EXECUTIVE BOARD
Juliette Verlaque
PRESIDENT
Juliette Verlaque is a second-year MAIR student concentrating in Security, Strategy and Statecraft and African Studies. Prior to attending SAIS, she was a program coordinator for PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), where she provided support to persecuted artists from around the world and helped them secure emergency funding, legal assistance, and artistic residencies. She is the author of PEN America’s report, Art Is Power: 20 Artists on How They Fight for Justice and Inspire Change. Juliette graduated cum laude from Barnard College with a degree in political science and human rights. While at Barnard, Juliette wrote numerous front-page investigative stories as a senior news reporter for the Columbia Daily Spectator. She also studied abroad in Chile during her junior year and served as a research assistant for a critically acclaimed book about international peacebuilding during her senior year.
Sima Beitinjaneh
VICE PRESIDENT
Sima is a MIPP student. She obtained her undergraduate degree, a BSc in Computer and Electrical Engineering. Sima has also received an MBA focused in Finance. She has worked in engineering and finance for more than 12 years, especially in the energy and utilities industry. Sima decided to come to SAIS for a career shift to follow her passion about political science/culture/international policy. She is a mother of two, 14- and 10-year-old. Growing up in Syria she went to the French school and has lived in Syria, Lebanon, Greece and the US. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, listening to Brazilian music and trying new restaurants.
Nina Simone Davis
TREASURER
Nina is a second-year MAIR student concentrating in the intersection between Development, Climate, and Sustainability & Governance, Politics and Society. A Jersey girl at heart she grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies with a concentration in Colonialism and State Regimes from Johns Hopkins University in 2023. She enjoys making and looking at art as well as listening to music and reading in her free time.
Maggie toole
CO-DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Maggie Toole is a second-year MAIR student focusing on Security, Strategy and Statecraft in Europe/Eurasia with an emphasis on Conflict Management. At SAIS, Maggie is also the co-founder and co-President of the French Club, President of the SAIS Global Security and Conflict Management (GSCM) Club. She received her undergraduate degree in International Studies, minoring in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and French Language and Culture in 2021 from American University. During her time at AU, Maggie co-led a study trip to Northern Ireland on Brexit’s impact on the island and studied abroad at ICP in Paris. Upon graduation, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member for Raise Montana, a nonprofit focused on increasing the accessibility, quality, and affordability of childcare in the state. She is very passionate about intersectionality in conflict, specifically the role of gender in genocide and education in peacebuilding. In her free time, Maggie loves baking, hiking, and watching Pride and Prejudice (1995 & 2005).
SylviA HU
CO-DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Sylvia is a second-year MAIR student focusing on Development, Climate, and Sustainability. Originally from Guangzhou, China. She received her undergraduate degree in International Studies in 2023 from American University. During her undergraduate studies, Sylvia participated in various research opportunities and interned at Becky’s Fund to support domestic violence survivors. Sylvia is interested in women’s rights in a transnational context, and conducted her capstone project on sexual violence during armed conflicts. She believes in the importance of educational opportunities and the access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching musicals, and going to art museums.
Deepshri Mathur
SECRETARY
Deepshri Mathur is a first-year MAIR student specializing in gender, technology, and innovation, with a regional focus on Asia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Denison University, Ohio, where she majored in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sociology/Anthropology. Prior to coming to SAIS, Deepshri worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in various capacities across India. Through her role as the Monitoring and Evaluation Associate, Deepshri tracked the progress of over 40 projects being implemented across the country. As a Programme Associate, Deepshri managed teams, handled multi-million-dollar budgets, and led strategic initiatives such as developing a knowledge management platform and training teams in gender sensitivity and program implementation.
Ali Gostanian
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
Ali Gostanian is an MIPP student with a regional interest in the Middle East. Prior to joining SAIS, Ali was an award-winning senior reporter, producer and editor with NBC News' Social Newsgathering team, specializing in open source intelligence and social media verification. She served as the weekend manager for social newsgathering operations, leading reporters, associate reporters and interns during breaking news coverage. Ali is the winner of five RTDNA National Murrow Awards, a News Emmy Award, a New York Press Club Award and the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for Excellence in Professional Journalism. She was also nominated for nine Emmy Awards during her time at NBC News. Ali studied Communications and Media Studies, Journalism and Business Administration at Fordham University in New York where she graduated cum laude in 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling and photography.
Nibba Ahmed
CO-CONFERENCE COORDINATOR
Nibba Ahmed is a first year MAIR student with functional focuses of Government, Politics, and Society and a regional focus in the Middle East. She is originally from Connecticut, and graduated from the George Washington University with a degree in International Relations and Affairs with a minor in Arabic. She served as an intern on the White House Gender Policy Council, where she assisted in policy issues focused on gender-based violence and issues pertaining to ensuring women’s economic, peace, and security across the globe. Nibba focuses her studies of international security at the intersection of gender, particularly focused on the regions of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Ensuring that women are at the table in security spaces is at the forefront of her passions. She is excited to be a part of this team.
Sandrine Mugenga Irankunda
CO-CONFERENCE COORDINATOR
Sandrine Mugenga Irankunda is a PhD student in African Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Her research is centered on genocide and other forms of large-scale violence within the African context, delving into the historical, political, social, economic, and cultural dynamics that contribute to these conflicts, with a commitment to shedding light on often overlooked narratives.Sandrine earned her MBA from Georgia State University, specializing in international organization management, further enhancing her capacity to navigate and understand global challenges. Beyond her academic pursuits, Sandrine contributes significantly to SAIS Women Lead, a pivotal hub for advancing and amplifying women’s leadership globally. As a research and program assistant, she has orchestrated several notable talk series, conferences, and workshops, featuring distinguished thought leaders such as Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta. Deeply committed to her Rwandan heritage and community, Sandrine's dedication to effecting positive change has been recognized through various awards for her impactful community work. Her expertise extends to serving as an esteemed panelist alongside notable figures, including the President of Rwanda. Moreover, she spearheads workshops focused on genocide education and prevention, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding.
Isabel Gouveia
CO-CONFERENCE COORDINATOR
Isabel Gouveia is a first-year MAIR student at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Within the MAIR program, she is focusing specifically on Strategy, Security and Statecraft across MENA and Europe regions. Isabel is a research assistant for Tom Sanderson Consulting, a geopolitical risk firm based here in Washington. As an RA, she executes detailed, time-sensitive research pertaining to global trade, violent non-state actors, cyberterrorism, critical minerals and natural resources, among others. In 2022, while studying abroad in Paris, France, Isabel traveled to Tangier, Morocco with the TSC team, engaging as a French liaison and helping the team with research support. Isabel graduated Summa Cum Laude from Elon University in May 2024. She is a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Tau Alpha Honors Societies and a very proud alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. In her free time, she loves to spend time with friends and family, work out, travel, and explore the DC restaurant scene.
AURORA CUMANI
CO-CONFERENCE COORDINATOR
BIO COMING SOON