FRANCIS ALBRIGHT

Francis is from Ghana, and has a BA in Sociology from University of Ghana, and MSc. in Medicine (Epidemiology) from the University of Witswaterand, South Africa. He also has certificates in Maternal Newborn and Child Health Continuum of Care from University of Tokyo, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics from University of Melbourne, and Strengthening Community Health Worker Programs from Harvard University. In addition to working with the Ghana's Health Service, Francis served with various international agencies in the role of Country Coordinator for the Bloomberg Data for Health initiative, Research Coordinator for Mobile Technology for Community Health, Maternal and Child Health initiatives, and Executive Secretary for the Pest and Vector Control Association. Francis came to MDP seeking to enhance his skills in order to contribute to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

WILLOW NEWCOMB

Willow received her Bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she studied Political Science and Human Services & Social Justice. During her time in D.C., she discovered her passion for accelerating social change through public policy, particularly within migration and refugee politics. Her perspectives have been shaped by internship experiences at the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration, and both chambers of the U.S. Congress. During her time in D.C., Willow was also involved with her community, accruing over 1,000 hours of service at local nonprofits. Working at the grassroots, she wrote grants to support low-income Black mothers in DC, developed a curriculum on mental health for students of a bilingual elementary school, assisted schools in evaluating and documenting the impact of their tutoring programs, and taught digital art to middle schoolers. These experiences have led her to pursue a career in development, grounded in big picture, large systems perspectives and guided by a commitment to collaborating with people who are most affected.

 JADE OBAYUWANA

Jade hails from Lagos, Nigeria. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from New Mexico State University and, while in college, she served in various leadership roles, including President of the International Christian Fellowship. In that role, Jade played a pivotal role in helping students from diverse backgrounds transition to life in the U.S., while also fostering a sense of community in which they could practice their faith. Post-graduation, Jade worked as an Advocacy Fellow with the Fund for Global Health. Her responsibilities includedshe actively engaging with U.S. Congress members, advocating for enhanced global health services delivery, comprehensive primary health care, and increased accountability in U.S. foreign aid for global health. Jade's aspirations which brought her to the MDP center on health policy and laws. In her leisure moments, she is an avid traveler and a culinary enthusiast who relishes discovering new cultures and cuisines.

 JOSLYN ORJI

Joslyn was born in Los Angeles, California where she lived before moving to Nigeria in 2010. Joslyn lived in various parts of the country, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. In 2018, she returned to the U.S. to study at the Colorado State University where she earned her B.A. in Political Science, with minors in Ethnic Studies and International Development. Following graduation, Joslyn worked in the Office of the Lt. Governor of Colorado for Serve Colorado, coordinating communications, external affairs, and special projects.

 NICOLE PAUL

Nicole is a half Kiwi (from New Zealand) half Colombian, born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. She received her bachelor’s in Anthropology from Los Andes University, with a concentration in Social Psychology. After graduation, Nicole joined Save the Children-Colombia, where she supported the humanitarian response team in developing partnership and localization guidelines as well as responding to the Venezuela migration crisis and to Colombia’s internal armed conflict. Nicole later joined Save the Children-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Office, where she coordinated initiatives aimed to accelerate LAC's efforts to ensure children learn, play and grow-up in healthy and safe environments. Nicole is passionate about working with local organizations to transform children’s lives. She loves traveling and connecting with people, and being inspired by the richness that the world’s cultural diversity as key to transformative and sustainable development. In her free time, you can find Nicole in the outdoors bikepacking, trail running, or mountain climbing. 

 ERICA PHILLIPS

Erica was born and raised in Minnesota. She received her BA in Political Science and International Relations from Iowa State University.  She served as an Agriculture Extension Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, supporting small stakeholder farmers in the French-speaking Literal region. When COVID hit in 2020, Erica was evacuated back to the US and worked with a small consulting firm doing advanced data analytics on Human Trafficking and Violent Extremism for USAID-funded research in Southeast Asia. Erica started working full-time at the Carter Center's Rule of Law program in May of 2022, primarily focusing on West Africa. In her free time, Erica enjoys reading, running, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

 ANNETTE PWAJOK

Annette is from Nigeria in West Africa. she a B.Sc degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos. After serving as a Laboratory Assistant for a while, she managed human resources at a law firm, while also volunteering at a local non-profit focused on prevention of and response to child sexual abuse. Annette then went on to serve as Operations Manager on a USAID funded project entitled “Promoting Staff Wellness & Resilience for Effective Response to Sexual & Gender Based Violence”. The project was directed to first line responders of SGBV in Abuja with the goal of reducing burnout and vicarious trauma associated with their work. Annette has also served as a research and logistics consultant with ABT Associates in preparation for the USAID Nigeria Health Opportunities project. She plans to apply the technical expertise and analytical skills aquired while in the MDP program to contribute to health systems strengthening in Nigeria. Annette loves to read, cook, sing, travel & meet people.

ABIGAIL STANGA

Though born in the U.S., Abigail, spent her childhood in France and England. She received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Affairs from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Abigail is trilingual, having learned French while living in France and Spanish while studying and traveling to Spanish-speaking countries. While in college, she volunteered at the Pinellas County Refugee Program and completed a senior practicum with international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, Abigail is on staff with the Carter Center's Human Rights Program, supporting its activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She has also worked on a U.S. congressional campaign, in administration at a law firm, and in marketing at several businesses. While in the MPD program, Abigail aims to focus on climate justice and human rights and gain skills and tools to devise more effective solutions. When not juggling work and study, Abigail can be found wandering in nature looking for birds and turtles.