“Raised by a career US Army officer dad and a civilian Army project manager mom, I was instilled with a deep sense of service. Whether as an Eagle Scout or team captain in track or rugby, I feel profound satisfaction from lifting others up by being a dependable and friendly support system. At The George […]

“Growing up in a multi-cultural family from Eastern Europe, I developed an internationalist perspective at an early age. I further expanded this perspective while completing my Juris Doctor with a focus on international law at George Mason Law School, followed by a Master’s in International Policy from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The […]

“Hey there! I’m Andy. I’ve spent the better part of my career in the thick of government affairs and corporate communications, steering through the maze of legislation, regulatory processes, and making sure our communities are set up for success. When I’m not in the office, you’ll find me at home, diving into DIY projects with […]

“The art of communication is the language of leadership. I have always been fascinated with not only communication, but the various types of communication that directly motivate or demotivate people. It often times has a direct correlation on whether an organization achieves its goals. With sports playing an important part in my life, I learned […]

“My late father retired as an executive for McDonald’s Corporation at the age of 48 (yes, Big Macs put my sister and me through college/med school). He was the utmost professional and expected the same from my sister and I. He encouraged us to always build and maintain healthy relationships in the workplace. I attended […]

“I’ve always thrived on creative expression. From writing stories to capturing life’s moments through photography and film, I love letting my imagination run wild. Growing up in Nicaragua, I was surrounded by a vibrant culture that nurtured my creativity and taught me to appreciate the richness of different perspectives. Alongside the beauty, I also witnessed the […]

“As Forrest Gump’s mom once said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.’ This phrase has rung true on my career path as my curiosity has led me to embrace opportunities presented to me. Once I graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Master’s Degree in […]

“My love of foreign languages and other cultures became a guiding influence in my life at a young age. Throughout my formal education, I studied Japanese, Chinese, French, and Spanish, and I had the opportunity to study abroad in several countries. I think nothing impacts young minds like seeing firsthand how other people live. After leaving […]

“I am fascinated by how the world works. My grandparents lived in Japan and traveled extensively. Their stories enchanted me, and I wanted the same experiences and insights. I studied economics and history at Miami University (Ohio) and then set off traveling. I spent a year in China and two and a half years in […]

“I’ve always disliked the feeling of being on the sidelines and not having a voice in decisions that impacted my daily life. At a young age, that discomfort led me to work with the Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (NC) and eventually the Mayor’s Office to improve educational outcomes for local high-need schools. Since graduating Davidson […]