planning and MS in Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; BS in Environmental Science/Studies, Maharishi University of Management
Professional Experience: Executive Director, Pathfinders RC&D; Environmental Planner, Pathfinders RC&D
Fellowship Field: Urban Planning and Policy
Fellowship Focus: Environmental Policy
Allister Chang
Washington, D.C.
Education: MPP, Harvard University; BA in Arts History, Tufts University
Professional Experience: Fellow, Voqal; Executive Director, Libraries Without Borders
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Disinformation
Sylvia Chen
Washington, D.C.
Education: Masters of Laws International Law, University of Turin; JD, Suffolk University School; BA in Economics, Connecticut College
Professional Experience: Staff Attorney, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholar LLP; International Trade & Regulatory Specialist, Sandler Trade LLC
Fellowship Field: Law
Fellowship Focus: Trade, Commerce, and Finance: Trade Policy
Seemi Choudry
Chicago, Illinois
Education: BA in Political Science and Spanish, Loyola University
Professional Experience: Office of New Americans Director, Office of the Mayor of Chicago; Cultural Exchange Programs Trainer, Northern Illinois University
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Migration and Integration
William Ellis
Farmingdale, Maine
Education: MPP, Hertie School of Governance; BA in French and Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University
Professional Experience: Legislative Aide, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr.; Business Development Associate, FiscalNote
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Disinformation
Cristina Hernandez
Las Vegas, Nevada
Education: Certificate in General Management, Harvard Business School; MPA, Harvard Kennedy School; BA Political Science, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Professional Experience: White House Fellow, The White House/U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Senior Science and Technology Policy Advisor, Leidos
Fellowship Field: Business
Fellowship Focus: Sustainable Investing
Benjamin Lawless
Baltimore, Maryland
Education: MS Environmental Science/Studies, Central European University; JD, University of Michigan Law School; BA International Studies, University of Michigan
Professional Experience: Associate Attorney, Latham & Watkins; International Patent Paralegal, Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck
Fellowship Field: Law
Fellowship Focus: Energy Transitions or Carbon Markets
Jessica Loudis
Brooklyn, New York
Education: BA Literature, Bard College
Professional Experience: Editor-in-Chief, World Policy Institute; Features Editor, Al Jazeera America
Fellowship Field: Journalism
Fellowship Focus: Print
Kimberly Olson
Salem, Oregon
Education: MA European Studies, Georgetown University; BA International Studies, University of Oregon
Professional Experience: Policy Director, Oregon State Treasury; Foreign Service Officer/ Political Officer, U.S. Department of State
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: Behavioral Science
Raquel Pichardo
Washington, D.C.
Education: MS Journalism, Boston University; BA Communications, Florida Atlantic University
Professional Experience: Content Manager – Communications, Wespath Benefits and Investments; Investment Writer, Canada Life Investments; Freelance Journalist
Fellowship Field: Strategic Communications
Fellowship Focus: Sustainable Investment Industry
Rachel Rizzo
Washington, D.C.
Education: MA in Security Policy Studies, The George Washington University; BA Finance, University of Utah
Professional Experience: Bacevich Fellow, Center for a New American Security; Research Associate, Center for a New American Security
Fellowship Field: Public Policy
Fellowship Focus: International Security
Elisabeth Zerofsky
Brooklyn, New York
Education: MA in French Studies, Brown University; BA in Comparative Literature, Brown University
Professional Experience: Contributing Writer, The New Yorker; Fact-Checker, The New Yorker; Freelance Journalist
Fellowship Field: Journalism
Fellowship Focus: Print