Staff Biographies
Heidi Shoup
Heidi Shoup became Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Washington in October 2006 (President in 2008) after two decades in non-profit management. She previously served as founding Executive Director of the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center, the Mosaic Foundation, and the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. She is a Middle East area specialist who has lived and worked in the region and is originally from Portland, Oregon.
Joshua Silva
Joshua Silva is the International Affairs Director at the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C. Prior to joining WAC-DC in 2009, Joshua worked in the Washington nonprofit community for over three years focusing on issues of international relations, democratization and human rights. Joshua holds a Bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where he graduated magna cum laude, and a Master's degree in Political Science with distinction from the American University in Washington. His MA studies at AU focused on comparative political theory, specifically identity politics, social movements and ethnic conflict mediation.
Amanda Stamp
Amanda Stamp is the Global Education Director for the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C. During her tenure, Ms. Stamp has overseen two successful Summer Institutes for Teachers attracting 50-60 high and middle school teachers from around the country and a student exchange to Costa Rica. In addition, she has expanded the WACDC Youth Forum Series allowing high school students from the Washington, DC metropolitan area to increase their knowledge of world issues with hands on role playing activities. Prior to her work at the council, Ms. Stamp spent a year teaching English in Beijing to both adults and children. There she also assisted in editing of English subway signs and in the creation of a series of English textbooks. She is originally from Homewood, IL, a close suburb of Chicago and spent a year working for her Congressional Representative, Mr. Jesse Jackson, Jr. Ms. Stamp graduated from American University with an Interdisciplinary BA in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government and has a knowledge of intermediate level Mandarin Chinese.
Spring 2010 Interns
Sawyer Blazek received his BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut in 2006. Since then, he has worked in Africa, Europe, and the United States on a wide range of issues including law, education, and sustainable development. Most recently, he worked with the World Wildlife Fund to develop an environmental education program in Joal-Fadiouth, Senegal. Sawyer is currently enrolled in the International Politics Master's program at the School of International Service at American University. He is conversational in French and specializes in international security and development. His research examines regional security, insurgency, post-conflict development, and legalization. Recently, he was invited to present his research on the legalization of norms in Africa and Southeast Asia at the annual Whitehead Colloquium at Seton Hall University.
Imara Crooms is a newcomer to the District of Columbia, originally hailing from Montclair, New Jersey. In 2009 Imara graduated from Rutgers University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Though he has an extensive background of employment in the field of technologies, Imara was driven into the field of political science and international relations through his studies at Essex County College, Rutgers University, John's Hopkins University and his internship at the Department of the Treasury. His academic career has focused significantly on the conflicts in the Middle East and Imara has previously worked as a congressional lobbyist through Americans for Israel and Palestine. This coming fall Imara will be attending Georgetown University's graduate program in Diplomacy and Governance.
Hassaan Khan is a senior at the University of California Santa Barbara, completing his bachelor's in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. He is currently participating in the UCDC program in DC to further his interest in government, politics, and international relations. Hassaan was born in Karachi, Pakistan and is deeply engrossed with South Asian Politics. Having visited the South Asian region on numerous occasions, Hassaan is also conversational in Urdu/Hindi. After completing his degree, Hassaan plans to gather work experience and eventually pursue a graduate degree in International Relations. He hopes to help shape foreign policy pertaining to the South Asian region.
Jasmine Le is currently a senior at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. There, she has studied Political Science her first semester and then took on this internship her second semester. She has taken multiple opportunities in volunteering for campaigns for county-wide and state-wide elections. Jasmine was born and lived in Germany for ten years, and therefore, is fluent in German, in addition to Vietnamese. Currently waiting to hear back from colleges, she is considering studying International Relations and another language her next four years. Jasmine hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy.
Caitlin Moss is originally from Concord, Massachusetts. She is currently a junior at Georgetown University majoring in Comparative Government, with minors in French and Chinese. She recently spent six months studying abroad in Beijing, China where she learned about Chinese language, culture, and politics. Caitlin hopes to complete an honors thesis next year on Chinese government and media. In her spare time, she is a volunteer tour guide on campus and enjoys running and playing soccer. In the past, Caitlin has worked at Georgetown's Office of International Programs, as well as at Orchard House, a museum in her hometown.
Allison Cash Spiro graduated in August 2009 with a Masters degree in International Communication from American University. Allison also holds a bachelors degree in French and has studied and worked abroad in France on four separate occasions. Her most recent internship abroad was at the American Embassy in Paris where she worked in the Public Affairs Press Office and the Tri-Mission Management office. Allison's interests include the field of international education and its role in facilitating international and cross-cultural communication. She is also considering getting a PhD in Sociology with a focus in educational policy.
Sydney Taylor is currently a junior at American University, majoring in International Studies with a concentration in U.S Foreign Policy in Africa. Her past internships have included interning at the United Nations in New York City, her county government in New Jersey, a not-for profit organization that awards high school students with scholarships to attend college and was an externship participant through her school, American University, in working with a United States Foreign Service Officer at the United States Department of State. During her free time, she is a mentor, an ESL teacher and PenPal and Partner.
Mariel Townsend is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is currently pursuing a Masters in International Affairs at the School of International Service at American University. Her studies focus on transnational crime, corruption and international economic development. Mariel holds bachelor degrees in Economics and Finance from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her work at WAC Mariel currently works teaching statistical software packages to students in the Social Sciences Research Lab at American University. In the past Mariel has worked as an intern for Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA) in his Pittsburgh office. She has traveled abroad in Australia, China, and Mongolia, where she has studied economic development and politics.
Angela Yeung is from San Diego, California. She is currently a senior at the University of California Santa Barbara, and is majoring in Political Science. She has had the opportunity to lobby the issue of the UC system's fee increases in Sacramento. At the University of California Santa Barbara, Angela's extracurricular include an active membership with Phi Alpha Delta co-ed pre-law fraternity. Angela is fluent in Cantonese, and is in the process of learning Mandarin. She is currently participating in the UCDC program in DC to further her interest in government, politics, and law She hopes to pursue a career in law or in politics.
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