Welcome to the Student and Alumni Spotlight series page. The series features interviews with students and alumni who are actively engaged in their practice either through coursework, extra-curricular activities, internships, jobs, etc. If you or someone you know would like to be featured in the spotlight series please shoot us an email at [email protected].
GPIA Alumna Darya Shaikh Challenges Leaders to Create Positive Change
Darya graduated from the The New School in 2012 with a concentration in conflict and security. Growing up in Brooklyn with a Muslim father and a Jewish mother, Darya’s interest in Middle East reconciliation efforts began early and led her to pursue a B.A. in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies at the McGill University. Upon graduating from McGill Darya began work as the COO at the multinational PeaceWorks Foundation where she was involved with the OneVoice Movement, an international movement supporting a two-state solution. Her experiences at PeaceWork Foundation influenced her decision to attend The New School and deepened her appreciation for grassroots activism and civil society’s role in creating change.
Presently based in New York, Darya is the Director of US Engagement for Leaders’ Quest, an international cross-sector social enterprise that works with leaders to create a more equitable and sustainable world. To meet this objective Leaders’ Quest designs “Quests” to disrupt a person’s status quo and expose them to the world whether in their own backyard or across the globe.
Nonprofit Management Alumna Erika Nonken Applies Philosophy Background to Consultancy Work
Erika Nonken graduated from the Nonprofit Management program in May 2013. Since graduating she has been engaged in nonprofit consultancy work through her business Reimagine Consulting, working with organizations on a variety of aspects of their work, including leadership, governance, fundraising and marketing/branding.
