A Fulbright Exchange Program
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This Year's Fellows
Twelve Hubert H. Humphrey fellows are spending ten months at the Maxwell School participating in graduate study, professional development and cultural exchange.
The 2024-2025 cohort hails from Comoros, Estonia, Guyana, Iraq, Madagascar, Malawi, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Uruguay and Yemen.
The fellows’ diverse professional experience and academic interests include digital transformation, policy analysis, local governance, human resource management, national security, food policy, policy development and design, cyber security, ICT in public policy, and data-driven decision-making, among other areas.
Hamzah Al-Kmali
Hamzah Al-Kmali currently works as the deputy minister of youth and sports where he is focused on designing polices for youth and women, primarily in post-conflicts areas, under the main themes of deradicalization, demilitarization and reintegration. He was also a delegate of the U.N.-sponsored national dialogue conference in Yemen. During his fellowship, Hamzah is interested in public policy, economics, governance, decentralization, transitional justice and counterterrorism. After his fellowship, he seeks to build long-term strategies to enhance the performance and policies of the ministry. Hamzah holds a M.Sc. of public policy, finance and management from the University of London (SOAS).
Hana Alyahya
Hana Alyahya currently works as the gender balance statistics manager at the Gender Balance Center in the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). In this role, she is a consultant on a gender balance projects, specializing in the creation of insightful dashboards to visualize gender balance metrics and empower decision-making processes. During her fellowship, Hana is focusing on digital transformation, data analytics, data management and governance, and IT policy management. After her fellowship, she wants to work in an expanded role in her country, applying her enhanced skills in data analysis and decision-making, utilizing data-driven insights in both public and private sector projects. Hana holds an M.S. in computer science from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah and a bachelor’s in software engineering.
Wesley John Gonzales
Wesley John Gonzales is the officer-in-charge of the Strategy Review Division of the Center for Police Strategy Management, Philippine National Police. He is responsible for developing and implementing the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of his agency's balanced scorecard-based organizational reform program. During his fellowship, Wesley is interested in learning more about leadership in law enforcement, evidence-based strategic planning, capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, human rights, community policing, and the application of information technology to public safety and security. After his fellowship, he intends to apply lessons learned in U.S. public policy and administration to the Philippine policing context. Wesley has post-graduate qualifications in public management from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and in counterterrorism from London (UCL).
Hyeonjee Lee
Hyeonjee Lee currently works as deputy director for the Ministry of National Defense. She has experience coordinating the process for developing or purchasing weapon systems adjusted to security needs and communicating with diverse defense organizations, including R&D agencies, executive organizations and the defense industry. During her fellowship, Hyeonjee plans to focus on how to improve overall defense acquisition procedures and effectively connect fast-developing private sector technology to the public sector. She also wants to discuss and gain insights on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. After her fellowship, she hopes to develop more efficient and effective defense policies. Hyeonjee holds a master’s degree in North Korean studies from the University of North Korean Studies, Seoul.
Lonia Steve Mwiyeriwa
Lonia Steve Mwiyeriwa serves as the chief planning officer for the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture. In this role, she provides specialist planning advice to key stakeholders and community members within the Local Authority. Lonia leads and supports the implementation of district and statewide planning frameworks, programs and projects aimed at achieving planning objectives and addressing socioeconomic issues. During her fellowship, Lonia aims to deepen her expertise in leadership models, project management, and public policy development and analysis. Her goal is to contribute to sustainable development in her country, both in the public and private sectors. She holds a master of arts in development studies from the University of Malawi. Lonia is following in the footsteps of her mother, Dr. Chrissie Mwiyeriwa, a 1993-1994 Humphrey alumna of Cornell University.
Lana D. Omar Surcy
Lana D. Omar Surchy is currently a human resources and administration manager with more than 10 years of experience in engineering, humanitarian and investment sectors. As a Humphrey Fellow, she is interested in public policy, human resources and human rights. After her fellowship, she seeks to provide more employment opportunities for youth, particularly those with disabilities, and celebrate diversity and inclusion and ensure organizations are providing all the rights for employees and enhancing workplace inclusivity. Lana holds a master's in executive business administration (EMBA) from the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr in Erbil, Iraq.
Tokiana Rakotonirainy
Tokiana Rakotonirainy most recently worked as the head of the Decentralized Cooperation Service at the Municipality of Antananarivo where he facilitated collaboration between the city administrators, international entities and multi-sector stakeholders. He served as the contact for the Milan Food Policy Pact, a sustainable food systems project. During his fellowship, Tokiana is interested in public policy analysis, food policy and local governance. After his fellowship, he seeks to play a role in the promotion of sustainable food system policies and food governance based on his experience in the United States. Tokiana holds an M.A. in public administration from the University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Samir Mohamed Hassani
Samir Mohamed Hassani is head of communications in the Office of the President. He has also been an entrepreneur, co-founding the TARTIB communication agency and an activist in civil society. During his fellowship, Samir aims to strengthen his leadership capabilities while focusing on public policy design, analysis and implementation, in addition to diplomacy, strategic planning, digital transformation and public-private partnerships. After his fellowship, Samir plans to be involved in establishing a National School of Administration and shape future policies while launching the first private TV channel in Comoros. In addition, he seeks to contribute to initiatives in education, environmental conservation, and human rights advocacy with his NGO, Act Comoros Foundation. Samir studied law and communications at the Sorbonne and UPEC Universities in France. He holds a master's degree in political and public communication.
Renzo Torres
Renzo Torres is senior project advisor of the Local Government Administration - Paysandú Municipality, working to design local economic, social and environmental development projects. He also coordinates and manages national and international cooperation programs. As a Humphrey Fellow, Renzo is interested in local development projects, public policy design and social innovation. After the fellowship, he plans to design innovative public policies for the sustainable development of communities. Renzo holds a bachelor's degree in development from the University of the Republic, Uruguay.
Güler Ünlü
Güler Ünlü most recently worked as a section manager of foreign affairs and market research at the Turkish Grain Board, where she monitored both domestic and international food (grain, pulses, oilseeds, etc.) markets, conducted data analysis, and formulated strategic measures to address potential disruptions and mitigate price fluctuations. During her fellowship, she plans to focus on policy design, policy analysis, public administration, food policy, and food safety from a multidisciplinary perspective. After completing the fellowship, Güler plans to focus on strengthening her theoretical foundation in policy design and implementation. She intends to address food policy and food security, recognizing the growing importance of these areas due to climate change and their impact on national security. Güler aims to conduct comparative studies, work from a multidisciplinary perspective to shape existing policies, and study to highlight changes in how food issues are addressed within international organizations. She holds a Ph.D. from Ankara University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration.
Jüri Vlassov
Jüri Vlassov currently works at the Ministry of the Interior where he is a national security policy advisor. During his fellowship, he’s interested in the intersection of new technologies and national security. After his fellowship, Jüri aims to help ensure that new technologies help humanity flourish, not perish. He holds a master of public administration from the University of Tartu in Estonia.
Annis Ward
Annis Ward currently works as the principal personnel officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where she manages and recruits the ministry's workforce, formulates policy, coordinates personnel policies and procedures while advising on employee benefits and welfare. During her fellowship, Annis plans to focus on policy development and implementation. After her fellowship, she plans to bridge the gap between policy development and implementation and apply the knowledge and best practices within Guyana Public Service. Annis holds a post graduate diploma in development studies from the University of Guyana.
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