Biographies of the inaugural EGL Spring Cohort 2014
Annabelle Libeau
Annabelle Libeau is currently a dual degree Master’s of Public Administration student at Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She is a financial analyst with international experience in investment banking in developing countries. In the past she has worked as an analyst in international finance and government.
Annabelle is drawn to projects that require innovative and responsible investing, and that contribute to the development of the private sector in emerging markets, especially small businesses and women entrepreneurship.
She defines herself as a relationship-building person. She is passionate about meeting people from different backgrounds, as well as building strong personal links by sharing her expertise and various cultural experiences. Her community engagement is devoted to successfully facilitate the emergence of an enlightened community of social entrepreneurs, both learners and leaders, with an interest in fostering a culture of mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue, based on trust and action, among various communities.
Annabelle Libeau is currently a dual degree Master’s of Public Administration student at Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She is a financial analyst with international experience in investment banking in developing countries. In the past she has worked as an analyst in international finance and government.
Annabelle is drawn to projects that require innovative and responsible investing, and that contribute to the development of the private sector in emerging markets, especially small businesses and women entrepreneurship.
She defines herself as a relationship-building person. She is passionate about meeting people from different backgrounds, as well as building strong personal links by sharing her expertise and various cultural experiences. Her community engagement is devoted to successfully facilitate the emergence of an enlightened community of social entrepreneurs, both learners and leaders, with an interest in fostering a culture of mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue, based on trust and action, among various communities.
Cecilia Remedios Mejia
A perpetual dreamer who loves learning, writing, reading books, watching movies, listening to music, hosting dinner parties, and watching sports. Also loves dogs and board games. Dedicated to family, friends, and working hard towards her goals. Focused on education, the migrant community, women’s issues and the youth.
Second generation Filipino-American who is very proud of her roots. Was a student leader all throughout high school and college, where she became the People of Color Coordinator, was instrumental in the development of the Intercultural and Diversity Center, and co-founded a student organization dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural awareness in colleges and universities. Graduated with honors and was awarded at the ALANA awards as the Asian American Student Leader of her class. Was a counselor for young women at a halfway house then became a paralegal for the Law Offices of Pamela Mann (specializing in non-profit law). After receiving her Master’s in Public Administration and Affairs, she merged her passion for writing and public service and began grant writing and development consulting for non-profits. One day, she hopes to be able to share what she has learned along the way and become a professor either in the US or in the Philippines.
Favorite book: Alchemist
Favorite quote: “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” – Paulo Coelho
Vision: To make a positive impact. To merge my passions and to utilize them to help others. To be able to connect people from all walks of life towards one goal which is to create a program dedicated to teaching diversity centric programs in early development and education stages. If we begin celebrating and educating young kids on diversity awareness, we may have a shot at a much more tolerant and accepting world.
A perpetual dreamer who loves learning, writing, reading books, watching movies, listening to music, hosting dinner parties, and watching sports. Also loves dogs and board games. Dedicated to family, friends, and working hard towards her goals. Focused on education, the migrant community, women’s issues and the youth.
Second generation Filipino-American who is very proud of her roots. Was a student leader all throughout high school and college, where she became the People of Color Coordinator, was instrumental in the development of the Intercultural and Diversity Center, and co-founded a student organization dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural awareness in colleges and universities. Graduated with honors and was awarded at the ALANA awards as the Asian American Student Leader of her class. Was a counselor for young women at a halfway house then became a paralegal for the Law Offices of Pamela Mann (specializing in non-profit law). After receiving her Master’s in Public Administration and Affairs, she merged her passion for writing and public service and began grant writing and development consulting for non-profits. One day, she hopes to be able to share what she has learned along the way and become a professor either in the US or in the Philippines.
Favorite book: Alchemist
Favorite quote: “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” – Paulo Coelho
Vision: To make a positive impact. To merge my passions and to utilize them to help others. To be able to connect people from all walks of life towards one goal which is to create a program dedicated to teaching diversity centric programs in early development and education stages. If we begin celebrating and educating young kids on diversity awareness, we may have a shot at a much more tolerant and accepting world.
Grace Song
Grace Song is a second year M.A. Candidate in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and is currently working as a program management associate at IMPACT Leadership 21. She holds a B.A. in Global Management and B.A. in Mass Communications from Handong University, South Korea. Grace has four years of work experience in educational consulting firms in Korea with specializations in conducting needs analysis for students/clients, designing customized curriculums for various learning strategies, and facilitating workshops for entry-level employees.
Having spent most of her childhood years in Eastern Africa, Grace has learned to appreciate and value cultural differences from a very young age and is naturally drawn to issues related to cultural diversity. Grace aspires to become a professional consultant who provides expert advice to organizational leaders on ways to create organizational culture and strategy that best leverages the different skill sets and rich diversity represented in their organizations to yield optimal business results.
Grace Song is a second year M.A. Candidate in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and is currently working as a program management associate at IMPACT Leadership 21. She holds a B.A. in Global Management and B.A. in Mass Communications from Handong University, South Korea. Grace has four years of work experience in educational consulting firms in Korea with specializations in conducting needs analysis for students/clients, designing customized curriculums for various learning strategies, and facilitating workshops for entry-level employees.
Having spent most of her childhood years in Eastern Africa, Grace has learned to appreciate and value cultural differences from a very young age and is naturally drawn to issues related to cultural diversity. Grace aspires to become a professional consultant who provides expert advice to organizational leaders on ways to create organizational culture and strategy that best leverages the different skill sets and rich diversity represented in their organizations to yield optimal business results.
Laura Risimini
Laura Risimini is the Grant Administrator at The Sister Fund, where she is responsible for all aspects of grant cycle management, in addition to providing support and technical assistance to grantee partners.
Prior to joining The Sister Fund, she worked with at the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University, where she was responsible for coordinating international training programs for humanitarian aid workers. Laura has also worked with humanitarian consultants in addition to internships with the Development Department of Concern Worldwide, U.S., Inc. and the NGO Department of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Laura currently volunteers with IMPACT Leadership 21, and LifeWay Network, an anti-human trafficking organization.
Laura received her Bachelor’s Degree Cum Laude in International Studies with Departmental Honors, fromFordham University in 2010, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University in 2013. Building on her background of administrative and managerial experience, Laura is interested in pursuing a career in the international non-profit sector. She remains passionate about working for organizations that support women’s rights, human rights, poverty alleviation and international development.
Laura Risimini is the Grant Administrator at The Sister Fund, where she is responsible for all aspects of grant cycle management, in addition to providing support and technical assistance to grantee partners.
Prior to joining The Sister Fund, she worked with at the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University, where she was responsible for coordinating international training programs for humanitarian aid workers. Laura has also worked with humanitarian consultants in addition to internships with the Development Department of Concern Worldwide, U.S., Inc. and the NGO Department of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Laura currently volunteers with IMPACT Leadership 21, and LifeWay Network, an anti-human trafficking organization.
Laura received her Bachelor’s Degree Cum Laude in International Studies with Departmental Honors, fromFordham University in 2010, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University in 2013. Building on her background of administrative and managerial experience, Laura is interested in pursuing a career in the international non-profit sector. She remains passionate about working for organizations that support women’s rights, human rights, poverty alleviation and international development.
Lordess Shabazz
Lordess Shabazz is a political advocate of global human rights. Her desire for global human rights began at the age of five as she ventured to Nigeria. Ever since, she has strived to participate, prosper, and lead in the global community. She has worked for the International Union, UniteHere, where she delegated international labor rights for the Bangladeshi Garment Workers. In addition, she volunteers for the Fairleigh Dickinson University: UN Pathways Program. She has participated in events led by UN Ambassador's Club at her university and the United Nations New York headquarters. Shabazz has a B.A. in political science, and is currently studying Global Leadership and Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Masters of Administrative Science program. As a lifelong advocate, she has a passion for the United Nations Post 2015 development agenda on women and girl's empowerment. As a lifelong advocate, she has the passion for human rights laws and loves to aide others in achieving universal enjoyment of human rights.
Lordess Shabazz is a political advocate of global human rights. Her desire for global human rights began at the age of five as she ventured to Nigeria. Ever since, she has strived to participate, prosper, and lead in the global community. She has worked for the International Union, UniteHere, where she delegated international labor rights for the Bangladeshi Garment Workers. In addition, she volunteers for the Fairleigh Dickinson University: UN Pathways Program. She has participated in events led by UN Ambassador's Club at her university and the United Nations New York headquarters. Shabazz has a B.A. in political science, and is currently studying Global Leadership and Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Masters of Administrative Science program. As a lifelong advocate, she has a passion for the United Nations Post 2015 development agenda on women and girl's empowerment. As a lifelong advocate, she has the passion for human rights laws and loves to aide others in achieving universal enjoyment of human rights.
Waajida Santiago
Waajida Santiago is a Human Resources Practitioner with 8 years of management experience. She currently works as the Human Resources Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and has been with WCS for 5 years. Waajida manages the HR life cycle for a workforce of over 1500 in WCS’ NYC Zoos and Aquarium.
Prior to her work at the Wildlife Conservation Society, Waajida worked for the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) in New York, the largest public health care system in the United States. As manager for Training and Development, she managed programs for adult workers seeking to continue their education. She also worked as a Labor Relations Officer assisting with the management of the labor process for a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
Waajida holds a B.A. in Management and Administration from City College, City University of New York, an M.B.A. in Executive Management from St. John’s University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Capital Management at Bellevue University.
Waajida is very passionate about art and culture. She writes poetry in her spare time, and is currently learning how to speak Spanish.
Waajida Santiago is a Human Resources Practitioner with 8 years of management experience. She currently works as the Human Resources Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and has been with WCS for 5 years. Waajida manages the HR life cycle for a workforce of over 1500 in WCS’ NYC Zoos and Aquarium.
Prior to her work at the Wildlife Conservation Society, Waajida worked for the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) in New York, the largest public health care system in the United States. As manager for Training and Development, she managed programs for adult workers seeking to continue their education. She also worked as a Labor Relations Officer assisting with the management of the labor process for a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
Waajida holds a B.A. in Management and Administration from City College, City University of New York, an M.B.A. in Executive Management from St. John’s University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Capital Management at Bellevue University.
Waajida is very passionate about art and culture. She writes poetry in her spare time, and is currently learning how to speak Spanish.
Sara Suyang Liu
Sara Suyang Liu received her bachelor's degree in International Political Economy from the University of Finance and Economics, China. After graduation in 2013, she earned her spot as a government relationship intern and event assistant at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.
She is now a Masters Candidate of Global Finance at Fordham University, New York. She will be graduating in December 2014. Besides her studies, she also works as president of the Chinese Business Society in Fordham Graduate Business School and interns at IMPACT Leadership21 as an External Liaison Associate and CEO assistant. To that end, she hopes to get more involved in the United Nations and ultimately, desires to work in the finance industry as a financial analyst.
Sara Suyang Liu received her bachelor's degree in International Political Economy from the University of Finance and Economics, China. After graduation in 2013, she earned her spot as a government relationship intern and event assistant at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.
She is now a Masters Candidate of Global Finance at Fordham University, New York. She will be graduating in December 2014. Besides her studies, she also works as president of the Chinese Business Society in Fordham Graduate Business School and interns at IMPACT Leadership21 as an External Liaison Associate and CEO assistant. To that end, she hopes to get more involved in the United Nations and ultimately, desires to work in the finance industry as a financial analyst.
Sabrina Lim
A graduate of the National University of Singapore and the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Sabrina Lim envisions teaching and learning to be rooted in inquiry and the pursuit for social justice. An educator in Singapore, she has worked to build a dynamic and authentic English curriculum for high school students in Singapore, and has led action research teams that developed teaching strategies for effective differentiated learning in the classroom. A believer in the power of education to enable social mobility, Sabrina seeks to work with non-governmental organizations to bring education and life skills to the less privileged.
She is currently pursuing her MA in secondary education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
A graduate of the National University of Singapore and the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Sabrina Lim envisions teaching and learning to be rooted in inquiry and the pursuit for social justice. An educator in Singapore, she has worked to build a dynamic and authentic English curriculum for high school students in Singapore, and has led action research teams that developed teaching strategies for effective differentiated learning in the classroom. A believer in the power of education to enable social mobility, Sabrina seeks to work with non-governmental organizations to bring education and life skills to the less privileged.
She is currently pursuing her MA in secondary education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson is President of Purepoint International, a holistic institute, that promotes the raising of levels of consciousness globally in the area of safety & security for women and girls at the intersection of humanism, security, women and leadership. Ms. Robinson worked eight years for Target Corporation with responsibilities including leading and supporting a $600M business in the area of Assets Protection, and worked in the area of Public/Private partnerships, both with an emphasis on Training and Development. Ms. Robinson is currently serving on the board of international non-profit World Pulse has served on the board, or committees, of numerous other non-profit organizations including, Washington DC Police Foundation, Women’s Committee, NY Police Foundation, National Black MBA Association, Philadelphia Chapter, Opportunities PA, the International Organization of Black Security Executives, Student Education Committee. Ms. Robinson is a member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate in Boston.
Ms. Robinson was nominated for the 2014 Top 40 Under 40 Achievement Awards with The Network Journal and completed an Executive Education certificate at Columbia University Business School in 2012 and was a Fellow with the Impact Center in 2011. She received her Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and earned an East Asian Studies Certificate. She received a B.S. from Western Illinois University where she graduated with honors.
Jessica Robinson is President of Purepoint International, a holistic institute, that promotes the raising of levels of consciousness globally in the area of safety & security for women and girls at the intersection of humanism, security, women and leadership. Ms. Robinson worked eight years for Target Corporation with responsibilities including leading and supporting a $600M business in the area of Assets Protection, and worked in the area of Public/Private partnerships, both with an emphasis on Training and Development. Ms. Robinson is currently serving on the board of international non-profit World Pulse has served on the board, or committees, of numerous other non-profit organizations including, Washington DC Police Foundation, Women’s Committee, NY Police Foundation, National Black MBA Association, Philadelphia Chapter, Opportunities PA, the International Organization of Black Security Executives, Student Education Committee. Ms. Robinson is a member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate in Boston.
Ms. Robinson was nominated for the 2014 Top 40 Under 40 Achievement Awards with The Network Journal and completed an Executive Education certificate at Columbia University Business School in 2012 and was a Fellow with the Impact Center in 2011. She received her Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and earned an East Asian Studies Certificate. She received a B.S. from Western Illinois University where she graduated with honors.
