Former Student Staff

	Zviad Adzinbaia is the Founder and Head of the Digital Diplomacy Task Force - a pro-bono international initiative to support Ukraine’s efforts to fight Russian disinformation. A Ph.D. Scholar of information integrity and technology-enabled democracy, Zviad also serves as an International Security and Digital Diplomacy Fellow at The Fletcher School and directs LEADx Change, a multinational senior leadership accelerator in Central and Eastern Europe, in partnership with Fletcher and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Previously, Zviad served as Assistant to a Member (MEP) at the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Subcommittee, where he covered security and political affairs in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and EU-US relations. In 2017, as a Research Fellow at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Zviad developed policy recommendations for NATO’s enhanced operations in the Black Sea. Zviad is a documented internally displaced person from Georgia's Abkhazia region.
	Karl Afrikian received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 2022 from The Fletcher School, where he focused on geopolitical risk in the post-Soviet space. Before Fletcher, Karl served in Peace Corps Ukraine as a Community Development Volunteer working in organizational development and HIV programming and policy making for LGBT individuals and people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Prior to that, he worked on the trades team at Brown Brothers Harriman for two years in Boston as a senior mutual fund accountant. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Russian Studies from Sewanee: The University of the South. He spent a semester at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. He later returned there to intern at PINK Armenia working to support LGBT equality in Armenia while also observing for human rights violations at the Electric Yerevan protests. Karl speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and intermediate Ukrainian.
	Sean Christensen received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 2021 from The Fletcher School, where he focused on International Monetary Theory and Policy and International Political Economy. Before coming to The Fletcher School, he worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant at Brigham Young University while completing his bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and French Studies there. During a two-year break in his studies, he worked as a volunteer in several cities near Moscow, Russia primarily helping immigrants to Russia from several other countries who struggled economically. He continues to work on his proficiency in both French and Russian.
	Edita Danielyan is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2023 Candidate at The Fletcher School. After graduating from Earlham College in 2020 with a B.A. in International Studies, Edita interned with the Rule of Law Index team at the World Justice Project in Washington, D.C. She also worked for the South Caucasus, Moldova, and the Central Asia portfolios at the Center for International Private Enterprise prior to joining Fletcher. Edita is passionate about economics, international development, and conflict prevention, particularly in the post-Soviet region. She speaks Russian, Armenian, English, and Spanish.
	Madeline Diorio is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2021 Candidate at The Fletcher School focusing on Human Security and International Negotiations and Conflict Resolution. Her regional focus is Russia and Eastern Europe. Before enrolling at Fletcher, Madeline served with the Peace Corps in Ukraine where she worked on youth development and HIV programming. Madeline holds a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in intercultural communications from Syracuse University. Additionally, Madeline studied the politics of contemporary reconciliation in Eastern Europe and its importance to geopolitics and regional security.
	Abbey Doyno is a Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2021 dual degree Candidate at The Fletcher School and Harvard Law School. Prior to attending Fletcher, Abbey was a Fulbright Research Scholar in Morocco, worked for Oxfam America's impact litigation division, and worked for Anderson and Kreiger LLP. She hopes to work in international law after graduation. Abbey earned her B.Sc. in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University.
	Amanda Filardo is a MALD ’22 candidate with focuses in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and Human Security. Before Fletcher, she attended the University of Alabama, majoring in International Relations with a concentration in Russia and Eastern Europe and minoring in Russian and Italian. She was a Fulbright ETA in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, and has a passion for all things Central Asia. Since Fletcher, Amanda has been a research fellow for Refugees Welcome!, an intern for Kentucky Refugee Ministries, an intern for the Office of Foreign Missions at the State Department, and a teaching assistant for Introduction to International Relations at Tufts. She is currently a class representative for Student Council. She hopes to one day work in advocacy, specifically in corrupt states.
	Akshobh Giridharadas received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2019 from The Fletcher School, where he focused on International Security Studies and Strategic Management and Consultancy. A journalist by profession, Akshobh was based out of Singapore as a reporter and producer with Channel News Asia, Singapore covering international business news. He writes on diverse topics such as geopolitics, business, tech, and sports. His previous endeavors include working at ESPN STAR and FOX television networks. He is a TEDx and Toastmasters public speaker.
	Natasha Hill is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2022 candidate at The Fletcher School. Prior to attending Fletcher she worked as a math and science teacher in Budakeszi, Hungary. Natasha also worked at a non-profit teaching math to incarcerated men and women, preparing them for the GRE. She holds a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Peace & Justice Studies. She is interested in U.S.-Russian relations and political psychology.
	Erica Johnston received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 2021 at The Fletcher School, focusing on International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. She is also interested in Russia and Eurasia and Gender Analysis. Before attending Fletcher, Erica worked at Nigro, Pettepit, and Lucas, LLP in Newburyport, Massachusetts as an administrative assistant in the estate planning and probate department. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and German Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During her time at UMass Amherst, she worked at the DEFA Film Library, where she handled sales, screenings, and upkeep of the library’s East German film collection. After college, she received served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at a German secondary school in North-Rhine Westphalia. Erica also took introductory Russian courses in high school and college and looks to improve her language skills. She plans to join the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer.
	Anastasia Karimova received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2019 from The Fletcher School, where she focused on Human Security and Business for Social Impact. Before coming to The Fletcher School, she had worked with Transparency International Russia (TIR) in Moscow as a press officer and spokesperson. Anastasia also has eight years of experience in political and business journalism in Russia, and she stood for a municipal election in Moscow in 2008. She received her В.А. in Journalism from the Moscow State University and took part in the seminars at the Moscow School of Political Studies.
	Kiana Kazemi received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where she concentrated on Development Economics and Conflict Resolution. Kiana is interested in the Middle East geopolitics, international development, civic engagement, and the role of entrepreneurship in solving today’s most pressing problems. Before joining Fletcher, she worked in the private and non-profit sectors in Iran. She holds a B.A. in Architecture.
	Matt Kokkinos received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where he studied International Security and Russia and Eurasia. Before Fletcher, Matt worked at the European Public Law Organization in Athens, Greece, where he assisted on EU Twinning Projects research and planning. During the Fall 2019 semester, Matt completed an exchange with MGIMO University in Moscow. He received a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Affairs from Northeastern University in 2018.
	Maxim Kondratenko received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 2022 from The Fletcher School, where he focused on International Security Studies and Russia and Eurasia. Before attending Fletcher, he worked as a program assistant for Eurasia at the National Endowment for Democracy, supporting the development of civil society in the former Soviet Union. He also worked at the U.S.-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) program at Eurasia Foundation, developing collaborative initiatives between Russia- and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations. Maxim holds a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University, with concentrations in International Security and Russian. While at Tufts, he completed a senior capstone project analyzing the events of the Russian annexation of Crimea through the lens of long-term historic, cultural, and political trends in Russia and its "near abroad." He was also a member of the 2014-2015 EPIIC Colloquium, a yearlong program of the Tufts Institute for Global Leadership devoted to conducting in-depth study of "Russia in the XXI Century" and organizing an international symposium on the subject. Maxim speaks fluent Russian, as well as French and basic Spanish.
	Markian Kuzmowycz received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2019 from The Fletcher School, where he studied International Political Economy with a focus on Eastern Europe. In the summer of 2018, he interned at the New Europe Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. Previously he has worked in finance, economic development consulting, and e-commerce. Markian has served as an international election monitor for two Ukrainian national elections. His research interests include the Balkans, Ukraine, and the Caucasus, as well as frozen conflicts. He speaks Ukrainian and French and is studying Russian.
	Allison Larmann received a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 2022 from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she focused on International Organizations, International Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution. Allison has a B.S. in International Studies concentrating on Diplomacy, Security, and Governance from Indiana University. She was also awarded a Fulbright grant co-teaching English at a secondary school in the state of Pahang in Malaysia. In her previous position before Fletcher, Allison was a Program Coordinator for the Fulbright Program in Malaysia. Her research background has focused on the regions of Southeast Asia, Turkey, and Southeastern Europe.
	Michael Mandelkorn earned an M.A. in History from Tufts University in 2020. Michael is interested in examining Soviet influence in — and contemporary Russian ties to — South and Southeast Asia. Before coming to Tufts University, Michael worked with monastic communities in Myanmar as a VIA Global Community Fellow. He has ethnographic research experience in Buryatia and has completed coursework at Moscow State University. Michael received his B.A. in History and Russian from Carleton College, where he studied state- and nation-building projects in early Soviet Central Asia. In addition to English, he speaks Russian and Burmese.
	Miina Matsuyama is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2022 Candidate at The Fletcher School focusing on U.S. foreign policy and global political economy. Before enrolling at Fletcher, Miina served as a foreign officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and dealt with a variety of issues concerning Japan-U.S relations, including presidential visit to Japan. Holding a B.A. in international regional studies focusing on Russia from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Miina is also interested in U.S.-Russian relations and their impact on East Asia. As a future diplomat, she is eager to acquire a wide range of knowledge not only in her field of interest.
	Lisa May received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where she studied Human Security and International Information and Communication. Her regional focus was Russia and Eastern Europe. Before coming to The Fletcher School, she interned at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and worked as a social media and marketing manager for small and medium businesses. Lisa received her B.A. in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Governance from George Mason University. Additionally, she studied translation from Spanish and English into Ukrainian at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
	Anshu Meghe is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2023 candidate at The Fletcher School, specializing in International Security and Development studies. Prior to coming to Fletcher, he worked with the Government of Maharashtra in India in various capacities to implement multi-agency projects in rural livelihoods, financial inclusion, and women entrepreneurship. He is passionate about developing approaches for economic policy implementation in conflict-ridden communities that accommodate culture and diversity to bring them to the economic forefront.
	Bridget Norris received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in summer 2021 at The Fletcher School focusing on Security Studies with an emphasis on civil resistance and terrorism. Prior to attending Fletcher, Bridget served with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso where she taught English and coordinated community development projects with women and girls. More recently Bridget worked as a community organizer for an equitable housing nonprofit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds a BA in International Affairs from Marquette University. During her undergraduate career, Bridget studied the political economy and conflict transformation in various countries throughout Africa. Bridget is interested in exploring the Russian Government’s renewed focus on the continent of Africa as well as challenges to civil resistance movements throughout Africa, Eurasia, and Russia.
	Caroline Nowak is an undergraduate at Tufts University dual majoring in Russian and East European Studies and International Relations with a concentration in identity, as well as minoring in Religion. Caroline previously interned with the Polish American Congress researching energy security in Europe. On campus, she is a member of Women in International Relations and Hemispheres: Tufts University Journal of International Affairs. She is primarily interested in Russian history and foreign policy, conflict prevention, and migration in the post-Soviet world. Caroline studies Russian and is also fluent in Spanish.
	Meagan Reid received a Master of Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where she studied International Security and Humanitarian Assistance. Before coming to The Fletcher School, Meagan worked as a Global Security Analyst for Boston Scientific and interned with the Boston Police Intelligence Department. Meagan received her B.A. in International Relations and Political Science with concentrations in Russian Language and Culture from Northeastern University. She continues to work on her fluency in Russian and French.
	Jade Rhoads received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where she focused on International Security Studies, Russia, and the Middle East. She is a Native American from the Tuscarora Nation and a member of the Deer Clan. Prior to Fletcher, she served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps with two yearlong deployments to Iraq (2006 and 2008). She also worked in Afghanistan as a defense contractor. Jade completed her undergraduate studies at Syracuse University. She dual majored in Russian language, literature, and culture and Geography, minored in Global Security Studies, and earned a certificate in Iroquois linguistics. Jade participated in the Critical Language Scholarship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where she studied Russian at the American University of Central Asia. Jade is a Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow and entered the U.S. Foreign Service as a Political Officer in 2020. She speaks Russian, Spanish, and basic Arabic.
	Garrett Robinson received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in spring 2021 at the Fletcher School with a focus on German foreign and security policy, crisis diplomacy, and conflict resolution. Prior to joining Fletcher, Garrett taught English at the Ikaros Professional School in Tbilisi as a part of the Georgian governmental initiative Teach and Learn with Georgia. Holding a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Redlands, Garrett also studied the relationship between Merkel’s Germany and Putin’s Russia and its implications for the United States, the EU, and NATO.
	Samuel Rogers is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2022 Candidate at The Fletcher School focusing on human security, international organizations, and Eurasian studies. Before enrolling at Fletcher, Samuel served with the Peace Corps in North Macedonia, where he assisted with infrastructure and education-related development work. Samuel holds a B.A. in History and French and has served as a Non-Resident Fellow at a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, Turkish Heritage Organization.
	Ani Sargsyan received an LL.M. degree in 2019 from The Fletcher School. Ani has а keen interest in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law. She holds a Master of Law in Political Science diploma from Tsinghua University, China. She received her В.А. in English Language and Literature in Ukraine. While studying in Beijing, Ani interned for seven months at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, where she was responsible for regional news briefing. Previously Ani worked at different mass media outlets in Armenia. Since 2013, Ani has been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
	Marianna Schantz is an undergraduate senior at Tufts University, double-majoring in International Relations and Russian and Eastern European Studies. She is interested in foreign policy, geopolitics in the post-Soviet region, civil-military relations, and learning new languages. She currently serves as this year's Civil-Military Relations Conference Director for ALLIES, President of the Tufts Club Tennis Team, an Editorialist for The Tufts Daily, and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Marianna has professional working proficiency in French and limited working proficiency in Russian, and she is passionate about incorporating different languages while researching. She hopes to work in Washington D.C. full-time following her graduation in May 2023.
	Devang Shah received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree in 2020 from The Fletcher School, where he focused on International Communication and Negotiation. His penchant for exploring different mediums of storytelling led him to begin his career as a journalist and documentary filmmaker for the Kashmir Observer. He then worked as a broadcast journalist in Ghana for a national media house called Metro TV. He is most proud of producing a first-of-its-kind report on the LGBTQ+ community of Ghana, which was broadcasted nationally. He has also served as a PMG Monitor for the Parliament of South Africa, Cape Town. In his time at Fletcher, he has taken a deep dive into international politics and innovative mediums to explore them. He conducted a fellowship with the International Rescue Committee in Ethiopia and later worked for Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmakers at Transform Films in New York City. His capstone project at Fletcher used geospatial technology, music, and poetry to explain important issues in the United States.
	Alex Thomas is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2023 candidate at The Fletcher School who focuses on International Security and Global Governance. His area of expertise is in Russian Foreign Policy, Central Asian Politics, and U.S.-Russian relations. Prior to attending Fletcher, Alex received his B.A. in International Political Economy and Environmental Studies from the College of Idaho and served as an English Education Specialist for the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan. In this capacity, Alex oversaw the development and implementation of a regional English language curriculum and gained grant-writing experience with USAID. Upon the completion of his service, Alex worked as a grassroots organizer for the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin and was appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the Idaho Senate for the 2021 legislative session. Alex is a Senior Web Editor for the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs and speaks English, Spanish, Kyrgyz, and intermediate Russian.
	Mustafa Gül is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Mustafa focuses on political risk, international finance, Turkish foreign policy, and Middle Eastern politics. Prior to Fletcher, he worked as a tax analyst for Ernst & Young in Istanbul. Mustafa was born and raised in Turkiye. He studied Political Science and International Relations at Boğaziçi University, and was an exchange student at American University of Beirut. Mustafa currently works as a Research Assistant for the Fletcher Russia and Eurasia Program. He also works as a Teaching Assistant at Tufts University, department of history. Mustafa is fluent in Turkish and English, and he has reading and basic conversational skills in Arabic.
	Pratyusha Joshi is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy candidate focusing on comparative and regional studies and international business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a concentration in governance and peace from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Before re-entering the academic world, Pratyusha worked with the Press and Culture department of the Republic of Korea Embassy in India, and later worked with Brookings Institution India Center in development and outreach. At Fletcher, she holds leadership position with the Working Group on Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific, De-colonizing International Relations conference, and the Japan Club. She is trilingual with fluency in English, Hindi and Japanese.
	Vishal Manve is a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy candidate focusing on environment, business, and communications at The Fletcher School. Previously, Vishal has reported on the Indian economy, politics, and disinformation campaigns for international news wire Agence France-Presse and has been a fellow with CIVICUS, Climate Tracker, Splice Newsroom and CPL. Vishal has been published across The Diplomat, Fair Observer, AFP, Yahoo News, The Daily Beast, Global Voices Online, Open Democracy, International Journalism Festival, and Indian Express. Vishal has been a summer fellow for the Columbia Journalism Lede Program and is interested in how technology can aid energy transitioning in developing economies and the intersection of journalism and technology on mapping climate misinformation campaigns. Twitter: VishalManve12.