 Name: Alexandra Manea Year of Fulbright program end: 2014 Organization: World Bank | I am delighted to express my interest in continuing to serve on the Board of the WBG/IMF Fulbright Network. I have been working with the World Bank since 2014, and in 2016, as soon as I heard about Fulbright alumni meetings, I joined the initial team. Serving on the initial Board has been a valuable opportunity to “give back” in the name of the Fulbright program and a significant learning experience about what it takes to build community. I believe I can capitalize well on the previous experience with the Board in order to valuably contribute to the next phase of the Network – a phase in which we continue to grow but also to deepen the impact of our activities. If elected, I plan to focus, among others, on developing the European membership base and on developing strategic partnerships with other global and regional international organizations (specifically, identify Fulbrighters in these organizations) in order to help the Network members be better connected. I work as a Legal Counsel in the World Bank’s Office of Suspension and Debarment, which is part of the Bank’s anti-corruption sanctions system. In this role, I contribute to the Bank’s anti-corruption policy and review accusations of fraud, corruption and collusion against respondent firms and individuals, and determine whether (and how) to sanction a respondent. Previously, I worked in the Bank’s Legal Vice Presidency on governance projects in the extractive industry sector, with a focus on enhancing transparency in the Africa’s mining sector. I hold a PhD in International Criminal Law, completed in a joint program at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, University “Titu Maiorescu” of Bucharest in Romania, and American University in the U.S. with a Fulbright scholarship. With a strong belief that integrity education is one of the key sustainable solutions to reducing corruption, I lecture regularly on integrity and anti-corruption topics at various institutions, including the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna, Austria. |
 Name: Angela Solikova Year of Fulbright program end: 2006 Organization: World Bank | My name is Angela Solikova and I am currently the Representative of Slovakia at the WBG, working as the Advisor to one of the Executive Directors. Being part of the WBG/IMF Fulbright Network Board would be a privilege, as I believe this network – very well placed in the two organizations that belong to the most-internationally diverse ones – is representing exactly what the late Senator Fulbright had envisioned back in 1945. He proposed to use the proceeds from selling surplus government war property to fund international exchange between the U.S. and other countries to promote peace and mutual understanding through educational exchange. The WBG and IMF are complementing Fulbright’s ideas and building further on them in their work, by improving lives and well-being of people. My original education background is in management, economics and diplomacy. However, studying in the USA and working in international development was always my dream. With this in mind, I applied for the Fulbright scholarship and was given the privilege to come to Fordham University, NYC to study International Political Economy and Development. This “Fulbright gift” still keeps on giving both personally and in my professional career. I hope I could be a valuable addition to the Board, helping in the efforts to expand our Network and make it more visible. I have previous experience in re-starting the Fulbright Alumni Network in Slovakia, which is now well-functioning and active. We are in a special position here, since representatives of all countries frequent our institutions all the time. I think that the real values everyone gained from the Fulbright Program – creating long-lasting relationships, understanding each other, and accepting all the differences that exist around the world – could be well applied in our activities and work. By organizing expert events, but also by being more active and giving back via social engagements and volunteering. “The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.” Senator J. W. Fulbright |
 Name: Anne Joncheray Year of Fulbright program end: 2014 Organization: World Bank | My name is Anne Joncheray and I am French. After spending time working in East Africa monitoring a portfolio of renewable energy and water projects in 15 countries, advising companies and foreign governments on concessional loan requests, I moved back to the United States three years ago. I currently work as a Risk Analyst in a trust fund in the Human Development GP, focusing on finance, risk and grant operations. I graduated from Sciences Po Rennes with an MBA in Risk and Quality Management and a MA in International Affairs. I also hold an MA in Global Environmental Politics from American University, where I researched climate change and risk mitigation as a Fulbright scholar. After attending Fulbright-sponsored events as a foreign graduate student and having completed a term as a Board Member of the local chapter of the Fulbright Association (NCAC), I would like to continue to give back to this community that has helped me to grow personally and professionally. Entering a Board is becoming part of a team. Not only would I like to learn from current Board members of the Fulbright Network of the WBG & IMF, but also to bring my experience in organizing events and my skills to support current and past Fulbrighters. While in Kenya, part of my job consisted in organizing events for companies to foster investments in environmentally friendly projects with limited budget. Hence, I have developed creative skills, tested out ideas, and learned a few tricks that will help wow attendees on a tight budget. Through my professional network, I can also help leveraging partnerships with local and global institutions to strengthen the link between professionals and students, and to expand networks and professional development. I would love to help maintain the vibrant, engaging and inspiring spirit of the Fulbright community. |
 Name: Emir Sfaxi Year of Fulbright program end: 2019 Organization: World Bank | I am from Tunisia where and completed a Master of Science in Software Engineering in 2013 while witnessing a revolution. I gained a rich work experience that varied from government to private sector through NGOs until 2017. In 2017, I joined the School of International Service, American University, as a Fulbrighter, for a Master of Science in Development Management. I joined the World Bank in January 2019. I worked as a consultant in the Department of Impact Evaluation (DIME) and the Digital Development GP. In September 2020, I will be starting as a Young Professional with the Social Protection and Jobs GP. Our diversity is our strength. I am confident that I will contribute to the Board with innovative ideas to energize the Fulbright Network. I believe that we need to create more events, conferences and webinars around challenging economic and development matters. Now more than ever, we should come together and use the strength of our community to contribute to the ongoing discussions on global issues like the post-COVID19 globalized world, mitigating future pandemics, racial justice, gender inclusion, the impacts of the COVID19 on poverty and Human Capital. As well as individual related matters like productivity, life/work balance, well-being and mental health. As a board member, I will work on strengthening the relations with notable alumni and other Fulbright networks to discuss together challenges mentioned above. I have been part of nonprofit organizations since I was a student. I have hands-on experience and helped organize non-profit events that gathered more than 500 people. Back to the university, I was the Head of the Student Council at the National School of Applied Sciences and Technologies, I also led important roles in local and international youth organizations including the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel, the LEO club and Red Crescent. |
 Name: Jalaluddin Kasaat Year of Fulbright program end: 2012 Organization: World Bank | I began my career as a print and online reporter in 2003 in Afghanistan. In 2007, I switched to managing communications for development programs. In 2010, I was awarded Fulbright scholarship to pursue a graduate degree in the United States. Upon completing my master’s program in Integrated Marketing Communication at Emerson College in Boston in May 2012, I returned to Afghanistan and joined the World Bank as Communications Officer where I managed partnerships, produced digital products and provided communications support to projects. In July 2014, I began working as Chief of Communications for UNDP Afghanistan where I led a team that told compelling cross-format stories of how development work has created jobs and livelihoods for the rural poor, empowered women and improved public services. Since November 2017, I have worked at the World Bank’s South Asia Region; Fragility, Conflict and Violence; and the Global Financing Facility where I developed stories and blogs and produced digital and video products for online consumption. Partly inspired by the Fulbright Program, I have been an advocate for diversity and inclusion all my life. I love to work with people from diverse backgrounds and create an opportunity for them to be heard. I believe that humanity can thrive, and many issues can be resolved if we embrace ideas from diverse groups. As one of the founders of Afghanistan Fulbright Association, I managed board elections, organized advocacy events, pitched members’ stories to the media and hosted interviews and dialogs on various development topics. I would like to run for WBG & IMF Fulbright Network FY21-22 term as Director of Communications. If I am elected, I will work with the board to develop a communications program to engage our members in constructive dialogs that can contribute to informing and shaping the development work across the globe. |
 Name: Léa Hakim Year of Fulbright program end: 2005 Organization: World Bank | We are only scratching the surface of the potential of the Fulbright Network (FN) of the WBG/IMF and it would be an honor to serve a second term on the Board. Over the next two years, I suggest the priorities of the Network to be to strengthen the membership base, enhance the governance structure of the organization, and design and implement impact-driven initiatives in D.C. and globally – harnessing the strength and diversity of the membership and their expertise towards enhanced international development outcomes. I have experience leading teams to found and/or grow five non-profit organizations for positive change in the community. I have first-hand experiences with the FN WBG/IMF having served as Vice Chair 2018-2020 and would look forward to contributing my knowledge of the organization in developing its next phase of growth. I was also the principal co-founder of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Lebanon which I led in its initial years to become a sustainable non-profit with a dedicated mentorship program that has supported more than 2000 underprivileged youth. I am currently a Senior Economist at the WBG’s Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice (MTI), and Program Manager of a multidonor trust fund, the Debt Management Facility, that provides tailored advisory services and capacity building in debt management to over 80 developing countries. My educational background is in economics, supported by a Fulbright scholarship that enabled my M.A. in International and Development Economics from Yale University (2004-2005). |
 Name: Roza Vasileva Year of Fulbright program end: 2012 Organization: IFC | As a Fulbright scholar, I received a tremendous opportunity to attend the top ranked MPA program in the US at Maxwell School, Syracuse University. Later, I secured my internship at the World Bank via a recommendation of a Fulbright colleague who had just completed her internship with the same department. I strongly believe in the alumni connections, and I would like to give back to the program by serving on the Executive Board of the Fulbright Network of the WBG & IMF. Following my internship, I have been working as a Digital Innovations Consultant to the World Bank Group and have supported Open Data and Digital Development projects in over a dozen countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, Mauritius, Jamaica, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, India, and Russia. In these countries, seeing how technology can change the fate of their citizens motivated me to apply for a PhD program in Digital Economy in the UK. The focus of my research and work in Africa has been on the role of data in urban sustainable development through citizen engagement in Tanzania and Kenya. This exciting career would not be possible without my participation in Fulbright and other programs sponsored by the US Department of State. I also took part in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program where I attended a local US high school while living with an American host family for a year. Upon my return, I worked at the American Councils for International Education as a FLEX recruiting assistant and alumni coordinator. I coordinated a network of 600+ alumni in the Northwest region of Russia helping them to plan and implement projects to support their communities and ensuring strong alumni connections. I would like to use this experience to enhance the Fulbright alumni network at the WBG & IMF. |
 Name: Sonia Plaza Year of Fulbright program end: 1990 Organization: World Bank | I would like to apply for the position of Board Member with the Fulbright Network of the WBG and IMF Staff for a second term. I would like to use the skills gained as a Fulbright grantee and as a World Banker to continue help building the Global Platform to connect people, ideas and resources to create, leverage and foster opportunities. During the last two years, I have contributed to the networking activities, the professional exchange and the events. I am passionate about international development and cross-cultural exchange and have worked hard to connect ideas to opportunities at the World Bank and across UN agencies, diaspora associations, civil society and private sector. I am just forming a Coalition of Action on Remittances in Crisis: How to Keep Them Flowing which comprises 23 countries, and 15 civil society organizations, industry, UN agencies and the private sector. Under the current COVID-19, I think that the Fulbright Network of the WBG & IMF could be an important platform to facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange on how to respond to the pandemic and the future of development after COVID-19 and beyond including trade, migration, climate change among others. Connecting to people, bringing the development perspective into international fora and working with other international organizations are some of my key strengths. I get along well with others and thrive on finding resolutions to problems. I am confident that these qualities together with my commitment to contribute to the Fulbright Global Professional Network will be an asset to the Board. I also undertake fund raising activities. I feel very happy to have been of service during these last two years. I look forward to putting my efforts towards a compelling cause. |
 Name: Tannous Kass-Hanna Year of Fulbright program end: 2012 Organization: IMF | As I joined the IMF two years ago, I was happy to learn there’s a Fulbright network in our institutions and to participate in its events. I now hope to be more actively engaged by joining the Board, to help in expanding the reach of the network amongst colleagues and its impact both within our institutions and beyond. During the past two years, I have worked on developing countries, namely Burkina Faso and Pakistan, and on economic issues including debt sustainability, fiscal policy, and inequality. I hold a PhD in economics from Toulouse School of Economics, France, whereby I conducted research focused on the international transmission of fiscal policy. In 2011-2012, I was lucky to be part of the Fulbright program that supported me to get my master’s degree in economic development from Vanderbilt University, after which I joined the Fulbright Alumni Association of Lebanon (FAAL). I particularly hope to work with the new Board to promote a sense of community amongst Fulbright alumni in the Fund and the Bank, similar to the one I experienced in FAAL, and to leverage our network’s expertise in economic policy and development to support Fulbright networks across the world. |
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