Authors

AUTHORS

SHANEL WILSON takes pride in providing sustainable social and community development programs for everyone. She, in rare and audacious form, driven by her commitment to “filing in the gaps” in creating initiatives and strategies to resolve unmet social needs. As a Social Engineer and prospective Law Student, her goals include providing administrative strategies to national leaders, facilitating women’s development programming, and advocating for socio-economic development in Bluefield’s, Nicaragua. Shanel got her start in the field of social development while a student at Howard University where she was involved in reviving the Transfer Student Association, an integrating system for students who transferred to Howard university from community colleges or other universities. In her free time, Shanel continues to pursue child advocacy for orphaned youth, takes as many Solidcore classes as possible, Bake and assortment of goddess, and brainstorm more original programing to birth into the world. Shanel’s roots spread across Compton, CA, Oceanside, Ca, Bluefield’s, Nicaragua, and where she currently resides, Washington, D.C.

KYLA DENWOOD is a recent graduate from Tulane University where she earned dual degrees in Economics (B.S.) and International Development (B.A.) to understand the role of the private sector in promoting social change. Her research and career interests lie at the nexus of labor, international education, social innovation and social entrepreneurship, and economic development. She has been fortunate to pursue relevant opportunities in Kenya, Paraguay, the United Arab Emirates, and New Orleans. Kyla recently finished her tenure as a Youth Ambassador at Expo 2020 Dubai where she represented Illinois and Louisiana as a cultural ambassador at the U.S.A. Pavilion. Inspired by her international experiences and quantitative research, she now works as a Research Associate for the International Programs department of NORC at the University of Chicago, where she researches a variety of topics ranging from youth engagement to poverty alleviation to democracy and governance in countries across all regions of the world. In her freetime, Kyla enjoys playing flute, ballroom dancing, and learning to skateboard.

MARI FAINES, MSc is the Director of Communications and Outreach for Physicians for Social Responsibility, a podcast host, and diversity & equity activist. Faines holds a Master of Science in the Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice from SOAS University of London. Her Undergraduate research from Colgate University and Postgraduate Academic research specialize in conflict resolution, transitional justice, and racial disparities in the US, sub-Saharan Africa, and throughout the diaspora. Faines serves on the Board of Women of Color Advancing Peace and Conflict, UK, and as Steering Committee

Member for their global DEI initiative ‘Organisations in Solidarity ’ . Faines also serves as the founder and host of the WCAPS-UK Podcast ‘Got Melanin’ . Faines current political and Advocacy work includes, being a member of Foreign Policy 4 America, NextGen Initiative, serving as co-lead for the DEI working group. Previous political and advocacy activities include work with Democrats Abroad, African Development Forum, the London Conversations; and as a UNITE 2030 Youth Delegate Lead for the 2021 program focused on UN Global Goals. Faines has a passionate belief that only through unselfish commitment, and authentic innovative collaboration, can we ever hope to achieve optimum health, equity, justice, and peace, for all populations.

ALONNA WILLIAMS is a budding peace researcher and data scientist. She studied Law and Government at the illustrious Florida Memorial University and recently obtained her master's degree in International Development at IE School of Global and Public Affairs. As a master's student Alonna specialized in social inclusion and technological innovation in sustainable development. She is most interested in merging her love for data science and international development to advance progress on issues like poverty, economic development and peace and conflict.

MIA VEAL is a grassroots organizing consultant for the Union of Concerned Scientists' "Back from the Brink" campaign. She recently earned her master's degree in International Relations with an emphasis in Human Rights Law from the University of Kent's Brussels School of International Studies. Her experience working with refugee youth while completing her graduate degree ignited her passion for advocating for vulnerable members of the global community, specifically on those issues that acutely affect women and girls, such as reproductive health and equal access to quality education.