Dominic is an Edward S. Mason Fellow at HKS and is studying for an a MPA focusing on sustainability and climate economics. Before his studies he was a Special Advisor to the President of Gabon where he specialised in climate end environmental policy and represented the country as a climate negotiator at COP26 and COP27. During his tenure he drafted the country’s innovative National Carbon Credit Strategy to mobilize finance for the protection of the Congo Basin’s precious rainforests. He is a keen conservationist and spent several years volunteering for Space for Giants, a charity combating human-elephant conflict in Gabon’s jungles. Dominic is Co-Chair in charge of Programming for SECON 2024 where he looks forward to collaborating with students across HBS and HKS to forge an exciting lineup for the conference.

Hi there! I’m Agatha. After some amazing times at BCG Jakarta, where I worked on digital and social projects, I found my true calling in using education to help uplift communities. I’m really looking forward to support the Education panel at SECON this year, and I can’t wait to collaborate with some incredible speakers. When I’m not diving into my work, you’ll find me lost in a good book or playing around with my two adorable dogs, Cino and Latte.

Jane is a Horace W. Goldsmith Fellow and ROMBA Fellow at HBS, focused on the intersection of finance and government. She most recently served as Assistant Secretary for Economic Development to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. Prior to that role, she worked for New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and in public finance investment banking at Citigroup. Jane is excited to help organize this year’s SECON and to meet other students and practitioners passionate about advancing economic justice and financial inclusion.

Kate comes to HBS from advisory and operations roles across local and federal government. Most recently, Kate served as Advisor to the the Secretary of Labor in the Biden-Harris Administration, and previously served as Manager of Key Initiatives and Strategic Planning for the City of Boston, supporting the city’s COVID-19 response and recovery. Kate holds a B.A. in Government from Harvard College, and is energized by SECON’s ability to generate cross-sector dialogues on critical issues of workforce, education, climate, and democracy.

Safiyah is pursuing a joint MBA/MPP at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. Most recently, Safiyah worked at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), where she supported CHAI’s senior leadership to develop the organization’s 2024-2028 strategy. Prior to graduate school, she joined Ginkgo Bioworks, a synthetic biology company. There, she led large-scale COVID-19 testing programs and spearheaded international partnerships to pilot novel technologies for pandemic prevention, including with mRNA Victoria in Australia. Safiyah began her career as a management consultant at Bain & Company, where she led multiple teams serving local nonprofits and international social enterprises. She graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Woodruff Scholar at Emory University with dual bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Economics. Safiyah is thrilled to serve as a Panel Lead for SECON to catalyze meaningful conversation around critical social challenges and foster community around social enterprise.

Aaisha Shah grew up in Lahore, Pakistan. She witnessed the wealth and opportunity gap across socio-economic divides, and the undeniable impact giving back in a tangible manner has on reducing these gaps. Consequently, volunteering, and social impact-related activities have always been a huge part of her life. She studied History at Harvard College and was most recently a management consultant with Oliver Wyman in Singapore. As a consultant, she also undertook pro-bono social impact projects with various international and local non-profits across the Asia Pacific. In her spare time, she loves to travel, read, work out, and watch cricket.

Simona Stancov discovered her love of social impact after moving away from home at age 15 to attend the Illinois Math and Science Academy. Inspired by a community whose mission was to “educate creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition,” she learned the importance of questioning the status quo and being bold enough to strive for a better, more equitable world. Since then, social impact has been the guiding force behind Simona’s academic and professional pursuits. She is currently working to earn her MBA from HBS, with the goal of applying her knowledge and skills to improve health equity in the US and globally. Prior to HBS, Simona served as a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group, where she worked in the Healthcare and Social Impact practice areas. Her favorite projects included helping a major foundation to develop strategic options for sustained disease control and supporting pharma companies to decarbonize their supply chains.

Swati Shah Gupta, Co-Chair (Finance) of SECON 2024, brings over a decade of experience in development finance and PPP advisory in India. Before embarking on her current Masters in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, Swati led high-impact projects across investing and consulting organizations in India. At Aavishkaar, India’s largest impact investing group, she directed Impact and ESG initiatives, while ran her own venture empowering women seeking second careers. Her impressive portfolio boasts collaborations with global institutions like the World Bank and ADB on designing PPPs in the urban infrastructure sector and cutting-edge research on blended finance in India. Now at HKS, Swati focuses on climate finance, impact investing, and corporate sustainability, and is actively contributing to the HKS Impact Investing Club and Business & Government Student PIC.

Annabel Ware is currently pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School. She recently graduated from the LSE with a Master’s in Global Politics, where she wrote her dissertation on China’s use of bilateral currency swap lines to sanction-proof its supply chain. Before her graduate studies, Annabel invested in government-issued carbon allowances at a Boston-based hedge fund. She subsequently worked with IFC in New Delhi quantifying the South Asian portfolio’s exposure to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. At Harvard, Annabel is blending her interest and experience in finance, geopolitics, and climate policy as part of the Rising Leaders for Social Enterprise program.

Brandon Moore began his public service at West Point where he commissioned as a U.S. Army aviation officer in 2014. Brandon’s first assignment was to the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Drum, NY where he served as an Air Cavalry Platoon Leader. In this role, he implemented the aviation restructuring initiative as his unit converted from Kiowa helicopters to Apache helicopters and Shadow drones. Following a rotational deployment to South Korea, Brandon assumed command of an Air Cavalry Troop in 2019 and led counterterrorism and stability operations in southeast Afghanistan. His unit was responsible for aviation support to five Afghan provinces. Brandon is currently a joint degree candidate at Harvard Kennedy School (MPP) and Harvard Business School (MBA). His studies focus on cross-sector partnerships critical to American democratic processes. Through conscientious state-level public policy, Brandon aspires to strengthen the voice of marginalized communities in his home state of Connecticut.

Kailash, born in Nepal, is currently an MPA/ID student at Harvard Kennedy School. He holds a bachelor’s in computer science and economics from Middlebury College, Vermont. His professional experience includes developing algorithms and fostering organizational partnerships on remote sensing-based solutions for climate adaptation. He is passionate about building low-cost scalable solutions for international development. Additionally, he has provided soft-skills training to first-generation public school students in Nepal and has published research work in public health. In his free time, Kailash enjoys playing musical instruments, racquet sports, and exploring the outdoors in New England.

Ojaswee is currently a first-year student at Harvard Business School. Born and raised in Nepal, Ojaswee moved to the United States at sixteen to attend the United World College in New Mexico, and she holds a B.A. in Financial Economics from Columbia University. Ojaswee spent three years as a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group, where she focused on public health and consumer clients and supported pro-bono efforts. She also worked at UNICEF, supporting global COVID-19 response efforts in coordination with GAVI and WHO. Ojaswee is passionate about increasing equity socioeconomic mobility & the role of the private sector in enabling a more equitable distribution of growth.

Veronica, holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Social Sciences, coupled with a Master’s in International Relations, boasts a multifaceted background. Her journey includes impactful roles in journalism, public affairs, and technology, showcasing versatility in government, green business, and a leading ride-hailing company in Brazil. At HKS, Veronica eagerly participates in discussions on the future of AI and the internet, envisioning their potential to amplify growth and foster meaningful impact in developing economies.

Jeanney is a Master of Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her ambition is to work towards closing the racial wealth gap through inclusive and equitable urban development. She is particularly interested in state and local programs that help individuals attain economic security. Jeanney is excited for SECON as a place to convene public, private, and nonprofit actors passionate about creating social change.

Aashi grew up in Delhi, India. Prior to HKS, she worked with FSG, an impact consulting firm that focuses on creating inclusive markets and helping businesses cater to disadvantaged populations. She is presently pursuing a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School with a focus on gender and climate policy.

Eleanor Furtado was previously a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group focused on healthcare, in particular on improving global health outcomes in lower and middle income countries. She also has experience in nonprofit strategy and operations at Save the Children International, focused on child safety. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) at the Harvard Kennedy School. During her time at HKS, she is keen to explore how the private sector can be better leveraged to promote the economic empowerment of women.

Ahmad is passionate about mobilizing private capital for sustainable development in the Global South. Prior to HKS, he raised public and philanthropic capital, scaled evidence-based social impact initiatives, and built diverse coalitions at the University of Chicago’s Development Innovation Lab, Precision Development (PxD), and Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago. Ahmad is looking forward to SECON because it’s all about tackling big global challenges in a way that’s fresh and exciting. The innovative energy and commitment to sustainable development resonates with his passion for mobilizing private capital for impact.

David Kay was the first employee and Director of Communications at UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats). He is currently an MBA student at Harvard Business School. At UPSIDE, David played a key role in the founding of The Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation (AMPS Innovation), the world’s first trade coalition for the cultivated meat, poultry and seafood industry. He previously served on the Board of Directors as the Vice President of AMPS Innovation. David has spoken at or been quoted in CNN, Reuters, USA Today, The Atlantic, The Daily Beast and SXSW, and has given the keynote address at the Cultured Meat Symposium, Cell Agri, and the Food Innovation Summit. In 2023 he was named one of The Propel 100 Most Influential Startup PR Professionals in the World. David is also on the Board Directors at Animal Place, was appointed by the Mayor of Berkeley to serve on the Animal Care Commission, and is an advisor for the Cellular Agricultural Society. David has a BA from Stanford University in political science.

Manali is a Master’s in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to Harvard, she worked as an international development consultant and impact investor in South Asia with focus on gender and financial inclusion. At SECON 2024, she looks forward to interact, learn, and collaborate with individuals in similar spaces.

Rasha Khoury, a pediatric specialist and former Medical Director at Maccabi Healthcare Services, holds an M.D. from Technion’s Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Israel. With a deep commitment to patient care, Rasha completed her residency at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, contributing significantly to clinical research. A graduate of the Technion’s Biodesign Innovation Program and a member of the FemTech team, she’s dedicated to integrating technology with healthcare. Currently, as a Mid-Career MPA student at Harvard Kennedy School, Rasha focuses on enhancing healthcare systems, empowering women, and promoting human rights. She is leading the community team for the SECON 2024 conference, aiming to address urgent community issues through rich and insightful panels.

Wasim is currently pursuing a mid-career MPA at Harvard Kennedy School, on sabbatical from the UK’s DFI – British International Investment (BII) – where, as Director, he has been responsible for developing the organisation’s approach to mobilisation of private capital into emerging markets. Wasim has broad and deep financial services expertise, developed through working in the financial services practices of Boston Consulting Group and Oliver Wyman, and through roles at Lloyds Banking Group and Credit Suisse. His topic expertise spans capital markets, asset management, transaction banking, retail banking, consumer finance, payments and insurance. His functional expertise includes strategy, business development, market sizing, risk, regulatory reform, and organisational design. Wasim graduated from the University of Oxford and is a CFA® charterholder.

Maya is currently pursuing her MPH at Harvard with a focus on digital health, AI, and social enterprise. As a communications professional at the United Nations Foundation, she has built grassroots communities around major public health issues, specifically vaccine access and global health equity. She transitioned into this work during the COVID-19 pandemic after graduating from the University of Florida. Before this, she interned at the NYC Mayor’s Office and for Barack and Michelle Obama in their post-presidency office. After graduation, her goal is to work at the intersection of business and social impact. She is excited to learn from accomplished speakers at her first SECON.

Winston Tang is a first year MPP student and a co-chair of the FinTech Club at the Harvard Kennedy School. A former software engineer and parliamentary advisor, Winston is passionate about finding the common grounds between public and private sector to advance social goods. Whether it is through public private joint ventures or impact investing, both sectors have unique strengths that can be incorporated together. Winston is excited to be a part of the SECON team — in particular, as a former architecture student who has worked on issues related to homelessness and food insecurity, Winston looks forward to bringing forward different perspectives for a diverse audience.

Jonathan Jayes-Green is a social change strategist, a fellow at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, and a Master in Public Administration candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School. Jonathan brings over a decade of senior nonprofit, philanthropy, and political experience. Jonathan serves on the board of directors of Funders of LGBTQ Issues, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and eBay Foundation. Jonathan’s profile and contributions to social justice movements are memorialized at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Sachindra Sahu, comes with a versatile background in data science, development consulting, and public finance as a policy practitioner. He is currently a first-year in Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) at the Harvard Kennedy School. Before HKS, he worked with the Finance Ministry in India where he helped thwart several bad policies and saved more than $10 billion in public money. In his spare time, you can always find him with a book or playing table tennis. He is deeply interested in all aspects of Urban economics with a special focus on taxation, climate, and transportation.

Anna was born and raised in Metro Manila, Philippines. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University, she worked in the Government of the Philippines’ Department of Transportation and was involved in railway network development and project implementation. As a second year joint MBA and Masters in Public Administration in International Development student, she aims to understand how the public and private sectors can collaborate to create impact at scale. She is passionate about building sustainable and accessible cities, particularly through infrastructure development and mobility solutions.

Hugo is an MC/MPA student at the Harvard Kennedy School focused on business-government relationship, health policy and behavioural science. Hugo believes that together, policy-makers and business decision-makers can step up to solve the challenges of the 21st Century. Hugo is also the Co-Founder of Perx Health, a social enterprise in disease management, that has helped 40,000 individuals better manage their health journeys to achieve better outcomes. As a social enterpreneur himself, Hugo is excited by SECON’s ability to pull together many of the purpose-minded organisations and individuals to both inspire and take action.

Nikki is a Duke graduate and joint HKS/HBS student interested in housing and homelessness. Nikki was a management consultant at Bain & Company in New York for three years. She also worked as Chief of Staff at the Covid-19 Eviction Defense Project, an organization providing rental and legal assistance to housing-insecure families during the pandemic. Most recently, she interned at the State Government of Hawaii working on housing policy. She is particularly interested in how we can more effectively collaborate across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to meet our growing housing needs and build more inclusive communities. Nikki is excited for SECON, as it is a unique opportunity to have important cross-sector dialogues on our most pressing challenges.

My career has been dedicated to education equity. Most recently, I served as the executive director of a local college access and success NGO. I am excited to be able to have the Harvard community learn about the education landscape in Boston.

Yujing Jin, currently pursing a Master’s in Public Administration in International Development at Harvard Kennedy School, boasts a distinguished background in the realm of social impact, spanning both public and private sectors. Her journey began at the United Nations, focusing on economic and policy analysis. She later returned to China, her homeland, where she orchestrated high-level projects in science, education, and climate change within leading public sector organizations, effectively forging vital links between international and local initiatives. Yujing has also deepened her impact as a partner in a boutique consultancy, specializing in ESG strategies for Fortune 500 companies and national businesses. This role further fueled her drive to achieve social change through business. She then founded Worldview Scholars, a forward-thinking social enterprise dedicated to empowering youth with global citizen education, which underscores her dedication to shaping future leaders and ensuring enduring societal impact. She looks forward to meeting with people who are passionate about impact at SECON!

Yiqi is a product designer with a focus on designing useful entertainment technologies, actively exploring multidisciplinary relationships between AI, XR, art, and human cognitive augmentation. She started her career as a game concept designer, contributing her talent in both 2D and 3D to multiple AAA FPS games, including Call of Duty Mobile, Delta Force, and more, with a sleek futuristic hardcore design aesthetic. Her current and past clients include Tencent, Activision, Disney, Papergames, Bytedance. With her passion for building more responsive and interactive systems in the broad intersection of tech and gaming, she pursued her studies at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, and MIT with a research focus on Human-Computer Interaction and gamified product design.

Karina is a member of the Finance Team. Before joining the HKS MPA program, she worked at the United Nations in Infrastructure Finance focused on connecting every school in the world to the internet and electricity. She is an HBS Fellow focused on climate finance solutions. She is interested in the energy transition and related clean technologies.

Sang Zoon (Joon) Park is a former newspaper journalist from South Korea with a nonprofit management background. Joon is currently pursuing a dual degree: Master in Public Policy at Harvard and Master of Business Administration at Stanford. In 2016, Joon founded a nonprofit organization aimed at ending sexual violence and assisting survivors, working with the Mayor of Seoul and the Minister of Gender Equality. During his career in journalism, 2018 – 2023, Joon continued addressing sexual violence and defending refugee rights, influencing government policy changes. For his stories, Joon was awarded Korea Journalism Grand Prize and Legal News Journalist of the Year in 2022. Joon earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Seoul National University. Joon joined SECON 2024 because he believes the stories of social enterprise founders’ journeys are more interesting than any other, fiction or non-fiction.

Samya brings a decade of investment banking, deals advisory, corporate finance and strategy consulting experience with global banks, DFIs, PE/VC Funds and impact invetors across Netherlands, India and Qatar. Samya is pursuing her mid-career MPA at Harvard specializing in economic policy development and climate finance.